Do I Look Like A Walking Green Card To You!?

So many things have happened this week I don't even know where to start.
There is this girl that I have heard so much about—her name is Kati, and she is a recent convert of about six months. About three months ago, she found out she had cancer and just finished her treatments three weeks ago. Hermana Mackay would tell us about the times they would go over and read scriptures or play the guitar, but most of all, how much this girl loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hadn't been able to see her the entire transfer until Tuesday. Kati's older sister is in the Young Women’s presidency, so she fills us in on how she's doing and if there's anything we can do to help. She told us Monday that Kati didn't want anything to do with the church, but she wanted to talk to us.

So, we went over and started talking about what was going on. She just kept saying, "Why me? Why did I have to go through this?" I cried through most of her lesson. Since that day, we have sent her scriptures about God's love every day, hoping she will feel it again. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to cut her wig for her. It was one of the most special things. We were with her for about an hour, and you could just see the change in her heart through her eyes. I truly believe that once someone has seen the goodness of the Savior Jesus Christ, known of His mercy and grace, His name is written on your heart forever. Sometimes we just forget—luckily, He doesn't forget us. (Who knows? Maybe He will send you a girl from a different country who doesn't know how to speak your language to remind you.)

Then you guys—Wednesday, you're not going to believe this day.

Here's the background because I don't remember if I’ve told you. We have this friend named Marco. We have been teaching him since the second day I got here. He is super elect. He was Seventh-Day Adventist, so he knows a LOT about everything. He believes the church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and he wants to get baptized but has said no four times :) because he needs more time. So we dropped him. And we told him that. But we invited him to accompany us.

Ok, now you're up to date.

So, he accompanied us on Wednesday for our lessons. We had a lesson with an Adventist family that day, and we just read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon with them, and Marco shared his testimony of the book with this family. There were chills. The entire room was full of them. Then we had a lesson with some inactive members—yeah, we brought our friend to a lesson for the members. And again, he testified of the truth of the gospel. At this point, the three of us are boggled. (What is holding him back if he knows it's all true?)

Anyways, after that lesson, we were about to go home, and he was like, "Wait, do you have time for one more? My family is all home. I would love for them to meet you all." So we go over there, and we had no idea, but their family is actually really struggling. So, we shared some scriptures and our testimony of the Savior and asked if we could come back to visit with all of them again. (Meanwhile, Marco is in the corner just beaming, so happy to have us there and have his family hearing the gospel message.)

So then we go home, and YOU GUYS—he texts us 10 minutes later: "So, can I get baptized?"

And we were dead.

We asked him when, and he said the 21st. IN 2 DAYS?

We said, "Of course!"

And can I tell you? It was the most amazing baptism I have ever been to. I don't think there have been happier girls in this world. The most amazing part of baptisms for converts is the way you see them change. Marco gained confidence after he was baptized—confidence in something bigger than himself. It was in the Savior.

Seeing him baptized was a big reminder of my baptismal covenant—that I promised to remember Him always and take HIS name upon ME.

Wednesday, we also got to go to the temple with our recent convert Ricardo. It was amazing. He got to do some of the baptizing himself, too. If you know me (and I don't know why you would be reading this if you didn't), you would know how much I adore the temple. It is literally the house of the Lord. His Spirit presides there, so naturally, it should be everyone's favorite place.

It was amazing to hear and participate in the ordinances that are written in my heart, in a different language—the language of these people I have come to love so much. Truly an amazing day!

Then Saturday, we went to the Tabernacle Choir concert. It was awesome. They do a good job, but my favorite part was when they had the native dancers out on the stage in all their Peruvian get-up. It was amazing.

...my face hurts from smiling so much this week. :)

I love you all. I miss you all, too!
Hermana Lefler

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