Again I have a lot to say about some of the cutest and most amazing
people. Their names are Cesar Bricia Briana and Tania. I really wish I
had a picture of them but I couldn't figure out a way to do that
without being creepy. Next week I promise because they're dressing up
as the vampires from Hotel Transylvania. AND! They're progressing
towards baptism the 7th of November.
We had invited them to read 2 Nephi 31 and then this week we got there
and Bricia immediately had a question about verse 13:
13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the
Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception
before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing
unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of
Christ, by baptism--yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down
into the water
She and Cesar told us how baptism is so beautiful and sacred, they
want to be baptized but they want to be sure that they do so with real
intent- with the intent to remain true to that decision and covenant
for the rest of eternity. They want to go into this with their whole
hearts and never turn back.
They came to church this week and the ward really just loved them and
took care of them (I also am notorious for mothering investigators
while they're at church, but that's okay). I was enlisted to play the
piano for the primary (I'll be playing for the primary program soon!)
which was great because I got to be with Tania and Briana and be their
friend and make faces at them from behind the piano. Sister Anderson
got asked to teach Gospel Principles! So she ended up teaching that by
herself which I felt bad about, but she did such a beautiful job and
taught Cesar and Bricia about eternal marriage. From what I heard it
was a beautiful lesson. We went back last night for a lesson and Cesar
and Bricia are so happy about the opportunity they have to go to the
temple someday.
We had a wonderful lesson with Saul and Maria. We read Alma 22 about
how the King of the Lamanites prayed for the first time and what he
was willing to give in order to have the "hope of glory". The spirit
was so strong, and we experienced what President Allred calls a
celestial manifestation I think. Where we just felt so much that the
life our Heavenly Father has prepared for us is real. And how
beautiful it will be. Saul said that he would too give away everything
so that he could follow Jesus Christ and receive the mercy That will
allow him to hope for that eternity. Sister Anderson and I sang More
Holiness Give Me during the lesson and it just struck us all so much
how much we long to be close with our Heavenly Father, how the things
that keep us from Him are so petty in comparison with the things He
wants to bless us with through the power and mercy and grace of His
Son Jesus Christ.
15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin,
which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction,
yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to
repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his
commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the
waters of baptism.
The covenants we made at baptism are eternal. They are bound in
heaven. Nothing we can do will take us further than the light of
Christ can go. We have to do everything we can to hold on to our
covenants and lay aside all other things that don't allow us to
receive the Saviors mercy in our lives.
So I actually have some funny stories this week!
We have been trying to find this guy named Santos and we prayed one
night because we didn't know where to go and we felt impressed to go
and see him and we got there and nobody was there... Except! There was
a dog. A very sad dog. So we spent a good 10 minutes trying to help
this dog not feel so sad. I got so close to petting him but he just
was a little grumpy as well so I just sat next to him and spoke
Spanish. We decided that our time together is a tv show called baptism
on a Tuesday and this days episode was called "Can't even help a
perrito". We had a good laugh about that...
We got to a dinner appointment to find that we were eating with the
elders. The family awkwardly put us on opposite sides of the table so
we wouldn't have to sit next to each other xD anyways. They are both
Hispanics and love spicy food. So they asked for some chile to put on
their food and the family brings out this super spicy stuff. They say,
Elders! You HAVE to try this stuff. Sisters. You may NOT try this
stuff. Sister Anderson was quite offended and said, Hermano I am quite
stronger than I look! The guy says, okay but I warned you. She dips
her finger in the stuff and sticks it on her tongue. She kind of
coughs and starts being very nonchalant, but we can just tell that
she's dying. But we carry on- because she is stronger than she looks
xD eventually she starts to turn red and spent the rest of the evening
with an ice cube on her tongue xD the family just kept saying "I'm
stronger than I look" under their breaths xD.
Last one.
We are teaching this beautiful lady who is about 80 years old. She is
struggling after the death of her husband and fell several times this
week and was having a hard time. We asked her if she would like a
priesthood blessing and explained what that is and she accepted. We
get there and the chairs are oddly set up exactly how they're supposed
to be, but she received a beautiful blessing and the brothers who gave
her the blessing left. Before we could follow she closes the door and
says in a super serious voice: sit down. Uh oh. So we sit down and she
then tells us a story.
About how she was ALREADY BAPTIZED.
We sat there for a few seconds trying to figure out what to say... But
guess who we're going to help get to the temple now to be sealed to
her dear husband (who she married when she was 13, and who never was
baptized). I just love this lady so much and am so grateful to know
her. I'm excited for this chance to help a family come to the church
and be sealed together.
The gospel blesses families.
I know that Jesus Christ lives, that His power is real. I know that
God is our Heavenly Father and that He knows us perfectly and listens
to our prayers. The gospel of Jesus Christ, that has been restored to
the earth in its fullness and beauty, is so precious, it brings us
happiness and peace, and real change. It is the only way we can come
to know our Savior and stand before God with our garments miraculously
and mercifully spotless and pure so that we can indeed enjoy an
eternity serving our Heavenly King along side our family.
I love you all with all my heart. I thank God for you. Keep the faith,
remember your covenants, and trust in good things to come.
Love,
mle
8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards
the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were
driven forth before the wind.
9 And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared
did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord
all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to
praise the Lord.