Meagan's a missionary!: Back-up plan: cry!

What a great week to finish out an amazing transfer and power us into the next! We had 2 baptisms yesterday!!!!! Eric got baptized right after church and Maria a couple hours later. It was just wonderful. Eric's grandma, Matilde (got baptized almost a year ago) was just crying so much to see her grandson get baptized. She bore her testimony and the spirit was so strong. And this coming Sunday, Eric's mom Lucina is going to get baptized! How cool is that? Matilde, Lucina, Eric, and his little brother are who are in the picture #0074. The primary kids sang at his baptism and he was just so excited all week. I love teaching that kid. A couple of days ago when we were getting him ready for his baptismal interview, we asked him about Jose Smith and he went on to tell us the entire story from the childrens Book of Mormon...starting with all of the questions JS had to the vision and on to using the Urim and Thummim to translate the plates! Haha, smart kid. He was so ready!

Maria's preparation on the other hand was not quite as smooth. Never have I seen the powers of Satan working so hard against somebody to get her to back out on her decision. We went to visit her one day and as I was doing her dishes she just started coming out with doubt after doubt about the church and prophets and coffee and who even knows what else. We had a lesson with her that day and did not let her go a day all week without seeing us. I have never prayed harder for somebody in my life! I kept telling Heavenly Father, "It has taken her 6 years to even say yes to get baptized. I know she will get her answer in the next 2 days to be able to know these things are true." It took a lot of faith and fasting but we could not back down and she came through so confident and happy in the end. After her baptism, she was just glowing and was saying how happy she was that she finally did it. I attached 2 pictures of her...one with her family before her baptism and one with her after. She is so strong and is going to be the key in reactivating her husband's entire family. The way they all rallied around her at her baptism yesterday was amazing.

We found some pretty cool new investigators this week, which was needed because as much as we've been trying, things have been rough in that aspect. But the Lord always blesses us when the time is right...and for me it seems to always be in the last week of the transfer cycle. Oh, speaking of transfers...I am staying in Paterson again and Hna Binning is getting transferred! Crazy, huh? So you can keep sending your letters directly to me (for the address, email my mom). I'm going on my 5th transfer (total) here in Paterson...that's longer than I was in Morristown but I have so much more energy here. That means I get to be here for Lucina's baptism and hopefully for some others we hope to see this transfer. It will be great! Hna Binning is really sad to be going. We have worked really well together...we are SO different from each other but it made a good balance in the work. This transfer will take us halfway into September...meaning I will be repeating days in the same area (considering I arrived in Paterson last year on Sep 2). I am excited though to see what it holds.

Well family, I hope things are going better for you all. To my wonderful brothers, don't be afraid to write me every once-in-a-while...at least maybe one more time in my mission. :) I know that this gospel is what brings true happiness in our lives and that Heavenly Father will guide and direct us as we seek Him. My theme for this week/transfer has been 1 Nephi 10:17-19. I absolutely love what that says about being led by the Holy Ghost. Heavenly Father really does answer our prayers. Take care and I'll write again next week with the details of my new comp. I miss you tons but I love you more!

Love,

Hermana Jackson

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

3 attachments — Download all attachments View all images