Zoom baptism

 Oh hi kid!

Let me just start by thanking you for inviting us to the zoom call for the baptism yesterday. To be honest, all I was hoping for was a glimpse of you and your companion. We got a lot more. Your brothers were not excited that we turned down a dinner invitation with grandma. So Jacob drove with Joe to meet them while we watched the baptism. I think it was a pretty good trade off. 

It was fun to meet with folks from your branch. There was a super sweet sister, I think her name was Nancy Yan. She seemed to really like you. She mentioned that you gave a good talk in church recently. We also got to meet the senior missionaries from Oakland, the Austin’s. Sister Austin said something that I thought was pretty profound. She said that even in the time Covid that some elders have success because they are willing to put in the work...and other who don’t...don’t. We also met the Tompkinson’s. Is elder tompkinson your computer? There were several other branch members participating too,it was nice to see the support. Even brother Li joined. I felt a flashing sense of happiness when I saw him, he has the greatest smile. 

The baptism itself was really fun to watch. I was very impressed with the young branch president. I was amazed to experience the Spirit coming through Zoom. I find baptisms one of the most spiritual ordinances.i always felt that way when I got to cover stake baptisms. I remember feeling that way at brother Sanitate’s.

I was fun to see the sites when the phone was pointed in different directions. We could see the bridge, coit tower, the marina and the city. It occurred to me that here was this tiny group of immigrants in this giant, powerful, wealthy, and wicked city. And this little group was doing something that could echo for good against distance and time. Mom said that that little group could be surrounded by legions of angels. Maybe that’s a little over the top, but I do think the humble little group had a lot behind it. 

Today we had church. It was the first fast and testimony meeting we’ve had during Covid. I got up and said a little about the baptism. Mom got up too, but she didn’t mention you or the baptism, just her testimony. 

Bishop Marchant gave us the dates for your homecoming.he has two subjects for you. He said he’d email you directly. It will be in December, so you’ll have time to prepare. 

After church, we went to go drop off a frame I made for your cousin Cecily at aunt Patti’s. It was fun to see her and Artie. It’s been a while because of Covid. You seem to be held in high esteem in that house Ben. Besides that, we mostly talked about food, it was fast Sunday after all. 

After that, we went to go visit uncle Temmy and aunt Stella. If you remember, uncle Temmy had a fall and broke his wrist. He’s slowing down a bit and it makes me sad to see it. Aunt Stella pointed me to a video that expands on Antonio’s story a little. If it’s okay, I’ll send you the YouTube link to it.

In more mundane news, my Jeep sprung an oil leak. Looks like from the front axle seals. I’m positive it’s due to the overfilled differentials after the fixed it from the flood. I hope grandma can reopen the claim to get it fixed. I can do it, but it will take me some time. Feels like my Jeep has been sidelined all summer. I’ll have it worked out by the time you come home, I promise.

Well, that’s about it for this week.

Sure love you kid,

Pops