Beautiful Baptism, To Everything there is a Season, So Great a Cause
April 13, 2015
Y'all,
Angela was baptized this weekend! We had several obstacles the morning OF the baptism, which was an adventure to say the least! The jumpsuit we thought would fit her didn't, but we didn't have a key to the jumpsuit closet, and an hour later when we got one, there were none in the closet that were her size! But with extra angelic assistance, we found someone to watch the filling font while we made a miraculously quick 20 minute there-and-back trip to Walmart, which was ALSO MIRACULOUS because it was the day of a big football game at UGA. Which means INSANE TRAFFIC. (We actually had to change the time of the baptism because the bishopric didn't want to miss the game, haha!).
Once at Walmart we literally ran to the women's section, where we immediately found a white scrubs top and white capris she could wear. We invited the cashier to the baptism while we were at it, then dashed back to the church. We arrived at the same time as Angela, and all went well.
On Angela's end, she had been feeling discouraged and even a little doubtful the night before and the morning of her baptism. But she talked to her recent convert friend, Ana, who reassured her that she too had experienced opposition before her baptism, and that her choice to proceed with faith was right. That gave her the courage to move forward. The baptism service was beautiful. She bore her testimony at the end of her baptism service, and her sweet, sincere testimony and expression of gratitude was heartfelt and touching. She was glowing all day. For my last Saturday in the mission field, it was the perfect way to end.
We had so many miracles this week, I would exhaust your eyeballs trying to share all of them. Here are a few:
After plans fell through, we knocked one door with our team up and taught a lesson to Kaitlyn, a college student, who accepted a baptismal invitation.
We tracted and found a family of three who, after we taught the mother the first lesson, had a strong desire to read the Book of Mormon and come to the baptism on Saturday. She didn't come, but I know she felt the Spirit during our lesson and we did a lot of good by being there to teach her and love her. :)
We felt inspired to follow up with a Book of Mormon referral first instead of trying to go later-- and he had to leave less than ten minutes after we got there! We caught him in the nick of time.
We found three new investigators on one street, including a referral from someone on the street we contacted!
...In fact, the man sitting next to me in the library right now just showed me a video on his screen (a silly one of the Obamas dancing), so I showed him one, too! I whipped up a video on mormon.org, and it happened to be someone from Georgia! He pulled it up on his screen, and after he watched it, we had a great conversation about finding truth and our individual journeys towards God. His name is Tim. He said he's going to go home and read more about it, then refer himself on mormon.org. Miracles! On the way in to the library, I realized I didn't have any mormon.org cards, so I said a silent prayer that I wouldn't need them to share the gospel while we were emailing. Prayer answered. :)
Like the good book says, there is a season and time for everything. It's unreal that my mission chapter of life is drawing to a close...but I have a peaceful reassurance that I have served the mission Heavenly Father sent me to serve, and that He will guide me in the upcoming chapter of my life. I am simply filled with gratitude for the experiences and growth I've experienced on my mission. I know God lives and loves me and all the people I've met. I know this Church is true.
I heard recently from Elder Zwick, a general authority that visited our mission, that a release from full-time missionary service is simply a change of assignment. I'll continue to serve the Lord the best I can. After all,
Y'all,
Angela was baptized this weekend! We had several obstacles the morning OF the baptism, which was an adventure to say the least! The jumpsuit we thought would fit her didn't, but we didn't have a key to the jumpsuit closet, and an hour later when we got one, there were none in the closet that were her size! But with extra angelic assistance, we found someone to watch the filling font while we made a miraculously quick 20 minute there-and-back trip to Walmart, which was ALSO MIRACULOUS because it was the day of a big football game at UGA. Which means INSANE TRAFFIC. (We actually had to change the time of the baptism because the bishopric didn't want to miss the game, haha!).
Once at Walmart we literally ran to the women's section, where we immediately found a white scrubs top and white capris she could wear. We invited the cashier to the baptism while we were at it, then dashed back to the church. We arrived at the same time as Angela, and all went well.
On Angela's end, she had been feeling discouraged and even a little doubtful the night before and the morning of her baptism. But she talked to her recent convert friend, Ana, who reassured her that she too had experienced opposition before her baptism, and that her choice to proceed with faith was right. That gave her the courage to move forward. The baptism service was beautiful. She bore her testimony at the end of her baptism service, and her sweet, sincere testimony and expression of gratitude was heartfelt and touching. She was glowing all day. For my last Saturday in the mission field, it was the perfect way to end.
We had so many miracles this week, I would exhaust your eyeballs trying to share all of them. Here are a few:
After plans fell through, we knocked one door with our team up and taught a lesson to Kaitlyn, a college student, who accepted a baptismal invitation.
We tracted and found a family of three who, after we taught the mother the first lesson, had a strong desire to read the Book of Mormon and come to the baptism on Saturday. She didn't come, but I know she felt the Spirit during our lesson and we did a lot of good by being there to teach her and love her. :)
We felt inspired to follow up with a Book of Mormon referral first instead of trying to go later-- and he had to leave less than ten minutes after we got there! We caught him in the nick of time.
We found three new investigators on one street, including a referral from someone on the street we contacted!
...In fact, the man sitting next to me in the library right now just showed me a video on his screen (a silly one of the Obamas dancing), so I showed him one, too! I whipped up a video on mormon.org, and it happened to be someone from Georgia! He pulled it up on his screen, and after he watched it, we had a great conversation about finding truth and our individual journeys towards God. His name is Tim. He said he's going to go home and read more about it, then refer himself on mormon.org. Miracles! On the way in to the library, I realized I didn't have any mormon.org cards, so I said a silent prayer that I wouldn't need them to share the gospel while we were emailing. Prayer answered. :)
Like the good book says, there is a season and time for everything. It's unreal that my mission chapter of life is drawing to a close...but I have a peaceful reassurance that I have served the mission Heavenly Father sent me to serve, and that He will guide me in the upcoming chapter of my life. I am simply filled with gratitude for the experiences and growth I've experienced on my mission. I know God lives and loves me and all the people I've met. I know this Church is true.
I heard recently from Elder Zwick, a general authority that visited our mission, that a release from full-time missionary service is simply a change of assignment. I'll continue to serve the Lord the best I can. After all,
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"
- Joseph Smith
See you all soon!
Much love,
Sister Taylor
Much love,
Sister Taylor
Angela's baptism. My heart bursts with love and gratitude just looking at this picture!
Left to right: Sister Emily Rowley, Ana Juncadella, Angela Antan, Sister Taylor (me), Marisa and Bart Rodriguez.