Week 26: February 12, 2018

Hey there good lookins!!!!!!

Hope you all are doing well as ever!!!! We seriously had such an awesome week this week!!!! I´ll tell you all a story, well, a miracle that happened Friday. We got up, did our weekly planning, and had lunch with some members, yadayada. The normal for Friday. We then went to a meeting with a bunch of the leaders in our area called workshop. We met with an elder named Elder Macedo. It was super neat because he was our zone leader and had done a bunch of visits with me before, so he knew super well how to help us. We started talking about an instigator in our area named Elvira. She is super sweet! We had visited her before, Elder Macedo and I , and she had practically passed a baptismal interview, the only thing was, we had visited her later, and she said she didn't want to be baptized. But, last week, already told this story, she went to church with us. It was super neat! Elder Macedo got to talking and said that we could baptism her that day. Wow. I was sort of surprised by that. He kept going on and on and talking, but I was just sort of blown away by that statement. It had such an impact on me. Probably because it was true. We left with the APs. I made tons of phone calls inviting people, trying to get a ride for her, things like that. She was also going to Cabo Verde the 17th and we had stake conference this week so we couldn't postpone her confirmation and had to confirm her that day. I had to call president and get permission for that. We didn't know if we would baptism her that day for sure, but when I called president, for some reason I told him that we would baptize her, not that we might. He said congratulations on our baptism. Elder Herrman said that we better baptize her since I said that. haha! Elder Scott and Elder Beltran went to go teach Elvira and invite her to be baptized that day. Elder Herrman and I went to go get the baptismal papers that she had signed previously and fill the font. We got out of the car and were just running back and forth getting things ready. It was a moment I would never forget! Another little story, when Elvira had previously agreed to be baptized, we tried to have her sign the paper, but she didn't know how to write. This was with Elder Barrios and I. We both paused for a moment, and then I said that I would sign with her. So I put the pen in her hand, held her hand, and we signed together. Don't know if I already told that story, but ya. Super cool. Anyway, we were running back and forth. We got to Elvira´s house. Her daughter welcomed us in. She is a less active. We got there right when they finished saying a prayer. The spirit was so strong! I had actually suggested that Elder Herrman and I say a prayer before we entered. I said one really quick before we knocked. When we both entered the room, Elvira looked over at us, but for some reason, she focused her eyes on me. the other elders had been there for that whole time just trying to help her be saved. The devil was fighting us and had put a ton of things in her head before we had arrived. But when we got there, the spirit was so strong. She looked at me with a huge smile. Then Elder Herrman said that the font was ready for her. She stopped, and asked him repeating what he had said as if she could not believe it. Then they invited her one last time to be baptized. She then said, "pode ser." or yes. We all got so excited inside and were all so happy!!! Tons of members helped us bring her to the church to be baptized. It was super neat!!! Tons of miracles with the members helping us when being called on in the moment. When I sat next to Elvira before she was baptized, she just looked into my eyes and had the biggest smile on her face. It was super neat. Elvira doesn't have a leg too, so Elder Beltran and I both helped her into the water. She sat on the stairs and I got to say the prayer. When she came up, she was so happy! Afterwards, it was the neatest thing too. Normally, she doesn't understand things, or is a little slow because she has to take medication for her depression, but she was so happy and understood everything. She acted way happier and was way more engaged with everything. It was amazing! We then conformed her and the members brought some food to eat after. It was such a miracle!!! Such a blessing to be serving the LORD´s Mission. My attitude changed that day too. I should leave the house everyday thinking and acting like I will baptize that day. I´m so thankful for all the miracles that I have been witness to. I know God has a plan for every single one of us. I know He loves us. I know He puts people and miracles in our way so we can help Him bless His children. I know it wasn't me who did any of that. It was those around me, but especially, it was God. 

Love you all so much!!!! So thankful to have such an amazing family behind me!!!! Y'all are the best!!!!!

Love always,

Elder Barton