The Best: A WHITE EASTER!!

What a wonderful Easter season to reflect on the life and atoning sacrifice of our Savior!  That through Jesus Christ saving ordinances such as baptism can be performed!

Monday evening was wonderful because Sister Jensen (mission president's wife) came with us to a lesson with Gary at a member's home!  What a neat experience it was as we reviewed the Plan of Salvation!  Gary commented that evening that this was going to be the longest week of his life as he approached his baptismal date!

Tuesday and Thursday were wonderful because we were able to change into a pair of jeans and help the daughter of one of the couples in our ward move in!  She moved from Arizona and so she and her kids were freezing!  Anyways I loved being able to get to know her and to help out!  Plus, she, her kids, and her parents all attended sacrament meeting yesterday! 

It was so cute, so last week during English Cho Ku had taught us the Karen words for dining room and kitchen. From my experience trying to learn a little Marshallese in Dubuque, I knew that I needed to write down the words otherwise I would forget them.  So that is what I did, so then this past Friday we were reviewing the English lesson we had the previous week and I said the Karen words for dining room and kitchen.  You should have seen Cho Ku and her mom Nan Ku just light up!  They were so excited that I remembered the words!   

Thursday evening we had texted Gary that it was less than 48 hours until his baptism.  He responded that he was excited but nervous, so we sent him the reference to Moroni 7:13 which says "that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." 

Friday evening we were able to have a lesson with Gary in the High Priest Group Leader's home!  Before we started we asked Gary how he was feeling about his baptism and he talked about how he looked up the reference we had sent him and continued to read in Moroni 7 and he just felt peaceful!  It is amazing how the scriptures can bring the power of the Spirit into our lives!  Anyways, we talked about the Priesthood and service within the church.

Before the baptism,  Denise, her two daughters, Gary, Bishop Dyer, Sister Call, Sister Brown

Finally Saturday came.  April 19th.  The day we have been waiting for!  Sister Brown and I woke up and couldn't believe that today was the day for the baptism.  I am pretty sure that we are still in shock even at this moment.  Well, the Assistants had 3 people being baptized as well, but since they and the Elders were going to be in Iowa City Saturday morning, they asked if Sister Brown and I would fill up the font!  Most of Saturday was spent at the church since; it takes about 3 hours for the font to fill.  We would have to shut off the water every 10-15 minutes, because the water would start to get cold.   And we were baking cookies in between as well, so it felt like we were going nonstop getting ready. 

Shortly after 5:00 p.m. the Assistant's showed up and we opened up the clothing closet to look for clothes for the family that they had been working with, and we could not find smaller clothes.  We started to panic, but were able to find smaller baptismal clothes as Elder Anderson was on the phone with the zone leaders.

Just after 5:30 Gary arrived with his girlfriend and two of her children!  Now, I have mentioned how wonderful the Des Moines ward is, but once again I need to mention how amazing they are!  Literally there were over 50 people in attendance for the baptism, and we were aware that Sister Simons was going to bring cookies, but literally everyone on their own brought food and refreshments.  I couldn't believe it, but it was so heartwarming, to see everyone trying to make it a memorable experience for the four that were going to be baptized! 

AP's baptisms:  Left to right back row:  AP Elder Weiss, Mariama, Elder Shelley, Margaret, AP Elder Anderson  Front row:  Elder Wardle, Samuel, Allelu

Finally, the time for the baptism came and the Spirit is so strong as children of God make covenants with their Father in Heaven.  How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who has prepared a way for us to return back to Him!  President and Sister Jensen were able to attend the baptismal service on Saturday and then our Sacrament meeting yesterday where President was asked by Gary to help participate in his confirmation!

Yesterday was the greatest Easter ever!  I couldn't have asked for a better way to remember my only Easter Sunday on my mission, then to watch Gary, Margaret, Mariama, and Samuel receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Gary was so prepared for the gospel and he always kept his commitments.  And the majority of the time he would arrive to appointments earlier than we did.  Yesterday was no exception.  He came to church at 9:45 and church doesn't start until 11:00 a.m. 



Easter Sunday:  Sister Brown, Sister Call, Gary, Sister Jensen, President Jensen

Our Bishop is so patient and supportive that even though Gary was the only one of the four that were baptized who was at church on time.  Gary was confirmed before the Sacrament, then during the Sacrament, Margaret and Samuel arrived.  So before the speakers started they confirmed Margaret and Samuel.  Then during the first speaker, Mariama arrived, so after the last speaker Mariama was confirmed! 

Lots of Love,

Sister Call

P.S.

This week was wonderful and it was so amazing to see Gary be baptized!  His daughter did not come to the baptism. . . but yesterday Gary told us that we still need to get after Sophia because we can't let her fall through the cracks.  So hopefully we can begin meeting with her again.

I can't believe that another month has come and gone.  I swear they are going by faster and faster  and in just a few weeks it will be my last phone call home.  Seriously where has time gone?