Sister Jessie's Mission

Hey fam!

It sounds like everything is going well back at home! I don’t have too much time to wright but this week was super special with the baptism that we had. I need to tell you the background of this kid. He is so strong in his testimony of this gospel! Paolo is 12 years old and had been an investigator for one year and had told us that every day this year he had been praying to receive an answer about the prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He has received a profound answer and has been urgent about getting baptized this entire year. However, his parents would not give him permission. We have been working with them this entire transfer and as we have been focusing on the Book of Mormon, slowly but surely the family softened and gave him permission. His father never supported him and we were sure that he was not even going to come to the baptism. But when it came to Saturday, he came! Which was such an unbelievable step in the life of Paolo. Now, he is the only member in his family and we are working with him now to become the missionary in his family. And he has already started this process. He told us three weeks ago he and his little brother (seven years old) are starting to read the Book of Mormon together each night!, Haha and speaking of his little brother, after he was baptized he walked to the font and said, "My turn!" haha. His mom pulling him away, he says, "But I can when I turn eight, right mom?" And to our surprise she says, "Yeah yeah, when you are eight." Little by little I know this family will become an eternal family!

And our new convert Edson baptized him! It was so amazing! He was so nervous, but he did an amazing job! We were working with him the entire week to memorize how to do the ordinance. And also, Edson received his temple recommend and has saved up money to go to the temple this next week! He is taking the name of his grandfather in order to do the work for him! Ah we are so excited for him. He is going to be such an amazing missionary!

We have been working with a family. The mother is an active member but the husband has not assisted in five years. The other day we had a lesson with him about the prophet Joseph Smith, his devotion and love for this work and we were extremely direct with him saying that if he doesn’t go to church it will be on his head for the rest of eternity, that he wasn’t able to reach exaltation with his family. He began to cry and promised that he would come. He always promised us that he would come and never did so we didn’t think too much of it at first but as we were sitting the relief society and all of the sudden I look over at the door and Luis is standing there with his suit and tie and briefcase. It was such an amazing site to see! The bishop almost had a heart attack haha! Such miracles each day!

Well this was my week; filled with little miracles each day. All we need to do is open our eyes to see them--especially during times of difficulty. During these times of difficulty these miracles are even MORE accessible but it is just our clouded vision that blocks us from seeing them! Thank you so much for your love and your prayers. I KNOW I could not do this without each and every one of you! Keep smiling!

Love,

Jess