April 14, 2013

Hello!!

Fefehake? ("how are you" in Tongan - Sister Paongo is patient in teaching me haha) This week was good, but this weekend was AMAZING!! So the baptism was totally awesome. We traveled all the way up to Cashmere in Christchurch (about an hour) for the baptism, since we don't have a font here in Ashburton. Michael rode up with Bishop Pongia and Henry went up with his less active family (yaaaaay!) who all came to the baptism!! We had a lot of less active members at the baptism, but none of our investigators could make it up there. Some of the missionaries in Christchurch brought investigators, though, so that was awesome!

We had a big tongan elder and a big samoan elder help Henry into the font on a chair when he was baptized, since he is paralyzed on one side. It all went sooo smoothly, it was awesome! It's hard to describe what it was like to see Michael and Henry be baptized. These are two men that we both love so much. The joy that we felt was such a deep, abiding joy; I haven't experienced something like that. Baptism opens the doors of the Celestial Kingdom, and seeing someone make that step... it's just indescribable. You don't want to jump up and down, I didn't even want to cry - it's not overwhelming, it's a peaceful, calm joy that you can't describe. 

Michael and Henry both bore their testimonies as well at the baptism. Wow, we could just see their whole countenances had changed. We had seen them progressively become brighter, but this was different. They looked clean. And their faith has just been exponentially growing. Wow, it was a powerful thing to see them in the water, be cleansed and make a covenant with the Lord, and then bear testimony afterwards. Sorry I can't really put it into words for you all, but I've tried my best :)

Also, General Conference this weekend!!! We had some technical difficulties in Ashburton, and will finish off some of the talks some time this week. But wow, the Lord is seriously hastening the work!! Missionaries NEED your help as members to rescue all of God's children. We know that you are all disciples of Christ - don't be afraid to get the missionaries more involved in your own personal efforts. It will not ruin your friendships, I promise. 

This is the true church, and it was restored through Joseph Smith. I know that God has a plan for all of us, and He will help you turn your weaknesses into strengths. Press forward with steadfast faith in Christ!!

Love you all!!!

Sister Rose