April 9, 2012

Hey!

Wow. I have to much to say this week. We'll see how far I get. First of all, W X. and A got baptized on Saturday! A has been taught off and on for over a year, and like I told you, we saw him 4 weeks back just to invite him again to be baptized (even though he came up to Elder Buss a few months ago and siad that every missionary who has come to Bordeaux has tried to get him baptized but all have failed so it wasn't even worth trying) and he accepted that he would do it IF he got an answer. That date we set was this past saturday. Well since that day and over the past few weeks not a lot changed. He had the same attitude toward's baptism. He had no desire to be baptized and didn't see the need. The friday before conference, we decided to fast and pray during general conference that he would be touched by the Spirit and feel pushed by the Spirit to be baptized. I saw him between conference sessions and he was all smiley and told me that he always loves Elder Holland's talks and that's all he said to me. We had a lesson with him monday and we and he knew that it was time to say yes or no to baptism. We sat down, said a prayer to start the lesson, then the first thing he said after the prayer was, "I've decided I'm going to get baptized. I don't know when, but I will. When I left the room after general conference, I said to myself, I need to be a member of this chruch. It's not because I've been convinced of a certain doctrine or anything, but it's because I just want to live the life of a good member of the church." Elder Gubbay and I probably looked dumbfounded at this point. Then he went on saying that he didn't think it would be this saturday because he wanted to let people know in advance, but then we just said, "no, you're getting baptized this saturday." and he said, "ok". And then we planned the baptismal service. What a miracle. What a testimony it was for me of the power of fasting and prayer. He was baptized by a member and his fiancée's dad confirmed him (his fiancée is a member). They're getting married in September. The Lord truly changes people's hearts and he hears our prayers in behalf of others!

W X's conversion is an incredible story as well. I told you last week about her experience with the Book of Mormon. We saw her on tuesday to finish up teaching her the commandments and prepare for her baptism saturday. After the opening prayer we asked her if she had any questions. She said no, but she did say, "since I've started meeting with you, coming to church, and reading the book of Mormon, I can't stop smiling! I'm constantly happy! My room mate even says I laugh in my sleep!" and it's true! The first time we saw her she was really sad and life and her own mistakes seemed to be taking a toll on her, but now she just has this light eminating from her and you can really feel it! She is just constantly smiling and is always happy. The Gospel is true. It works! She is so sweet. Last week she took close up pictures of me and Elder Gubbay because she is an art major and is an amazing artist. She can draw anything. After the lesson she showed us the portraits she drew of us. She drew both of our faces on these huge pieces of paper and it was incredible looking. I'll have to take a pic and show you. It was so cool haha. Before we finished the lesson though, we asked her who she wanted to baptize her. She told all three of us to stand up (R was there too) and she looked around for a minute at each of us, then she picked me because I was the closest to her height haha. She's super funny. Then Saturday came. In the morning, I realized that since W X is chinese and since she's new to french, the idea came to my mind to baptize her in chinese. I asked Elder Gubbay and he thought it was a great idea, so he lent me his missionary manual in chinese and I studied the prayer all day, practicing my pronunciation with Elder Gubbay. Right before the baptism I asked W X if she wanted me to do it in chinese or french and she looked super surprised that I offered to do it in chinese and she said "yeah, do it in chinese!" For some reason, I hadn't quite mentally prepared myself and hadn't thought she'd actually say yes haha. All of a sudden I was super nervous about it and afraid of saying it wrong and having to do it over again. I especially didn't want to have to do it over again because W X was already kind of nervous. But the moment of the baptism came. Arnaud was baptized first, then it was W X's turn. We got in the water and Elder Gubbay said I looked so nervous haha. Simply for her sake, I didn't want to mess it up, and I wanted her baptism to be special and I didn't want her to worry about understanding me or me not being able to say it right. We got situated, and as I rose my arm to say the prayer, I just felt calm, confident, and comforted. I said her name, said the prayer in chinese, and baptized her. Everything went great and there was no need to do it again. In the heat of the moment I didn't quite appreciate it, but the rest of the day and on Sunday I realized how much the Lord helped me in that moment. Elder Gubbay said I said the prayer better than I had ever said it when I practiced with him. A bunch of people came up to me after and said that they didn't even recognize my voice when I said the prayer. The bishop, who couldn't actually see the baptism because of all the people, but could hear it, said he didn't think it was me that baptized her and was wondering what the heck happened and where I had gone haha. I was kind of alarmed to hear all of this afterwards. All the chinese investigators and members that were there said they were shocked as well when they heard it and asked Elder Gubbay how long I've been studying chinese haha. As I reflected on that moment, I just realized how great the power of the priesthood and the power of the Spirit are. The Lord qualifies His servants for whatever righteous task they undertake. The Lord helps us and lifts us up so we can magnify our callings. The gifts of the Spirit are real. It wasn't just something really cool that I could write in my journal and tell to my grandkids one day. The Lord wanted W X to be batpized in her first language and I'm so thankful to have been an instrument in His hands to help her come closer to Christ. The Priesthood is real and the ordinances we perform really do draw us closer to Him through sacred promises. I love my mission! There's so much more to say, but I don't have time.

T is INCREDIBLE. He'll be baptized this saturday if everything goes according to plan. He's going to be a missionary someday. I could write a book about him and the lessons we've had with him. The church is true, I love it here, and I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. The Holy Ghost is real and it works in our lives and in our hearts. I'm so thankful for Christ and His atonement. The other day we were on an exchange and a guy walking down the street yelled, "Jesus est mort!" (Jesus is dead) and we yelled back, "Il est ressuscité!" (He is resurrected!). Apparently the Elders in that area see that man every day and they have the same exchange of words. How great it is it to be able to say that we know that He lives. He lives! I know he does. He is at the head of this church and he isn't sitting around diong nothing. He is running His church today and performing miracles in the lives of all those who have faith in Him. Let us all have faith in Him whom we love and testify of and let Him work miracles through our Faith and service. I love you and have a great week!

Love,

Elder Tudor