What a crazy week it has been!! But I think the best part of
it all was that Cxxxxxxx was able to be baptized yesterday!!! Oh
my - the Spirit is always strong at baptisms, but I don't think
there was a dry eye in the entire room during that service. I
barely made it through my musical number with Sister Morgan.
I don't know how much I told all of you about Cxxxxxxx. She
has been wanting to be baptized for 2 1/2 years, but her mother
is super strongly against it. However, she turned 18 last week
and was able to, as an adult, make her own decision. Her Dad and
her brother were both there to support her, and have supported
her throughout these 2 years or so. She's been coming to our
Ward every other week when she's in town for most of that time
as well, and they love her. They really are her 2nd family. In
fact, that was one of the themes of the speakers at the baptism
yesterday: how much our wards/the church are like our family
away from family. I know that she is going to go so far in life.
After the service was over she just came up to me and gave me a
big hug and just sobbed into my shoulder. They were sobs of pure
happiness at finally being able to be baptized and make those
covenants with our Heavenly Father. It was a touching moment for
sure and it just reaffirmed my testimony of why I'm out here
serving, and why I love the Gospel so much.
Since I just emailed on Wednesday that's really it for the
email. I know that I said it was a super crazy week, but then I
remembered that I wrote about a lot of it on Wednesday haha
I still love you all
Sister Hensley
PS This is Dad. In my years since my own conversion I have had many conversations about the process of gaining new members. There is a misconception that Mormons baptize teenage youth and take them away from their families. This could not be further from the truth. This is evident in this and other recent posts. Shannon has and is still working with young adults who converted years ago while in their teens but could not get permission from their parents. Even as adults we are encouraged to continue to build and strengthen family relationships. In this case this young adult has the support of her father and brother in another case the young lady is still working with her parents in an attempt to gain their support.
The bottom line is that we will not allow minor's i.e. under 18 to join the church without parental or guardian approval.
PS This is Dad. In my years since my own conversion I have had many conversations about the process of gaining new members. There is a misconception that Mormons baptize teenage youth and take them away from their families. This could not be further from the truth. This is evident in this and other recent posts. Shannon has and is still working with young adults who converted years ago while in their teens but could not get permission from their parents. Even as adults we are encouraged to continue to build and strengthen family relationships. In this case this young adult has the support of her father and brother in another case the young lady is still working with her parents in an attempt to gain their support.
The bottom line is that we will not allow minor's i.e. under 18 to join the church without parental or guardian approval.
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