Week 17

Guadalupe was baptized! I will be completely honest... there were many times that I thought that day would never happen. This is just proof that Heavenly Father can make anything happen. He is a God of miracles.

We spent a lot of time on Saturday helping Guadalupe prepare the tamales and the atole for the refreshments/dinner that she made for everyone. I am getting pretty good at cooking! This whole time I thought it was a talent that I didn't have but now that it is a necessity I have had to step up my game. I can now proudly say that I can cook beans and rice, make tamales and tuna pasta:)

The baptism itself was amazing! Both Roberto and Luis were there (Guadalupe's sons) Roberto as you all know was baptized last Sunday but the real miracle was Luis! Luis has never set a foot inside a church building. He is stubborn and we have tired to teach him before with no success. He is the most down to earth guy I have ever met and reminds me soooo much of my own brother. It has been tough to get to him but last Friday Roberto took Luis to a barbeque over at the Stake presidents house and latter that day Luis drove Guadalupe to her interview in Paducah and actually came inside! The test was getting him to the baptism (Luis had not attended Roberto's baptism). So we worked with him and with a little help from Elder Carlson we committed him to come to the baptism. Also during the time that we were over making tamales Luis finally brought down some of his defenses and we were able to see Luis for the fun, playful, and jokester that he is! Luis came to the baptism and I know that it wont be too long now for Luis to also be baptized.

Im sure I have said it many times but I LOVE my mission! I LOVE the gospel and the change that people go though when they join this church. No matter who it is or what their story was before you will always see a light in them the moment they are baptized. They are happy. The gospel brings happiness because it is true and anyone who is close to someone who became a convert cannot deny the light that it brings. I LOVE being a part of this change and I love the change that I see in myself. I know without a doubt that this is the true church and I cannot deny it.

Until next week:)

            Hermana Julia Orellana