'Emergency' Baptism in FL

Well, Mom, I'm not sure if our winter here is over or if we're just in the eye of the storm, but we had a heat wave this week. Temperatures have been absolutely perfect in the mid 70s (even got up to 80 once) and college students have been running around in mini shorts and tank tops again. President Barry hasn't released us from suit coat season yet though, so we've been a little bit on the warm side as we're out working.  I hope Jake and Daniel tear it up this weekend at the Painter's Half!  I've actually gotten a lot more regular with running here in Florida, so perhaps I'll join them for the next one....if it's not negative 15 degrees outside, that is.  

This last transfer we got the first of the 18 year old elders and the wave of our 19 year old sisters begins in 3 more weeks. I think we're getting in 15 of them or something in one swoop and then another group 6 weeks later.  Some sisters will have to have two trainees at the same time to handle all of them. So yeah, it doesn't surprise me that all of Alecia's friends are moving out. Tell Lou that she should put her mission papers in -- forget about this boyfriend nonsense, a mission is way better! Grandma says that Madison is thinking about it too, so if the extended family hears this, tell her that I strongly encourage a mission for her as well!  =D

One of our district leaders down in Williston left us a voicemail on Friday afternoon requesting that we call him back ASAP! We called him back to find out that they were having an "emergency baptism" the next day and needed us to come down to interview the man. A few weeks ago, Elder Bishop and I had been called into the hospital to give a blessing to a man whose wife has been an inactive member for about 20 years. Before we gave him a blessing, we discussed some things and he said, "When I get out of this hospital, I think it's about time for me to be baptized." We had returned a couple times over the next week and read the scriptures with him, but he had been released and was still recovering at home in Williston. Fortunately, he had been able to make it to church that last week.  We referred him to the elders down there and they called him on Friday to setup a time when they could come meet with him and he said, "Could I be baptized tomorrow?  I have a lot of family in town that I would like to have be there for it."  WHAT?!  Ha!  Incredible!  So we approved it with the bishop and headed down to interview him.  The next day we returned for his baptism, met all of his non-member extended family, and several of them approached afterward and asked for copies of the Book of Mormon and if they could meet with the Williston elders. 

On the bummer side (for our area, at least) Brent and Lorie got an incredible job offer back in Georgia and moved back immediately to begin working.  Fortunately, they are still in our mission and we'll be getting the missionaries up there to visit them pronto to help them remain solid for their upcoming baptism. I was a bit down to hear that because this was the first time that I had seen an enter family (two parents, and children) coming into the gospel together, but I am happy that the Lord has blessed them with the opportunities to provide for their family and that they recognize it as a blessing from Him.

Ken is solid.  Or, in his own words, he's "concrete." We took him to institute on Tuesday, had a lesson and basketball with the elders quorum on Thursday, church on Sunday, and then the CES Devotional on Sunday night. President Uchtdorf spoke on "Truth" and Ken received a spiritual witness that this is exactly where God wants him to be. We're continuing to help him overcome some word of wisdom difficulties, so his baptism date may be pushed back a little bit, but he wants to quit and is making good progress on all of it, so we are very hopeful and optimistic about his future. Here's the kicker: his favorite color is white and he wants to go purchase a pure white suit for Sundays!  =P

Great week, great place, great people.

Loves!

Elder M.