Another week in the books! I will run through it quick here
Tuesday and Wednesday my companion was sick. We still went out and worked and did all we needed to do but at the same time spent a little extra time at home. Lots of time to study.
Thursday I went on another split with the Zone Leaders and got to spend some time up in their Area. We were able to teach with a member. If you are a member and do not go out with the missionaries, find time to do that. We love it.
Friday and Saturday I caught the bug my companion had so a little bit more sickness.
Again, still went out and worked and taught lessons, did what we needed to do but I had a lot of time to think... and study but it was difficult to study effectively while on the toilet.
Sunday WE HAD ANOTHER BAPTISM WOOT WOOOTTTT!! Loved every second of it. It was also funny, when she came out of the water during the Baptism she said "Hallelujah Praise Jesus". It was pretty funny and sweet.
Monday I am writing emails
But, the highlight of the week was going to the house of the 80 year old woman Maria who we had just baptized on Sunday.
We went there and talked more about how she is feeling and her joy and things like that. We then went on to read in John 3 about Jesus talking with Nicodemus and how Baptism really is a new birth. Maria really loved this idea and made the connection that having a new birth would mean she was a new person. We agreed with her and assured her she was a new person. Tears filled her eyes as she joyfully exclaimed "This Maria has never and will not ever smoke". She truly felt the joy of repentance. The joy of using the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change into a new creature. This new Maria is not the Maria that smoked for 70 years of her life. This one is new! A new person entirely! The best version of herself.
As I have reflected on this sweet experience I thought much about how I can better try to become a new and better person through the Atonement of Christ. I thought of the Sacrament, how we can exclaim in our hearts that we are a new person. We can leave things from the week before behind us and re-covenant to be a new person. The same way Maria felt. The Sacrament is one of the greatest blessings we have been given and one of our greatest tools for change.
I love this Gospel! I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I know He is the way. I love the Book of Mormon and I know it is the word of God. I know that without it we would be a lost people. I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God and truly did witness, at the age of 14, God the Father and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ. I hope that we can all do better and be better. And look to Maria as an example, that we all can truly leave behind what we do not wish to have and seek a Higher and Holier life. A new life, through our Baptismal Covenants!
Elder Hixon
