To Be Clean...

4/28/14

We had another baptism! And this woman is so "chosen" its incredible.

We found her about a month ago, when we had to go print off a recommendation for a patriarchal blessing for our pensionista, we walked into an internet café place, printed it, and then she said "Hey! You're the sisters that just got here recently! I was there on the first Sunday when you had to go up and share your testimony."

It turns out that her 14 year old cousin is a member, along with her aunt. And she went that one Sunday, and remembered us. Since then we have been visiting her, and helping her learn the commandments and helping her read and understand the Book of Mormon, and the change that we have seen in her is incredible. She has a 2 year old daughter named "Smiley" (I know, she got it off the internet...) and no husband, and her mom takes care of her daughter in a small town about 3 hours away, so her family life has been kind of difficult, and she is only 22 years old.

Her baptismal service was held before church and it was so great! She was so happy afterwards, and as she was getting changed in one of the stalls in the bathroom, Smiley came in and said " Mom, why did you take a bath?" and she laughed and said " To be clean. To be completely clean." Tears filled my eyes at that moment, and I knew that she knew. She still has a lot to learn, but she knew in that moment, that she was completely clean, and that she could start over and live her life to be in harmony with God and His commandments.

Her and her family stayed for Sacrament meeting, where she receive the Holy Ghost, and I got to use every single little child distraction technique that I have ever learned for Smiley to make it. It didn't help that the dinky little fair across the street decided to set off fireworks during the sacrament. But all is well in Zion, and I am so looking forward to helping her understand even more and get a calling and work to help establish the kingdom. And I know that if she stays strong, Smiley will be raised right and be able to handle the temptations thrown at her.

Overall, it was an amazing Sunday, with a sacrament meeting attendance of 95, a 20+ person jump from last week, that was all due to a FHE every night of the week at the different little towns up and down the valley. Its been a sacrifice for everyone, but we are already seeing results! Things are finally rolling here. Still without priesthood leadership, but we are still looking for the solution to that problem, with faith.

Well, I hope this week treats you all well. I am so looking forward to talking to you all this next Monday!!! Love you all!

Hna Leavitt

She even checked out the font, just to be sure.

The picture of me with the Elders is a funny story that I ran out of time to tell. Remind me next week. These Elders are the best! They work so hard for the ward, and we always have such a good time together. Like 2 silly brothers that do dumb things and teach people about the gospel.