Hi family!!!! How are you all doing??
As missionaries we often get to participate in service opportunities.
Below is a picture of us helping Irma Eduarda and her daughters with a service project.
So, this past week, a miracle happened. On Tuesday night, a woman named Vilma stopped by the chapel before our English Class, and told us that she had woken up that morning and decided she would visit the Church. I had talked to her several times on the street before that day, but I had vaguely remembered her. I just remember that every time I talked to her on the street, she said, you already talked to me about the Church, smiled politely, and walked away in a rush. She said that it was because of our persistence to talk to her, that she decided to visit the Church, and she said, that it wasn´t for a cause or by chance that we had talked with her several times about the English Class on Tuesday night and church meetings Sunday mornings.
So, on Tuesday night, she couldn´t stay to participate in our English class, but directly asked us about baptism and what our Church´s stance is on it. I then told her that we choose to be baptized when we have a desire to become like Christ, and that as missionaries, we teach some lessons and invite others to come closer to Jesus Christ by making some changes in their lives to become like Him. I said, that generally, the greater the desire we have to come unto Christ, the more of a desire we have to be baptized like He was, by someone who holds Heavenly Father´s authority to baptize us. Baptism is a natural step in Heavenly Father´s plan for each one of His children.
As missionaries we often get to participate in service opportunities.
Below is a picture of us helping Irma Eduarda and her daughters with a service project.
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| A service project with Irma Eduardo and her girls. |
So, this past week, a miracle happened. On Tuesday night, a woman named Vilma stopped by the chapel before our English Class, and told us that she had woken up that morning and decided she would visit the Church. I had talked to her several times on the street before that day, but I had vaguely remembered her. I just remember that every time I talked to her on the street, she said, you already talked to me about the Church, smiled politely, and walked away in a rush. She said that it was because of our persistence to talk to her, that she decided to visit the Church, and she said, that it wasn´t for a cause or by chance that we had talked with her several times about the English Class on Tuesday night and church meetings Sunday mornings.
So, on Tuesday night, she couldn´t stay to participate in our English class, but directly asked us about baptism and what our Church´s stance is on it. I then told her that we choose to be baptized when we have a desire to become like Christ, and that as missionaries, we teach some lessons and invite others to come closer to Jesus Christ by making some changes in their lives to become like Him. I said, that generally, the greater the desire we have to come unto Christ, the more of a desire we have to be baptized like He was, by someone who holds Heavenly Father´s authority to baptize us. Baptism is a natural step in Heavenly Father´s plan for each one of His children.
We then made an appointment to visit her the following morning when she had
more time, and so on Wednesday morning we taught her of the Restoration and the
Book of Mormon, and invited her to be baptized, but she was a bit hesitant to
accept our invitation because she thinks that every church just wants to gain
another ´´number´´ in their congregation. We instead told her of our true
purpose to help her increase her faith in Jesus Christ and become like Him.
This Wednesday morning we are going to return and see if she read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know it is true. Unfortunately, she wasn´t able to come to Church this past Sunday, but I have faith that she will this next Sunday. Persistence really pays off here in the area, and the Lord truly blessed us with one of his elects.
This Wednesday morning we are going to return and see if she read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know it is true. Unfortunately, she wasn´t able to come to Church this past Sunday, but I have faith that she will this next Sunday. Persistence really pays off here in the area, and the Lord truly blessed us with one of his elects.
Speaking of Sunday, yesterday Sister Oldroyd and I sang Read Ponder and
Pray in Portuguese and in English. The Spirit was so strong in the
meeting and it was wonderful!.
We often get invited to brunch with families from the Ward. The pictures below are with the Jefferson family who sent the pictures to our families.
Also, this past Saturday, we had the opportunity to BRUNCH with another Brasilian family, and they served us homemade waffles with nutella, whipped cream, and strawberries, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, scrambled eggs, and other sweet treats. It reminded me of dad's yummy breakfasts and I couldn´t help but think how much I want to eat dad´s homemade waffles with maple syrup when I get home.
Afterwards, I shared the message, and for some reason that morning I was thinking about their family, and a general conference talk from April came into my mind to share with them about a pattern of peace.
I remember feeling the Spirit so strongly in their home. Fabiana then returned to the room, and I decided to share with her a scripture of how the Sting of death is swallowed up in Christ, and I know that Heavenly Father had guided my personal study by the Spirit to help touch Fabiana´s heart. The Spirit is the teacher, and we are simply instruments in Heavenly Father´s hands to bring the Spirit to the hearts of His children.
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| Sweet treats for brunch |
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| We can't wait to dive in!! |
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| We love visiting with the Jefferson family! |
Also, this past Saturday, we had the opportunity to BRUNCH with another Brasilian family, and they served us homemade waffles with nutella, whipped cream, and strawberries, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, scrambled eggs, and other sweet treats. It reminded me of dad's yummy breakfasts and I couldn´t help but think how much I want to eat dad´s homemade waffles with maple syrup when I get home.
Afterwards, I shared the message, and for some reason that morning I was thinking about their family, and a general conference talk from April came into my mind to share with them about a pattern of peace.
To prepare for the brunch message, I decided to study it in my personal study, and I learned that when we think of Jesus Christ, read about his life, learn of him, and walk in his footsteps, we don´t need to fear in this life. That we can really have more peace in our lives if we just stop to think about Jesus. I shared with Irmã Fabiana and her husband this message from the general conference, and suddenly Fabiana began to cry until she left the room. Her husband then told us that Fabiana´s dad had past away that week.
I love feeling the Spirit testify to me of the gospel truths that I am teaching--when it confirms to me that what I am teaching is true, I know that am teaching in the way that Heavenly Father would have me teach his children. I have recently better understood that when I listen with love, I can better discern by the Spirit what Heavenly Father would have me teach.
I love you all so much!! Have a wonderful week!! And know that Heavenly
Father prepares miracles. Like humble President Thomas always says, His will is
greater than our will. 2 years or 1 and a half is a small amount of time to
sacrifice our will to His.
Amor, Sister Harris
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