a bit of hermana: Surprises and Delights!

This week was full of surprises and delights! The baptism of Gladys and Felipe finally went through and they are going to be a powerful couple in the gospel! I am excited to hear about their progress and hope they maintain the peace they have found. They have made huge changes---Felipe has stopped drinking and they are started to change their travel plans so they can go to church more. They both visibly are different people. The gospel has the power to change who we are into who our Heavenly Father knows we really are and can become.

Petita also was baptized and I can hope that her daughters and grandchildren follow her example. Her husband passed away over 10 years ago and left Petita with 4 young girls. Often times, I can feel the desires, presence, or approval of those on the other side. What I mean is that I believe that the family members who have passed away are personally involved in bringing to pass the great work of the Lord here on the earth. Petita is a very special person and has been very generous and loving to Hermana Reyes and I.

We also had a surprise baptism of the nephew of a ward member. How many times does a missionary get to say that someone become a new investigator and is baptized in the same day? It was pretty neat. Jose David Sanchez (Chichi) has been coming to church and his aunt asked me what he needed to do to be baptized! Facilito! Permiso bautismal, guardar los mandimientos, y tener el deseo. Done and done. He will be a wild child to teach the lessons......Maybe Grandma Masters can pass along some more tips from her primary class? :)

The last surprise was Elder Walter Gonsalez of the Presidency of the 70 came and spoke to our mission and the north mission (over 400 missionaries). It was a wonderful fireside. Before it started though, the assistants talked to me and said, *If Elder Gonsalez asks for volunteers to do the baptism invitation, you will raise your hand. Right? Right.* Sooo the moment came in the fireside, I raised my hand among many other eager missionaries, and somehow, I was called on! It was a really neat opportunity. How many people can say they have invited a 70 and his wife to be baptized? haha. It was fun to do...their ¨challenges¨ were he likes to watch soccer on Sundays and she drinks coffee. Thankfully, they were receptive *investigators* and said YES to be baptized 11 de Junio. :) This is the gospel of Jesus Christ and the best way and perhaps the only eternal way to come unto Him is through making and keeping covenants.

I enjoyed your story about Home teaching and new lesson discussions. It takes some converts a long time to grasp what the missionaries have taught them and to apply it in their lives. At times I have seen with those who I have taught that they have a hard time adjusting to a whole different religious culture. This is certain with those who pray in different ways and are used to a whole different form of worship that includes clapping and standing, and even shouting. Many converts feel embarrassed often or don´t feel like they know anything about the gospel. This is where the member friendship and fellowship is ESSENTIAL. This kind of change and understanding often takes a great deal and time. Oh, I love those members who reach out and help along the newly baptized. I am so glad for your perspective and your desire to help her become truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The missionary farewells and homecomings sounded fabulous. I am excited for those elders!!!

love,

Hermana Garlock