On Sunday we were able to work well and it was good to be able to work
hard on the anniversary **(MOM NOTE: That day was the anniversary of a very good friend of his, Morgan, who had died 7 years ago.)** I felt a lot of extra motivation to really
fulfill my missionary purpose and find people to teach and invite to
come unto Christ. So that was good, we had a really good lesson with
Emanuel and Reuza and their two kids, Breno and Guilherme. Unfortunately
they aren´t really planning on getting married right now, they want to
but she wants to wait for her mom to come from North east Brasil to be
here for it. Unfortunately that probably wont be for a long while so we
are praying that she has a change of heart and really understands better
through the Spirit that the law of chastity is a sacred and important
commandment from God. BUT, we invited Breno and Guilherme to be baptized
and they accepted, saying they needed to think and pray about it. We
are excited for them, they have already been coming to church so long
and are really prepared to be baptized! It was great to work hard and
help other people on Sunday.
On Monday started some of the craziness of this week. It kind of
seems like we haven´t had much opportunity at all to work in our area
which is always a super bummer. We had a ton of stuff to do in the
office this week because of some of the changes that have been happening
with President Farnes and his arrival. Haha I am a very tired
missionary, but also really happy! He liberated music that is uplifting
on every day of the week and we are also able to do activities and
service, so we are excited to do that! Unfortunately I wont be doing a
lot of service right now because of our already limited time in the
area, but one day I will! On Tuesday we had a multi zone conference here
in the Capitol to get to know his family and it was so awesome! They
all spoke and we had a fantastic time getting to know their family. One
thing that stood out to me was how much they use scriptures as a family,
you can clearly perceive that they have centered their lives on that
and the Gospel, I really saw a lot of things that I want to have for my
own family one day. I was really impressed with their 9 year old son,
Jordan, who gave a fantastic little talk about attitude and how
everything depends on who´s hands it is in, like a baseball in his hands
is worth 9 dollars, but in a professionals hands it is worth millions
of dollars, or how nails in his hands are worth a couple cents, and
nails in Christ´s hands are worth the salvation of every man and woman
to every walk on this earth. It was really great, I learned a lot and
really enjoyed it. President Farnes is dynamic, he has a lot of energy
and love, it is going to be so great for our mission right now! We made a
goal to find 5 new investigators every day. I know that we can do it,
it has been a bit difficult this week because of how much we have had to
work and how little time we have had in our area, but I know that it is
possible and I am for sure going to do my part and my best!
On Thursday we went to the Federal Police and got some missionaries
registered and the MTC was there, and I actually ran into two
missionaries that I knew in the MTC in Provo a year ago!! It was crazy,
they got their visas and I happened to run into them before they went to
their missions in other parts of Brasil, it was fun! Then we went to
President´s house with the Assistants to give him and Sister Farnes
training on a whole bunch of things about the mission and the office and
payments, lots of things. But they invited us before hand to have lunch
there and it was really great, super awesome to get to know them
better!
Then yesterday was the 4th of July, but here they only thought
about the World Cup and how Brasil won! Haha but I remembered and just
pretended that the fireworks were in celebration of independence and
liberty!
Today we got permission to go the Football Museum that they have
here in São Paulo, it was super cool to see!! I will send some pics, it
was really fun!
It has just blown my mind that I
have already been out for a year! I just can´t believe it! It is
definitely bittersweet, I actually really liked being "young" on the
mission, now I am an old missionary! But I am very grateful that I will
be able to continue to serve my Master and Savior for another beautiful
and full year! I love it here! I didn't get a package or anything, but
that video was super super awesome!! Thanks so much for everyone
who did that, I really appreciated it!! It was cool to see everyone´s
faces and where all of you are! Well, love you, have a fantastic week!
Please keep my investigators in your prayers!
