The Best Week Ever!!

   Okay, best week ever! The best thing about this week was that G was baptized! So Tuesday we went to G's to teach him the commandments which was actually really hard because we had to draw them all out, like always. We got there and his brother H made fun of our buns (like on our heads) and called them u.f.o.s.  So we told him he had to teach G the law of chastity. It actually was better like that because that might have been a little awkward. Have you ever tried to teach the law of chastity through drawings? Not the easiest. That same day we taught this 80 year old man who has a wife who looks like pocohontas. Or should I say his "day time wife". Turns out he has two, one he lives with during the day and one he lives with at night. And they are both okay with it! This country is insane. Then we taught Gy who is awesome and he is such a great investigator. Wednesday we had to get up and make cookies for district meeting. We went out with Hansel whose name is actually J... oops. Welcome to our lives. We finally found the traveling Popsicle man so we had a Popsicle break while we leaned up against a slanted wall. It's the life I tell ya. Then we went to G's and he was so excited to show us he only had three chains left on his baptism chain. 

The making of The Book for G

          Thursday we put all the papers we have used to teach G into a book. So cute. Then we went to his house to review it but he had a friend over who kept trying to teach the weirdest things like Noah and the ark. (not sure why that would be weird) We were so annoyed. But in a Christlike way of course. Then we went to A's which is SO far away. When we got there he wasn't even there. We called JF to see where everyone was but the call cut out. We were dreading walking home and then he shows up in his Guagua to pick us up. So sweet! And the best thing is he never texts and drives. He just stops in the middle of the road and lets the cars pile up behind. 

          Then we went to G's house and P (neighbor) told us that H (brother of Gabriel, rm) is starting a job and might have to leave Saturday morning. All because he wants to get money so he can move to California in 10 months for good... we were so ticked. We care about G so much and we couldn't believe that his own brother would just bail on him like that. Who is going to teach him to read or speak? And that he would just bail on him right before his baptism. So sad. 

          Friday we went to G's but he wasn't even there so we went to the internet to look for videos to use for his baptism. Then G showed up and watched videos with us. Later I had to teach A the law of chastity. It's the worst. J f was just laughing at me the whole time. But luckily he was okay with it all AND he told us he wants to get baptized as soon as his divorce is finalized which is this week we think. Then we found the popsicle man again. Its the best. (please re-read the last line out loud using your Nacho Libre voice.) That night we made a million cookies for the baptism. 

Hermana Rush, G and Hermana Huish

          Saturday was seriously the best day ever. First we had to get G from his house. The whole time we were walking we were just praying that he would actually be there.  And when we got there he was sitting outside waiting for us. Then we got the capilla (chapel) and we reviewed the book. At 9:07 I called Elder Q to see where he was and he said he was in Padre las Casas and they couldn't make it until 1pm.  So we were momentarily upset with him and then they walked in the door. Funny joke. Elder Q's companion brought G a white shirt and tie which was so great because he wanted one so bad. Then G did his entrevista (interview) perfectly. He taught everything with signs and his book and other pictures. Everyone was super impressed with our book which was nice because it took soo long to make. We were in the interview to help because we know how to communicate with him better. Anyway, the whole time Elder Q and his companion kept saying "he knows this" and "he understands!". It was the greatest to see him teach everything because he is so smart. It's the best when other people realize how great G is because he is so awesome.  Everyone was so happy and impressed by G.  Even Qs' comp D was smiling. So then Q suddenly had to go call president and we were so nervous. But Q came back kind of teary and he said we had done a great job and that G is amazing and that he felt a special spirit with G.  He told all of that to president and president said he was proud of us and to tell us congrats. And president wants us to make another book and give it to him in case anyone else ever needs to teach a deaf person. So exciting, but so much pressure. But the best part was that G completely new everything. There really was something special about seeing him understand and teach everything. He was so happy and excited about it too! 

G AND H (Hermana's with their hair actually done)

          So at 1:00 we cleaned the capilla and filled the pila. At 3 we went home and showered and got ready a little bit. Then we went to G's to get his paper signed because his mom was supposed to be back from the capital. But, she wasn't even there which was the worst because he couldn't get baptized without it. So then we said a prayer behind a tree and went and taught a lesson. When we went back she was there! Prayers answered. Then we went to set up and a ton of people showed up. Everyone was really shocked at how we looked and that we actually have hair because we never really get ready. G got there and changed and then we took a ton of photos.  There were a ton of people there and we had to last minute move into the chapel. We watched to short music videos and G loved it and and his brother was mouthing the words in English the whole time. Then... he was baptized! It was seriously the greatest to see H baptize G. G was just so smiley and happy. My eyes were so watery I was so happy! Teaching G was seriously the hardest but most rewarding thing ever. He is such a special spirit and I know he is closer to God than most people. H was so happy and kept saying "thank you sisters. Thank you soo much" and then we all just talked about how great G is. Then everyone devoured our baptism cookies. Seriously, 100 cookies gone in less than a minute. Then on the way home a three year old came and grabbed our bums. Typical Dominican boy grabbing white girl bums.

Cutest Boy Ever!!

          Sunday, G received the Spirit. He couldn't hear the prayer but we explained it before hand and I know that he felt something special. Then we found out the pila (font) never drained so I had to wade in the water with my clothes on. Later we went to Gy's because he didn't go to church and he told us it was because he worked out too hard and woke up and was so sore he couldn't move. Then we went to another investigator named M. I washed her dishes while hermana Huish gave the WHOLE lesson. She did so awesome! I was a proud mission mom. Then we went to the church for a meeting and the other hermanas were there helping like 6 of the boys and 1 girl in our rama fill out their mission papers. We are so excited for them! They are all good boys but none of their parents are members and they had no support so they just needed a little help getting started. Then hermana Huish and I were practicing the piano and all the boys came in and stood around the piano and sang. It was so cute and they will all be great missionaries.

            Then we had a cita with a girl which was good.   She said something to the affect of "I would never wear a mini-falda (mini skirt)" i don't know why but it was super funny. She is so great though and has her head on straight. Earlier this week we were talking with Gy's 14 year old sister. We thought maybe we could teach her but then she told us she actually lives in the capital with her esposo (spouse).... this country. So by far the best thing about this week was G's baptism. And actually it was probably the best thing of my mission. He is so great! you guys should definitely look into adopting him because I already feel like he is my other little brother and we love him soo much. (he has a mother and lots of family already though) and you guys could help him learn how to talk and hear and stuff and have a normal life. Anyway, that was my really, really great week. Also I had to give a talk on Sunday.  I know God helps us with hard things because he helped us know how to teach G and he helped him understand. I know that angels were working on the other side to help G understand.  One thing I have definitely learned from G is that the Spirit is the one that really teaches. He shows up to church every week and has more faith than most people and he can't even hear or speak. But it's because of the Spirit he feels when he is there, and tha'ts amazing! We are so blessed to have G in our lives and be able to learn and grow from him. Anyway, love you all and hope you have a great week! Hermana Rush