A week to remember

Hola querida familia,

This week was amazing! Alright, so we didn't do so hot on our weekly goals in contacting people and inviting them to be baptized. The number of lessons taught wasn't stellar either. The standard of excellence as a mission is to extend at least six baptismal invites a day; we failed that big time. But, we were successful on actual baptisms!

The Ca family was baptized! We baptized six truly converted people, and it was a beautiful thing. One son was not baptized because he's not quite ready, but he will be ready soon! The baptism was definitely a highlight of this transfer.

On Wednesday night we had a lesson with the family. We talked about this and that and we wanted to focus the lesson on service in the church. We went with a member of the ward, Hermano V (the member support in this ward is unheard of), and by the end of the lesson, I shared Mosiah 18:8-10 about our baptismal covenant--about how we covenant to bear one another's burdens, mourn with those that mourn, and stand as a witness at all times and in all things and in all places. We talked about a baptismal date with Pa and Vi (the parents) and they said Saturday would not work. The next weekend wouldn't work either. The thought popped into my mind, "Will they even be there on Sunday to be confirmed if we have a baptism tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday or Saturday?" So naturally I asked them and they said, "Sunday could work." Wait a sec... I wasn't referring to the baptism, but we'll take it! So Sunday it was.

I called the whole world between Thursday and Saturday. The first counselor from the Mission Presidency, President Martinez, came to the baptism. (He and his wife had gone to a lesson with them at their house.) A counselor in the Oakland Temple Presidency, President Lopez, came to the baptism. (He and his wife went to an FHE with them at Hermano Velasco's home.) The stake president, President Crockett, and his family came. LDS neighbors of the Ca came. The whole ward was there basically. It was well attended, to say the least, and very powerful. The missionary who wrote Pa's name on the potential investigators sheet last April is back in Manteca, so she was at the baptism. Sister Betancourt who finished her mission in December flew back, and Sister Fernandez traveled back from East Sac. Seeing each of the family members baptized was so amazing--when Pa came out of the water, you could feel the power of that sacred ordinance. You could see and feel the burden that was lifted from her. I almost cried when Vi came out of the water. I did the missionary moment and passed out blank notecards so everyone in attendance could write down their testimonies for the family. They were confirmed that night by Hermano Lopez of the temple presidency, and I was so touched when he blessed the boys and talked about preparing for their missions. The family shared their testimonies at the end, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for their perseverance in seeking an answer. I have no doubt that they are truly converted.

One of our investigators, A, was there for the baptism. I invited him to be baptized February 4. I think he's very close--we've taught him about the Book of Mormon probably the past 10 times we've taught him, so it's time to try something else! (He's been meeting with missionaries since last June.) He said he was trying to write down his feelings on the notecard to give the family but he couldn't express his feelings, which was clearly the Spirit. I am so grateful he came and recognized the Spirit. There's something impeding him right now from taking the next step toward baptism, but I have faith that we can pinpoint it soon. He wants an elder from last summer to baptize him and that elder goes home at the end of this transfer, so that's good timing!

We have been asked to be 'traveling missionaries' for each of the Gladys Knight performances this week. There are going to be performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, so we've been asked to block off time Thursday night for training and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 1 p.m. to the end of the night. This week is going to be crazy busy and not a lot of time to teach and find new investigators, but what a great opportunity to work at each of the performances!! I think they asked all of the sisters in the mission (maybe) to work at each performance and a few of the elders. I'm really excited to do that--they're going to be long nights.

Love you all,

Kates