We had a family visitor for the third week in a row! Derrick came Friday afternoon and stayed until Saturday morning. He got my technology running and took care of some business -- we feel so blessed to see some of you often and are looking forward to Jan 1-2 with most of you here --although we will REALLY miss Julie.
After Derrick left yesterday Stewart went to a baptismal interview in Montalban, then rushed back to the mission home for the visit of one of our returned missionary's families, then we drove to a baptism about an hour away. We were late (traffic) but they waited for us because Stewart was the baptizer! We'd met a lovely woman whose family are all members at an earlier baptism a couple of months ago in that same ward. She's been taught by many missionaries and looks like a member. She jokingly asked if he would baptize her if she joined the church and he said he would--and two months later he kept his promise. (In the meantime he hoped her husband would be able to baptize her, but he won't be able to for a few more months, and she didn't want to wait that long.)
We all waited in the chapel for a LONG time while Dad changed into his baptism clothing, and finally I went down to check on him and his jumpsuit's zipper was broken and the closet was locked. So they finally found another suit for him to wear and the baptismal service went beautifully, with her daughter and mother giving the talks and the cousins singing all verses of "If You Could Hie to Kolob", a favorite hymn here. The woman, Amy, is quite large, so they filled the font to the very top to make sure it was deep enough (which made for an interesting baptism of the tiny 8-year-old who followed), but Amy was baptized the first time, so it worked out well.
When Dad got out of the font he realized he hadn't brought a towel or clean garments, so he was plenty cool in the air conditioned chapel for the remainder of the baptismal service in his wet garments. It was sweet to see Amy's daughter and her husband bear their testimonies and see how pleased and supportive the entire ward was with her baptism, and how honored they were to have the mission president there.
It's a good thing he had dry garments this morning at San Jose North stake conference -- it was so cold I was almost happy to be at the stand to speak where it was warmer!
We had a fun Thanksgiving with the eight senior missionaries, and Dad went to Baliwag that evening to set apart two missionaries from the district. Tomorrow we get on an airplane for the first time in almost 17 months to fly to Cebu for the mission presidents' seminar there. I'm looking forward to fresh air, attending the temple, and seeing the ocean!
Elder and Sister West told us about writing down an experience at a zone conference over a year ago where Stewart put a new Tongan sister on the spot during practice teaching. She barely knew Tagalog and she was very shy, but she put her head down quietly for a moment, then proceeded to teach powerfully in a shaking voice, even though she only knew a little. Sister West read that experience to the missionary, Sister Noa, over fourteen months later. She is now a confident, experienced STL whom the sisters love and listen to. She's taught a lot of people and brought them into the Church. The transformation of missionaries is a testament to this work. For her and for many, they are like Saul after Samuel's prophecy that he will be "changed into another man." (Of course, there are a few we're really hoping will be changed into other men .... soon!) . But for Sister Noa, we will be sad to see her go. She was in our first "batch" and will be going home in just two weeks.
We appreciate your prayers for us. Thank you very, very much.
Love,
Mom
Photos:
Elder Morris's family (no relation to above).
The problem jumpsuit.
Senior Thanksgiving (without Sister Morris).
The middle sister here is going to make it --we were worried for awhile.
President Hughes with Amy Keil.
Seniors around the table.
Clandestine baptism photo.
Goodbye Derrick!
Baptism photo with Amy's family and great sister missionaries.
Random happy new trainee.
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