Week 31

Mon, May 17, 2021, 9:01 AM What a week! Skyler was baptized yesterday! Such a great day. I have gotten to know him over the last month or so since I have been in Delano, and it was truly remarkable to see how ready he has been from start to finish to apply the gospel into his life. For him it was just a matter of finding the gospel and learning more. Yesterday we held his baptismal service at the chapel here in Delano, and it was an incredible experience. Elder Shoemake and I made the programs and planned out the whole service, and on top of that each of us gave a talk, Elder Shoemake baptized him, and I confirmed him a member of the church, so we had a lot to do. It was a little bit stressful knowing how much things depended on us, and just hoping everything would run smoothly and ward members would show up, but once things got going we started to relax a little bit. The best part of the service was seeing how excited Skyler was to make the next big step in his life. The spirit was so powerful. I shared a talk about baptism for a few minutes, and got to describe the reason we are baptized. Jesus was baptized, though he was perfect, to show us how we must prepare ourselves to enter back into the presence of our heavenly father after this life. When we are baptized, we promise to be obedient, try to be better everyday, and to represent Christ to the best of our ability, and in return we are promised a freedom from our sins and the guidance and comfort of the Holy Ghost. During the confirmation, Skyler also recieved the gift of the ghost. After we have this gift we can constantly be in communication with our father in heaven if we are clean and pure, and our life is so much better for it! After the baptism, my comp and I, and Skyler and his brother, went to frosty king. Popular spot here in Delano, old fashioned drive thru diner. Got some incredible chicken sandwiches, then went to a park for bit. Really a great time to just enjoy such a special day. This week I also had an exchange with a zone leader, and went down to Oildale. Wow. That place is absolutely crazy. I have never heard so many overdose stories in one day. You'd have to go to really experience it... however I would not recommend it haha. He did give me some music from Lower Lights though, great stuff. We also stopped by Skylers football scrimmage to support him, and he coaches at McFarland Highschool. So for everyone who has seen the movie, I can now say I've been! Great week, so happy to be here in Delano!