Elder Austin Sheehy~McAllen, Texas Mission: I Love Conference!

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone had a terrific conference weekend! I enjoyed it so much and was especially impressed by the incredible messages shared. The ones that stood out to me where all of Uchtdorf's (Wow he was on a roll this conference! Very glad that he was able to give three this time around, especially his final one about how even though we are broken, Heavenly Father will build us into something greater than we can even imagine), Elder Holland's, (Gave me a lot of hope that even though I am very imperfect in life and as a missionary, that Heavenly Father sees our efforts and blesses them), and Elder Hales (Very strong testimony of the holy ghost and sadly, what I believe will be his final conference address to us. I hope I am wrong however, but what a great service he has done for building the kingdom and the saints).

So this week was a blur. We had not only general conference, but very uplifting interviews with President Maluenda that brought me a lot of happiness in confidence in what I am doing. I am so glad that he is my mission president. My testimony just keeps growing of how inspired that calling is. He, through the influence of the spirit, has made such crucial and incredible changes to my life that words cannot express the miracle that has and continues to unfold here. What an honor it has been thus far.

So last Tuesday was a day of miracles for Weslaco. We had two companionship's have last minute baptisms due to the faith and teamwork of all the great Elders assigned around here and the inspiration of our zone leaders. What was even more of a miracle was Elders Mason and Fielding's baptism of their investigator Maria. She has overcome all odds to be baptized. First, she is terrified of water and has a dialysis machine on her that cannot get wet or she can get sick and die (So the elders and Mcintosh and I devised a way to wrap her up and keep it safe during the baptism), she is in a wheelchair so was baptized sitting in a chair, and she was baptized without the knowledge of her family that has adamant disapproval of her joining the church. Everything went well, after many trials and she is now extremely happy. What an incredible example of love for her Savior and following him through so many difficult situations to join His church. We were all so happy to see her exit the font, a changed woman who will have such an incredible place in the kingdom of her Heavenly Father some day and a perfect resurrected body free from all the physical pains she goes through currently. Not to mention this was Elder Mason's first baptism after having gone so long and through so many trials to receive that privilege. We were all so happy to see my now very good (and so stinking hilarious. Think if Jonah Hill and Will Ferrell had a baby... That's Elder Mason) friend see his first bit of success. Though we already knew he has affected so many lives in a positive way.

So that was probably the highlight of the week. I look forward to working hard this month to help others receive this crucial ordinance to living with their families forever someday. We have two young grand kids of a member here that are looking good for a couple of weeks from now. I will be sure to give you all updates. I know that our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ are with us every step of the way out here and that they are lifting us and guiding us to make us the best we can be. We merely need to allow them to do so and trust in their loving arms that point us the way.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Love you guys so much!

Love,

Elder Sheehy