Well, last week it seemed like everything was going great, 2 investigators were getting ready for their baptism and things were just up. But, things changed, starting on friday. First thing, i got really sick, just some bad flu or something, and i've been battling that since friday, but, it starting getting better today, so, it should be gone soon. Then, friday evening we went over to Paquale and Angela's house (the two who were getting baptized) and they told us that they didn't want to be baptized because they weren't going to be able to pay the full 10% of the tithing. We talked to them for a while about it relying 100% on the spirit and finally Angela decided to call Bishop, so she did. They spoke for a while as we spoke to Pasquale and Angelas mom (a long time less active member) the mother complained and said that they shouldn't need to pay it and that it wasn't a big deal and she got upset with Bishop and took the phone from Angela and stared arguing with him. Then after about 10 minutes, she got off the phone and we just talked. I felt like saying a few things, so, i did. I told them that i dont know how they are going to get the money to pay tithing or how they will be able to be supported. But that God does, and that he has made us a promise, that if we pay the titihing, that we will be supported, and not only supported, but rewarded in ways that we cant immagine. Also that God cant lye, and that they need to put him to the test and experiment on his words, and that Satan is doing all that he can right now to put you down and push you away from this baptism becuase he knows how much this is going to bless and change your lives. Then Angela said, okay, lets get baptized tomorrow, lets put him to the test, but Pasquale was not sure. Anyways, we left with a prayer and we told them to think and pray about it.

The next day, as we were making preperations for the baptism, we called them to make sure that everything was well and they said no. They said that God doesnt need this money and that we dont want to be baptized.

This absolutely killed me inside. I couldn't honestly beleive that it was over and that they were not going to be baptized. I got down and prayed and asked Heavenly Father why? why this had to be? We had prayed our hearts out for weeks and fasted many times for them, and they had overcome so much to be at this point. But then i started praying th God to have Pasquale and Angela feel the absense of the spirit and the need of this church in their lives... This definitely was one of the saddest, most disappointing moments of my life. Then i read a letter that dad sent me when i left home to go to the MTC that remined me to not get discouraged and to get right back up and work. So, thats what i tried to do, and it was tough. But, I just said to myself over and over again that they will get baptized sometime, i dont know when, but they will.

Tuesday morning, we went to church to talk to Bishiop and he was crying... He said that that Pasquale and Angela want to be baptized. YES!! wow, i cannot describe at all how i was feeling there, it was awesome!! So, last night we went to their house with bishop and we talked about some things and they would be getting baptized this saturday, but, we have conference, so, next week we'll do it.

Never lose the Faith!

I love you all,
Anziano Lane