Conversion Matters

Matters of Conversion 7.08.18

Last night we attended the baptisms of three young women—22-year-old Michelle (single mother of three children, ages 4, 3, and 2) and her two nieces, Samantha (15) and Brandy (12). There was something so sweet about it! I could hardly stop the tears then and again today as they were confirmed. I watched the branch president’s beautiful wife (I am sure they are only in their 20s) love these three and care for the little children. Brandy just lit up today when she saw us there for them. So many of these people are so alone and just want someone to care.

Today we attended three sacrament meetings. The first two were in Spanish, and left us mentally exhausted, trying to understand the spirit of the messages, if not the literal meaning. We ARE coming closer with the Spanish. The meetings were wonderful and spiritual. We decided to go the the last meeting of the day, the 1:00 at Los Presidentes, and we were rewarded with a spiritual feast. First we saw Jovanna, a 17-year-old whom we met last Sunday at FHE. She doesn’t speak English and is here from Mexico for a few weeks to visit her sister. She was so thrilled to see us, kept hugging us, and brought us an invitation to a baby shower for her sister. (Our hearts are full!)

The speakers in the 4th branch (English-speaking) were from the Garcia Family. Jasmin just turned 14 this week. She is amazing. She told about the miracle that brought her family into the Church. About a year ago her dad picked her up from school for some reason, and as they drove home, they saw some elders riding bikes. They stopped, and the elders asked if they could stop by their house. The dad invited them to come that day because his family was having a difficult time. Both Dad and Jasmin said it truly was a miracle. Dad was already a member, inactive, but living a good life and keeping the Word of Wisdom. He just didn’t go to church because he didn’t want to force it on his wife and Jasmin. When the elders came, they expressed joy at being able to meet the Garcias, but said that they were leaving—transferred. Taking their place would be sister missionaries. Brother Garcia says that was also a miracle, a tender mercy, because his wife and daughter could meet with the missionaries even when he was not there. Today Sister Garcia is YW president. Brother Garcia is Elders’ Quorum president. Jasmin has changed her rebellious life and loves the Gospel and her fellow young women. Sister Garcia told the story of her difficult life—raised by grandparents rather than her addict parents; called home to take care of her six siblings when her mother became ill when she was about twelve; the death of her mother from brain cancer; being expected to parent her brothers and sisters when she was only a child; abuse, threats, and blame from her addict father; leaving home with the first boy who paid her any attention and finding him to be abusive; taking her new baby to a shelter for battered women; petitioned for custody of her siblings and kept them together for a few years—all before she turned 20. Her story is much like most of the converts in Laredo when they decide to change their lives and follow the Savior. Their lives before the church were unimaginable.

We have an appointment tomorrow morning to start teaching Abel Sanchez (see last week’s blog on miracles). When Jim called him to make the appointment, Abel was thrilled to hear his voice and anxious to meet and be taught. Tender mercies!
One of our incredible young single adults is planning to serve a mission as soon as she graduates from college in December. She is working to go to the temple to get her endowments before she goes back to Texas A&M in College Station in the fall. She wants to meet with us several times a week for the temple-prep lessons. We are blessed! We will get permission to teach her these lessons. She wants to road trip to Utah to receive these blessings. She has been a member for about a year and a half, the only member in her family. Her boyfriend served a mission in Brazil and is encouraging her to serve. The young people here—we love them so much already!

I have three piano students now—two seminary kids and the wife of one of the Spanish branch presidents. This is a blessing in my life!

The Lord knows each of us and loves us infinitely. He forgives us of our sins and weaknesses, no matter what they are. He paid the price long ago in Gethsemane and on the cross. It is true. The Restoration is true. The blessings are ours.