Week 39: Christmas miracle

Hola a todos!!

Well, I believe in Christmas miracles!! You guys are not going to believe what happened this week!! So, Tuesday we visited Morgan and it was a good lesson! He talked about what he liked about church and how he was super excited to come the next week! So, this past Saturday (20th) was the goal that we had scheduled for his baptism - but obviously with him coming to church a lot later in the month than we thought, we were going to have to move his baptism date. So, as a companionship we were thinking that he was prepared enough that he could be baptized the 27th of December or the 3rd of January, but we weren't sure which one! So, we decided to see what his thoughts and feelings were! Near the end of the lesson, we brought up his baptism and we explained to him about the dates and everything and then we invited him to say the closing prayer and to specifically ask Heavenly Father what He wants him to do. So we all knelt down and he began his humble and sincere prayer - I don't remember if I have mentioned it before, but Morgans prayers are the BEST! He definitely knows he is talking with our Heavenly Father! In this prayer he asked THREE times, which of these dates is when Heavenly Father wants him to be baptized. When he finished the prayer, he didn't say anything!! It was just silent! And to be honest, we weren't sure if we should talk first, or if we should wait hahaha and then after about 20 seconds or so, Hermana Escobar asked, How do you feel? After about another 20 seconds of silence he said,

The 27th. I want to be baptized the 27th.

AHHHH!!!!!!!!!! MORGAN IS GOING TO BE BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even begin to describe to you HOW I felt the moment he said that!!!!!! Excitement?! Relief?! HAPPINESS?! I about lost it in the lesson hahaha it was awesome! So, we are in preparation for that and we are hoping all goes well with the interview and that he stays strong with the word of wisdom! He's been almost a week without coffee which is SO awesome! But really, I've never seen anyone so determined to change their life around. I can't even begin to explain either the change that we have seen in him. It has been such a humbling and an amazing experience to teach him and to help him see to importance and the joy that comes from the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! The only bump in the road that we have encountered with him is that his nephew died this past week too.. it was definitely a wake up call for him, but seeing how strong he has been and how he still wants to pursue with everything really is a testimony to us. Prayer for Morgan this week!!

This past Friday, Presidente y Hermana Boucher had our Zone over to the Mission Home for a Christmas dinner!! So I got to drive the car up to Bayamon and we spent some time together as a Zone! It was super duper fun! It was also super cool because all of the Bouchers kids came down to Puerto Rico and so we got to meet them! We had a delicious dinner by Hermana Boucher (yes, she made me gluten-free things hahaha) and then we had a little program and their daughters sang for us!! The Bouchers are the BEST!

Also, GUESS WHAT?! So one of the sisters who is now in our Zone was in San Sebastian for these past 2 transfers, so she gave me an update on everyone!! Everything is going super well!! Juan and Celines are still going SUPER strong and go to church EVERY Sunday!! And remember Peggy and Vicente?? Well, Vicente got baptized last Saturday!!!!! WOO!!! Peggy sadly has been sick, but she is still progressing, slowly but surely!! This week has definitely just been a whirlwind of emotions haha but it's been a great one :)

One last crazy thing and then I have to go!! You are not going to believe what entered our house yesterday..

Here we are coming home from a great Sunday at church (we had a fun Christmas program - Hna Halling and I played the piano) and right as I sit down at my little desk Hna Escobar screams.. CULEBRA!!!!! Hahahaha that's right, ANOTHER snake experience! But this time it was in the HOUSE!!! So of course the first thing I do is try to book it outside (Hna Escobar was already out the door hahaha) but I slipped and fell in the process, putting my body just inches away from the snake!!! Yeah, it was terrible!! So I get up and run into the other room!! Then here comes Hna Halling, just taking her time walking to the closet to get the broom hahahaha she is the hero of the day! With the broom and the dust pan she just guided its way outside!! I have it all on video so you'll have to wait another 9 months to see it but it's hilarious!!

Anyway, I just want to with everyone a very Merry Christmas and FELIZ NAVIDAD this week!! I hope and pray that we are all able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and what the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ means to every single one of us! How amazing is it that Heavenly Father has given us the most special gift we could ever receive? How grateful I am for the knowledge I have of my Savior!! Have a wonderful week everyone!!

Love,
Hermana Holt

 Its cold in the morning

 The Boucher's daughters

Our zone Christmas dinner