This weekend we felt a great manifestation of the Lord's love for his children as we had nine baptisms of 9 individuals into Christ's true church. I love the quote by Elder Christofferson who stated: "The work of our missionaries is a magnificent expression of the Lord's redeeming Love". This is never more apparent than on the day of an investigator's baptism. The missionaries who have taught someone about their true worth and God's love for them, and then to see those people they love so much enter into the covenant path, feel a love that is the pure love of Christ. These missionaries are like proud parents on these special days.
We were able to attend two of these baptisms on Saturday and wish we could have made it to all of them. The first baptism we were able to attend was that of Carmelita. She was found and taught by Sisters Cha, Brown and Coombs. Sister Cha and Sister Brown have gone home now, but Sister Coombs continued to teach her with Sister Leavitt. When Sister Coombs got transferred Sister Leavitt and Sister Clifford continued to teach her. Carmelita's husband is a recently returning member and it was a blessing to bring a family together in the gospel. Her 12 year old daughter is learning and has a desire to be baptized as well. These Sisters were a manifestation of the Lord's love for Carmelita and her family and it was evident that she felt that at her baptism. Look at these happy faces.
The second baptism we attended was for Nancy and Alena. I wrote a few months ago about a Sister who got transferred into our ward, and a few days later we found out her investigator was moving into our ward, and the Lord was moving Sister Clark right along with Nancy and Alena. Nancy and Alena's story is also one of several missionaries diligently teaching and loving God's children. They were found and have been taught by Sisters Koller, Thomas, Clark, and Mitchell, and probably others as well. Here is a lesson about the importance of living the gospel in our every day lives. Nancy said she has always been drawn to Mormons. She is a teacher and said that she has had students who are Mormons and she always noticed a difference in their moms. She gave several examples of Mormon women she admired and has watched them closely. She told of the secretary at her school who headed up a large service project. Someone later told her she was a Mormon, to which Nancy replied "of course she is". All of those examples led her to accept the missionaries when the time was right. Although, she also said she wished the missionaries had found her much earlier in her life and was so grateful that her daughter Alena found the church early in her life.
I know every one of the baptisms that happened this week and every week have stories just like Nancy and Alena and Carmelita. Again, "The work of our missionaries is a magnificent expression of the Lord's redeeming Love". What a blessing it is to be a witness to that redeeming love time and time again.
On Monday we welcomed 3 wonderful missionaries into the mission. The smallest group we have had come in up to this point was a group of 11. We weren't really sure how to do such a small group, we had to make some schedule adjustments, but it was fun to have some more one on one time with these terrific Elders and Sister.
Here they come. The excitement of welcoming new missionaries every six weeks never gets old. It's such an exciting time.
We were able to bring them back to our home and we actually had time to all sit down together and have dinner. Usually Scott has to immediately start interviewing and so dinner is a quick, eat when you can, event.
We got a lot of our training done on Monday night and so on Tuesday we were able to finish up the training early and get the missionaries matched up with their trainers. This is one of my very favorite moments. I know I say this every time, but I love it so much when we bring the new missionaries into a room full of missionaries standing and singing Called to Serve. I have yet to make it through without crying. It's an amazing experience. We matched the new ones up with their trainers and headed to the temple to take pictures and send them on their way.
Sister Ellsworth training Sister Fausett
Elder Rodriguez being trained by Elder Damon
Elder Coleman being trained by Elder Woodward
Once transfers were complete, we got to spend time with our departing missionaries. Again, this was the smallest group by far that we have ever sent home so we just took Sister Thomas and Sister Kearl to lunch and then headed to the temple with them.
We had a lovely experience with them at the temple, and then went back to our home where Scott gave them their final interviews, we had dinner and a testimony meeting and a wonderful evening sharing experiences, thoughts, feeling and testimony. We love these sisters and are so grateful for their consecrated and dedicated service. As we reminisced, Sister Kearl and Sister Thomas were two of the sisters I played tennis with our second week in the mission. We have all come a long way since that day on the Elk Grove tennis courts.
One of the saddest days in the mission is the day we send the missionaries home that we love so much. I've said before, the only thing that makes it ok is knowing the excitement of their families who are waiting to greet them. It was especially fun to think of the Thomases and the Kearls getting their daughters home on Valentine's Day, it will be a Valentine's Day they will never forget.
Saying goodbye to Sister Kearl
Saying goodbye to Sister Thomas
And finally, I was able to go out for a walk one evening after we got home from a full day of missionary work and I snapped this picture of the sunset. It was breathtaking and made me grateful for the beautiful place we are blessed to live for a season. #lovewhereyoulive
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