Frank got baptized yesterday! I had the honor of performing the baptism at his request, but it took me a grand total of 5 TIMES to get him all the way under the water! He kept resisting, and bonked his head a couple of times. We practiced a couple days before, but it didn't help. He wouldn't bend his knees - maybe he just got nervous or skittish or something, I don't know. He knocked the plug out of the font though, and we couldn't get it back in all the way...so the water was very slowly draining out, and we eventually had to have him kneel, and then because that didn't work, SIT on the floor of the font, and roll over onto his side, which FINALLY got him under the water! Looking back, I can laugh on the whole experience. It'll help me for the future on my mission and maybe later in life when the person being baptized can't take going backwards - they can go forwards if they need to, or crouch into a ball, or whatever - as long as their entire body gets under water at one point. The Lord provides a way for all those who are willing to enter into a covenant with Him. I once heard of a very ill woman who received her temple endowments being wheeled through the temple on a stretcher. The experience with Frank left me with a very good feeling, and a confirmation from the Spirit that the ordinance was valid and was accepted by our Heavenly Father.
One of the less active members that we've "re-activated" has made the decision that he wants to serve a mission. He's 20 years old, and he said he knows that it's what God wants him to do. He's been studying the scriptures and his patriarchal blessing a lot lately and keeps getting that feeling, and so he's talking to the bishop and working on his papers now. I'm so excited for him! Oh, and we met a lady this week named Esther - she's totally solid! She's had a rough life, but I know that the Lord has been preparing her to receive the gospel. She accepted a baptismal invitation, and prayed right then and there to know if this is all true. She got her witness right after she prayed, and described it saying that it was as if she was "on caffeine" - she felt filled with pure energy. It was an awesome moment! =D
Just a warning to any of you that may ever drive in Boston - make sure you get the right turn. If you miss a turn, you could end up wasting 45 minutes to an hour of travel time, $3.50 to a toll road, and ending up getting lost in the middle of Charlestown as it's raining cats and dogs. Not that I would know from personal experience or anything... -cough cough-
I dread the day that I get transferred from this area. I know I'll be here for at least 11 more weeks, but I know the day will eventually come when I have to leave, and I don't want to! I really feel like a part of this ward now. I mean, before, I just really loved being here, but now, I feel as if I'm a part of this ward family. =]
Happy birthday to my mom this last Wednesday, happy birthday to my sister this Wednesday, and happy Father's Day to my dad this coming Sunday! Happy Father's Day to all of you fathers and grandfathers out there.
Much love,
Elder DeLong
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