A Sweet Baptism

Dear Family,

It feels very strange to be emailing you so shortly after I emailed you last time. Because the sites have slowed down significantly they want the sisters out proselyting more during the week. Hence, the Preparation Day change for the last time. So there isn't too much to report on since Thursday except...... A BAPTISM!!!! So, I'm going to recount the events of the day so that you can feel like your were present in spirit.

Bro. C came to church, all dressed up in a suit! We didn't even know he owned a suit but he walked into Sacrament meeting with his chin up, wearing the only white shirt and tie that he owned. He was nervous. He kept saying that his knees were shaking all during church. We had the service right after the last meeting ended. The font was filled, programs were made, members came. There was a lot of support from the ward! Everyone who has ever got the opportunity to talk to Bro. C loves him. President and Sister Christianson came to the service as well. We had some great talks from some members and then it was time for us to sing (again! :)). Sister Lee wanted to sing her favorite song called "I'll find you my friend". It really is a beautiful song, it talks about how we were all friends in the pre-existance and now we are trying to find each other again. It is such a moving piece. I was completely composed until, in the middle of the song, I looked over at sweet Bro. C who had tears streaming down his cheeks, and the spirit of the song became real. We had found our friend. He's now here with us, entering into the gate that is going to lead us back to our heavenly home, together. I never get emotional when I sing but by the end of the song there were no dry eyes in the room. I could feel the angels there, and Heavenly Father's love and pride in the decision that one of His precious son's was making.
The baptism was wonderful, he only had to get dunked once :). After 58 years of experiencing pain, sorrow, grief, and guilt Bro. C is finally free. Free of all of that. Yesterday was the first day of his brand new life. While the participant's changed Sister Lee and I gave a talk on the Restoration and then Bro. C came out to give his testimony. It was simple and beautiful. He talked about how he wasn't much a man for words, that he couldn't even read when he first met the sisters, but that he knows the Book of Mormon is true and that he is going to do all he can to stay on the path. It was honestly the best day of my mission. I have felt no closer to heaven, than when I am in the the Temple. I'm so proud of Bro. C! He is such a good man, its been a privilege to be able to teach him.

The last email that you sent, Dad, made me cry. As I read the schedule of when I will be taking off my name tag I just bawled. I have found myself, in random place, thinking about taking off that name tag and it makes me weep. But (just like you do so often) the next paragraph you wrote, about the name tag just being apart of me, lifted my spirits. Who knew that a piece of plastic could mean so much to someone? I love that black name tag. It has been an honor to wear the name of our family and of our Savior for as long as I have. I hope that I can still always carry it with me, wherever I go. That is what I promised to do when I was baptized, and there is power in keeping your covenants.

I sure love you family, and although I will leave a piece of my heart heart in New York, I am excited to be able to each one of you, because my heart has always been with my family. Have a wonderful week!

Love always, Sister Carter

P.S. I did get the 12 days of Christmas package! Thank you!