Sebastian got baptized on Saturday, and I wish there were words to tell you what it felt like. That morning we walked into the church to hear water rushing through the pipes to fill up a once empty font. We sat in the library listening to that almost heavenly sound as we folded baptismal programs. We paced around the church making sure everything was set up perfect. Then they walked in. Outside it was raining but from their faces you could never tell. Sebastian's face was illuminated with a smile from ear to ear. He was laughing with Brother Ellsworth about something that had happened in the car. We took him to the font and he once again was beaming. They went to change and we went to do a bit more pacing. Let me tell ya something, those baptismal jumpsuits must be made out of the same stuff that makes heaven, because even though I didn't think it was possible Sebastian's smile was even bigger once he was all dresses up. We took a bunch of pictures and then walked into the chapel to wait for the service to begin. Then the members started to pour in. We had at least 30 members come to support him. It was so incredible because it really helped Sebastian see that we are his family. He was super bummed that none of his immediate family could come but the ward made up for it. When he was baptized we got to stand at the edge of the font and watch. As he went under the water completely and came up again it looked as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He described it as "It felt like before my heart was covered with ice, and meeting with you its been slowly chipped at, but now it is completely gone. Broken off, melted away and no more." He had to go to work Saturdayevening and said that everyone kept asking him why he was so happy and he kept telling them why. He said that it was cool to share his experience with random people he met. On Sunday he was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He said that when Bro Hobbins confirmed him "it felt like there was a part of him that he had been fighting with for so long and in that moment it had died. [He] didn't need to fight it anymore." He said that partaking of the Sacrament for the first time after being baptized "was like filling a hole within [him] that [he] didn't even know was there." On Sunday the bishopric in our ward was rearranged and we sang "Called to Serve" as the intermediate hymn. I just stood there crying for the entire second verse. Here I am in the middle of a loving ward family with so many saints that are called to serve. Looking at the new bishopric, looking at a recent convert of less than 48 hours, looking at a priest who just got his call, looking at a recently returned missionary, looking at the Elders, looking at Sister Lindsay, looking at the primary president, looking at the faithful priesthood holders who all helped with Sebastian's conversion, looking at the stake presidency, looking at the noble youth, looking at myself. I love that ALL of us as members in the Lords church have the opportunity to serve Him wherever we are. All in all this weekend was an amazing spiritually uplifting experience. It helped me see that the Lord is in the work we do because He calls us. He prepares the people, the spirit teaches the people, the saints are the example to the people, and missionaries create the environment for all of that to happen. I love this gospel with all my heart! and I hope you see many miracles this week!
Love Sister Witt
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