What a great week!
Nanay Lolita was able to be baptized on Saturday which was an amazing experience! Man I love Nanay Lolita. So anyways, I'll tell you a little bit about her baptism and the roller coaster ride that we had when Saturday afternoon came around.
The baptism is supposed to start at 3:00.
2:30 PM: We show up at Nanay's house to pick her up and take her to the church.
2:33 PM: Nanay literally starts putting all her clothes in her back pack; she also throws her radio in there as well.
2:34 PM: Nay, you aren't spending the night at the church...and why are you bringing your radio??
2:55 PM: We finally get in a trike to go to the church...and we get stuck behind a funeral.
3:15 PM: We finally get to the church.
We get to the church, and we hand our Branch President the baptismal record for nay to get baptized. He said there was a problem with the record and that she wrote the wrong last name down on the record, and that she might not be able to be baptized if we didn't find out her real last name. Well we finally found Nanay's ID and figured out her last name. We're good to go.
4:00 PM: The baptism finally starts.
As she and Elder Hall got into the font, I and the Branch President, explained what would happen and that she needs to hold her nose when she goes under. When she goes under, Nanay puts her hand on her forehead instead of her nose. I felt so bad for her. She got quite a bit of water up her nose. We had one of our senior sisters give a talk after her baptism and it was a beautiful experience. Also, one of the missionaries that lives with us, Elder Nathan gave a great talk. I almost started crying to be honest. I was so happy for Nanay!
Anyways, yesterday at church I walk in, and nanay is sitting in the chapel (she's always there before everyone else, it's awesome) so I walk up to her and say "Kumusta nay!" Nanay refused to talk to me! What on earth did I do wrong?? Finally got nanay to talk to me and figure out the problem. Apparently it was my fault that she got water up her nose. I apologized for what had happened, and that I hadn't made sure she understood what to do. We made amends, and nanay was confirmed a member of the church! It was a great Sunday!
Also, the three kids that we are planning to baptize in a couple weeks came to church...WITH THEIR MOM who is less active. I was so happy when they walked in the door.
Okay one last story. As we were walking to church, this 8 year old boy comes up to us and says (in Tagalog) "Are you Mormons?" "Yeah we are!" I said "I've been wanting to attend one of your services for quite some time now. May I join?" So this little boy (who acts like a 50 year old man) came to church with us. It was fast and testimony meeting yesterday so I kind of explained to him what was going on. Later on, I look down at him while this one nanay is giving her testimony, and this little boy is crying! He was like "Ayy naku! Nakakaiyak talaga!" (my goodness! This is making me cry!) Well, we walked the boy home after Sacrament Meeting and there was a gazebo in the street with a picture of someone who just died. The kid was like "Man! people are dying all around here! I saw a funeral on Aldea the otherday, now in Natividad! What's going on!" Oh man this kid just cracked me up.
Well, I'm super thankful for Nanay Lolita. She is really special to me. I know she is special to our Heavenly Father as well. I am thankful that I get to witness the change in people's lives and in my life as well as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the light! I hope you all have a great week! PAALAM!
Elder Furniss
P.s I'll send y'all a picture of nanay's baptism next week. I don't have an SD card reader this week.
