First Baptism

This picture shows Pres. & Sis. Durrant, Elder Larson, Me, Rebecca and Sis. Campbell at the baptism of Rebecca Lewis.  When we first got started in Plano 3rd Ward the missionary's asked us to visit  Sister Lewis.  She learned about the gospel 19 years ago and quickly developed a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Her mother was a devout Catholic, and she didn't feel she could join the church because of that.  The missionary's have continued to visit her throughout the years, and challenged her to baptism many times.  She has committed on many occasions, but then backs away at the last minute.  She knows lots of people in the ward and has attended occasionally.  Her mother passed away a year ago, and yet, she still held off.

Sis. Campbell and I quickly made good friends with her.  She shared her testimony with us on several occasions, but was fearful of following through with the decision.  She has had many miracles in her life with priesthood blessings.  The missionary's gave her grandson a priesthood blessing when he was admitted to the hospital for surgery a couple months ago.  Her daughter and husband were touched by the blessing and decided that they might be willing to hear the message.  They have not had their first discussion yet.


Last week Sister Campbell went home for the funeral of a friend.  I went to Rebecca's home and had lunch with her.  She told me she, once again had committed to be baptized.  Though having some doubt, I was overjoyed with her.  She had actually talked with the Mission Pres. about it, so she said she felt pretty confident.  It was scheduled for Aug. 4th.  The next day I got a call from her that she had moved it up to this weekend so she could have it on her Mother's birthday.  We, and the missionary's, were holding our breath that she would make it through.  She was baptized last evening!


This is an amazing story about never, never, giving up on Heavenly Father's children.  Rebecca just simply had a challenge with decision making even though she knew that baptism was the right thing to do.  She will find great joy in the church and has already been serving by doing meals every week for two families in the ward.  I don't think Sis. Campbell and I can take a lot of credit for her decision, but I do know she felt our love and encouragement.

This picture is of Sis. Hunter and her granddaughter.  She and her two teenage boy's were baptized about 3 months ago.  When the missionary's found this family they had no furniture except for a bed that Sis. Hunter was using.  The boys were sleeping on the floor.  The ward pitched in and found beds for the boys and slowly some furniture for the rest of the apartment.  They are still very poor, but have sweet testimony's of the gospel.  We've been meeting with them on Monday evenings, and teaching them how to have Family Home Evening. Her son's are gone for the summer to live with their dad so I took her and her granddaughter out for dinner at Wendy's.  It was so much fun to talk with her and hear a little about her personal life.  What a joy to see how much difference the gospel has made to her family!  I love being here to help!

Sis. Nelms and I were "cutting loose" at her granddaughters wedding. She wanted to come with me when I went early to help with the food.  Some friends of the bride put on music, and the next thing I know Sis. Nelms gets up and says "I want to dance!"  So, here we are!  I was amazed at the rhythm and balance she had in spite of being blind!  I told her I could see why Bro. Nelms wanted to meet her when he saw her on the dance floor years ago!

We attended a senior missionary conference this week.  These are all of the seniors serving in the Dallas Texas Mission.  It was fun to meet and talk with each of them, and is always a joy to be taught by Pres. & Sis. Durrant.

I was thinking today about the times in my life when I've been the happiest. I've come to realize that when I've tried to stay spiritually close to my Savior, I am happy.  Being spiritually close has come by prayer, enjoying the scriptures,  and reflecting on my many blessing.  These times of being obedient to what I know is truth gives me strength and power I didn't realize I had. Living the gospel is an act of obedience.  The Savior has given us guidelines to find joy and happiness and those guidelines are a pathway back to Him.  We cannot reach our goal to be with him without being submissive and obedient.  Elder L. Tom Perry stated:  "The discipline contained in daily obedience, clean living, and wholesome lives builds an armor around you of protection and safety from the temptations that beset you as you proceed through mortality."


The prophet Mosiah told his people that keeping the commandments of God will bring both temporal and spiritual blessings:  "I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  Mosiah 2:41


"May we all find a place of happiness through submitting to the will of our Father in Heaven, and thereby knowing His love."