Hello family!
Man I’ve been so excited to tell you all about this week! So, really fast I wanted to say I loved the pictures of the cabin trip and to see that Bart is in the pond! Please do me a favor and make sure you take Blake too! She lives for that pond. And Chan, sounds like you’re doing super well. Keep it up and I love you! And that’s soo crazy that Taylor Stosich gets home sooo soon. Man, I hate how this goes soo fast.
So, the weekly update for this week: This was the most up and down week I have had my whole mission! So here’s how it goes. Me and Elder Hill found a ton of people this week. The Lord just put them in our path, wherever we went. We had Saul and his 2 sisters (the fruit stand people). And the Crocket girls (rappers from Orange County, TX) and their friend and then like 5 others. And so they were all progressing super well. Received spiritual confirmations and all and we thought they were all set for church. So long story short, Saul’s Mom straight up tells us she forbids her kids to go to church and we were not happy. So we had a Spanish throw-down in the fruit stand (spiritually speaking) and she felt the Spirit so strong and was like crying. But she still forbid them to go and so we lost those 3 and were super sad about it. Then the Crockets don’t show up when they said they were on their way. So we find out their Mom (a member) and their Dad took them to some random other church with a choir and band (which they love) and the kids all fell in love with it...so they said. So they all dropped us. Even the mom! And we didn’t understand because they had received spiritual confirmations..So they were gone as well.... And NOBODY showed up at church.
So we were just like wiped out from the day. But finally at 5:00 PM we got to the church and got dressed in white for Andrea’s baptism. I have never been so proud of someone. She was so sweet and nervous and excited. And the Spanish branch of Casa Linda was so sweet. They filled that room, packed. They all tried so hard to do their talks and songs and everything super simply, so she could understand it. They even had their kids write their talks out in English and tried their best to read it for her. They all just love her so much and she was so happy to be the center of all the love and attention. I dont think she’s ever felt that before. So finally we got into the water and she didn’t even hesitate. She had the biggest smile on her face and it was even bigger when she came out. She just did so great. I was so proud! And when I came out after getting dressed she signed something to me. And it was a sign we always practiced that meant "clean". It was the highlight of my mission so far.
So last night we finally finished planning, and I couldn’t handle another up or down. I was just spiritually wiped. We got ready for bed and heard our phone ring. It was a text from the younger Crocket girl who we had told to pray about the Book of Mormon if she really wanted to know what to do. We didn’t know what to expect........ the text said, "I know the Book of Mormon is true. I want to get baptized :)" We don’t know what to think or what the parents will say. But all we know is that the Lord really touched her heart. And he can work miracles. And we are really excited and nervous to see what happens there.
Every night I thank my Heavenly Father for this time he has given me. I’ve been so blessed to be around these people, and I wouldn’t take it back for ANYTHING. Not a single thing! I love you all so much. Thank you for everything you do and I pray that you all have a wonderful week. Pray for the Crocket family please, that all their hearts may be softened. And please take care. LOVE YOU!
