Returning Members & Converts

        We had our regular Fireside at the VC after our wonderful General Conference on April 6.  This is Anna Ibarra with her mother, Aimee Davis.  Anna began the missionary discussions before Christmas.  She has a strong testimony of what she is doing in being baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  When friends and others considered her being, "brain washed" she agreed entirely saying, "I'm absolutely BRAIN WASHED, and I'm HEART WASHED too."  She is so grateful to be washed clean, both in brain and heart.  After the fireside, everyone was saying they were glad to be heartwashed also. I think you will see the phrase "Heart Washed" sweep through the church.

        This is Jacob Wheeling and Sariah Test.  Sariah was born into the church.  But, like many youth, she quit going when she was 13.  She went her way in the world without the gospel to guide her.  She is now anxious to gain all her blessings back that the gospel has to offer.  She was so full of emotion of her gratitude to be back, that she could hardly speak.  Welcome home.

        This is Brother Phil and Sister Maryann Faitau.  Maryann is part Polynesian, Samoan, Tongan, and even a bit of Italian.  She was born into an LDS family who came to the United States when she was very young.  But, she also was trying to find herself as a youth and didn't attend church.  Years later, after marriage, family, and a son who chose to serve a mission for the church (he's now in Hawaii serving his mission,) she is thrilled to be back.  She bore an extremely strong testimony of the power of the gospel in her life.
        Her husband also was inactive.  When their son told them he wanted to serve a mission, Phil agreed to support him, but not for him to expect him to give up tobacco.  He considered himself stubborn and would smoke more whenever someone told him he should quit.  At times he would even admit he should quit.  But, as he prayed for the Lord to take his addiction away, he would light up another cigarette.  It wasn't until he really decided himself to give it up and to trust completely in the Lord and his Atoning Sacrifice, that he was able to quit smoking.  They are wonderfully happy and strong in the church and their son has one year more before he will come home to this great family change.

        These are our great friends the Shethi's.  Sister Charlene Shethi is originally from Tahiti.  Many of her family were members of the church.  She had a very special Aunt who was strong in the gospel, but patient in allowing her to decide whether to join or not.  Yet, her aunt and her husband fed the missionaries for years.  Charlene continued to live by them and watched their example.  Finally, in later life she joined.  Now she wishes she had chosen earlier because of all the blessings she has experienced.  She now feeds the three sets of missionaries all the time, just like her aunt did.  Here is the Indian food they made for us.

        This is TC Shethi.  He is from India.  He acquired a great sum of money in motel businesses.  Thru fraudulent  and dishonesty of others, he lost everything.  It was a dark time for him.  Anger and temper filled his thoughts.  But, subsequently he joined the church and it has completely changed his life and disposition.  His family cannot believe the change in him.  He humbly gives credit to the church for changing him.  He tells everyone, "the church has made me a soft nice guy!"