Get Back In There Tear!

Crazy week, but it had a pretty awesome ending; let's get right to it.

For those of you wondering why it ended so awesome, it's because our good friend Frank got baptized! It was such an exciting event, and the Spirit was so strong. Frank's joy at finally being able to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost was so touching to see.
(Partial reason for the email title today.)
I mentioned this in an earlier email, but Frank was so ready to accept the gospel because he had a friend years ago who invited him to church, gave him a Book of Mormon, and even invited him to family history activities. It's the influence of this friend that helped Frank be ready to make this covenant with God and receive the happiness the gospel brings. Even if it's years later, we can make such an impact on those we serve, invite, and love.

The less fortunate news and other reason for the email title is that Santos wasn't able to get baptized. He had another heart attack and is in the hospital. We've been by to visit him, and he's doing well. They're just monitoring him and will be looking into how to help him long-term. It's so tough because Santos still really, really wants to get baptized and has such a strong desire to follow Christ. He just can't right now because of his health issues. I know that as soon as he's out of the rehab facility, he'll get baptized in a heartbeat. (Pun unintended.) I'm kind of sad I might not be here when he does get baptized, but overall I'm just happy he's alright and even happier that his faith and desire are as strong as ever.

As far as the rest of this week went, it was a lot of prep work and a lot of running back and forth. Hence the crazy, but yet again worth it.

A random little detail that I find absolutely hilarious and awesome is that Mark, Frank's schizophrenic son, has been opening up and actually talking to us—something we didn't think he was capable of doing for a while. He sounds like a pretty normal guy, but the things he says are completely random and at random times. Don't worry, I've been keeping track of things he's said so I can share them.
Here are some of my favorites:

During a lesson at the church
"I think I slept here. Outside on the grass or over there."

About his sister's last name
"Saenz or science-fiction? Or Sci-fi."

After we said "July"
"Do Jews lie?"

"Hospital is disintegrated."

"University of Jackson, Mississippi. My father Frank Flores. Numbers and subjects."

"I was eating out of the dumpster, and it was all covered in dirt. No, it did not taste good."

This week we also met a guy named Jeff who was pretty cool. We taught him about the Restoration, and he understood it really well. When Elder Jones asked him, "How do you think we can know which church is Jesus Christ's Church?" he replied, "The one with His name in it, just like the one y'all represent." That blew us away because it seems that most people don't think that way. He was also excited when we told him about the Book of Mormon and even more excited when we gave him one. We invited him to be baptized, and he accepted! He unfortunately didn't make it to church, but it was still a cool contact, and he could still progress well.

Not much more to say other than that the Corpus area is under hurricane and tropical storm warnings. I'm not worried about it and just think it'll rain a lot. I could eat my words next week, but for the safety of me, the other missionaries, and the people of Corpus, I hope I don't.

I truly testify that Christ worked, works, and will work miracles; we just have to have the faith to receive and recognize them.

¡Que disfruten todo!

-Elder Teeples

Last week's email:
"I will do what I must"
Movie: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) - Obi-Wan says this when he realizes Anakin really has turned to the dark side, and he has to stop him.

Pics:
Frank at his baptism!
(Ft. Mark with a Book of Mormon)
Yacht club
(Me and the boat got kicked out of the yacht club)
Us with Santos after he passed his baptismal interview
(Prayers up for Santos)
Sunset
Motorcycle guy with dog in backpack
(The dog even had goggles on)





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