8-16

Hi Everyone.
Hope you all had a good and safe week!
One morning this week I was studying my scriptures and came across a verse I really liked. Helaman 3: 27-29
"Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name. Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out."
With every single day that goes by I feel that scriptures like these are so true. We need to talk to our Heavenly Father! Sincere prayer is so necessary. In the bible dictionary it says, "Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." Wow, the highest of all blessings... thats pretty cool right?! I have learned to love the scriptures so much on my mission - I love how Helaman testifies of the 'word of God' and how it leads the 'man of christ' on the strait and narrow. There really is no other way to get to God and His kingdom. Everyone has to get on the path, take hold of the rod (scriptures) and it will 'land' us in His kingdom. I really liked the "man of Christ" - I ask myself that - am I a man of Christ - am I His disciple? Would I give up & sacrifice everything & anything for Him?? That's what we need to do to get back - I guess the exortation from Christ applys "Loose yourself and you will be found."
We are planning on having 5 baptisms this week so I will be needing your prayers! (remember Highest blessings!) And it really would be the highest of all blessings. The Holmstrom girls (Elizabeth, Madison, & Sunny) we are planning on getting baptized tomorrow night at 6:00 - that is if their dad is in support of it. And Venus and her daughter Aayliah Paez are getting baptized on Sunday at 6:00.
We have been praying all week for a miracle to happen for Venus. The La Quinta ward relief society is having a weekend trip up to Big Bear Mountain and Venus really wanted to go (& we really wanted her to go - to get relationships with the sisters in the ward) So we have been praying that we could get someone to watch her kids (her family is not supportive at all of the mormonism and neither is her X) But on Sunday she called her xboyfriend up and he said he wouldn't - but then called her back and said he would!! We were so excited. this week is going to be awesome... if it turns out the way I plan... just hopefully mine and Gods plans are the same!
I love you all so much! Keep up the good work. be safe! *Turn off the automobile when you get it in the garage! *Always listen to Ivy when she speaks! *Don't give Kenadi Scizzors anymore. *Happy BIRTHDAY wishes to Libby & Nayvie! Keep praying and keeping on the strait and narrow and be a "man of Christ" .. or 'a woman of Christ' too!-- Love, ELDER PATRICK McBRIDE

Ps. the toilets in California still flush clockwise... boring