Hi Mom!
So, obviously transfers were this
week as I am writing you on Tuesday. Sorry I forgot to give you a heads
up this time around. The good news is we are both staying! Sister
Chapman and I are having so much success here in St. Marys. President Vellinga
specifically mentioned the work we are doing here in St. Marys during the
Toledo Stake Conference, and talked about our miracles. I love it
here! I really wasn't sure if I was going to be able to love it as much
as I loved the Youngstown/Alliance area, but it is evident that Sister Chapman
and I were both needed here.
We had a great week this! Jim
has been struggling for a few weeks with the idea of being perfect before
baptism. He comes to church and says he feels unworthy seeing the kinds of
lives the members lead, and the courage of our youth. He keeps wanting to
push back his baptism. He was thinking sometime in the summer or
longer. It has taken a great deal of powerful lessons building up to what
happened yesterday. Yesterday, we had a lesson with him in his home, and
talked about the power of repentance, what it truly means, and how it is
possible for all men everywhere to be forgiven. We then each had a
powerful testimony moment with him and discussed the blessings that come from Christ's
church. The spirit was so strong. I felt strongly to ask him the
first baptismal interview questions. He took a minute and then with the
spirit bore a strong and simple testimony that he knows this church is the
only true church on the earth. We then invited him to show his faith and
recommit to March 28th. He paused, smiled, and then with tears he told us
"Yes!" It was a powerful experience. He is so sweet, and
such a powerful influence to me. I am grateful that I was born into the
church. I am so grateful that I didn't have to wait so long to find the
truth.
We have a new investigator named
Jenee. She is a young mom, and has a strong faith in Christ. She
had investigated with the elders in the past, but didn't feel a strong
connection. We were able to sit down and talk about some of her concerns
with the church, and the story of Joseph Smith. She then proceeded to
tell us how much she really respected the church, and did truly want to know if
it was true. Another strong spiritual experience. We invited her to
retake the lessons, and she accepted with high hopes of receiving an answer
this time. I love that the spirit gives people a desire to change, and
the gospel of Christ shows them the path to take to accomplish all they hope to.
I love being out here in
Ohio. This place is not only beautiful, but it was chosen by our Father
in Heaven to grow again. This gospel is growing quickly. There is
no better time than now to share the gospel. I am so grateful for my
mission.
I love you all and pray for you
constantly. Have a great week!
Love,
S Bakker, Jim, S Chapman |
Jim and the Jenson's |
Sister Bakker
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