3/28/2011



The Baptism of Victoria and Yasmin




The Baptism of the family of Marcio. Delair is the mom, and Renan and Gustavo are the two sons.

 Hey!

So this past weekend was amazing! I've never seen so many miracles in my life. This past month I've learned so much about faith, and my testimony of fasting has grown so much! On Saturday we were blessed with helping 5 people be baptized! So we ended this month with 7 baptisms! We weren't able to reach our goal, but that's ok. I'm just so happy that I was able to be a part of all these miracles. So on Saturday morning Victoria and Yasmin were baptized. They have been going to church for about 3 years now, but there parents don't want to get married, and never let the girls be baptized. So after alot of prayer and fasting we had a lesson with them and explained really clearly and boldly. We talked to them about the importance of following Jesus. We talked about how we need to follow him today and right now, we should never wait to follow Jesus Christ. So then we said "We are representatives of Jesus Christ, we are inviting you, as if it was him inviting you, to follow him and be baptized." And they agreed to be baptized. Then we asked them when they are going to follow being baptized, and they said " Today! Can we be baptized today?" And instantly their mom got mad, and was like NO NO NO NO, you aren't ready you need to prepare more, then out of no where, (this was the help of the Lord) Their dad, who is Bolivian, and always really angry was like "No! The girls NEED to be baptized, and need to be baptized now!" And then the mom decided that it was alright, so we called one of the elders and he came and did the interview, and they were baptized the next day!!!

Then there is a family that we started teaching 3 weeks ago. Its the parents and two sons. The dad (Marcio) was baptized when he was 15 and went to church 3 times then went inactive. During his time away from the church he got married and had 2 boys. Well 3 weeks ago he decided that he wanted to return to the church and bring his family. So we taught his family and they are all super elect! On Saturday night they were all baptized!!! On Sunday after the Sacrament meeting I got to be part of the ordination... Marcio got the priesthood, then I got to watch him give the priesthood to his two sons. It was the coolest thing in the world, cause he was so lost, he had no idea what was going on, but the bishop helped him out with the words. But it was such a cool experience.

Unfortunately our Zone wasn't able to reach our goal of 40 baptisms. But so many miracles happened and we were able to help 22 people be baptized and confirmed!!! The record for this zone in one month is 12. And with our faith and ALOT of help from the lord we were able to make in difference in 22 peoples lives in one month!!!

I know that this Church is True. I know that the message that I get to share with people is true! I know that The Lord is guiding this work, and I'm so grateful to be able to be a part of it!

Love
Elder J.D. Schoen