The Spirit and the Eagles

This week was full of more miracles. It’s been very humbling to realize how little work I actually do and how much progress happens in the Lords time and how I just have to hang on and enjoy the ride. This is awesome though and I really am loving my time here.

Spiritual: DHANI IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!!!! This is one of the biggest miracles that I have ever seen and I had absolutely nothing to do with it. We came to church Sunday and Dhani stepped in a little late. Right half-way through the Sacrament. He sat down and definitely had something on his mind. We didn't ask him right off the bat because we were singing. It was fast and testimony meeting and about half way through he nudged us and asked if he could say something. We gave an enthusiastic yes and told him that that would be just fine if he bore his testimony. He was a little unsure so we turned to him and told him that if the spirit was poking him he just had to do it. He took the leap of faith and did it. He bore his testimony about how Saturday night he was listening to something that we gave him and he was inspired to throw out all of the stuff that might be hindering the spirit. He talked about how he prayed for half an hour listening for a voice. He heard nothing. He said though in that half hour he was able to reflect back on all of the little things that had been building up to help him on his path. He was able to see how the Lord had been working in his life to bring him closer to Him. We were just dying with joy. He was beaming and the Spirit was so strong. He sat down and we told him he did a great job. During the closing song he turned to us and asked if he could get a blessing. We said yes and grabbed the YM president and went into the clerk’s office and gave him a blessing. After the blessing we asked him how he felt and he said that he didn't really feel anything. We were a little freaked out. We talked for a while about how the Spirit speaks to us and he asked if he could go into a quiet room and pray and listen. We showed him to the chapel and he sat there and started praying. We went over to the gospel principal’s class (that we were supposed to be teaching) and tried to pay attention. Nope! There was something big happening in Dhani's life. We had to go grab a baptismal record from another set of missionaries so we left gospel principals and were walking across the gym towards the chapel when Dhani came running out. He said that he had been sitting there praying and thinking and some sweet little old lady came over and thanked him for his testimony and told him how often times little things happen that cause a big moment to be realized. He came running in and after telling us that story he paused and told us that he wanted to be baptized. There were many tears that day. From the missionaries and from Dhani. Saturday at 5:00 Dhani will be baptized. After that he will wait one year then he already is planning on attending BYU and then serving a mission. Miracles have not ceased! We are so blessed to be able to witness such a life changing event in the life of this 17 year old pioneer. The other lesson to learn from this is to never underestimate the power of little old women who want to add their input. The Lord lives and He loves us. Heavenly Father is our real father and he has great things prepared for His children. Dhani is a Son of God and He wants the best for him. 

Funny: We were contacting on the street and there was a super cool looking guy walking our way with a Raven’s shirt on. He looked pretty fit so I asked him if he played football for the Ravens. He said "No I play for the Eagles." "Oh cool! The Monterey Peninsula College Eagles?" "No, the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL." "Cool! Can I shake your hand?" "Yeah...." "Oh! Do you want to hear a message about Jesus Christ?" "No thanks man. Got to run!" This has been an encounter where one party didn't know much about football and the other didn't know much about missionaries. This was my one encounter with the rich and famous. 

Where I am at: I am getting a new companion on Tuesday. There is a deficiency of Spanish missionaries so Elder Lopez will be going back to the Spanish program and Elder Black will be back to teaching all English again. This is unfortunate. I hope I will have a companion that lasts more than a transfer down here. President Mella is incredible. I love him to death and I am so excited to be doing the Lord's work down here with him. I love you all!