Erikc's Baptism
L to R Elder Barney (District Leader), Erikc (Guatemalans are so tiny!), Hermana Pederson (started teaching Erikc with Hermana Tanner), "My darling ginger companion" Hermana Tanner and Me! Oh Happy Day! :)
9/23/13
Hola Familia!
Wow what a week it has been!!
Well in regards to the title....
there indeed is another soul in the Kingdom of God (well, he still has to be
confirmed… anyway) Erikc was baptized last night and it was amazing. The whole
night just came together. All week we had been working hard to pull the program
together, lots of calls, and voicemails, and nos... but… when we just give it
up to the Lord, we finally found people to speak and help out yesterday during
church, and it ended up going beautifully. Erikc seriously was so prepared. We
were worried because this last week he got super sick. He couldn't even go to
work, and that is huge. But when we visited him he just said that Satan was
trying to keep him from being baptized, and he wasn't going to fall into that
trap. He just has so much faith. He has a super cool story of how he got to
yesterday though. I guess it hasn't been the smoothest road teaching him. Since
I have known him he has been super solid, so I had no idea! But
he was a referral from a member, because he rents one of the rooms in her
house. He was doing super well, but then one day he straight up gave the
Book of Mormon back to Hermana Tanner and Pederson and said that they couldn't
baptize him. He said that he would never give up worshiping the virgin, and
never believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet. Well imagine the distress they
felt… but, we have to respect people’s decisions. So after that they had been
praying hard for a miracle, even a dream (because that is one thing I have
realized, Hispanics have dreams, and they are incredible. Lehi?) Well, a few
days after that rough lesson he called them up and asked them to come back to
talk. Well, he told them that he had a dream and he heard a voice and it said
'seguidme' (follow me) and he realized that this really is the church of Jesus
Christ, and he had to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized! And ever since then
he has been so dedicated. Yesterday right after his baptism he came up to us
and said "soy una nueva persona!" (I am a new person) And asi es! He
is a new person, who has the name of Christ upon him. And next Sunday he will
have the promise of the Holy Ghost forever as long as he is worthy! How amazing
is that? "How great shall be your joy" is an understatement for last
night. I love being a missionary!!
Another cool thing that happened
this past week is that we had interviews with President, and specialized
training. In training we learned more about how to teach a powerful first
lesson, and the importance of it, and also, that it is never too late to teach
a powerful first lesson again. Well, we decided to try it out with one of the
recent convert/less active families in our ward. They have a son that just
turned eight who hasn't been baptized, and the men still haven't received the priesthood,
so we have been working really hard with them. We taught the lesson, well, we
didn't, the spirit did, and it was so powerful. In the end they thanked us
for reminding them why they were baptized and that they did have a lot of responsibility
because of their decision. They committed to prepare to receive the priesthood
so that one of them can do the baptism for their son! It was incredible to see
how just these simple doctrines, the very first lesson of the restoration, can
reanimate a family and remind them of the things that are the most important!
Really, the gospel is such a blessing. Sometimes we might not see it that way,
but it is so true! To have that faith in Jesus Christ and confidence that with His
Atonement you can repent and become like Him, and be the happiest people possible.
And we can make covenants; two way promises with God! We just have to keep the
commandments and He blesses us with the Holy Ghost to be with us always!! And
we have the privilege to be reminded of those promises every Sunday. With that
we can press forward, with hope for a better world, and receive eternal life.
God just loves us so much. I just love this gospel and I know that it is true.
I have seen it change my life and the lives of others. I know that Joseph Smith
was called to be a prophet of God to restore this perfect gospel on the earth
today and I can't wait for two weeks when we get to hear the words of our
latter-day prophets! Life is just so good! The world might be in complete disarray...
but remember opposition in all things! If there is that much chaos, there
equally must be that much order! And it is here! I'll hop off my soap box now,
but I hope that you all have a wonderful week.
Remember who you are, and whose you
are. Reemplace miedo con fe.
Les quiero demasiado,
Hermana Draper
Sami and Hermana Tanner on the train in Olde Towne Katy
At the ward party...
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