Hello Everyone!
This week has been quite possibly the most rewarding week of my mission. Last Sunday, as you know, we had the surprise baptism of our investigator, Helen, the sister of one of our strong members (one more piece to a part member family). This Saturday we had the baptism of Elizabeth, easily one of the most difficult, stubborn, and wonderful daughters of God on Earth (I've been told we are very similar in attitude and character!). Her husband, Jose, baptized her. And almost everyone in attendance was in tears. (Another contribution to a part member family, this time a completion of the family. I fully expect them to be making their trip to the temple in a year to be sealed to their sweet daughter and each other for eternity).
To finish off the week, yesterday in church, where Elizabeth was confirmed, we had 48 people in Sacrament. My first week in the Branch we had 25. Our little room was PACKED and soon we are going to have to find somewhere else to meet. (Try to picture me snapping my fingers and saying 'Oh shucks' as sarcastically as possible!)
Saturday, during Elizabeth's baptism, President Lopez got up to give his 'welcome to the ward' speech. Within a few seconds he was crying. Now know that this is one of the most stoic and serious men I have met in my entire life. I certainly have NEVER seen him close to tears before, and here he was openly weeping. He struggled to relate the story of his meeting with all of the Stake Leaders the day before. Our Stake President told him and the other bishops and branch presidents that there were 1.1 million people living on the Peninsula (which is our stake) and only about 4,000 of them are members. Of those 4,000, only about 25% are active in the church. These great men wept together for the people here. They felt collectively that the people are dying. It is a sad truth, but one we see every day.
However, even when we are faced with such a harsh and terrible reality, God gives us an experience like Elizabeth's baptism. She had openly declared that she would never get baptized or become a member of the church (Her first experiences were not good.) but she was still willing to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost touch her heart and testify of the truth of the gospel. She let her pride be overcome with humility and hope for a brighter future for her family, a family united in the best way possible, with God at the center. I don't have a doubt in my mind that this family will go to the temple together. I pray that I have the opportunity to go with them, but if not, I will still know that what I have been a part of is eternal. This fact alone is such a testimony builder to me. The things I am doing here are not trivial or temporary; they have everlasting consequences. And although the people may be dying, the important thing to remember and focus on is that there are still people who want to change and to live a better, higher life, that want to become disciples of Christ. And it is for those people that I am here.
I feel as Alma did when he declared, "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth." As Alma knew, I know that I do sin in this desire, for I truly should be content with, "the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me." However, at times I feel that if I only had more energy, or more hands, or more hours in the day, or even a megaphone, that I could do so much more than I am doing now. Alas, I must be satisfied in the miracles and wonders that I am seeing here in our Branch-and they are truly great.
I will never be able to tell you what it is like to be here, to be a part of this work. I wish I could somehow. Just know, that I am changed forever, and changed so much more for the better. I love each of you so much, and I pray for you every day. Please allow God to help you become the person He has in mind for you. I know it might be different than what you thought it would be, it certainly is in my case, but I do know that your happiness will be indescribable.
I love you all,
Hermana Levanger
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