Remember
Sulma, Rogelio, and Juan? Wellll... Their back! They came back about a
week and a half ago, sorry that I never told anyone, I didn't have time
to email much last week. Here's what happened: Heavenly Father blessed
us and them. Hermana Sager and I have been working our tails off and
praying for miracles. We set a baptismal goal and toward the end of the
month it seemed impossible to hit it, or baptize at all. Then...
Heavenly Father sent us our miracle. Sulma, Rogelio and Juan came back
and got in contact with us! We were devastated when Rogelio didn't make
his baptism a few weeks ago, but we never gave up working or hope for
their futures! Juan and Rogelio were both so ready to be baptized,
pretty much all we had to do was get the baptismal program set up and
announce it in church. At the last minute Juan decided he didn't feel
ready yet and so he chose not to take that step yesterday, but as soon
as he saw his brother get baptized, he told me he wanted it too. He
should be getting baptized in a week or two :) He just needed Rogelio to
lead the way for him. The service was beautiful and there was a lot of
ward support. We were so blessed to see so many people coming out to
help out and give love and support to Rogelio. He is an amazing 10 year
old boy and he knew exactly what he was doing by getting baptized
yesterday. I love this gospel. I am so thankful for our Heavenly Father
and that He has given us these opportunities to make covenants to return
to Him someday!! Sulma was overcome by the Spirit and cried through
most of the program. She expressed how grateful she is that we never
gave up on her and how she desires to be baptized after her and her
boyfriend are married (a process that we're working on right now). I
know that this work is His and it's real!
THANK
YOU! My birthday was awesome. I am too loved and too spoiled! Thank you
for all the cards and gifts and love that I felt slowing my way.
Another boy in my district also had a birthday on July 18th and so our
whole Stake threw us a surprise party! It was great.
This
week: Today is Monday and we just got back from a combined bowling
activity (my top score 164). Tomorrow we have district meeting and a
blitz. Wednesday we have the trainer/trainee meeting in Riverside.
Thursday I have the Mission Leadership Council meeting which is like 8
hours, Hermana Castrillon and I will be going and our daughters will
have to stay together and work in both our areas (they are totally being
thrown into the fire by having STL moms). Friday we're going to a
baseball game!!! Our whole mission is going to a semi-pro game in Lake
Elsinore. I don't know why but they have a "Stormin Mormon" night every
year and we're invited and we get to give service as well. I'm super
excited. Saturday, Julio gets his endowments IN THE SAN DIEGO TEMPLE.
That's right... Hermana Castrillon and I will leave our hijas again and
go to San Diego, aka the most beautiful temple in the world, and go with
Julio. This week is basically a party! Sunday, Rogelio gets confirmed and hopefully Juan will be baptized as well!
I
know I'm partying it up a lot down here, but don't worry, I'm working
too! There is so much work to be done here in Hemet. I know that Hermana
Sager and I are here together for a specific reason and she and I will
see a lot of success as we continue to work and strive to be the best
that we can be. There is a lot of relying on the Lord, but the more we
do it, the easier it becomes. Soon His will and our wills will be the
same because we will be able to submit completely to Him and preform His
work to achieve the salvation of many souls.
Hermanita Sager and I at the surprise birthday party
Juan in the black, Hno. Garcia, and ROGELIO. Me, Hnita Sager, and Hnita Emerson came back too :)
Con Amor,
Hermana Rutherford
Hermana Rutherford