Week 38: Full Circle Conversion

Julissa

Such an incredible, miracle-filled week. The Lord works to bless his people and the Spirit works to convert them.

Julissa got baptized!! This is such a special story. Her identical twin sister joined the church about 6 years ago and this was when Julissa was introduced to the church. Since then, she has listened to the missionaries but never really knew if she believed the message. The missionaries would stop teaching her and then restart a few months later, and then stop teaching her again and restart again. Over and over. Eventually, there was nothing left to do. All they could do was pray. Eventually, she received the confirmation she needed. She called the missionaries and said she knew baptism is what she needed to do and that she knew the Church of Jesus Christ was true. Yesterday, she started her new life as she entered the waters of baptism. A better life. With more love, power, comfort, and guidance that is only possible to feel through the gospel of Christ. Julissa is the first baptism I have been a part of in my time as a missionary and it has been incredible to see her conversion alongside my own. A conversion to Christ.

Shoutout Elder Lewis (once again) for being my inspiration. The triple double was achieved this week. We had double digits in 3 stat lines (key indicators of the progression of our friends) with new people, lessons with members present, and friends in church. We were also able to set up 9 baptismal dates this week. The Lord is blessing this work here in Jardines so much and it is just incredible to be a part of it. Now it's just time to go Russell Westbrook mode and average a triple double😤

Another awesome story. Miriam was taking lessons from the missionaries for a little bit but eventually ended up blocking the number of the missionaries. This past week we were waiting at the church for one of our friends to show up for a lesson and we thought to do some calls. We saw her contact and thought “might as well try.” It rang. She picked up. We visited her the next day. She is preparing to be baptized for the 13th of April. We don't know why, but she unblocked us and had a complete change of heart and increase of courage. I know our Heavenly Father participates in this work more than us missionaries and blesses his children.

Our lesson with our mission president went super well and the Spirit was so special. Our friend Shayla believes in the Book of Mormon and the church but is just so scared of her extremely Catholic family and what they will do if she is baptized. Please keep her in your prayers!

Our friend Mario is progressing at the speed of light and is so eager to learn, participate, and be baptized in a few weeks! He has recently gone through some really tough times in his life and the gospel truly is what fills the gaps and improves every aspect of life.

Other highlights:

-Shoutout Elder Cano for completing a year of his mission.

-Had a ward activity for Easter and it was sooo fun and we had sooo many friends show up. Also hiding easter eggs might be my favorite activity. So much better than looking for them. There were also bunnies at the activity so that was lit.

-A recent convert who is an ex-pastor, army veteran, and my favorite old man alive received the priesthood and blessed the Sacrament yesterday!

-The construction manager of the temple is in the ward here and invited us and some of the people we are teaching over for one of the biggest gourmet hotdog dinners I have ever eaten. EASILY, the fullest I have ever been in my life.

I studies a byu speech called “Wrestling with Comparisons” this week and wow. It changed my life forever. The ending of the speech states, “Let’s all find a mirror. Let’s look at ourselves. Let’s see as we are seen. Let’s repeat, ‘My contest is not with anyone else; my contest is with myself. The race is against sin, not against each other.’ Then we must pray with all the energy of heart to be filled with the pure love of Christ, of Him who is “the author and finisher of our faith.” We must refuse to let lies “interrupt [our] rejoicings” over the truths that are deeper and more convincing than the falsehoods of comparisons. And then we must walk out the door, forget ourselves, and start concentrating on others.” This is how we experience happiness. This is how we help others do the same. This is what Christ would do.

I love you all and miss you all!

Élder Snyder