Edinburg, 3/25/19 (A week of miracles!)

Brandon's Baptism. Brandon is the son of Jessica #1 from the story below (standing next to Rachelle). They found him on a cold, rainy day while they were riding their bikes through a park. Brandon led the sisters to Jessica #1 and all her children (who were baptized last week), and Jessica led the sisters to Juana, her aunt (on the left by Sister Drury) who was baptized last week. Jessica #1 also led the sisters to Jessica #2 and her children who are on date to be baptized this weekend. Jessica #2 helped the sisters work with Carlos and Isabel and their 7 children who all came to church and want to be baptized. 

HoHola todos!

So... I need to repent because it's been so long since I've written a weekly. And it's ridiculous porque (because) there have been so many miracles in this place that I don't even know where to begin telling them! I could talk all day about the miracles that God is giving this ward and these people. Here are just a few:

1. This week we were able to go to the temple in San Antonio! We got to go with all the youth and some of our recent converts! We woke up at 1 am and all went together on the bus! It broke down though halfway to Beeville and we had to wait for a new bus hahaha. But we eventually got to the temple and it was such a sweet experience! Brenda, Jaime, Emily and Bethsaida were our recent converts who were that were able to go to the temple trip, Boy that was such a special experience to see them be in the house of the Lord! That's enough joy for a lifetime right there!

Mom's Note: During our phone conversation, Rachelle said that many of the recent converts didn't have papers to get past the check points, and therefore, couldn't travel all the way to San Antonio to go to the temple. She said that is why they need a temple so badly in the McAllen area--so that these wonderful people who are waiting for papers can have the blessings of the temple. Pray for a temple in McAllen!

2. This past week Brandon was baptized!! He saw the example of his older sisters and his aunt and decided he couldn't wait any longer. So on Saturday we got home from the temple trip to race over to the chapel to make it 3 minutes early for Brandon's baptism! We asked if he wanted to push it because we might get home late, but he said absolutely not, he wanted to do it TODAY! We made it in the nick of time, but everyone was there and it was such a touching and wonderful service! Our elders and us sang "Called to Serve" because he is going to be a future missionary. He asked for a  picture of himself at his baptism, and he promised us that he would take it and show it to all the people he teaches on his mission, just like I do. :) <3  it was a day filled with miracles! And Jessica's (#1) kids are all now officially baptized! That family is never going to be let go!

3. Our lovely Jessica (we will call her Jessica #1 for the sake of this story) has been doing a wonderful job at sharing the gospel. Thats the reason why her aunt Juana got baptized with her girls!!. A few weeks ago she invited her best friend Jessica #2 (her best friend is also named Jessica jajajaja) To hear us for a lesson, and then to her girls' baptism and then to church! Since then we have begun teaching the entire family, And Jessica #2 And all her kids wanted to be baptized because of the great change they have seen in Jessica #1 and her family since they started going to church and being baptized. They are all preparing for baptism right now! So incredible!

4. Another miracle: a few weeks ago, we found a family by randomly coming across the father, Carlos while we were riding our bikes at night in a storm. We saw a hooded, lone figure across the park and decided to go talk to him. This was Carlos, and he was on his way home from an AA meeting. When we talked to him, he said that he wanted to change his life. We came to teach him and his wife/woman Isabel and their 7 kids and found out they really want to hear the gospel! That was a few weeks ago. We lost contact with them because they had to go to Mexico for some reason, and we almost dropped them as investigators  . . . but then we were led back to them this week. We called Carlos one more time, and he was HOME. He invited us to come back and meet with his family. When we walked in their house Jessica #2 greeted us! We found out that they are actually best friends!!! And not even 5 minutes before we got there, they had been talking about the change they'd seen in Jessica #1's life and family and kids and how they wanted it in their own lives. As of right now, all of them accepted a date to be baptized and are preparing for baptism! Carlos will need to marry Isabel first, though, so pray for them!

5. This Sunday was marvelous. Brandon got confirmed, and Jessica #1, Jessica #2, Carlos and Isabel and all their big families and zillion kids all came to church on Sunday! They even beat us there! We walked into the chapel and I swear it was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. All those kids and families filling up all those pews, and all the ward members welcoming them in with open arms. I've hardly ever been so happy in my life  

From small and simple things great things are brought to pass! We found two unlikely people on two separate cold rainy days while we were riding our bikes through a park: Brandon (Jessica #1's son) and Carlos. We just happened to talk to two unlikely people both of those days. And look what miracles God has brought to pass in the lives of these three families who are all helping each other to come into the Gospel. I never could have imagined all these miracles! I love the Lord and His service. I miss you all! Happy getting ready for conference!

All my love, 

Hermana Clarke

Jessica #1 (One of Rachelle's best friends) and her son Brandon on his baptism day.

Brandon's Baptism day picture that he wants to take with him on a mission.

One big happy family. The rest of them were baptized last week.

Hermana Clarke, Brandon, and Hermana Drury

A picture of the Edinburg ward temple trip for youth and recent converts. What an impressive group of people! And what a wonderful job this bishop is doing. Rachelle says that the Bishop, Gabriel Jara, is one of the biggest reasons they are having so much success. He is SO supportive of the missionary efforts in the ward.