Guten Tag!
What a beautiful week it has been here in Graz! Our friend Charles was able to follow the Savior into the waters of Baptism yesterday! It was really a week of miracles. (Shocker) Charles was supposed to have his baptismal interview with our district leader on Thursday at 1:30. We tried calling him and he was not answering which never really happened with Charles. So we decided to stop by his place. Good news: we found Charles. Bad news: he was super sick. He had food poisioning. Bad food poisioning. He said he had eaten some questionable fish the night before....and if Charles thought it was questionable it must have been pretty bad. haha Immediately we thought we would have to postpone the baptism because Charles could not be interviewed and was just super sick. Since our district leader was already in Graz, he came to Charles' apartment. He and his companion gave Charles a really beautiful blessing. After Charles explained that when he woke up that morning feeling sick he prayed to Heavenly Father that "He would put the devil to shame because he was getting baptised in 3 days!!" hahaha Charles had faith that the Lord would help him be well for his baptism. And that is what the Lord did. The next day Charles felt better but was super weak since he could not keep any food or liquid down. As if the sickness wasnt enough, Charles old priest decided to stop by. He hadnt seen him since April and he just happened to stop by two days before his baptism. I hate the devil. haha The priest brought anti-mormon material with a debate recorded about the Book of Mormon. Charles said that the priest was trying to brainwash him the entire time and change his mind. Luckily, Charles had his answer. He had made his decision. He had tasted of God's goodness and nothing could change his mind. As vulnerable phyically as he was, the Lord blessed him spiritually to be strong.
On February 3, 2013, Charles entered in the gate that will lead him to eternal life! Charles was so excited the night before that he could not sleep. haha He was like a kid on Christmas. It was really neat to be a part of it. Charles really has recieved a new heart in the process of his conversion. He has come to know his Savior. He has made the necessary changes in his life that will allow him to be happy! Really cool. As I sat there watching Charles in white, entering into his first covenant with our Heavenly Father my heart was full. There is so much peace and hope available through the Gospel. This time last year, Chales was an alcoholic and had no direction in his life. He is now a completely different person. He has lost long time friends and support as a result of his conversion. It is easy to focus on what he has "given up" in order to live the Gospel. What we have tried to teach him and what I want to be better at is focusing on what we recieve has a result of the Gospel. It is not a matter of what we give up, but it was we recieve which matters. What we give up is little in comparison to what Lord promises us.
This work is really something else. I really do have a front row seat to miracles here in Graz. The changes, blessings, and experiences I see are incredible. Charles says we are his angels, but I feel like I am blessed one to be part of this great miracle. The Lord is so good. He is in the details of our lives. He is always there. His arm is stretched out. He has suffered for all that believe on His name. He is the way. I am reminded everyday when i put on my little black tag of who I am priveledged to represent. This priveledge is not unique to missionaries alone. As part of the baptismal covenant, we take the name of Christ upon us. We promise to serve Him to the end. There is such pure joy that comes from remembering our Savior daily and trying to be more like Him. The Lord asks us to give our best. I have such a strong testimony of the beautiful plan the Lord has for each us. He is our Father in Heaven and knows us individually. He wants us to return to Him. When life is hard or you dont know what to do, try to see Him in your life. Turn outward and your life will be improved. The Lord is there. He loves you. I feel His love for the people here in Austria everday.
Ich liebe euch!
XoXoXo
Schwester Jaynes
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