This mission isn't for me, it is for Him!

                                                                                                               January 25, 2016
Oi family!!

 

So, this past week, I had some ups and downs, but I definitely learned a lot from them. We had a emergency switch of companionships because two sisters in our house weren´t getting along very well, and so now, I have a new companion!! Her name is Sister Rabbia, and she is from Argentina. 

She has about one month in the mission, so I am training her until the next transfer at the beginning of February. She is really funny and has a really strong testimony and a strong desire to be exactly obedient.

 

Due to the quick transfer, I must say that it was really hard on me to lose Sister Caleira. 

 

I really loved working with her and I am going to really miss her. Feeling sad about the situation, I shed a few tears and realized that I need to humble myself before Heavenly Father. It was interesting because I stopped in the middle of my personal study, to control my emotions, and returned again. While in the personal study I read over and over the words vontade de Deus (will of God), as if Heavenly Father was sending me a message that this time in the mission isn´t for me, but is for Him. It´s for the strengthening of His children--including one of his divine, precious daughters, Sister Rabbia. 

 

I got a hold of myself after reading these scriptures, and now, I realize that really this is a part of Heavenly Father´s plan. I am learning so much from Sister Rabbia, and I have so much love in my heart for her. I am so lucky to be blessed with two daughters in one transfer in the mission!! :)

 

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to teach Cida and her family. Cida has been reading the book of mormon on the bus after work each day, and she is really progressing, but her two sons and husband unfortunately haven´t read the book of mormon yet. We taught their family with members that live nearby--two converts in the Church who have such strong testimonies of the gospel (a mother and her son). The husband of the mother, Sister Angelica, isn´t a member yet, but this week we are planning on teaching him. His name is Claudio, and hopefully he has an open heart when we visit him. 

 

As for Cida and her family, we are planning on teaching them again this Friday with more members, and they are going to attend the stake conference we will be having this next Sunday. 

 

As for Emily, she is going to be baptized this next Sunday, the 31st after the Stake Conference in the Stake center!! MY FIRST BAPTISM!!

 

We are going to have a family night with her and her family and another family in the Ward tonight and we are going to finish teaching her the rest of the lessons this week as we prepare her for this special day. Sister Bezerra hopefully will be able to come to the baptism, and is going to ask permission of President Del Guerso to do so. She had a huge part in the lives of Emily and her family, so it will be really special to have her there. Robson came to church yesterday as well, the dad of Emily!! He is working to fix some of his documents right now in order to be married to Irma Valmiria so that she can attend the temple. After their marriage, we will be able to teach Robson more and mark him for baptism. 

 

Almerinda came to Church yesterday as well, with her grandson, Bruno, who is 9 years old (the son of Valeria). They are going to go to Stake Conference next Sunday, and attend the baptism of Emily (Bruno really wants to). As for Valeria, the daughter of Almerinda, she returned her book of mormon, and didn´t say a word as to why. It was a bit hard on us to receive her book of mormon because she loved the book, and read so much of it already, but she has her free agency, and we are going to try to find out why she doesn´t want any part of the Church right now. 

 

As for Kleber, we had to drop him as one of our investigators this week because he hasn´t been able to keep his commitments, and is having trouble to find the courage to go to Church. 

 

SANDRO RETURNED from his trip!!! We are going to teach him tomorrow night!

 

This past week many of our commitments fell through one day, but we found an ancient investigator of the Church randomly who moved from another city in Brasil after being taught by Elders in the past. She had received all the lessons before baptism, but couldn´t give up smoking, so she couldn´t be baptized. She told us that she really wanted to be baptized, and that she went to church every week for 5 months, but couldn´t give up cigarettes. We left 2 Nephi 4 with her to read every time she has the desire to smoke, and we are going to work with her this week to help her come closer to giving up her addiction. her name is marilene, and she is the sweetest lady. 

 

I just want to share a few pictures from last week: 

 

Sister Caliera enjoying her donut

We made yummy pasta

 



We had the opportunity to visit the temple



Sis. Bezerra, (my mom) and Sis. Caleira, (my daughter) at a missionary training conference. 

 

 

Although it was short, I loved serving with Sister Caleiro!

I love you all!! I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us. I know that our testimonies grow stronger every time we bear them. Every time we defend the Savior and the Book of Mormon, Heavenly Father is on our side, and the Spirit is with us. 

 

Have a wonderful week!!!