Sister Shurts: The most wonderful sound I’ve ever heard is the sound of water running in the church!

The most wonderful sound I’ve ever heard is the sound of water running in the church!

We had such a crazy week. But it has been the best week of my mission. Besmir Aliaj, a man we have been teaching was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this weekend!! We arrived at the church early and filled the font you could hear the water running throughout the church. The bishop came in and shook our hands paused and said, “Sisters do you hear that?” I smiled really big and said, “it is the most wonderful sound that I have ever heard”

As we were setting everything up Elder Stout called out, “Besmir is here!” Sister Davis and I ran to the front. Oh my goodness he looked so happy. He walked in with his cousin and he was glowing, I am not even kidding- he was positively radiating. Sister Tewes gave him his white clothes to get into. I walked by once he was all in white and I am pretty sure part of me died and went to heaven haha. He looked up and smiled at sister Davis and I, a little sheepish and a little scared, but so happy. The members started arriving and we began our meeting in the chapel. Right before I walked in Bruder Roth came up to me and said, “Besmir really makes a good impression today, you can see it in his eyes” It was totaly true though. I gave a talk about baptism and focused on the fact that this is a step. It is not a destination. How Besmir will now be on his way to coming closer to Christ, but that each week, day, hour is there for us to learn and improve.

Then we all walked into the Font Room and sat down, Elder Stout and Besmir walked into the font. Once the witnesses were there Elder Stout said the baptismal prayer and Besmir was baptized! I was so nervous and excited I wanted everything to happen slow motion so that I wouldn’t miss a moment of it. After he was baptized we all went back into the chapel to wait for them to get dressed. When Elder Stout and Besmir came in the chapel it was as if a light went on in the room, If I said that Besmir was glowing before it was nothing compared to right then. He was wearing a white shirt and tie… which didn’t quite match his jeans, but it wasn’t bad- but he had the biggest grin on his face ever! The Bishop bore his testimony about the joy Besmirs choice will bring him. As he stood up he also said, “as I was looking into the congregation I saw that Sister Shurts was smiling the whole time, as if Sister Davis had told her a funny joke, But I believe that it is because she is filled with joy.” And that was the moment I knew this was all right- if this is the only baptism I see on my whole mission it would make all 18 months worth it! And I still have a year to go! Man, I cannot wait to see who else will come unto Christ. I cannot believe that the same guy we met on that train station in Febuary is the same man who was baptized today. He has become a new person through Christ.

The next day (Sunday) Besmir came to church in a white shirt and tie, and was just shining. In sacrament meeting Bishop Nabroztky invited him to come to the front of the Chapel where he sat down in a chair and then some Priesthood holders in the Gemeinde came around him and put their hands on his head- and then with the authority of the restored priesthood Bruder Tewes blessed him and he received the holy Ghost. That moment was powerful. After the blessing he stood up and Bruder Tewes gave him a bro hug, and then in turn each other man in the circle embraced him. That was a holy moment for me, because I saw Besmir as a son of God, as a great strength to the Lord! :D Now we just gotta get him on a mission!

There were so many other things that happened this week, but this was truly the highlight! I know this gospel is true. I have truly experienced the indescribable joy that comes from bringing a soul unto Christ, In Doctrine and Covenants 18: 15-16 it says,

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

I love you all so much!

Liebe Grüße

Sister Shurts

From the scribbled notes of a sister missionary