What a week! So many new things! We had a Zone Meeting with our new zone(look how cute we are), which was super spiritual and inspiring! And we have Zone Conference this week with Presidente Fortunato and Sister Fortunato! Very exciting. We talking with a member of the District Presidency how close we are to becoming a stake, and wards and what we need. We are so close! My branch needs 30 more active members. Considering the 350 less actives in our area, this is very possible and we are all excited to become a stake very soon! We also got a new Branch President, Emerson is young and animated and will do a lot of good for our Branch.
I am definitely learning how to really love people. We met a very special family this week. We taught two of the kids on the curb outside their house, Stefani and Kaiwan, 11 and 9, about how God loves them. We asked them what do they want most in the world, Kaiwan, who is 9, said that the only thing he wants is to be baptized, and Stefani, 11 said she just wants her dad to stop drinking and smoking all the time. This completely broke my heart. Think about what you wanted most in the whole world when you were ten. Was it to be baptized? Or to just have one day where you dad doesnt come home drunk, to just go out and smoke? We taught them with their sweet mom, and they all came to church Sunday and Kaiwan and Stefani will be baptized on the 25th! The mother, Casia lives with the father of her children, but they are not legally married. She does not love him, and hasnt for years, but needs the support he provides for the kids. We are in a pickly because we cannot counsel people to separate from the father of their children, but marriage is just not the answer right now. We are praying for a miracle, that all will work out and she can be baptized one day soon.
In another first lesson we taught, it was my turn to direct. Maria began talking, and as I looked to my companion to answer and lead, she said nothing, and I realized that I understood everything she said and lead the whole lesson! I had a rough start, but I have learned quickly and know for sure that the gift of tongues is real.
We continue to work with my family away from family. Luis is 16, and like my little brother. He goes out with us for whole days at a time, and is certainly the reason I have gained weight. This last pday he made us wafer salad. Yes, wafer salad. Wafers with frosting fillings of all flavors with chocolate pudding! His siblings Leo, Lucas and Isabelle are baptized but inactive,and his dad and mom arent baptized. Yesterday Leo made us his signature cheese bread and he helped me with my american accent. They are so hospitable and loving, needless to say we visit them a lot! The whole family has had some interesting experiences with the members here, but some of the most spiritual moments on my mission thusfar have been spent at their kitchen table, all together at night reading the scriptures and sharing experiences. Though only Luis is active, they all recognize the great difference the entrance of the gospel has played in their lives in the last two years with the baptisms of the kids-Leo stopped smoking; the parents moved back in together after being divorced. We pray that one day they can all be in the church together.
At lunch yesterday I shared a thought from this past Conference, and said I am hoping for the announcement of a temple in Belo Horizonte this April, and Irene, the member said oh, how beautiful! If we had a temple here I would go everyday! The closest temple here is in Sao Paulo, about a 12 hour drive away. I am constantly reminded to ask, do we know what we have?
My advice for the week is to use to full potencial the opportunities and blessings you have, because they are many.
Sister Holmes
I am definitely learning how to really love people. We met a very special family this week. We taught two of the kids on the curb outside their house, Stefani and Kaiwan, 11 and 9, about how God loves them. We asked them what do they want most in the world, Kaiwan, who is 9, said that the only thing he wants is to be baptized, and Stefani, 11 said she just wants her dad to stop drinking and smoking all the time. This completely broke my heart. Think about what you wanted most in the whole world when you were ten. Was it to be baptized? Or to just have one day where you dad doesnt come home drunk, to just go out and smoke? We taught them with their sweet mom, and they all came to church Sunday and Kaiwan and Stefani will be baptized on the 25th! The mother, Casia lives with the father of her children, but they are not legally married. She does not love him, and hasnt for years, but needs the support he provides for the kids. We are in a pickly because we cannot counsel people to separate from the father of their children, but marriage is just not the answer right now. We are praying for a miracle, that all will work out and she can be baptized one day soon.
In another first lesson we taught, it was my turn to direct. Maria began talking, and as I looked to my companion to answer and lead, she said nothing, and I realized that I understood everything she said and lead the whole lesson! I had a rough start, but I have learned quickly and know for sure that the gift of tongues is real.
We continue to work with my family away from family. Luis is 16, and like my little brother. He goes out with us for whole days at a time, and is certainly the reason I have gained weight. This last pday he made us wafer salad. Yes, wafer salad. Wafers with frosting fillings of all flavors with chocolate pudding! His siblings Leo, Lucas and Isabelle are baptized but inactive,and his dad and mom arent baptized. Yesterday Leo made us his signature cheese bread and he helped me with my american accent. They are so hospitable and loving, needless to say we visit them a lot! The whole family has had some interesting experiences with the members here, but some of the most spiritual moments on my mission thusfar have been spent at their kitchen table, all together at night reading the scriptures and sharing experiences. Though only Luis is active, they all recognize the great difference the entrance of the gospel has played in their lives in the last two years with the baptisms of the kids-Leo stopped smoking; the parents moved back in together after being divorced. We pray that one day they can all be in the church together.
At lunch yesterday I shared a thought from this past Conference, and said I am hoping for the announcement of a temple in Belo Horizonte this April, and Irene, the member said oh, how beautiful! If we had a temple here I would go everyday! The closest temple here is in Sao Paulo, about a 12 hour drive away. I am constantly reminded to ask, do we know what we have?
My advice for the week is to use to full potencial the opportunities and blessings you have, because they are many.
Sister Holmes