Melinda Got Baptized!!!!!!!

Where to start? well... as you all can read from the title, melinda got baptized! It was crazy how fast it all happened! so... we went over to her house like 3 times a day every day to make all the arrangements and make sure she was all ready for her interview. we originally were going to have her interview on Wednesday and have her get baptized on Saturday but we found out that there was a wedding on Saturday at the church and they were starting to set up for it on Thursday. We didn't want to wait another week before she could get baptized so we decided to do the baptism Wednesday night after her interview. Melinda was so excited. Every time we went over there she just kept saying, "I am more excited to get baptized than I was to get married." She was so ready! 

So miracles happen. God answers prayers. Visions are real. One of the days we went over she asked us, "did I ever tell you how I decided to be baptized?" we said no. she had only told us in the hospital that she had been praying and praying and knew she was putting baptism off and that she  had decided to get baptized as soon as possible. But after asking us this question she then told us why she decided to get baptized. she said something along the lines off, "when I was in the hospital (probably when she was way out of it) Jesus Christ appeared to me and said that I need to follow my people and be baptized as soon as possible. Not saying that I am going to die soon but I knew it was urgent." sister warner and I both started to tear up. she had been praying a lot and she recieved an answer through a vision. It is so crazy how she has had a complete 180 degree change. the first day I saw her when I got here in russellville I didnt think she was going to be baptized. She was still stuck on Joseph Smith. Sister warner read me some of her journal entries of the past times she has been over there and how melinda said she didnt want to be baptized and she doesnt belive in joseph smith or prophets. It just goes to show how much this gospel can change peoples lives if they really pray with real intent and how much it can bless peoples lives. Melinda is SO happy! She is such the sweetest little old lady now and cares about everyone and says so many nice things about people and cant stop smiling! She is a completely different person. she gave up smoking and even let us take her huge can full of coffee because she says she doesnt even have the desire to drink it anymore. She says she finally found what she is looking for and has found her family. the gospel changes and blesses lives, I know that to be true. Miracles still do exist today!

So she got her interview on wednesday and was super worried about it, but she passed! after that she kept calling us like every hour because she was so nervous. the baptism came and she arrived with a huge smile on her face. we wheeled her around in the wheelchair. we didnt want her passing out or rolling her ankle from her heels. she had to get dunked twice but she didnt mind at all. she said the second time was even better! after she was baptized she said she just needed a few minutes to put her eyelashes on because she didnt want anyone seeing her with out her eyelashes (sound like anyone else???) and then it ended up taking about 20 minutes because she finished her makeup while we dryed her hair. she looked so beautiful though :) 

And happy late 4th of July to everyone! We celebrated in style over here in Russellville. We had a breakfast with the English ward first and then we went to Melindas for a bit and then drove to Conway. We had a zone conference where we got to meet our new mission president from Fiji! His name is Pres. Wakolo and he is awesome. His son glen (17) and daughter jasmine (11) and wife of course are here with them. he has a pretty cool accent and sounds like Mufasa. His testimony is amazing and they raised 18 children (they arent theirs though) and converted all of them to the gospel. I am so excited to get to know him better. after the meeting we headed back to russellville and ate at a taco stand and taught the owner, went back to melindas and had some pizza that she ordered for us, and then went to old post park and met up with the smith family and their cousins who arent members. we were able to talk to them a bit. we then watched fireworks with them! It was such a great day! 

Saturday we had noche de deportes con la rama espanol. we played voleibol. and on sunday melinda got the holy ghost and was confirmed a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints!!!!!!!!!! she told us she hopes everyone some day can take their blinders off like she did and join the church. I love her so much! and my companion for never giving up on her. Melinda loves her a lot for always sticking by her side and helping her get through this roller coaster. I really believe that melinda was someone that sister warner came here for. it was just such a blessing to be here when it all finally happened.

Love yall! 

con amor, 

Hermana Goudita

Melinda at her baptism!!!! Look how happy she is!

Melinda after the baptism with the Spanish Missionaries.

At the breakfast with the Smiths on the 4th
 

Samantha Smith. Love her so much! She is starting to teach voice lessons
and does musicals.

Happy 4th from ARKANSAS!

This is President Wakolos daughter Jasmine. She is 11. It is so fun to
have them here!

At the park before fireworks! Teaching Sis. Warner hot to play the uke.

What happens when missionaries get a hold of coffee.

Melinda after she recieved the Holy Ghost! :)

Some cool thing. Not really sure what it is...

Had to get one with the Arkansas Hog!