We had a very interesting week and I continue to learn everyday of my mission. One of the hardest but amazing things that happened this week was the baptism of Carlos. Carlos is a very special person. When we met him, he used a lot of slang, and wasnt very interested in conversing with other people. Carlos had an accident with an explosion a while a go and his body was severely burned. When we met Carlos, he came to church and was interested in Sacrament Meeting. He talked a lot of slang and when we tried to teach him, it was difficult to get him to pay attention. One time, he talked for 2 hours straight and we kept asking him to listen to our lesson but he never did. One day we finally invited him to be baptized. He accepted but we really didnt feel the spirit in the lesson. A video came to my mind that is called The Atonement and Missionary work by Jeffrey R Holland that has literally changed my life. It talks about the things we pass as missionaries and why it can be difficult. It also talks about when we pass hard times as humans we are standing with the "best Life (The Savior) this world has ever known. The only pure and perfect missionary that has every lived." We showed him the video and he had tears in his eyes. I think he came to see what we had gone to do so that he would be able to learn of the Gospel. After he was baptized and confirmed, he said a very humble and sweet prayer. There was no mexican slang and basically said "we thank thee because we are in the true church." He changed. That simple prayer had an effect on me. The gospel changes people. I continue to give thanks and try to carry on the amazing, and at times tough, path of missionary work. Its amazing to see someone change. The night before the baptism I sat on the bus in gratitude for my Heavenly Father. Its something my dad has told me. Something along the lines of "when we pass hard times and then finally something good happens, all the hard stuff gets erased behind and we don't remember it." It has happened to me many times. The night before the baptism of Carlos we were going to teach him one last lesson so he could be baptized. I was super sick that day and wasn't sure I could make it. When we got to his house many things were happening and it was hard to teach. But then he started to listen to us and pay attention and I felt the spirit. It all worked out and he was baptized the next day. I am happy to know that we did everything we could to bring one more soul unto Christ.
Love you all!
Giddy up,
Elder Smith
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