Duponte got baptized this week! Here are the pictures for the baptism. Duponte has only been in the United States for 4 months. He read all the way into Mosiah within three weeks of us meeting with him. Plus we never had to find a ride for him. He is self-sufficient.
[See pictures below of Dupont’s baptism, Eric at the computer, Eric and Elder Shipley, and some of the guys cleaning out the refrigerator]
Ernst and Carrine are doing really well. Ernst seems a lot more confident about being baptized on the 25th and Carrine is keeping her commitments pretty well. She has read the first 3 chapters of first Nephi and understood everything. We will need to follow up with her on the baptismal date. Ernst has been to church five times and Carrine twice. On Sunday we didn't even have to find a ride for them. Carrine texted and asked for Sister Civil's phone number and she showed up at church. There wasn't enough room in the car, so Ernst called the Castillos and got a ride from them. We are so happy about that! Carlos was at church again today! He is excited to be baptized. His boss gave him two Sundays off, but he is going to wait until he has all off before he gets baptized. He came to Dupont's baptism and he told everyone that he was the next in line for next week. He was so excited. We saw as the meets went on in church. He slowly pushed his date forward from 4 weeks to next week by the end of the baptismal service.
Kattia and Kervins came to church again! They attended their second baptismal service since we met with them. Kattia is now in 1 Nephi 17! Kervins is having a harder time because he doesn't read that well. But he read the first page in the Plan of Salvation pamphlet on his own and he loves reading out of the pamphlets while we are there. They both have a date for the 25th as well. Exciting.
We went on a companionship exchange with the zone leaders. We had some great experiences. One experience we had was super cool. Hermano Fan(~)a, the husband of one of their investigators wasn't finding time to sit with us, but his daughter and wife were. The Mom, was busy when we went, so we taught the daughter outside, because there wasn't a guy in the house. Then it started pouring outside so everyone, including the husband and many neighborhood kids went inside. The husband was standing inside not doing anything. We left because the house was crazy, but then I felt very strongly that we should go back. We sat down and taught him about the book of Mormon. I turned to 3 Nephi 9:13-16 and had him read it. The spirit was so strong. He said, "I understand what this is saying. It is talking to people like me who aren't following Jesus and telling them to come to him and repent." Elder Hansen said, "Hermano Fan~a, I don't know why Elder Seamons decided to show you that scripture, but we have read it before with you. Maybe God is trying to tell you something in this chapter. We will mark it for you and you can read it." We left and Elder Hansen told me that it was a miracle. He said that they had a situation in which they were able to sit down with him and they shared that exact same lesson: The book of Mormon, reading out of 3 Nephi 9:13-16, etc. They felt that it was inspired. We were happy that we were able to help him out and commit him to read the book of Mormon in a powerful way.
Well. I have to go. I am doing well. I love you all. Bye!
P.S.
I am staying with Elder Shipley in Miami for one more transfer. We are so excited! We have many people who are preparing to be baptized. We hope to help them be baptized and help them stay active. We recognize, especially with Dupont that we didn't do anything. He and Heavenly Father worked out the whole thing together. We were just there to guide him in keeping commitments. We were just "Baptismal Secretaries" as Elder Shipley calls it.
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Eric sent his letter to the president:
Hello President! The district is doing well!
The Sisters are doing great! Shannon, one of their recent converts, went to the temple and he had a really good experience. They could improve with the harvesting. They had six blessings this week. but they are doing well.
Elder Edwards and Elder Giorgino did really well with Both Member and Harvesting blessings. They work really hard to help their investigators and recent converts and they are great!
Elder Shipley and I are reaching the standard of excellence with Harvesting, but we have only done two member blessings since you gave the okay on them. We are going to work on that this week.
Bye President! I love you. Bye!
Love,
Elder Seamons
Dupont's baptism
Elder Shipley and Elder Seamons
Elder Seamons at the computer
Cleaning out the fridge. It takes two to clean, one to take pictures, and one to watch. :-)
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