Baptism of Erick!

 What a WEEK!

This week was a blast! The Lords hand once again was present in the wonderful city of Chicoloapan. Here are the highlights:

-BAPTISM OF ERICK!!! I had the privilege of baptizing Erick and it was definitely the most spiritual experience I have had during a baptism! The Spirit really can turn others to God(The story of this baptism will be below). Really a lot of people need to feel a spiritual experience to know of the truth. 

-I taught English for my first time and I would say it was not too shaby. I had 21 people show up to my English class and I had very little prepared (So I was just a little nervous). But we learned how to pray in English and then started working on memorizing a song and the meanings of the words in the song. It turned out to be super fun and the class loved it! Teacher Bennion at its finest!

-Found a really nice house on Facebook Marketplace and were super excited because it was also pretty cheap. We were walking to the house when we realized why the house was so cheap. If we lived there I think we would get robbed everyday! On the walk there we saw 4 dead dogs in trash bags, everyone had guns, and about every single eye was on me and my backpack :). Not quite sure why someone built the nicest apartments in the absolutely most trash area, but definitely was not for us.

Story:

So in our preparation for the baptism of Erick, the boiler died on us and we were left with the only option of absolutely fridged water. Erick and I were walking into the water and it was definitely colder then I thought it would be. People from Mexico City are definitely not used to could water and so immediately when Erick got his foot into the water he started shaking like crazzy! But he bravely got to the place we would do the baptism. I started to do the baptism and when I said "Amen" the water went completely warm and Erick stopped shivering. I then dunked him into what should have been fridged water and he came out as if I had dunked him into warm water. He did not breathe rapidly, shake, or feel cold to touch. As we closed the doors to the font and Erick and I walked out of the water, Erick turned to me and said "When I walked into this font, it was the coldest water I had ever felt! But now as I walk out, it is the warmest and most perfect water I will ever feel. When you said Amen, The water no longer had the power to make me shiver or shake. I was in the hands of the Lord!". We walked into the room of everyone watching and apparently the spirit was felt in the room as well. All of Ericks Family was crying! The younger brother who had denied the existence of God 2 days ago was in tears. He ran up to me and hogged me and said "Elder Bennion I want this. I do not want this feeling to leave me. I need this!". Then the Bishop gave an amazing closing remark! This truly was a sacred and beautiful moment! GOD IS REAL! JESUS CHRIST IS HIS SON! AND THE HOLY GHOST WILL TESTIFY OF THEM BOTH!

Spiritual Thought:

As every missionary says, Missionary life is definitely not all sunshine and rainbows! Yes we have moments like Erick, but there is also "Opposition in all things"! There are days that you maybe feel a little unworthy to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Although I hate reflecting on these times, I have found some of my favorite scriptures and spiritual impressions because of these feelings of unworthiness. I want to share two scriptures and two steps I have found over the past 6 months of how I can find joy in missionary work. 

1. D&C 4:3 "Therefore, if ye have a desire to serve God ye are called to the work". This scripture has really been a focal point of my mission. If you have the desire to serve God, you are called to serve God. So whenever I feel a little down or a little frustrated at the decisions I have made I just ask myself "Do I have the desire?". If I have that desire, there is no need to worry! I am in fact called to this work. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

2. So at this point I know I have the desire, and that therefore I am called to the work. But what if you do not feel worthy to do the work? That is when I found D&C 3:10 "But remember God is merciful: therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandments which I gave you, and though art still chosen and art again called to the work". The answer to all doubts and lack of ability is Jesus Christ and his atonement of our sins. I once heard a story of a young women who got home from her mission and said to her Father. "I just was not enough!". The daughter waited for the response that her efforts were enough and that she was being too hard on herself. But, the father recognized a higher law and responded "Of course you were not enough. None of us are enough. It is because of this though that we realize the necessity of turning towards Christ. He will make your efforts whole! He will make your work his work. Perfect in all of its Glory.". So whenever I find myself thinking "Wow I am not enough. I am not worthy." I always remember that in fact I am not enough, and I am most definitely not worthy to hold the mantel of a disciple of Jesus Christ. But through Jesus Christ my efforts will be made whole! My discipleship will become complete. But I can only access this through the atonement of Jesus Christ and through repentance! God is merciful because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I know that as I use repentance everyday I am "again called to the work" and I am "Still chosen" as a disciple of Christ. I challenge everyone to use the atonement of Christ more throughout this week. Be chosen! Be again called to the work of the gathering of Zion! Find your everlasting joy!