Dear family and friends,
What a week of miracles. Saturday was the grandest miracle I have witnessed.
Monday I felt homesick for the first time. I don´t know why. I just had a bad attitude. But getting back into the joyous work made me feel lots better.
Tuesday I woke up sick . .. I still am. That´s been a drag. Yep. But I worked through it and had a fantastic day because I was eager to get back to work.
Wednesday my companion fell ill . . . he reacted badly to chorizo that members fed us. We had to go home early. I used the time to clean, read, and ponder. He got better quickly, thankfully! I was really worried for him, but all was well.
Thursday we traveled to Montevideo to have a meeting with President and all the new missionaries and their trainers! On the bus back, I taught two kids who live in our area . . . they are so sad. They both use drugs and smoke. They´re only 12 and 14. :(
Friday was zone conference and TONSSSSSSSS of walking. I just about died. But I was happy!
Saturday we had the opportunity to take Maria Eugenia and her young siblings who are members, along with Jaqueline (a less-active) and Alejandro (boyfriend of hermana Cabrera), to the TEMPLE!!!! It was so special and spiritual to introduce the temple to these wonderful investigators. There we had an incredible miraculous experience. My companion and I were able to go into the celestial room to pray for about 15 minutes. In there, he told me that he had the impression to invite Maru (Maria Eugenia) to be baptized that very day. I instantly felt a powerful confirming witness. We have been teaching her, but she told us she would not be baptized because she doesn´t think she can keep the law of chastity with her boyfriend. She asked us not to bring up baptism again. That was some weeks ago. She understood the law of chastity and wanted to live it, but decided not to at that time. However, she is reading the book of mormon, praying, and going to church! She is super amazing. She is the one whose father killed her mother, and she is in charge of her little siblings now like a mom.
We did what the Lord commanded. We invited her to be baptized just outside the temple while the others walked to the car. I testified, and told her that she is special daughter of God and that baptism was His will for her. She got teary and accepted the invitation! She said she was praying in the waiting room for many answers, and that this was the answer to all her questions, though not really the one she expected. There was already a baptismal service that night for a girl from a part-member family. I was able to baptize Maru that night! It was such a powerful experience. She is such an amazing daughter of God. The service was incredibly spiritual ... everyone felt the spirit very strongly. She was ready for baptism and needed it, and now she will be blessed so greatly. She is going to tell her boyfriend this tuesday or wednesday and either leave him or live the Law with him and bring him into the church!
My time is short. So many small miracles led to this great one . . . I wish I could tell you all of them now, but I must stop writing. I love you all so much and I thank you for your prayers, love, support, and friendship with one so imperfect as I. I am feeling great right now and loving the work and learning every day. Bye!
--Elder Max Olivier
Reunión de oros. Me with Elder Carroll, my wonderful district leader and a best friend in the CCM, and other good friend from CCM Elder Bauer. It was so nice to see everyone from the CCM again. They are wonderful!
