While seeing some snow covered mountains would have been
nice, I found myself wishing a lot harder to see the brilliant white of a
baptismal robe this Christmas!!! We had been working a lot with Luis lately,
and were hoping that everything would go well with his baptism the 19th.
It was really miraculous to see how much of a change could
take place in his life in such a short time. His habits, thoughts, and even
personality have changed (not like he wasn't great before....now he's just
better).
We had a really cool experience with him just before his
baptism...
He was nervous, as most people are, and he told us that he
wasn't sure about the whole baptism thing....He told us he wasn't ready to
forgive some people, and that repentance was a little too difficult for him to
handle. After a few questions he told us his problem,
When he was very young, Luis had been abandoned by his
parents....Just left on his Aunt's doorstep. All his life he had harbored a
great animosity towards them, blaming them for all the resultant problems and
inconveniences in his life. He had always felt unloved as a child. He said it
was something he had taken very personally and internalized. His Mother lived
not too far away.....and every time she tried to visit to explain her actions,
he wouldn't hear it.
He would never forgive his parents. EVER.
My companion used an arsenal of scriptures, talks,
exhortations....but they fell on deaf ears....We began to worry a bit....and
then the spirit whispered "You were in a similar position....the gospel
helped"....
How had I forgotten? How had that not struck a chord before?
I immediately told Luis that I knew he could forgive. I told
him that I was adopted, but due to the love my parents had shown me, and to the
gospel of Jesus Christ that I had in my life.....I had never once harbored
those feelings with which he was so familiar....
"You mean....you don't hate your birth-parents for what
they did"? He asked.
"On the contrary" I said.
"I owe them a lot.....Thanks to one good decision they
made, I have parents who love me, who provided for me. I have a Mom and Dad,
who gave me the life I otherwise wouldn't have had"...
"Think about it Luis.....your mother was young when she
had you....she wasn't married I bet....she couldn't have provided for
you....She did the best she could. She knew your Aunt loved you and so she left
you with her"......
Luis thought for a long moment...........He looked at me and
said
"Wow.....I never looked at it that way......I.....I
need to call her".
I was happier for him than I think I have been for anyone
else in a long....long time.
That was truly a beautiful moment.
So.....I hope that all of you know that I have never once
felt out of place in my family. I know that we were sealed together in a House
of The Lord, and that nothing can ever sever that bond. I knew that growing up.
That's a knowledge I've had in my heart since I was 8 years old. I've doubted
in a lot of things over the years, but I have never, ever doubted in that
knowledge.
......So Luis got baptized and it was great.
Hahahahaha, Christmas Eve we got to stay up until 12:30 and
watch the fireworks. It was amazing. It's better than any fireworks show in the
US. The Entire city of Lima (like 8 million people) all shoot fireworks into
the air at midnight. For like a solid 30 minutes there's fireworks in every
direction......I'll miss that a lot.....
But New Year is even better!!! They burn effigies in the
street!!! It's so cool!!!!
So....that's what we've got to look forward to next week!!!!
Love you guys!!!!!!!
Elder Winn
Rooftop Christmas Eve 2015
