Edinburg, 3/18/19

Jessica and her girls and Jessica's older sister Juana (on the right) on their baptism day. (Juana looks like a teenage girl, but she is actually Jessica's older sister, and a grandma already! What's her secret to looking youthful???) Jessica is one of Rachelle's "best friends." They had a surprise visit from Hermana Smith (middle), the sister Rachelle was serving with when they found this family by opening their mouths in a public park.

Hello everyone,

Rachelle and I had a phone conversation today. We spent time talking about her week, and we also had to figure out the business of registering for classes at BYU. Because of that, she didn't have time left over to write a group email. She did ask me, however, to tell her friends and family a few specific things:

1. After 13 weeks straight of coming to church, Jessica's three oldest daughters and Jessica's older sister were finally baptized. Rachelle said that Jessica was overjoyed for her girls and that Jessica herself gave the closing prayer at the baptism, asking Heavenly Father to help her prepare for her own baptism one day. (Hopefully her man will eventually soften his heart and choose to marry her.) At any rate, Rachelle was overjoyed because now that Jessica's girls and sister are baptized, Jessica's family will never be lost to the missionaries and members because they will always be on the records of the church.
2. There was a huge group of people who came for the baptism--one of which was Hermana Smith, the sister Rachelle served with when they found this sweet family. It was a surprise when she returned, and everybody was so happy! Rachelle said that there were also a "ton" of investigators at the baptism, some of which are on date to be baptized on the 30th of this month, and others who are "totally down" to let the sisters come and teach them. Rachelle said that there were more investigators at the baptism than members, but that the ward members did come out to support Jessica and her girls as well. Apparently, the house was packed.
3. Rachelle said that she's learned something from all her recent experiences in the Edinburg area. She said that she has learned that missionaries are just the "tools" that Heavenly Father needs to do His work, and her job as a missionary is to be a "sharp tool" that He can use. 
4. Rachelle also says that she LOVES her companion, Sister Drury. She says that they are the same person--like sisters and that she loves serving with her. Rachelle has had some great companions in Edinburg, and she has loved them all so much.

Write to Rachelle at rachelle.clarke@missionary.org

Thank you for your love and support. Please keep those prayers coming.

Hermana Drury and Hermana Clarke: the tallest sisters in the mission, and so similar that they feel like the "same person." They even have the same middle name!

A great day for Jessica's three oldest girls (on the left) and Jessica's older sister, on the right. She looks so young, but she's already a grandmother!

Jessica's entire crew, including the oldest son, Brandon, who wants to be baptized next week, but will more likely be baptized on the 30th with a few of their other investigators.