Chapter 15: Baptism by Fire
- Amber Prior
- Jul 15, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
June 30, 2025
Weeks in the mission: 19 Days remaining: 590 Companion: Elder Watson Area: Riverside Ward: Mission Ward
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“Sometimes the Spirit gives you such a feeling of peace that it makes you want to fall asleep.”—something I said to Cruz in the middle of Sacrament Meeting
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What's up everybody! Welcome to chapter 15. This week has had its ups and downs, much like any other week. We found a few new prepared friends who are willing to meet with us, so God blessed us up this week. I'm pumped for the rest of the transfer.
As for the title, I refer to a large fire that has "baptized" the land rather close to our area. It's caused the air to become very smoky and parts of the sky to become dark. Not to worry though, the fires are under control and the sky has cleared up today.
There's still a lot of fear here in the Hispanic community, with ICE and everything going on. I may be wrong, but I think the largest effects are happening here in California more than any other state. There's a lot of immigrants here. I want to do more for people, but I'm only one man. I can only do so much.
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🌟 Miracle Highlight 🌟
Our friend Cruz had himself an INCREDIBLE spiritual experience. We had a lesson with him about the two great commandments and we invited him to pray and ask God to find a way he can serve someone else and fulfill the commandment to love your neighbor. We followed up with him during church yesterday and this is along the lines of what he said:
"Yeah so I prayed about it, and then I felt like I really should just go for a drive. I drove around for a bit and then I ended up finding someone with a flat tire with nobody around to help. I was able to help them out!"
My jaw dropped when he told me this. Prayers are real and the Spirit is real.
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🙏 Prayer request 🙏
Will you please include the following friends of ours in your prayers? You have no idea how much it helps and how many miracles we see out here.
Angelica Vasquez – She couldn't come to church because she told us she "fell and hit her hip." It was a shame because she was so willing to come! Pray that she'll heal up quick and be drawn to come to church next week.
Roosevelt Cruz – He is doing absolutely amazing. We have had ZERO problems with him thus far. He is GOLDEN. He's our only friend actually keeping the commitments we extend to him, and we can see the happiness that is entering his life. His baptismal date is coming up on the 13th, so continue to pray for him.
Rosa Rojas – A new person we found just yesterday. She is very sweet and receptive, and also has a few young kids. She lives in a rather humble apartment. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and English class. She wants both. I hope we can continue to work with her. Pray that she'll know that we are true messengers, sent from God.
Ramon Payan – He went to Mexico this week for a trip and should be back by today. Pray that he'll make time for us to meet with him and that we'll be able to teach him in the ways of truth. He's an amazing fellow, but is just really hard to contact and super busy.
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📅 Daily Events 📅
🔸️Monday Another great day in the service of God! He is teaching me so many things of wisdom, of how to work and to obtain joy in this life and in the life to come.We saw many miracles today. But unfortunately, Adrian's mom didn't want us coming over anymore. That was kinda sad. Everything under the Lord's timing, I suppose.We found a couple new people today such as Jerry, Antonio, and Danny.I was particularly pumped about finding Danny because we found her at 8:55pm on our way home. We biked past a house with the lights on, when 10 seconds later I had an impression that we should turn around and go knock that house. So that's what we did. We caught Danny walking from her car to the house at the PERFECT window of time. We said a prayer for her and she said she was looking for a church to join, so we sent her the info! I have faith we'll see her again.
🔸️Tuesday Today is my 4-month mark! I have been a missionary for 4 months now! It really does fly by like they say. The days are long but the weeks go by in an instant.It was also my 2nd time giving a training as a district leader. I think I did a great job today. We all collaborated together on how we can improve our missionary work and become better disciples of Jesus Christ.We finally got into contact with Ramon Payan again! We've been trying to reach him for forever. He is very receptive to the gospel; the problem is it's just hard to contact him.We also had a phone call lesson with Angelica, the hispanic lady from Sunday. We introduced Hermana Estrada to her and they clicked immediately. She offered Angelica a ride to church on Sunday.
🔸️Wednesday A great P-day! We got to go to the Redlands temple today. We go once a transfer. We did an endowment session today. Each time I go, I pray that I may learn through revelation what the endowment means.This time, I had a little bit of a breakthrough. I think I understand a bit more of the meanings of the tokens and what they represent.After the temple, we went grocery shopping and made a stop at the mission office for some business like the bike rack and switching cars.Later at night, we found a guy who was very interested in the Book of Mormon! I'm confident he'll investigate it.
🔸️Thursday I felt a bit tired today, but we kept at it regardless. We had some lessons with our friends like Cruz and Alex.We found Larry, a guy who has wanted to start going back to church but hasn't known how. The only thing we could give him in English was a Bible—but that's exactly what he was looking for.I did some follow-up calls with my district about the goals we set on Tuesday. I'm happy that we're improving our vision as a district.
🔸️Friday I went on exchanges with Elder Ferguson today—the same elder I went on exchanges with on my 3rd day in the field. He's the OLDEST elder in the CRM.We went to his area, which is all rich white people. Honestly, being an English missionary is so hard. Some people say the rudest things.Not a whole lot happened, but it was great to hang out with Elder Ferguson. I'll miss him when he goes home.
🔸️Saturday We met Hector today, who seemed really down to hear our message! I'm hopeful we'll show him the truth.We also had dinner with a member at Johnny's Burgers, a classic Riverside spot.Tomorrow, we hope to get Cruz, Fanny (and her kids), and Angelica to church!
🔸️Sunday Today was full of miracles. We found 4 new amazing friends willing to meet with us and find out the truth.Luis and Mariana invited us under their garage for a chat. Elder Watson talked to them about baptism and they said they were willing to work towards it!We also found Rosa while knocking around—so sweet.At the end of the day, a bug flew into Elder Watson's eye and we had to go home early. Funny enough, we were supposed to be home for the weekly miracle meeting anyway, so maybe an angel sent us that bug haha.
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☀️ Spiritual thought ☀️
Sometimes I feel like Alma the Younger when he says in Alma 29:1–3:
“O that I were an angel... that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God...But behold, I am a man... for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.”
One of the biggest challenges for me out here is accepting and knowing my limitations. I want EVERYONE to know the truth, but I often feel restrained by fear and exhaustion.
Something I'm learning is to set my expectations with a bit more realism. Even as an instrument of the Lord, I can't be everywhere at once or always be 100%. As much as it goes against my nature, I need to be content with my limitations and celebrate what I can do.
Alma calls it a sin to want unrealistic things like that. That gives me good conscience in accepting my limitations. Next time I feel like I’m not doing enough, I’ll keep this verse in mind—and if you feel the same, I invite you to do the same.
There is so much wisdom in the Book of Mormon. It's incredible.
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