Neighbors were Baptized this past Saturday

About a year ago our neighbor asked Tony if he were Mormon.  He had heard Tony or myself singing Primary songs.  He admitted he himself is Mormon and wanted his son to be baptized.  This began a period of missionary teaching; and then waiting for his younger sister to turn eight so they could be baptized together.  They were baptized by their uncle this past Saturday.  Sheri bore her testimony and I said the closing prayer.  It was a very spiritual occasion. 

Baptism of Jesus: A Bible Story for Children

A look at the baptism of Jesus becomes a good lesson on baptism and the Holy Ghost.

Caleb: Baptism and Meeting Pictures

This is Caleb at an unexpected baptism.  Caleb and his companion taught what they thought was a part member family, teaching the husband and he was baptized.  However, when they reviewed the records they discovered the wife actually had never been baptized (although she thought she had as a child) and so the husband was able to baptize his wife.  Caleb reports this family has made great strides.  They are from his previous area in Fairfield and he was able to go to the baptism.

Caleb is now serving in Burlington, Iowa which is in the Nauvoo Stake and Zone.  As such he has more access to the temple.
These pictures are some I have found on Facebook from Sister Jensen's group.

Tony's Baptism

Tony’s baptism was Saturday.  It was fairly well attended with primary friends.  Jessie came and took Elis away having to watch him as he wanted to play and not attend the baptism.  Daniel (neighbor across the street) and his mother also came.  We had Natalia and Ty for the weekend, Charity and Anthony, Jeremy and Kayla, Mark and Diana, and a few others from the ward.  The Boohers had to be away but sent him a video message.

After the baptism Mom served sandwiches and desserts.  It was pretty fun.

Kayla missed the picture as she has to hurry back to work.  Since Tali and Ty were here, we played games, and rented a movie, Big Hero 6. 

Tony's Baptism is this Saturday

Life in Manteca 116: Busy Week

SO this week we refinanced the house, bought a new car, went to church, put up curtains, prepared for homevisit.

The refinancing finally came through.  We now have like 125,000 equity in the house which helped us get lower finance rate and lower payment, however we financed for 30 years again, giving back 4 years.  Property values have been good to us, going up $100,000+ since we purchased less than four years ago.  We hope to make additional payments the first payment and but back at least half a year, (they gave us 2400 in the financing which we hope to pay off  principal) and then we hope to pay our regular rate for a while, or pay off 2 payments each month for a couple years.)
Tax returns came back this week too, so mom is off to IKEA for shelving.  I think that might be today. 

New car, Mom was convinced Toyota Siena was the car she wanted, same as the Petersons and it is an 8 passenger minivan although one seat comes out and can be stored in the back.  It also allows for folding down of seats and hauling of larger items.  Of course you know the old minivan was totaled.  They paid us 6500 for the old minivan, which is more than we have ever had for down payment.  So with  that we were able to get into the minivan of our choice, light blue.  We purchased a couple warranties so it was a bit more expensive than we wanted, but only 5 years, and it should last us well beyond that.  With the warranty comes service so it should stay nice.

Went to church:  Sacrament meeting talks were on Joseph Smith.  Very well presented by Sister Papworth.  She had everyone go back in their mind to his memorial and the eulogy.  She presented eulogies from several different people, including Moroni, Lehi, John Taylor etc.  It was very well done.

Brother Morgan related handcart stories:  Nellie Unthank whose parents died on the trek, she and her sister surviving but frost bitten badly.  Nellie Unthank’s legs were amputated.  She raised 6 children in the Cedar City area.  He then talked of Daniel Webster also of Cedar City and handcart pioneer.  His part was played by Duane McGhie if you remember.  It was he who talked of the angels helping them push the handcarts. 

Sunday school was about miracles of Jesus, why did Jesus perform miracles? To show that he came in power, to help others as he had compassion for them, because of the faith of people, and I think also to teach.  When he blessed the man with palsy lowered to him through the roof, He said, "Thy sins are forgiven thee."  I think he was teaching a great lesson about his power over sin.

Priesthood was a conference talk of drawing close to the savior with six suggested ideas.  We were given the one on physical fitness.  I think there was a point to that, so I walked briskly to work from the light rail this morning almost a miles, and am going to walk briskly back after work.

I now have about 1600 names to do, but am frustrated how slow the doing process is.  Youth and Elders are doing baptism on 3/7/14 so that will be a big day.  I would like to do sealings sometime, but so far haven’t been able to work out a day.  I now have about 60-70 sealings ready to do.  When you do the sealing the person is done (although they separate sealing to spouse and sealing to parent).  Let me know if I should send you some endowments.

Yesterday was  also get Tony’s baptism invitation ready as well as his interview with the bishop.  The interview went well.  Tony is growing.  We have planned a lunch after the baptism which will be at 10 a.m. (hopefully) on 3/7/15.  The doubt is created by the young women’s room being remodeled at our church.  Hopefully it will be ready.  Tony has a big list of people to invite, from birth family to Jessie’s family to primary class members and school friends.  It should be very fun.

Prepare for home visit.  Mom had me putting up curtain rods so she can hang new curtains.  She has done family room and sliding door and our bedroom; and living room before.  She is making the curtains herself.  We didn’t focus on cleaning much, but I did trim and mow the front lawn.  I have some more trimming to do tonight now the trimmer is recharged.

Jeremy got a couple jobs this week.

Mike Dye and I did home teaching yesterday.  He had been sick with the flu for 5 weeks.  We are all done except for mailing something to our b list, although I got most of them the first week inviting them to the chili cook off.

Crystal Apple awards are Saturday.

Caleb's Baptism Week

This is Caleb's note about the baptism:
Brianna was baptized this Saturday! What a miracle. She is so wonderful! I had the opportunity of baptizing her. When she came up out of the water she looked up at me and she had the biggest smile on her face. She looked me in the eyes and seemed to say "It's done, I finally made it. And I'm happier than I could ever be. Thanks for baptizing me." It was a wonderful experience and the Spirit was really strong.

Caleb: Baptism Pictures two Weeks In a Row

Caleb describes Kyle as a 21 year old young man who is really excited about the gospel.  He went tracking with the elders and bore a very powerful testimony to someone they contacted. 

A different elder had first contacted Kyle in Des Moines, and that elder is now in the Fairfield area with Caleb and baptized Kyle.

Calebs Recent Pictures: Baptism!!

Chrystal

Caleb has been very busy.  As zone leaders he often spends days away from home doing exchanges with other missionaries; but they always have time to work in their own area as well.

Caleb's Caption: An investigator decided to pile his dogs on me

Baptism!!!!

 Caleb is enjoying having a baptism.  Elder Standage performed the ordinance.  This was a couple weeks ago.

Elder Standage performed another baptism the next week for someone they had taught, but then discovered he was outside their boundaries and final teaching by another set of missionaries.

Life in Manteca 94: Miranda and Wisdom Teeth, Rose

When your daughter goes to the dentist for wisdom teeth removal, she is serious about going on a mission.  That was her morning.  She didn't want a picture, but I told her we had to document things.
They didn't want her to be left alone, so I stayed with her so Sheri could attend our neighbor's Meryn's baptism. She mostly slept.

I thought I would share a couple pictures of the rose bush out back.  It is really trying to make thee back yard beautiful.
Sheri brought a shake from Burger King home to Miranda, and Jamba Juice to Tony. With the shake she bought a couple spicy chicken sandwiches, original.  I had one.  it seemed very bland to me.  Maybe that is why we usually don't venture to Burger King, but Miranda really likes it. 

Kayla Chose to Be Baptized this Saturday

Kayla was baptized this past Saturday.  She surprised us all announcing her decision.  One of the elders performed the ordinance.  Also attending were the Normans, the Halls, and the Capener's from Stevens Creek Ward.  Kayla's father and sister were also there.  There were many members from their ward, Modesto 2nd ward where they have been attending.  Sister Sterling, previously from Stevens Creek Ward is now a member of the Modesto 2nd Ward. 

Life in Manteca 83: Ward Christmas Party

This has become an annual event.  However this year there was a twist.  Instead of this being an event organized by the Relief Society, it was organized by the Melchizedek Priesthood groups.  However there were some assignments given back, especially decorating.  We men just didn't think we could do as good a job as the women.  The dinner was ham and deep fried turkey.  There was also a red cranberry something, green beans and rolls.  For drinks there was root beer and water.  There were several selections for dessert, including an apple something and a cheesecake something.
As for entertainment brother Dye helped MC and I was asked to prepare a couple songs.  We sang a medley of songs, and also Miranda and I sang a duet, "Guard Him Joseph."  This is a Sally DeFord song.
Brother Morgan showed some LDS videos, including the nativity.  Brother Dye told a story including the nativity.  The children didn't participate on stage, but were invited to listen and watch the story.   Three Kings came to give candy to the children.
Stupid me, I had Miranda bring my camera I had left home, but then the memory card wasn't in it.
However the highlight of the day was the baptism of Keanna, a young woman whose father is a member.  She bore her testimony and brought a tear to my eye.

Three Missionary Farewell Talks and a Baptism in One Day

Caleb is not here this week, so it becomes my job to report on all the missionary goodbyes he is missing today.  There were two in our ward, Clayton Williams and Phillip Herrera as well as one in the Ripon Ward, Ben Tolman.  I must admit I skipped part of priesthood meeting to go and listen in.
In our ward the theme was covenants.  Clayton after given and overview of covenants through our lives, focused on the baptismal covenant.  He told a cute story of his own baptism, and having to be baptized twice because his toe came up.  I guess that is embarrassing when you are eight.  However he gave a good idea of the obligations we take upon ourselves at baptism, commiting to help those who stand in need and being willing to witness for Jesus in whatever circumstance we might be in.
Phillip focused on the oath and covenant of the priesthood.  He read to us from D&C 4, the list of things which qualify us for the work.  And faith, hope, charity and love, with and eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.  

Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience,  brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
He focused on faith from that point.
Ben talked more on choices and free agency.  All three missionaries expressed gratitude for those who had helped them get to the point where they are leaving on missions.
A couple weeks ago we had a returning missionary speak, Elder Joe Ekland.  He also talked about covenants, with a focus on missionary work.  He indicated it isn't hard to ask some one if they would like to see a presentation about our religion.
This pm I went back to the church for a baptism.  The missionaries have been teaching Darrin Williams and he was baptized today.  Caleb had visited him with the missionaries, and I express his desire to have been there. 

It was a very beautiful service.  Sister Smith played for Sister Ward.  They sang "I know my Redeemer Lives" but to the music for "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief."  Sister Dees visited from Oak Grove where she is now serving.  There were lots of visitors.  I talked with grandmother, and she set up a date to visit with the missionaries.  Another young lady was also there who has been investigating, as well as Darring