Shots; Outdoor Baptism; Motorcycle Ride

It has been a busy week attending three-zone conferences.  I organized the caterers and Elder Roberts had to hire a nurse, order medicine and all the supplies for 47 native missionaries to get there immunizations.  Some of the missionaries were nervous about getting shots, a few tears were shed. I took photos of the missionaries and posted them on Facebook for their proud mothers to see.

Missionaries showing off the personalized contact cards that they made.

"You will just feel a little poke"

Always plenty of delicious food!

The highlight of our week was attending the Baptism of a beautiful 19-year old young woman in Naguilian late yesterday afternoon. She was dressed in a white baptism suit and her long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was beaming with joy as members came to greet her before the meeting started. After her baptism, she told a story of a girl who dreamed of being a child of God:  “The girl was raised in an imperfect family, a family that is broken; not literally but a broken family emotionally and spiritually.  Because of so much pain and affliction within her heart.... she came to the point of thinking to end her life.  This girl was really shattered into pieces like a broken glass…she humbled herself and prayed to the Almighty Father…and God answered her prayers” he sent the missionaries …” and the girl was lifted by the love of God…She holds on to the promise of God and to the love and sacrifices of Jesus Christ and decided to be baptized…. And the girl in the story is standing in front of you right now."   We in the congregation were touched as she expressed the deeply personal feelings of her tender heart. (you can read her entire handwritten talk below)

After the meeting, there was a young girl, who looked to be 12-years old sitting on a motorcycle in the church parking lot.  I said to her, “Do you know how to drive that thing?”

She replied, “Yes I do!”

I then asked her how old she was.  She replied, “I’m 15 and I can take you for a ride”.  And she did!  Elder Roberts and I love our little ‘Naguilian Branch Family'.

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After church today, we attempted to visit seven families and were happy to find four of them at home.  We trekked down narrow roads and steep dirt paths to find them. 

 We passed by several skinny barking dogs, chickens of all sizes, a few cats and some goats. I told the people we visited, that I came all the way from Arizona to tell them that God loved them and invite them to come to church.  We met one cute little boy with curlier hair than mine. 

 One family had a huge albino boa constrictor in a cage in their backyard. 

At one home, a young girl was the only member of her family.  We visited with her on her front porch. I asked her to read to us some words from President Uchtdorf’s last conference talk.  She had tears in her eyes as she read out loud, “God knows you. You are His child.  He loves you!”  It was a rewarding experience for Elder Roberts and me.

It’s back to a long day in the office tomorrow.  Missionary life can be very hard, but Very Rewarding!

 Testimony

“Totoo ang Simbahan!” - Sister Roberts