Happy Monday!
I sent you some pictures because I figured you're beginning to forget what I look like. Also, these are Christmas pictures... we went to a members home to act out the Nativity because Elder Dahneke's family does it every year for family home evening and he thought it would be fun if we did it, too. The group picture includes the Rodriquez/Garcia family, Lopez family and the Peralta family. Eliza (13 year old recent convert) is the one in front with white sweater and hat. Fun times.
This week was a really good one. We currently have 4 investigators with a baptismal date. Aracely and Jorge are set for the 15th Feb, but we might have to move it back a week or two, we're not sure yet. They already know a lot about the church to where they teach us sometimes, but they seem to think they're not "ready" still. Tonight we're going to go over the baptismal interview questions with them to show them what the actual qualifications for baptism are and hopefully assess whether or not they truly are ready based on those qualifications. Also, we're going to commit them to pray to know if they can be baptized by the 15th. I have no doubt they will be baptized, it might just happen later than we had originally thought. A similar thing happened with Zaida Ortiz, though. We committed her to pray to know if the date was right for her and the next time we saw her, she had received her answer that in fact it was. I have faith in the spirit working through them. If they're open to it, they will recognize an answer when it comes.
Also, Janet and Isidro both have baptismal dates! Whoo! Janet's is for march 15th and Isidro is March 8th, though we might actually move his earlier. :) Janet came to church for the first time yesterday and really enjoyed it. This Sunday was such a blessing. We had 9 at church again. (Technically 10, but we didn't want to count the 10th because he was a 10 year old who we've never met before. He came with Janet.) Isidro, Janet and her sister, Aracely and Jorge, and the Ventura family! The Venutra family consists of the parents Francisco and Alma and their 3 kids, Patty (16), Sarah (12) and Heaven (7). Really awesome family. Alma was actually crying by the end of sacrament meeting. A lot of the youth got up and bore their testimonies, which I think really touched her because she has 2 teenage daughters and really wants them involved in good programs, like the ones the church provides. That was extra awesome because Alma is kind of the toughie in the family. The girls LOVE going to church and are excited about going to mutual, but the mom is the one who's always working and not always there when we go by to see them. It was a huge blessing that the whole family came yesterday. Afterwards, Alma gave me her bracelet randomly because I said I liked it. It's purple! Haha, I feel bad because I sometimes can't even compliment people without them being like, "here! A gift!"
I think it's so awesome to see Janet and Isidro with dates. Janet is the SWEETEST! This gospel has been such a blessing in her life and she knows it! I was so happy to see her at church. She ran up to me and gave me the tightest hug ever. I'm so proud of her for taking this leap of faith even if she might not have a perfect knowledge of all things, she knows in her heart that these things are true. It's kind of the opposite with Aracely and Jorge. They want to gain more knowledge and have a perfect grip on the doctrine before baptism. We're working on helping them understand that it's more important for them to trust in the answer they receive through the Holy Ghost and act on that prompting they receive, the moment they receive it. And then once their baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, more light and knowledge will come with time. A lot of things will be more clear to them.
Isidro accepting the baptismal invitation was one of the coolest experiences on my mission. I'm not going to say too much because you'll be getting a letter from me this week explaining more in detail. In the middle of the lesson, while we were talking about baptism, he seemed hesitant still, saying things like, "I need to go to church more and do this more...blah, blah.." but when it came time to commit him to a specific date, without hesitation he's like, "Yes. I will be baptized on March 8th." We were speechless because a majority of the time, we have to reemphasize the fact that we're here to help prepare them for that date and also, Isidro usually doesn't get it right away when we ask him a very direct question. So I was just impressed to see that the spirit must have communicated my words very perfectly to where it made sense in his mind and impacted him to boldly accept. The next day we came over and he was still excited about March 8th. also, we pulled out a little mormon.org card and had him shout "Soy Mormon" a few times to get excited. Haha, I love Isidro. He's so awesome. He understands the Book of Mormon like a boss. He never ceases to amaze me.
I'm glad to hear all is well.
Love you all sooo much!
No comments:
Post a Comment