Dear Chicago : Baptism Week

Illinois Chicago Mission July 2014

Another week!!

Wow! This one has been full of really great things. It always is, but we had a baptism this week, so it was fun to prepare for that and see things come together!

Her name is Jasmine, she is 19 and really sweet. She had a baptismal interview and on the way home we were talking to her about why she decided learn more about the church and everything, and it was so great. She said she was trying to find a church to go to, but the ones she went were just not her favorite the people there didn't treat her right and she didn't want to be there, so she prayed that night asking God to help her find a new church. Well sooner than later she ran into the missionaries on the street, and it began. She has felt so much love and acceptance from the ward, it's truly a miracle and such a great experience from the short 6 weeks I have known her I have seen a big change in her, not just physically but spiritually. You can feel the happiness radiating off her and her willingness to follow God.

I love being able to see that God loves all his children, and no matter where you have been or what you have been through he has a plan for you! He wasn't all of us to succeed, and to be happy. That's why he lead Jasmine to the missionaries. That's why she found the gospel. What a miracle!

I absolutely love this church, because it's real.

The baptismal service went so good though, and actually we had two at once!! The elders had someone they were teaching that wanted to get baptized. The spirit was so strong and it was so exciting. But on Sunday when they were going to get confirmed, Jasmine didn't show up! She was late... Oh my sis. B and I were stressin! The Elders confirmed Nelson and then.... Well... Jasmine, yoo hoo where are you? The sacrament was passed and later she showed up and somewhere along in the program it got thrown in there. I was perfect!

Oh transfers happened, and we are both staying! this is sis.b's 5th transfer here.

Something pretty awesome. We teach English here in this area. And one of the memories who is Mongolian is very great at inviting people she randomly meets to take the classes. So Oyunna is a lady we are helping with English (honestly I don't know why, because she is very good at speaking) but we have been teaching her a couple weeks, and one appointment we had I just had this goal that I was going to insert the gospel somehow. And wow! The Lord lined it right up for me, like a "T" with the ball, I had the bat and bam it flew.

Really though, she was interested and wanted to come to church, to read the Book of Mormon. She talked to the sister in our Ward later that week and they had a long discussion while their kids were playing at the park, and Oyunna actually said she wanted to quick the English lessons and to start studying about what we believe and come to church!!! Ah!!!!

So she came to church with her two girls! And she really liked it, haha it was funny she came out of her first class with serious 6 books! Oh my, haha our members. Their gems!

I am excited to see how this goes. :)

So Saturday was woman's conference, and wasn't it awesome!?

I loved how it spoke of the temple. I feel like they talk lots about the temple and covenants. But what I really loved was President Utchdorf and how he was speaking of our destiny. Do you know who you are!?

This is a serious question!

We must remember.

What I love is at the temple whether you are in it or outside it can feel closer to God. This is where we will better understand who we are.

Because our Heavenly Father loves us no matter what, no matter our worldly circumstance, but because he created us. He will always be there. He will always listen to you, when you pray to him. You are never alone, when you are walking towards Christ.

the church is true, the gospel is pure.

I love you guys!! Good luck this week :) :)

Love, sister Tincher