Week 48: Dancing in the Rain

Rain has been falling in buckets in these parts, but that does in no way deter our energy nor excitement. Even if a lightning bolt struck dangerously near to us, we got drenched drenched drenched down to every inch of our bodies, and we ended up borrowing clothes from the members we were eating dinner with. But oh, how beautifully rich to dance in the rain.

I dance in the rain because Angel and his family are going to be baptized on the 8th, and they are not just baptisms. They are CONVERTS to this beautiful gospel. They asked if they can give the first of their harvests to the Church. They plan on bringing donations every week, she wants to pay tithing even though she doesn´t work, they spoke with reverence as they learned that keeping the Sabbath Day holy includes not purchasing. They are adorable. I love the sincerity in their questions... their pure DESIRE to live this gospel. Because I refuse to say someone is ready if we can´t feel they are converted. If they don´t have a desire, but are doing it just to do it... better that they wait, that they pray, that they read, that they receive an answer and feel sure about this sacred covenant.

I dance in the rain because my SIS in Croatia is going to be able to stay in her mission. 

I dance in the rain to know that an investigator WENT to church with her less active sister! Buuuuuuut..... her sister went to church previously when they were meeting in a DIFFERENT house. And they were originally going to go with a brother who IS active, but he had to go early. So, the two sisters went, couldn´t find the new meetinghouse, and left. BUT, they are going to go again. Gualdina is her name---she reminds me of... well, me. And her sister reminds me of Kristie. So, I automatically love them both. 

We are painfully letting go of some investigators, but it´s  necessary. We are moving them along in their conversion, but they have the blessing of agency as to how far they want to move along. It´s comforting to know that we did our very best to bring the Spirit into their lives, give them directions as to what they need to do, and let them use that agency. But, sometimes (maybe oftentimes), they exercise that agency in a saddening way. 

We went to a brand new part of our area this week, and found new investigators. One who was adorable and said she has seen us before from afar and wanted to invite us in, and then in her prayer, thanked Heavenly Father for sending His angels to visit and teach her. As we taught, she recognized that in the church she goes to, they don´t teach the Plan of Salvation. She didn´t know where she came from.... nor why she´s here. It was a PAUSE. and think moment. We are so blessed to know these things. To not wonder. To have ANSWERS. 

As we ourselves were asking for directions from a cute old lady carrying firewood, she confessed she herself was lost. But more lost than us. It was about 4 p.m., and she had left that morning at 9 a.m. to find firewood in the mountains, and got lost. She didn´t have a clue where she was. Didn´t know anything more than the name of her ´pueblo,´ or city. The poor thing. We found a bus that went that way, and sent her with a waterbottle of water and a prayer. She lost her machete, got lost, and her sons didn´t know she had left to go find firewood. 

The week was many small experiences. I will continue to dance, dance, dance in this pouring rain. LOVE it!!!!