Ovidio Baptism

Dear Family,

So the ankle is doing better. It still hurts if I try to twist it or if I push on some spots, but the inflammation finally went down on Thursday. I'm feeling much better now. This past week was miraculous! We had a baptism and a variety of things happening! This week we are hoping for even more! This week is filled with so many events it's ridiculous. First off, we have a zone meeting, then a leadership council, I have my final interview with President Stapley, ward council, President Stapley goes home this week, I turn 21, and hopefully another baptism on Saturday! Wow!

So the miracle of the week was Ovidio. I honestly wasn't sure if he was going to make it to his baptism. As of Saturday morning he said that he was only going to go to see his daughter come from the west mission and then he was going to walk out the door and not do it. . . But then we went and ate with his family at lunch time and he started to change a little bit. Then, he came to his baptism at night-time and he was a totally changed man! So he got there before his daughter did and we were talking to him and getting him excited for his baptism when we heard the car of the west mission president, President Carter, show up. We ran out, greeted him, his wife, and the daughter of Ovidio and her companion, then we ran back inside and blocked the doorway so that Ovidio couldn't see anything. When President Carter showed up at the door, we pulled him inside and presented him to Ovidio first and asked Ovidio if he knew who he was. He said, guessing, "My daughter's mission president?" We affirmed his guess and then asked, "do you know what that means?" He looked at us and then said very nervously, "My daughter is here?" Right then we moved out of the doorway and they saw each other for the first time in about 6 months, since she began the mission. This hard, rough Bolivian man just melted when he saw her. He cried, and cried, and cried. He was so happy to see her and he was filled with love and emotion for his daughter. He was finally ready for the baptism now. He got dressed, along with his son, and then we started the service. It was one of the best services I've even seen! When Ovidio came out of the water, he seemed to be a changed man. His son baptized him perfectly in one shot. After the service, there was a small party and a cake. Ovidio was super happy and really enjoyed it! It was so great to see this man change the way he did. I'm so happy for him and his family because now they can go to the temple in a year to be sealed for all time and eternity.

Also, the Montaño family is still going firm. They are amazing also! They are secure baptisms for the 13th of July, my last weekend as a missionary. We've been teaching them very well and focusing on their testimonies. They are growing so much. Also, we are going to cook tacos for them tonight with a recent convert named Esperanza who is just amazing! 

We have a plan to get Maia Parodi baptized this weekend. We need one more for our goal and we have the opportunity! This girl wants to be baptized, but we need to teach her more. Her dad is a less active but he is starting to come to church again and he loves us. So we're going to see how we do this. Pray for Maia and that we can have a miracle!

Well, I'm kind of out of time, but I just want to let you know that I know that this work is true. It is the Work of our heavenly Father. The broadcast last night was absolutely amazing! I love how the brethren can drop the cane on the whole world and still be so loving at the same time! ha ha! I can't wait to see the changes in the mission field after that! SO many members came up to us afterwards and asked forgiveness for not having been more helpful before and many offered to help us with our labor. I hope they keep up with this desire to work with the missionaries!

I love this work. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I love you all and I miss you. Thank you for all the prayers in my behalf and the birthday wishes. Having a companion who is 28 makes me feel really young only turning 21. :) ha ha! Till next week.

Love,

Elder Blake W. Cowan