Lots of Baptisms

I was recently asked by someone back home if Hermiston is pretty like Cathlamet. Short answer: no.

It's the ugliest place with a river ever. Maybe it's better in the spring when everything is green. But right now everything is yellow and grey. But what it lacks in aesthetics it makes up for in the character of the people. When anyone moves into Hermiston, the Mayor comes and greets you personally and gives you gift cards and other presents and welcomes you to the town. They were doing that as of about 3 years ago. Maybe it's grown too much since then, but I thought that was pretty cool. Everyone is very nice here. Even though a lot of them dont want to hear our message.

 

Also, another question. Do I get a car. Yes. Lucky for me, I've had a car for the last year. My first area was a walking area and I was there for 6 months, but since then I have been driving.

This weekend 6 people that I taught got baptized. Trina Mears, Brandon Chace and Gage Mondor, Angela Coombs and Lillie Harmon. Those were in 4 different wards. Yakima YSA, Yakima 6th ward, Yakima 2nd ward, and Sandstone ward (here in Hermiston).

 

I think I was most excited to hear about Trina. That was a really good one. I like her a lot. I just hope she stays active.

 

Apparently at the Mondor's baptism Chace (8) and Gage (9) got up after they were baptized and recited a memorized scripture and stated the Doctrine of Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, enduring to the end). That was so cool to hear. I really wish I could have been there. It sounded like a great baptism.

Angela was the one who threw out all of her alcohol, tea, etc. a couple weeks ago. She's great :). I am very proud of her.

Lillie's baptism was a success. The Greer's got to come. It is always a treat to see them. Lillie is, again, 96 years old. And as far as President knew that was the oldest baptism this mission has ever seen with him as President. It's never too late! The Doctrine of Christ is for both "old and young" She moves quite slow but she did it. We had planned to sit her down in a chair in the water and then just to tip it back but her feet would have come up so we just decided to let her do it the "normal" way. She was kinda nervous. Her nephew was the one to baptize her and he was holding her there in the water and whispered to her "do you trust me" She kinda just nodded her head and then they went through with the ordinance. She did great. Bent her knees and everything! And she came up out of the water laughing. haha. It was a sweet experience. Her other nephew was also in the water with her to assist with the baptism. His name is Tom. He is a convert of about a year and a half. President Greer interviewed him for baptism and this is the first time since then that they got to see him. They were very surprised to see him there and it was a good reunion. Especially to see him exercising his Priesthood and baptizing his Aunt.

That was pretty much our week. We have nothing to do in the YSA... Everyone is moving out of Hermiston. They young people don't like it here haha. There isn't really anything to keep them here. No College. No mall. No people. No fun. So they move to Portland or Seattle or anywhere else where things are happening. So YSA work is hard. But we have been getting a lot of OYM's (street contacts) recently. So good things are on the horizon. Hopefully the YSA picks up.

24 new investigators this week! So good Hermiston. These missionaries are great :).

Thats all.

Love love,

Elder Paxman