Welcome to the Ward, Martinez Family

The Bloomington 7^th Ward sustained a new bishopric in March 2014.  As usually happens when such a change occurs, the new Bishop and his councilors set a goal to reach out, meet with and learn about all the families within the ward boundaries.  One of those families was Larry and Brandi Martinez and their two boys Elijah Brose and Jackson Gardner.  This part-member family expressed interest in having their boys participate in local scouting activities and Brandi was particularly interested in having her sons learn about their Savior and about the gospel plan.  Larry was a long-haul trucker so scheduling lessons around his work schedule was nearly impossible … so to make sure he was involved, the missionaries hit upon a plan to use the phone and internet to link him to each family / missionary lesson.  From hundreds of miles away, he listened in on the teaching of his boys and was also touched by the Spirit.  When the boys set a date for their own baptisms, he was impressed to ask them if they would be willing to wait until he could prepare and be baptized first. 

Within a few months of work, study and progress, trucker dad entered the waters of baptism.  A few weeks later, both boys were baptized by the Priesthood holding Dad.  Now they are working together finding and preparing family names for temple work.

Welcome, Martinez family, to the best ward in the Church!  We love you all.