Nov. 16, 2015
Oi familia!! So, tomorrow begins the first day of a new transfer, and I get to stay in Cotia with my companion Sister Bezerra for Christmas, which means you are all going to be able to meet her!! She is fantastic, doesn´t speak much English, but is AMAZING IN EVERY WAY!!
I´m so glad you will all have the opportunity to meet her over Skype at Christmas!!
This past week I had the opportunity to attend a training meeting for all
of the new missionaries in the Sao Paulo West mission, and the President,
President Del Guerso, spoke about something that really helped me refocus in the
mission. He said that, for those who are learning the language and are getting
overwhelmed with teaching lessons, that we should just focus on what we DO know,
and we will carry the message of the restoration of the gospel into the hearts
of the people here in Brasil. He said that we already know what is true, and it
is important that, like the parable of the talents, we let our Heavenly Father
strengthen us to double our talents and magnify our calling.
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| "Faith cannot exist with fear!" (Pres. Monson) |
Also, this past week I looked back on my notes from Prophet Thomas S. Monson from the recent general conference, and he said something along the lines of faith cannot exist with fear. I took both of these things to heart, and have been talking to people on the streets by myself while my companion talks to other people on the streets by herself, and I have trusted in my own testimony, and the faith that I have that my Heavenly Father can help me in all things. I have praying for strength throughout the day, and not just when I desperately need help, and I have seen the Lord´s hand more in my life. Faith cannot exist with fear or doubt.
Yesterday, our ward had ward conference, and before then, our district had a
district fast in which we would fast to find more people who are prepared to
hear the gospel, and that more people would attend Sacrament meeting on Sunday.
Let me tell you all that Heavenly Father truly consecrated the fast of my
companion and I. We found two new investigators, Daniel and Veronica, who are a
married couple and have one child, and also Veronica is 8-months pregnant with
another, who have a strong desire to learn more about the Church. Yesterday they
both attended sacrament meeting, and learned a lot about the Book of Mormon.
Shortly after Church, we taught them about the Restoration, and gave them a book
of mormon. They were both so excited to read, and fought over who would read it
first (we only had one book of mormon to give them). Another miracle: Sandro, a
young man about 23 years old attended Sacrament meeting, and he has a strong
knowledge of the Bible. Before Sunday, he said that he didn´t think he could
attend Church on sunday because he needed to visit his brother the morning of,
but I was sitting in Sacrament by a recent convert and her family, when all of a
sudden the Stake president asked all of the visitors to stand up in the
congregation so that the Sister missionaries could give them a present ( a
Liahona magazine). I turned around in my seat to look at who came to the
Sacrament meeting, not knowing that Sandro had made it yet, and there he was
with a great big smile on his face. Immediately I felt the Spirit rush through
my heart, testifying to me that the Lord had heard Sister Bezerra´s and my fast
and prayers, and was working with us for the Salvation of his children. Sandro
has to travel a lot this week, so we may not be able to teach him for a while,
but we are going to continue to work with him concerning the truths of the Book
of Mormon.
As for Karina, we haven´t been able to teach her this past week because she
can only be taught later at night, and we have to catch a hard-to-catch bus
before the schedule that she returns from work, but this week, we´re going to
try to find a ride from a member so we can arrive in our house at night before 9
o clock. I have a feeling that before Christmas, Daniel and Veronica will be
baptized, Karina also, and hopefully Sandro!! They are some of God´s elect, and
I have so much love in my heart for them!! Veronica already invited us to her
Baby Shower after the first lesson!! She is super sweet!!
We had a goodbye party for Sister Barbosa who has completed her mission and has headed home! Here are a few pictures from our celebration.
I hope you all have a wonderful week!! LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY
HEART!!!
Sister Harris
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