Letter #47

Dearest Family,

This letter too might be a little shorter, but I've included several pictures of my face so I do hope that makes up for it : )

This week we had conference with our beloved president, the last that will be held, and it was sweet in spirit, made sweeter by several reunions with old friends that I hadn't seen for a while, like Elder Bennett and Elder Jones. Good times, and I think a taste of what celestial reunions must be like : )

As an appropriate end discourse, President Tavares spoke about the Atonement, using a supernal discourse from an address given by Elder Holland in a forum at BYU. Capped it all off with lunch, and of course copious amounts of ice cream.

We returned to the center of the city later that week for a last interview with President Tavares, just my companion and I. Equally sweet, in the realization that for how much I do not know the president, I love him, and he loves me. I've always tried to make his burden lighter, I think Mom Mom would call it, "Buck up and be brave." And I hoped that I have. He has set an eternal example for me of how to conduct oneself and to lead in the gospel. Things are as they are and when we simply do what the Lord asks first we save ourselves from so much unecessary grief. Perhaps many would complain about President Tavares' strict rules, his complete focus on the mission as a time to work. Many do in fact, about the little things. But for me it has made all the difference in how I view the mission. It is not a time to play, or a vacation. I came into the mission with the idea to work and the vision of President Tavares has provided the field in which to do so. Of course I still laugh, but this work which we are doing is very serious, and requires all that we have, all the time. Put more on the altar.  I like that.

One afternoon this week we taught the husband of an active member who is not a member. He is surely not a willing student of the gospel, but did not reject us either. His wife is one of those sisters that Elder Holland has mentioned that is already so close to perfection that it is humbling to speak to them. I think because of her many prayers, and because it seemed that God wanted to give that husband another chance, the spirit filled that lesson as if it were light. It was like in the scriptures when they say they were dominated by the spirit. That's how I felt. My words were not my own, the Portuguese was far better than I have ever spoken and it was directed and clear. It was truly humbling to be so used. My companion seemed to have noticed as well, because he said after, "Wow. My companion just caught fire." That's what it felt like : ) There's nothing better than knowing that you are an instrument of the Lord, and that you are well tuned : )

I can't say that the week was very successful, our baptism of a young man fell through on father's day as his father impeded him from going to church, slyly. I have little doubt that his father will let him, but it was in the moment a rather dreary opposition that we had not expected. Plus it rained and it was cold. No problem, today the sun is again shining and we will get up and start again. No package yet, which means more sunshine is waiting for me soon. Today we head to the center to have some fun! Expect pictures : ) I love you and hope that this week too will be one of sunshine.

Love,

Tanner