Blessings

This week was absolutely amazing!!  First things first, we went on trade offs again with the Zone Leader's and I got to go down to Santa Rosa for a day with a Spanish Missionary, that was interesting... haha.  We taught 3 lessons, all Spanish, I just sat back and listened to random sounds being spoken but I could tell that the people were really feeling the Spirit and understanding it.  It's amazing how humble and prepared the Hispanic people are, they are so nice and willing to listen.  We taught this one less active lady who wants to go to the Temple and do baptisms for her ancestors but isnt really living the Gospel.  Needless to say, we had an incredible lesson with her (thankfully it was in English so I could participate) and she is a lot more willing to do the things she is supposed to do.

Back in Crestview, there were some miracles happening too!  We were teaching Kelsey a lesson and getting her ready for her baptism when her sister, Rylee, asks for a pen a paper to write something down.  So a little background on Rylee first, every time we would ask her to pray or to read or to come to church she would say "nope" and never wanted to do anything but over time she would slowly start doing these things little by little.  So on the paper she wrote "When is my baptism?" HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!  At first she wanted nothing to do with the church and now she wants to be baptized!!

On Saturday we had not one baptism, but TWO!  It was so awesome!  Elder Peck baptized Kelsey and I had the opportunity to baptize Rylee.  It was such an awesome experience!  Because Rylee is so short, when I baptized her, her feet flew up out of the water before they went back down and she was completely immersed.  We also had the opportunity to confirm both of them and give them the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday, during church.  The microphone wasn't working, so I basically had to yell the prayer.  It was awkward but it turned out to be a great experience!

There was another miracle in Crestview this week!  We had a Family Home Evening with the Jenkins over at the Roberts (Stake President) house and they loved it!!  We now have a weekly appointments with them every Monday and Saturday.  While we were teaching them on Saturday, Ashley (the mom) sat down with us (everyone else was asleep) and out of no where told us that she had been thinking about it and she wants to join the "Mormon Church"!!  So we set a baptismal date with her for March 12!

It is so crazy how much the Lord has blessed us lately.  When we first got here, there was no work happening but now there are miracles happening left and right.  It is so awesome!!  Transferrs are next week though.... I hope that I stay here one more transfer.  I used to hate Crestview but now I love Crestview!  The people here are awesome and the work is moving along.  It will be hard to say goodbye if I end up leaving....

I hope that y'all are having an awesome week and take time to look back to see what the Lord has done for you in your life.  It will amaze you what he has done.

Love you all and hope that you have a great week!

Elder Schipaanboord

This is Pounders.  A member owns it and is the best food in town!  We go here like 3 times a week and sometimes get free food!

The Austin kids

We met some skaters and had a good talk with them and then played football and shared a message with them, it was awesome!