Arms of the Priesthood

 Perhaps it's the experience that I'm gaining or a bit more of the veil being lifted from my eyes, but I am seeing more of the pureness of the spirit. The way that it guides and fills me with love is a fruit sweeter than all else. It's a blessing to recognize that. To see my fellow missionaries and feel joy for the works. To see a member take the sacrament and think what that might mean for them and for God that they're there. And to see our friends in teaching make changes and listen to the spirit. All are fruits of the spirit that I cherish. 

 In a zone conference a little while back, we watched a short video of the baptisms we had in the month. My old trainer came by to sit next to me while we watched it and put his arm around me in his extension of brotherly love. It was nice to see those people in the video dressed in white getting ready to make their first covenants with God.

 

Following that experience when I got here to Caborca, I got to know my old companion and his conversion to the gospel when he was a teenager. He explained a lot of his questions about the gospel and the desires he had to have something more. He ended up going on a mission being the only member in his family. He left with not many expectations of change for his family but decided to serve with all that he could. After a few weeks together, he received news that his Mother and sister would be baptized. He smiled enthusiastically and with excitement when he told other missionaries, members, and investigators about this wonderful event. His excitement was contagious and made me happy to see him that way. When the day finally came, it was clear he was nervous as he retold me his own experiences in that moment when he baptized by himself. We watched the baptism through yet another zoom meeting and as we were waiting for his mom and sister to get into the font he described to me the bit of fear and loneliness he felt right before he got into the font. He didn't know many people and was choosing the right alone. Yet, he said he was happy to say that his mother and sister aren't alone there. They had each other and a proud little missionary across the country cheering them on. We had an arm extended over the other and gentle tears on our faces as we watched them submerge in the water. 

 

Our friend Epifanio that I mentioned in the last email that wants to make changes in his life with his humility and teases, was finally able to make a very important change in his life. We have been talking to him more constantly and it's been a great thing to see the way that he trusts us and wants to be close with us. He's been open with us and asks us direct questions. The good part about the way he asks the questions is his openness and humility to accept the answer. He at times asks about Joseph Smith or the organization of the church or commandments but is willing to accept the answer these two youth give him. In preparation for his baptism, he tried a lot to be apart of the church and community with the members. I enjoyed in one church activity being able to trash talk to him as we played volleyball. It felt natural and reminded me of playing tennis with my father. When he was finally baptized, he came out of the water grinning with the face that said "I did it". I reflected my own grin back at him and thought about how he started on the path to find the joy that "jamas haya imaginado". I congratulated him with a handshake and hug welcoming him to the branch. 

 

We have another friend name Rene that works as a tailor and a singer. We've passed by a few times to visit him and talk about Jesus Christ as he happily sews along. His faith and the development of such has been interesting to watch as he wants to get closer to Jesus Christ. With the help of some youth from another branch we were able to invite him to be baptized as well. In one of our visits, we knocked on the door but didn't find him. While waiting, we heard a glamorous Mexican song playing loudly at his neighbor’s house. I thought it was the real song as I hadn't heard the original version much but that's when the song suddenly stopped and our friend peaked his head out from his neighbors door to tell us "I'm over here!" We walked over to find him practicing the song with his neighbor for a birthday party that they were going to perform for. They started the song over again so we could listen to them. His surprising vocal pipes bellowed through neighborhood and he was proud of it. The melody freely flew from Rene's mouth and began to dance a salsa of joy, liberty, and a lemon zest. As we walked back to his house, I felt a familiar joy in my own heart as if I was talking with an old friend. I was reminded of the idea I once had about perhaps part of the spirit world/heaven would be the joy of waiting for an old friend and finally being able to be with them and rejoice in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I smiled as Rene smiled and sang to us his knowledge of the songs and the form of singing.

 

Despite a lot of doubts or stresses or gringo related inadequacies, the phrase still comes turning back to my mind of the arms of the priesthood. I'm not sure where the phrase comes from but it feels like it fits with another similar phrase, "his hand is stretched out still". (2 Nefi 19) The physical representation of brotherly support and love manifested through the reached out arm one over the other is an image that stays in my head. His love and hand is always extended towards us. To support us and to guide us. It reminds me of what a wonderful time to be a missionary and what a beautiful day in Sonora.

 

Eso es toño mis tigres 

Elder d'Nieve