La Cabra

EDUARDO GOT BAPTIZED THIS PAST SATURDAY!

This guy kills me, de risa. I have never taught anyone so chill to do and give up anything in order to be baptized. According to the color code test, he would be a solid white with a splash of yellow.

We talked to him a couple of weeks ago while he was standing in line to buy bread (as good Chileans do #oncetime), and he seemed so elect in the conversation that I asked him if he was a member of the church pranking us to be interested. After the fifth time of him saying, "No soy miembro," I only kind of believed him.

Since then, he has come to church every Sunday, participates in church activities, and loves praying.

Though the baptism of Eduardo is a high, this week I had a legit LIFE CHANGING lesson with Juan Vergara and Hermana Pamela.

1 Samuel 16:7

Look not on his countenance... for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

My companion has taught me the importance of this scripture. Thanks to her gift of seeing the heart of people instead of just their outward appearance, we found Juan Vergara 2 weeks ago!

In our first lesson, he shared his life story of growing up in an alcoholic home, which led him to smoke at the age of 12 and eventually become an alcoholic and drug addict himself.

The loss of his father greatly impacted him this year, which led him to see clearly. He decided 5 months ago to admit himself into rehab. Slowly, he has been able to move forward in his life since then.

However, he explained that he still feels empty inside. When my companions stopped to talk to him (I was in an intercambio somewhere else), he took that as God was trying to talk to him.

He has been coming to church, learning how to pray, and has made good friends in our ward, but he didn't feel worthy to commit to being baptized.

Hermana Briones and I prayed and fasted to receive inspiration on how we could help him progress. As we talked about the situation, almost at the same time, we felt that we needed to focus on helping him read the Book of Mormon every day.

While planning our next lesson with Juan, a member's name came to mind. I don't know her very well, but we explained the situation and asked if she could accompany us in the lesson, and she agreed.

Within 3 minutes of starting, she completely took over the lesson, and WOW, taught him so beautifully about the Book of Mormon only using 3 Nephi 11:1-11 and then explained how we feel the Spirit individually by using Galatians 5:22-23.

I have never seen the power of the Book of Mormon combined with the Bible change someone SO FAST. Not only did Juan accept a baptismal date, but his countenance changed right in front of us. I was just so shocked and moved by the lesson that I couldn't even talk because I was trying not to cry, but my efforts didn't last long before tears just started to fall, so I just decided to own it and share my firm witness of the POWER of the Book of Mormon.

I'm not sure how much my testimony meant to Juan, but wow, it helped me personally realize just how strongly I love and need the Book of Mormon in my everyday life.

Since that lesson, I have taken my studies in the Book of Mormon WAY more seriously. I have been focusing on listening to the Spirit as I read, so just like Juan Vergara, my countenance and thoughts will continue to align more with Christ's.

My brothers and sisters, how precious is the Book of Mormon to you? If you were offered diamonds or rubies or the Book of Mormon, which would you choose? Honestly, which is of greater worth to you? -President Nelson

Highs:

-Eduardo got baptized

-Love playing the guitar in baptisms

-Our district sang, and it actually sounded decent

-BEATRIZ, the queen herself, just got married a week ago to a previous stake president and wants to be baptized

-Noche de hogar with la familia Vilugron

-Hermana Daniela made us gluten-free pizza

-The bishop putting our recent converts as the #1 priority!!! HE IS SO GOOD

-Having 18 member lessons this week #obsessedwiththisward

-Stake Conference

-Hermana Erly y Josue came to the La Reina stake conference to say hi to me (my favorite fam from La Florida)

-Cleaning Hermana Emerita's patio