Week 34; ZoCo

Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QuW5JQQJL6emqhb68 Friday was a packed day with the whole west side of the mission at the Pittsburgh Temple for service from 9am to 12:30pm. Pitt North, Pitt West, and Pittsburgh zones were all there together. We moved around 1000 bags of mulch
, and each one was 40lbs. My body is feeling it now sore all over. That’s 40,000 pounds of mulch moved as half a mission. Pretty wild to see that many elders and sisters working side by side for a few hours. After service we hit Buffalo Wild Wings with the Southside elders, then exchanged with them for the day. I was with Elder Canfield. Since the morning took most of the day, we didn’t get to a ton of proselyting. We did have a lesson with our recent convert Isabella though. We watched the Brother of Jared Book of Mormon video with her and talked about sharing the light of the gospel with everyone. It was a good day. I love being with Elder Canfield, he’s an awesome elder. Two of our progressing friends who we had put on date for baptism recently decided to step away. After doing some of their own research, they told us they’re not interested anymore and dropped us. We had a great lesson with our friend Carl and put him on date for baptism on the 17th. He’s been loving the Book of Mormon and engaging really well. But after doing some research on it, he’s decided to stay Catholic. He didn’t share what he found. It’s been tough, but we’re trusting the Lord’s timing. We’re slowly trying to get the ball rolling here in Northside and are working hard to find that person the Lord has prepared to be baptized next. Zone Conference this week was powerful. All day Thursday we kept circling back to one question: What’s our purpose and intent as missionaries? Every door we knock, we have to check our hearts. Am I just going through the motions, mentally already moving to the next house? Or am I truly intending to invite that person to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel? Baptism isn’t optional in that process. It’s essential. No ifs or buts. Elder Bednar put it bluntly: “Baptism is prominent in the doctrine of Christ. It cannot be set aside or diminished... IT IS CENTRAL TO OUR PURPOSE.” 2 Nephi 31 lays it out: baptism is the gate. It’s the starting point on the covenant path back to the Celestial Kingdom, back to God’s presence. We don’t baptize to boost church numbers. We baptize because it opens the door for someone’s eternal progression. It’s the first ordinance that puts their feet on the path to forever be with Him. So before every knock, before every conversation, the intent matters. Am I here to check a box, or am I here to invite a soul to Christ? That difference changes everything: our words, our spirit, and ultimately their opportunity to choose Him. Ask Yourself Why? With Love, Elder Batman

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