I Will Go and Do : Week 79: Christmas, New Years, and Vernice's Baptism

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The past two weeks have been amazing and so much has happened. I'll do my best to update you on all that happened.

First off, Vernice Hill was baptized! I am so amazed at all the miracles that occurred so Vernice could be baptized. She was able to be interviewed by President Miller just the day before the baptism. We were able to plan the whole baptismal service in two days and the fellowship she received from the members was amazing. Vernice is a pretty shy and reserved person, but we have seen her gain confidence and become so much happier as we have met with her. On December 30th, at her baptism, she was so happy. There was a new light within her which came from Jesus Christ. She has a strong but simple testimony and I could not be happier for her and who she has become since Elder Sprehn and I first met her in October.

Elder Warner and I also had an amazing Christmas together, one I will never forget. On Christmas Eve, we were making one last visit to one of our investigators. When we got to her home, she had a friend over named Tyrone who wanted to ask us some questions about what we believed. Elder Warner and I began to teach him the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we did Tyrone kept interrupting us and trying to argue with us over irrelevant Christian topics. Elder Warner and I were both getting a little fed up as he wouldn't listen and was not being teachable. We then both began to testify with boldness that Jesus Christ had been born, died, and lives today. We testified that he had restored the fullness of His gospel through the prophet, Joseph Smith and that his kingdom is on the earth again. We plainly told him that he could either continue in darkness or read/pray about the Book of Mormon and have peace in his life. Because of our boldness, the Spirit filled the room where we were and he began to listen and his heart began to soften. He agreed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. As we left that home, on Christmas Eve, it really hit me that there truly is nothing else on earth I could have been doing at that time. I was spending Christmas Eve night testifying of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. This will forever be one of my favorite Christmas memories.

Christmas day was also very fun as the Bridgeport Spanish Elders and us had a huge breakfast feast! It was a great blessing to be able to talk to my family and I am so grateful for all the sacrifices they have and are continuing to make for me to be on a mission.

On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve Sundays, we had many of our investigators attend church and we are so excited for how great they are all doing. Marjorie came to church for her 4th time this last week and everything is aligning to have her baptized on her scheduled day, January 13th. As she started to live the law of chastity in the past two weeks, her boyfriend decided to leave her and he will be moving out of her apartment soon. She will be struggling financially because of this, but she is doing all that she can to be baptized. She is so inspiring and had been one of my favorite investigators to teach. The Abilome family has come to church 2 weeks in a row now and they are doing great too. In our last lesson with them, as we were talking about baptism, one of their friends walked in who was a minister of a Baptist church! We were able to finish the lesson the way that we planned and still invite them to be baptized. That was a lesson I will never forget.

Things could not be better! Our zone is working extremely hard and we are seeing miracles. Last week we had a zone goal to hand out 293 Books of Mormon, we were able to hand out 299! (In 10 or below degree weather most of the week!) I am very excited for all the things that will happen this year. I have many goals for myself and I invite you all to pray and ponder about a goal that you can work on throughout the week that will draw you to the Savior and deepen your testimony in His restored gospel. I love you all!

Love,
Elder Gutierrez