Firm in the Faith

Hey everyone,

Beginning with Sunday, was just full of miracles and amazing things. The baptism was just incredible, and the whole branch was there, and his family was there, and man o man they were feeling the spirit. Lets just say the hard core military father Gabriel, was crying. He has truly made such progress as he has found SO much pride in his children praying to God, and having desires to learn more about him. Gabriel and Laura are now praying together at nights as husband and wife, and have really started to find interest in studying the scriptures. Last night even, Laura openly told us about the strongest feeling of ¨Something inside my heart¨(as she said) when we were standing in the water. She told us that it was something that just captured her, and she just cant explain it in words. It truly is so incredible to be with people when they really understand that the Holy Ghost has testified to their hearts. Truly is one of the most rewarding and spiritually building things that I have ever felt in my life. To see people understand how much the gospel has been able to change their family. Laura and Gabriel just expressed to us how grateful they were, because ever since they have been with us, they have noticed they have more patience, temperance, love, wholesome fun, and more umf to get up in the mornings and do things.Last night was one of the most amazing and difficult times of my life. As we watched them tell us in so many ways that they have seen what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been able to do to their family, they still do not understand that it is the ONLY true and living Church of Christ on the earth. It is not just a nice message and belief that we have. Elder Hilton and I had a very powerful lesson with them...as I have shared some parts of with you. The first thing we did after we left was prayed together as a companionship. It is so interesting things that happen here. You learn to love in a way you never knew how, to care about people in a way you never knew existed before. I truly love the Barreiro Family, and I have so much pride in their progress. Not pride in what we have done, but pride in how much progress they have been able to make.Jeronimo continues to impress me. Since his baptism last Sunday, he has had three people from his neighborhood(about the size of Mom and Dads Ward...maybe smaller, so he knows them pretty well) come to his house and tell him how much wrong he has done. That to read anything other than the Bible is a sin, and that he speaks blaspheme by saying that God has a Prophet on the earth, and he speaks to him. Jeronimo told them that he received an answer from God, through prayer, and has now made a covenant with God that he will follow his commandments, and that he KNOWS that the Book of Mormon is true, and that God loves us.He went to a young men's camp out with the stake on Monday and one of the other young men told Jeronimo that he regretted being baptized. (I was told this story by the other kid, so keep that in mind) Jeronimo looked at him in the eyes and said, ¨No you don't. How can you say that? It is the most important decision you have made in your life. You found God´s way back to heaven. You said yes to something so many people have never even heard of. You have the Holy Ghost with you as a gift from God. How can you regret that?¨ The other kid rolled over quietly and went to sleep. The next morning he looked at Jeronimo and thanked him, and that he really didn't regret it. He had just been overwhelmed by some other things in the church, and had forgotten all that he had because of it until Jeronimo had reminded him. We received the information about transfers a little early, and Elder Hilton and I are both leaving this Branch, and there are no plans to have any missionaries work in that area. At first hearing this news was heartbreaking. I hate goodbyes, and even more I know I will hate saying goodbye to this family whom I have grown to love so very much. But as Elder Hilton and I prayed, we received so much comfort from our Loving Father in Heaven that he has a plan for them. Truly that Jeronimo will be such a key part in bringing this whole family unto Christ. It truly is such a blessing to be a missionary of the Lord. There is so much heartache and loss that you can feel at times. However, the Tender Mercies of the Lord really do exist. And I have felt them come to me in the toughest moments of my life. I love this Work. I know that this is God´s Work. I know that we are ALL children of Him. He loves us all. He lives. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord, and that I could come to this area and meet this family, Gabriel, Laura, Jeronimo, Lautauro, Lucrecia, Ornella, Cyrano...and even Sasha(their dog). Realmente, yo quiero tener la actitud celestial con los mandamientos de Dios, que sería...¨Lo haré siempre, y cada vez mejor!¨