Well, I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Pictures say
more than I can!
Interesting fact:
I got punched in the eye by a vacuum cleaner! I have a black
eye!! Oh dear! My crusty winter nose and black eye must make me quite the
missionary sight. It was 6:30 am and I was going to the closet to get my
exercise tennis shoes... the lights were still off and I bent down to pick them
up, and my eye/face went right into the handle of the vacuum cleaner which I
didn't see...That's embarrassing!
Funny missionary moment:
We visited a nice gal who has a little baby. She told us he
had just gotten baptized in her church. We asked if we could share a scripture
and she asked if we have any about babies! So Sister Salisbury whips out the
Book of Mormon and begins reading! ...it basically said "baptizing babies
is an abomination before the Lord" and that parents who baptize their
babies are an abomination. Whoops! Haha! Nah, not a whoops, but a very bold
statement! It was rather funny! It was just the first chapter Sister Salisbury
had thought of about babies, and as we were reading it we realized what it was
talking about and just kept going. Hahahaha! fun times! She didn't take it badly
at all! It was a nice meeting. She kind of just baptized her baby out of
superstition and to please her family and friends.
This week was incredible! Saturday and Sunday were so
perfect.
The baptism of Ja, E, and S was beautiful! This weekend I
received a tiny glimpse of the true missionary purpose -- To bring others to
Christ. Not just in this life, and through baptism, but throughout all
eternity. I want to see these people someday in the Celestial Kingdom with our
Savior! I love them! He wants them there and our Father in Heaven wants them
back!! It was the most peaceful and incredible thing to be there as each of
these precious children of God entered the waters of baptism and made sacred
covenants with our Father in Heaven.
The next day at the confirmation during Sacrament meeting
was even better. There was a visible difference and light about them as they
each returned to their seat after being confirmed in front of the congregation.
They were each smiling and radiant. Ja especially has been looking forward to
receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. As he always says "the Holy Ghost is
the key." After Sacrament meeting (the confirmation) and the baptism, they
were just flooded by love and members, hugging them, congratulating them, etc. E and S had already really bonded with many in
the ward, but it was incredible to see the way Ja felt so comfortable after
being baptized and confirmed. He was talking to everyone, shaking their hands,
hugging them! He was so happy!!! And especially after that Sacrament meeting, I
could see the light of Christ shining through him. He was surrounded by little kids
who were congratulating him, and they were looking up at him and smiling, and
he was looking down at them and shaking their hands and brushing their little
cheeks with his fingers, and he had the greatest smile I've ever seen him
smile!! That was one of the most beautiful moments for me. It was a little tiny
glimpse of the Celestial Kingdom. Where we are a family and have perfect love
for each other. Our joy is full when we
are rejoicing TOGETHER and for EACH OTHER! With our Father in Heaven and our
Savior Jesus Christ! Rejoicing for each other and loving each other are loving
and serving our Savior and Father. I hope I can always have that scene of Ja
with those little kids engrained in my memory.
Mom, like you said in your email, help from the ward members
is so key! Luckily, we haven't been shy or had to be shy about asking our ward members
for help. They are incredible. They have truly welcomed these new members into
the ward family, the covenant family of God! We have members who come to lessons, give
rides, fellowship, invite investigators into their homes. It is incredible.
Seeing someone brought into the fold of God who you have
taught the gospel to (well at least have been the instrument as the Spirit
taught them) is the greatest ever!
I love you all so much!
Com muito amor!-Sister Greenall
Baptism of E and S
Ja and Brother M
Us, Ja, and Brother M
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