May 14, 2007

  • Dear friends, family, and fellow xangans,

    Things are going great here in Chino/Pomona. Yesterday we confirmed Rose, who was baptized last week. It was a very beautiful baptism. As the Bishop welcomed Rose to the ward, he told her that her next step was to prepare to be sealed with her husband and little girl in the Temple as a forever family. She started to cry. The closing song was Families Can Be Together Forever, with made her just burst into tears. Her husband hugged her as she just rocked back and forth sobbing. She later said that she just felt overwhelmed with a spiritual feeling that she really could be with her family forever and that she was finally doing the right thing to make it possible.

    Yesterday Daniel was baptized in another ward in the district. He was the first person that I interviewed for baptism- a humbling experience in and of itself. The baptism was very spiritual. He had been attending church for more than a year, and had wanted to be baptized for a long time. His parents, however, would not give persmission. He finally got the consenting signature he needed after writting a three page letter to his parents on why it was a good thing for him to be involved in this Church. We all prayed a lot for it, and consider it a miracle.

    Yesterday was also particularly sacred and spiritual because I was fasting, among other things, for Sabina. I first met Sabina in Walnut at the institute. She is a young adult- a beautiful black girl who has lived all over the world, and she was hanging out with friends there. I was at the institute to teach a lesson to an investigator we had found knocking doors, but we were stood up. I felt inspired to walk into the commons room and ask who had not had the lessons before. Sabina raised her hand. Elder Fillerup and I proceeded to teach one of the most powerful lessons on the Restoration I had ever taught. We set up an appointment for another lesson, and soon we had taught her the Plan of Salvation. She believed it all, acknowledged the Spirit, and had a desire to be baptized. We turned her over to the missionaries where she lives, which turned out to be the same ward that Daniel was just baptized in.

    While I was on exchanges in that ward, I got to teach another lesson to Sabina- after maybe 4 or 5 months of not knowing what had happened to her. As it turns out, her mother told her that she would be disowned and would have to move out if she takes lessons from LDS missionaries. As a result, she has been unable to be baptized and has been taking the lessons in secret. I have a special sympathy in my heart for anyone who is excluded from their families in any way when they express interest in another Church, no matter what church it is.

    We talked a lot about miracles, and dedicated our fast to a miracle for her so that she can be upfront with her mom. We will see what happens. She was also at Daniel's baptism, and depending on when she is able to be baptized and when I get transfered, it may be the last time I see her for a long time.

    Today we had fun playing ultimate frisbee against the Walnut/Hacienda Heights Zone in Walnut, which brought back good memories. I also got to hang out with Elder Gershbach who is cool. For breakfast I made everyone crepes from a recipe my grandma had sent me a while back. They are not on my diet, but I felt a need for them. It was very nastolgic and soothing as I thought about childhood Saturday mornings when my dad would make everyone "roll-up pancakes." Those were the best. Besides, I enjoy other people enjoying something I have made.

    Well. It's pretty hard to believe that I am almost 21 months old. "woahhhohhohh, twenty one and invincible ..." (Something Corporate). I need to apply for my classes- I think I will just follow the classes that the Fine Art department recommends for sophomores, I remember seeing a flow chart about it. Maybe there is a course book my dad can send me. I can't wait to talk to my family on mother's day.

    I don't know if any of you watched the PBS documentry "The Mormons". Most members of the church were dissapointed. I didn't see it all, but what I have seen actually wasn't too bad. They displayed both extremes- pro and con. What they did not show was the middle- mainstream moderate Mormons (which are the most common Mormons). I don't believe there is such thing as bad press, though, and I think the general public got the message that we had transformed from outcasts to something beautiful, and yet something real. We are something truly beautiful, and I will forever treasure the unique spiritual gifts that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides for its members.

    Love sincerely,

    Elder Embree