Hello family and friends. This week consisted of great work because of warm weather (finally), a ton of helping people with moves, and an incredible baptism.
This Saturday, April 28, 2017, Qian Liu Clapp was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Helping Qian with her conversion process took a lot of prayer, patience, and relying on the Spirit. She was by far one of my favorite and most rewarding investigators that I have been able to teach. We have met with her every week since I got here in January. Over the course of the last 4 months, we have seen her concerns fade and her heart softened to the point where not only was she ready to be baptized, but excited to be baptized and to prepare to be sealed to her family in the temple.
Qians' baptismal service was one to remember. After watching the "John Tanner" video, Qian asked us if she had to be baptized in the font at the church. We were able to set it up so that she could be baptized in the Atlantic Ocean at Sister Guzman's home in the ward. We had the entire service outside, it was definitely a baptism to remember. It was very evident that God's hand was ensuring that the baptism would happen. Qian was at a work conference all week and flew in Saturday morning. If the tide was too high, it wouldn't work out and it just so happened that Qian's family would be moving into their new home on the same day. By divine design everything worked out and Qian was baptized. The ward helped them pack all of their things right afterwards. It was a busy day to say the least.
My favorite memory of teaching Qian is that of her and her husband with their son all smiling together with Qian dressed in her baptismal clothes. I had the opportunity to baptize Qian. It was a very special experience that I will never forget. Yes, the water was cold!
On top of the baptism, we helped with 4 moves this week. A couple of them we did all of the moving by ourselves. I can testify that what Mosiah 2:17 says is true, "When you are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God".
The North Shore Zone finished off this month great. We are being blessed in many ways. This Sunday an awesome family walked into church! We have many exciting things going on. I love serving as a missionary. This is God's work. I know it to be true.
Love,
Elder Gutierrez
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| Elder Bingham, Elder Gutierrez, Qian, and Elder Pulu at Qian's Baptismal Service - April 28, 2018 |
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| All 3 Elders that taught Qian with the Clapp Family |
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| Clapp Family |
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| Qian doing push-ups before entering the freezing ocean water for her baptism. |
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| Qian's Baptism Location - Altantic Ocean at Sister Guzman's Home |
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| All Set Up for the Outdoor Baptismal Service |
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| Qian and Elder Gutierrez after Qian's Baptism in the Atlantic Ocean |
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| Brazillian Burger on P-Day |
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| Classic New England Doorbells |
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| Sushi Buffet with the Elders |
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| Elder Gutierrez with another Elder in the Zone |
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