Finally a baptism! 9-23-2019

Janice's Baptism!

Well, we finally were able to have a baptism! It has been such a long time, ha ha ha, but we finally got it! We baptized Janice Parker. Let me just say, it was an amazing experience. On Saturday night she asked me to be the one to baptize her. So on Sunday, we had the baptismal service right after church. It went amazing and we had so many members come and support her. It was very spiritual and it really was amazing.


After the baptism, I found Janice crying. First off, she was sad because her parents didn't want to come to her baptism and she was also sad because her mother was going to an activity. Her Mom left Janice because the baptism took too long. I felt so bad and I was worried that she would be upset with the church and other stuff. Well after church, in the evening, we went to see her and she was just smiling from ear to ear. I asked her, "Why are you so happy??" and she said, "Because after I was baptized I just felt relieved." I was quite surprised by her response, ha ha. I asked if she was still sad but she said that she is okay because it's better to be baptized than to go to some activity. Then she started asking about the temple because she wants to go to the temple to do baptisms as soon as she can. I was quite surprised because we have talked about the temple and she never really showed much interest in it but yesterday she was so excited to learn more about it and to be able to help her ancestors on the other side of the veil. 


Last night I was planning how I can go to visit all the people I met in Batsonaa (my second area). Well I called the bishop of my old area and guess what? They were having a stake activity today and all the members were going to be there! So I got to go and say my final goodbyes to all of the wonderful members I met there. Then after that, I went to go and visit a family that we taught for a very long time. The mother is a member from twenty years ago but she fell away from the church due to some discrepancies. But despite that, she loved us so much. She always wanted us to come visit her and her three daughters. So I got to go and say goodbye to them and honestly it was so hard. I love that family so much. It wasn't just them, I miss everyone here. I was telling my mom on the phone today that I am happy and excited to go home. But I am not happy to leave this wonderful place.

The family that I said goodbye to in Batsonna.

I have been able to meet so many amazing people that have changed my life. Letting go is so hard. But just think about it, how do you think our Heavenly Father felt to let all of us come to this earth to be tried and tested. I am sure it was so hard for Him to let us all come here with the possibility of not coming back. Then to make it even harder, he let us crucify his only begotten son. Honestly I can't even imagine how hard that would be. But I can say, I will be able to understand a small part of what he felt. This church really is true. I have come to see how true it is by the joy it brings to people when they join the church, when they reunite with old friends in the church. But we will never know true and lasting joy until our Savior Jesus Christ embraces us in his infinite love and mercy. 



I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,
Elder Baird

Comments

  1. Ani ElochukwuJuly 7, 2020 at 9:16 AM

    i know the feeling when you have to wait for so long is have a baptizem, is a feeling like you are not doing enough ha ha ha

    ReplyDelete

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