This week was good! Full of trials as always but filled with miracles as well. This work is moving forward!
On Monday we had a Family Home Evening with the bishop, the Q family, a member named M, and S and J. We had invited other investigators so that they could meet more members and the bishop but.. they didn't come. It was pretty disheartening, but we still had a good time. Bishop P shared a good message about keeping the Sabbath day holy. He used the example of the people from Alma 24. This group of Lamanites were once very wicked but accepted the gospel and repented of their sins. In verses 15-18, we find that they had made a covenant with the Lord to never take a human life by the sword again. With this covenant, they buried their weapons of war and vowed never to use them again, even when attacked. We can apply this to ourselves by asking what our "sword" is. What keeps us from keeping the Sabbath day holy? When we find what our "sword" is, we should "burry" it and vow never to use it again.
On Tuesday and Friday, we went to visit O and R! They are progressing so well and I am so excited for them. We taught about the Plan of Salvation and focused a lot on the Spirit World and the importance of baptisms for the dead because on Sunday in Sunday School, we learned about Family History. O and R were both really interested in what family history is and how they can start it. When they learned about baptisms for the dead, O said that it made sense and that he feels like his hope and understanding is growing so much. He told us that he has always wanted to preach the gospel and that now that he is learning about the restored gospel, he just wants to share it with everyone. He told us that when his mom started learning about the church, he used to talk bad about the church to his friends. But, now that he has learned about the restoration of the gospel, he wants to correct himself and talk to his friends again, telling them that it's all true! It was a powerful experience. R also told us that she is trying to stop drinking coffee. It actually surprised me because I thought that she didn't quite understand the importance of doing so. She told us that the other day she was at her sister's house and when she offered her coffee, she denied it. When her sister asked her why she told her plainly that it's because it's not good for the body and because the Lord has commanded it. Coffee has a big influence in her family and her sister told her she was crazy and that she would never come to her house again if she stops drinking coffee. She told us, too, that she knew her parents would not approve of her not drinking coffee and would react the same way as her sister. But, it was such a testimony builder to see her strength in the gospel grow. This church is true and the spirit will always guide us in the right path!
On Saturday, A was baptized! It was an interesting day as we had to change the hour and had to run to call all of those necessary to let them know. But, the Lord knows what He is doing and helped us a lot to organize this baptism. When we arrived at the chapel, the baptismal font was almost empty! Apparently, the drain stopper is broken and most of the water had escaped. We said a prayer and the phrase that kept running through my head was, "The enemy will not ruin this day." We started filling the font again and filling trash cans with water to fill the font. It was really touching when A, J, and their friend B came and started helping us. It was another testimony builder to see A filling his baptismal font. "This is a young man with a testimony," I kept saying.
Everything went well and afterwards, A invited us to pizza. We went with him, J, B, and a member of our ward, L. As we were waiting for the pizza, B and A suggested that we read the scriptures while we waited. It was pretty awesome to see these 3 young men reading the Book of Mormon in the middle of a pizzeria, not even giving notice to the stares. They are such a good group of young men (future missionaries)!
D and I are going to be baptized this weekend! It's going to be such an incredible experience for them both!
Well this is all I have to share with you all this wonderful Tuesday! This and my testimony (once again). I KNOW this church is true. I have seen the changes that this gospel makes in the lives of those who are humble and seeking for the kingdom of God. I love this work and I love the Savior, Jesus Christ. It is ONLY through HIM that we can find the peace and strength we need in this life. The Lord may ask a standard, but He doesn't ask perfection. He is the one who helps us achieve perfection. If we do our part, He will do His and more. I love you all! ¡Que tengan un buen dia y que le vayan bien con el espiritu de Dios con ustedes!
Hermana Whitman