First, we had another baptism!! LIVIA! Just in time too because this Saturday she will be taking off for her new adventure, Portugal. Her baptism was super special, especially because her parents were able to be there to cheer her on. Her mom, Regina is the one who has asked us about every random question there is (trinity, Mary, Eve, tithing, function of the Holy Ghost) and EVERYTHING we taught matched up, exactly, with what she has always thought just based on her extensive knowledge of the Bible.
Her step dad Adriano has all sorts of severe health problems as a direct result of his many years spent drinking and smoking. As you might imagine, when we taught the Word of Wisdom and invited him to stop smoking he agreed that his life would have been totally different if he had lived this commandment. His life is full of heartbreaking stories, and after his daughter was killed by her own son, he completely shut down. As his family says, he has been years and years without shedding a single tear. I guess he just didn´t want to feel pain anymore so for him it was better not to feel anything.
We knew that Livia´s special day would only be complete, and that Adriano would only be touched if he could be at her baptism. So imagine our disappoint when Regina and Livia arrived without him. We wasted no time, but asked a ride from a member and we went and got him. During the baptism I had the feeling that we needed to have Regina share her testimony. We had a bit of resistance from the Bishopric as she wasn´t member and the were worried of what she would say in front of everytone. But I couldn´t deny what I felt. So she spoke. And went on and on.... You know one of those awkward moments when everyone begins to look at their watches wondeif it will ever end? yeahhh... But at the end Regina explained that she has had a severe depression for the last 23 years and finally realized that she is healed as she was able to get up and talk for 20 minutes without any proglems. A thing she could NEVER do before meeting us.
Anyway, as the baptism ended, Adriano went to congratulate Lívia and for the first time in a very long time, he cried!! Well, if all goes as planned, they will be baptized June 6th! What a miracle!
In other news, Carla and Diego are now married!! Legally! Which means we spent another morning at the Cartório. Let´s just say, I am so grateful for the temple. A calm, beautiful, quite place because the Cartório is none of that. But at least they are married and in two weeks they will be baptized! And, after the wedding and breakfast, we went to the temple to take some pictures and talk about eternal marriage!! We said a prayer in the waiting room and guess who we ran in to?! Paulinho´s wife Cris. She was there doing a photo shoot and offered to take photos of the happy couple!! Such a blessing!
Well, there are probably lots of other stories I could tell but for a lack of time, just know that I am happy and well and so very excited to see everyone that I love so much!!
Sister Lauren
p.s. Today is my P-day because we went to the temple. BUT I saw Stan at the temple!!!!!!!
p.s.s. everything is great!! Guess what, Carla and Diego chose you to baptize them!! So bring some white clothes pretty please!!
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