Minute to win it night was a success. We all had a blast, but I don't have much time to talk about that. There were greater things that happened this week.
Monday night we found out that Kanesha was moving to Tennessee. She was supposed to be baptized Saturday. We were heart broken, but decided that it would be best for her to be somewhere else. She wasn't able to find a job here, so we concluded that Heavenly Father wanted her somewhere else. We would send her to the missionaries in Tennessee and let her be baptized there. We felt like there was nothing more we could do.
Tuesday we went over to help her pack. We found out that the place where Kanesha was storing most of her stuff had donated it because she hadn't picked it up in time. We sat on the floor of the hotel and told her of the sad news. Kanesha sobbed; she literally had nothing but the clothes on her back and a couple of things that she brought to the hotel.
Wednesday was zone conference. President Maluenda talked about how we need to have goals and decided to start them today and not tomorrow. He read Alma 34:32-33 to us and then ended. The thought, "Kanesha needs to be baptized before she goes to Tennessee. She has stayed here this long for a reason." came to my mind. Before I knew it my feet walked me over to my district leader and I said the words, "Kanesha is going to be baptized tonight." I didn't know what I was saying. The night before Sister Bushman and I had decided to send her to the missionaries in Tennessee, however I guess that was not the Lord's plan. Just to make sure that this is what He wanted I said a little prayer right before Sister Bushman and I played our musical number. We played "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" in Sacrament meeting a month ago, and never practiced since. The song has 4 flats, aka really complicated. I told Heavenly Father that if he helped us play the song perfectly, then we would know for sure that Kanesha needed to be baptized.... it was flawless.
I had no idea how we were going to convince Kanesha to get baptized here. She had told us that she wanted to be baptized with Paris, and he was in Tennessee waiting for her. We said a quick prayer and left the church full of excitement. (4:30pm)
(5:25pm) We went to talk to the Bishop first. We explained the situation to Bishop, he smiled and told us to do it. YES. Then we went to Kanesha. She was in the middle of packing all of her things, but we asked her to step outside to talk for a second.
"You are leaving tomorrow, and it is your birthday. You are starting a new life. How great would it be to start your new life by being baptized?"
She was quiet for a second and then brought up being baptized in Tennessee, and then I don't know what we said in the next 3 minutes, but after she said a prayer asking God if she needed to be baptized here, she opened her eyes and said, "Let's do it!" (6:15pm)
We ran around for the next hour setting everything up. The members were amazing. By 7 we had two people giving talks, two people saying opening and closing prayers, and even a chocolate birthday cake as a surprise after the baptism.
The baptism started at 8:30pm. Kanesha was glowing; it was the greatest experience. She cried the whole time. After she was baptized, Jermaine ran up to her and said, "MOM! ARE YOU OK?! YOUR HAIR IS SO SQUISHY!" We all laughed.
While everyone was eating cake and Kanesha pulled me aside and said, "Yesterday, I had nothing. Today, you gave me everything. Thank you."
Thursday morning the little family loaded the bus and were gone just as quickly as we found them. What a beautiful story it was to be apart of. She has been the biggest blessing and is such a wonderful example of trusting the Lord. She is a wonderful mother and someday her boys will be able to serve just like the missionaries are right now in the world. Matthew and Jermaine will find people and show them how living the gospel of Jesus Christ can change their life. .. and the circle continues.
Transfers come today.. probably at like 10:32pm. If I get transferred, I will leave at 5:30am. I am not worried at all. Whatever happens is what the lord wants. I feel confident and ready for the next challenge. Corpus has made me stronger; I've never been so bold in my life. It's true, "With the Lord, all things are possible."
Happy late birthday to Jodi Paige. You're my role model, and the reason I am on a mission. I am trying to follow in your footsteps:)
love from the island,
ehemmingsen
ps. enjoy the 4th for me. don't go too crazy.