This week was pretty crazy with all the rain storms that we have
been having!! Just about every day this week there was a down pour for the entire day!! There was one day where we woke up and looked
outside our apartment only to see that there was a river right behind
our complex that wasn't supposed to be there. But the work must go on!
We went on two trade offs this week (one with Elder Judd and one with
Elder Burch). On both of these trade offs, I had to take over the area
for a day, and let me tell ya, it was pretty scary! I was in charge of
planning, contacts, and teaching, but boy am I grateful for the
opportunity!! Over those 2 days, I grew so much! I now feel mostly
comfortable with teaching and contacting people, its still a little
scary but man it is much much easier now! It's crazy how when you are
kinda put in a situation where you are forced to do something that you
figure it our and grow so much more. "There is little growth in the
comfort zone, and there is little comfort in the growth zone." That
saying is so true!!
On one of the trade offs, we went to this one house to teach an
investigator who is going to get baptized, this guy there was kinda
making jokes and getting super sidetracted and talked about how he had
been baptized before a lot of times. I was just sick of it and laid
down the law. I told him that just as Christ was baptized once that we
are only to be baptized once, by immersion, and someone who holds the
proper authority. I then told him that Christ set the example and was
baptized this way, and that he WALKED 70 miles to be baptized by someone
who held the proper authority. It was so cool! He just sat there and
was all ears and was just like "wow" and you could tell that it all made
sense to him. We then asked him that when he comes to know that the
things are true if he will get baptized, and he agreed!
The next time that we went over there, the lady that owns the
house (less active member) told him a little bit about blessings, so
he asked if we could give a blessing to his son. We taught him
what a blessing is and how it is done and then gave is baby a blessing. He really loved it and was super appreciative of it. It was pretty neat
because he asked me to give the blessing because he knows me more and
likes me. Then the member said, "You know, if you get baptized, one of
them can baptize you." He immediately pointed at me and said "You're
my man." hahaha It was funny the way he reacted but super cool that he
would want me to do that. Hopefully he can continue to progress and make
and keep that commitment.
In the same house, there are 18 people there, 13 who are of age to
be baptized. They are all now gathering around as we share a
message! The cute 10 year old girl, who is going to be baptized soon,
always goes and rounds them all up and has them sit on the floor while
we teach. They get sidetracted, so we have to call them out and ask them
what we just talked about, and then they start to pay attention. I feel
just like a middle school teacher hahaha. But all these people love us! They are all committed to come to church this week but don't have a
ride, so we are working on finding one for them. Everyone is in shock
that these people are listening to us but it is so cool what the Lord
can do!
We got transfer calls last night, and I was super scared and
stressed out because we are finally picking up the work and have
investigators to teach! Thankfully I am staying here with Elder Peck for
at least one more transfer. I am so excited that I get to keep teaching
all of these people and will hopefully get to see at least one get
baptized before I leave.
I love you guys so much and hope that you have an amazing 2016!
Elder Schipaanboord
PS- Dallin's birthday is coming up (right after Valentine's). Let's get some birthday love heading his way!!
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