Baptism!

Elda Moala, Papa German, Me, Sista Sellesin, Mama Margret (his wife)

I just want to thank you all for all your prayers and fasts on my behalf throughout the week.  My ears are feeling heaps better and I know it's because of all of you and the help of our Heavenly Father.  I'm learning that Heavenly Father gives us trials and most of the time we don't understand why they happen.  But what I do know is that God will help us when we rely fully on Him and show Him through our actions that, no matter what, we are willing to do what He needs us to do.  In Ether 12:6 is says that we "receive no witness until AFTER the trial of our faith."  Life is full of trials and the people I teach can testify of that!  I guess I thought that by coming on a full-time mission I was giving up so much, but I've come to learned that I really didn't give up much for what I am receiving in return.  I'm surrounded by those who love me and help me through all the hard things a mission brings.  I have those at home who pray and fast for me when things get rough.  I have a Heavenly Father who is aware of my every need and a Savior, Jesus Christ, who knows exactly what I am going through.  Later on in Ether 12, in verse 27 it says, "I will make weak things become strong unto them."  Trials make us stronger, and even when we don't want them, we need to CHOOSE to learn and grow through them.  I know this gospel is true.  I KNOW it!  

The main highlight of this week had to be Saturday.  Mama Doris, her daughter Lenka, and Papa German were baptized!  We have been working with both of them for quite some time now and it was incredible to see them finally take the step of baptism.  We had 30 baptisms total that took place on Saturday in our zone, so it was a little stressful getting everything to run smoothly, but for the most part it went well.  Nothing beats looking at rows of people you love dressed in white and smiling from ear to ear!  Now German and Margret can begin to work towards the temple with their 3 pikinini!  Next time we'll see them in white will hopefully be in front of the rededicated Fiji temple! J

Dorris, Lenka and the Ohlen support group

This week we went to go teach Patricia again, but she was out visiting some friends.  As we were walking away from her house her daughter, New Jennie, sung out and asked us to come teach her.  We (of course) went right in and taught her about the restoration.  She is in her early 20's and has a little boy that is just 5 months old.  She has taken the missionary discussions before, and was asked to pray about the Buk Blong Mormon.  She did. . . and then the missionaries never came back. . . sooooo we picked up where they left off.  Now we are teaching her and Patrica together on Tuesday.  We plan to go back on an evening when New Jennie's husband isn't working so we can talk to him as well.  New Jennie and Patricia are both very educated, which is rare here in Vanuatu, but I love it because they ask lots of questions and have a hunger to learn. 

Oliva is progressing as well.  He came with his Mom to support Doris and Lenka at their baptism on Saturday as well as help him know what to expect when his turn comes around.  He got super excited and ran over to me about half way through all the baptisms and started tugging on my hand asking me if he could just be baptized right then!  He's the cutest kiddo ever, and we really love teaching him.  His turn is coming!

Thanks again for what you each do for me.  I love you all so very, very much!