January 8, 2018
Week 15
“WOW!”
Dear Familia, Amigos y el Mundo!
WOW this week was awesome! I learned a ton and
I got work done! I think the main reason it was awesome was because I had my
first baptism! Now let me tell you about that!
So, we arrive at our baptism a little early
which you know we probably should because you never know what could happen!
Well, we kind of sit and wait and I actually ended up teaching a little bit of
English to some members while we were waiting hah. Then Sebastian came and he
was so happy yet so nervous. I asked him how he was feeling when we were
changing and he just said, “nervous.” I said, “Ahhhhh don’t worry its easy!” We
described everything and kinda showed him what would happen. And then after that
I told him, “See its nothing to be nervous for, you don’t even need to know how
to swim!” He laughed and I think it helped take away some of the nerves he had.
But I definitely know he was a lot more happy than nervous because he was
smiling and just ready to go! Elder Espinoza did the actual baptism and I was
the guy that directed the meeting. And now I would like to share what I felt. I
sat there and I watched him be baptized and when he entered those waters and
came back out I felt something. Something that is beyond words to describe. It was
in my heart it was almost like a rush but it was peaceful too. And I know what
that is; it’s the Holy Spirit. I mean how amazing is baptism! A real baptism
from the only true church in the world! He literally stepped out of that font a
perfectly clean 16 year-old boy! That‘s pretty amazing! I mean really just sit
there and think about that for a second. I mean doesn’t that kinda give you
chills! Well, a good type of chills! It’s amazing! So, after the amazing baptism
I went into the bathroom to kind of help out and to ask the perfect boy who was
baptized 1 minute before how he felt. I said, "Como te sientes ahora?"
(how do you feel now?) y el me dijo (and he said to me), "Differente. You
know in the scriptures usually when talking about people who are about to be
baptized or were baptized and they say something to the effect of “pricked in
their hearts or pierced in their hearts?” Yeah, that’s what I felt. I felt a
prick in my heart and to some people that might sound funny but it’s a feeling
I kinda described earlier.” I almost began to just cry, I mean I was a little
choked up after that. AMAZING is the gift we give which is baptism. Then he got
the chance to give his testimony. And that was what I was really waiting for.
The moment when you get payed back I feel is when they give their first
testimony. And he said something to the effect of he knew what happened and
knew everything was true and he actually gave thanks to my companion and me.
And, I don’t remember all the words because I mean I am still learning Spanish
but it hit me!
Earlier in the day of the baptism I was having
a bit of trouble. I felt a little sad and not motivated because of a family we
met with who really just won’t come to church but accepts everything and it’s
kind of frustrating. And it was hard because you start to question and wonder.
And it’s just sad to see that happen when a family is so great but won’t do the
one thing that would make all the difference. So, I kinda just let out what I
was feeling with my Zone leader Elder Razcon. And, I was describing just how I
felt what was going on and how I just didn’t feel like myself. And he said to
me (he speaks English by the way, he’s from Mexico) I want you today at your
baptism to pay attention to the testimony of your convert. Because that is the
moment that you are payed back. That’s their gift to you for visiting all those
times and for all the hard work. Pay attention to his words and your feelings.
And I did. And It hit me and I just sat there with teary eyes. I didn’t cry but
I was teary eyed. And I was just so grateful for the people in my life, for
Sebastian, for my Savior, and for my loving Heavenly Father. It was an
experience I will never forget that is for sure! To see this gospel just light
his world up is amazing.
All in all, this week was great! We did some
service, we taught lessons, we had Intercambios (companionship exchanges), we
had a baptism, and we had 6 people come to church! It was amazing to see too!
Hard work pays off that’s for sure! And, my hard work isn’t done. I need to
keep going. We have the greatest message and gift in the world and we need to
share it! Our gospel helps in cualquier situación (whatever situation)! I know
how rough life is because I had one before the mission and I have one now! I
know that many people struggle maybe with parents who drink, maybe it’s
depression, maybe a family member died or maybe you have a loved one who doesn’t
have the ability to do all the things we can do. I don’t know. But, we have one
thing that helps and cures all sadness and that’s the gospel. And I saw it with
my own eyes! How happy it makes people! I have seen it in the past with my
family and I got to see it with a boy I have only known for 2 months that
speaks a completely different language and is 2 years younger than me and whose
parents didn’t even show up to the baptism, I got to see him smile. Do you
think this boy has an easy life? I don’t think so! None of these people have it
easy and yet through all that this boy smiled and told me face to face one word
with a smile, “DIFERENTE.”
Family and friends I know that this church is
true and that this gospel is true. We may be imperfect people but the gospel is
perfect. The atonement is perfect. God’s plan is perfect. And, I am so happy to
be here helping my best friend Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father further this
work! This is the best job in the world and I know that the Book of Mormon is
true and I know that if we just take to time to sit, ponder, and pray about it
we will receive and answer. I know it! So, what are you waiting for? GO, pray,
read, come to church, and have the missionaries over! Go to our church and see
why we are the happiest people on earth! And I promise you’ll feel something!
Love,
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