Hermana Clarke's Zone Leader, Elder Fusco, who has scheduled an appointment (It looks like) to visit Jessica's man, Jose, and teach him the Gospel.
Hello everyone,
This week was the first week we got to Facetime and have a family conversation with Rachelle, and the face-to-face conversation seems to have supplanted her email this week. So, here is a quick recap of the things we talked about. Be ready for a hilarious little anecdote at the end.
Most of our conversation revolved around Jessica and her six kids who are regularly attending church for several months now. We learned that Rachelle and her companion had been impressed to take their bikes that day, and as they were biking through the park, they stopped to "OYM" (open your mouth) and talk to them. From there, they progressed and have accepted the message and have strong desire to be baptized. The one obstacle is that she is not married to her "man" of 15 years (and father to five of her children). Jose, unfortunately won't commit to Jessica saying that she's just trying to trap him or that he doesn't want to be tied down because he might want a different life back in El Salvador. His refusal to commit thus far is devastating to Jessica for many reasons, especially because she wants to be baptized so badly. This week, President Torres came to visit Jose, and he seemed to soften his heart and accept the invitation to change--but when the sisters came back later that week, Jose was back to his normal self. She asked for our advice. We suggested that she let the Elders work with him (see picture above) and that she leave the male missionaries and ward members with the task to reach Jose. Ben and I also both had the idea of asking President if two families Ben baptized--whose fathers were once very much like Jose--could connect with Jose to share their experiences resisting, at first, the gospel, and then later embracing it with their families. This whole new era of open communication could bring about some wonderful blessings to many people and open up new ways to fellowship. We'll see what happens this week, but please pray that Jose's heart will be softened and that this sweet family will be able to progress. I especially know how much the Gospel could bless and improve the lives of those sweet children!
That said, we very much enjoyed being a part of her missionary experience using video chat this week. Even Camille weighed in with some wonderful thoughts about how to help. I was nervous at first about this change, but now I'm realizing how much a family can grow as we counsel together, pray about our missionary's challenges, and experience the miracles alongside our Elders and Sisters. I am convinced once again that we are led by a living prophet who receives revelation for our time and circumstance, and I am very grateful.
Rachelle also mentioned that they have three baptisms this coming week: a part-member family. I look forward to seeing those pictures and hearing more about their story next week.
And now for the funnystory: Rachelle said that her calling as STL (Sister Training Leader) is to lead and minister the mission's largest zone of sister missionaries. She said that the only Elders in her zone are the Zone Leader, the District Leaders, and their companions. The rest are sisters. That being the case, President Torres asked Rachelle and her companion to organize and lead a training session for just the Elders. The topic? How to work with sister missionaries. (Yes. I'm laughing too!) She didn't go into detail about what they taught, but she said that many of the Elders were furiously taking notes. Smart guys. At the end of the training session, she opened it up for a Q & A. One brave Elder raised his hand and asked, "What does is mean when a sister missionary keeps saying 'Everything is just fine.'"? Rachelle looked at him and said, it means "NOTHING IS FINE!" Then she said that if he could remember that, it would help him his entire life.
And with that, I'll leave you with a few of our family's favorite videos about male-female communication--a recurring topic these days with my 15 year-old twins, Tim and Camille.
Have a wonderful week. Pray for Jose and Jessica and her their family.
Write to Rachelle at rachelle.clarke@myldsmail.net or the new email address: rachelle.clarke@missionary.org. Try them both. She didn't get my email this week to the ldsmail.net address, and that could be because the transition is in effect.
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