After four transfers in the Valle Vista ward, I'm headed out! I'm going to Menifee, a town only half an hour away. I'll be serving in the Mapleton ward, and apparently I'm walking into five baptisms! The tender mercies of the Lord never cease! I'm being double in, which means neither my new companion nor I know the area. At all. But that's okay! Because my companion is none other than... Sister Springer! My Texan Homeslice! We've been praying that we'd be together before she leaves (which is in about 3 months now) and it's another tender mercy that we're embarking on this journey together:)
Sister Roberts will stay here in Hemet, but she's getting two companions! #triolife Sister Moore and Sister Garlitz. They're going to have a great time. I'm leaving Valle Vista in very capable hands.
In other (MAJOR) news, the Macias family was baptized! And let me tell you... Satan did NOT want that baptism to happen. He was pushing so hard on them, and so hard on us! The night before their baptism... Oh my gosh I've never been so miserable in my life. And I'm not exaggerating. Sister Roberts and I wept in the car, we wept as we prayed, we wept as we planned. But all's well that ends well. They were baptized and it was glorious! We handed them towels as they got out of the font, and Amy, the 16 year old, told us, "I feel so clean! It's like every bad thing that's ever happened to me stayed in the water. I'm clean!" We hugged and cried and it was so surreal. After the baptism, we played games with the younger girls and some of their friends from church. And that, without exaggeration, was one of the best nights of my life.
Sister Roberts will stay here in Hemet, but she's getting two companions! #triolife Sister Moore and Sister Garlitz. They're going to have a great time. I'm leaving Valle Vista in very capable hands.
In other (MAJOR) news, the Macias family was baptized! And let me tell you... Satan did NOT want that baptism to happen. He was pushing so hard on them, and so hard on us! The night before their baptism... Oh my gosh I've never been so miserable in my life. And I'm not exaggerating. Sister Roberts and I wept in the car, we wept as we prayed, we wept as we planned. But all's well that ends well. They were baptized and it was glorious! We handed them towels as they got out of the font, and Amy, the 16 year old, told us, "I feel so clean! It's like every bad thing that's ever happened to me stayed in the water. I'm clean!" We hugged and cried and it was so surreal. After the baptism, we played games with the younger girls and some of their friends from church. And that, without exaggeration, was one of the best nights of my life.
Their confirmations were so beautiful. Two of the children were blessed to serve full time missions! Their parents cried with joy, and Susan, the mother, told us that a warm feeling enveloped her. Kristina, the 11 year old, said that she felt tingles. Happy tingles!
The last lesson I had with them, Brother Macias gave the opening prayer. He nudged me and said, "This is all your fault." I was so confused! What was my fault? He smiled and he said, "I love to pray now!" And he does. He looooves saying prayers:) We taught them about eternal families and family history work, and they're going to have a great time finding names to take to the temple. They're going in March, and the father and son are preparing to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood! I love them!!!
Everything is beautiful in the world! And I have to hitch a ride up to Menifee!
Sister Turner
There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere. - President Thomas S. Monson
The last lesson I had with them, Brother Macias gave the opening prayer. He nudged me and said, "This is all your fault." I was so confused! What was my fault? He smiled and he said, "I love to pray now!" And he does. He looooves saying prayers:) We taught them about eternal families and family history work, and they're going to have a great time finding names to take to the temple. They're going in March, and the father and son are preparing to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood! I love them!!!
Everything is beautiful in the world! And I have to hitch a ride up to Menifee!
Sister Turner
There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere. - President Thomas S. Monson