September 30th, 2013 - Mundelein, IL

Hey guys, heyyyyyyyy!

What a week! Really. What a week. One for the books. Every one of our appointments fell through (except for Antonio and Jessica, of course!). Back up plans fell through. Even the backup plans for the backup plans fell through. Granted, this happens every once in awhile...it's harder when it's a week long thing.    But on the Brightside......

Met with Antonio, as usual. And guess what! His son received his mission call! He's going to Chile! Yes, just in case ya'll are getting confused- this is the same Antonio that got baptized on Aug. 3rd. His family, who all live in Mexico, were baptized about two or so years ago. You could say he was thoroughly happy and proud of his son.  ....random side note, when we mentioned that ALL of our lessons had cancelled, he got a huge smile on his face, and told us he'd find more friends for us to teach. Bless his heart.

One set of Elders in our Branch had a baptism on Saturday!  His name is Jesus. Love this man! He's an older gentleman, who's been taught for the past 2 months or so.  We had an awesome service for him! Jessica, her family, and Antonio/ Jaime were able to come- which was awesome! Did I mentioned President and Sister Woodbury came? NBD. It was fun to introduce all of my people to President - mostly because I talk about how wonderful these people are in my letters to him every week.   Best part, besides the baptism? When Antonio got up and shared his sweet testimony. Man, I love him so much. By the end, Hmna Kennedy, Jessica, and I were all just crying. It's been a wonderful blessing for me to see him change completely and grow in the gospel.

At the end of the service, after everyone had left, Hmna Escobar and I, the other two Hmnas, and two of the other Elders in our branch, stayed and chatted with President and Sister Woodbury. President was asking me about Jesus (the man just baptized), and after telling him a little about his background and how he has been an avid smoker/drinker his WHOLE life, but gave it all up as soon as he learned of the Word of Wisdom and received a Priesthood blessing...President just stood there for a moment, and then half choked up, said that that "miracle" is as wonderful and as great as any of the other miracles that Christ had done while on the Earth (while Jesus was getting dressed after the baptism, the rest of us were watching 'Finding Faith in Christ" dvd- which depicts the life of Christ...so it was relatively fresh in our minds). How true is that though! Christ may not have been here personally to bless Jesus (sorry if ya'll are getting confused with the name), but it was the same as if he was. Jesus overcame his addictions, and it's simply because of his faith in Christ and personal desire to change.

.....All of his family came on Saturday, and his sweet wife came on Sunday to see him be confirmed a member and receive the Holy Ghost. I asked him about it after church; he was so excited, and said that she wants to start coming to church and receive the lessons.

Looking back on everything I just wrote- I guess my week really wasn't that bad...just a little bumpy at times.  I know this is the true, restored Gospel. It changes lives, and only for the better.

Love you all!

Hmna Mortensen

This is a wonderful graphic to view before watching general conference.
http://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/general-conference/images/LDS-Mormon-general-conference-info-graphic-oct-2013.jpg?lang=eng