Brazil Bound: September 8th, 2014- Study Guides

This week was actually really good! A week of new beginnings actually! Lots of new people. A lot of which are families. Funny story... a few weeks ago the other sisters who divide the area with us decided that they were overwhelmed with too many people to visit and decided to give us a street that only has an endless stream of apartament complexes (seriously there are at least 150) and a list of 25 referrals. We were pretty excited because our investigator list was a little short so we began trying to find these people at home. But, practically EVERY door we knocked said we had the wrong house. I started getting a little confused and finally asked the sisters what was up. Only then did they explain that each block number has, conveniently two corresponding building on opposite ends of the street and really the only way to know which of these buildings is correct is to try them both. Every time.

Yeah it makes no sense. But at least the second time around we were about to find a few more people to teach!

And at least one miracle came out of the confusion. We had a reference for a woman named Juliana who lived in Block 8 Apartament 21. So, we tried the first block 8 and found a woman named Juliana! She was a little surprised because she said she did not give her name to anyone, but she let us in anyway. We found out that she has family who are members of the church and that she has even already visited. After, her two little daughters said that they never wanted to go back to their old church because they loved ours more! But they are super cute and she is super receptive!

We have also been teaching an African man named Simeon. He is probably about 40 and HILARIOUS. And we get to teach (okay honestly get taught) in english which is always a perk. But he is seriously briliant, as far as scriptures are concerned. His very favorite phrase is ``the bible says...´´ This week the topic of conversation was on baptism for the dead. He just not could not accept that people who had not been ``saved´´ on earth could get a seccond chance. But by the end of the convo he started talking about his brother and dad: both of which had died before being baptized. He told us that he would put our lesson to his full proof test... read, meditate and pray for guidance and assurance. He recognized that there is a lot resting on our message like the salvation of his dad and brother. He told us that as soon as he knows for himself he will be baptized for everyone!

Then, we walked to the grocery store and he insisted on buying us something (or half of the store) to express his gratitude for our enlightenment. 6 cartons of expensive juice, 2 boxes of chocolate and a strange, exotic fruit later, I think he is starting to soften towards us and our message a little! haha

Another funny moment was when we stopped by to visit another family we are teaching, a woman Rose and her daughter Camile. If all goes as planned they shouled be baptized next week. Camile was having a presentation at school and invited us. We explained that we could not leave our area boundries and she offered to show us a part of the performance. Costume and all. and wowww, lets just say that the school presentations are a little different here. Skimpy outfit, slightly provacative dance. (oh did I mention she is 11) As we left my companion said ``hmmm I cant decide if that was a delightful cultural experience or total apostasy.´´ haha we will go with the first. gotta love Brazil

Oh and in my studies I am reading Isiah, again. This time I started thinking about his counsel a little differently. Blame it on the time of year and the saudades I feel towards school and studying, but I thought about how Isiah (and actually all the prophets) are a lot like all the other pofessors I had throughout life. When there is a concept that is super important, and most likely to find its way to our upcoming test, they like to repeat themselves. A lot. So many times, I remember sitting with some horried little test in front of me trying to rack my brain for the exact words the professor used at least 6 times that I forgot to write down and take to heart.

Similarly, I think the scriptures are like our very own class lectures. Our job is to make a good study guide, paying exceptional attention to the details and repeats, and then try to apply the knowledge as best we can. When we follow this pattern, we can be sure that it will all work out okay.

So, Love you all! Good luck with everything and have a great week!

Sister Lauren