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

Slideshow celebrating 2008!

In addition to the regular January slideshow (shared in the previous post), Elders Cottam (in the office) and Elder Mundy (assistant) and I put together a celebration slideshow to share during January zone conferences. It has a sampling of the 2012 baptisms (could NOT fit them all in) that took place in the West Indies last year.

Enjoy!



*note - you can view full screen by clicking on the square icon in the lower right of the video window

Baptism in the sea

Last week we spent a few days on Tobago with some of our children and grandchildren. They loved the beauty of the island and the sweetness and strong testimonies of the members.

I remember going over to Tobago about a year and a half ago and visiting the only member we knew of on the island.

Now there is a nice thriving branch.

We had over 40 people at a fun night last week. Here is a picture of just the children (along with a few of ours)



While we were in Tobago, President Robison baptized Linda Quashie in the sea (no fonts in Tobago - yet).







Here is what the waves looked like that morning


What to do?

Find a nice sheltered rock to block the waves


and carry on





Hurrah for Israel




Priesthood at work


Happy Elders




It was a beautiful morning

An incredible weekend

November is a month focused on gratitude in the West Indies Mission. In fact, gratitude has been a theme woven throughout the entire year.

A few months ago we all studied King Benjamin's discourse in Mosiah 2-4

"O how you ought to thank your Heavenly King" (Mosiah 2:19)

We also discussed Elder Eyring's masterful conference talk on gratitude - O Remember

"find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness"

At the beginning of the month we gave each companionship this document to post on their walls



The picture is from a baptism at a beautiful waterfall in Guadeloupe

So - what happens when we spend a month in gratitude?

Wonderful things so far!

This weekend the West Indies missionaries confirmed sixty-nine people as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With one week to go in the month, the elders and couples have had 211 confirmations in November. This may be the best month ever in the West Indies.

We heard testimonies from a few of the Trinidad new converts in our 'every-six-weekly' mission home fireside last night. They are wonderful, strong, committed new members.






Here is Ashton, one of the newly baptized members, with Elder Farrer (who is on a flight home with Sister Farrer at the end of a a powerful mission as I type this)



Ashton was baptized Saturday, confirmed Sunday, and bore his testimony Sunday night. Here is a story Elder Farrer told me about Ashton's path to baptism:

Last Friday night, Elder Shideler (finishing his mission this month) and Elder Noah (just started his mission) stopped by to see Ashton but his house was dark and it seemed that no one was there. They walked on down the street to see another appointment. When they were finished Elder Shideler said, "We need to go back." Elder Noah wondered why but they passed by and Elder Shideler yelled into the dark house. Ashton stuck his head out and said, "I'll be right out." But then he delivered sad news to the elders, "I don’t think I'll be baptized. I'm just not sure I can keep the commitments." This hit Elder Noah hard so he bowed his head and started praying inside that the Lord would touch Ashton’s heart and change his mind and that he would have confidence that he could keep his baptismal covenants. As soon as Elder Noah finished his private prayer, he glanced up and at that instant Ashton looked him in the eyes and said "I want to do it."

In his testimony last night, Ashton spoke with confidence and gratitude for the wonderful feelings he had and he expressed firm conviction that he is on the right path. He will be a great blessing to the new Point Fortin Branch in Trinidad.

The baptism - Elder Farrer, Ashton, Elder Noah, Trevor (also baptized Saturday), and Elder Shideler


Elder Palmer (who also baptized) and Elder Noah - happy missionaries doing what they do best

Picture of the Day

We are away from the missionaries for few days, so my camera has been idle. But I am starting to go through the photos they gave me for the next slideshow. I thought it might be fun to share a 'picture of the day' occasionally when I come across something fun.

Here is my first Picture of the Day (taken by Elder Mundy):



Doesn't Elder Guy look determined as he and Elder Barton perform this baptism in Tobago? You see, there is no font in Tobago so baptisms are done in the sea. Occasionally, the water doesn't calm down and cooperate. But dedicated Elders always find a way to get the job done. They told me that the water looked somewhat calm when they walked out but just as they finished the baptism a big wave rolled in. They quickly moved to shield and steady the young lady and took the hit themselves.

Here are a few more pictures of the baptism:

challenges


success



Missionary work is the best! (Elders Barton, Mundy, and Guy)

A perfect day in St Vincent

We have been serving our mission for almost two and a half years now and have not taken time to see many of the beauties of the West Indies. So we are trying to spend a few hours here and there with the senior couples and share their favorite sights. Today we drove with the Hattons to see a little of St Vincent and then got to finish the day with a baptism in the sea - perfect!

Driving in St Vincent is scenic but challenging


Sister Hatton told me that Elder Hatton has been in the ditch four times during their mission - just like this poor car we passed!


We passed gorgeous vistas and little hidden beaches


Our first stop was Wallilabou Bay - where Pirates of the Carribean was filmed. Do you recognize this distinctive rock from the first movie?


We stopped to see the Layou petroglyphs - aren't they amazing? I have seen petroglyphs all over the West Indies and in Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah - all of them very similar - so odd.


We passed a long wooden waterpipe stretching for miles.


Elder Hatton called this leak the 'drive by car wash'


Our final stop was Dark View Falls - gorgeous!


To get there we had to cross this bamboo bridge


Sister Hatton is a pro


We climbed through a bamboo forest


Until we caught our first glimpse of the falls


It was definitely worth the effort


I was surprised when the Hattons said there were even more falls up above. We hiked up and were rewarded by this


We returned in time to clean up for the baptism.

Elder Rosales showed Isaiah (who wants to be baptized) how a missionary prepares


The baptism was held at a beautiful little hidden cove.

To the beach we go


Led by Elder McNeal


With Elder Williamson all ready to capture the moment


Elder Hatton found a friend


Clair Primus and her daughters Camille and Akelia were baptized


This is a fun picture - those about to be baptized with some of the newest members of the church (baptized within the past few weeks)


One of the newly baptized is 19 year old David who is looking towards serving a mission


Into the water


Hurrah for Israel!



Every new member needs a friend


The newest Saints in St Vincent

Don't they look happy?

Of course the day ended with another glorious St Vincent sunset


Wouldn't you love to join this family in the sea?


The Hattons definitely know how to show visitors a great time!