Barbara has been coming to church for almost two years. She came first because of a guy she was dating, but when that went by the way, she kept coming and has been so active that most thought she was a member. Her knowledge of the Book of Mormon stories and people, and her knowledge of the scriptures is pretty impressive for her age and her time associating with the church. Her parents have been against her being baptized, thought it was just a phase, but her happiness in those two years has brought different vision. They like her friends and the activities they are involved with. She turned 18, but still waited for their blessing and that came. The chapel in the Stake Center was full and her family came.
A beautiful Florida sky for a baptism.
Barbara's family - Aunt, Mom, Barbara, Dad, Brother (sorry I don't know names)
We had to smile at Elder Burt who baptized her. We needed a baptism picture for the baptism board we keep at the Institute, a picture we do all the time, but he obviously was a bit uncomfortable. She started to put an arm around behind him, but he stayed flat against the wall and turned his arm away from her. His companion rescued him so he wouldn't be the only guy in the picture.
Our days are busy with preparation for classes and meals. We have two more weeks of class for summer semester. Mike is teaching Revelation which has been kind of fun. I think all of us in the class have felt the hope that comes from the teachings there instead of only the trials we are being warned of. We're both grateful for one of the YSAs teaching me how to do Power Point presentations to go along with the lessons. Grateful to learn it out here when we have the spirit of missionary work to help. There is no day that we do not feel and recognize where our help comes from. Speaking of every day - there have only been three or four days in the last six weeks that it hasn't rained - mostly a "gully washer" and once in a while a "drizzle-drazzle" as called in a story Mike's mom tells of someone praying in church for rain. In the fall Mike's classes will be Teachings of President Nelson for the Tuesday-Thursday day class and Old Testament for the Wednesday night class.
We are grateful for the friendship and love and support. Good family and friends are one of our greatest blessings. Thanks to all !!
Ending with a quote from Elder Jay Jensen of the Seventy:
The Atonement—an Ever-Present Power
I have experienced and have a witness of a truth that President Packer taught: “For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall, from spiritual death. It is much more than that. It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life. When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us. While we do not fully understand how the Atonement of Christ was made, we can experience ‘the peace of God, which passeth all understanding’” (“The Touch of the Master’s Hand,” Liahona, July 2001, 26; Ensign, May 2001, 23).
No comments:
Post a Comment