And they were GREAT! Jose is such a cool guy that he was hyper antsy all
night waiting for his baptism. The service was HUGE! There had to be about a
million people there between the ward and the YSA ward he'd been attending in
Bakersfield! (Not really, but we got close to matching the sacrament meeting in
attendance!) Then, yesterday I had the opportunity to give him the Holy Ghost,
and it was really awesome to be there and watch him grow. He was so much more
solid in his testimony afterwards. We talked a lot with him after church about
how his family is HYPER anti, and Brother Estill came over and shared his
testimony. Brother Estill was on track to be a Catholic priest and everything;
but when he moved to Alaska and then Washington, he converted, and his family
dis-owned him. It was really hard on him for a long time, but just recently he
said he'd been feeling super unsettled. That's when he decided to go and do the
temple work for his father and brothers and when he did, he felt remarkable
peace, and knew they'd accepted it. Sometimes we're in a position in this life
where we can't really see the truth, and so we cannot truly choose. So he told
Jose to hang in there and be happy; even if he goes through some really rough
stuff, Heavenly Father has a plan and guess what? We're gonna be happy at the
end of it.
Then, we were really worried about Cami and Josh. They've been going
through some REALLY rough stuff lately, and both of them have been acting
strange. (It's totally this guy's fault => 
) So we spent
the week comforting and strengthening Cami, and trying to raise Josh's hopes and
spirit. Yesterday, Cami came into the church about an hour before she was to be
baptized and was crying her poor little eyes out. So, as we asked her how she
was and all, Mynor nudges me and says "Tell her we need to pray" (in Spanish)
which just goes to show how in tune with the spirit and how awesome Mynor is,
even if he doesn't speak hardly any English. That helped a ton, and a meeting
with the bishop helped even more. Then, Josh showed up, and he seemed still a
little down in the dumps and all, but we got them all in white and got the thing
going.
What happened may be one of the strongest testimony builders in my mission
so far. The baptism was great, and after her father baptized her, Cami was just
glowing, she was so happy! But even better than that for me, was Josh. The
whole time Elder Buckmiller and I were a bit concerned about whether he was
truly ready or not. He was very down the whole time, and didn't seem to be
paying any attention, but after he was baptized he COMPLETELY changed. I don't
really know how to describe it other than his countenance lifted. He had a new
light in his eyes, and whereas he'd been a bit sullen and depressed before, he
was smiling and cracking jokes and laughing before we'd left the building. I
could hardly believe it! Later that night, we met with him and talked with him
and his mother about the priesthood, and how in not too many weeks, Josh will
baptize her.
He was on
fire too! This guy, who said literally NOTHING for the first five times we had
a lesson with him, was engaged, answering his mother's questions, very excited
to work in the gospel, and asked for (as he worded it) "All the literature."
Meaning, the scriptures, the Gospel Principles book, the prophet books, Preach
My Gospel, etc. I'm so happy for him, I can't hardly wait to watch him grow
now. Next Sunday, he and Cami will be recieving the Holy Ghost, which will be
fantastic. This week has been a week of true miracles here.
So that's what we've been up to. Time will tell, but we may very well have
some more "Miracle baptisms" out of nowhere coming up in the next few weeks,
I'll keep you posted on what happens.
As far as transfer goes, this is week six. 
So, by this
time next week I'll know what'll become of us; whether we're lucky enough to
hang together (we could totally pull off semi-eternal companions over here) or
what. Also Mom; don't worry about how much the kids pick up. Keep up doing
your best and the Lord will bless those small efforts that in the long run,
"Tommy Monson" will share stories of his primary teacher over a pulpit someday.
Dad, keep workin' hard, and find some time to play harder; rest and recreation
when appropriate is an eternal principle (a principle I'm very excited to
explore in a few eons from now. ) Brittney,
don't forget you're a BOSS! I love you to pieces and am super proud of you.
Keep up the good studies, and continue seeking the Lord's plan, cuz it's the
best one. (By the way, I'll be sending a printed out picture you and Danielle's
way soon that is too amazing to keep for myself. You'll love it!!!) Danielle;
I love you to infinity beyondseyonds! Keep up the good work playing basketball
like a pro and throwing down shots! Continue studying hard and behave. you're a
crazy smart girl, and you'll do great things too. To all the rest of the
family; play nice, have fun, love the gospel 'cuz it's true! As my old friends
would say (cough COUGH! Kris! cough!) "Smile, Be happy, The church is true, and
Satan hates your face!"
Until next week;
Love,
Elder Matthew David Clough 
