Mon, 9 Mar 2009

Hello once again!

We had a baptism this week. Oh my goodness, it was awesome. Adan is one of those guys you talk to and think--he's going to really help build the Church. He will do so well.

Funny story of the week: I get to the chapel for Adan's baptism, and Hna. Martinez and Corless are already there, and Adan shows up, and everything is great--then Hna. Martinez asks me a question: Did you remind him to bring a towel? Oops. Oh well, we've got an extra one at home, we'll run and get it. Then she asks an even greater question: Did you remind him to bring extra underwear?

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I'm going to tell you right now--I can finally say I know what it means to be mortified.

We ran home and grabbed a towel for him--I was just flipping out because I felt like such an idiot--and I left hna. Martinez to handle the underwear thing because I just couldn't. Hey, I had to field the awkward chastity questions after she left, so it's her turn. Anyway, we get back and I give Adan the towel and ask him, so where's Ammon? (His friend who was going to baptize him.) He said, "Buena pregunta (good question)." So I'm thinking, crap. The guys who's going to baptize him is late. So I asked him again, and he said--"Oh, he's on his way. He just had to stop at WalMart to get me some chonies. (Aka underwear.)" I walked out of the room laughing. But not happy laughter--the crazy kind of laughter that could be confused with psychosis.

I just stood outside for a minute with Hna. Corless (she followed me out, because I didn't wait for any companion) and cooled off, then when I went back into the room. Hno Diaz (counselor in bishopric) told me to go play the piano to chill out. So I did, and I ignored everything else til we went to go take photos. I'll send those through the email next week.

The rest worked out great. Well, except the part when Ammon didn't say Adan's full name, so I had to run up to the front and let them know that it's Adan RUIZ Marquina. So he was baptized twice. He said afterward that it was a good thing--there was so much sin in him that they had to do it the second time to get the rest of it. Lol.

Then he bore his testimony at the end, and we were crying. He cried as he expressed his love for Ammon and his family--they were the ones who brought him to that point. Then he thanked us missionaries too. We really didn't do much, but I know we will be friends forever.

I can't explain the joy that comes from seeing your friend make that step of faith that you know will bring him the full happiness that comes from living Christ's Gospel. It's overwhelming. Needless to say, I'm still emotionally exhausted from that day.

And then he was confirmed yesterday, also by Ammon, and the blessing was so sweet. Now he's a member. I can't believe it. I have honestly see someone change their life around because they knew that this is true. Imagine how much stronger my own testimony is now. It's pretty amazing.

As hard as this life can be, I would never change this for the world. I love being a missionary. Having the luxury of devoting myself 100% to the work that the Lord has called us all to do. Do it. It's amazing, and it will bless your life in indescribable ways.

I love you all, and I am excited to talk to you again.

Until next week,
Hna. Crowley