Can I Get Baptized?

"Oh oh, Taxes due!" -The Game of Life

Hello wonderful world!

I know some of you are wondering if I really am this happy. I'm here to tell you, in the only way I can, that yes, I really am this happy. Being a missionary is super awesome, even when frustrating things happen or you can't understand what people are saying because it is a totally different language.

Reason why I'm so happy this week #1: (extract from my letter to President because I don't have time to say it in different words)

I have a huge testimony of the power of referrals and of member support. We received a media referral this past Friday for Patricia Fomballida. We called Patricia as soon as we received her information and left a message asking if we could come visit her that day. She called us back that afternoon and said we could come over right then. We immediately drove straight to her house and got to know her. She has lived in Florida since she got divorced 7 months ago and hasn't been able to find a job and doesn't really have any friends. While going through this hard time in her life, she turned to her cousin for guidance. He, as a member of the church, has always been a very happy and kind and successful person and she wanted to know why. He told her to find the missionaries and they would help her find that happiness, too. That's how we ended up at her house. But she is so amazing! I couldn't believe how blessed we were to get to meet someone so prepared! She was full of awesome questions like "What happens to my father since he died and never went to church?" and "So the person who baptized me didn't have the authority? Can I get baptized?" She seriously asked that before we even mentioned baptism! It was amazing! We taught her the Restoration and she gladly accepted a baptismal date for the 22nd. We got to come back the next day and teach the plan of Salvation (which she was really excited about) and then she came to church on Sunday and loved that, too! I can't wait for her baptism next week!

It is so interesting because I often feel like I'm not doing anything - it is all God's work. She was totally prepared and we just showed up to show her the where the door is!

Reason #2: We have 2 other baptisms scheduled for next week also that were entirely the hand of God. Jasmine didn't get baptized yesterday because she didn't feel ready (and we didn't get to see her much). On Tuesday, she made us dinner because she thought it was Wednesday, then on Wednesday (for our actual appointment) she couldn't make it because she got a flat tire! So we went to help her and called Cesar and Dora (our awesome recent converts) who came and helped her fix the tire and pick up her kids from school. Then Hno. Orellana and Pedro came with us to bring her brownies the next day and offer any help. So much member support! she is super solid for next Sunday!

Nelson, who is also a member referral, is also getting baptized next week! He had his baptismal interview and almost got baptized this week, but wasn't ready. The 1st councilor in the Bishopric talked to him and was wonderfully bold and loving and helped him feel more comfortable about taking this step in his life. I am so excited for next Sunday!

Reason #3:

We had a lot of other great things that happened this week, but as always, I'm a little short on time.

But thanks to all of my wonderful siblings who wrote me emails and sent pictures! That is the greatest gift you can give a missionary!

I love all of you! I love that everything is possible through the Atonement! I love that we can find answers in the words of the prophets. Go ahead. Try it.

Love, Hermana Sheffield.