Elder Jake Welch: 09-01-15 to 09-07-15 Dayana's Baptism!‏

This week has been a good one!

So tuesday morning we had to go to the internet to take a Preach My Gospel survey that questions our skills in Preach My gospel. No lies, it made me feel guilty because i lack in SO many things. I have a LOT to work on. We had 4 lessons that day which was cool. One that was pretty interesting was with the Vic family. So we were explaining the importance of having the priesthood authority to baptize and how kids dont need to be baptized, and somehow they got to asking us about spirits. I guess the same day the girl in the family had a scary experience where she saw a dark shadow in her room. I don't want to explain too much because talking about those kind of things isn't good, but we explained how Christ and the gospel can bless them and protect them and their home. So we're gonna offer to bless their home soon.

Wednesday we had 3 lessons. The first lesson was with The Mina Mena family, and we ran over a pre-interview so Dayana can get baptized that weekend! She's so cute, she knows it all and says it with confidence! That night I went to Morichal (another area in the mission) so i could go with Elder Skinner and Elder Yanzapanta and talk with the lady i interviewed last week and see if i couldnt help. We made a plan to fast for her this weekend to see if she can't get an answer to her prayers. Something that was a bummer was when that morning the zone leaders took our phones! But the offices said to take the phones of the whole mission so it wasnt anything bad. But it was a bad time! We couldnt call anyone!

Thursday I had divisions with Elder Ludwig, and NO one was home that day. Our only lesson that day was with the son of our pensionista. We only got up until the apostasy and he wanted to stop. So it wasnt that great of a lesson. We were stressing out to figure out how to organize the interviews, and clothing for the baptisms Saturday. (Elder Ludwig was gonna baptize 2 other little girls too).

Friday was a LONG day! Interviews interviews interviews! First thing that morning, the zone leaders stopped by and gave us our phones back! We were hoping for an upgrade to iPhones haha but nah, we just got our Nokias again and a lot more rules. After lunch they came back to give Dayana her interview and she of course passed with flying colors. She was jumping up and down with excitement haha (she's eight). After that, we were in an appointment with a reference that lives in front of sister Liliana's house, and while we were teaching the restoration, and i just finished testifying of first vision, Liliana came running in frantically with her 2 year old boy in her arms yelling "He's convulsing! What do i do? I don't have money to go to the hospital!" Poor boy had his eyes rolling back and his lips were going blue. So we hurry and gave her all the money from our pockets which wasnt much and she ran to get a taxi. Sunday the Bishop said he's in the intensive care unit still. Holy cow! We didnt really know what to do, so we walked the half an hour home to get money and went to Morichal so i could give 3 baptismal interviews. We were late due to the ordeal but I gave the interviews. The mom didnt pass because she has a smoking problem which was sad, and though the 2 kids passed, they dont wanna baptize without their mom.

Saturday was the baptismal day! The day started off crazy when Elder Ludwig and I were scrambling to find keys to the chapel so we could start the font filling up before the zone meeting. The zone meeting was cool, it was on receiving revelation and setting goals. Then we had another set back! the zone leaders only brought 1 pair of baptismal clothes for children so we had to run home and eat lunch, then run to the chapel in Cuidad Modelo to get the rest of the baptismal clothing. At that time it was about 4:30 and i still needed to interview Elder Ludwig's 2 investigators before their baptism! So we ran to the chapel, interviewed them, and they passed with flying colors! (children are brilliant). Dayana, Luz Angela and Michelle were all beaming with joy! Johanna, Dayana's mom, said she was counting the hours to her baptism she was so excited haha. It was a fun nice service. Only let down is that no one came besides the bishop (who baptized Dayana and Luz), the 1 counselor of the bishopric, the ward mission leader, the primary president, and Dayana's parents. But they didnt care, they were so happy! Also, Elder Chaiña got to baptize Michelle! it was a good night, and everything fell into place.

Sunday was a normal day. The 3 girls were all confirmed, and we visited some investigators and recent converts that night. Transfers came, but only one person from my district left. Elder Yanzapanta. So yeah, there was my week! Love you all!

Elder Welch