Precious Moment

Letter dated August 19, 2009

Okay, I'm reviewing the events of yesterday and cannot stop smiling! :) Yep, I just tried.... wasn't successful.... there goes the smile again!

As you all probably know, yesterday was the baptism of our investigator O, as well as his 23rd birthday! Talk about a fiesta! Let me give you a briefing up until this point...

We met O the first week that we got here in March. His Mom and sister are members, and he and his brother M had been taught by a lot of different missionaries before. When we first met O up until now, he's changed so much- for the better. He used to hardly ever smile and always seemed depressed. But now, he's completely the opposite- he always has a HUGE smile on his face, joking and laughing, and he's filled with this magnificent light. He has gone through a lot of rough times and a lot of changes. Even though the adversity played on him really hard, his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was strengthened in the process. He has been such an example to us of having a humble and personal relationship with our Father in Heaven. He has expressed over and over again how the Book of Mormon, prayer, and this Church have helped him and his family and has brought them such great peace. THE GOSPEL IS TRUE AND TRULY DOES BLESS AND CHANGE THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE WILLING AND READY TO RECEIVE IT!

Moving right along.... (sorry, I get distracted)..... O had been preparing for his baptism for over a month (he was ready sooner, but he really wanted to wait for his birthday). His dream was to be baptized on his birthday, and surprise his mom and family because they didn't know- to have them show up to go to a random baptism and they'd see him there, all dressed in white. CLASSIC! O got his wish!

Yesterday was his BIG day! We had an incredible turnout for his baptism- more people at a baptism than I'd seen in my entire mission- there were so many we had to move to the chapel! :) His mom and family showed up, thinking that someone they didn't know was getting baptized and were there to support them. When we were almost ready to start the baptism we pulled his family aside and asked them to come with us because we had a problem. His mom was saying how sad and upset she was that O wasn't there and going on about other things. (Sunday at church they announced that there was a baptism and she broke into tears in every meeting and even when talking to the Bishop afterwards. She was so sad that they were having a baptism and that it wouldn't be her son.... she had no idea what was going on :) ). As she continued walking down the hall and went to turn the corner, she suddenly stopped...... and there she saw O, all dressed in white. It took her a minute to figure out what was going on.... but when she realized what was happening she broke into tears and could hardly even stand. In between sobs she cried out his name, and ran towards him and threw her arms around him, expressing her great joy, and they both were crying. That moment, to see them as happy as they were and to feel the Spirit so powerfully, was worth every trial and hard day that I've ever faced in my mission. That baptism and the joy that that family received through the blessings of this Gospel was the most precious moment of my entire mission. If I wouldn't have done anything else on my mission, that moment was entirely worth it. Later on in the baptism he and all of his family bore their testimonies, and the Spirit reassured me once again of the power and the truthfulness of this Gospel. This Gospel changes lives!

And yes, we had tres leches (birthday cake) after and sang and all that jazz! It's not a party without food! :)