Edinburg 12/3/18

Rachelle learning how to cook yummy, greasy Mexican food.

Rachelle and some sisters in her zone.

Rachelle and Sister Lauritzen, the new companion of Sister Nieves

Hi everyone!

This email is a week behind. But this last little while has been filled with so many miracles! We had three separate baptisms last Saturday, and it wad the craziest Saturday of my mission. The most wonderful people in the world joined the Lord's true church!

1. Emmanuel Lozano!! He is 9 and has the faith of a stripling warrior. He joined his brothers as a member of the church, and his family is so proud of him! He loves to play soccer and when he was confirmed, his blessing talked about the future mission he would serve. Wow. #futuremissionarystriplingwarrior. He is amazing!

2. Abraham and Karina Quintanilla: they are amazing people! Latina has been bringing her family to church for so long, and she has a goal to take her family to the temple and be sealed. She knew that to do that, she needed to be baptized, and she knew that this is the Lord's true church. I have rarely seen faith like Karina's! She knows the truth and is the shining light, strength and example for her whole family in the Gospel. She is such a leader. She and her son Abraham were baptized together and it was a beautiful day for their family. <3

3. Uriel Lara. I just love this sweet story ... Uriel has been attending church with his wife Marifer for the past 7 years, and Marifer has been patiently waiting and sharing the gospel until he was ready to accept it. Uriel began his study of the Book of Mormon, and thought that study received the answer that finally, he was ready, and that this is the true church of Jesus Christ! His baptism was crazy. The man who was supposed to baptize him got stuck in Mexico at the border, and so he got there and we had to find someone to baptize him! Then he tried on the jumpsuit and it was way too small. So we had to call someone to come open the closet, and it took forever. When his mother in law came to see what was taking so long, he said "after 7 years there's no clothes and nobody to baptize me!" And we all had a good laugh in that moment together. Then Marifer said, "It's okay, I have waited 7 years for this day, I can wait 15 more minutes." It ended up being the sweetest, most tender baptismal service, as all Uriel's family and new ward family came out to support him taking this wonderful step. He says the next place he wants to get is to the temple - to be sealed to his wife and beautiful baby girl Reinota, for the best "combo deal" ever!

Basically, all the miracles went down. And there's still lots more in progress! We have a few people on date to be baptized and some families we are working with who are almost there! Missions are miracles. PLUS it's Christmas!!! This is the best Christmas I have ever had - also the warmest. 

Happy Holidays to all and much love from McAllen!

Love, Hermana Clarke 

Write to Rachelle at rachelle.clarke@myldsmail.net