Hello family!
I loved all your emails and I’ve been soooo excited to email you! I loved the funny “Payton moments” haha I’m surprised those teachers still remember me! But I feel so sad for the McKenzie family. That is so hard. Tell them they will always be in my prayers. They are an amazing family. As well Dad, Elder Resendez was an awesome missionary. He is a legend here in Laredo and all these elders here freaked when I told them because he trained 2 Elders here. Tell him Elder Duncan and Elder Wilson say hi! And Chan, good luck with everything buddy! I’m worried about ya going to Cali, so please be safe!
This weekend was the best weekend ever! I will just start on Friday with Brother Mercado showing up with his huge, nonmember family to be married to his sweet wife. Such an awesome night and then Saturday, our other investigator Brother Pimentel (who can’t get baptized until he sends his papers to the First Presidency to get approved) was married to his wife, a member. Two weddings and I could just see the countenance of these people change as they were able to begin living a commandment of their Heavenly Father and prepare for baptism. And the Spanish wedding had a huge dance and lovey dovey music and it was quite a party! I’ll have to send pictures! So the weddings we soooo great and I was so happy, but really it came down to Sunday. Brother Mercado’s baptism was scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and of course Satan, in his usual way, was right there trying to stop it. So, that morning we had to go rake a tired Brother Mercado out of bed, because he had been sick and hadn’t slept. But we got him up and to church and were still running all over getting programs and practicing a missionary musical number and cleaning the font. It was crazy, crazy!
But in Sacrament Meeting Brother Mercado was really feeling the Spirit and got up to bear his testimony and I was freaking out because he’s a pretty shy guy! But he got up there and just rocked it. I was bawling because he bore a way strong testimony and then thanked me and Elder Stevens from the pulpit and it was just the best. But I can tell you, there was no better sound and no better feeling than hearing that water filling up the font. And the look on Brother Mercado’s face as he came out in his big-boy whites. We had an amazing program and then my good friend Manuel Mercado was baptized. I was super emotional, haha I was just so proud and so happy and just felt like I’ve never felt before. I love him so much and I can’t explain how it felt to see him change and take this step. Me and the other missionaries sang the children’s song "When I Am Baptized" and I couldn’t even look at Brother Mercado because he had tears streaming down his face. What an awesome day!
So, after the baptism and working a few hours, we got back to the apartment so Elder Steven’s could pack. I’m so sad he is leaving, but I know that we were supposed to be here together to find Brother Mercado and to baptize him. He leaves tomorrow morning, so I’d say he went out with a bang!
But family, I can’t describe to you how much I love being a missionary. I decided if I had to give up 2 years just to see only one baptism, it would be worth it. SO WORTH IT! I love being here in Laredo and I love these people sooo much. Thank you so much for your prayers and for your love. I know with all my heart that the Lord wants me here. And that there are specific people waiting for me still, and I can’t wait to hit the pavement and find them! I love you all so much family and I pray that you will all have a great day! Be safe, take care, and wish me luck with my new comp!
Until next week,
