pre-baptism rainstorm from Hades

Wed Dec 23, 2009

Hello. Well I really can´t believe that it is Christmas in two days. I´m accustomed to the way Christmas is in Los Estados. Entonces, Im just like yeah whatev right now. I think its pretty cool, because really the only thing here is that I can focus entirely on the reason we celebrate Christmas anyway. Like how they celebrate christmas here is a huge dance party christmas eve with drinks and fireworks. Im thinking I like the way i'm used to it better.....And they dont really say navidad either, they say ¨Va a quedar aca por las fiestas?¨ Its just a party here. Kind of sad. But its just presents in America right? But wow, to focus on the greatest present we could ever have makes me so happy, and humble. Once again I think of the song He sent His Son. The line, He sent His Son to die for us. Really, Christ was sent willingly to come and die for us. In Alma 38 14 it says (sorry i only have my spanish book of mormon) Si, reconoce tu indignidad ante Dios en todo tiempo. We have to always remember we are nothing without Our God, and we are nothing without the mercy of the everlasting Atonement. And because we are human, we are always unworthy. But we can change! We can become better everyday! That is the great Christmas message, the great gift we receive.
Well we had our ward activity on Friday and my companion and I were so preoccupied for the presentation we were assigned and the cakes we would take. So I went with the old chocolate dulce de leche and coconut flakes route. And we spent our stinking studies cooking three cakes! (We know that its difficult for many people to afford to bring food to a cena canasta y queriamos que hubiera suficiente) And we finally figured out what to do for the presentation. mom i had those awesome ornaments [paper nativity ornaments to color I sent in her package] and so we colored those, made a star, a manger, a sheep, and a donkey and found scriptures to explain that since His birth Christ has always been teaching us what we need to do to return to our Heavenly Father. I thought it was a rocking idea, my companion felt it a little juvenile, like for primary or something. igual we did it. So friday night we are working at like 6 and it starts raining nutso hard. but then stops at seven so we go home to get all the cakes and stuff and call the bishop (it starts at 730) and he says I dont know for the storm it might be cancelled, And I was like are you kidding me? Sorry but the rain here serioulsy stops life! its a little frustrating. But, he said no its ok its still on, and Carlos Atausupa, the first counselor in the bishopric said yes its still on we´ll see you there really soon. Ok so we show up at like 7:40. NO ONE ELSE SHOWS UP UNTIL 8:30. but they just went inside to practice a song for sacrament. so finally at 915 like 10 more families come. and I was like ok im sorry we have to go...It was a little frustrating. But Im glad that igual people went and could enjoy each others' company as a ward.
OK and the next night totally made up for it. It was the baptism of Nora and ANGELA!!!!! it was so amazing. WE went to get them at 5:15 to travel by bus to the stake center (it was supposed to be a white christmas baptism, but only one other set of mishes had a baptism, but oh well at least a lot of the elders were there so that we could have witnesses) Anyway so the rainstorm from Hades decided to happen in this moment. And it was raining SO HARD. when it rains here the taxis dont go, like they dont answer their phones you have to hope to reach one in the streets. Anyway so we walked to the bus stop like 6 blocks away, with an 7 month pregnant woman and a really heavy 4 year old that can't really walk and rivers, literally rivers, in the streets that we had to trudge through. I was laughing so hard. I was using like a plastic sheet to cover my head, while carrying Ulysses. I got soaking wet. But we arrived. And the baptism was Fantastic. IT was so spiritual. After the baptism Angela and Nora both bore their testimonies. and they were so strong. Angela was just like im so happy! i feel light and i know i made the right choice. Then Nora at first didnt want to get up and bear her testimony but then she was like elder is it ok if i say something from here? and he was like yes of course. Anyway she said, I had a dream that i was supposed to get baptized and i didnt know what it meant, but now I know. I know this is the right path for me. And she was crying and i was crying. It was so powerful. And then what an adventure to get home! my comp and i waited like 25 minutes before we realized a bus wasn't coming, and then the lady that was waiting with us was super nice and we luckily found a taxi and went together and I taught her the restoration! haha it was awesome. She doesnt live in our area though. but we definitely already passed on her information. It is so cool to see the little things that happen and how it turns out to be an awesome opportunity to share the gospel. Also this guy that we invited to church randomly in the park came! it was so cool. My comp felt that we needed to contact him so we did but he was really weird and like it didnt seem like was going to fruit anything. But he came to church for all three hours and had like a million questions! it was awesome. he tampoco is in nuestro area. bueno i have to go now. But i CANT WAIT TO TALK TO YOU ON FRIDAY! woohoo! Ok and now i think it might be at like 11 or 12 your time. We are having a bbq on the beach as missionaries in the morning. im sorry i really hope thats ok! ok love you all. merry christmas!!!