Letter #97

Did you get the photos I sent you? They are linked to our mission email but you can open them up with the link and then download each of them to the computer. It was a lot easier, safer and faster than trying to load all of them: )

Dearest Family,

Time flies when there's not much left. . .We're working hard though because this month is going to be special. The very first week of the month we baptized fifty, due to the hard work of the very good elders we have here. We also baptized a young man, 16 years old, a very special young man going to seminary whose brothers and sisters and mother will soon follow him into the waters of baptism.

Since we last met, we discovered how to marry a couple for 40 reais, instead of the usual 270. . .this when I only have a month left, so it's going to be difficult to marry anyone in that time. We have one date marked with a young couple we began to teach after they went to the marriage of our investigators. They've been to church the last two weeks and the husband's brother was baptized in another ward two weeks ago. They're definitely coming along: )

Thursday we were in the office for transfers, but I was able to leave for a bit to teach with Elder Abernathy, a very good friend of mine here in the mission. We taught a man the restoration with the help of a very excited elders quorum president. The lesson illustrated the balance we as missionaries and members must keep when sharing the gospel message---we must show others, persuasively, as Paul said, why our message is vital to THEIR specific lives. The message is true and powerful but in order for it to take root, the messenger must convincingly present what is so personally important to him.

Friday we worked hard in our own area and taught two interesting groups: First, a Presbyterian man (very cordial and interested) who, in the closing prayer, tried to give us a blessing. Second, a family whose two daughters are paid models who, very much to our surprise, welcomed us simultaneously with kisses. That was awkward, albeit not out of place for them as one Brasilian tradition is to welcome with a kiss. But it was well out of place for us. We didn't dwindle long thereafter they declined our invite to visit the church that Sunday, and "got us out of Babylon."

Saturday was a plentiful day of work, blessed by the focus of fasting, that brings into the day a wonderful spirit and power to your invitations. We were very blessed marking eight people to go to church on the next day, through contacts and following up on references. The next day we didn't have much help from the rainy weather but we still had a good turn-out from those who braved the cold fog and came to hear the warming testimonies of the ward members. Our recent young women converts bore powerful testimonies of their conviction that the church is true. For one it was a first, and for the other a last as she leaves in two weeks for the missionary training center. One investigator was so touched by the testimonies she asked if she could film them: ) We respectfully explained that it was better not to. One of our young men was interviewed to receive the Aaronic priesthood and be advanced to the office of a Priest. He braved the rain and caught the bus with his family all alone to get to church on time.

Next week begins the World Cup here in Brasil. We're still waiting to see what will happen to us, as we may be required to stay at home during Brasil's games. We hope it won't have anything other than a positive effect on our work this month. We are also planning an historic leaders council next week with not only the zone leaders but also the district leaders. It will be a special day to learn more about our role as leaders in this great work. Yesterday we had the privilege to welcome eighteen new missionaries to our mission, and their eighteen wonderful trainers who will help them begin the journey. Since President Genaro arrived we have worked together to very carefully choose those that will be entrusted to train. As President Uchtdorf has said, "It is the most important calling in the mission field" and I believe that with all my heart. I was most influenced by my trainer and so will all those that are arriving. We announced yesterday in the trainers meeting our intention to make our mission not only the one with the most baptisms in Brasil but also the most obedient. In our little out of the way corner of Brasil and of the world, we need all the divine help we can to make this work go forth boldly and nobly. This year we have observed incredible results as a result of the faith of the missionaries and their willingness to sacrifice a little bit more, even when it's not necessary, and especially when they don't want to. We truly have a celestial mission here in Londrina.

Yesterday we also had a post-transfer meeting with the President. It was special in spirit. Some of the things said there strengthened my testimony even more of this work, and of the truthfulness of this Church. Revelation continues today, through the keys of the priesthood. It is the very real and guiding influence of Christ and our Father in Heaven looking down on us, reaching down to bring us back. He know us personally. He has a plan for each of us, and I know this. I know this church is true in every sense, and am excited to share that as its official witness for five more weeks: )

I love you all. Stay strong. Don't get any clothes too crazy for me. I'm good with solid color tee shirts and polos: )

Have a Fantastic Week!

Love,

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