Wow, this week was a
good week, and it was all started off great by seeing Francisca and Anita
baptized last Thursday! It was one of the most special baptisms I've been
privileged to participate in. We had a lot of support from the branch and there
was the Spirit ever-constant - stronger than I've just about ever felt it. So
far, it's been a highlight of my mission to teach these people and see them
progress so incredibly fast in the gospel. They have accepted everything so
readily, and have really been the most humble, child-like people I have ever taught.
It was amazing to see their faces throughout the whole baptism. Francisca was
just beaming, so full of the Spirit and they would keep looking over at us and
just smiling. They said they've never felt so happy in their entire life, and
found something they didn't even know they were searching for! They felt at
home, safe and secure. The baptisms were great, and it was cool that so many
people participated in everything. Elder Lindquist baptized Francisca, I
baptized Anita, and Hermano Vargas (who referrred them to us) was able to
confirm them both, since they were about to leave to California for a couple
weeks. The branch was way excited, and we couldn't have been happier.
We also had an
experience this week letting us know how much Mexicans really don't run on time
- it doesn't really matter to them. So we had a baptismal interview scheduled
for 6 on Friday for the Juarez family and a little after that, they told us
they were on their way. 3 HOURS LATER they came to the church and we
just cruised through them all. I had called a couple times, and they just kept
saying that everything was good and that they were close. What was going on
I'll never know... But one thing that was super cool is that the kids brought
their half-brother who we taught for the first time and he said he wanted to
get baptized too! The only problem is we have to get permission from his dad...
so it was definitely worth the wait, and the family should get baptized
tonight!! We're excited for that for sure. It's interesting how in Spanish work
they almost always want the missionaries to baptize them. Every single time we
tell them who all can do it, and we try to get them to think about the
fellowshipper or the branch president, but I guess they get attached to their
missionaries...
And with Eugenio, the
15-year old kid, he couldn't decide which one of us he wanted to baptize him,
so we actually rock-paper-scissored for it! Can't say I've ever done that
before - I did dominate though, so it looks like I'm going to baptize both of
the kids. We're so excited, because we haven't taught this family for that long
either, and they've also just been so ready and prepared. I feel like in so
many cases, we're saying stuff that they already know inside. Because it sounds
familiar they know that it's right and accept it without question (well not always).
But church this week
was rough, since everyone was in Mexico for the weekend. I didn't know
President's Day was such a big deal! There was hardly anyone at church this
week and we went from having 12 to 1.... So goes life though. We also didn't
have time to do gator round-up so I have a feeling this week will be a lot
better. I think once again, Mexicans like any excuse to party. Speaking of
that, we had a funny Spanish OYM the other day. This guy we were talking to
told us he was Catholic and that he really didn't want to hear what we had to
say. We asked about him, and his faith in Christ and the Bible, and he said he
had more faith in the beer that he was holding than he did in the Bible! I'm glad
to know that so many people are so diligent in their study and faith in the
Bible.
We did have a super
awesome first lesson the other night though! We've been trying to get into this
one house for a long time (the husband was always out or working), and we
finally found them both at home one night. They invited us into their itty
bitty "chiquito" apartament and we had a bomb first lesson.
They were way involved and when we extended the baptismal invitation they were
both nodding vigorously (surprised I remembered that word) and said yes without
the slightest hesitation. We had a kneeling prayer at the end of the lesson and
the wife Juana said one of the most sincere prayers I think I've ever heard. My
favorite part was when she said "Haznos creer en el Libro de Mormon"
- she really wants to know it's true, and to read and follow it. I can't wait
to see how things turn out with them!
Well that's most of
the excitement for the week - all else is going good and we're plugging along.
We're probably going to start doing a lot more tracting and finding new people,
dropping all that aren't progressing and keeping commitments. It's tough, but
it's got to be done. Love you all! Thank you!
~ Elder Carlson
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