Yoooo we have some massive updates for everyone. Just to start off, I just want to say, thank you all for your prayers to help our friends in their situations to help them progress and make the right decisions. It really made a difference
Danger
Okay so we have been continuing working with Danger and his family. We have been trying to get his parents involved, specifically him mom who is more open. We have been inviting her to read the scriptures with us and she hasn't yet, but she said she would love to, and soon she definitely will.
Well a couple weeks ago..... It happened..... Danger, out of the blue, calls us and says "I CAN GET BAPTIZED!!!!" We all freaked out and celebrated together!! We instantly started planning the baptism, but the branch just said they got it basically lol.
We asked danger who he wanted to baptize him, and he said he wanted Brother Wardrop, and President Johnson to give him the holy ghost.
Danger and the Branch decided that he should get baptized at Brother Wardrop's house, he lives on the beach, and has a pool, so we have some options.
We took all the chairs and tables from the church and took them to Wardrop's and set them all up. The amazing senior missionaries here, the Streams, bought Nephi little figures and picture frames, took a super good picture of danger in his suit at the beach, printed it out, and made everything look absolutely amazing!! They truly are the best. You'll see pictures of it all.
There is also a family that is visiting for a couple months from Utah, and their job is YouTube, and they said they were going to make a video for Dangers baptism, so I'll see if I can link it here so everyone can see it!!! It turned out great!!
https://youtu.be/flrWnUeYTUo
He was baptized in the ocean, a TON of people came (65 to be exact lol), and there was so much food!! His family threw like a Cuban BBQ, and they brought so much food, it was insane!!
We ended up having transfers right before the baptism which is super sad because elder Clayson ended up leaving :( So now I'm with Elder Ball who is absolutely amazing!! We get along great and he just picked up right where we left off. So he was there at the baptism. We ended up giving a talk, and we had everything in Spanish and English because his family only speaks Spanish. So I gave the talk in Spanish and Elder Ball translated to English. It was a great experience for everyone!!
Something that was funny, is that Brother Wardrop doesn't speak Spanish, like at all, but we were having him do it in Spanish and English for baptizing danger, he told us he had his son who speaks Spanish translate it from Spanish to English, then from English to redneck... It was the funniest thing ever. When he baptized danger, he ended up almost falling as both of his sandals came off that he was wearing in the water, so he started searching for them, LOL!!!
After the talks, baptism, and food, it was basically a pool party and all the kids and surprisingly a lot of adults started partying it up in the pool which was super fun to see. I wanted to swim so badly!
Training Specialists
We had the training specialists come to our area, they basically go around the missionary and help give ideas to companionships in their area and work a ton, having 4 elders in one area for a couple days. It was great because we got a ton of work done, and found a ton of people. The thing is though, is that they were here right before transfers, and left mid day the day before we had transfers. And Elder Clayson left. So he left with me knowing very little about the new people and their situation, lol...... So me and Elder ball had a lot to deal with because we had the baptism, giving a talk, teaching FHE, and then I had to give a talk that Sunday, so everything was thrown on all at once. But we did manage so we are all good!!
Couple Updates On People
SpongeBob: he is unfortunately no more, he came to church and left after the first hour. We didn't get to talk to him after. We ended up calling him and he told us that his drug addicted mom is coming into town and he didn't feel comfortable asking help from us or our Church, so he went to his other church and decided to stay.
Milagros y Noelbis: We have continued trying to stay in contact with them before dropping them, and they ended up coming to a relief society activity, where they had food and talked and played a couple games. We had the Familia Gutierrez there and so they talked with them. Hopefully they continue to progress from here.
Jeikel: A kid we found that knows danger and said he wants to be baptized, so we are working with him and going to involve danger as well and put him on date if he continues to progress!!
Side note, with Elder Ball, everytime we see Danger now, we sing "what's up Danger??", it's from Spiderman lol.
Overall, the work here in Marathon is progressing and we are working super hard and the members have our back and we are just going to keep doing what we are doing!! We are also starting up English class again and trying to get that out ASAP!! We talked with hermana Gutierrez, and found out about certain problems that are happening in the branch that is making it difficult for Spanish to grow. But we have some plans with her so we will see how it goes.
My amazing parents shipped me a book called "The Heart of The Matter" by Russell M Nelson, and it is an amazing book. I wanted to read a quote from it. For context, President Nelson is talking about the importance of teaching the gospel at home with our kids.
"'We cannot hope to influence others in the direction of moral virtue unless we live lives of virtue. The example of our virtuous living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching, postulating, and theorizing in which we might indulge. We cannot expect to lift others unless we are standing on higher ground'"
Just wanted to shout out to my parents for doing such an amazing job of this. Being the best example for me to learn from, look up to, and strive for. Thank you for the amazing love and spiritual strength you have shown all of your kids. Your firmness to the path has helped me throughout my mission, and my entire life. I invite everyone who reads this to reflect on how you are living. Are you acting the way a true disciple of christ? If you are not, ask yourself why? Then quickly stop making excuses, repent and be better!! It is so important in this gospel to be moving forward, standing still Is not an option. Fight to grow your testimony and your relationship with God and Jesus Christ. You will be extremely blessed in all that you do as you put Them at the center of your life, and your top priority.
I love you all!!! Have an amazing week!!!!!!!
Elder Harbertson
Pictures
1. Church
2-7. Danger's Baptism
8-9. Elder Clayson at church
11. Key Deer
12. Me
13-15. RS Activity
16. Service
17. Zoo
