We had a baptism Feb. 6. Even though we didn't teach Marden Kinlichee, we feel like she's one of our successes. In November we organized a seminary out-reach pizza social, and Liyah,who was going to seminary, invited her cousin Marden to come. Both Marden and her brother came to it. We had fun making pizzas, eating them, and playing games. We had about 20 people come.


The next Monday Marden came to seminary with Liyah, and has come every day since, only missing two times. So we've done a lot of teaching and encouraging. She also comes regularly to church every Sunday. Her dad usually brings her down The 2nd time to seminary, she asked what she would need to do to be baptized! Wow, can you imagine.

We asked the young elders to teach her after seminary. They also did one lesson at her home. She readily accepted the gospel, as was a very bright quick learner and was soon ready for baptism. Her dad is a member but her mother is Catholic and didn't want her to be baptized. The elders just hummed and haahed around, for a couple of weeks, waiting for Marden to talk to her mother, but she is so afraid of her, it never happened, even after we had a fast for her.

Finally, I couldn't stand it any more, and asked her if it were OK for us to go up and talk to her mother. I knew they were getting a new home, so I bought some home decorating books, and we took them up one Sunday afternoon about 3 weeks ago. We talked to her parents at that time, soliciting their permission for the baptism, which she did give, even though she kept saying, "She's already been baptized in the Catholic Church."

I had told Autumn about what was going on, and one of their young women had a similar experience, but finally was baptized right after Christmas. She hasked this young woman write to Marden, as well as the other 15 girls in their class. So Marden got those letters the day after her baptism. They were very inspirational to her.
They were especially helpful, as baptism day was a little sad. She had hoped her mom might come, but she didn't, so she had been crying all the way to the church, and was red eyed. But 3 of the kids from Seminary came, plus Corey, her dad, brother and grandparents, plus members of the branch. She had good support there. She was confirmed Feb. 7, but her dad didn't come in. Sometimes I wish I were two people, as there are just little things that need to be done, like calling and reminding, or inviting people which would smooth things out, but I can't do everything. We are happy we still get to work with her, in seminary, and hope she'll be a good strong member, and hopefully bring her Dad back to activity.