June 8, 2015 - Week 76

Well, obviously the highlight of the week was Diana`s baptism! It was the greatest thing ever. Anyways... It was a great experience. For reals. She was just so happy and she was just SO beautiful!! So, it was cool. It was actually a really funny story. So, the baptism was on Saturday, and she got to the chapel and everything on time. Things were going great and stuff... Then, we start the service and all. Things are fine. She is like super happy and one of the returned missionaries that helped us out a lot to teach her (Ben) did a talk on repentance, then another girl, Teresa, did a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost... Everything is fine. Then, we had a cool special number and I sang with that kid Ben ``Be Still My Soul´´... In english (cuz he speaks fluent english) and his sister accompanied us on the violin. So, that was pretty. Diana is like crying to much and things are just great. Then... It`s like her turn to go and get baptized and all. Well, we are like sitting and waiting still to go to the font and like we were kinda confused cuz no one was saying anything... Then, all of the sudden, the 2 doors to the font (where the people can see the baptisms) like start to move like someone is trying to open them from inside the font (cuz it was locked)... So, it was kinda weird and then all of the sudden.. THE DOORS FLY OPEN! And we just see Pable (the one that baptized her) in his white clothes and he totally BROKE THE DOORS to open them.

Apparently, in the moment of the baptism, there were no keys to unlock the font... So, he had permission last minute to BRAKE it open. It was the funniest experience ever and I just didn`t even understand what was going on... But, that is cool, right?? I don`t now how many others have had that experience in their mission, but I will definitely always remember it. I even had a piece of wood from the doors as a recuerdo! Hahaha So, that was the baptism. She was just so happy. After that, we all went (me, my comp, Diana, Ben, and Pablo) to eat pizza to celebrate. So, it was fun :)

Yesterday was the confirmation and that guy Ben confirmed her.. It was so great! And we had a great Sunday. Hugo, Malena, and Luz came from Aratiri to visit me in Luque and so that was cool! It was so cute cuz Malena got up and bore her testimony and stuff and like no one even knew where she was from... Cuz she is from another ward.. But, it was cute! It was my last fast Sunday in Paraguay and that was kinda weird... But yeah. Also, our other investigators that are preparing for baptism were there. So, that was great! Karen is getting baptized this week, so that should be fun. We are stoked for her and she is so excited! This Saturday, the 13th, she will be baptized and it`s her birthday, too! She turns 20. Anyways, it should be a great week. We are way excited.

Well, as for today, we are going to go to Itaugua to visit my area. I am kinda feeling weird about it. It will be the last time I see them and I just never thought this day would come. Well, the last time I see them for a while. Cuz I definitely want to come back eventually! But, it`s just weird to think. I only have 3 weeks left. That is crazy! That is like nothing... But, I will just enjoy it. We had interviews with President at our zone conference on Thursday... It went well. President pretty much just talked to me about going home and never forgetting about the people. Like always helping them out even from far away. Facebook, insta, Whatsapp (everyone here uses that app and I don`t even know what it is yet...) but, just stuff like that. I already knew, obviously, but it was just cool. He told me that I am going to for sure finish my mission strong cuz he can just tell that I am pretty focused. Later, my comp told me that in her
interview, he told her that he can`t believe all that we are doing and the way that we are working in my last change. Cuz usually missionaries that are going home just quit working early, you know? Haha so that made me feel great!

Well, that is that... I am starting to get a little bit sad about the
whole mission ending! But, I am stoked to get home!! LOVE YOU!!!

Love, Hermana Whittaker