Mission Week 21-April 24, 2017

April 24, 2017

Hey Mom and Dad,

I wanted to thank you for these updates and for all the pictures of Gunner boy! He is soooo handsome and I love these memories of him!

You are right- we are lucky to have such amazing people in our lives! I, too, have received so many emails this week paying condolences for our family! I am so grateful that the Wilhites and all of you are feeling loved during this difficult time. 

I am taking this pretty hard as well, but I am also surrounded by so many people who are taking good care of me! I am learning so much already through this experience! It is hard, but I am grateful to know that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan. 

On Friday, Presidente and his wife returned from traveling at 2am- they had family coming into town, and yet, they were at my house in Cambé before 10am that morning to see me. They were sooooo kind. I was able to talk to each of them individually and my companion also was able to receive guidance from each of them. 

Presidente cried more than I did when I explained to him how I was feeling. I read to him what I sent you guys about Gunner and Presidente cried like a baby. He reminded me that its okay to not always be strong and that I don't always need to put on a happy face when I am hurting. He cried as he explained the love he heard in Dad's voice as they talked on the phone- He said, "I could feel the love your father (Ryan) has for you when I talked to him the other day- I feel that love for you too as your President and as your father here in Brasil- like your dad, I wish I could take away this sorrow. I know your Heavenly Father loves you even more than your own father and more than I do!" 

He was really sweet- I reminded him of the day his mom died and I was the first missionary to know. I told him that on that day, I didn't know what to say to him to comfort him, and that I was frustrated because I didn't know what to say that could help him. Then, I explained, that now, I understand how he felt when his mom died- and how he couldn't go to see her. I explained that now, I have the opportunity to feel what he feels and what so many others have felt. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and rely on the Saviors Atonement more through this difficult experience- I don't want to learn this lesson, but I know I am here to teach these people about the Savior, His sacrifice, and about the plan that Heavenly Father has for all of his children. 

I will explain more next week and have lots of questions for you guys-- but I just hope everything goes well this week for everyone. 

My heart hurts for the Wilhite's and for everyone, but I am so grateful that we know where to look to find peace!

TOMORROW- we have a zone conference in Londrina which should be fun! I am looking forward to it! 

Please let everyone know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!!! I love you soooo much!

 

 

Mission Week 20: April 17, 2017-Easter

April 17, 2017

Also, this week was a bit challenging with the holiday- it was hard to meet with our investigators and even harder to find people to teach and bring to church- because of the holiday, many people were drinking and partying all day and so we had to be a bit more creative with our tracting this week. We worked hard which is all that counts! I am happy and trying to keep my companion from getting discouraged. 

N.- our investigator- was supposed to be baptized on Saturday, but when we met with her on Friday she said that she still didn't feel like it was her time....we asked her if she had more doubts and she said no that she felt like she had learned everything but is just waiting to know that it is her time for sure and she wants to make a few changes in her life before she feels totally ready. We had a really good conversation with her and I lead the conversation this time- I felt prompted to tell her that we love her and want her to feel prepared to make this important covenant with her Heavenly Father. We also told her that it is important for her to start being better at keeping her commitments that we leave for her. She agreed to start reading, praying, and pondering more fervently. I am happy about this because it will be easy for her to feel and recognize her answer this way!

 I know N. has a testimony, we just need to help her feel Christs love- I am reminded of the worth of each soul in the sight of Heavenly Father- D&C 18:10- I am reminded that as missionaries- yeah, part of our purpose is to baptize and confirm, but our PURPOSE IS TO INVITE ALSO; INVITE OTHERS TO COME UNTO CHRIST AND TO LEARN THAT HE LIVES AND LOVES THEM!

When our investigators- or anyone feels the pure love of Christ- CHARITY- THEY WILL HAVE A DEEPER DESIRE TO FOLLOW HIM!  am excited to keep learning more and to keep teaching her! She will get there!!!! 

In the meantime, if you guys have any ideas or advice for me, I will take anything you have! haha

Thank you guys for everything! I am so lucky to have your support and love! I love you sooooo much and am sooooo grateful for a great family and great parents!  am so happy to be here! it is hard, but I know that Heavenly Father is using me as an instrument- I am definitely being fine tuned!!!

 

 

Mission Week 19: April 10, 2017

April 10, 2017

That girl is my new companion- Sister Ferreira. She is from Minas Gerais, Brazil. She is 20 years old and has been a member for 2 years. She is the only member in her family and has 5 siblings. She is obedient and is a spicy girl. She is pretty quiet at first but loves to talk when you get her going--- the personalities of brazillians is a bit difficult to adjust to, but it will be okay--- I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT SHE IS OBEDIENT!!!

L. and his wife have a daughter who served a mission. They are not members. L. (our investigator) became super interested in the church when his daughter started preparing for her mission. He has already been going to church every week for 3 years! He has received many missionaries and said that he would be baptized tomorrow if he could stop smoking. He is amazing and reads the Book of Mormon every day!! HE IS SO GOLDEN! He keeps praying that his daughter will return to the church. I AM SO EXCITED TO HELP L. TO STOP SMOKING SO HE CAN BE BAPTIZED AND BECOME A MEMBER! I shared Ether 12;27 with him and his wife and I felt the spirit so strong when we met with them!!! TENDER MERCIES!

We found L. (different investigator) while doing door to door contacts near our house. I knocked at his house and he came out and agreed to let us come back and teach him more about God's plan for our lives! We visited him this week and learned that his wife recently died and that his only son recently got married so he lives alone now. He believes in Christ but wants to know more about how knowing Christ can help his life. He agreed to come to church next week and understood the Plan of Salvation lesson really well! I am excited to keep meeting with him!

N. went to her sister's baptism- and she said that she saw her sister get baptized which makes her more nervous. I suggested that we could take her to the chapel during the week and let her stand in the font without water and we could explain what will happen on the day she is baptized- just so that she can feel more comfortable. We will see! Hopefully she prayed and received an answer from the Spirit!