bad to good and good to better

TyBlog10.20.2013 It has been a good week. We had exchanges on Tuesday in Colonia Divinia. I did another baptism interview. She is 16 and very prepared for the gospel. Later we went to the Bishop's and I met his family and had dinner. We shared a 15 minute lesson and he gave us some referrals in our area. He trusts us because later that week at our baptism and at sacrament he shared the same verses we shared in the 15 minute lesson, 3 Nephi 12:14-16. Then the next day we didn't want to wake up early for the only jeep ride and be tired for the mission tour so we hiked back. It was so beautiful and took about 2 hours. It was a sweet hike of crossing rivers and really muddy, but so relaxing. Then we traveled to Bacolod for the mission tour. Staying in the hotel was sweet and I took a hot shower, my 3rd one so far! The mission tour was so great. It was a revelatory experience. We got some good food and cool to see everyone. Elder and Sister Nielsen came, he is a general authority and the area 70 president of the Philippines. I learned how much our family and future will be blessed from our missions It has been true in my mission. I loved Elder Nielsen's talk about "In the strength of the Lord." It is a talk by Elder Bednar about the enabling power of the atonement. I encourage all of you to read it. It talks about the journey of this life is to go from bad to good and good to better. (Mosiah 3:19) We go from bad to good through the redeeming power of the atonement when we are cleaned from sin. But we still need to go from good to better. It is only possible through the enabling power of the atonement. It talks about how we need to act and pray for strength to change our circumstances not have our circumstances be taken away or changed. We all need the enabling power of the Atonement every single day. I also loved the training about establishing the church and helping the recent converts to stay active. That is one thing I have always been trying to do, but I want to apply it better and help other recent converts stay active. It was really cool to learn from Elder Nielsen knowing that he has been in meetings with the Prophet and that he is a way cool, normal guy, and I felt the truth of his words thru the Holy Ghost testifying to me. Then on Saturday I had the opportunity to baptize Erlinda, it was so awesome and the spirit was so strong. She was so happy and thankful. It made me so happy to know that God knows all and sent me here to this small place on the other side of the world so that I could baptize her. I love you all and I'm excited for my birthday. I am getting old, can't believe I'm almost 21. I know this church is true. Love Elder Mifflin