We had a baptism this week! Dorothy, our 80 year old investigator, was baptized on Saturday, May 21st and confirmed the following day. Her baptism went very well, and was heavily attended by family members not of our faith! Dorothy's husband was a member and one of her daughters is a less-active member. There was such great love and support at the Baptism, and many seemed to be receptive to the Spirit. Hopefully we will be able to work with some of her family soon! The baptism itself was pretty interesting; Elder Bills and I both had to get in the water to help her become completely submerged. Due to her old age and buoyancy, Elder Bills couldn’t get her all the way under alone. The original plan was that both of us would help her down the steps and then Elder Bills would take it from there. To look nice, I wore baptismal clothes as well, but wasn’t planning on getting very wet.
Well… Elder Bills quickly noticed that he’d need assistance to get her under the water. So I ended up getting very wet…and didn’t have a change of underwear with me… BUT, it was definitely worth it! When she came up out of the water, she was glowing and was so proud! It’s been so much fun to work with her and the family members in our ward.
Note-to-self: Always pack an extra change of underwear! I also was very privileged in getting to confirm Dorothy a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and give her the Holy Ghost. What a special experience I will never forget.
This week we also did a huge amount of service for a part-member family. We got from Sister Bosnakovic asking for some help to dig a big hole. We waited for the rain to stop and went over Friday morning to start the project. What a project… We dug a 5-6 foot deep hole that would be filled with about two thousand gallons of water to become a coy fish pond. It was hard work but really established a great friendship between the nonmember husband and us missionaries. They fed us lunch and dinner and asked us to come back the next day to finish up. We went over Saturday before and after the baptism and finished with only a few popped blisters, sore muscles, and a nice, red sunburn. Fred insisted they feed us again and Sister Bosnakovic said they’d be having us over for dinner weekly :) Fred has a lot of potential and would make a great member. Elder Bills and I have been discussing ways we could invite him to take the lessons and learn more because we know how much this will bless his life! And what than to be sealed to your wife and family for time and all eternity?!
The Nevilles were unable to come to church Sunday due to food poisoning. :( They called Sunday morning extremely apologetic, telling us how they had bought clothes the day prior and were so sorry they were too sick too come. They said next week they’d come for sure!
We’ll be seeing them Tuesday and are so excited. We look forward to their appointments more than anyone else (is it wrong of me to pick favorites? Like a parent picking favorites? If so, oops!).
Disclaimer: This idea was not mine, I stole it from the missionaries in the California Roseville Mission. Today we are having a Preach My Gospel night with several families in our ward. Our Ward Mission Leader invited all the families who have missionaries out in the field and all the prospective Elders (and their families) to come and watch The District 2, episodes one and two. We will all be going to a members home for a barbecue at 6pm and following will teach them about missionary work/the importance of members. We will watch the first 30-something minute episode, then will stop and discuss. We will invite them to think of someone who they as a family can focus on and do missionary work with. We will then show the second episode and will close with our Ward Mission Leader’s conversion story/testimony. For the families to see the third/last episode, they will have to set an appointment with us, and once we are in their homes we will role-play!
We are very excited, as are the members. We will be holding this once every month or two if this is a successful activity.
Despite my losing of 5 pounds instead of gaining 50, everything is going very well here in Ohio. I'm glad the world didn't end like people were telling us on the streets, but if it had, what is there to be afraid of? Some comfort and peace can consume our lives as we put our trust in God and keep all of His commandments. The weather is getting warmer (and more humid!) here, which means summer is on it's way!
Yesterday I turned "eight months old" - can you believe 1/3 of my mission is over?! I can't!!! But I am so grateful to be serving my fellow brothers and sisters here in The Ohio!
"And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless-- Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio..." (D&C 38:31-32).
Love, Elder David Dransfield
Elder Dransfield, Dorothy, Elder Bills
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