Testimony of Alina Matei from Bacau

There are many wonderful conversion stories in Romania and I have had people ask me if I would tell some of them. So today I am going to post one. This happened last week when our assistants, Elder Jackson and Elder Despain, were on exchanges in Bacau. Elder Jackson had the opportunity to baptize a girl he gave the discussions to in the past months, and then Elder Despain had the opportunity to baptize Alina (never having met her before), after challenging her to be baptized that day. Here is her story:
The following is the journal entry from Alina Matei, a recent convert in Bacau, a modern day miracle.

"The 20th of February was the most beautiful day of my life, because I haven’t felt the same since.
Is was a day like any other, in which I had to go to school, then hearing that there was going to be a baptism I was very interested and decided that I too needed to participate, because I had never been to a baptism performed in the “Church of Jesus Christ and of the Latter Day Saints.” So, after classes I left with my classmate and friend Corina to the villa. When I entered, an Elder who I didn’t know was playing the keyboard, we I introduced myself, and then I went to greet everyone else, like Elder Jackson who had come specially from Bucuresti to perform this baptism, and the Elders in the Bacau branch.
Elder Despain (that is the name of the one who was playing the keyboard, had come with Elder Jackson) was an unknown person to me for I had never seen him before, but he inspired a trust and quietness within my soul, not understanding at the moment what was happening with me. After the baptism took place and Mihaela and Elder Jackson were changing, we were singing songs in the church, during which Alin asks me when I am going to invite him to my baptism, and I answered him “that I don’t know!!” Elder Despain was next to Alin so heard it, and asked me “you aren’t a member?” to which I replied; “not yet!” and he said to me: “wouldn’t you liked to get baptized this evening?!!” I was left very astonished, but in the same time very happy, it wasn’t for the first time that someone was asking me if I want to be baptized, but this time was very different, it seemed like an angel asked me, and without saying anything yet, I knew that I agreed with this baptism, I had felt that I received the answer that I had waited for for along time, like a year.
Even though I was sure that I want to be baptized in that evening, one thing was holding me back, but Elder Despain knows what that is, so I don’t need to say it. Immediately after the baptism, my interview took place, which, in my opinion, wasn’t hard at all because I felt so happy and so open to what Elder Despain said that I don’t even know how it went, I hope WELL!
After the interview, followed my baptism, but nobody being able to stay for the performing of the baptism, it was postponed until the next day.
It was wonderful to see how everyone was rejoicing for me, because they knew how tough it was for me to make this decision, which I don’t regret, I know that I am doing that which I feel, because that is how I was told by Elder Despain “Do that which you feel, that is right.” I forgot to say that the one that I chose to baptize me is Elder Despain because he was the one that through the power of the Holy Ghost made me make this decision.
Then all night I couldn’t sleep with my thoughts on the next day, one thing makes me sad: I would like for my family to be next to me, but I know that this is impossible, but the fact calms me that some of my friends will be near me at this baptism and I am very happy for that.
These lines were written 2 hours before the baptism and I am very nervous, I hope that everything turns out o.k., but I trust in the one who will baptize me, I know that this is a great honor for him as well.
In conclusion, these moments, I will never forget them, and neither the one that will perform this baptism."

-Alina Matei
Bacau
Feb 22, 2007
Elder Jackson, just before his baptism, with Elders Walker and Baker.