June 16, 2014
You know when you have a friend and you're with them "like
24/7?” well false. I am with MY friend literally 24/7. Her name is
Hermana.....or that's what I call her anyway. Hermana Granado is the name and I
would like to share with you her conversion story (with permission of course).
(As I write this I realize that we have been together for 3 weeks and still
have no pictures together. wow. I will consider that my homework for this
week.)
So my lovely little miss Hermana Granado was not always a member
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. In fact, she hasn't even
been a member 3 whole years. So (rewinding the clock)
Three-ish years ago, she was sitting with her cousins and
suddenly she had a desire to regain a relationship with God. She had gone to a
church with her mom for a like a year and a half, but hadn't been for 6 or so
years. Not knowing where to start, and thinking that no one would recognize her
if she went back to the same church, she started thinking of people she could
possibly ask about religion. One of her best friends was always unavailable to
do anything on Sunday because of his church. She decided that he seemed
like a pretty dedicated church-goer so she texted him and asked what he
believed. He may or may not have gotten a little enthusiastic and started
sending her 13 page text messages (she does not recommend this) and inviting
her to everything: seminary, church, youth activities, mutual, anything and
everything.
She began going to some things, but she became frustrated
because she couldn't understand everything being taught. The first time she
went to church she felt out of place and resolved never to go back....a month
later she tried again (atta girl!) and began receiving the missionary
discussions. After a couple of months of reading the Book of Mormon for
an hour every night (she REALLY wanted to make sure it was true) she decided
that she wanted to get baptized, but her family was really against it. Since
she didn't live with either her father or mother, she held the bonds with her
cousins really dear. She decided she wouldn't get baptized. Still, she continued
going to church and participating in ALL activities (she tells me that one time
she was asked to work during the summer of girls camp and she told her boss
"if you make me work over girl's camp I'll quit.")
When she went to girl's camp she decided she was going to get
baptized! The friend who had introduced her to the church baptized her. And
now, less than 3 years later she is on a mission and is an amazing missionary
at that. I love her and admire all of her courage and dedication. She’s amazing
and I get to be her companion!
-hermana Thomas
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