{7.13.15} Best Birthday Ever

No mission rules were broken in the taking of this photo.

So that happened, I'm 21! I can buy booze and stuff hahaha. My Birthday was definitely very different than that. BUT I DID GET TO GO TO THE BEACH.

So yeah I finally got to go through Downtown Miami for the Miami Lakes Stake Service day. We were cleaning up a beach on Key Biscayne. Downtown Miami was so cool, and the key and all the beaches were SO beautiful. We weren't allowed to step on the Sand (mission rules, obvious temptation haha) but we were able to admire from a far and pick up all the trash in the parks. It was mostly cool to get to drive on Key Biscayne and see all of Downtown.

A nice view from Key Biscayne

Juan and his wife!
Dora loved the service and we are teaching her now too.

Spiritual Stuff now. WE HAD A HUGE BAPTISMAL SERVICE! It was so awesome! Elder Chaparro and I got to see all the people we've been working with these last 5 weeks (some from Elder Gomez and I's companionship as well) enter in the waters of baptism and come out SO happy! The Spirit was UN FUEGO. When I baptized Juan, I was so stoked and put him down in the water pretty forcefully (oops hahah) and there was a big splash. He came out of the water a little surprised and laughing but still with that Huge grin and glow about him, and then gave me a big hug. Juan has been my favorite miracle from this last transfer. We found him on the last door of a knocking session (like everyone this transfer) and he seemed decently interested but not super willing to act. But by the time we had returned to his house a few days later, he had prayed and was determined he needed to change his life, and that this Church was where he needed to do it. He was baptized less than two weeks later! I wish we all had the same spiritual conviction as Juan. If we would all recognize the spirit like he does, and then immediately act on it, we would all be so much happier and so much closer to God. It's funny how you can learn so much from someone who two weeks ago hardly knew anything about God, Jesus Christ, or his teachings.

That night, I came home and the english elders had decorated the apartment for my birthday. It was so much fun! they made me this fruit drink they may or may not have had a lot of caffeine.. hahah, and we piled all the mattresses in the living room and did community sleep. That, on top of the spirituality of the baptism, made it the best birthday of my life.

Sunday was just as boss! We did all the confirmaciones in sacrament and the spirit was so strong. The Ward came out SO strong to the baptism, way more than any of my other baptisms, and sacrament was packed. Everyone in the ward is getting so pumped about missionary work! Members are coming out with us every daily and asking to come out with us. Its so awesome to get to help these wards out here build, because a lot of them are struggling and the church isn't as big out here. Yet, the members of the church here are SO solid and so faithful. I think people from good ole Eagle Idaho need to fly down to Florida and see how important a ward truly is in missionary work. These wards, which over half have been baptized in the last 10 years and half of those in the last 5, are enflamed in the work of the Lord.

Speaking of Eagle Idaho, Elder Dunn is in my zone! That kid is so cool. He went to my high school, and we were never friends. Super bummed about that. We're going to Buffalo Wild Wings for my today.

We're going to be having another baptismal service this Saturday. unfortunately, one of the families we were teaching is having some issues because one of the Sons likes the pentacostal church (he's obsessed with music) and the rest of the family won't be baptized without him. It's super sad, because everyone else knows its true and want to be baptized so bad! It's so frustrating, but all we can do is rely on the Lord, pray, and invite him to do the same.

Elder Chappie. Car Selfie

-Grandma and Grandpa Hinckley! Thank you for the card and all the letters! I got it right on the 11th! Thanks so much for the gift, i did receive it! and thanks for always writing Love you guys so much!

-Nana and Hayward! I got your package as will as your gift! thank you so much! Love you guys so much, thanks for the packages

-Mom and Dad, thanks for the gift as well! I got your letter so mad I missed hawaii!

-Sista Jenna, your letter was awesome! I plan on writing back when I have time. Love you so much you're the coolest!

-Lorski, I didn't get your letter for some reason... Florida mail reaaally can suck sometimes. Elder Sandoval is from here and he says its not unusual for stuff to get lost. Hopefully it's coming today though! But I love you too and I know your letter will be boss when I read it and I believe you sent it on time, don't worry :)

-Thanks to everyone else who wished me birthday through my mom! I got the message and I appreciate you all too! 

-Everyone else who sent an email for my birthday-- you are the best! Also shoutout to Fred and Kam for writing me just about every week. True Bro's!

Hope you all have a good week!

Sending tons of pictures in the next email

--

Elder Johns