Ally in the Big Apple: Baptism Is The Gate!

There's far too much to say so perhaps a summary will be best.

The Background:

This week takes place primarily in Nassau County, New York. Mineola on Monday and Tuesday, with a switch to a rather lovely apartment in Little Neck with a dishwasher, hardwood floors, couches and tables, and food to supply an army of zone six and seven who do exchanges here. Also, this week takes place in various churches in Little Neck, Jamaica, and Flushing for various Zone Trainings, baptisms, church services.

Presidente Reyes, Edgar, Sister Ashford, and I at Edgar's baptism!

The Plot:

Two sisters serve together with a desire to continue until transfer exchange on January 24th. They prepare a man named Edgar for baptism, they laugh and cry together, they go to Sands Point together, they attend doctor visits, and are shocked when a necessary ear surgery breaks them apart. In despair, a lonely Mineola Spanish sister goes to Rego Park to receive two new companions who are both in leadership positions. They smile, greet her, and say that the next two weeks will be the best two weeks, forget about the Best Two Years. They eat fancy food together (there's a rumor Leaders get more money to provide for their zones), and teach several Spanish and English lessons together. They go to Flushing and Jamaica to receive training on how to be better missionaries on Thursday and Friday. In a planned change of events, Sister Landaverry and Sister Krause went on exchanges with them and pretty much all of them were sick so Sister Tarnasky and the Mineola missionary did studies alone. In a n insane turn of events, the Mineola missionary goes and serves in Lynbrook for five hours while her companions are off on a secret mission in Flushing. Finally remembered, having eaten snacks and ready to be with her primary caretakers, she is picked up and taken back to Little Neck. At church she prepares for the baptism of Edgar and speaks to her mission president and his wife, who are in her ward. They commit to come to the baptism of Edgar, and the mission president's wife even asks if she can bring a treat.

Sister Ashford and I went to Sand's Point again this week!

Sands Point is actually magical!

The Climax:

Of Edgar's baptism, the missionary wrote, "It was amazing. To see someone who had changed their life entirely, given up so many things, and done so much to change enter the waters of baptism was amazing. As President Reyes raised his arm, spoke, and Edgar went down into the water, there was an immediate sense of peace. He had changed his life. He had applied the atonement. He learned what he needed to continue on the path to eternal life and everlasting salvation. I was so proud of him to make this covenant with his Heavenly Father. It reminds me of a quote in Pride and Prejudice (the movie with Kiera Knightley) 'could you die of happiness?' Really, there are miracles that happen in this life when one believes and works and has trust in the One who makes it all happen."

Baptism picture with President and Sister Reynolds, who went to

Edgar's baptism!

My companions (Sister Tarnasky and Sister Valverde) and I at the

baptism! #AssistantToTheSisterTrainingLeaders

A full four-course Hispanic meal followed the baptism and little notes were written during the time he was changing.

The Resolution:

Happiness abounded in the heart of the Mineola missionary. Though sad things had occurred and changes upheaved the sailboat of her life, she learned happiness was easily found when one looks on the bright side. Sometimes a thousand things happen in the same week, and one must simply adapt. Life is a game of adaptation and successful adaptation gives one happiness and joy.