Elder Bowen is serving in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. He is teaching in the Spanish language.

Monday, November 19, 2012

2 weddings and a baptism

This week has been crazy week in Okeechobee. Probably the craziest there has been and ever will be, haha. It started out with an exchange with our Zone Leaders, which I stayed and had a great exchange with Elder E. We worked super hard, and he helped me figure out some things and how to improve the way I teach. While he was here, we were also able to teach one investigator about the Law of Chastity, and she committed to be married on Saturday, and be baptized the next day. It was crazy! Her boyfriend had been asking her for a while, so she decided it was time for it. It was a crazy lesson, and she was so excited for her wedding and baptism. The next day we went over and helped her and her boyfriend get the marriage license, and then we started planning a wedding. Neither of us had any idea what to do, but we had some members inform us the way that weddings work, and luckily for us, the bride was not to picky, and actually wanted it to be a small gathering at the church. It turned out super well. On Friday we had an early morning as we brought the Elders from Vero Beach down with us West Palm for a meeting. It was an excellent meeting that helped us focus more on the repenting side of the commandments, than on the commandments themselves, and a couple other things. It was super far away though, so by the time we got back it was almost dark. Then Saturday we had 2 weddings. Thankfully the first one we did not have to plan, but had been planned for by our investigators who had been taught the Law of Chastity a couple weeks back, and planned it all out. They were so happy at their wedding, and they are all progressing towards baptism as well. That one started at 3:30, and then the wedding that we planned started at 6. It was crazy getting everything ready, but it turned out beautiful, and the couple were so happy as well. They were of Spanish descent so we had some great Mexican food afterwards. They were so happy with the decisions they had made, both of the families, even though at first they saw marriage as just a piece of paper, their hearts and minds had been changed. Then we had the baptism the next day after church. It was exciting. First person that I have baptized personally in the mission, because the fellowship that she had went out of town unexpectedly, so it was left to us, and Elder L has done a few, so he had me do it. It was awesome. Overall it was an amazing week, and we are looking forward to more success here as well. The branch is still growing, and they are getting more and more excited to go and do it. We are seeing so many blessings here, and we are so grateful for everything that we receive. I know that Jesus Christ has provided a way for all of us, and that there is a plan to help us come unto Him. I know that as President Monson summed up by quoting an experience that he heard of, “You should know that leopards don’t change their spots!' Replied Warden Duffy, 'You should know I don’t work with leopards. I work with men, and men change every day," and that men and women will change if they have the desire, and are shown the way through Christ. I know that repentance is that change that will help us, and is finished off with baptism, or the sacrament for those who have been baptized. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us, and I am so grateful for this work that I can do, and also for all the love and care you show me. I love you and cannot wait to hear from you.

Elder Wesley Christopher Bowen

No comments:

Post a Comment