Palm Sunday Baptism

President Robison and I got to be part of a special baptism this morning.

Here is the story

About a month ago, when Elder Neil L Anderson and his wife, Kathy were in Trinidad to create the first stake in the West Indies, we took them into Port of Spain to see a view of the island from the beautiful Fort George.



On our way back to the mission home we stopped at Ruby Tuesdays for lunch. It was an odd time (about 2:30 pm) so the restaurant was empty. A darling waitress named Patricia Thompson took care of us. She was helpful and kind and we all got into a conversation with her - ending of course, with an invitation to meet with the missionaries. She did just that and was taught by Elder McDaniel and Elder Hamilton along with President Robison. She gained a testimony through reading the Book of Mormon (she read it at least 1 1/2 times before her baptism), fasting and praying. The sweet ending of the story was her baptism this morning.

Patricia - found by the newest apostle, baptized by the mission president







Elders Hamilton and McDaniel



With her friend Melissa (who attended the baptism and will meet with the missionaries for the first time this week)



Doesn't she look happy?



I have to say, that being with Patricia today reminded me of my own baptism, quite a few years ago, when I was a college student in Oxford, Ohio.

I remember asking a friend, "Why are you always smiling?" and hearing her response, "My church."

I remember walking into that church and meeting two fine, clean young men who taught me the gospel with kindness and power.

I remember the feeling of wonder as I came to understand, for the first time, the purpose of my life.

I remember the joy I felt I as I came to know about a loving Father and His Son.

I remember devouring the Book of Mormon and making lists of questions to ask the missionaries each time they visited.

I remember kind members of the church who helped me along the way.

Most of all, I remember the burning witness I eventually received that I had found the Lord's true church and that I must be baptized.



It was a wonderful day today