Querida Familia y Amigos,
 |
| Our Pday Soccer Hooligans |
Once upon a time (as in 3 weeks ago) our Zone Leaders called and told us to meet a Mexican family at their Ward Mission Leader's house. We anxiously waited for the family to arrive, but like most Hispanics, they were late. So we went and knocked some more doors in the surrounding neighborhood for awhile. When we went back to the house we met the family that would change our lives. La Familia Chavez just came from Mexico a month ago. The dad is Christian, the mom is Evelyne, 8 year old boy Gael and the cutest little 2 year old Renata. And they are perfect! Truly angels. We have had daily contact with this family: teaching them, playing volleyball and futbol (soccer) with them, eating excessive amounts of fruit with them. And I have fallen in love with them. We all have. They chose the 27 of June to be their baptismal date.
But then came along the Big Bad Wolf. It's name is.... coffee!!!! But atlas, they have battled fiercely against the temptations for the past two weeks and all is well in the land. Yesterday at church, we took them aside with our Branch Mission Leader to go over the baptismal interview questions. Little did we know that the wolf was only half the battle. We had indeed found ourselves a dragon. Evelyn fully knows that all of it is true, but Christian expressed his doubts in Joseph Smith. For a moment, it seemed like the fire from the dragon would consume everything that had been prayed over and diligently put into place. Christian broke down and told us how hard and how dark the world had become around him. We sat silently, not knowing what to do. I have never prayed so hard in my heart to know how I could help him. Then Hermano Martinez (BML) pulled out a scripture like a sword and pierced Christian's heart. He read about Joseph Smith's account in Joseph Smith History. Satan had surrounded Joseph in darkness, so much that his flesh was going to be consumed, but that's when he saw a pillar of light. In reality, God the Father and His son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and answered his question. We knelt down in prayer. My companion prayed first to ask God to give Christian an answer. Then Christian gave one of the most beautiful and heartfelt prayers I have ever heard. It was simple, yet so sincere. Through his tears, he asked our Father in Heaven if the gospel is true and if this is where his family needed to be. There was silence afterwards. Then Christian told us about the peace that he felt. Hermano Martinez gave him a loving hug. The dragon was slain.
Later that day we took the family to their future castle...the temple. They had found the place where their family will be sealed together for time and all eternity in a year's time. There was so much indescribable peace, so much joy. I couldn't help but shed a few tears myself:)
I know that the temple is where Christ walks on Earth. Our Lord and Savior visits His house and He blesses His people there. I know that Christian received his answer that day and I know that he and his family will soon reach their happily ever after. Stay tuned for next week....
 |
| The Chavez Family |
In all reality though, this is real life. This is my mission. This is the plan of Salvation in action. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ and all He stands for and all I strive to be. I know that dreams to come true if we are true to Him.
Con Amor,
Hermana Stoddard
No comments:
Post a Comment