Converts...

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Today, we had the privilege of going to two separate convert baptisms.   We drove two sets of Elders to the first baptism and one set of Elders to the second.  The first one was in Kansas City, Missouri.    He was the husband of a woman who was just baptized a week earlier.  In April, the wife went to SLC with a friend to a convention.   They decided to go to Temple Square and check it out.    They ended up talking to 2 sister missionaries   One of them was from the Phillipines.   They got her contact information and parted ways.   This was on a Saturday.   She told me that on Sunday, she flew home(Kansas City, Missouri).  She hadn't been home long when to Elders knocked on her door.   She was baptized last week.   The sister from the Phillipines has since gone home but this new convert told me they still stay in touch.  It was truly a spiritual experience as you could feel the Spirit and know that these two truly were happy!!
The 2nd baptism was in Kansas City, Kansas.   This is a couple who have been married 13 years.   She was a member to begin with.    They have 3 chidren.    And from what I was told, the wife went to the Temple last year to receive her Endowments.    The one thing that impressed me the most is how humble the husband was.   I don't know the complete story, but finally after 13 years of being married to a member, the spirit touched him and he wanted to be baptized.  They have a sweet family.  Another thing that touched me was the ward support.    There were a lot of people there supporting this young family.    And when they spoke, you could feel the love they had for this family.  Amazing!  President Vest the Mission President was there.   When I told him that this was our 2nd convert baptism that day, (and I was feeling good about that), he said this is my 5th!!     Wow!!!  6 convert baptisms in one day.  Pretty amazing!  President Vest allows the missionaries to attend convert Baptisms of people they taught in the past, only if it is less than 1 hour away from where they are currently serving.  I testify that this is the Lord's work.    We are a part of it, and it is so wonderful to reach out to others who are less active and who don't have the Gospel in their lives.   We get some people who are nice,  but not interested.    We have others who are not interested and not nice.  We strive to be kind to all, regardless.   We wonder though, why some people have to be so unkind.  We had a less active we went to see and he told us he would not only not be attending Church, but he did not want us or anyone making contact with him.    BUT.....he was very nice about it.   This is Christ's Church and it will continue to grow....inspite of continued persecution, and the negative remarks against us.   I have a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.   What an amazing Prophet of God He was!!!   I would like to leave you with a quote by Elder Costas.

"When we always remember the Savior, we can cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, confident that His power and love for us will see us through!"

Until next time.....read your scriptures!!