Monday was neat, we had a lesson with James and Geri, and then they told us they were really excited about being baptized on Saturday, and that they had a goal to go a whole day without smoking the day before their baptism. Of course Elder Gomez and I were pretty panicked at that, since that is totally impossible to have happen (them being baptized on Saturday, not going a
day without smoking) so we kept talking, and reminded them that they had to go three weeks without smoking, and then they looked at us really confused and said "but bishop told us at church yesterday we could get married Saturday and then we can get baptized! We called our Daughter and she
bought a plane ticket when she heard to be here!". Shoot. alrighty, let the explanation begin... we taught them the organization of priesthood leadership after that and explained why Bishop can't tell them they can get baptized without living the commandments, and then James got really mad and yelled "That's it, just call the whole thing off! First it's three weeks, now we're turning it in to six weeks, I'm done!" and he walked off and we were left with Geri in the living room.
whoa. scarier than a bad jazz pianist with a 24 bar solo. Geri was all ok with it, and apologized for James, then James walked in and sat down with some tears coming on. (side note- His Dad had a heart attack that morning and then they road the train to Oakland to get their marriage license
so they could get married and baptized, then they got home and we came over and told them it can't happen). We had a talk on the Atonement and the Savior, and what it means to repent, and James and Geri both bore their testimonies about what we had taught them when we taught the gospel of Jesus
Christ, and we told them we would talk with our mission president, but that if they really wanted to be baptized this week, they had to quit smoking right there, and they didn't even hesitate and said "We don't even need it! we only had like two puffs today, just because we were stressed! I'll get me one a them suckers y'all brought us every time I wanna smoke, heck I'll buy a thousand more if I need to! Sure if cheaper than a pack a camels!". Needless to say it was an awesome lesson, the spirit was super strong. neat. Next, we called President Frandsen and got his ok for it after we explained the
situation. All things are a go. Tuesday we had District meeting, and I shared a talk with the District on yielding our Hearts to the Lord and read Helaman 3:35, it was really cool. We followed that with a discussion on Obedience, then everyone read a talk they had prepared on Obedience. Neat. Next we
ate with the Jones. After we met with Norman, who had a question about Faith we talked about. We went in planning to commit him to be baptized, but the spirit said "Invite him to church and teach him to act more on his desire for faith" so that's what we did. Turns out he had been given a courtside ticket to the warriors play off game on Sunday afternoon, so that didn't happen, but he was
fascinated that we believe that if we act in obedience our faith grows, so that was really cool.
Wednesday we had a very normal day of service and going through the list of visits bishop needed help with that week. We met with James and Geri again today too, and they were goin' strong without a cigarette. We called president, and he asked "when are they getting married?" and we told him at 5 before the baptism, and he didn't like that, and so he asked for our bishops phone number. a minute or so later we got a call from him telling us he talked with Bishop Patolo, and that he was going to let it happen. whew. Next we met with a Filipino guy named Antonino who's wife is a recent
convert, it was pretty good.
Thursday I woke up with the worst sore throat of my life, so we stayed in and ate oranges and
cleaned most of the day. Elder Ey came and stayed with me while our comps went out to teach, because he had his wisdom teeth taken out last week, so we spoke Cambodian and talked
about mission stuff and life and all the good stuff. I also took elder Ey to Jamba Juice for the first time, because we didn't have anything that he could eat at home haha.
Friday we planned and went to the other district meeting and planned and then got a training ready for this weeks zone conference.
Saturday we had a lesson, then we had set up for the baptism/Marriage! It was awesome. They had a ton of their friends and family come, and their son baptized them. It was really funny, we went to check on the font, and we opened the door and BAM. A sauna. someone had turned off the cold
water, so it was nice and toasty. We couldn't help but think how bad this was, the baptism was in 15 minutes!! This was just worse that a giant squid blocking traffic on a Thursday around 4 o'clock. just kidding, not that bad, but we were dying laughing. Just imagined a baptismal font turned into a hot tub, that is what it was like (fun fact that actually happened in our mission a while back). anyway,
it all went well.
Sunday the two lucky children of God were confirmed members of the church by their Son. What a
happy Easter.
I am happy all the time, despite all the crazy stuff we had to do to make this week work out. I don't have time to get into all the details of what needed to happen for us to have this miracle baptism, but lets just say the adversary didn't want it to happen. The Lord was with us as he always has been and we simply have stronger testimonies now, A very productive week if you ask me.
Love,
Elder
Cameron Tolman
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