The felicidade continues! Seriously, I often ask myself how I could possibly be so blessed. In fact, last night I could not even sleep because I felt like a child on Christmas Eve: so happy about all the blessings and so excited knowing that the best is yet to come.
To start, I would loveee a few prayers in behalf of a some really special people. Alexandre, Joyce and Pietro are every day more happy. It is actually incredible to see (and feel) the difrence the gospel has brought into their home. When we met them, Alexandre seemend bitter and closed off. Now, he is a new man! Maybe it is the prayers. (when he prays he actually talks with his Pai Celestial. The sincerity is palpable.) Maybe it is the daily scripture study.(He has now finished the intire Principles of the Gospel book and is now writing a summary of every one of the 24 chapters). Maybe it is the the strong spirit we feel as we talk about the more spiritual things of life. But whatever it is, it is a modern day miracle!!
Our bishop told me this week that he is certain that Alexandre will be the next Stake President and I don´t doubt it one bit. The thing is, we just got to get this good man to the finish line. Pray that he goes through with his plans to be baptized this week. pretty pleaasee.
João is the other we have planned to be baptized this saturday. Only one little problem.... the law of chastity strikes again. Turns our our little 60 year old João has a girlfriend!! We did not know if we should laugh or cry when we found out: we decided to laugh!! But it´s all good, because turns out he has been feeling guilty about the circumstance for a while. They don´t live together so it will be easy for them to break up. He is committed to ending this officially but is pretty nervous. Who knew that here on the mission I would still be counseling people on how to effectively use the ``it´s not you, it´s me´´ speech?
Gabi is incredible. Actually, other sisters found her about 7 months ago. She is super inteligent and has lots of questions. When we began to teach her she told us that as a young girl she prayed about a man named Néfi. She always remembered the dreams but never new what they meant. She absolutely loved the lessons but never felt ready to be baptized. Buttt, this week we had an incredible lesson with her. Actually, it was more of a conversation. She told us of her goals for life and also about her fears. We bore our testimonies and in the end I reminded her how she had met the sisters. Actually, she had visited lots of churches and wanted to have a stronger relationship with God but never felt compltely whole. Days after she pleaded for help, the sisters passed in front of her house. I invited her to ask Heavenly Father, with the same vigor, why the sisters were put in her life, and what she needed to do to follow the His plan.
and GUESS WHAT?!?! Sunday she told us she had some very special news. She decided that baptism was the right path for her and now is the time!!!!! I can not sufficiently put into words my joy at that momnent. We laughed and hugged and bounced up and down a little. Just pray that her mom accepts her daughter´s decision.
Ohh and Edilson and Angela are officially getting married 16 de Janeiro and I could not be happier!!! Actually, right now we are in the middle of thinking up invitations, decorations etc. Ahhhh I am so absolutely happy. We had their son, Emerson (recent RM) read his favorite scriptures about the atonement with his parents after we left and it turned out to be a super spritual moment. Everyone cried!! And after, we invited them to be baptized. The two accepted!! It will be wonderful.
So here is the quote of the week... ``We need to recieve, recognize and rely on the holy ghost.´´ -Elaine S. Dalton But isn´t that the one of life´s largest battles? Especially the last two... For this I am soo grateful I decided to serve a mission. And let me tell you, I am learning volumes about how to rely on the spirit, because most of the time, it is the only option we have!
Have a great week! And enjoy the special Christmas spirit!
It is a wonderful time of the year
Your Sister Lauren
angela and edilson
b day celebration!
cute little entreprenuers. I had to by a bracelet!!
FHE with a recent convert fam
black friday and Brazil! I missed our shopping trip this year
why I love Cotia
do you recognize the skirts? they went to a good cause!!
recognize the tie?! I visited my old area and this little boy ways using it!!
look what I bought this week!!!! Turns out, I could not live without it
GABI!!
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