ISAAC came and went!

I survived Tropical Storm Isaac! It was actually kind of pathetic. It was just like all the other rainy Florida Rainstorms except there was a little bit more wind. We weren’t allowed to go outside after church on Sunday, but then the Stake President cancelled church! So we didn’t go out at all on Sunday and weren’t allowed to leave our apartments until 5 pm on Monday. Hence me writing this on Tuesday.

It was really sad to not have church. It is strange to not go, but it is devastating to those who are relying on that spiritual uplift. Plus, none of our investigators could come to church and there were many baptisms postponed. Sad when people have to wait to receive the blessings of the Gospel.

Other than that, our week was pretty good. We had Zone Conference on Tuesday where we practiced testifying while harvesting; especially how to testify of how we were sent there as representatives of Jesus Christ. It is pretty powerful and really influences people.  We also listened to Elder Bednar’s talk on the Enabling Power of the Atonement, which I just read again, but is still awesome. I love how we can not only be healed, but also be strengthen and empowered by Christ.

Wednesday was fun. We went to see a member referral from Marvin and got kind of lost, but ended up having a really sweet lesson with a woman who is supporting her 4 children who still live in Honduras. She desperately needs the Gospel. Unfortunately, we don’t get to teach her since she is not YSA or even in our area, but it was a great experience nonetheless. Plus, now she can be taught by Elders who speak more Spanish than Sister Chavous and I!

On Friday, we were harvesting and found the aunt of one of the less actives in our ward on accident! It was so cool to randomly knock on the door of people who were lost!  As we kept walking down the street, we met a single father named Tony. We prayed with him and invited him to be baptized. He said, “I’ve been baptized but that was a long time ago.” So we invited him to prepare for baptism on September 9th and he said, “yes, and my sons need to, too!” It was so awesome!

Later that day, we went to see a new investigator named Samantha. She is from Trinidad and has a sweet accent! Her dad is Muslim, her mom is Catholic, and her step-father is Protestant.  She went to Christian Schools growing up and is interested in reading the Book of Mormon. Unfortunately, she babysits her brothers every afternoon and every weekend while her mom is working, so we’ll have to figure out a way to get her to church, but I’m sure God will provide a way.

On Saturday, our District Leader called and said they were having a baptism. They specifically invited me to it because Sister Buckley and I were the ones that found her! Actually, Yaneski, her two kids, her Brother, and her mom all got baptized! Angels rejoicing in Heaven!
They asked me to speak at the Baptism because the two kids don’t speak Spanish, so I got to talk about baptism and the Holy Ghost in English. I was so excited for them! It was so beautiful to see them all get baptized together! And, we had an investigator come and he got to see the whole thing!

I am still in awe at the joy that comes whenever someone is baptized! It is truly the best feeling. And it just starts with opening your mouth. So, go ahead. Say something to a friend. Invite them to church. Give them a Book of Mormon. Tell them to visit Mormon.org. It is facil. Don’t be scared. God loves you, so what else matters?

I love you all! Hope you have a wonderful week back at school!

Love, Hermana Sheffield