Hello Everyone! I wanted to send another mass email talking about my first (and second) baptisms on Saturday!
To start off, sorry Mom and Dad for not telling you anything about the second baptism. Haha, we only challenged her about 2 weeks ago to getting baptized. Her name is Miria, and she is 13 years old. Her family is from Brazil, but they have lived here for about 11 years now. Her mom was baptized in brazil as a member, but lost contact with the church when she moved to spain. Elder Parkinson and his old companion met Miria´s older brother about a month before I came to the area, and we have been teaching them since then. Miria showed the most interest, and it was impossible to meet with all of them together, so we taught her individually, and challenged her two weeks ago to baptism.
Last tuesday, Miria had her interview with the district leader. She passed it with flying colors, but after, expressed some doubts about the gospel. The next day, Elder Parkinson and I met with her to help her out, and she wasn´t talking to us at all. At one point, she got up to go to the bathroom or something, and my companion and I decided to just sit there with her until she expressed how she felt about the baptism. We sat there for half an hour with her before she said anything. But, she eventually opened up, and we were able to help her with her doubts. It was one of the most amazing experiences that I have had.
Our other baptism was Veronica. She has been taking the lessons off and on for 3 years, and My companion challenged her to move our of her boyfriend´s (who was inactive, now an active member) house and to be baptized. She accepted, and prepared for the past 2 months to be baptized. Overall, It was an amazing day, that I will never forget. To see two of Heavenly Father´s children take this step in their lives was amazing. I am so grateful to be here on a mission, sharing the Gospel with the people here in Spain. I know more than ever right now that this church is true.
Élder Rawlinson
PS Here are a couple of pictures. The First is Us with Miria, and the second is us with Veronica. Enjoy!!