Where do I even begin? There are so many beautiful things to say and we just
have so little time! Especially today. But, for good reasons :)
This morning we went to Kevin's home with Sr. David and taught his little
brothers Alvigne and Nelson their first official lesson. YESSSS! It was
seriously so wonderful. They are adorable boys, with great questions. You can
probably imagine it. Sixteen and fourteen year old brothers, right around that
age where we really start making decisions about who we want to be...but of
course, we are too cool to say anything about it outloud, at least at the
beginning.
They were still in bed when we got there so their big sister went and woke them
up...Ha. It was so great. We taught them the first lesson and gave them a
chapter in the Book of Mormon to read (Alma 32) with Kevin before Friday and
some questions about faith to ponder on :) Funfunfun.
As for the rest of the week. Leigh Anna will be happy that I read her email that
I'd printed off on Halloween morning right before studies, so I found out that
the Giants had won the World Series while already wearing orange and black.
WOOOO! I had a little bit of difficulty calming down for companionship
prayer..ha. And, we taught Carmelle at Sr. David's on Halloween and all carved a
pumpkin together! It was their first time! We accidentally chopped off one of
his teeth, which made it a more legitimate experience I think. We named him
Jean.
And of course, Roger's baptism! It was a wonderfully simple and powerful
service. He chose Kevin to perform the ordinance, and that was particularly
special to me. What wonderful miracles we have experienced here in Eysines. What
a beautiful thing it is to see people accept and live the gospel and help others
receive it. Kevin played a really big role in helping Roger choose to be
baptized, as well as many other members. Julien gave the talk about baptism
during the service, and it was so incredible. Roger shared a powerful testimony
the next day in church. He testified of how one never meets the missionaries by
chance and how he knew that the Lord had led us together, and what caused him to
choose to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kevin also bore
his testimony, and Julien blessed the sacrament. Can you believe how blessed we
are? Cheng is still doing great too, really busy with school, but really great:)
Christelle even came to church, two weeks in a row now! Thank you for your
prayers! Keep them coming! :))
We all joined in a special fast together on Sunday with the recent converts and
a bunch of young adults to prepare our hearts for this weekend when Elder Neil
L. Andersen of the quorum of the twelve apostles will come and speak to us. We
fasted together Sunday, and then my companion and I printed off different talks
given by him, a different one for each person to read throughout the week to
help us prepare to hear him at stake conference this weekend. This year they are
celebrating 20 years since the creation of the Bordeaux stake, and seeing as
Elder Andersen was the mission president then (I think at the same time?) it is
really providential that he be there. We are all excited. He will also be having
a special zone conference with the missionaries, so we are double excited.
The gospel is true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His true
and living church, He directs this work. I am so happy that I still have five
precious months to represent my Savior every single day. I am so happy that you
are doing the same thing, mom and dad., God is a God of miracles, and He is
ready and willing to bless us. Another special thing that happened this last
Sunday was that many of the young men and young women bore their testimonies
about the temple, as they had all been in Madrid all of last week to do temple
baptisms (where baptisms are performed in behalf of those who died without being
baptized for themselves). They have two weeks of vacation at the moment, and as
another member of the ward noted it is really touching to see that they
sacrificed 50 percent of that time to accomplishing the work of the Lord. It was
beautiful to hear these young people bear testimony. In particular, a young
woman who has been less active, who although she was not able to participate in
the baptisms she was touched by the testimonies of her friends and bore a
tear-filled testimony that she had felt the Spirit for the first time in a long
time and how wonderful that was. It was incredible.
I love Lehi's dream in the Book of Mormon (1Nephi chapter 8). I know that we are
not meant to partake of the fruit (partake in the Love of God/make and keep
sacred covenants) only one time, but over and over again. The tree does not run
out of fruit, and we should not stop eating after just one bite! Not only that
but the iron rod which represents the word of God(see 1Nephi chapter 11:
25) doesn't disappear either. Some of us may mistakenly believe that if we have
'fallen into forbidden paths and are lost' that it is game over, no more chance
for you. But it is not true. The Savior beckons to each and every single one of
us to come unto Him, and no matter where you find yourself in Lehi's dream at
the moment, it is not to late for you to come back and eat of the sweet fruit of
the gospel. Even if you are locked up in a hidden chamber of the great and
spacious building, the Savior and His infinite Atonement is mighty to save even
the vilest of sinners and He wants you with Him. He loves you as you are, but He
can make you a better version of you if you give your heart to Him and become
sanctified. (Helaman 3:35) I know this because I have felt it, I have felt the
Savior's redeeming love and the happiness repentance and obedience brings. Feast
upon the words of Christ and trust Him. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. Do
everything you can to allow the Lord to forgive you. Let's all do this together,
every day. And smile.
I love you so.
Love Soeur Waldron :)
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