Hello Family and Friends!
I know I mentioned last week that our good friend Jim decided to be baptized, but I wanted to expand a little more on what a huge miracle it is that he has finally accepted to join the church.
When we first came to Alvin to white wash, we were not teaching anyone! There was around 2 potentials in our Area book that we could reach out to, and the other missionaries serving in the area informed us of four members we could contact: The Bishop, relief society president, primary president, and the young women's leaders. We were grasping for every way we could think of to find people to teach.
Eventually, the Elders sent us over a few people from their area book who we could try to get in contact with. Most of them happened to be people who they just recently stopped teaching; this included Jim Russell. We worked through Jim's Wife Doti to set up a time we could call them, but before that, the Elders had told us that Jim was stuck in his ways, and he would never be baptized. They informed us that we shouldn't even try... but you must know me by now, and that is not how I work.
The first call was a disaster! We were talking about the restoration, and I asked Jim what it would mean to him to be sealed to his wife in the temple. After being shot down by not only Jim, but also his wife, I felt defeated. The lesson was messy, and towards the end I accidently called Doti by the wrong name during the closing prayer. They let me know what I had done wrong, and when the phone call ended I just wanted to curl up into a ball and never speak again!
But, the calls continued. As missionaries who were new to the area, we were hungry for any opportunity to get out of the house, so when Jim jokingly mentioned that they needed help with yard work on our second call, we grabbed that opportunity like a slice of homemade bread.
We drove the 20 minutes down to Santa Fe and met a very healthy looking 81 year old man who stood in the middle of the driveway. It was Jim. Doti soon joined us and we were directed to a section of weeds that needed to be pulled. We chatted with Doti and Jim while we pulled weeds.
After Meeting Jim and Dot in person, our calls became less awkward. We quickly grew attached to these two sweet souls. At around our 5th lesson, they told us we were their honorary Grand children!
Jim was a devout catholic, and had been for most of his life. Doti, however, is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and has encouraged missionary interaction for the time they have been married. Never has she pushed her religion on Jim, but that didn't stop us from doing so.
We began to challenge Jim, inviting him to fast and to study from the scriptures more frequently. Soon, Jim completed the Book of Mormon and moved on to study from the Doctrine and Covenants. His Progress was amazing, and after teaching Jim for 4 months, addressing any questions he had and going through all the lessons once again, we decided to ask Jim if he would be baptized.
He told us that he would be baptized, but when we asked if he would work for November 14th, his answer was a loud and hard NO! He wouldn't commit to a date. Our hearts fell. Over the last 4 months, we had grown so close to Jim. We knew that he would be baptized, but we would most likely not be the missionaries to witness him enter into that covenant with god.
The next Sunday, Jim attended Sacrament meeting. We met with him after church in a vacant primary room with one of our amazing members, Sister Stanley. We sat and observed as Sister Stanley told her conversion story, then Doti. Jim spoke very little, and after an hour and a half they wrapped up their conversation and we closed with a prayer.
Sister Stanley left the church building, and Doti moved to the Chapel to play the organ. We were left alone with Jim in the hallway outside the primary room...(not allowed. I know)
Jim asked us what day we would be leaving Alvin. We told him that the upcoming transfer day would be November 16th. Jim smiled "was it the 14th of November then?" He asked.
We were shocked. What was he asking?!
Jim told us that he wanted to be baptized, and he accepted the date we had extended to him a few days previous. He wanted us to be at his baptism.
Soon, the Bishop approached us, as well as some other missionaries. Jim looked at us and said "Well.. should I tell them the good news?"
He grew teary eyed as he told them he had accepted to be baptized. He expressed the feelings he had gotten in the primary room just moments before. He knew that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's church once again established on the earth today.
Soon everyone who was left in the church building knew that Jim was being baptized... All except for Doti who was sitting at the organ, filling the room with her beautiful music.
Jim approached Doti and began to sob. He told her he would be baptized.
I don't think I have ever witnessed such a tender moment in my entire life. Doti and Jim held each other as they cried.
I can't tell you how exited I am for Jim to be baptized this upcoming November 14th. I know that my fasting and prayers did not go unanswered.
I love you all!
I guess you could say Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ helped us move a mountain. Jim had been "Stuck in his ways" just as the elders said before, but that didn't stop us from loving him and helping him desire to come unto Christ.
look for the pictures of Jim's baptism within the next 2 weeks!!
She loves everything we have shared so far, and she expressed that she thinks it is time for her to find a church. She told us of the experiences she has had with our church. She has entered the church building 2 times previous to meeting with us, and she expressed this overwhelming feeling of comfort and peace when she walks in. She said she overhears her son listening to the institute classes, and she loves what she hears. She is eager to learn more. 
