Dinner with The Mission President and a Baptism ~

First Baptism ~ Sister Ramirez
He was excited to see Elder McKenzie and other ward members that he misses!

We traveled to Aurora this week with some old friends as some of you may recall. Elder Perkins joined us and we traveled to Aurora to baptize Maria Ramirez, a woman we had found during Thanksgiving, taught through Christmas and were going to baptize on the Saturday prior to Easter. With the help of a youth in the ward, we made the trip to Aurora, fighting off toll booths and sleep we arrived safely there with a new dream catcher and less wealthy due to toll booths that asked for four dollars when all we had was spare nickels and dimes. But we survived.

 The baptism was really neat. A quiet spirit was felt, so soft that if you were thinking of anything else you would've missed it. She was totally ready to be baptized and I feel very privileged to have been a tool in Heavenly Father's hands to help this daughter of God come closer to her Father in Heaven.

It was Elder Jones's birthday this week and we had to help the Mission President at his home with some computer problems. Elder Jones is the local tech support. Later the night we got a call from Sister Shumway, his wife. She said she felt bad for not telling Elder Jones happy birthday earlier that day as he fixed their computer troubles. She told us to make up for it we were invited to eat dinner with them after General Conference. We were presumably intimidated as feelings of inadequacy and fear entered our souls. We accepted and prepared.

We arrived precisely at 3:01 p.m., after quickly departing from our appointment and driving as if Elder Jones's water had just broke. they welcomed us and we entered the home. To the bewilderment of me and my red headed companion, their home was no different then ours during Conference. Their two teenagers were struggling to stay awake and the father and mother of the home occasionally awoke their son by way of loud singing along to the choir and shaking them. During dinner we ate great food and they were very kind to us. We were blessed that day, although we expected an intense formal dinner we were met with a causal dinner that included a joke by me about my premature balding.

Conference was very spiritual and I can't wait to read the talks again, I know they are inspired men of God and that Christ lives. Thank you for the prayers, packages and post cards sent my way, I love you all!

Adios,

Elder Thomas

His District in Aurora

Ian's favorite photo!