Week 88 Letter November 17, 2014

Hello Family and Friends,

Another week and another baptism! Lorena was baptized this week. It was great to see her family so happy. Her grandmother, Sister Enna, was recently diagnosed with cancer and it has really taken its toll on the family and on Sister Enna. It was really great to see how the baptism pulled them together and gave them joy in hard times.

It was also great to see how the gospel was able to help and change Lorena. She told us that before we started teaching her that she had felt alone and was not very self-confident. The gospel was able to help her overcome those feelings and give her real purpose in life.

We are going to have another baptism, this week as well. Montserrat is really excited to get baptized. She told us yesterday that she wants Brother Robles to baptize her; it was what we were thinking anyway. The ward is getting really excited as well now that this will be three straight weeks with a baptism! The Bishop keeps telling us that he doesn’t want us to leave. It is great to have such a great relationship with the leaders here in our ward. It really builds the success and helps us to carry out the work of salvation.

Morgan is doing fantastic. He actually went to a YSA activity this weekend. In church, the Bishop shared with the ward about how Morgan had told him how that what the most looks forward to is the church activities during the week.  I can see that he really seeks out the Spirit and joys in its presence. He has taught me a lot.

We had a Zone Conference with President Morales this week. Receiving his council always helps me to improve. Even though I would be considered an “experienced missionary” by this point, I still have much more to learn. Not because I lack knowledge but because this work and gospel is all about that, PROGRESS. As Elder Peterson and I have focused on what we need to change, the Lord has truly started doing his work through us.

Thanks for everything!

Elder Lightheart

Week 87 Letter November 10, 2014

Hello Everyone!

We had another baptism! Morgan got baptized and confirmed this weekend. It was an awesome experience. His mom, dad, sister, and aunt came. His dad and sister seem pretty interested and we are going to start teaching them this week.

Morgan is super excited. The day of the baptism we went and played soccer in the morning and he made up a chant that went, “1..2..3..Baptism!” He was interviewed on Sunday and will receive the Priesthood and probably a calling on the 23^rd of November.  He told us that now after his baptism, his biggest desire that he has is to receive a calling and prepare to go on a mission.

Other great news is that we will have ANOTHER baptism this week. Lorena is really prepared for her baptism on the 15^th.  All we need is her interview.  Everything looks good for this week.

We have three other dates as well.  We are teaching a child name Monserrath and we have a goal with her for the 22^nd but her mom thinks it is too soon.  If we get her mom’s permission, she will be baptized on that date. Also a father and son both name Wilber. Their date is for the 13^th of December.

Wilber is a great investigator. The only problem is that we can only see him on Sundays because he works in Taxi. That is the biggest obstacle for his progress, but he has shown a lot of faith and desires so far.

His son really surprised us too.  He is 11 and came to church for the first time on Sunday.  Then the Primary started practicing for the program (I am playing the piano so we were there) and Wilber was singing right along.  It was like he was already a part of the ward.  He absolutely loved it and is really excited to come back next week.

Well, the Lord surely is hastening the work of salvation.  I am just glad to be part of it!

Elder Lightheart

Morgan's Baptism

Week 86 Letter November 3, 2014

Happy Day of the Dead!

We had a pretty fun time with this Mexican Holiday.  On Saturday and Sunday we went to the graveyards close by and talked to people about the plan of salvation and showed the movie, “Thanks to Him.” We also helped people out as they cleaned the graves of people’s loved ones.  It was great to be able to bring our message of hope to those people in need.

Morgan is doing awesome.  He is more than prepared for his baptism.  This week, he committed to receiving a calling, prepare to enter the temple, and serve a mission in a year.  Yesterday we asked him if he had any questions for us before his baptism.  He asked, “What are your suggestions to me so that I can study the Book of Mormon and the Bible together?’ I am excited because he asked me to baptize him.  His baptism will be on Saturday. 

One of the great parts of teaching Morgan has been the conversion of the member who gave us the referral.  Before, she (Ana) would go to church about once a month.  Now she, too, is preparing to serve a mission.  On Sunday, she and Morgan both bore their testimonies.  It was really cool for us to see.

This week, we also put another baptismal date with a sister named Lorena.  She is the granddaughter of Sister Edna.  She has gone to church twice recently but went a lot with her grandma when she was younger.  She knows quite a bit about the Church and we set her date for the 15^th of November.  It is not super for sure yet but she will probably get baptized here soon.

Well, things are going great here in Minatitlan!  Thanks for everything.

Elder Lightheart