Gerald got baptized!

It was a wonderful Saturday. The general conference started at 1 here for us and then the 2nd session at 5. So when we finished at 7 we ran over from the stake center to our ward in Collao for the baptism of Gerald at 7:30. He did not want to wear his white clothes in the picture because the kind Elders accidentally gave us pants about twice his size to use. It all worked out though. Also, But you gotta give him credit for his suit. He bought it just for the day. Also none of his family are members so it was a great achievement to have them participating and happy for him.

I can not say that this was my favorite baptism but a very very special one. It was a hard move to go to Collao and the number one thing I wanted to do was find my purpose of having to be there....even earlier than the normal transfers. And Hermana Parkin and I were able to find him my very first full day in Collao. That is also something extra special about this baptism. We found him together and were there with him until the end.

He made it happen in 6 weeks. And they were not an easy 6 weeks. He was super prepared of course but just had a lot of changed to make. We were there for him when he fell, though. He felt some pretty heavy pressure at work to take a drink with all the guys during the weekend of Chile's Independence Day. We were verifying how he was doing with all of his commitments one day before a lesson and he told us where he had slipped up. He was heart broken. We did not even have to help him realized the disappointment he needed to feel. He felt so very guilty and wanted to take it away so badly. We had planed to teach about tithing and fast offerings but we shared Enos instead. As we were about 1/2 into the lesson he had this huge click moment when we looked up from where he was reading and said, "Wow, this applies right to me!" Almost in every lesson now he makes a reference to Enos. He loves the book of Enos and he loved how he knew where he could give his pains toand be freed from them. When we told him we would be moving his baptism a bit for what had happened he did not get sad only excited and touched that we would move it just for him and his needs. 

I think it was also so a beautiful blessing because Gerald is so young. He is basically our age. So the gospel relates to us in our lives in a lot of the same ways. He is just 22 and it is awesome that he will have so many blessings to partake of. And will be able to bless his future family so much as a priesthood holder. He always gets a bit emotional when we promise blessings that he will receive for his future family with all of his sacrifices he is making now. Who knows.....the mission could even be in his plans. We have already told him we want him to join us for a few lessons with other investigators to help them with their doubts. He was more than excited. He started just laughing with joy as he said yes.

Hermana Parkin sang a song for the baptism and I played the piano for her.....okay that is kind of a lie. It would make my mom really happy but Hermana Parkin just recorded the song fist on the piano and I just had to push play. But I took advantage of the situation and put on a good show as if I was playing.