Week 64: Powerful experiences
Monday, Dec. 9, 2024
Que tal yall!
This week was pretty fire and a lot happened but I unfortunately can't remember to much haha this week was a blur. But ill include as much as I can remember!
On Tuesday night, we had the opportunity to sing Christmas songs and hymns at the house of the stake president with President and Hermana Lopera! It was a very special experience to be there and the spirit was very strong. And we got some really good pizza after which was fire.
Had district council this week and Elder Collins and I presented our plan to the zone that will help our friends really apply the Book of Mormon to their lives and recive the blessings!
Then Elder Penteulute did the baptismal interview for our friend Maycol and he passed with flying colors!
On Friday I got to do an exchange with our District Leader Elder Penteulute. We had a great day in Huayllani with a lot of miracles. Their pensión also makes really good food which is a dub.
On Sunday we had some big miracles with our friends coming to church! Right after church we had a lesson with our friend Daniel who was able to come to church as well. He has been reading in the Book of Mormon and been loving it. During sacrament meeting, a family who got sealed in the temple on Saturday, all bore their testimonies of the experience. And it was so powerful. Daniel loved it and he told he wanted to learn more. So in the lesson, we taught about covenants and the power that they bring into our lives. The spirit was very strong. We testified about the first covenant of baptism. He said this was something he wanted in his life, when he was ready. We invited pray about being Baptized on January 4th, and he happily accepted. Such a huge miracle!
Then for the baptism......
Ill just start out by saying this was the most opposition ive ever seen on a baptism day!
Our chapel in Sacaba didn't have power or water, due to some outages. It wouldn't be able to be fixed in time. So we called the elders of Huayllani to see if we could do it there. We called to find out who would be presiding, and bishop was out of town and both of his counselors wouldn't be able to come. We got permission to have our ward mission leader Preside. Then we thought we were all good to have the baptism and the confirmation, but our bishop wanted to do the confirmation in sacrament meeting. The problem is that next week is elections here and apparently church won't happen. So he would have to go 2 weeks without the holy ghost which wouldn't be good at all. After a long conversation, we got the green light. Then we had to find a jumpsuit and after calling 6 members we were able to make one work after rolling up the sleeves and pant legs.
And after probably some of the most stressful 2 hours of my mission.....
Our friend Maycol got baptized!
It was such a powerful baptism. Although the water was freezing cold, Maycol came out of the water with the biggest smile ever. It's been a long process for him to reach this point and to see him enter into this covenant with Heavenly father was so awesome. I got to be In the circle for his confirmation and the spirit was so powerful. His brother, who was baptized 5 weeks ago, helped him share his testimony after which was very tender. Even though we had some opposition at the start, it all worked out and turned out to be a very beautiful experience.
It's been so special to see this family and their conversion to the Savior during these last 3 months. Their grandma, who is a returning member, is so strong and her faith is so inspiring in helping her family come unto Christ. I love this family so much and I'm so grateful that God has given me all these opportunities to be an instrument in his hands to help la familia Mondaca.
This is Christ's work! He directs it! We just have to trust him always, work hard and chose the right, and give our will to him and the miracles will come!
Have a great week yall!
Love, Elder Richards
