I'll tell you why this week has been absolutely wonderful:
First, they announced Eugenia's baptism in church along with
Antonella (the elder's investigator). She was so happy afterward. And
people were coming up and talking with her. She had her interview on
Tuesday which went really well. Then she just comes up with one of
those two-liners that you will remember for the rest of your life. We
were reviewing tithing and going over fast offerings, and she says,
''You know, I think I'll be able to do the whole tithing thing. I was
looking at my budget, and I realized that if I pay tithing with all the
money I used to use on cigarettes, I'll come out just fine.'' She
hasn't even paid tithing yet and she's already realizing how much she
will be blessed! I cannot even tell you how excited I am!
If that weren't enough, we had a lesson with Geraldine at a
member's house after church. Originally, she had decided to wait until
after she got back from vacation to be baptized. At the end of the
lesson, she says, ''Sister, is it too late for me to be baptized on the
28th? I think I'd like to do it.'' We told her to go home and pray
about it. The next day we had one of the most spiritual lessons I've
had. We talked about living prophets and took the amazing Capece couple
with us. At the end of the lesson, I asked, ''Were you able to ask
Heavenly Father about baptism?'' ''Yes,'' she said. ''What did He
say?'' I ask. Are you ready for this? I still get goosebumps just
thinking about it. She responds, ''I feel that now is the right time
for me to be baptized.'' There just isn't a greater feeling. I gave
her a big hug and we were all laughing and congratulating her. She just
had this big smile on her face.
Geraldine is one of the humblest, most faithful people I know. She
originally wanted to wait so she could learn more, because we've
esentially taught her everything in 2 weeks. It's been such a great
experience, because we've had to keep everything so simple and basic,
that the spirit has really been present and able to bear testimony.
Between every lesson, she goes to the lds website to look up everything
in both Tagolog and English. When she doesn't understand, she says,
''Sister, will you please explain?'' I call her quite often, and she
says things like, ''Sister, do you think I will be able to answer all of
the questions?'' (In regards to the interview.) Her prayer at the end
of the lesson where she decided to be baptized was one of the most
beautiful I have ever heard in my life. She always thanks the Lord for
sending her ''my missionaries'' and prays for our families. She thanks
Him for showing her the path and asks for the faith to continue to
learn. She is going to be such a strength for her family...she also
wants her children to be ''Mormons.''
You think I'm done with all the great things, don't you? Not a
chance.
On top of that, we were finally able to get ahold of Isabel, our
baptismal date who went MIA for 3 weeks. Turns out that she had lost
her phone and they had no way to contact us. What a relief! So
hopefully we can get her back on track again.
So as you can see, the Lord is blessing us beyond measure. Two
baptisms (3 with Antonella) and a concert this weekend, another concert
in Bergamo the following, and two other people with baptismal dates.
Plus, we're meeting tons of other awesome people, like Nikol from
Nuernberg who speaks German, Italian, AND English. And happens to be an
engieneer. And I actually was able to talk with him in German, for
once.
Love you all. Remember that faith precedes the miracle.
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