Oi Familia!
Feliz Natal!!
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| Nativity Scene in front of the Temple |
This past week, wow, Sister Bezerra and I saw a ton of miracles! We found a
girl named Sara who was a contact we made on the street one day, and she had
been really interested in knowing about the Church, so we gave her a tour of the
Chapel, and she thought it was beautiful!! She first had curiosities about the
Church because of the coworkers of hers here in Cotia who are Mormon, and we
answered her questions/curiosities in a lesson of the Restoration this week!!
She now has a Book of Mormon, and we marked a day for her to be baptized on the
27th of December as a goal to work towards as long as she keeps her commitments
with reading the Book of Mormon.
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| Sisters enjoying hamburgers and french fries for lunch |
Yesterday, Karina wasn´t in her house the entire day, and unfortunately she
will not be able to be taught until around January because of how busy her job
is, so, fingers crossed I will still be here for the next transfer (Dec. 29) so
that I can teach her and prepare her for baptism!! I know everything is in the
lord´s time in relation to her progress in the gospel.
As for Sandro, he didn´t go to Church yesterday, so he is no longer
progressing unfortunately. We will have to mark another day for him to be
baptized, or we will have to decide, if he is not progressing at all, if we are
going to have to stop teaching him. As sad as it is, it is dangerous to keep an
investigator for a long time who is not progressing because this may cause
missionaries to lose precious time with those who are really prepared to hear
the gospel. We are going to use the gift of discernment as a companionship, and
be directed by the Spirit to know what to do when we teach him tonight.
With regards to Kleber, he as well didn´t attend Church yesterday, but he
has some really difficult problems he is working to overcome with his mental
health. We are trying to help him grow by putting the Lord first in his life. We
read with him in the Book of Mormon about baptism and the doctrine of Christ,
and so now he understands the importance of being baptized by the proper of
authority. We just need to commit him to be baptized as soon as possible, and
eliminate his fears with respect to what others will think of him, or what his
family will think of him. His parents are very religious, and I don´t think they
like us teaching him, but he persists in meeting with us often, which is good.
We taught him two lessons this past week, and during one, the thought came into
my head that what is in our heart is more important than our physical
limitations. God works with our weaknesses in the very moment that we need
strength, and works with us as we are now, strengthening us as we humble
ourselves before him. In another lesson, an impression came into my mind as we
were reading about the doctrine of Christ and becoming like children and being
baptized in the name of Christ (3 Nephi 11). The repentance process is when we
fall and get back up again, and faith is stepping forward every time we fall.
Baptism is walking in a straight path into the arms of our Heavenly Father as a
child. It is a demonstration of our faith (every step we take to come closer to
our Savior, and thus our Heavenly Father). Our heavenly Father will always be
there for us with outstretched arms--we just need to grab on to Christ´s
Atonement and mercy, and keep moving forward in faith.
This past week we found a large family of 9--7 children!! Robson is the dad
(pronounced Hobson), and Denise is the Mom. Robson came to church yesterday, but
his wife had fears of going to Church because the moment Sister Bezerra and I
left from teaching them a lesson about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, their
neighbors entered their home, and spoke bad of our religion and of our
teachings. Wow, at times it is so easy to see Satan working against us in this
incredible work!! Robson does not have a job right now, and their family at
times go without eating, but we testifed to Robson that if he puts the Lord
first in his life, everything will work out for the better, and the lord will
bless him. He liked the meetings at Church yesterday, and is going to help his
wife and children come next week!!
I know that the Lord loves each and every one of you!! He is so eager to
answer your prayers of faith!! Have a wonderful week!! Até mais!!
COM MUITO AMOR
Sister Harris
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