Letter - 1/18/2011

This weekend I had more baptisms in a day than I ever have before. My last most being the Pollock family in Star (3). But this weekend we had four! The Searles family was baptized, as well as Caiden LaMantia, who was baptized by his father, Rich, who JUST got the priesthood.

The LaMantia boy's baptism was amazing and was also a first for me. I have never baptized or witnessed the baptism of or HEARD of someone being baptized with a cast on. After consulting a physician, we applied a layer of Glad Press 'n Seal™ and then put on a plastic bag and THEN duct taped the junk out of his arm where bag meets skin. It must've hurt to take that sucker off. But, all was successful, his arm stayed dry and he is now the newest member of the Banbury ward.

The Searles baptism was also one of the best baptisms I think I've ever been to (but it seems like every successive baptism is one of the best I've ever been to...) It was cool to see Josh and his two boys, Cane and Camryn, enter into the water and covenant with God that they're going to try their best to follow Jesus Christ's example. The mom, Amber, is going to be baptized shortly, she had a few things she had to work through first. But what's cool is that Josh will be able to baptize her! It was a really cool service, with a lot of emotional points. I was talking to Josh beforehand and he told me he didn't sleep the night before because he was so excited. I said, "It's kind of like Christmas, eh?"

"Yeah, but...a little better." He answered.

That's why you go on a mission. When you meet people like Josh Searles or Rich LaMantia who have had plenty of things go on in their lives that have put them through the ringer and see their lives improve and change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ...there's just no substitute for seeing that change. And no adequate words. Seeing how scriptures bring comfort to those who thought there was no turning back, no forgiveness is indescribable.

Passages like "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." or "...saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Healing and hope is the message Jesus Christ's Gospel has for all of us. If we repent by turning away from our sins and trying our best to forsake them and replace them with better habits, Heavenly Father will bless us, every time.

Thanks everyone, for your support! See you in the summer!


Forever thankful,

- Elder Hops