The Rolla Holla!! Monday, 13 April 2009

.Ruben was baptized! I may not have mentioned that he is like 6 and a half feet tall, and only 16 years old! He is the sweetest 16 year old boy that I have ever met, and has strong, if simple desires to learn the little that he can in order to be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ! We struggled with his Mom that would hide every time we came by and an aunt that continually threatened to send him off to camp if he got baptized (she and Ruben`s Mom are his legal guardians). The scheduled day came and we still didn`t have permission. As we talked with him at his neighbors house (they are members) we gave him the baptismal record and told him to ask his aunt to sign it, since she wouldn`t talk to us. At one point, his Mom said she was ok with the baptism but wouldn`t sign (and the temptation and suggestion of some our leaders was to just have Ruben sign his own form). With time, the aunt also refused, and we got ready to leave, dissapointed.The beauty of all of this, and likely the design of a loving Father in Heaven to increase our Faith and try Ruben`s testimony, is that Ruben chose to overcome every obstacle and to help us find ways to make his Baptism possible. As we left, he told us to come by at 4, because the whole family would be outside for a famous Paraguayan ¨Reso¨ or prayer for their deceased grandmother. Ecstatis with Ruben`s initiative and willing to try anything, we began our fast and made a few visits until 4 oclock. We prayed under a nearby trea around the corner and went to Ruben`s house. They looked at us like we were crazy, clearly frustrated by the interuption. I felt that we should just explain who we are, our purpose, the details of our call, Ruben`s desire to get baptized, and ask her to sign. AND SHE DID! What an amazing blessing that after 3 weeks of attempts, her heart was softened so that this beloved son of a loving Heavenly Father was able to be baptized.The mission is GREAT! I am so happy! Prayer and fasting work and Heavenly Father is so willing to show us miracles in our lives! I love you all! Thank you for your love and support! Have a wonderful week! Make it one!Elder McCarty