February 13, 2012

Dear Family,

What a miraculous, marvelous week! We had four baptisms! Facundo and Mauricio Morales, Damean Lara, and Maxi Reyes

So Facundo and Mauricio were the only baptisms we originally had planned for this week, and it was also pretty miraculous that they got baptized. Last weekend they were fine and excited, and then suddenly both of them got pretty sick. We went over, taught them about priesthood blessings and they both requested them. We blessed them and the next day they were both completely better. They passed their baptismal interviews with flying colors and were super super excited for their baptisms. Their dad was a little opposed, saying that it was too soon, and they should have more time. We shared with him Acts 2:38-43 where it talks about how Peter baptized 3000 people the same day he taught them for the first time. He opened up, accepted, and went to the baptism and really liked it.

Maxi was also a big miracle. We hadn’t seen him for about a week and a half. He was supposed to get baptized about a month ago, but because of family complications he couldn’t. Then, we lost contact with him because he went to work in a town 3 hours north where there isn’t even cell signal. We thought we had lost him completely. Then, last Sunday while planning for Monday we decided we would try to pay him a visit. We called him, and miracle of miracles, he had returned. Monday afternoon we had a lesson with him and we asked him how he felt about everything we had taught him. He said, "Great! Can I still get baptized?" We said, "Sure, when do you want to do it?" He said: "This Saturday?" And so it was. :)

Damean was a huge miracle. So he’s a super cool guy. He’s 19. I think I wrote to you about him a couple of weeks ago. He’s really really solid, but several times we talked about baptism with him. He always refused saying he didn’t know why, or giving some dumb excuse. This was really weird because he’s prayed lots and read lots, even gone to institute, and has a solid testimony and has also mentioned several times that he wants to be a missionary. We concluded that he had some fear and prayed really hard for Heavenly Father to teach us what to do. We decided that we weren’t going to invite him to baptism again until he brought it up. Well, Monday night my companion called him to confirm an appointment, and on the side mentioned the baptism of Maxi, Facundo and Mauricio. Damean told him that he felt something really weird right then. My companion asked him what, and Damean replied that he felt a strong desire to get baptized. My companion asked him when. He replied, this Saturday! And so it was!

I know that God is a God of miracles. He really loves each and every one of his children. He desires their salvation. He knows that only in the pure restored gospel can they find happiness in this life and peace in the world to come. He weeps when one soul is lost. He rejoices when one soul is saved. As members of the only true and living church it is our solemn duty to bring the knowledge of the gospel to all men so that they might enjoy that happiness and peace. Be brave! Open your mouth! Share the gospel! Those people need it, they need you to share it with them!

I love you all!
-Elder Spencer