Whew! Whatta week. Shaina and Yailin finally got baptized! The Almonte family received the missionaries a long time ago, then stopped the visits. Years later, the sister missionaries start teaching them. First: Angeline. She listened alone. None of her siblings or parents really cared much. She got baptized. Soon after, her brother Kevin did too, with his sister Scarlet. Later, Gerika made the committment. Finally, the last two sisters received their testimonies. Through all of this, their parents have been pretty silent. Hermana Hernàndez and I went to get a few more paper work things taken care of, and they were BOTH there. And all the kids minus Angeline. We capitalized and snuck in a lesson. Sang Love at Home and shared the scriptures written at the bottom of the page. At the end of the lesson, Sister Almontevolunteered to give the prayer. Surprised, we let her (of course). She then proceeded to give thanks. Only thanks. For her home... for her family... for the missionaries... and then. one of the most powerful moments in my mission, she thanked Heavenly father for, "Sending the answer I have waited so long for. I know in this moment that the church is true. And this is right." Hermana Hernàndez and I both were filled with such happiness, that warmed even our eyes to tears.
Won't be long before they are eternal.
Wow. I love the Gospel.
So does Eva. She is... not young. :) We met the other day, she asked our names with her broken smile. I said Hermana Meldrum. "Oh," she replied, and looked away uncomfortable. The next five minutes she was convinced she didn't know what I was saying. She told us she is really old. "Eighty something." Then she asked us our names. I learned, said Mendez. Hermana Mendez. She understood me just fine after that. We sang a song and she told us she was "Over a hundred years old." "What are your names?" Haha. It was like Fifty First Dates or something. The family members that walked in and out of the room were asked, "Are you my daughter?" They would answer accordingly. If they were a daughter, she would say, "How many of you are there?" "Five mom." "ONLY 5?!" They are all really good sports. She is in great health and wants to go to church but "Doesn't have the address." (It is around the corner. Take ten steps and you can see it.) Nevertheless, we gave her the address and said Manolo could bring her. "He can?! Oh good. ...Is he my son?" "Grandson, Eva." "Grandson! How many are there?"
She may not remember us, but she loves us while we are there. She said she felt rich, like a millionaire, like a queen, happy, content, loved, special- when with us. I am excited to get a picture with her to send home. So sweet.
Good news! Joel is also getting baptized, this saturday. Seed was planted 11 months ago with his first sister missionaries. He is 21 and his testimony has grown to be SO strong. A great example of the changes the gospel can work in one's life. He has left a lot of friends and lifestyle behind. But when he baptizes his first convert on the mission he will understand EVEN MORE how worth it it all is.
Less good news: Our washer was stolen. And this isn't me being late to report, (well it is) but this time is different! THEY STOLE IT AGAIN! THE NEW ONE. Two washing machines in 15 days. We are pretty upset. The neighbor lady don't like us either. And the guy across the street is happily testing his MASSIVE sound system. Three reasons for a new apartment! We looked at two this morning with the coordinators. Transfer calls on Sunday, we will be out next week I think. Maybe a little after.
In sacrament meeting, there was a couple. I felt really Dominican, staring and all. But they were white! I wanted to know where they were from. Good thing her bore his testimony and told us. Served as a missionary here 25 years ago. He and his wife are here for a week, leaving 8 kids at home in Brigham City UT and one in Chile on a misison. They got to visit the temple too. Really fun to talk to them after the meeting. Keep their son and other future missionaries in your prayers!
Well, I love you all very much.
Thanks for watching out for me.
The yellow ones don't stop!
Hermana Meldrum
