Letter #16

Dear Family,

I know I may not yet have the right to say this. but today I feel old. Old because my body is crying after a demanding week, my knees feel a little bit creeky, and my back a little bit more. But mostly all of this is underscored by the feeling of waking up to 1/5 a century of life. Some say youth hits prime at 20 but this morning I studied the resurrection with zeal!

What a marvelous end to the week we had! The husband, whom you lamented not being open to the gospel. . . was baptized. He proved to us in a marvelous manner the way in which the Lord works miracles in the lives of his children. He could not have been any more entrenched in his former religious life, surrounded, as we knew, by neighbors and friends, literally hell-bent on keeping him in their church. We taught a lesson with him and his wife Tuesday with the president of the branch, and by all accounts it was a sad affair, him dead set against the church and his wife, newly baptized and light in her eyes filled with a deep, deep sadness that he was so unwilling to partake of the happiness she felt. (We found out that she had left for her baptism without him even knowing that she was going to be baptized, such is her testimony.) He recounted to us his experience when we, with heavy hearts, stopped by on Thursday: He said, that after that lesson, he retired to bed but couldn't sleep and he could not erase the memory of the words that President Fabio had said, that at the very least he should support his wife. He began to feel a burning, and began to cry. He retired to the bathroom, unable to sleep and not wanting to wake his wife. There he says that he finally understood his dream from the week before, that this was "God´s work," that he felt a voice speak to him, that "This is my work." Such a marvelous experience is surely rare, but then so is the humbleness and seriousness with which Sebastião treats the gospel.

That the Light of Gospel was able to touch this sweet man´s heart and rededicate his sincere efforts to know our Savior, astounds me and humbles me. Nothing we could have done would have changed his mind. In fact, nothing did. But the Lord did, and for that he and his wife, and the members of our ward are very grateful. The baptism Sunday night was marvelous, with Elder Chambers assisting me to baptize this formidable man. We call him Fortão (Big strongy).  The members supported us in greater numbers than ever before. Even the gas that is used to heat up the water in font was miraculously discovered to be working after last weeks very cold ordinance.

Funny moment of the week: Elder Parker managed to step on a small dinosaur turd (which litter the ground like pebbles) before we entered a house to teach. The couple, whom were not necessarily "all there," thankfully did not notice. But, BOY did we! And each of us who wasn't feeling well that day anyway were having a very difficult time keeping our lunch down.

Some Questions and Answers:
No I have not received packages or letters yet. Much to look forward to. I do teach English with Elder Chambers but ceased after this weeks poor poor showing. It unfortunately is not worth our time now, and Elder Chambers is being transferred to Bauru. He will be missed. My umbrella´s a champ. No problems with their Bible, except that the Brazilian word for the Sabbath happens to be the same as the word for Saturday, which brings lots of souls to the Seventh Day Adventists and causes some minor confusion when presented. Yes you may send letters packages etc. here, to the address that I sent you as I found out today that for the next 5 weeks I will be staying here; ) I ´m very excited to continue the work here in Tupã, an area I've grown to love.

I love, love you all and lament my inability to write more. I am overjoyed at the healthy smiles and news on the blog, excepting Governor Romney´s defeat, which is very sad. I hope he will give it one more go. Please remember, the gospel is true. We have a Prophet! And in a month I get to Skype with you all : )

With Love from the Tropic of Capricorn,

Tanner

p.s.- Got bit by a dog for the first time, but nothing bad; )

p.p.s.- We Won. P-Day with the President coming up. . .