Bapstism Felix, Fermin, and Juan

I received a telephone call from Elder Frampton, a special young missionary that we work with in.the Valiente Branch.

Felix, Fermin, Maria, Domingo, Juan at S.D. Temple

"Would you and Sister Park be able to host Felix, Fermin and Juan Calsado and several other of the Valiente Branch members for a light dinner after we give them a tour of the temple?"

Fermin, Domingo, Maria, Felix, Juan at S.D. Temple

Welove helping the missionaries so we ended up hosting four missionaries, three investigators and several branch members in our apartment for a light dinner.  It was a great night.  I had an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with Feliz, the 66 year-old father.  He could not speak English but with my little bit of Spanish, we were able to communicate.  A delightful man who is exited about the gospel.

Juan, Fermin, Elders Frampton, Salazar, Lecca, Domingo, Peggy

Felix and his two sons, Fermin, 24 and Juan 30, were scheduled to be baptized a week later.  After the temple tour and dinner, the missionaries, Peggy and I shared our testimonies. The Spirit was very strong.  I asked Felix and Fermin how they liked the evening and they said, "Exellente, muy bien, maravilloso!."  This was a good night.  We loved this experience.

Three days later, I received a phone call from Elder Frampton asking me if I would baptize Feliz and Fermin.  I was very surprised, honored and excited!  Fermin and Juan both attend the adult English class at Valiente every Saturday.  I would see them and say "Como estas? and they would always say, "Bien, muy bien."  The night at dinner I seemed to really connect with them, especially with Felix-- very humble, kind and friendly gentleman.

Felix, Roberto, Maria, Elder Nelson

Atthe baptism the following Sunday afternoon, a family I baptized about a month previously, Josesito and his wife Laura were there.  Laura shared her testimony at the baptismal service.  Her testimony was very touching and powerful!  I was a little nervous with so many people watching trying to remember the baptismal prayer in Spanish but all worked.  The Spirit helped me to remember.  They were so happy as we hugged.  It is amazing the spiritual feeling you receive watching someone "Come Unto Christ."

L-R, Elder Lecca, Felix, Fermin, Juan, Randy, Pedro,

Elder Frampton 

During Juan's baptism, a unique experience happened.  The older branch member, who baptized Juan, couldn't completely immerse him after three attempts, so Branch President Julio Ogando asked me if I would baptize Juan.  After the service, I apologized to Juan that it took him four times, but gently teased Juan that he now was "really clean"  having been dunked four times.  We laughed and hugged.  He felt the Spirit and was happy.  This was a special service and memory for Peggy and me.
Randy.