Weekend of Baptisms

As I review the week, all I can think about was the baptism that happened this weekend. The day of the baptism, there was some miscommunication and there was no water in the baptismal font! Last minute we were trying to fill it up but the water in the whole church was somehow turned off. Satan really didn't want these people to be baptized. As we scrambled around, we called a maintenance man who came in clutch by getting the water to work. We stalled the baptism as the font filled but once that was figured out the baptism went so smoothly. This is the most amount of people that I have had at one baptismal service. It was a different feeling than ever before.

Barreto Family:

From the first moment that we knocked on their door, the Barreto family felt like my own family. We laughed together and we learned together. This family has gone through some very hard times and their entire mindset has changed. It is amazing how the gospel brings families together. They felt an instant change when they started to read the scriptures, pray and go to church as a family. These three simple things are the key to a strong family. We all want change in life, only now do they realize that the only way is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They inspire me with their eagerness to follow the commandments and accept God in their lives. While teaching them I used to visualize this family getting baptized and then designed what I needed to do in order to help them enter the waters of baptism. It was not to push baptism too quickly, rather to help them progress one step at a time and get them connected to church. Baptism is not the end goal, it is the beginning of a new life of promise.

Parungao Family:

Leah is another miracle. She has been exposed to the church for many years since her mother has been a member for years, though it was never the right timing. All she knew is that she wanted a change in her life and wanted to come closer to God. One day we came over to her mother's house and Leah happened to be there as well. After convincing her to listen to a quick message about families she decided she wanted to come to church right away. This was something that she had already wanted to do deep inside but was just waiting for the invitation. Leah is an elect person. Every time we taught her she applied it and it changed her life. She told us that she had prayed to God for years, but never quite to this level. Right after we baptized her, I felt the spirit stronger than I have in a long time knowing that God is pleased with this lady. Her son Ramil was also baptized the same day and is an aspiring Elder. Her husband attended the baptism and confirmation and afterwards he came up to us and asked us if he could be baptized as well! We were shocked because the previous week he said that he did not want to change some of his ways. Now after seeing his wife and son rejoice in the Gospel he knows this is something that he doesn't only want, but needs in his family.

Justine Cadayong:

Yes you read that right, Justine Cadayong. No, my sister was not baptized again, rather my cousin' daughter who was named after my sister! About a month ago the missionaries in Sapang Palay informed me that they were teaching my cousin's family and that Justine had a set baptismal date in the upcoming month. I could not wait to see their progress. Ivan (Justine's father) has been a member for a while and now is preparing to enter the temple with his family to be sealed. Please keep them in your prayers. I feel so lucky to become more connected with my family while being a missionary in the Philippines.

What a weekend of miracles. These miracles seem to never cease here in the Philippines, and they will keep on going.

-Elder Cadayong