Well all I will say is that the church is true. After a rough Sunday feeling a little unappreciated we went to lunch with a member, a very beautiful but quiet woman. While we were eating her husband walked in and starting eating with us. He told us how he speaks military english, he was in the Brasil Air Force for many many years. We learned of his conversion story, he served in the amazons, and admired a friend who studied the scriptures and maintained a strict schedule and said he learned and built such habits from his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So his friend invited him to read all of his books, Jesus the Christ, Teachings of various prophets, True to the Faith and told him that the Book of Mormon was the most special of all but was to be read last. So after two years of reading church material(imagine reading books like Jesus the Christ and deep doctrine books without touching the Book of Mormon). After finally reading every book his friend had, he was to read the Book of Mormon, he read it and was converted. He returned home, sought out the nearest chapel and asked to be baptized, already having a very thorough knowledge of the doctrine and with his friend opened a branch in Manaus. Amazing story. Anyways, while Sister Miller was giving the thought after lunch, he just said that he wanted to express his gratitude for our work as sisters and bore his testimony of the power of women in the work of salvation. He was truly inspired. It reminds me of Presidents Monson when he speaks of the grand honor to be an answer to anothers prayers. My message for the week is to follow spiritual promptings, for you might be a very needed answer to prayers to somebody in need. I am sure this member had no idea what we were thinking or feeling when he shared his thoughts with us.
We had Zone Conference! We talked a lot about having faith and practiced teaching only using questions, which is how President Fortunato teaches, it was difficult at first but it proved to be much more spiritual and it really is what opened up people and invited the spirit rather than just throwing doctrine in peoples faces. I got to talk to President Fortunato who said he would like to visit Arlette and her anti mormon husband with us next week!
Saturday was fantastic. May 31 is "Day to Do Good" so the city invited various groups and churches to participate in spreading around some good. We got together with the ward, put our cute yellow Helping Hands vests on and spent the morning doing such!
That afternoon Marcos was baptized! He is the boyfriend of a strong member. We have taught him when he has come up to visit, and came this weekend to stay! They are getting married in August. Its been a neat experience to teach him, remembering the first time we taught him and his doubts and questions slowly fade away each visit as he prayed and studied vigorously the Book of Mormon(I am sure with much encouraging of his girlfriend)and to his baptism! I know he had to really let his pride go to accept with faith different doctrine. The baptism was really special, after he came up from the water he just fell into his brother in law's arms. It was clear he could really feel the spirit testifying that this is the truth.
Last full week of this transfer, we will see what happens! It is a blessing to be here in this area, I love it with my whole heart. We finally have our own location for the church and we arent in a high school anymore! The bishop had his first baby this morming and we are so excited to see him tonight at family night!
The church is true!
Quote from Elder Holland: "Always lead with your faith and never with your doubt" (hopefully thats close, I am translating."
Sister Holmes
We are entering winter and it has finally cooled off! And by cooled off I mean like 70's, and that weather drop has given me a cold! But I have a lot more energy to work when we arent melting and preparation is starting for the world cup! The stores are filling with green and blue and yellow and people paint more streets every day!
We had Zone Conference! We talked a lot about having faith and practiced teaching only using questions, which is how President Fortunato teaches, it was difficult at first but it proved to be much more spiritual and it really is what opened up people and invited the spirit rather than just throwing doctrine in peoples faces. I got to talk to President Fortunato who said he would like to visit Arlette and her anti mormon husband with us next week!
Saturday was fantastic. May 31 is "Day to Do Good" so the city invited various groups and churches to participate in spreading around some good. We got together with the ward, put our cute yellow Helping Hands vests on and spent the morning doing such!
That afternoon Marcos was baptized! He is the boyfriend of a strong member. We have taught him when he has come up to visit, and came this weekend to stay! They are getting married in August. Its been a neat experience to teach him, remembering the first time we taught him and his doubts and questions slowly fade away each visit as he prayed and studied vigorously the Book of Mormon(I am sure with much encouraging of his girlfriend)and to his baptism! I know he had to really let his pride go to accept with faith different doctrine. The baptism was really special, after he came up from the water he just fell into his brother in law's arms. It was clear he could really feel the spirit testifying that this is the truth.
Last full week of this transfer, we will see what happens! It is a blessing to be here in this area, I love it with my whole heart. We finally have our own location for the church and we arent in a high school anymore! The bishop had his first baby this morming and we are so excited to see him tonight at family night!
The church is true!
Quote from Elder Holland: "Always lead with your faith and never with your doubt" (hopefully thats close, I am translating."
Sister Holmes
We are entering winter and it has finally cooled off! And by cooled off I mean like 70's, and that weather drop has given me a cold! But I have a lot more energy to work when we arent melting and preparation is starting for the world cup! The stores are filling with green and blue and yellow and people paint more streets every day!