Jan 10 at 4:28 AM
(Sorry if you don't want this email I totally understand if it is not interesting in the slightest I just had to email because I was so excited for this week)
OH MY GOODNESS. WHAT A WEEK. OH MY GOODNESS.
Alright everyone, strap in because this email is a rollercoaster. (I have no idea where to start. Or if this was the most stressful week of my mission or the best week)
Here we go!!!!!!
Beginning of the week: James baptism is scheduled for Sunday and he needs his baptism interview still. Okay it's fine he passed all the questions with us and he will be great. People mistake him for a member all the time for crying out loud. Slight problem arises...James come to church last Sunday but he missed his return appointment which was his baptism interview. And then he didn't answer the phone. Well that is terrifying. Okay now a little sidetrack on Tuesday.
We saw Ndiaye (Enji) on Tuesday. I hope you all remember him because you were praying for him. It's the guy from Senegal who was supposed is to be baptized Dec 18th. But he didn't get baptized because he wanted a dream or a vision to know if this church was true. A rather tall order to ring up. And he didn't get it. It was so frustrating! We did literally all we could. Everything you can possibly think of. Cuz Heavenly Father wanted this man baptized!!!! We fasted three times, prayed daily, gave him every bit of resource possible. Called all the sisters and had them praying for him--just lots of different things. And he already had his answer but he wanted more. Ugh he could jut not see what was right!
And then eventually we were just tired of not getting anywhere with him. So we had a lesson with Ndiaye on Tuesday and he was the same and so we dropped him. It was pretty sad. He is so good!!! But if one thing I've learned on my mission is we are here to teach repentance and help people progress TODAY. If they are not ready to do it now that's okay their time will come but we can't keep teaching them. That is not our job. Ndiaye was just someone who seemed to us as not ready. Therefore, the drop. But who is in charge here???? Not us!! (Ah what a train wreck that would be) HEAVENLY FATHER IS! And you better bet He knows exactly what He is doing.
After we dropped Ndiaye we invited him once more to pray that very night and that if he got a good feeling (only a good feeling) the same night then he would be baptized this Sunday. We promised he would get the answer.
Okay now back to James. (I feel like I'm in a movie. See what I mean with the rollercoaster week???) James is STILL not answering his phone. Ahhhhhhh!!! Okay okay it's fine everything is fine. He has just never done this before and that last time we saw him was in Bishop's office when Bishop wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. And he hasn't had his baptism interview yet it's fine it's fine everything is fine. AHHHHHHHH. (Why are baptism weeks literally the most stressful thing on this beautiful planet earth??) called James again. No answer. (Praying to the max plus some more at this point)
And this continues on.
😨😰😩
And continues on.
Until....Friday night. We called James. HE ANSWERED MY DAYS. James: "I am so so sorry. I have been stuck in central London and working 8 am - 10 pm every day." Sister Daines and Sister Soulier: "ahyouanswered!!!doyoustillwanttobebaptized???pleasesayyespleasesayyespleasesayyes.itsfineyoucanstillbebaptizedthiasunday!!!!!!" (Yes it was that fast don't question me I was there) James: "what?" Sister Daines: "whenareyoucomingtothechurchforyourbaptisminterviewandwhyintheworldhavewenotheardfromyouwhatisgoingon" James: "What?" Sister Soulier: "JAMES ARE YOU COMING TO YOUR BAPTISM?"
James: ...
Sisters: why is there silence what is going on why must this world be filled with stress where is the nearest Cadbury bar.
James: "sisters I am so sorry but I have to work this Sunday."
...
WHAT?!
Areyoukiddingmethishasgottobeajokedontyourealizethisisthelastweekofthetransferandimighthavetomoveandiwontevenseeyourbaptismandwhatarewesupposetotellbishopthisissosadthishasgotobeajoke.
...
AHHHHHHHHHH.
...
So yeah that was a bit of a downer.
Unfortunately James did have to work this past Sunday. And he may have to work this Sunday (please send max prayers for him not to work this Sunday). He did not get baptized this past Sunday. But he still wants to be baptized!! And this we do know..."(God) will not forsake you." It'll all work out.
But guess what?? Moroni 7:29!!!!! (Yes you have to stop now and look up this scripture to understand the next thrill turn in the ultimate rollercoaster week)
"Will we give up after knocking on a door or two? Or will we keep seeking until we have reached the fourth floor, last door? God "rewards those who earnestly seek Him," but the reward is not usually behind the first door. Sisters (and brothers), don't give up. Seek God with all your heart. Exercise faith. Walk in righteousness. I promise if you will do this--even until the fourth floor, last door--you will receive the answers you seek. You will find faith. And one day you will be filled with light that grows "brighter and brighter until the perfect day."...God is real!" - President Utchdorf (Fourth Floor, Last Door)
Late Saturday night (obviously before 9:30 because obedience brings down the blessings of heaven in a very real way) Sister Daines had the inspiration from God to call Ndiaye and confirm him for church the next morning. And this is the conversation...
Sister Daines: "Hey Ndiaye! We are looking forward to seeing you at church tomorrow! Can you still come?"
Ndiaye: "Yeah I am coming to church. And to my baptism tomorrow."
Sister Daines: "Um pardon?"
Ndiaye: "I prayed like you told me to and I felt good so I'm ready to be baptized tomorrow."
Sister Daines: "Wait are you serious?"
Ndiaye: "yeah I think I am ready."
Sister Daines: "oh my goodness."
Sister Soulier: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. GOD IS REAL THIS CHURCH IS TRUE DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES WELL YOU BETTER BELIEVE IN THEM NOW BECAUSE THEY DO HAPPEN PEOPLE! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!"
Ndiaye got baptized the very next day. 😁😁😁😁😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁😀😄😁
And we just have to spend a moment in this marathon email to share a few moments of that day...
- Ndiaye showing up late to church
- We asked someone day of to baptize him
- Ben (recent convert who has epilepsy) had a seizure on the stairs right before the baptism
- We boiled water for the font but the water was still freezing
- No one pronounced his name right for the baptism service
- The person giving a talk didn't show up until halfway through the service.
- Ndiaye didn't want to get baptized cuz the water was too cold
- The zone leaders came and interviewed him an hour before his baptism. (elder Mtombeni interviewed Ndiaye and when they were done he had theaudacity to say that Ndiaye didn't pass. I've never seen Sister Daines punch someone so hard. And for the record Elder Mtombeni deserved it.)
However in the end Ndiaye (Enji) was able to make a huge step toward Heavenly Father and follow his Savior Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God.
Wow.
Probably the best miracle of my mission. I am so beyond grateful I literally haven't stopped smiling since.
😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
And there is even more that happened this week. (You know I am thinking of counting this as my last email ever cuz it is so crazy long)
TRANSFERS!!!!!!
Like I said before, GOD IS REAL AND GOD IS GOOD. SISTER DAINES AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What?!?!?!?!?!?! What is going on?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!
The first companion in literally now (9 transfers?????) to stay for more than one transfer. YES YES YES YES FINALLY. I love Ilford and I love Sister Daines YES YES YES YES YES WE ARE STAYING TOGETHER ANOTHER 6 WEEKS.
Yes we did both scream when President told us(poor man).
And to add to this spiritual high MLC just simply blew my mind.
Elder Dryden came and spoke. Here are some notes that were taken from the experience.
"One of the greatest statements in the whole of history is "thou shalt love thy God with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength." What does it mean to really love God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength?...
You will get circumstances when the depth of your love for the Savior will be tested. And I love you enough to tell you--go to your knees...
When it looks challenging and uncomfortable, that is your chance to demonstrate your love...
You need to love God and show it in every action...
What does it really mean when we say in the name of Jesus Christ? It has much more to do with us expressing our willingness to share in Christ's mission and sacrifice."
And last thought...
(Alma 41:15) "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again." Every invitation, every sacrifice, every act of love, compassion, and forgiveness shall be restored among you again.
God lives. He loves us. I LOVE MISSIONS!
Love you all, hope that you didn't fall asleep in the email,
Sister Soulier
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