Howzit? How's the store going? How's Reno? I sure hope that things are going well for you all.
Things are great here. We had a power baptism yesterday. It was a woman named Lynette, her daughter Veronica and Veronica's best friend Sane'. The Sisters before me were teaching Lynette before I came, but she was not able to be baptized because her in-laws were giving her problems. She really needed the Gospel in her life. her oldest daughter was murdered just a few months ago. Some men just came into their home and shot her and her best friend. The rest of the family hid in cupboards. She had a 3 month old baby that Lynette now cares for. Anyhow, one day we decided that we would fast with her that she would be allowed to be baptized. Only a couple of days after we fasted, everything was cleared up and she had full support. We then began preparing her for baptism. One day we went to teach her the 6th discussion and her daughter, Veronica told us that she wanted to be baptized. We arranged a time to start teaching the 6 discussions. When we went to teach, we found that her best friend Sane' was wanting to be baptized as well (Veronica is 18, Sane' is 17) Sane' was homeless for a long time. Her mother just kicked her out of the house. Then Lynette decided to take her in as her own. Well, to make a long story short, we taught them the discussions in 2 weeks and all three were baptized yesterday. It was such a spiritual meeting! I was standing just outside the font to hand them towels. As Lynette came out she just full on hugged me and was just sobbing. It was so special. I was quite wet, of course, but I didn't care.
After their baptisms and confirmations, Lynette and Veronica shared their testimonies. Lynette only said a few words until she was overcome with emotion and had to sit down. Veronica shared the experience she had with the desire to be baptized. She said that the day she told us she wanted to be baptized, she hadn't thought of it before, but she suddenly was overcome with a great desire to be baptized, so much so that she was frustrated to know that she had to hear all 6 discussions first. She wanted us to share them all right then and wanted to be baptized that day. She said that she was glad though because she was able to take the time to receive knowledge.
After that baptism I felt like I could go home (to America) then and feel like my mission was a complete success.
Lynette was told in her confirmation that her whole family will accept the Gospel through her example. I hope I am able to be part of that.
(Writers note: the Zulu people here quite often take on English names, they call them play names, so that the white people here can pronounce them. So, Lynette is actually Ntombi, Veronica is Lungile, and Sane' is Sanelifiwe)
Things are continuing well here. We still plan on having 10-15 more baptisms before the end of the year. The Lord is really blessing this area.
This week for Thanksgiving, Sister Bennion and I are making Thanksgiving dinner for our Zone. I am actually really excited, this is my first Thanksgiving meal I'm preparing. It should be fun.
For Christmas, we are going to a game park, so we are kind of going on safari. There are giraffes and springbok and all kinds of animals there. We are going for 3 days. I am really excited for that.
I love being here. I love the Gospel, I love the Book of Mormon. Most of all, I love my Saviour Jesus Christ and am grateful for the atonement. I love all of you and miss you as well, but the time is quickly coming that I will return, and with that I have very mixed emotions. Please take care!
I love you!
Michelle :)
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