BAPAMATIZMS!

 

dominick wilson

dominick wilson and mickey dunn met sister wilson and sister teerime at a 4th of July breakfast in the parking lot of the Brookside ward. little did they know they would be getting just free pancakes offered. The missionaries began to visit and teach the restored gospel. they have actively attended the ward since, dominick although a non-member even has her picture in the relief society directory. it wasnt instant conversion and arent we all working on ours, but seven months later dominick and mickey decided to be married on february 14th. the wedding was beautiful and was followed by a wonderful baptism. mickey knows its his turn soon. dominick has followed the saviors example and soon mickey will be following his wifes. they are already had the family history bug bite and are halfway through a family history class offered in the evenings.

 

yang xiong

two elders on bikes met yang on the sidewalk of a park. they wrote back and forth on paper to communicate. yang thought it wouldnt hurt to meet missionaries, especially if they signed. yang had no christian background and a family that didnt support him. yang was born in laos. he doesnt even know american sign that well. but because he had patience and the lord blessed he was able to learn the gospel through broken sign, lots of gestures, and lots and lots of pictures. a year in the making yang knew it was important to be baptized. he has a silent baptism service on feb 17th and went down stiff as a board. he is now a disciple of jesus christ.

 

sia vang

was forgotten and looked over by so many. also born in laos, sia did not have the ability to acquire language because of her deafness and circumstances. when a young child doesnt not have this ability they do not develop mentally the same as you or I. sia has always known she has a savior who loves and cares for her tenderly. as soon as she was introduced to christianity and baptism she knew she needed to also be baptized. so many of christian churches denied her saying she was not a canididate for baptism. sia was blessed to have the asl sister missionaries stumble across her door and were able to, through so many miracles, teach her the restored gospel and give her the chance to be baptized with the proper priesthood authority into the true church of christ also on february 17th. the brookside relief society loves her so much and are so grateful for her joyful christlike example.

 

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Baptism of Sia and Yang 2/17/13

 

 

three baptisms and a wedding sure made for a busy and miracle filled week. it was a great way for sister sellers to finish her mission. she flies home to oregon tomorrow and will be grateful missed. sister repman and i will continue to work. oh there is still so much work. it was a miracle that despite the busy week we were able to keep all of our other "key indicators" or numbers up and balanced! we hit or surpassed each of our goals but one! let me give you an example. yesterday... sunday... we had 2 baptisms, 1 confirmation, 2 lessons with members, 1 other lesson, 1 received referral, 1 contacted referral, added 1 new investigator, and had 2 recent-convert-less active lessons. oh and i interpreted for church. when it rains it pours! the lord sure is pouring down blessings and we all know how much i love dancing in the rain. and yes after primping sister sellers for her reunion with her family last night, i slept like a rock. i love sleep.

 

sister wilson also flies home tomorrow. im trying not to think about that one. and just praying nine months wont seem to far away from when i will be able to see and laugh with her again. she has been such a stength to me this first part of my mission. shes has truely been my "mission mommy." her future kids and husband are so stinkin lucky.

 

we had zone conference this week. (our car got a perfect score on cleanliness and upkeep! woo-hoo!) learned so much and yet i was all so simple. i sure love the gospel. we learned about how to encorporate family history work better in our work. i think ive also caught the bug... cant wait to get started. do you think grandpa will help me when i get home?

 

the brookside stockton ward is amazing. i have seen them stretched and expanded so much since coming back. the other sisters sure worked hard. the ward is a family and it feels so grate to be apart of it all.

 

i TRY to stay out of trouble,

sister oliphant

 

ps: happy vday all! thanks for all the LOVE this week!!!!!!!!