January 13, 2014

Familia!!!

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!

MARIO GOT BAPTIZED ON SUNDAY!!!! I don't know if I have told you his whole story, so here it goes. Sister Espinoza and I were out knocking doors one day, and she went and talked to this lady sitting out on her front step. She let us pray with her and accepted a return appointment, but she wasn't super solid. Sister Espinoza was transferred, but Sister Smaellie and I decided to go back about a week later. We tried maybe three times. The last time, I remember walking to the door and, out loud, saying to Heavenly Father, this is the last time we are coming here, Lord, if this is meant to happen, something better happen today. Well, we walked up to her front door, and there were two men sitting out there. I was a little nervous to talk to them, but we first asked for the lady that we had talked to. They said that she wasn't there. I wanted to just leave because we felt a little awkward, but I mustered up all the courage that I had and offered a prayer. They accepted, and afterwards Mario started asking us a bunch of questions. He had a few close friends that were members of the church. His x-girlfriend was actually baptized into the church when they were together. We asked him to be baptized, and he said yes. Every time we stopped by after that, he was awesome. He accepted everything, and is living all the commandments like a champ. He came to the church on a Saturday to meet with us, and he asked us where he could get a tithing slip so that he could pay his tithing. SO AWESOME!!!

We asked him last week why he hadn't been baptized before, and he told us that he just hasn't ever felt ready, but he said the first time he saw us walk around the corner, he knew he was ready. HAHA he already knew who we were, and just from seeing us, he knew he was ready. I'm so grateful that God gave all of us the courage to do this. Mario is awesome, and he is going to be an awesome member. 

Juan was also supposed to get baptized, but he is going to take a little more time. His desires to be baptized are through the roof, but we are just taking things a bit slower with him. He calls us his "angelitas." I don't know if I had already told you that...anyway, he is funny. We love him. He doesn't hear very well, and I was telling him how my dad is pretty deaf. He asked why, and I told him that my dad shoots a lot of guns, uses a lot of tools, and does a lot of crazy stuff without protection for his ears. Juan nods his head and says, "That will do it. It's different for me. Back in the 70s, I worked in New York as a bouncer for a club named "The Machine." I think that was bad for my ears." Sister Smaellie and I were cracking up. He's like 71. 

Well, everything is going well over here in Doral Sur. I'm loving it. We have transfers coming up in about two weeks, and I just want everything to stay just the way it is. I feel spoiled down here because there is so much Spanish. It's the best.

Well, I better go. I love you! I hope things are going well for all of you. HAHA we heard that the rest of the world is freezing. It dropped to about 58 here, and everyone was wearing scarves and coats. I'm going to be such a pansy when I get home. Maybe I'll just stay here forever...How does that sound, Mom? :) 

Hermana Gardner