Little Dot's Grand Adventures: Baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So this week was crazy busy!! I have literally felt like a chicken with my head cut off!

On Monday we had District Pday. We tried to go to a corn maze but it ended up being closed because it was raining. We did however get to pet the goats they had there :) Afterwards we went on another exchange with the Sister Training Leaders. Sister Giles came here with me again but this time we were on exchange from Monday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon. Later on Monday we visited some members who weren't at church to see if they were okay and then we went tracting. Afterwards we went over the training that Sister Giles and Sister Petersen were giving at Zone Conference during Zone Meeting. It ended up being a tender mercy since I missed all of Zone Meeting because of my Exit Interview.

On Tuesday we had Zone Conference at the JSM! It was sooooo good! We talked a lot about how the Gospel and the Book of Mormon helps you find happiness. We talked about how the Book of Mormon is one of our greatest tools. So here are some facts:

-There are over 200,000 variations of the Bible

-There is only one Book of Mormon

-The composition of the Bible came by way of a committee of scholars

-The Book of Mormon from God

- The Bible took 50 scholars 7 years to complete

-Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in 63 days

The Book of Mormon is so amazing and is so beautifully simple yet complex!!

Then I had my exit interview and we talked a lot about the future and goals and plans..... O.o

Later we had a lesson with a Less Active member and that went well. Then we had a phone lesson with the family we are working with.

Wednesday we had a great lesson with J. We ended up meeting in a different part of the house than usual and this guy walked out looking groggy, saw us, and hurried back into his room. A few minutes later he came back out dressed in nice clothes with his hair brushed and a thick smell of cologne following him. He came right over to us and was like "Hey I haven't seen you here before are you new?" J tried to tell him who we were but she felt awkward and didn't know how so I just said "Hi I'm Sister Collins and this is Sister DeWidt. We are Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and we share messages about Jesus Christ and how he can help us in our lives." Yeah that kind of shut him down....

Later we had a great dinner with Vincent and then Coordination. At Coordination the Bishop found out how long I have been out and he freaked and said "Wow I didn't even know or notice!" Then went and told everyone and they were all shocked and he said that I was a great example because you couldn't even tell that I am going home soon.

Thursday we went out with the Relief Society President to visit some sisters and also we went street contacting and tracting.

Friday we had another great lesson with J.

Saturday we had a huge service project where we helped go around and install fire alarms.

Sunday was J's baptism!!!! Everything went great!!! J ended up bringing a friend to church and she also bought herself a new outfit that was white pants and a white top with an orange sweater because we had talked to her about how when she is baptized she will wear all white to symbolize purity and being clean again. We had a GREAT turnout!! The middle section of the Chapel was almost full and the sides had some people too!!! One sister brought her clarinet and played prelude music for people to come in without us even asking and it really helped invite the Spirit! Then everyone showed her such great love and support and afterwards many of the relief society sisters came up and congratulated her and welcomed her in the ward and gave her big hugs all with tears in their eyes. She was completely surrounded by the loving sisters of the ward who were so excited to welcome her. She even bore her testimony during the service in front of everyone. For the opening Hymn she chose the hymn "God is Love" and for the closing she chose "Count your Blessings". The Bishop pulled her aside during second hour of church to talk to her and get to know her and had a great talk with her. At the end of the service when he talked he had chosen scriptures that applied to her and ones that applied to the other little boy who was getting baptized. Also she only had to be immersed once. We were worried that her hair would float up because she only put part of it back but it didn't! The Spirit was so sweet and the talks were so good and there was so much love shown to her! Vincent even gave her a necklace for her to remember her Baptism.

Welp I gotta go but I love you to pieces and pieces so many that you cannot count!!!!!!