Week 76- Family Baptism, Friendship Day, Snakes speaking German!

“...Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.” Moroni 7:47

30 de julio, 2012

What an awesome week! I had my first baptism of a family!! It was so awesome- a very spiritual experience. Ruben and Leila finally got baptized! It was wonderful. There was a big turn out! My companion and I sang the primary song “When Jesus Comes Again” and it turned out well. There is something very special about seeing an entire family enter the waters of baptism. They have a common goal now to follow Christ and support and help one another. There is power in that, which isn’t present when only part of the family is baptized. The most memorable part of the baptism, besides the Spirit, was that Leila had to be baptized three times! The branch president’s brother Ruben, is a pretty strong guy (in construction) and when he first lowered Ruben, he threw him under so fast that water splashed all up his front! Afterwards, he gave him a huge hug. It was sweet. Then Leila went in and he lowered her so fast that her feet flew up out of the water. That happened twice and by the third time, she stood shivering in the unheated water (it is winter here) and decided to crouch down in the water and finally made it all the way under.

It was so fun teaching them and watching their testimonies grow. On Sunday, we taught them about temples, family history work and eternal marriage. Now that they have been baptized, it’s time for them to help others do the same thing!

During the baptism I thought about how much love I have for the Paraguayan people. I thought about how it’s not enough to only go to the Celestial kingdom yourself nor is it enough to only bring your family. We have to bring others with us- we have to help other families and individuals find the truth and gain a testimony and live the Gospel so that they can experience the same joy that we do in the Gospel. “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)

Sunday was Branch Conference and we didn’t have a very good turn out due to the stormy weather. We woke up Sunday morning to thunder and lightning outside and we had no power and no water. Finally, the power came back on so we could get ready for church.

Happy Friendship day! Yes, it’s Friendship Day and they take this holiday very seriously here. People get one another little gifts and cards. It is also the one year anniversary of my first baptism, Thalia, in Paraguay. Not to mention, it’s Hermana Greer’s birthday! We are planning on having a sweet FHE tonight and sing Happy Birthday to her there. I love birthdays!

Just because it’s funny... This guy who has repeatedly tried to get our attention by yelling German phrases at us finally succeeded today. We told him we only speak English and he frantically tried to think of an English phrase. It was hilarious! The snakes just never cease to be snakey.

Well, I don’t have much else to say, except that I am excited because tomorrow I am going on splits to Loma and will be able to say goodbye to all of my old friends! I am really excited and happy that I get one last chance to see them and teach them.

Love,
Hermana Brittner

PS. Tell Sister Bush thank you for the sweet letter when you email her. It’s so exciting to have sister missionaries serving in the Hillcrest 1 ^st ward! I am looking forward to meeting them when I get home.