More Than Tree Sap: March Madness is over!

Well everyone, the test is over and turns out we actually passed!

Last week after finding out Sing may not get back from Cambodia in time to get baptized, we started praying super hard that things would just work out. We talked to the Zone Leaders and they were completely willing to do anything for Sing to get baptized on Sunday. Even if he came back Sunday morning, they were completely willing to come from Asoke (about 1 1/2 hours depending on traffic) t interview him. Oh, the lives missionaries live. Always slightly stressed, but more than anything, just relying on God and the power of prayer. Wednesday we tried calling him but his phone wasn't working, so we just assumed he had already left. Then he called us back and told us that he wasn't going. Turns out it wasn't actually necessary to go right then to pick up his visa, and that at that point he didn't have enough money to go anyways. Well, even though we prayed for him to get back in time, our prayer was answered by his decision to just not go. Wow, sometimes it is just as simple as that.

He interviewed on Saturday night, passed, and then was baptized by Elder Arne on Sunday after church! Sing is so awesome. He just explained that he felt happier and closer to God than he ever had before. It seems like only yesterday I was talking to him for the first time on the street, inviting him to go to church as a response to his longing to belong somewhere. He surely has a place of belonging now - a Branch family and a member of God's family. Seeing him go down in the water made all the hard work so much sweeter. Sister Natthaya asked me before what my favorite part of being a missionary is, and I will have to say that this is what it is all about. I do love seeing people with a new found light and purpose in life, making changes, coming closer to Christ and repenting. It all does have worth and eternal importance. But what are faith and repentance without the next necessary steps of baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That is the pattern established by God for His children - the only way that we can return to live with him again. Those 30 seconds of that person standing in the waters of baptism, with someone holding the proper Priesthood authority, being fully immersed and coming out, being a clean person with a new life. Nothing could make the work we do each day any more rewarding.

That is the real missionary purpose.

So in regards to companions: I now have my 3rd companion for this transfer, and hopefully it won't change for a while. I am now companions with Sister Sawangwong - a native Thai from Ubon. She has been out just 3 or 4 weeks less than I have, but of course she's already better at the language than me... ;) She's awesome! We have so much fun. Man, I am so lucky! :)