This week was amazing! So many great things happened!
Our one night in our area went awesome! We were able to see quite a few people. Lots of crazy things happened during that time. We first met April. She is a less active and has gone through SO many things in her life. It was insane. I think Heavenly Father sent us to her door that day to help her know that there is still hope.
We also found a gold mine that we had never been to before! We met a woman named Araceli. She was the sweetest and wants us to come back. Hooray!
We met a kid named Saul. We asked if his parents were home and he said they were sleeping. However, we could clearly hear them inside. Typical. There was a name, Beto, scratched into the front door. I asked Saul if he had any siblings. He said no. Sister Pulido asked, "Who is Beto?" "Oh, that's my brother." Nice.
We then knocked on the door of Jonathon. Holy cow, he was so drunk! It was hilarious. I tried not to laugh. I asked him if he had ever been to a LDS church. He said, "No. I don't think there are any of those churches around here." Haha actually there's one on like every corner.
We were also able to visit Raquel. We read Alma 7 and talked more about baptism. She is still really hesitant about it. The next night she was able to come to the VC. We showed her the art exhibit and then listened to the Christus. The Spirit was so strong! Raquel started crying. Hopefully going to the VC was able to resolve some of her concerns.
Ready for the greatest part of the week? RICHIE WAS BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED!!! And I was able to go to the baptism! Richie had called me a few weeks ago to tell me that he was going to be baptized on the 11th. I asked permission to go, but our zone leaders said no because it was more than 45 minutes away. That's the mission rule. I was bummed about it, but there was nothing I could really do. I told the Crockett's, who also know Richie, and they weren't very happy about that. Elder Crockett emailed President Hancock about it and President said that I could go! Miracle! I was so surprised that I got permission. Anyway, the baptism was beautiful. Richie didn't know that I was coming, so that was a surprise for him. I always knew that he would one day get baptized. I am SO grateful that I was able to be there. He was beaming. The Spirit was incredibly strong, especially as he was getting baptized. I remember our first lesson with Richie...he wasn't sure if he believed in God. And now he's a member! Crazy how the Spirit can work on people. He wouldn't be where he is today if it wasn't for the members. Sister Seton was the first one to give him a Book of Mormon, the Green's were the first ones to introduce him to the missionaries, and the ward just surrounded him with love. I am so grateful for all of them! I know that Heavenly Father sent me to Victor to meet Richie. He has strengthened my testimony so much. I've never met someone so prepared before. On Sunday, he came to the fireside at the VC. I was able to talk to him a little bit afterward about how he felt the past 2 days. He said it had been a pretty emotional couple of days but that he felt great. He felt like a new person. He is amazing and I can't wait to see him go to the temple a year from now!
I love missionary work! All the tough moments in the mission are so worth. Seeing Richie be baptized was incredible. I feel so blessed to have been a tiny part of his journey towards Christ and His true church. I know that this church is true and I know that this is where we can find true happiness!
Hope that y'all are doing well! Happy late birthday to Ryan Bucky and happy birthday to Tracy this week! Love y'all tons!
Hermana Clay
