Sister Olivia Nicolosi: Raul's Baptism

Juanita's b-day! Officially 97

Hey Everyone! :)

First of all, Raul’s baptism was super special and it went really well :) The Spirit was so strong. His wife, niece, nephew, and sister came to his baptism! At the end everyone congratulated him one by one, and when it was his wife’s turn she gave him a hug and just cried; even he got teary-eyed. I know the Spirit testified to their hearts that this Church is true, and what Raul did by being baptized, is the right path to follow. Now his family wants to receive the missionary discussions! I’m so happy for Raul and I’m so excited to begin teaching his family as well! I really believe his wife will be baptized too one day, if not all of them. Raul brought those same family members to Church the following day for his confirmation. They all looked so happy, especially his wife :)

I know this gospel is true and that it blesses families. Something I have recently thought to start teaching in our lessons is this:

This gospel doesn’t take away all of our trials and tribulations—those are just part of life. What this gospel does is help us to OVERCOME them as well as find happiness in this life despite them (it feels kind of weird trying to explain that in English, haha).

Flower's from Juanita's b-day party

I realized that this is something we need to address with investigators so they understand that trials and hardships will still come after they are baptized, but its not because the church isn’t true or because God doesn’t love them; it’s because life wasn’t meant to be easy. I want them to know that this gospel is Heavenly Father’s Plan for us to help us have success in this life and to be used as a guide and a tool to help us make it back Home by helping us to overcome challenges and stay strong through tribulations.

I wish I could write more but that’ll have to wait till next week. I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Nicolosi