Wonderful baptism!

Hector's baptism!

     Hello everyone! This week was full of miracles and just a great week in general! This week we had Hector's baptism and we had nearly our whole branch there. There was also another lady getting baptized that day and the spirit was really strong at his meeting.  I'm so glad we had the opportunity to teach him and he will forever be one of my great friends here in California! The sad news is that he is moving out of our branch and up to Mariposa to work up there. 
     This week we have been seeing people put into our path. We have really focused all our energy on obedience and diligence and the Lord has been blessing us. We were about to meet this family of 5 just three days ago. We first knocked on the door and offered the man who answered if we could say a prayer with him. While he looked a bit suprised he said "yes"!  We promised him that through this prayer and blessing he could feel the Holy Ghost. As we finished the words of the prayer we kind of sat there for a couple seconds and just let the spirit sink in. As we began to speak and ask him how he felt, he said, "I have never felt anything like that before inside me". We asked if we could come inside his home and share a brief message with him about the church that Christ established and how it has been restored to the earth again. As we shared he listened and felt the spirit. We invited him to be baptized and he told us he would. He has invited us back tonight to share it with his whole family. 
     We have also been focusing this week on one of our investigators, Celeste. She has two children and we have been teaching her for about the last three weeks. She has come to church and has progressed so much. She has continued reading the Book of Mormon and has felt and seen the change in her life as she acts on her faith. Last night we taught her the Plan of Salvation and really focused on the three kingdoms of glory. We focused on how that only with baptism can we reach that top glory and be with our families for eternity. As we said that the spirit really began to work in her! She said she has had so many stresses and trials in her life and wants to change. She wanted to make sure her kids have that shelter from a world that is wicked and constantly changing. We invited her to refocus her commitment and be baptized on the 28th of April. She laughed and said as long as they don't make me memorize scripture and read it in front of everyone I will do it! We are praying for God's help each and everyday and we are truly seeing miracles! 
     I also recieved my new companion this week, his name is Elder Arredondo. He is from Logan, Utah and is currently waiting for his visa to Brazil. I have really enjoyed training him so far. He came in with a great attitude to work hard and to baptize which I know will really help our companionship out! We have really focused ourselves on inviting everyone to be baptized. If they say no we ask why not, and if they are not ready to be baptized we move on and look for the people who are willing to keep commitments and are wanting to change their lives to follow Jesus Christ! I have really seen the great change that the spirit brings into peoples lives. God can soften hearts! 
     Have a great week - and never be scared to invite someone to hear the gospel message!

Love,
Elder Tanner Aiken