There is a family in the ward that has three sons and a daughter, all are in young mens/ young women. All three boys hold the priesthood and all the children have been baptized into the church. The dad is a member and up until this weekend the mom was not.
For over 20 years she investigated the church and has taken the missionary discussions multiple times. She attends church almost every week. She has held callings and even though she is not a member, she is still referred to as, "sister". This family is amazing member missionaries and two other family friends were baptized this weekend because of the missionary efforts of this family.
About a month ago, the sisters asked her when she was going to get baptized, and she agreed to take the lessons for herself, without her family knowing. So over the past month she has been meeting with the sisters without her husband or children knowing. On Thursday night she informed her husband that he would be baptizing her on Friday and he couldn't even believe it. However, they decided to keep it a secret from the kids.
Friday came and the kids thought they were attending a baptism of their neighbor (who ended up getting baptized on Saturday). They all showed up and their family and the bishop were the only ones there besides the missionaries. Programs were passed out and we all sat and watched as each of these four children realized they were attending the baptism of their mom. They could NOT believe it. Within moments, everyone was in tears. It was a very simple, sacred baptism and the spirit was so strong it was tangible. The only people that were invited were the bishop and the ward mission leader so they could be the witness and all the missionaries with the family. I can't even explain the spirit that was in the room as we closed singing "Families Can Be Together Forever". The oldest son will graduate high school this next year and they planned to be sealed just before he leaves on a mission.
This is a woman that time and time again missionaries have tried working with, and she just wasn't ready. But, the ward didn't give up on her. And on Sunday when they announced that she was baptized there was an audible gasp. The ward literally couldn't believe it. Miracles happen, sometimes we just have to hold on a little longer.
"Don't give up. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come" -Jeffrey R. Holland
Love you!
Sister Mal
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| we had to go inspect an elders apartment this weekend because the sisters were suppose to move into it and they left this note in one of the bathrooms... |
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| This is what we found under the sink! |
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| how many sisters does it take to kill a palmetto? (flying cockroach) |
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| I volunteered to plug the baptismal font. |
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