Great Week!

Hey Family,

How is everything going? It sounds like things are pretty crazy in the Gines house! I would have never guessed anything like this would have been happening, it is definitely good though and I admire all of your desire to serve others. Well this week was pretty good, and to make things even better, we baptized yesterday! So to start off, on Tuesday after our district meeting, we had a little surprise. President Gamiette decided to come to our district meeting, and do some interviews because we we rent able to do them when we had zone conference. Well he interviewed everyone else, and then when it came time to interview us, he said well, lets go to work. I was so scared! We went to a couple of appointments that we had, but they fell through so we just kept on trying. Eventually we ended up doing some finding and it was amazing. The first house we called in we found 6 boys to teach. It was amazing to see how good of a teacher he was. I learned so much. After that lesson he had to go, which was kinda a relief. It was truly amazing though to be able to see how missionary work is really supposed to be done, and for the rest of this week elder Kaelin and I taught so much better together. Now for the baptism. For the past couple of weeks, we have been working with a girl named Niesha. Well to tell you a little bit about her, she is 26 years old, she has a 6 month old baby, her boyfriend recently kicked her out, she has no money, she has no education, and last but not least, she likes to breast feed her baby in front of people. Niesha, is good friends with the Moorali's, a family in our ward, and when her boyfriend kicked her out she asked them if she could move in with them. We were working with her a little bit right at the beginning of my first transfer, but then we didn't hear anything from her. Well 3 weeks ago, she moved in with the Moorali's and told them that she wanted to get baptized. We were excited, but at the same time, we wanted to make sure that she knew what she was doing. Wellllll she slowly began learning and remembering what we had been teaching her. Each time we met with her, she was getting smarter and smarter and there is no doubt in my mind, that the lord was helping her gain this knowledge. Eventually, she was even able to learn and memorize the 10 commandments! (in her own little way of course...) Well, we met with her a lot, and on the nights that we couldn't teach her, the Moorali's were able to step in and teach her. It was amazing to see her develop a testimony of the gospel and see her desire to become a member of the church. The very best part about Niesha, is her prayers. They are the most sincere, yet simple prayers I have ever heard. She truly had a desire to be baptized and we were able to baptize her yesterday after church. She was extremely excited about it, but at the same time she was a little bit nervous. When it came time to dunk her, it was quite the experience. Although we had showed her what she would have to do, when it came time to do it, she wasn't sure what to do. Eventually we got her submerged, and it was successful. We had a really good week and Elder Kaelin and I are getting along really well. This transfer has gone so fast, and when you hear from me next week, I will have my transfer call. I cannot believe it! Well thats enough about me. I am glad to hear that you guys are enjoying having Kei and Marcella around. It really is such a blessing that we have to be so close to so many church sites. I wish I would have taken advantage more! Dad, Happy Birthday! The big 51. I wasn't able to make it to hallmark, but I got a letter in the mail. Mom, That is so awesome that you have done so well with the Book of Mormon. I really love that book. It is amazing! Mel and John, I am glad everything is going good, I love hearing from you every week and I'm sorry I don't have time to write you all the time. Angie and Scott, I'm glad everything is going good! Corbin is growing so much, and thanks for the pictures! Paige, it sounds like you are doing great! I am so glad to hear that you are so happy and it sounds like Steve is a great guy. Jason, keep on working hard, it'll only make you tougher. Enjoy life while you can, but make sure you take advantage of everything that you have. Well tell everyone else that I love them, I'm doing great out here and I love my mission. Wish me luck on my transfer call, I am pretty sure that I will be staying in San Fernando, but you never know! I love this gospel and I am so grateful to be where I am today. 

I love you all,

Elder Gines

P.S. I'll send more pictures next week.