Baptisms and PVC pipe

On Tuesday we met with L and went over the baptismal interview questions with him. He answered them better than I have ever heard ANYONE answer them- such a cool kid. He really has developed a testimony of the gospel. We also acted out Alma 17 with him - the one where Ammon cuts off all the arms- which he thought was pretty fun. Made me think of Jared and I putting pvc pipes on our arms and using the plastic sword to cut them off...good times! :D (This is a story in the Book of Mormon where a man named Ammon serves the king of the land of his enemies by defending the king’s flock from some thieves.  The king is impressed with this newcomer’s loyalty and Ammon has the opportunity to teach the gospel to the king and his whole family.) Anyway, we scheduled his interview for Friday, and he passed! So we started planning his baptismal service for next weekend.

On Saturday night, we went to visit C’s parents to try to help them understand baptism and stop fandui-ing. We went in and talked to her dad and got to know him.  He seemed to be pretty open, so we said that Candy had expressed to us that she wanted to be baptized, and asked what his view on it was. We explained the meaning of baptism and emphasized that it wouldn't cause her to discriminate against Buddhism. We had her share why she wanted to get baptized. Then he said, "well, if she wants to do it, I'm fine with it." Sis Jenkins and I were just having a little party in our hearts! We handed him the permission form. He picked up the pen, read the form slowly.....(probably only about 3 seconds, but it felt like ETERNITY!)....and then signed his name!!!!! YEAH!!!! We had C say the closing prayer, and she said a beautiful prayer asking God to bless each of her family members and telling Him how excited she was to get baptized. 

Celebrating Sis Jenkins' birthday with chocolate cake

 X, a recent convert,  is doing SO well! He is like an entirely different kid! He passed the sacrament for the first time yesterday, has been called to be the teachers quorum president, went to the temple to do baptisms, and is helping his mom get active again. He is a rock star! I got a letter this week from a family I taught who were baptized in SongShan...they are incredible! There are few things that compare to the joy of seeing that your converts are still going strong. 

This week Sis Jenkins and I were talking about how to help two people recieve baptism in Dec. We both had the thought come to our minds that there are not only two people waiting for us, but two families. So we are doing our best to find them! We started teaching a new family this week who we think has a lot of potential. The dad lived in Australia for 8 years and has great English, and they have two adorable daughters. When we visited last week, the daughter was watching Dora....in chinese. Who knew Dora was so multi-lingual?! 

I love being a missionary! Sometimes we are so exhausted- mentally, physically, emotionally, everything. But then we remember Christ, who sacrificed so much more than we ever will, and who is our Strength. I love this quote from Pres Eyring: "When my body begs for rest, I give myself this rallying cry: Remember Him!". It is true. "Greater happiness than you have yet experienced awaits you as you serve among His children." Yes. 

 Sis Murri