Baptism, Apostle, Snowflakes! Oh my! – February 18, 2015

Made it to the only library open! Le Grange! 

So...it snowed and we made national news. Hahahaha! Seriously though. The snow is considered to be a natural disaster. It hasn't snowed like this since 1994. The governemnt even shut down until late yesterday. We got about maybe 5 inches when I woke up Monday morning and by the time we were finished with studies it was 12 inches and we were told by President Brough to not drive our car until 12 pm on Tuesday. Reason being was that Oldham county only has ten snowplows. And they are little. So, we got no shopping done, or e-mails, or went to the post office. 

However, I'll count my blessings and say that I am grateful for the three hour nap. We were still expected to go out and work at 6, but because Kentuckians hibernate during the winter and were basically in lock-down for the day we weren't sure how much success we were going to get. Plus, there's no sidewalks to walk on and these crazy southerners can't drive in the snow. So, we decided to take our shovels and plow through our neighbors driveways. It was the best three hours of my life! Thank you Mom so much for those wool socks! 

On the second house we went to we were halfway done when they came outside to leave. It was great because she is a single mother of three boys and just moved into the neighborhood. She was so happy that we were doing this for her and loved meeting us. It was awesome to be able to do that. Plus, we got to meet her before our crazy baptist neighbor. Out of the houses that we did only a few people came out to see what we were doing, but it was nice to able to do that for them. My arms feel like sore noodles, but that's okay. It was a great work out. However, I think I did something to my back. It hurts to sit or stand up straight. It's slowly been getting better so I'm not too worried about it. 

Thank you so much for the package! Gah! Never been so happy to get home-made raspberry jam! I am loving my wool socks. My toes are now okay with tracting in this lovely weather. The recorder is the best thing of my life! Now I don't have to spend forever trying to write all my thoughts down on paper. Best thing ever! I love you all so much!!! 

I'm so glad you liked the gifts! Most of it was stuff given to me by members so it made everything pretty easy, haha. 

I'm so glad you're enjoying your warm 70 degree weather...grrr, haha. Josh gets to go to ComiCon? No way! What's he gong to dress up as? He has to take pictures! 

Ooh! Here's a joke I don't have a place for! How many missionaries does it take to change a light bulb? Two, but the light bulb has to want to change. 

Valentines Day started off with a whole bag of awesome. We had a Mission Conference that morning at 8:30 and were graced with the presence of Elder D. Todd Christofferson! Everyone had the opportunity to shake his hand, say our name, and where we are from. When it was my turn (by the way he has perfect teeth) I shook his hand and he said, "Sister France! From Germany." For some reason all I could do was awkwardly laugh and not correct him. It was the best though. The conference went great and was very inspiring. I enjoyed it immensely. 

So after that, D WAS BAPTIZED!!! Best Valentines Day of my life! 

I learned all about the little things that go into preparing for a baptismal service. When's her interview? Who's gong to fill the font? Who has a key to the library? What's going on the program? Who's bringing refreshments? Etc, etc, etc. But, the preparation was all worth it. 

We had her service at 2 o'clock  and she was beaming. She was so happy. Her mother and brother even came to watch. Her daughter didn't come because she thought this baptism didn't really mean anything which was sad, but D was still happy to be there. 

Elder Black was probably just as happy as she was. He felt so honored to be able to baptize her. It was so cute. He was dressed in white way before she was, haha. 

So, I felt the Spirit a little differently than I usually do. It just felt so peaceful. It was a feeling of soft and quiet joy as D stepped into the font. After she came out of the water her smile was absolutely beautiful. Sister Ward started to cry. 

After the talk on the Holy Ghost was over D got up and bore her testimony. It was so simple and so sweet. She knew that this was the right place for her and that God was happy with her. He definitely is. 

When we showed up to church on Sunday and D wasn't there. Panic mode: on. Sweating bullets, she called us right before sacrament meeting was going to start and said she was on her way and driving as fast as she could. She showed up during the second verse of the opening hymn and we could finally breathe. Brother Burnett confirmed her a member and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a very powerful moment and D smiled so big when everyone in the congregation raised their hands to welcome her into the church. Since D doesn't have a close and loving family, she was so happy to be part of this one. 

So, still working on my confidence issues, but today we had Zone Meeting and I learned something. 

The ZL's had a training on realizing the power behind our calling and it stood out to me.

So, we had a role play in which I had to 'contact' Sister Ward who was playing a die-hard baptist and I couldn't do it. Maybe it was my nervousness or maybe it was the fact that I was too concerned with what I was going to say that didn't know what to do. But, Elder Seymour came over and made me try contacting him. I did and I just let the words go without taking thought beforehand. I put my testimony of the restoration out there and when he asked if I was saying that his church didn't have Christ's authority I, without thought, said, "Yes." 

I kind of shocked myself a little bit, but it was then that I realized how much of a people pleaser I was. I wasn't showing people what they were missing or how much happiness was in store for them. I wasn't being bold enough. 

I have been given apostolic power to preach the gospel with boldness. I have not learned how to be bold. I am too afraid of people. I have not been trusting in the Lord's promise that if I talk the Holy Ghost will fill my mouth. I live in 2 Nephi 28-29. I need to speak with the power and authority of one who is a representative of Christ. I'm going to leave my testimony at every door and contact. I have not been loving these people enough to tell them what they are missing and let the Holy Ghost enter their hearts. 

So, I'm am going to be working hard core on that this week and basically forever. 

The K family is doing well. V was too weak to see us on Sunday so we're hoping to see them this Saturday. We're not so sure if they'll be ready to be baptized in March, but we'll keep trying. We just need to help them to church. 

So, yeah, that's my awesome week. Working on stuff and working hard. My boots work great for the snow! They are warm and so worth the money spent on them. 

I love you all and can't wait to hear again from you soon! Hopefully this snow will go away by Monday. Tomorrow is supposed to be -12 without windchill. 

Ugh, I dislike not writing, but story time is over. 

Love you!! Miss you!! Enjoying my jam! 

Raye :)

P.S. So, I couldn't find my camera the day of the baptism and Sister Ward left her camera cord at home today. Pictures to come later!!