Bautismos y Carpinterìa (Baptisms and Carpentry)

[Comment from Mom: Last week the missionary email system had a massive glitch, and thousands of emails home never made it. This is last week's letter that Sarah did send, but I only received yesterday.]
Hey guys!

This week was pretty normal. We did have some interesting intercambios this week. Our zone and the zone right next to us had divisions amongst all of us! I ended up staying in my area (that I barely know) with Hermana Morales, who just barely got to the mission field two weeks ago. It was kind of interesting, training for a day. Talking to her brought back so many memories of when I just started (which feels like yesterday...oh dear). She`s the cutest. We worked hard together, and it was just a great day overall.

Jose' Before baptism

dressed for baptism

After baptism with the member family that introduced Jose' to the gospel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Then on Saturday...we had a baptism! His name is Josè, he`s 17, and he was a reference. He works for the family business (making pupusas) of a member in the ward. He`s also really good friends with her two oldest kids. Together with their help, he readily accepted the gospel (starting just a couple weeks before I got here) and made the decision to be baptized. He`s already talking about a mission! It`s been such a privilege to be a part of his growing testimony. But I know for sure I didn`t really do much. The Spirit and this amazing family brought the gospel to this great kid, and I was just there to teach him the principles and invite him to act. He was so shy throughout the whole process...hates pictures, and the idea of being confirmed in front of everyone scared the bejeebies out of him, but he did it. I`m so happy for him and can`t wait to see his progress :)

Earlier on Saturday, we decided to help this lady carry large wood slabs into her house...and she almost didn`t let us, but we forced her :) And then we go out in to the back, and it`s a carpentry. We ask if we can help them with the work, and they gladly oblige. I ended up sweeping, and we both sanded a bed frame. It was super random, but it was so fun meeting all the people who live there and talking to them and getting to know them. Who knows, maybe one day they`ll get baptized ;) We`re going to go back this Wednesday to sweep again, haha. But this time to leave a message as well. 

Sanding a headboard

 

In my BoM study this week, I found some great scriptures that really stood out to me in 2 Nephi.

Ch. 8
3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
 24 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
 25 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

Ch. 9
18 But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel,they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

 19 O the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel! For he delivereth his saints from that awful monster the devil, and death, and hell, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.

I know the Lord WILL comfort Zion. But for us to be comforted by the atonement of the Savior, we need to become a part of Zion. It`s not a location, but a people. The people of the Lord. I know this gospel is so true, and we`re all so blessed to be a part of it. I hope you all have a great week! :)

Love, Hermana Oliphant