Elder Morley Haley Santa Fe Argentina Mission: Juan's Baptism!!!!

Hola! Buen PDay a todos udtedes!!

This week was a very good week. By far the biggest thing that happened was the Baptism of Juan, and the day after his confirmation. We were waiting the entire week, quite impatiently I might add, for Juan’s baptism. But we got through the long days well and finally had the chance to participate in Juan’s big day. It was great to see Juan during the week grow more and more anxious and excited for the service to finally start. So the entire week we visited him for a little bit every night to make sure that he was ready and that all of his questions were answered. We also taught him a little more about Missionary Work and how even if he isn’t a Full Time missionary, he can still work to share the Gospel with others, especially his family. Then, another night, we talked more about Temples and the marvelous work that we do in them. He understood everything really well and is really excited to be able to enter as soon as possible. We are hoping to help him prepare to enter the Temple and get all the money rounded up to go, it is a long travel on a bus. And he should be able to do it pretty quickly with the new job that he started this week. One of the guys in the Ward that has been helping us fellowship Juan and be his friend got him a job selling perfumes and lotions and other beauty products door to door. So far Juan is loving the heck out of the job. And he’s also doing really well. His first day he sold all of the product that the bosses gave him and had to ask for more to sell! Hahaha he is a really good kid. So with that going for him, he should be able to save up enough money to make the trip here in a few weeks. He goes out working in the church clothes that we gave him, tie and all, and looks great. Almost like a missionary!

But back to the Baptismal Service. Juan had decided to ask Elder Smith to baptize him which was really cool because Juan is actually Elder Smith’s first convert! So it was a super great experience for the both of them. Saturday the 20th of July is also Friend Day so it just fit that we were baptizing Juan that day! But because of the holiday not too many people could make it to his baptism, which was a little disappointing, but it ended up being really good. When it finally came to the time for Juan to be baptized, the Spirit was crazy strong. I felt that familiar Joy and Happiness that comes from Missionary Work, the same feelings that I have been blessed to feel at other baptismal services. Then, after Juan and Elder Smith had changed I was able to share the small talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I shared with Juan that on Sunday, during the Sacrament Meeting the next day, he would have the sacred opportunity to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and also that he would receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I also shared with him a few of the ways that he had already felt the Spirit. When he was reading and praying, when we were teaching him, and when he came to Church. And not going to lie, I started choking up a bit when I mentioned that the night that we found Juan, we were also led by the influence of the Holy Ghost to him. It was a sweet, sweet service filled with the Spirit. Afterwards, we went as a District with Juan and got some ice cream. It was great.

The next day during church we had the chance to participate in Juan’s Confirmation. I was able to be the voice of the blessing and I loved the Spirit that was present. Juan seemed to also. haha.

But other than Juan's baptism not too much happened out of the ordinary. We did start teaching a new person this week! Her name is Martina. She is 10 years old and is a really close to friend to another girl and her family, the Familia Quiroga. Martina has come to church a few times already and now wants to be baptized! So we started teaching her this week and gave her a Book of Mormon. But her mom isn’t too sure about it. Her mom just wants to make sure that Martina understands the importance of her decision to be baptized and that it means a commitment and promise that she is making with God. We understand that and agree with what Martina’s mom wants to say. So we are going to be working to help Martina really understand the importance of the Baptismal Covenant. She is a good girl and has a true desire to do the right thing.

And so for now we are doing really well. We are going to be using the Spirit and excitement of Juan’s baptism to work hard this week and really bust out some good work. Pray for us that we can find new people to teach please!! It really does help when you all pray for us.

Thank you all for reading and always sending your love and support!!

I just want to leave with you all a small Spiritual Thought before I end the email. I am currently reading in 3 Nephi when Jesus Christ comes to the Americas. One of the things that really stuck out to me was the verses 15 through 17 of 3 Nephi 17. In these verses it is described that Jesus prayed to the Father.

15 And when he had said these words, he himself also ^aknelt upon the earth; and behold he ^bprayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.

16 And after this manner do they bear record: The ^aeye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;

17 And no ^atongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

It really hit me that the Nephites bore record that they heard and also SAW the things that Jesus prayed to the Father. I can’t exactly understand that part of the scripture, but I think that is the part that really touched me. Sometimes as a missionary I forget to make my prayers a real Conversation with my Heavenly Father. I sometimes catch myself going through the motions and just saying or thinking words that I don’t really feel. But this example of that the Savior provides us a reminder that our prayers need to be Fervent, Heartfelt, and True. I know that as we do so, we will feel as the Nephites did and share in this "joy that (fills) our souls" And I share these things with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Thank you again for reading!!

Chau

Elder Haley