We had Tamen's baptism, his parents came and were super supportive! The are Mennonites and said they loved the program and were grateful for all we have done for Tamen. They also said they wanted to have us over for dinner some time!
We always give our investigators an opportunity to bare their testimony after the performance of baptism. Tamen's testimony was so sweet and mentioned that he was so excited to serve and help out the best he can in his new ward family. He bore testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Book of Mormon. He said he felt so changed and happy to be on the path that leads to Heavenly Father.
We get a call the next day from Tamen's father that he took some antibiotics and had broken out in hives. Tamen was super sad that he wouldn't be able to make it to his confirmation but would most definitely be at church next Sunday to be confirmed. We told bishop right away and they called him and offered a priesthood blessing, but he said he would wait it out and see if he was better in the morning. The bishop is checking on him today again.
Dean was baptized Saturday night! It was planned for next weekend, but we moved it up because ISU has homecoming this week. Dean was super ready. When the conductor announced that it was time to go over to the font for the performance of the baptism, Dean jumped up and walked with a skip in his step to the font. It was so funny! His football buddies from high school, his high school football coach, his whole dorm floor, and all the ward came. His family isn't supportive and did not come, but everyone else sure did and that was his family. When he bore his testimony, he said that the Book of Mormon and the church has brought him so much happiness. He said, "If you don't know this is true and haven't felt this peace, I invite you to. It can change your life!" A natural missionary!
Dean and Tamen both are ready to be life long members. Dean already requested to teach Gospel Principles and Tamen wants to be a home teacher. Bishop called them both as ward missionaries, how perfect?!
We had a lesson with Joe Smith this week. He's working 97-hour weeks and has been in Twin Falls taking care of his mother. BUT we were able to have a spiritually-fortifying lesson on he atonement and sacrament. He is going to work his hardest to get work off on Sundays so he can make it to church.
Ernie is amazing. He's such a member already! Every time we have a lesson with him, I think to myself, the prophet couldn't even pick you as a non-member. When he says the closing prayer to our lessons, he always prays for the missionaries around the world. He told his parents that he is getting baptized and they were not too keen on the idea, but he told them why he is doing it, that it's because HE knows it is right. He bore his testimony to them and is super pumped and ready for October 10th.
Marisa totally opened up to us this week. She told us her fears of her parents disowning her. Last night, after a fireside, Sister Shumate and I had the prompting that we should go see her. We called her fellow shipper who lives in the same dorms and she snuck us in. We were with three girls from the ward. SO 5 of us are at her door at 8 o'clock at night. She opened the door and I could tell that she had been crying, but when she saw all of us, her smile lit up and she welcomed us in. We crammed in her dorm room and talked about what's been happening. She told us that she talked to her mom and her mom yelled at her over the phone and then hung up. We were able to console her with words of hope and love. We went around the room and each shared our favorite verse. It caught fire and Marisa was pulling out verses left and right. By the end she was feeling much better and we all knelt in prayer in her tiny, cluttered dorm room. One of the best and most heart-warming experiences ever. I will never forget last night.
I can't begin to explain how much I love working with YSA. I've been in YSA my whole mission. This week i've been reflecting a lot on where I've served and how many memories have been made, how many life-long friends. There's been a consistent pattern thus far, 6 months in the area, 2 transfers with each companion. If this pattern keeps up then i'll be getting transferred this coming transfer and i'll be getting a new companion. I DON'T WANT TO. But i'll do whatever the Lord wants me to do!
I know my Savior lives. He has blessed me immensly, especially through the things i'm learning from those we teach. AH! Missions are awesome :)
LOVE YALL!
Sister Fredrick
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