Highlight of the Week

The highlight of the week was of course Fabienne's baptism. We woke up that morning and saw snow covering the whole world. how appropriate! it was a wonderland. we checked many times to make sure we had the towels, the music, the programs, the baptismal clothes, the violin, the coats, the cake-- and we were finally out the door.

I haven't been able to contact Priscilla since the New Year, and both sr Gifford and I thought that maybe we pushed the gospel too hard or maybe we said something they had taken in the wrong way, but we should have had more faith. She called that afternoon, asking what time the baptism was. !!!!!! i did a little dance and could hardly keep the excitement out of my voice when she called. Ya know, when all you think, pray and talk about are investigators, you really get excited for them.!

Fabienne came in early, bright as the sunshine. She said "everybody kept warning me about this week and all the opposition that would come before my baptism, but it was a great week! probably because I was praying so hard!" Combined with the prayers of all the missionaries in Paris, the members in St Ouen, and the families across the world, God does hear and answer prayers.

and another one of my prayers was answered when Pricilla AND her HUsband Neil (!!!!) came in and sat in the back. THey looked like they really belonged here.

Fabienne was in tears starting with the first talk by Frère Loisel on Baptism and throughout the whole service. Marie Nikiema gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. She did not know how to read when she joined the church, but learned last year through reading the BOok of Mormon. The first half of her talk was simply reading out of the new RS/ Priesthood manual. We were all as amazed by the spirit the was brought by her being able to read as well as the role of the Holy Spirit.

I then stood up and read the words of Baptism to her before we played the piece I wrote for her. All there were so filled with the spirit, that even when Neil said, 'has anyone tried doing a canon ball into there [Baptismal font]?' I didn't mind. I didn't hear him swear ONCE the whole baptism. and he had bought a nice sweater that morning for the occasion.

after having seen almost 40 baptisms since 2009, I think that I will never get tired of them.

I love you all very very much. I loved 2009 so much. every moment of it being a missionary endowed with power, strength, virtue, knowledge and very much engaged in so many good causes.

may you be strengthened in each of your good causes. thanks for the emails Rich, Loli and Micah

love,
Soeur WIlson