Hello :-)
It's been a miraculous week!
Yes, Jim was baptized!! His story
is amazing and with his permission, I get to share it with you!
Jim is so sweet and soft spoken. He was a high school band teacher for most of
his life and also owned a flower shop. He
was in an abusive marriage for 51 years, which truly hurt his confidence and
ability to trust. Without saying more,
it's safe to say Jim has had a trying life.
Through it all though, he remained unconditional and kept his faith in
the Savior. Jim was taught starting in May
2013, almost a year. He's had baptismal
dates in the past, been taught everything at least twice, and has come to
church for the last 8 months straight. He
was an eternal investigator. After my
first time meeting and having a lesson with him I literally cried because I was so frustrated. How could we ever get through to this lonely,
sad man? After a couple weeks of
reflection (not teaching him) we prayed and felt that we should try again. So, a few lessons later we felt a strong impression to set a date
with him. He had told us his concerns
before and just wasn't ready. But the
impression was so strong that Sister Larsen and I knew that we had to follow it. So...we straight-up asked him. He was a little shocked at first and said
"how about a maybe." We went
back and forth for a while and finally he just said "I know that I need to
be baptized. Okay. Feb 22 it is." and then signed Sister Larsen’s
planner. We walked out of that lesson
with tears of joy!
After setting a baptism date, there was a mighty change in
Jim. He was glowing! I can honestly say I've never seen Jim smile
and laugh so much! He was a different
man. He told us during one lesson
"well girls, the night that I set my baptism date, I had a feeling come
over me of just peace and love. I slept
so well! I can tell that He is happy
with me!" What a doll. There were a
few bumps in the road but Jim was baptized this past Saturday! Sister Larsen and I, dressed in all white,
held his precious little dog Annie on the steps of the font per President Tilleman’s
request. Magical is the only word I can
literally think of to describe it. It
was the happiest day of my mission thus far.
Watching Jim go from a pained and bitter life to one full of
joy and love was incredible. Jim truly
went through the refiner's fire. We
cannot go through that fire with pride in our hearts. Heavenly Father can only mold us when we
become humble enough to accept His will.
Just as it says in Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the meek; for they
shall inherit the earth." Jim is an example to me of how making Christ our focus and making Him our rock will get us through anything. We will all have trials, big and small, but
it's through faith in the Fathers plan and humility in accepting His will, not
our own, that we will be able to overcome those obstacles and make it through
the refiner's fire.
Remember that Christ never forgets us. He is our only Shepherd. 1 Nephi 21:15-15 "...Yea, they may
forget yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel... Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of
my hands." Although we might not always remember Christ during our trials and
afflictions, He will ALWAYS remember us.
He knows every pain and every joy you've ever felt. The nail prints in His perfect hands are the
constant reminder of the sacrifice He made for us in the Garden of Gethsemane
and on the cross. I know that baptism is
the only way we can truly repent of our sins and show our loving Father in
Heaven that we are willing to follow His commandments. What a blessing that Jim, who is 74 yrs old,
now has been cleansed of his sins, has the gift of the Holy Ghost, and can live
with God again. It is never to late to
change.
I am humbled for the opportunity and privilege to be out
here serving His children. I am
especially grateful to teach those here in Canada who are descendants of the
Lamanites. Many times in the gospel it
teaches that it is through the mouth of the gentiles the House of Israel
will be nourished by the good word of God.
What a blessing and a miracle it was to be called Vancouver, Canada, and
specifically Osoyoos. Jesus is the
Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the world.
He ministered not only to His sheep in Jerusalem, but to His other sheep
here in the Americas. The Lord's work is
growing and the lyrics "I believe in Christ, so come what may" give
great comfort during this hastening. Thank
you for all your love and support!
xoxo, A
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| Us, Jim, and his dog "Annie" |
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| Getting ready... |
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| We got to hold "Annie' near the water. |
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