I Will Go and Do : Week 18: "It has a pool?!"

Dear Family and Friends,
HAPPY HALLOWEEN. This week was fantastic! A lot of great things happened. First a funny story: Elder Weber and I were showing a youth's non-member friend pictures from the Hartford Temple. When she saw a picture with the baptismal font she yelled out, "It has a pool?!" We all were laughing pretty hard and she was pretty confused.

After months of praying and fasting, finally Julia (Worcester) went through with faith and got baptized this Saturday! I got a text on Friday morning saying that Julia had decided to be baptized despite her family's opinion. So Elder Weber and I got permission to drive up to Worcester to see her baptism. What a very strong and tangible spirit was felt as Julia was baptized and bore her testimony afterwards. She has taught me so much about trials and how with our Lord's help anything is possible. She's going to be a fantastic, faithful member her whole life, no doubt.

This week we finally taught and picked up two new investigators! Tony and Cheryl Clarizio. Cheryl's brother is Sister Cimmino's husband (non-member) in the ward. We got introduced to them through Sister Cimmino because Tony had some recent heart problems so we had the opportunity to give him a blessing. On Tuesday, he invited us over to help him move some furniture and then to have dinner with he and his wife. We were on exchanges so Elder Tilly (such a great missionary) and I had a fantastic visit with Tony and Cheryl and taught them the Restoration. They both said they would read and pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true. It was so great to teach a solid lesson again.

I learned so much from Elder Tilly in one day, his story is so amazing! He is 26 years old and he was converted 2 years ago. He had already graduated from college and owned his own business when he left on his mission. He is such a great example to me of putting the Lord first in our lives and really serving the Lord. His family still is not supportive in any way and he continues to serve with all he's got. I am so thankful for missionaries like him who help and inspire me to be better everyday as I strive to build His kingdom.

Sadly, we got a text from Tony later this week saying that they were no longer interested in the Mormon church and they were happy being Catholic. Though we hope to stay in contact with them as much as possible and we are trusting that the Lord will help us be able to teach them again soon. Keep them in your prayers!

This week was also the ward Halloween trunk or treat party and for our trunk we made a missionary! Ha ha!! It turned out pretty great and the members here are so fun. I'm so thankful for the ward here.

Love,
Elder Gutierrez