October 28, 2013

This week was intense.  In a good way, of course.  We had a lesson with Mike and Lourdes (our investigators with a baptismal date for Nov. 9th) and taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It was a good lesson and we had Hno. Taylor (branch counselor) with us.  After that night, Hno. Taylor told us, "If every missionary taught like you two, we'd baptize everyone."  That was a huge compliment, especially from a branch leader and a super intimidating ex-missionary.  Lordes has been coming to church every week, but it's been a struggle to get Mike there.  However, this week he was very honest with us.  He said something like, "I'm not going to lie to you.  I know I'm going to do it (get baptized) I'm just trying to build up the courage."  So he does want it and he does keep all his other commitments, but he's just a bit timid about coming to church.  He told us he found clothes and everything to wear and that he'd be coming to church, but unfortunately he got food poisoning and he wasn't there yesterday.  We moved his date up to the 16th, though, so we're going to keep encouraging him and focusing on the church part.  Hno. Taylor told us he would text him on Friday.  It's really awesome that the members here love being involved in missionary work and know how to befriend people.  We are having a trunk or treat on Wednesday and Lourdes said she's making flan or choco-flan, so hopefully Mike comes with her.  We'll see them tonight, and we're actually thinking of sharing some "I'm a mormon" videos featuring some "edgier" mormons, because we think he feels a little uncomfortable with his tattoos and lip ring.  He won't say that, but we're thinking it might be part of his problem.  Obviously no one's going to judge him, but we think it will at least ease him a little bit.  

The baptism on Saturday was miraculous!!!  Basically everyone in the branch showed up.  It also ended up being like 2 hours.  It was by far the most spiritual baptism I have ever attended and I'm pretty sure everyone there would agree.  We ended up having 6 baptisms, by the way.  Hugo told us on Thursday that he was thinking about getting baptized AFTER already telling us he needed more time.  We did the math in our heads and realized he already has come to church 3 times and received all the lessons, so technically he could do it.  We told him that and he was like, "ehhhh, maybe I'll surprise you."  But he was very hesitant.  On Friday we had him take the interview just in case he really did plan on surprising us on Saturday.  We saw him on Saturday morinng, too, because they all had a celebratory dinner and lunch before the baptism.  He still told us, "Ehhh, I don't know.." but when 6pm came along, he suited up with his family and was baptized with them.  It was interesting, too, because when we reset Hugo for the 23rd, Zaida was even torn about getting baptized with her sons or her husband... we were very bold with her and told her that she has received an answer and should act on that, but still we invited her to pray about it.  Literally two days later she must have prayed about it because she went from, "um...I don't know if I'm doing it the 26th yet..." to, "yep, let's get baptized right now!"  Power of prayer.  So all 6 of them got baptized on Saturday.  While Hermana Webb and I were waiting behind the baptismal font, Zaida started crying and thanked us over and over again, with kisses and hugs.  She told us that all of our blessings are going to OUR families.. because we helped her family. :)  That was probably one of the most powerful moments on my mission so far, because it's so true.  I've already seen it.  They all got confirmed the same day and at the end, Zaida went up and bore her testimony.  She was very emotional and thanked her husband.  She said that when she asked him why he suddenly wanted to be baptized with them, he told her that he wanted to do it for his family.  While she was testifying, Hugo started crying hysterically.  It was SO powerful.  And Alejandro, his son, put his arm around him to comfort him.  It's so amazing what a difference the Gift of the Holy Ghost makes.  I could see such an immediate difference in all of them, especially Hugo, the moment they were confirmed.  Suddenly, they get it!  They know what we've been testifying of all along.  It was all worth it.  The very next day Hugo, Alejandro and Enrique received the priesthood.  Hugo was actually able to give it to his sons.  And afterwards, he got very emotional again.  We didn't get to see it, but the YM president, Hno Murray, told us about it at dinner and said it was a very powerful moment.  It was seriously a night of miracles.  And Benita's husband, Ron (who doesn't speak Spanish) is going to start taking the lessons with the English missionaries.  

We also had one of our most solid investigators at church!  Rosie!  Hna Acosta gave her a ride.  Rosie was very nervous about church because she's had bad experiences with other churches in the past - people judging her and what not.  But she LOVED it!  And that night we had a lesson with her and set her for baptism on the 23rd.  She said yes and that she already knows Joseph was a prophet and that this is the true church.  Just going to church is what set her off the edge, too.  Seriously, prayer, reading the scriptures and church attendance are NOT just "primary answers."  They are the key steps to conversion!  I have seen so many miracles come out of people just keeping those basic commitments.  And as we have acted in faith and testified in boldness of those very 3 things, we've seen them change within days and the exact blessings we have promised them by doing those things have happened. Not to mention we've been very trusting in the Lord and his ability to touch the hearts of these people. The success we are having has nothing to do with us, really.  We are just doing what we have been commanded and trained to do and testifying of nothing but the truth.  

Right now we still have 5 people with baptismal dates, all in November.  

Oh, and presidente Rincon (branch president) is very excited.  We're about to hit our branch's yearly baptismal goal.  At the baptism he did a little happy dance like 5 times.  And at ward counsel when talking about missionary work he said, "las misioneras simpre tienen bautismos."  It's nice to have the ward's trust.  Yesterday everyone seemed to be affected by the baptism on Saturday.  Everyone was just on a high!  Miracles happen when you believe!!!            

We also had a really intense district meeting about the atonement.  Elder Dahneke had us all share our testimony on the Atonement and it was a very eye opening experience.  We're so used to asking people those questions everyday, but rarely take the time to ponder it ourselves in that way... I don't know, it was a powerful meeting.  Elder Dahneke opened up a lot, too.  He's brand new as a district leader and actually got here last December, but went home right after his training.  He came back just recently and I served with him my last transfer in ensign.  Then we both came over here together.  He shared that he knows first hand what the repentance process feels like, because apparently that's why he went home.  I respect him a lot and I've seen him grow just in the 2 and a half transfers I've served with him since he came back on his mission.  I never wondered why he left, I'm really not the kind of person who butts into people's person business like that, but the fact that he shared it with us was super big of him and it brought the spirit that much more powerfully.  

So, it was a really good week.  I love the sweaters, but the lighter one is waaaay too big for me.  I hope you don't think I gained a bunch of weight.  Haha.  Hermana Webb is doing good.  Candy's good, but the boogers gross me out...we'll pass them out at trunk or treat I think.  Haha.  I love you all so much!  

Hermano Retiz, Hermano Lopez, Claudette, Benita, Hermana Smith, Hermana Webb, Zaida, Hugo, Alejandro, Enrique, Hermano Murray