So, President always says that planning is revelation. And
my companion is a master planner :) She was conducting our weekly
planning session, and came up with the idea to get one of our investigators to
Greymouth for a baptism less than 24 hours away. We started calling around,
seeing who could drive or if anyone was already heading down there. Even
inviting other investigators and then after they accept the invitation to view
a baptism, we'd say, "Um.. so could you maybe drive? And there's four of
us that want to come." Awkwwwward!!
Eventually we just called the i-site, which is like a
tourist "how to" center that is in every town. Turns out there was a
bus going to Greymouth (1.5 hour drive) that was leaving in 15 minutes, and
cost $25 a head. We called our investigator, and she immediately said she was
keen. We (literally) ran into town and met her there, bought tickets, and got
on the bus. The bus even took a pit-stop at the pancake rocks, so we got to see
a beautiful view!! After the pit-stop we got back on the bus, and 2 women ahead
of us who had been asleep before pulled out a cup and poured some mate
(spelling? it's a Argentine herbal tea). I started listening to them - they
were speaking SPANISH!!!! I moved next to them, and started talking to them -
they were on vacation and accepted a Book of Mormon and a mormon.org card. Can i express how excited and
happy and elated I was? I think not :)
We got to the baptism late, but they held it up just for us.
After it was over, the senior couple drove us all back to Westport. And miracle
of miracles, I didn't get car sick on either of the drives! Yayy! I think this
is the first time in the history of the last two transfers.
Our investigator loved the trip, loved the baptism, and is
getting excited for her own. Can't wait to go see her tonight!! :D
Oh yes -- this investigator who paid $26 to see a baptism,
right? We met her when we first got here, just on the street. We had a hard
time meeting up with her, and finally caught her at home recently. For a long
time she didn't believe in God at all. She told us that just a week or 2
before, she knelt down and prayed and said, "God, i believe in you now. I
want to learn more about you, but I don't know how." Then the sister
missionaries showed up :) wow, so cool!!!
We met with one of our Zambian families and had to tell them
that they need to get baptized in Zambia instead of here - SO SAD!! I was the
one elected to tell them, I managed not to cry. But this will be good for them
- a missionary opportunity for them and their family back home. They
leave for Zambia in like a week and aren't sure when they're coming back - best
to just let them take care of the baptism there so they don't wind up getting
lost in the move.
Also, church was AMAZING on sunday!!! (sorry, i think my
emails may be too long. if you're bored, no worries, stop reading when you've
had enough haha). The Elders got 13 investigators to church!! Our branch was
literally doubled!!!!! WOW!!! We are so proud of those elders!! Probably the
most sacred, joyful, amazing feeling was to see the little recent convert
deacon return the the sacrament table for one of the Elders to refill the water
tray with more cups and water. I don't know if anyone can fathom the pure joy
that we felt, seeing that happen. Also, the talks were perfectly designed to
fit our investigator's needs. Wow, another awesome sacrament meeting.
i love you all heaps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The church is true!
I love being a missionary!!
love,
Sister Rose
this is Sister Haacke, who was with us this weekend, from up
in Nelson :) The short adorable one is our investigator
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