We had a gorgeous drive Saturday morning as we drove to Jala.
The wild flowers along the highway were absolutely stunning. I couldn't
resist taking a bazillion pictures along our way.
I don't mean to sound so poetic, but
the skies hung their misty fog way down low,
and reminded us a bit of Alaska...
and the clouds just teased us with their
promise of rain.
It was just gorgeous.
(Have I already said that??)
The pictures just don't do justice to
how stunning it was.
Let me introduce the Aguayo Regalado
family from Ahuacatlan.
Here is my journal entry from Saturday:
What an unbelievable experience we have had today. We drove to Ahuacatlan to attend the baptism of five brothers and sisters. Brother and sister Aguayo Regalado are a blended family, and together have 8 children. Three of their older children are grown and on their own.
One of their older daughters is a member of the church. Sister Aguayo Regalado is also good friends with the group leader, brother Pichardo’s daughter, who gave a a reference for the Aguayo Regalado family to be contacted by the missionaries in Ahuacatlan, which is just outside of Jala, and is in our assistant's area.
One of their older daughters is a member of the church. Sister Aguayo Regalado is also good friends with the group leader, brother Pichardo’s daughter, who gave a a reference for the Aguayo Regalado family to be contacted by the missionaries in Ahuacatlan, which is just outside of Jala, and is in our assistant's area.
The assistants contacted the family, and they responded beautifully, recognizing the truths of the gospel, accepting the principles and doctrines, and desiring to be baptized and become an eternal family.
They have made the necessary changes in their lives, and have seen first hand the blessings of the Lord come swiftly to them. Their older son is now taking the lessons, and is feeling the desire to follow his parents and younger brothers and sisters examples.
As is always the case, there have been challenges and difficulties along the way that they have had to deal with.
Brother and sister Aguayo Regalado have been finalizing the paperwork for their marriage to be official, and have a baptism date in the coming weeks... but their five children were anxious to be baptized, and did not want to wait. So, today was the day!
They chose a most beautiful place to be baptized right there in Ahuacatlan. A secluded natural spring of clear water, with waterfalls spilling into other pools of water, and rock steps and winding pathways, build years and years ago, leading down to it. It was gorgeous! And reminded President and I of what the Waters of Mormon might have looked like.
Honestly, and seriously it was an incredible experience.
What a special feeling we had there, likening this place to another place so long ago where the same essential saving ordinances took place.
What a special feeling we had there, likening this place to another place so long ago where the same essential saving ordinances took place.
Saturday morning,we picked up our assistants, Elder Long and Elder Torres at the city plaza in Jala, and met the Aguayo Regalado’s, all piled into their big van, the children all dressed in white. The group leader in Jala, brother Pichardo, had picked up district leader Elder Solares and his companion Elder Ramirez at the bus stop. The Vazquez family, and President and sister Ocampo, President Clayton's mission presidency counselor and their daughter also joined us. We car pooled through the pueblo of Ahuacatlan, and then pulled off the road and drove for some time winding along the dirt road, and passing corn fields, and palm trees going deep into the woods.
Finally we parked our cars tightly back to back just off the dirt road. And walked down steep rock steps down, down, down towards the sound of the water falls. Each step revealed just how secluded and private, how gorgeous and perfect this place was to have these precious children be baptized.
Well… it was a perfect and a priceless experience.
I hope the pictures will do justice to the scene we witnessed.
Each child chose a different priesthood holder to baptize them.
17 year old Miriam Yanely Aguayo Regalado - brother Pichardo
15 year old Enrique de Jesus Aguayo Regalado - brother Vazquez
14 year old Nancy Coret Zamorano Jaimes - Elder Long
13 year old Nahomy Lizeth Aguayo Regalado - President Ocampo
11 year old Christopher Alexis Aguayo Regalado - Elder Torres
My heart was filled each and every time I heard the words having been commissioned of Jesus Christ… (habiendo sido comisionado porJesucristo), and as I watched these honorable and worthy priesthood holders perform this most important and sacred ordinance.
I am positive angels were there to witness this glorious event… just like they have countless, countless times before.
I hope I never forget this day. I truly and earnestly hope, I never forget this day.
Here is the Aguayo Regalado family with their
five children ready to be baptized.
Here they are below with their older
daughter and her little son, on the far left.
Pictured below with President and I,
and President Ocampo, 1st counselor in the
Mission Presidency, on the far side.
This spot was just so beautiful!
We took lots of pictures.
Elder Long and Elder Torres
My favorite picture of the day.
Elder Long
Elder Torres
Each of the children chose someone different
to baptize them. Pictured from left to right.
Brother Vazquez with 15 year old Enrique de Jesus Aguayo Regalado
Elder Long with 14 year old Nancy Coret Zamorano Jaimes
President Ocampo with 13 year old Nahomy Lizeth Aguayo Regalado
Elder Torres with 11 year old Christopher Alexis Aguayo Regalado
Brother Pichardo with 17 year old Miriam Yanely Aguayo Regalado
Bob took a quick picture just
as they were entering the water,
before the ordinance began.
The image was so sweet.
District leader Elder Solares and his
companion Elder Ramirez were witnesses.
These two Elders were so precious with
these children, explaining
everything calmly and carefully.
A day for these two to remember.
Elder Torres returns home in two weeks.
What a memory.
I know, lots of pictures, but it's
a place we want to remember. :)
