Sushi, Baptism

Elder Guinn's family sent a box .  It had a bamboo roller, sticky rice, and seaweed.  So, we bought some "krab" and frozen fish (there is NO fresh fish in Ensley), and made some California rolls.  The rice that Elder Guinn made was tasty.  The sushi turned out good.

Saturday, Br. Jones was baptized.  The service went great.  Frankie did the dunking, and tried 3 times.  Luckily, Br. Briggins suggested kneeling the 2nd time, and it worked.  Sister Davis spoke on the Holy Ghost and did an exceptional job.  Br. Jones asked me to confirm him.  Giving blessings is really cool.  It must be a grand calling being a Patriarch.  The whole time, though, Br. Jones' phone was ringing.  There was an emergency at his house, so he had to take off right after the service.  Everyone who came to the baptism didn't even get to talk to the baptisee.  Turns out that his cousin and 2 friends who had been staying with him got into a fight (they should have come to the baptism!)  Big fights over little things are frequent in this area.

Next Monday we're going to the McWane Science Center.  I think it is an OMSI equivalent.  I learned that the Museum of Art I wanted to visit is closed on Mondays (my p-day).  I'm a bit bummed about it.  P-day is too short.  I'm headed back to work.

1st Baptism

September 19, 2010

Today is Monday, and we will baptize Antoine Saturday.  Antoine is 19 and moved away from home at 16 and never went back.  He's spent some time homeless, but currently owns a house.  He speaks slowly and often carries his head down, but he is brilliant.  Last night we asked him why he wants to join the church.  He replied quite boldly that it makes sense to him.  That whenever he is learning about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, all these verses from the Bible pop into his mind, proving it's truth to him.  He remembers everything and applies it.  He'll be baptized by Elder Davis.  I'm so stoked.  Saturday the 25th which is exactly 1 day after 1/4 of my mission.

Apostles are for real.  They aren't just gimmicky church people.  Elder Bednar permeated brilliance.  President Eyring was my favorite apostle, but now it's pretty tied up.  We learned that Elder Bednar doesn't have favorite scriptures, but rather favorite scripture themes.  The one he shared was the idea in 3rd Nephi, 11 when Christ talks to everybody one by one.  He doesn't just say, "Hey Everyone!" but talks to each person individually.

President Holzapfel gave us all a copy of the Book of Mormon and asked us to highlight everything in it that talks about Christ's Gospel, or doctrine.  I named it Mijn Paars Book which means My Purple Book.  We have to finish the whole thing by Thanksgiving, which will be hard.  It's not like I have spare reading time...  So that'll be a fun and exciting challenge.  I'm about 1/5 of the way done, so I'm making progress.