WHAT A WEEK!!! Gonna switch it up this week layout cause there are a couple things I really wanna write about!
First and foremost, JESSICA BULFEDA has been baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. It was an amazing experience being able to witness her being baptized. It took only one month of lessons for her to choose to be baptized. She was baptized by a recent convert of only one month. His name is Chantra, and he is amazing. He comes to so many lessons with us and always builds great friendships with everyone we teach. He truly is the definition of a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The baptism service was incredible. President and Sister Galotera came and showed their support. It was great to have them come and meet our friends and the recent converts who came to support Chantra. For her confirmation, she picked me to confirm her and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Wow. What an experience that was! Being able to be the one to use the power of the Priesthood to complete her covenant with God and enter into his kingdom is a moment I will never forget.
This week, I have learned more about baptism than I ever have in my life. I was on exchanges with the AP, Elder Tanner, and it was an amazing exchange! All day, he explained very clearly why we baptize. It opened my eyes to a whole new perspective of baptism. His explanation made Jessica’s baptism 10x more meaningful to me.
We also had an amazing MLC meeting where President gave a spiritual discussion on the Hebrew word ” Hesed”. It does not have an English translation, but it is commonly substituted for Mercy or Kindness or Love. President taught us that this Hesed love is a love that God has for all of his children THAT ENTER INTO A COVENANT WITH HIM! He taught us how we need to be teaching our friends that baptism unlocks a higher and more special type of love from God. It absolutely changed the way I look at baptism and has changed the way I have been teaching our friends.
One of those ways was right after MLC! We were driving home, and I decided to start calling some friends about Jessica’s baptism the following day. We called our friend Hasii, who we have been working with for a while. We invited her to attend Jessica’s baptism. She said she would love to come to the baptism. We then felt inspired to ask how she felt about being baptized. We then taught her what we had just learned at MLC. I didn’t know the spirit could be that strong while on the phone. I invited her to be baptized on January 25th. She paused and then said, ” Yes, I can do that. I just got to get my hair done.” We were so excited for her and cannot wait for her big day to come. Please pray for her to be able to keep that date!
This week is New Year’s! Happy New Year, everyone! It’s so crazy how this last year was my blackout year, and now I can say that “I came home” this year. It’s absolutely insane to me. Last year, I set some great goals, and I am happy to say that I was able to accomplish some of them! I was able to go a full 365 days without candy, and then 365 days only drinking water and milk! ( and one prime hyradation with Elder Evans). It was so cool to accomplish that. I have seen lots of growth in my physical health last year. However, I ate a bag of Skittles on the 1st of this year to celebrate. (Shoutout to Sister Huls and Coats for the Skittles.) I then set new goals for the rest of my mission! Physical: Drink one gallon of water every day! Spiritual: Finish BOM before I go home and keep up with the Come Follow Me program. Oh, another goal I have is to build good phone habits before I go home. haha! I was a slave to my phone before the mission, so I wanna break that!!
Well, I am so hyped for this week because I am currently on Catalina Island! I know it’s crazy, but y’all will have to tune in next week!! Love you all!!
Elda Lando
