The Woodruff family baptism on June 4, 2012. Clint and Laura Woodruff with their sons, Tye and Zach. Elder William Marks and Elder Brown. Each member of the Woodruff family was baptized by a different Priesthood holder from their new ward. 18 missionaries sang "I am a Child of God' for a special number.
Well, sorry for the month of non-communication! After much harassment (from multiple sources), I figured I had better give everybody an update. First, let me say that talking to William on Mother's Day was a real treat! We all enjoyed a much too long conversation, but William said that he thought his mission president would understand. William is doing well, and as Jeff mentioned, sends his love to everyone.
Instead of trying to update his May letters, I am just going to move on to his most recent letter. Just let me say (the only info you really need to know) is that the Woodruff family (Mom and two sons) committed to baptism on May 29th. The Dad just wasn't feeling ready yet. Then, because of a scheduling conflict, they had to reschedule for tonight. So, here is an excerpt from today's letter:
"Hey Dad!
I sure was thinking a lot about Kylie getting dropped off at the MTC and all the emotions she might be dealing with, and then you and Mom going through more of those mixed emotions about dropping another one off haha. I sure am proud of Kylie! I think that's really cool that you did so much of the same stuff with her as we did, sounds like we got some traditions in the making! ;o) That is such a great picture of Kylie! It caught her really well. I think I remember Mom saying at some point that you got one of me in a similar way, you should attach that picture to next weeks email. Oh I'm kind of curious...how did the skydiving video and pics turn out!?
I can't believe Garrett gashed his finger! :( Hopefully it will heal quickly and he'll be able to have a full recovery. Has he received a blessing yet?
...uhhh why haven't I got one of those maple bars yet!? LOL...seriously... (note: Erika made maple bars/donuts this past weekend)
So there have been a few interesting things that happened in the last week or so. First I want to tell you all about a real miracle that happened yesterday at church... So Laura, Zack, and Tyler Woodruff were planning on getting baptized tonight and Clint wasn't ready yet. We were concerned that it would take him a long time to have a desire now that his family was getting baptized. Part member families can be hard. Yesterday at church he was really touched by a baby blessing in the ward, and he decided to pray and ask God, for the first time, if these things were true. The family has been investigating for almost 3 years and he's never prayed about the things we've invited him to pray about! So he said a prayer just to himself right there in sacrament meeting and asked God if these things were true to tell him and send him a sign. The previous bishop of that ward, Bishop Scoville, got up and shared a powerful testimony about the Priesthood and how this gospel ties families together and he addressed most of it directly to Clint. Honestly this kind of made me cringe a bit because I didn't know how Clint was taking what Bishop Scoville was saying because it was pretty direct...come to find out Clint took it as a sign from God and was very touched by the Spirit. He said he drove home by himself after sacrament meeting and was just going to pick his family up after all of church was over. He told us he pulled into his driveway and just broke down in tears for the first time in years and years. He said he sat there for about 15 minutes and then just had the most overwhelming feeling of peace and that everything was going to be okay. He drove back to the church and spoke with Bishop Jones and told him he knew he needed to be baptized with his family! So we scrambled to set up the interview with the ZLs and tonight the Woodruff family is getting baptized!!
I am so amazed at how God works things in a way so it all works out according to his will...the baptism getting pushed back, the timing with the baby blessing, prompting bishop Scoville to get up and say what he did, and Clint's heart to be prepared in just the right timing for them to all get baptized together...truly amazing!
...........
Well that's some of the highlights of this last week, Elder Brown and I are doing well, I love serving with him. ... I love being a missionary, I'm so grateful to be out here. I really miss everyone a lot and I think of you all often. Thank you for your constant support and faith and prayers, I can feel the power from everyone back home. I love you all so much.
Power, Freedom, Peace and lasting Joy are found in this Gospel!
Elder W. Marks
Instead of trying to update his May letters, I am just going to move on to his most recent letter. Just let me say (the only info you really need to know) is that the Woodruff family (Mom and two sons) committed to baptism on May 29th. The Dad just wasn't feeling ready yet. Then, because of a scheduling conflict, they had to reschedule for tonight. So, here is an excerpt from today's letter:
"Hey Dad!
I sure was thinking a lot about Kylie getting dropped off at the MTC and all the emotions she might be dealing with, and then you and Mom going through more of those mixed emotions about dropping another one off haha. I sure am proud of Kylie! I think that's really cool that you did so much of the same stuff with her as we did, sounds like we got some traditions in the making! ;o) That is such a great picture of Kylie! It caught her really well. I think I remember Mom saying at some point that you got one of me in a similar way, you should attach that picture to next weeks email. Oh I'm kind of curious...how did the skydiving video and pics turn out!?
I can't believe Garrett gashed his finger! :( Hopefully it will heal quickly and he'll be able to have a full recovery. Has he received a blessing yet?
...uhhh why haven't I got one of those maple bars yet!? LOL...seriously... (note: Erika made maple bars/donuts this past weekend)
So there have been a few interesting things that happened in the last week or so. First I want to tell you all about a real miracle that happened yesterday at church... So Laura, Zack, and Tyler Woodruff were planning on getting baptized tonight and Clint wasn't ready yet. We were concerned that it would take him a long time to have a desire now that his family was getting baptized. Part member families can be hard. Yesterday at church he was really touched by a baby blessing in the ward, and he decided to pray and ask God, for the first time, if these things were true. The family has been investigating for almost 3 years and he's never prayed about the things we've invited him to pray about! So he said a prayer just to himself right there in sacrament meeting and asked God if these things were true to tell him and send him a sign. The previous bishop of that ward, Bishop Scoville, got up and shared a powerful testimony about the Priesthood and how this gospel ties families together and he addressed most of it directly to Clint. Honestly this kind of made me cringe a bit because I didn't know how Clint was taking what Bishop Scoville was saying because it was pretty direct...come to find out Clint took it as a sign from God and was very touched by the Spirit. He said he drove home by himself after sacrament meeting and was just going to pick his family up after all of church was over. He told us he pulled into his driveway and just broke down in tears for the first time in years and years. He said he sat there for about 15 minutes and then just had the most overwhelming feeling of peace and that everything was going to be okay. He drove back to the church and spoke with Bishop Jones and told him he knew he needed to be baptized with his family! So we scrambled to set up the interview with the ZLs and tonight the Woodruff family is getting baptized!!
I am so amazed at how God works things in a way so it all works out according to his will...the baptism getting pushed back, the timing with the baby blessing, prompting bishop Scoville to get up and say what he did, and Clint's heart to be prepared in just the right timing for them to all get baptized together...truly amazing!
...........
Well that's some of the highlights of this last week, Elder Brown and I are doing well, I love serving with him. ... I love being a missionary, I'm so grateful to be out here. I really miss everyone a lot and I think of you all often. Thank you for your constant support and faith and prayers, I can feel the power from everyone back home. I love you all so much.
Power, Freedom, Peace and lasting Joy are found in this Gospel!
Elder W. Marks
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