AHHH GUYS. I can definitely testify that running water in
the font is the purest, greatest music to missionaries ears! This past Saturday
our investigator, Grant Eichenmiller, took the step to follow Christ and was
baptized!! YAHOOOOO! It's been a long wait and it was a day I will never
forget. Almost 10 months ago I entered the MTC feeling that I would baptize all
of PA. 💁 HA. Little did I realize the Lord had other
plans ;) I've come to realize that it doesn't
matter how many baptism we have. What matters, is that we are on the
Lord's errand doing what HE needs of us in that moment. There's a lot of behind
the scenes leading up to a baptism and I was blessed enough to see Grant
through at this phase of his conversion but it doesn't end here!
Grant and his wife, Mary Lou's, journey started almost 30
years ago when their son Eric first joined the Church. They had met with
missionaries on and off over the years but with no real progress. Or so it
seemed. The sisters before us tried one last time to get in contact with them
and come to find out that they actually had read the Book of Mormon and knew it
was true. Like WHAT?! They even wanted to be baptized to boot! So Mary Lou was
baptized right before I got to Pitt 3rd but it has been the coolest thing to
get to know them both so well! Even though they are literally diamonds in the
rough and we didn't do much except for help them continue, it has been a
journey of a lifetime that I am honored to be a part of. I loved teaching them
every week and seeing both Grant and Mary Lou's testimonies grow, as well as my
own. It made me smile to see Grant be so excited for his baptism. I've never
seen him so happy!! The day of his baptism he brought his Bible and Book of
Mormon and set them on the podium to get ready to give his testimony afterward.
He was there like an hour early all ready to change and get the show on the
road! Ha, ha, ha, ha it was so funny! His son Eric was able to baptize him and it was
such a special experience. After he came up out of the water he had the biggest
smile I've ever seen on his face. He giggled a bit and looked around almost as
if to say "what's else, what's next?!" Ha, ha, ha it was so good! I know
that Saturday family on both side of the veil were cheering Grant on as he took
his big first step to eternal life! I couldn't help but think how those first
missionaries that tracted into Eric might be feeling today? You never know what
may come of the seeds you plant! So if you feel like you're trying and not
seeing real progress, don't lose hope. NEVER EVER GIVE UP!
Yesterday, Grant received the gift of the Holy Ghost, to
be with him constantly as he chooses the right. Once again he was so happy and
was walking down the halls at church saying to everyone in sight: "it's
official!!" Ha, ha, ha! Mary Lou kept hugging us and telling us thank you. She was so happy as well.
It's moments like these that make all the hurt, heartache
and hard days worth it! I know for a fact that the Lord has people around us
for us to lead to him. Patience is a real deal and it's not easy, but I know
that as we are diligent the blessings will always pour in. I know that the
gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. Along with that is the wonderful blessing
of the restored true priesthood power through which baptism and receiving the
Holy Ghost, and other important eternal, sacred acts can be done properly! I
encourage you all to look up Tad R. Callister's talk: Blueprints of Christ's
Church and read/watch it! It's kind of long but it is SO good and so true! :) I
love you all and am grateful for the daily thoughts and prayers. It means more
than you'll ever know!
Love Love Love 💕 Sister McD
Ponderize: D&C 18:15-16 "15 And if it so be that
you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and
bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in
the kingdom of my Father! 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that
you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your
joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"
Commitment: Really know I am a child of God! ~ Elder
Hallstrom
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