Wow this week has been an exciting one for sure! The most exciting thing that's going on is that there
are a lot of baptisms scheduled for the next couple weeks! We've been busy
scheduling baptismal interviews, reserving the font, getting baptismal clothes
figured out, and working out all of the logistics. Baptisms are a lot of work,
but they are so much better than Christmas!! It's been a little while since
I've had one, so it definitely made me realize how important they are and enjoy
the whole process that much more! Tomorrow Francisca Martinez and her daughter
Anita are getting baptized and what's super cool is that from the very first
time we met her to the day of her baptism is 2 weeks! I've never seen anyone
more prepared in my entire life. She literally accepted every single thing we
taught her without a problem, and her biggest concern? She's scared of going
all the way under the water. They are the best people ever! I was so lucky to
be part of the teaching process and part of presenting to them the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.
Next Monday, Omar Garibay is going to be baptized and we've been working with him for a while
because he's been struggling to quit smoking. He was doing awesome and had gone
a few days without smoking, but then fell back so he had to start all over
again. It's been awesome seeing him get more involved in the branch and have
friends as he goes to all of the activities. We had a sweet activity on
Saturday where we played volleyball and had carne azada - it was awesome
because investigators came and there was a definite feeling of love and
friendship there. Oh, and I did learn another thing - volleyball is definitely
not a Mexican sport - they are not the most coordinated people in the world and
it was entertaining to see them play. It was a lot of fun for sure though, and
some members brought friends. Lorena Ruiz, who was baptized in October, brought
some friends and I have a way good feeling about them. It's kind of
funny...they work together at Mary Kay, so we're going over today to get free
facials and teach them the first lesson! Can't say I've ever done that before
but hey, it's all for a good reason!
We've also had the opportunity to do some service lately which has been fun and keeping us busy.
Yesterday we painted all over inside a recent convert's house and then climbed
all over somebody else's roof and tarp/shelter thing outside to clean it up and
get rid of some stuff. I also got to destroy an easy chair that was
going to the dump - in the end I totally fit it into a trash can. It was fun
doing all this though, because we were still in our proselyting clothes and we
were pretty filthy by the end of it. There's definitely something cool and
satisfying about being all dirty in our missionary clothes.
Oh, and another highlight of the week was this Sunday! We've never, since I've been here, had
so many people at church! We had 12 people there, and most of them are getting
baptized here soon. We've had members with us literally all week long, and this
is what happens when members get involved and fellowship the investigators!
People feel more comfortable and have more of a reason to go to church. It was
awesome visiting Paul and Emma Cervantes this week, because we passed by with a
couple from the ward and they totally clicked. We had never passed by with a
sister from the branch and it made a big difference. They are able to relate
and help each other in ways that guys just can't do. And speaking of Paul, it
was funny - on Sunday we went by his house before church to remind him about it
(I don't remember if I've told you about "gator round-up" but that's
what it is - we visit all of our investigators before church to remind them
about it) and he wasn't answering the door. He's a way cool guy, but sometimes
you have to be a little forceful with him, and we weren't about to leave until
we talked to him. We knocked on different places all over his trailer until he
came out, and I guess we slept in. We just told him right there it was time to
go, let's roll and it was just a funny situation. It's a good thing we banged
all over the trailer or there is no way he would have gone to church!
I think that's basically most of what has happened this week. That and I found out that we are
just staying together here in Yuma for now. No visa waiters ended up coming to
the mission, so we're still just working away here alone. I'm incredibly
excited though, because there is never a dull moment and never a lack of people
to teach. I have learned something pretty cool about church though that's
important to remember - the way you prepare your investigators for church is
the way you prepare yourself for church. They have to understand the importance
and why it's so crucial.
Anyway, we're excited that the branch is picking things up and getting more involved in missionary
work! That's why we're starting to see some success! Goodness I love this
place, I love the people, I love everything about the mission.
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