Make It Happen

Querida familia,
Hey we had a really good week! The most exciting and different piece of news was what happened on Friday. At about 2 in the afternoon we got a text from the sister missionaries saying that their investigator could no longer be baptized because he was suddenly moving to Alaska for a business offer. Now we had been hearing about the progress of this man for the past several weeks and he was right on track, really making changes, exercising faith, and being converted to the Lord. So half joking-half serious I said, "Can he be baptized tonight?" My companion thought I was joking as well. But somehow the idea actually unraveled when it hit the open air and we started asking some serious questions. Has he been taught everything? Would he want to be baptized tonight? Why is he moving? What spiritual experiences has he had? How does he know that this is Christ's church? Is it ok with the mission president and can the bishop come for the font-side confirmation? His interview? Even with so many areas to check and coordinate, everything gave a green light. And sure enough he was baptized and confirmed Friday night. The service was thrown together last minute of course, but it was actually very spiritual. And this new member told me afterward, "Thank you so much for accomodating me. Everyone seemed to know what to do and it flowed really well. I know this is what God wants me to do." It was a sweet experience. Sweet in the Gospel sense :)
So we've started this week a series of "missionary workshops" to help the members develop their missionary skills. It's going to be a few weeks long and cover a variety of ways to invite, testify, find, fellowship. Yesterday we had a good turnout and after the role-plays we did everyone was smiling and agreed that it had been fun. It was really exciting to see and feel some more enthusiasm in our branch. We need that. As does everyone. Enthusiasm is contageous!
Hey something to look forward to is the wedding this Saturday! And a baptism to follow! The boyfriend of the part-member family we're teaching will be getting baptized this Saturday following his wedding at the church. He and his bride-to-be are funny to watch because their really excited, and they're like 50 :) I'll let you know how it goes.
I think that's about it. We had a few funny things happen, like a guy that rejected our message but gave us some high 5s before turning away. And an old snowbird couple that showed me how they kiss eachother when I held the door open for them at McDonald's. It was classic, haha. 
Well, thanks for everything. I'll talk to you next week! Adios!

Elder Gathro