Flavia's Baptism!

The first couple of weeks of this month we were able to take a man named Eduardo to church. He is fifty-four and one of the sweetest men I have ever met. He has had some difficult challenges in the past. However, he stopped drinking and changed his entire view, opinion and purpose of his life. He is a miracle! Also, earlier this month, we were able to take a teenage girl named Flavia to church as well. We are working with her to baptized later this month! She is young in years and one of the sweetest girls. We found her sitting outside of her house and although seemed without interest, we felt we needed to go back and visit her again. We found out that her mom had been baptized and wants her to find the same path. She said she liked church a lot.

This past week, the week beginning Monday, January 7th went well! I have learned a ton! We went by the home of Flavia each day this past week to check on her. Great news is that she was able to be baptized this past Sunday, January 13th!!!

(Left to Right) Sister Smart, Flavia, Sister Ferres

The more we taught her the more desire that she found within her to follow the Savior. She began to, early on not only believe and rely on our testimonies but she began to gain her own testimony and feel the truthfulness within her heart each time we met with her. We came to find out that her mom and grandmother had been baptized about fifteen years back and had became less active members. On Wednesday, we left a message with Flavia but ended up leaving a message regarding the Plan of Salvation not only with Flavia, but her mother, grandmother and her little sister. We were teaching them about the Spirit World, we noticed that Renata, Flavias's mother, began to get a bit emotional. Renata told us that a while back she had some recent thoughts and feelings come to her about her dad who had passed away some time ago. She said when she heard us teaching about the Spirit World and Temples it felt true and touched her heart; she expressed the desire to help him. It was a testimony to each of them about the truthfulness of what we were teaching. So many wonderful blessings with the Gospel! Everyone was at the church for Flavias's baptism! - her step dad, grandmother, mom, and three siblings and a friend, named Ingrid! We are going to be teaching her little sister Isabelle, and Ingrid and prepare them to be baptized as well; the two of them seem to have a great desire to learn for themselves!
This week I have thanked Heavenly Father in prayer for our investigators believing that God would not let us fail; also I have exercised more faith in our work. As a result, we were able to see a lot of miracles! This area has always been super, super hard to get people to church. It's usually only one or two investigators; even with the help of a pair of Elders that are most recently in the other half  of the Vargas area. This past week we were able to take six investigators to church and two less active members!
Eduardo is not progressing as we had hoped, but I know that he has great desire and is a very different man now. I have so much love for him and I know that one day God will help him when Eduardo is ready. I never knew I could have so much love for people I barely know!
I know that the mission can be hard but it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! I have learned so much and have come to know my Savior and true happiness in this life. I will come back home a very different person! Best to each of you. Thank you for your love and support!

Having fun with a turtle 😄