James' Baptism

September 10, 2011
JAMES WAS BAPTIZED TODAY! Today was a great day. We went early so Elder Kim and Olivia could prepare for their musical number. Elder Kim was on piano, Olivia played violin, and I turned the pages for Olivia. I somehow made it into a musical number. Brother Ke performed the baptism and did it like a champ. I was just so happy James was there right on time and everything could go so well. Michael and Minnie gave the two talks. I was proud of Michael. He wrote his talk so last minute. We asked him to give it like 2 hours before the baptism started. He’s an amazing convert so I knew he could handle that. His testimony is so strong. Michael is probably the convert that makes me the most proud. I can’t wait for him to serve a mission. James bore a very solid testimony after he was baptized and changed clothes. He talked about how grateful he was for Elder Kim and I finding and teaching him. He said he was always interested in the Mormon Church because his parents were members in Taiwan and he lived in Utah for 3 years but was never baptized. Unfortunately, Brother Ke didn’t properly release the water from the font so Brother Ying had to jump in and drain it again. This is seriously Brother Ying's 3rd time going in the full font in all his clothes to drain the water. I can’t believe he has to do it each time. He’s the only one brave enough to take one for the team. This is my 3rd time seeing him go in the water in his suit pants on and everything. I feel bad for him each time but he always does it with a smile. Gotta love brother Ying. I look up to that guy a lot. He is the perfect example of some one who is charitable. He’s always serving others. I cant wait for church tomorrow. I’m excited for James to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and become the newest member of the Yale branch. The branch is already taking him in as a member of the family. He totally fits right in. James is going to bring a whole lot into the branch. Soon he'll get the priesthood and doing all the ordinances and responsibilities that come along with that. The Yale branch is growing one baptism at a time. The branch is just as excited as can be. Everyone keeps praising Elder Kim and I. I love our members. They are seriously one of my greatest motivations to work as hard as I can. I just want to make these people happy and excited for the growth of their Chinese branch.