Among the Gaúchos: One of the Most Exciting Weeks!

"Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost." 2 Nephi 31:17

3/30/15
This week was definitely one of the most exciting weeks that I've had on my entire mission. It was like the end of a marathon watching all of our plans come together and how things actually work out and it was just amazing.

I'll start off with the wedding on Friday. All of the planning and decorating was behind and 7:30 was show time! Fran asked me to sing a hymn as their entrance music so I sang "Love at Home" (that's the name right?) Everything worked out perfectly, the hymn even ended exactly when she walked up to Dion. It was always a dream of hers to get married in a white dress and all so this night was very special for her. It was funny too because we were expecting Fran to be crying the whole night with joy (she gets emotional often) but she didn't. And afterward when we talked with them she said "I just couldn't look at either of you or I would loose it!" During the party part after the ceremony was super funny too because Dion came up to us and he said "finally now that that's over we can get to the real part: the baptism!" haha that's Dion for ya. Over all it was a great night and everyone invited had a great exposure to the church and after we too were ready for the baptism!

Happy, Happy, Happy!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday we got everything ready and were off to Santa Maria at 2:30. This is a day a long time in the waiting (these were the first baptisms the branch has had in almost a year) and Dion and Fran have been investigating the church for about 6 months. Also seeing how the Lord is blessing others like the family of our branch president. He is working hard with all his relatives here in São Pedro so that they too can have the joy of the gospel in their lives and Kelvin was the first. The baptismal meeting was so full of the spirit. It almost felt too good to be true, haha but that's the mission, that's life, that's the gospel. I felt a peace that these events were only the beginning of the Master's plan in the lives of Dion, Fran, and Kelvin. Also it's an astounding feeling to know that you helped a family enter the path to be eternal. I look forward to a year from now to get the Temple invitations from Dion and Fran and to see their family grow.

Baptism Day

The actual ordinance went well, everyone went under the first time. Pres Gilmor was just a bit forceful with Kelvin and his feet slipped out from under him and I think from shock he breathed in some water and came shooting back out gasping, but in a very goofy, funny Kelvin type way. So of course everyone laughed and it was all good. After everybody had changed clothes I sang the primary song "I like to look for rainbows" (again name? I'm forgetting in English) and the spirit was like a wall and just filled the room and half of everyone started crying, especially Fran this time. And after Dion and Fran bore their testimonies and who wasn't already crying, started. Dion spoke about the miracle of how he changed and when the Lord says it's time there's no getting around it and how he hoped that his family too would feel the same joy that he has felt. Then Fran spoke about how she always knew that God was with her and that was why she had such patience all these years because she knew that after the storm came the peace and now she had no doubts that this is the path and the truth has brought her such peace in her new life and family. Feelings you can't describe :) With the help of our District Leader we will help Frederico be even better prepared and hopefully by that time his mom and brother will be ready too! We also are still working with some other nephews of our branch president. The work of the Lord will always press forward, I'm just happy and grateful to be a part :) * More pics below!!

Love you all!

Elder Pierce THE WEDDING