WE HAVE A BAPTISM TONIGHT !!!!

WEEK #55
AHHHHHHH

So there's so much to say, but it's a weird day and I'm probably going to have to finish emailing on Wednesday. The reason it's weird is because...we have a baptism tonight!! I know, it was a shock to me too.  We are working with a kid named Marius form Romania and we had a fecha for the 30th of August. We thought all was good and dandy with that date and that he would be ready by then. Well SURPRISE!!

Yesterday we were sitting in church and when the bishop got up to do announcements, he announced the baptism of Marius tomorrow at 8pm. I just turned and looked at Marius and he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders!! When church was finally over and we had a chance to talk to him, he said he wanted it to be a surprise for us. He had called the Elders on Saturday night after our lesson and had told them that he wanted to be baptized on Monday but he didn't want us to know yet. I WAS SHOCKED!! It was the best miracle ever. So that's the reason why if I don't finish emailing it's because we have lots to do today to get ready for a baptism tonight. Marius is incredible. The change  he has made in the last two weeks is incredible. He really has a light in his eyes that is undeniable.  I have never prayed so much in my life...and prayers of gratitude more than anything else.

We also have a baptism on Saturday of Juan Carlos...Castellón is rocking it right now. The young adults here are awesome too. They help us with everything. It's a great place to end my mission. I'm very content here and I guess you have seen that on facebook That's awesome that people are putting up pictures so you can all see whats going on.  (The young adults in Rachels Castellon ward have been posting photos of their activities and have tagged Rachel and her companion in the photos.   Check out Rachels facebook page to view them).   I actually haven't seen the video of us dancing. But we have a lot of fun with those girls. A lot of them are preparing for missions so they like to spend time with us...and because hermana Durham and I are super fun of course haah.

So as you can see, im doing great. I won't lie about Tarragona. It was a hard area for many reasons. The members were amazing (like my best friend SARA!!!) but it was definitely my hardest area I think. But I really am getting my fire back and I love this work.

As for the baby stuff happening at home!!! THATS CRAZY!! Kelli is getting so big and getting so close! I can't believe it! And mom all of the baby stuff is so cute! What is it all for?  Kelli?  How lucky is she? Hopefully you're not burnt out by the time I have my first kid...inlike 7 years ahaha. just kidding. Everyone looks so good though. Sounds like you're all loving life. 

I hope Grandma Bev is doing well. I bet that was nice to go see her for a little bit. Is she going to come out for the baby? Thanks mom for including me in the baby shower...I wish I could come! I have my gift for when I get home dont worry :)

LOVE YOU ALL!! Pray for Juan Carlos for me! Have a great week with lots of love and laughter!

exerts from Rachel's letter to Ron:

This week I had to go up to Valencia, and when I was waiting in the station both Manuel and Rosmery walked in (Rachel's first babptism)!!! it was so awesome! Rosmery cried! She said she had been struggling lately and that when she found out that I was coming back she said it had been an answer to her prayers. It was so cute. I think she is leaving for Bolivia in September to be with her kids again. But it was incredible to see them again.

Facebook photos thanks to Tamy Moreno:
Tamy Moreno is Rita. She's a young adult from the ward who is waiting for her mission call. She is crazy, but we have a lot of fun with her. She is a super strong member and a great example to a lot of people. and I was soaked because we had a ward activity and the primary kids all gained up on the missionaries. It was really fun. we had 120 people come to the activity.  

con amor

Hermana Barker