Letter #94

Dearest Family,

I have found after much study and experience here in the mission field that the greatest motivation, the most lasting, the most moving, that we can have is that of love. I feel filled with love for each of you. For each of my brothers, you father and you mother. I feel an equal love for all my extended family, my faithful friends and those who surround me here. I expect that love will be the theme of my letter today for it is what I have felt so mercifully this last week. Perhaps it is the spirit exemplified in mother´s day for it was also the subject of the president's letter this week: )

Last week we divided a little in the zone and also worked in the office to prepare a yearly report for all the stake presidents and the seventy that will have a two day meeting with president the this weekend. I got to work with Elders Rogers and Delgado on Friday, helping to fill appointments and interviews throughout the zone. The newly arrived Elder Wambach is already speaking Portuguese well. Friday, our investigator couple passed their respective interviews as well as a single lady of about forty years that lives close by the church. Her son was recently baptized in another stake and so she began to investigate the church as well.

Saturday was the highlight. I divided with Elder Christensen after lunch and we visited some families quickly before getting ready for the big marriage that night. The couple was married legally by Bishop Gilberto in front of a large group of the ward and family. The chapel filled up quickly, though the marriage itself started about an hour late as with most things here. He pronounced a blessing, and they traded rings, signed papers, etc. I was actually looking forward more to the baptism afterwards, but the same changes that were necessary to prepare them to be baptized, were essential in repairing and shoring up and strengthening their relationship so that they might be married. Love was restored. Love for God and one another.

They held a small birthday party for their daughter who turned two and then we held the baptismal services. I had the privilege of baptizing the husband, who is like a brother to me now. My companion baptized his wife. Elder Santos baptized the single lady, and Elder Christensen confirmed all three on Sunday. It had been a while since I was the one in the water and it was good to be there. The power of Godliness was manifest, as it always is, in the sacred ordinances of salvation. More than that, His love was manifest and felt.

Sunday, well, I was with you : ) It was wonderful, exciting and I am excited to be back in the middle again soon. We have lots of work to do, and I wouldn't want to be in any other place than with you.

Monday and some of Tuesday we continued to work on these reports for the president. We also had craziness here in the mission. When we got to the office on Monday morning, early, we expected to find the office empty as it usually is on Monday morning, but instead we found the office already occupied with the president alert and thinking. We didn't delay and went right to work, running down the various items of the day, etc.

What came out of that morning meeting was a mini/big transfer. Five or six zone leaders were transferred and one newly called. Elder Christensen moved onto Marilia and Elder Rosa arrived in his place. Other elders were transferred as well, about twenty more, some due to the arrival on Tuesday of three more American missionaries who had received their visas and had spent the last two weeks in the missionary training center in Sao Paulo. We got them from the airport yesterday, lunched, had a small training meeting and sent them on their way. All three appeared that they will do very well here in the mission and are excited after 6-10 months serving in the US, to work with the Brasilian people. They were all a little hesitant in lunch to try the food and the cashew juice, but after they realized it was good stuff, there wasn't any left over for us!

And so I am here today. This weekend brought me much closer to my Savior. I know that He lives and surely that He love us. He watches over us unfailingly. We fail, and He "suffereth it." We turn away from Him and He suffereth it. We suffer and He suffereth it. But always He is there lauding our progress and rejoicing with us when we reach to Him and feel the arms of His infinite love encircle us and lift us up. I love this gospel. It is true. He is the way, the light and the truth. That all may come unto Him and thus unto the Father,

I love you,

Tanner

p.s. I was very happy to see Aunt Tina officially my aunt: ) Now she HAS to speak Portuguese with me!