Bread to Baptism
Aloha family a me friends,
Hawaiian and reggae music to Hawaii is rap and hip-hop music to the Bronx. Bread to me is the joy I felt on Saturday when our sweet Marisol stepped into the waters of baptism :') For those of you know me, bread is a big deal so you can kind of get a feel of how much this baptism meant to me lol. To see this woman from day one when Sister Combe and I delivered her Bible all the way until her baptism has just been incredible.
I can honestly say with my full heart that I am nothing...but merely an instrument in the Lord's hand. Marisol was so prepared from day one. So ready to change her life and give everything to her Savior. It was in this pivitol moment I knew it was all worth it. Everything I do and have done and sacrificed was worth it. For the "worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10). There really is no greater joy.
Often times I worry too much. Naturally, I worry a whole ton about our investigators and just everything lol. Yesterday as missionaries we sung a musical number "Nearer My God To Thee" and had the ward join in on the last verse. As the ward joined in with all their love for one another, I was hit with an overwhelming reassurance and confirmation that hey its all going to be ok. This ward has taken me in as their own as will continue to take in every new member.
We will worry, we will stress, we will hit some lows. But nevertheless we need not to have any ounce of doubt in our hearts. We must replace doubt and fear with faith, unwavering faith. We need not to worry when we let go and let God. Let Him lead us and let His plans unfurl before our eyes.
34 And they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction
35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
Randoms:
1) Sister Felix got her wisdoms out on Tuesday. It was quite the journey to get back to our apartment (an hour away). Uncontrollable bleeding and spitting, one gauze from the dentist, a sweater was sacrificed, two bumpy bus rides, a subway ride, unexpected rain and wind, a pharmacy without the medicine, and a dizzy Sister Felix. Needless to say we made it and met a lot of very kind souls along the way :)
2) When your investigator starts fellowshipping a member and calling him to repentance for not coming to church #proud
3) Church starts at 9:30am. It's pouring rain outside. We get a call at 9:25 from a mother saying she wont come but we can come pick up her son to come to church. We sprint down the street, grab the son, and return soaking wet and everything. Oh the memories. Priceless.
4) Made some carrot juice and some Haitian food with an investigator. Mom, I'm learning how to cook...slowly ha ha
5) Hope you had an epic bday this past Thursday Father! Love you choke!
Me ke aloha,
Sister Ellis
Believe Believe Believe
