My Favorite Christmas Present

Yesterday I witnessed a man of true faith. Last night was our baptism for Brother Vanderlindin. He is a 74 year old man. His wife passed away over 10 years ago. He lives by himself. Has never had any children, but considers his 12 cats his children. He was baptized Lutheran as a baby. He has been baptized in the Lutheran church, and has been meeting on and off with the missionaries and coming to church for the past 10 years. He is in poor health and poor physical condition. He is deathly afraid of water. This whole week he has been telling us how he is nervous to go under water and is putting all his trust in his "drowner" Brother Venema. When he went into the waters of baptism last night, gently guided by Brother Venema, he looked quite timid. After the prayer, Brother Venema slowly leaned him backwards and whispered into his ear to bend his knees. After a few minutes of Brother Vanderlindin not being able to properly submerge, the bishop recommended he sit on a chair under the water and just lean back. So Brother Venema patiently helped Brother Vanderlindin into the chair and proceeded to say the baptismal prayer again. This worked and Brother Vanderlindin came out of the water with, no longer a frightened and timid face on, but a delightful and bright smile. 

Sister Mafi and I were then to give our talk on the Restoration, but as we stood up to face the room, tears rolled down our faces. This one particular baptism hit me so hard. I think I tend to take the ordinance and physical act of baptism for granted. How beautiful it was to see this man who thought he might not come out of this alive, stay faithful and do what he knows is necessary to return to our Father in Heaven. I couldn't help but share with the congregation the impact this moment had on me. The pure love, just pure pure love that he has for his Savior, it's inspiring. Brother Vanderlindin is a magnificent son of God and he will forever be in my heart. He stated later that night, "I feel like a new man." Well, indeed he is, a new man committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, a new man who has been cleansed form all his sins, a new man who is one step closer to his Heavenly Father.

Christmas was great. I received pj's from the members we Christmas Eve dinner with, just like we do back home. Christmas morning we opened our gifts from home and joyed in the love felt. For breakfast we went to Big Judd's, kinda like Big Daddy's on the lake, with the District and he fed us like there's no tomorrow. Sister Mafi and I then drove to the Rexburg temple and enjoyed the beautiful crisp air and a nice view. It's a gorgeous temple and across from it is just miles and miles of open fields filled with snow. We then went back to the house and attempted to make a snow man, but the snow was too cold and wouldn't pack down...so we just threw it around and took pictures. 

I know this is Jesus Christ's restored church. I know that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. I know I am his daughter. I know we, family, will be together forever... AND I CAN'T WAIT!

Your loving daughter,
Sister Fredrick

 More SNOW!

Brother Vanderlindin's Baptism