Caden got Baptized, Guys!

Hey everyone!

This week has been an eventful one.  It started off with the 4th of July. I told you a little bit about what happened here in my last email with working out with Johnny, but there was a lot after that. Later on we went and spent the rest of the day with the Webber's and the elders.  We went on a hike and then came back to the Webber's place and just played games.  It was a lot of fun!  It's seriously that kind of stuff that really makes memories.

On Tuesday we had a lesson with our new investigators, Jim and Linda, with Sister Webber.  And like always, Sister Webber took the lead, which really meant the spirit took the lead.  Guys, I just admire Sister Webber so much.  She is such a spiritual giant, and she doesn't let anything get in the way of that.  She just went where the spirit took her, and it was amazing as this truth was unfolded before their eyes.  Every concern was resolved.  And Jim and Linda are so ready for this message.  I'm excited to see where they go from here!

On Wednesday we went over to the Breeden's house to have dinner and a lesson with them, and then we were going to run off to mutual, but then it started raining, and all of our plans were canceled.  So we were rained in with the Breeden's for a little bit.  Then once the rain let up, we ran over to the church to have Caden's baptismal interview, and guys, he passed!  I'm so proud of him!  Not that I ever doubted he wouldn't pass. He's so strong in the gospel. It's funny too because a few days later, we were again over at the Breeden's just having a lesson and a bite to eat, when President Griffin sent out a text saying we all had to take shelter because of a storm that was coming, so we stayed at the Breeden's for a few hours, and couldn't go out and find the people we were planning on finding.  I don't know what it is, but we always get stuck at their house during the storms, but that's okay, because their house is cozy. :)

On Thursday most of our day was taken up in Farragut with zone conference and my interview with President.  It was so crazy, in President Griffin's closing remarks, he was talking about how amazing our mission has become at just going out and working, and how we're getting baptisms by simply knocking on doors.  Then he came over to Sister Shuler and asked, "Who's getting baptized on Sunday?"  And she answered with Caden.  Then he went off telling the story of how amazing he is, and how much of a miracle he is, about him gaining a testimony when nobody thought he would, and how he got his hair cut because he felt more comfortable at church like that. Then he said, "Guys, he looked just like you."  He's amazing he has such amazing potential, but even better than that he said, "That's the kind of young man who's going to be a worthy priesthood holder someday, and is going to raise the next generation entirely in the gospel."  He is, he really is, and all of that was just because someone knocked on a door.

Friday was filled with service.  We didn't plan it that way at all, but that's just how life seems to be as a missionary. Always busy, but very flexible.  ;) It's the best.  #strivingforthatallthetime. We went over to a storage unit to meet up with Sister Segersin who recently moved out of the branch, but was just visiting for the weekend.  We helped get all of the food storage she had and get it out to other members of the branch who needed it.  It was pretty exhausting, but it was good.  Then, later on we just happened to call Sister Cooper, and she was frantic! She's not the kind of person who asks for help, but since obviously the spirit prompted us to call her, we ran over to her house to help her out, and brought Carolyn with.  She had to make cookies for Caden's baptism, and can some salsa, and get her Relief Society lesson planned out, and honestly I think there was something else, but I just can't remember.  We ran over there to save the day and got a project that should have been done at 1 in the morning done by 5! Like a boss.   Then, we ran over to my favorite restaurant in the world, Gondoliers, and ate the best Greek/Italian on this side of the Mississippi!  (And probably on your side of the Mississippi, too.) We had a little branch party over there because of the awesome Segersins who do so much for everyone even though they don't even live here any more.  We also got to meet the new elder who just got ET'd over to our elders' companionship, Elder Leon.  He's pretty legit! It was really fun just having dinner with all of the branch and enjoying our time.

The next day, as good as all the other days have seemed, was the best day because Caden got baptized!  There was a lot that led up to that, though.  The elders' investigator, Holly, got confirmed that day in church, and then there was a missionary farewell.  If you see an Elder Johnson up in the Logan, Utah mission, tell him hi for me!  He's gonna do great!  While we were at the Linger Longer after church for him, I asked Caden if he was excited about his baptism. He said, "Excited isn't quite the right word for it.  I'm very aware of it, but it's just another step of progression back to our Heavenly Father."  Guys, I'm blown away by this kid! He gets it! He was so ready, and he is going to do amazing in life.

Then, his baptism came.  So many people showed up to support him!  I love the support in this small branch!  There were a billion pictures being taken, and so much love all around!  Sister Griffin and her daughter showed up, which was awesome!  And then his baptismal service started.  The spirit was so strong!  Brother Wilson baptized him, and that was so great because they just clicked so much, and he helped him so much through his conversion process.  He had to be baptized three times!  I guess we didn't fill the water up high enough. It was hard to get him completely under. It was a really special baptism. He's definitely got a special place in my heart.  :)

I'm so happy for Caden.  He's so strong in the gospel, and I know that things are only going to get better for him.  That's what the gospel does for all of us.  I've seen it so much in my life, and there's nothing like this work.  It's the most fulfilling thing I've done. And it's great because this work is eternal, and I'm never gonna get tired of it!

Sincerely,
Sister Shelton

Me and Sister Wilson!  She's the most positive, happy, bubbly person
I've ever met, and I love her so much!  She's moving this week though,
but she'll always have a special place in my heart.

Caden's baptism! He got baptized by Brother Wilson, who is super awesome! I'm so happy for this amazing day we had.

Quote of the week:　

As we look at pictures of the new Cookville Zone:

Me: What is this?

Sister Shuler: They're already different from us! ;)