Ain't no valley low🙃
Well. It was a week.
I guess not every week can be good, because it's life. But, it doesn't mean it's easy.
It snowed all week.
Here's the main conflict of the week: So, as I said last week, Jack and Fausta were going to get baptized! So, Tuesday night we went over to make sure everything was ok with the parents! And we brought our friend, Brother Odera, who's started more Swahili branches around the world than stars in the sky, and we talked to the parents! They said yes! And they even allowed for the youngest, who was 8, to get baptized too! What an amazing night! So, the next day we went over, to get the signatures and a few birthdays for the baptismal form. And, when we did, Vestina, the mom, started screaming at her kids. They were speaking a dialect of Swahili I don't speak, so we kind of just sat there. We eventually found out that she had changed her mind. She said the kids couldn't get baptized. And now, the kids were convinced they didn't know enough, or that they couldn't, or didn't need to. So, we were in a very contentious household, so we got up and left.
As we left, we burst into tears. This family is very near and dear to my heart. They are a family that I know I was supposed to meet. So them deciding to not get baptized hurt my soul because I know how happy it'll make them. So, we were very hurt that night. But, we knew the story couldn't end. The next couple days, they were sick so we couldn't see them. But yesterday, Brother Odera went over to see them. And, he brought a translator so that she could understand completely what was happening. And, after that, she said yes again!!! But, the kids were still back at square one. So no baptism yet. We aren't losing hope for them though!
I think I beat myself up a lot this week. I asked a lot about, what am I not doing that's not helping me help people? Am I doing something wrong? I work really hard, and I'm not being able to help these people. So, it was a hard week. But, I read in D&C this week about how God's work can not be frustrated. So, no matter the skill of the missionary or the agency of the person we are teaching, God's work CAN NOT be frustrated. So, that was comforting!
This week we also had Zone Conference. As an STL, I got to give a training and it was on what's called baptismal presentations. President wants us to start giving presentations on the lessons during the "changing" period of baptisms. So, we did! And it went really well! There was a sister that said I helped her a lot. So that was cool!
We also spent lots of time in the studio this week! We recorded a song called, "Reaching Out." We did a trio thing with me, Sister Hyde, and Elder Bohn. We haven't finished it, but when we do, I'll send it out.
Anyway, this week was a low point, but as my subject line says, ain't no valley low enough to get me to give up. I'm gonna keep working hard. I've only got 10 months left! Time is moving so fast, but also I've got quite a bit of time left!
Also, Elder Bohn and Elder Phui go to Africa this week! We will miss them for sure.
Anyway, that's this week! Hope you all are okay and happy!
Love,
Sister Copeland
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