We have had an amazing week here in Ft. Myers. Although we weren't able to meet with all of the investigators that we wanted to, things worked out they way they were supposed to. This has been the week leading up to Janelle's baptism, and we've been praying like crazy that it would go through. After it was pushed back from the 21st, I was worried that it might happen again. We had a lesson with her on Tuesday, and she brought up a couple of things that she felt she had concerns about. We were able to answer all of her questions, but really what it boiled down to, and what we ended up telling her, was that she was just nervous. We encouraged her to go home that night and to sincerely pray to her Heavenly Father, and find out if she is supposed to get baptized. She texted us the next morning and asked if we could all meet up for lunch somewhere. We got together on Wednesday, and she let us know that she had gotten her answer. That night she was reading through some gospel literature that she had, and she came across an article that said something along the lines of--Do what you know to be right even when those around you try to keep you from it. Pretty straight forward, and that what she took it as. We put in the preparations, and she was interviewed on Friday night, and then we got everything together for the baptism on Saturday morning. It was a little stressful getting everything together, and her parents weren't helping the matter. As we were printing off the programs the morning of, we found out that Janelle decided to check her facebook and found out that her Dad had decided to post on there that his daughter was about to join a church some man made up in the 1800s and it was against he and his wife's wishes. Janelle was really upset and called him right away. He did end up taking it down, but it hurt her feelings pretty badly. About that time everyone was showing up over to the church, and fortunately through all the support she shook it off and moved on. The program went really well though, and Elder Smith and I had the opportunity to stand in as witnesses. It was such a spiritual experience to open the doors and to see her standing down in the font with Brother English. Everyone in the room could feel their hearts touched as the Spirit felt like it was washing over us from head to toe. She asked me to sing, so that took place right after she came back out. It was an arrangement of "Savior, Redeemer, of My Soul", and it went pretty well. The next day she was confirmed, and I was able to be the one that confirmed her a member of the church. She will be an incredible member, and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for her.
Jobiana has also been doing really well. Franc has been able to sit in on a couple lessons this past week and it has been fun to build a relationship with him as well. We've been reteaching the lessons to her, and it's crazy how much she remembers. This week she was able to tell us the entire Plan of Salvation step by step, and then she went through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and explained it all. On Saturday, Fabiana, Jobiana's twin sister, and her husband flew in from Brazil. Before we even started meeting together they've been planning on this trip, but now her sister will be here for her wedding and baptism. The Lord definitely works in mysterious ways. On Sunday we were able to go over after church and to teach parts of the Restoration. You could tell that Jobiana was trying to contain herself from drowning her sister with her love of the gospel. If nothing else, her waiting to get baptized has completely energized her desire to be baptized. When we first started meeting up she talked about her family going to a Christian church, but she didn't really care which one. Now that perception has changed though. She was telling us this week that they don't understand. It's not like picking out a pair of shoes. There is one church that is right for everyone, and it's because it truly has the fullness of the restored gospel. Every time I leave her house I feel like I can take on the world! It's amazing how strongly the spirit resides there, and I can't wait for her to have the gift of the Holy Ghost to be with her always. Well the wedding is going to be on Thursday at 7pm, her interview will be Friday, and then on Saturday at noon Jobiana will be baptized. I cannot wait.
Well I love you all! Have a great week, and I'll talk to you on Sunday!
Love,
Elder Kade Bartschi
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