A Wonderful Surprise!

(a letter from May 28)

It was a CRAZY busy 2 weeks. We had TWO baptisms that we were NOT expecting. Maria Graciela (Maricheli) and her grandson Rodrigo Emiliano. We also found a family that were attending church for about 3 years and never got baptized because he needed to divorce and marry her and his ex was making things EXTREMELY difficult. They moved JUST out of ward boundaries as the issue was being settled and have been there for a year. Due to problems with the landlord, they have now moved back into ward boundaries and are PSYCHED to get baptized. They have already married in preparation for the ordinance. They have a daughter named Yoshira but she already got baptized 3 years ago.

There is also Rosa who doesn’t feel like the atonement is enough for her to be forgiven. Better explained, she didn’t understand the atonement. She was unsure of the details of the Lord’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. We explained it in terms that she could understand. Here is how the conversation went:

"Why would he suffer so much for us? There is no way that anyone would actually bleed from every pore for someone much less someone He doesn’t even know..."

"Sister, you have 3 children. Let’s say that they are playing in the street, and you see a car speeding towards them with no signs of slowing down. Will you watch them die, or will you push them out of the way and take the hit for them?"

"Well of course I wouldn’t do that."

"I know you wouldn´t. The Lord feels the same way. He DOES know you AND your children. He blessed you with them and He wants to keep blessing all of you. One of the greatest ways that he is offering you His love is through His suffering and death. He saw that car of pain, suffering and ultimately, condemnation coming and He took the hit for us. He did that for YOU and your children."

She got it. She just needs a bit of time to get comfortable. She isn’t very trusting and has never spoken to her children about God, but she wants us to talk to them and teach them about Him. She sees the difference in the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and members of other congregations. She is really great and has no fear of asking questions. That’s the best thing about her as an investigator.

We have quite a few less actives or in-actives that we are helping and working with, but I don’t have the time to say EVERYthing that I want to. There is a lot of work here and I´m loving it! I hope you were able to get those pictures up and everything. Especially since I’m sending more.

21 this Saturday!!! (June 2) Haha. Till next week!

Elder Heath