Everything leads up to the baptisms out here. Thankfully that's not where it ends, but we spend SO much time working up to that point that...it's just ridiculous when it happens.
We also had exchanges this week, which were super fun! Taught some really good lessons with Sister Taylor, and hope to see eternigators start progressing soon. Sister Neal Strategem: I don't leave eternigators in my areas. They either figure out that they're supposed to progress, or they fall off the radar cause they're not willing to try. We don't just hang out in the middle.
You know when there is a list of people you know that just don't try very hard, or have some serious personality defects they need to override? And then there's moments when you sit down with those very same people and they tell you with all the energy of soul that they are trying. And the spirit is strong. And you believe them. And then it's like, "Well, now what am I supposed to think?"
It's a really nice moment and all, but it's also like GAAHHH
We planned the baptismal interviews for Friday evening, but our District Leader doesn't have a car and I guess borrowing one wasn't working out so he asked if we could do Thursday night instead. "Sure." Then he says, "Okay, then I can make it around 7:30." And we say, "Okay." and he says "I'm getting a ride up with President." and we're like "QEWEWBRLJ."
So then like an hour before the baptismal interview due to lack of communication, we have an emergency lesson based on some concerns that sound quite serious with one of the investigators. We eat dinner, then we only have like half an hour for the lesson. We address questions upfront and listen to the spirit and be direct and guess what? The Lord doesn't always cut slack when you have time to prepare for a lesson and don't, but if you legitimately didn't have any prep time, the Spirit is like TA-DA HERE I AM and your half hour lesson is amazing and you run to the church for baptismal interviews like fifteen minutes late.
Then your investigators pass their interviews with flying colors and you also get your own interview (which was supposed to be the following day) done and then you can go out to lunch with other missionaries the next day instead of having to wait for interviews :) Muahaha.
And also interviews just feel good when you are on Presidente's good side. My last interview he was kinda not in a very good mood so I was very grateful he was more himself this time :) I love our mission president!
Legit mexican food is...legit.
Then the baptisms happened and our font is very small and I never cease to be amazed by how many priesthood holders don't know how to stand in the water to give the baptism optimum space. So that they don't hit tall people's heads on the wall on the way down. but I guess that's what makes it memorable, right?
Branch Conference was AMAZING. It started for us at 7:45 am and ended at about 1:00 pm. It was the best thing ever. Our stake leaders are incredible!! I wish I had taken more notes...
The branch has had 6 baptisms in the last six months or so, which was a pretty huge change from the 1 baptism they had in the like three years before that. And ALL TEN of those people were at church on Sunday. This is called retention. We love it :)
Reeling that I'm going home in like four months. WEIRD. My whole mission has passed WAY too fast. But at the same time, I think I'll be feeling ready to step back into the world to a certain extent by then. Just cause there are some righteous endeavors like family history I would like to pursue, which is hard to do on my mission. And also seeing The Saratov Approach. And watching BYU-TV. And being a member missionary. Contributing. And such things. But I am taking advantage of every second I've got to be out here :)
Sister Neal
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