First Baptism

Well we are teaching a family and they are awesome!  They have 3 kids and one is 13 and one is going to 8 in 3 weeks and one is like 3.  Girl boy girl sandwich.  They have super strong faith and know that this is true and are working soo hard to get there and be baptised and everything!  

 The mom and dad can't read but the older girl can.  So we told them last week they were ready to be baptized and she, the mom, had this trip coming up where she was going to Thailand to work for a while and that she was nervous about not gettting baptized before she went and she prayed (yes!) and then that night her daughter had a dream and saw her mom getting baptized and then we showed up that night and told them they were ready!  She was sooo happy and just told us more about her dream and seriously when she said this I know that God works in all kinds of ways to help his children return.  She said that maybe because khmae people can't read and aren't very educated that heavenly father gives them dreams to know that this is true and I know that she is right.  Because so many people I've heard have had dreams and are now the storngest members in khmae!  She is soo cool and the whole family is strong!  So then we scheduled the baptism on Saturday so they could be confirmed at church the next day.  And their interview was at 2 Saturday also before the baptism at 4.  

 So we are waiting there at the church for them and they don't show for like a half an hour after 2 and still not there so we call them and they just got hit by a moto on their bikes as they were turning into the road to the church!  And we race over there and play big bad white guys to make sure the moto guy doesn't just speed off with out paying cause thats the rule, if you hit them you pay.  And things were going well and the guy that hit them was being cool about it but super rich khmae skinny guy. lol Anyways we bought the kids some ice cream from the gas station and took them to the church and the oldest girl interview and passed and then we went back to help the mom and dad and littlest girl get to church and get everything straighten out.  

 But they all eventually got to the church and interview and passed. then we got ready to start and at first I was thinking Elder Wilcox, my comp, was doing them all but then we ask the girl, Sokhea, who she wanted and she said elder decka.  And I was like wow, I'm gonna baptize someone in khmae!!!  Then I thought crap!   I barely know khmae!! Haha.   It was the coolest feeling and the coolest thing to do ever! All white, speaking khmae and baptizing someone in a fountain outside in brown water!  Haha.  I love khame!  And it was the coolest thing ever!  And i didn't mess up and she got under the first time and it was quick and simple but the feeling was strong!  

Then the next day we were planning to do their confirmation and they didn't show again!  It was 830 when they got there and the whole time I was worried about them not coming cause if she goes to Thailand without being confirmed she would have to be baptized again and it would just not be good.  But the whole time I just sat there waiting and knowing and feeling this peace that they would come and all would be well.  And I just said ok.  I trust you.  And it was all good and they all got confirmed and I was in the circle with all of them!  It was like the coolest first baptism ever!  I was loving every minute of it!  I love being a a missionary and now we have another new family and they have 2 kids of age and it will be soo cool to have more baptism and more families just like this one.! :)

 aight well thats my story for the week and i have money and food and everything is good! i love you all soo much and i will take lots of pics and hope you know that i am loving it and tell everyone that no matter what i am having a great time. even with all the annoying things this place is awesome! i love my mission!! :) i'm doing great! and no little rash can slow me down!!! :) love you mom! bunches and bunches! :) :) get better soon and i always keep all of you in my prayers! i love you soo much!!!

 love joshua elder decker