Pretty hectic week this week. We had a meeting in Oahu last Monday, then temple trip on Tuesday, then a big zone meeting up in Waimea on Friday, all the while trying to prep for our baptism on Sunday and learning how to balance covering two areas.
I don't have much time today because we had to go to Hilo yesterday and help one of the other Elders drop off their truck (long story), which was broken, so we had to spend the whole day over there.
But one amazing thing happened this week. We had our baptism! It was really such a spiritual experience. It was three kids: Lea, Lani, and Aki Irons. They are 12, 10, and 8 years old. Their Mom isn't a member, but their grandma is, and she takes them to church every week. Well, anyway, we spent the whole week getting them ready for their baptism, and right before church on Sunday, the Grandma calls us and says, "We need you to save 15 seats at sacrament meeting." We were a little blown away, because the family of 5 that usually comes now exploded to 15. We were also a little confused because we weren't entirely sure how to save seats in sacrament meeting. But, sacrament meetings starts, and no family. Crap. They are getting baptized today, and we have no family. Open hymn, over. No family. Announcements; no family. Sacrament hymn; NO FAMILY. Where are they?! Right as the sacrament hymn is about to end, in walks 15 happy people. So we ushered them into their seats as fast as possible. The amazing thing was most of them were not members of the church! Fast forward to 4 o'clock. We told the family to be there a half and hour early to fit them into baptismal suits and take pictures, but our ward mission leader was running on Hawaiian time and didn't show up till 4:30 when the baptisms suppose to start! So we are running around trying to get everything figured out, while the WHOLE family, so all 15 people are just wandering around wondering why we even asked them to come early. So we had to think of ways to make it seem like we needed them there that early, like showing each kid individually what the baptism was going to be like. Eventually, the ward mission leader shows up, and the ward members file in. So we rush the kids to the bathroom to change, and it was perfect because there was 3 kids baptismal suits, and 3 kids being baptized. Not perfect. One of the girls didn't fit in her baptismal suit. It was so bad...we gave her AN ADULT BAPTISMAL SUIT! Hahaha she was so happy in it. We had to do some serious rolling of the legs to make sure it fit. She kept saying she felt like a gangster in it...The great thing was that me and my companion both got to baptize one of them, and the member who referred us to them got to baptize the other. All in all, it all worked out, and it was an amazing baptism. It was rather neat because the bishop teaches some of the older kids in high school, and the 1st councilor teaches and is the vice principle of the kids being baptized. The sister who gave the baptismal talk is the teacher of the son in school and in primary, and the ward mission leader teaches all three of the kids in school. Plus one of the sister missionaries in the zone was related to them, and so she came down and supported the family. Funny how God works.
Well other than the baptism, I trimmed a hedge for the first time, we helped a guy restore a 1964 Mustang, and we survived an EARTHQUAKE! We were sitting talking one evening, when SUDDENLY THE HOUSE BEGAN SHAKING. It was over as quick as it started, and other than my juice being nicely shaken, there was not much after effect. It still rattled me a little bit, That's what happens when you live on an active volcano.
I love my mission so very much! I really can't put it into words how much I love it. I love the people, I love the good times and the bad, and I love my Savior with all my heart. Missionary work is REAL. It changes lives not only momentarily, but forever. I wish I could have a way to see what people's lives would be like if they made decisions different, almost like "It's a Wonderful Life" because I would be interested to see how different something like embracing Christ into your life would change your life. I bet it is crazy.
But I love you all! Talk to you next week!
Elder Gleave
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