Monuments and Melodies: Angel & Xavier's baptism!

So guess what?

Angel and Xavier got baptized! It was super awesome, and I am just so happy!

So we've been teaching Angel and Xavier since Sister Hall first came to Whitehall, and they (and they're whole family) are so humble and loving. It's been really neat to see them grow closer together by living the gospel together.

One fun thing about the baptism is we had the Elders in our ward (Elders Pintor and Smith) and the Milford Elders involved as well (Elders Taylor and Shore). I gave a talk on baptism, Elder Pintor conducted the service and taught the Restoration, Sister Hall and Elder Shore played "Come Follow Me" as a duet, Elder Smith played all the other songs, and Elder Taylor said the closing prayer. It neat to have the opportunity to work with so many missionaries since we're all pretty close in proximity. It's nice having all the extra support.

Anyway, back to the baptism... YAY! If I had to sum it up into one word, it would probably be "humbling." I just look at Angel and Xavier and see future worthy priesthood holders, future missionaries, and even future fathers. This work is truly a "marvelous work and a wonder" (Isaiah 29:14), and I am so humbled to be a part of it in this time, and especially in this place. All the while during their baptismal service I kept thinking of a scripture in 3 Nephi 11:38:

"And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."

How wonderful it is that I could be part of the Martinez family's growth! I am so excited for them to progress and to one day be sealed in the temple for eternity!

As for the rest of the week, it was pretty darn awesome. We were on exchanges with the Sisters from Stroudsberg and Sister Earl came to Whitehall with me. It was so crazy-- we had appointment after appointment lined up and THEY ALL STUCK (that rarely happens). We even had dinner with Sister Britto and taught like 10 of her grandkids (that's only a portion) about the themes in the Hill Cumorah pageant because they were going to that this weekend.

Then at the end of the night, we had what missionaries dub the "awkward time," which is when you still have time to work but not much. That was a lousy explanation. Sister Earl asked if there were any less actives nearby, and as a matter of fact, there was one. Now, we've been trying to see this member since I first got here with no luck. But when we pulled up, her son was outside and he said that she was home. So we just kind of stood in their back yard and the member came out. MIRACLE! She didn't want to stand in the heat so she invited us in. As we talked, we were able to testify of the Atonement and invite her back to church. She said she'd been thinking about it a lot lately and was hoping to find time to do that. It was such a powerful meeting, and it truly was a MIRACLE!

Well, I love yous guys!

Sister Sarah Singleton