MERLI

I physically CANNOT say anything more until I talk about the Miracle of Merli!!!(Does that not sound like a movie title or what!) This beautiful 10 year old has been taught by missionaries since 2011 but for whatever reason, has not been baptized. Her mom and brother are members but are less active and her dad is a strong member of another faith. But he has given us permission to teach his daughter and told Merli she has to make her own choice of which church she wants to belong to (love this Dad!) Now first of all, what a responsibility to put on a 10 year olds shoulders! She has been to both churches multiple times, but she hasn´t been to the LDS church for years until these past couple weeks when we´ve been able to take her (with permission ;) She has been lukewarm towards both churches for years. She loves them both and finds good in each of them. So All we have been doing is teaching her the principles of the gospel and continue to encourage her to pray and find out for herself, like Joseph Smith, which church is true.

So last night, we went to her house and honestly, we didn´t know why we were there. We had already taught her that morning but felt like we should visit again. We planned on watching a video but for some reason it wouldn´t work, and we pretty much had nothing else prepared so we went COMPLETELY by the Spirit. And I have now learned and have a testimony that this is the one and only way to teach. We began talking with her and her mom about the choice Merli has to make in her life. We were talking about how this is a lifelong decision, a decision that she should be absolutely sure about, a decision that she will follow for the rest of her life.  She was quiet for a moment and then all of a sudden she grabbed a Book of Mormon, squeezed it tightly to her chest, and said "I want to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ, I want to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ and i want to be baptized after my birthday!" Her birthday is THIS Friday! I´m pretty sure me and my companions jaws fell to the floor! We weren´t even planning on extending a baptismal invitation, and to have her say it and really really mean it was incredible!!! 

Super long story short, we felt the Spirit so strong and she talked with her dad after we left and he said she had his permission! But, he wants her to continue to learn and pray for at least another month to make sure its something she truly truly wants and something that she promises to stick with and put her whole heart into. (We found out later from her mom that she started bawling when he said she couldnt be baptized this weekend--so cute). And my companion and i are behind him 100%. And it started me thinking how being Mormon has never been something passive for me. I belong to this church 100% and I have pledged not only these next 14 months to my Savior, but the rest of my life! I am so grateful for all that Jesus Christ has done for me personally and I know that this is HIS church. And I will never forget Him and I am Mormon 100% through and through!

Sorry that was so long! But it was so special to me and I just had to share it! Among other newsssssss........

Estela and her cousin will be baptized for sure this Saturday!!!! I never knew my heart could be so FULL, just overflowing with joy! They have both been examples to me---they have such faith and they KNOW that this church is true. And they´re only 11 years old. How innocent and pure and just beautiful children are. 

Antonia has had some problems with her work and will probably not be able to be baptized this Saturday but its okay. We just want to make sure she has had time to pray and learn and internalize all that we need to teach her. And its all on the Lord´s time.

So yeah, this week has been pretty AMAZING! Except that its SUMMER again (100 degrees today!) I want Fall!!! It was rainy and cold for one week and then something, I don´t know what (global warming?) happened and now I´m back to taking multiple cold showers a day haha. But I don´t even care! I´m so happy!! God is good! Life is good! The mission is THE BEST! I love you all and I always mean to share scriptures or something I´ve learned but I never have time because I write novels each week about my investigators haha. But know that I have a testimony of this work and of the gospel and especially of my Savior. Have an amazing week!!!! 

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!