I can come home anytime now, why you may ask? Because I had my first baptism! YES!!!!!! Claudia, 24 years old, has been investigating for about 3 years and she has run from baptism twice. Her parents are extremely contra (against) and threatened to kick her out if she was baptize. We met with her and challenged her to be baptized for last friday. Everyday we checked in with her and on wednesday she felt like she would never come back to church. We decided to fast because we KNEW that it was the right time for her we prayed once an hour just for her. We broke our fast thursday morning and exactly 1 hour later she text us saying she wanted to be baptized!!!!!!!!
The baptism took place Saturday night and was beautiful. We had two investigators come and accept baptism dates of their own. Emmilio Zufolini (doesnt get much more italian that that) is the branch mission leader and in the middle of the baptismal meeting asked me to share my testimony. I almost hemoraged i was so nervous. But I got up there, and shared my simple testimony and thanked Claudia for being an example to me. She cried, probably because I just butchered her beautiful language but I will pretend it is because she felt the spirit:)
The week since has been tough. Most of our investigators and many of our members have no job and no home. The economy sucks so people are in dire situations. It was extremely difficult feeling completely useless to them but I am learning that missionary work is more than just sharing the gospel.
But the following is what I have learned from riding my bike.
Bike riding and how it applies to the gospel.
1) the wind is always blowing agaisnt you, no matter what directiong you are going. you change directions, it changes directions.
Satan sucks and will try to do everything he can to make staying on that darn bike as difficult as it can be. Tuck your skirt into the Gs, pray always and you will beat him every time.
2) hills are horrid and just when you think you literally cannot pump one more time or make it to the top, you look up and you have done it again. You have reached the top. We are all given our huge share of trials but it will never be too much for us to endure. Ya, you have have huge manly thighs now and sweat dripping of your face but when you reach the bottom of the hill, look back and congratulate yourself for what you have done.
3) ALWAYs, i mean always, ride with your mouth closed. If you dont, you will eat bugs. besides this just being good advice, what you put into your body matters. Everyone and their turtle smokes here but it is obvious that those who dont are healtier. Cigs kill. Stop killing your turtles.
More for next week on gospel principles and biking!
I am thrilled to hear that everyone is doing well and is happy! You guys are all the best and have a wonderful memorial weekend for me. Rock the famil BBQ. own that grill. Work that katchup. love ya!
peace and blessings
sorella alley!
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