Hola Blanca

About 2 1/2 years ago we were in need of a new cleaning service for the Mission Home.  A local LDS family suggested we interview a woman named Blanca.  Arrangements were made and the interview was conducted.  It was a very short interview.  Blanca speaks Spanish and we speak English.  But it felt "right".  A deal was struck and we became a client of Blanca's cleaning service.

Occassionally we would have Spanish speaking missionaries at the Mission Home and they would enjoy visiting with Blanca.  And then, a year ago, we arranged to have Spanish speaking missionaries meet Blanca at her home so that she could learn more about our missionary program and about our beliefs.

This began an on-again, off-again set of gospel lessons.  Blanca learned about the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith.  She started reading the Book of Mormon.  She learned about God's plan of salvation and happiness for all mankind.  She learned about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She made and kept commitments that brought her closer to God and created a sense of peace in her heart.

And then she chose to demonstrate her commitment to Christ by accepting the invitation to be baptized.  I had the privilege of baptizing Blanca on February 7, 2010.  Her beautiful daughter Jamie attended the baptismal service.   Blanca is now a member of the Spring Garden Ward in Philadelphia.  This is a very large, robust Spanish speaking congregation with members from many Spanish speaking countries.