Fwd: howdy

Begin forwarded message:

From: Seraphin Decker <seraphin.decker@myldsmail.net>
Date: November 2, 2015 at 1:42:04 PM PST
To: Robin Decker <robinlynnd@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: howdy

Sounds like a fun filled week ! It always is when there are holidays and birthdays. I don't know if Halloween counts as a holiday though but whatevs. Things were pretty good this week. I have a funny story to tell. I know I don't usually talk about our baptisms that we have but we're teaching this old man, his name is Juvenal and he's like 90. He's a G though and he's super funny. He lives down the street from the church so he doesn't want anyone to give him a ride to church so we walk with him. He always leaves church with a ton of energy and spirit but I get scared because I think he's gonna fall when he tries to walk faster than his body let's him hahahahaha. Anyways, we were teaching him one day with a member that's his long time friend and he was a little scared to be baptized. We taught him about the doctrine of baptism and he understood the message but we could tell he was still kind of on the fence about it. We stopped and had a moment of silence for him to think and to have the spirit bare testimony to him and he finally, after 2 or 3 minutes of silence, said "okay, I'm ready." Everytime someone accepts our baptismal invites I wanna cry haha but it was amazing how the spirit touched everyone in that room. Even his family that doesn't want anything to do with the church got excited about it all and were participating in the lesson. The funny part is that we asked him who he wanted to baptize him and his daughter goes, "I think it'd be better if Zé (his friend that's a member) baptized him because they're long time friends." And Zé didn't even wait for Juvenal's approval ! He sticks out his hand to shake Juvenal's hand and goes, "What an honor ! Thank you Juvenal !" hahah I was dying, but it was just because we were all filled with that sweet spirit of joy and goodness. Honestly there's nothing better than it. I bore my testimony this week about the greatness of missionary work and honestly when you think of those few times when you feel the spirit testify to you or you help lead someone to the waters of baptism. Even with all the heartache and sadness and a lot of disappointment, those short moments of pure happiness are worth every little bit of suffering. I wanna encourage you all to make a bit of sacrifice and make sharing the gospel a bigger part of your lives. I have no idea how it is with work and kids and all that jazz but there are people that need you. Missionary name tag or not we have what every living soul is searching for and that is the love of God. The field is white and all ready to harvest...he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might bringeth salvation to his own soul. This is God's work and it is marvelous. Let's be apart of it and let the grace of God perfect His saints. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true and living church that has the power and authority to do so. I pray for you all everyday and I hope with all my heart that the spirit of the Lord is with you. Thanks for all the support ! Thank you so much for the cards and packages and letters too ! Until next week.

-Pai Decker

Élder Serph Alain Decker

        Missão Brasil Salvador 

A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos

            Dos Ultimos Dias