October 28, 2009

Dear Family,

This week has been great. We are working hard with our investigators to help them be ready to accept the covenant of baptism and after, be able to endure to the end with the help of the Holy Ghost.

We had to move one of the baptisms back a week because we felt that he wasn´t ready. After we did that we felt much better and now have more time to really get him ready for this big day that will change his life.

It is interesting teaching about baptism, because it really is so eternally important, and almost impossible to help them understand this significance. But it is so thrilling to have them receive answers to prayers and then have them act in faith, set a baptismal date, and know through their feelings that they want to follow the example of Jesus Christ down into the waters of baptism. Their examples of faith are incredible. The baptismal covenant requires a lot, not in comparison to the blessings that we receive because of it, but for someone to change their life from not doing anything other than mass every week, it is a big commitment and a big leap of faith. It truly is inspiring. It is easy to just see it as a baptism, but when you think that it is someone committing to the follow the Savior, removing themselves from the sins of the world, and accepting to live a higher law, it is something so tender and beautiful. I take for granted the blessing to be apart of this way to often.

We are working with our other 7 dates, the family of Ronnie(Ronnie, Jina, Naomi, Ronnie (hijo), and Romina, a woman named Isa, and another woman named Olga. It is a lot of fun teaching them, because they want to learn and want to progress.

We also have a couple people who are very close to accepting a date of baptism. We have a man and a couple who have committing to being baptized but don´t feel ¨ready.¨ This answer bothers me a little bit, because they have received answers to their prayers by feeling good when we are there and when they read The Book of Mormon and they still don’t feel ready. It is hard in these cases, because we obviously want them to have faith and get baptized because you know that they will never regret it, but they need to make the decision for themselves or it would not be faith. It is easy for us to see the people who have been prepared by the hand of the Lord for baptism because they are really searching to find the truth, they always read the Book of Mormon, and they really understand what is being taught.

We also have two more that we are working with and who came to church this past Sunday that have so much potential. They are a women named Zuni from Paraguay, and a man name Julio, from Columbia. We have only taught Zuni once, last Friday, and asked her if we could pick her up to attend church and she accepted. She came with her 10 year old daughter Jessica and she felt it. She cried a little bit in Sacrament meeting and during the Gospel Principles class she made very applicable, conclusive comments. The next time we see her she should have a baptismal date. Julio should also, but it is hard to find time to teach him. He is usually only available on weekends, which is our busiest time as a lot of people don´t work those days.

We had the privilege of receiving a call from President on Sunday morning around 9:40 that he was ¨en camino¨ to our piso to attend church with us. He took a quick look at our living areas and said, very interesting. We went to church, picked up Zuni and Jessica, and had a wonderful time having him with us. He gave a powerful testimony of the Restauración during sacrament meeting and during our class after wards his presence was greatly appreciated. He loved the branch and the love and closeness of all the members. I love it too and am learning a lot.

I love you all and if you could send the letter to Cami that would be great.

Have a great week and keep doing all that you do the best you can. The Lord always takes care of the rest, if we do our part.

I love you all and am strengthened and motivated to work harder by your thoughts, prayers, and faith. Your efforts are felt here in Spain.

Thank you, thank you.

Love,

Elder Driggs