Well. When I said that this month would be an eventful one, I wasnt lying.
We met some really interesting people! From a woman who says she saw Christ herself and therefore believes that Joseph Smith saw him, to Italians, circus workers, soccer players, drug dealers, you name it. And we talk to them all!
Michael, moved to north Brasil this week, so we basically sent a gleaming golden investigator to the Santa Catarina mission. He literally just needs to be baptized. He has been to church, read and prayed about the Book of Mormon.. He would have been baptized here but wouldnt have been able to be confirmed here which presents many problems. So we will leave the reaping to the Santa Catarinas. But it was really neat to teach someone so prepared and interested as Michael.
The worker at the Lan house we used to go to deleted all 700 of my mission pictures on accident. Every single picture I took on the mission is gone. 700. So I am grateful for email and that I at least have the pictures I send weekly, but its a really pity to think about all the funny moments captured and well, they are still in my head right?
And this week...I....got hit with a wicked case of strep throat. We spent most of the week at home, sleeping and studying. My throat started hurting Monday, and after a few days of the pain only getting worse we went to the hospital and after one look down my throat the doctor gave me antibiotics. Its been a week and I am doing better, but now I have a nasty cough. The good news is that I have an amazing companion who took great care of me. She made me soup and apple tea and was very patient in missing a whole week of work. We are praying I get better soon so that I can work this week in preparation for our big conference Sunday with President Fortunato and Elder Aidukatis!
The stake had a fireside of the heritage of Ipatinga, 35 years in the making, everybody is really excited for the opening. I had the chance to talk to a few of the Elders who opened the area so many years ago, and truly lots of faithful people have been working hard for this to happen.
Ill admit, missing work this week was really trying, this was the week to follow up on and find all the potencial people to be baptized at our zone baptism Sunday, and because of my throat I was prohibited to leave home and didnt really get to talk to anybody. One thing is for sure, I am much more humble today than I was last week. I have gained a new appreciation for my health(which will come back to me soon I hope) and the opportunity to be here on the mission.
In my many hours spent at home this week I reread "Our Heritage" among other books and got to read the stories of the early pioneers and got to remember all the sacrifices that so many faithful saints have made so that I can be here right now in Brasil opening one of many hundred stakes in the world 200 years later. I am sure those pioneers in all the struggle in persecution and crossing the plains could hardly imagine the truth in the prophecy that the gospel would be taught in all nations in all languages to all people and would fill the world as it is today. It truly is a blessing and an honor to be here to testify of the things we know are true.
This church is God's church, and nothing stops His work. Strep throat, weakness, persecution, 700 lost photos, unbelief, nothing. The stone rolls on.
Happy new semester and fall to everybody!
Sister Holmes
We met some really interesting people! From a woman who says she saw Christ herself and therefore believes that Joseph Smith saw him, to Italians, circus workers, soccer players, drug dealers, you name it. And we talk to them all!
Michael, moved to north Brasil this week, so we basically sent a gleaming golden investigator to the Santa Catarina mission. He literally just needs to be baptized. He has been to church, read and prayed about the Book of Mormon.. He would have been baptized here but wouldnt have been able to be confirmed here which presents many problems. So we will leave the reaping to the Santa Catarinas. But it was really neat to teach someone so prepared and interested as Michael.
The worker at the Lan house we used to go to deleted all 700 of my mission pictures on accident. Every single picture I took on the mission is gone. 700. So I am grateful for email and that I at least have the pictures I send weekly, but its a really pity to think about all the funny moments captured and well, they are still in my head right?
And this week...I....got hit with a wicked case of strep throat. We spent most of the week at home, sleeping and studying. My throat started hurting Monday, and after a few days of the pain only getting worse we went to the hospital and after one look down my throat the doctor gave me antibiotics. Its been a week and I am doing better, but now I have a nasty cough. The good news is that I have an amazing companion who took great care of me. She made me soup and apple tea and was very patient in missing a whole week of work. We are praying I get better soon so that I can work this week in preparation for our big conference Sunday with President Fortunato and Elder Aidukatis!
The stake had a fireside of the heritage of Ipatinga, 35 years in the making, everybody is really excited for the opening. I had the chance to talk to a few of the Elders who opened the area so many years ago, and truly lots of faithful people have been working hard for this to happen.
Ill admit, missing work this week was really trying, this was the week to follow up on and find all the potencial people to be baptized at our zone baptism Sunday, and because of my throat I was prohibited to leave home and didnt really get to talk to anybody. One thing is for sure, I am much more humble today than I was last week. I have gained a new appreciation for my health(which will come back to me soon I hope) and the opportunity to be here on the mission.
In my many hours spent at home this week I reread "Our Heritage" among other books and got to read the stories of the early pioneers and got to remember all the sacrifices that so many faithful saints have made so that I can be here right now in Brasil opening one of many hundred stakes in the world 200 years later. I am sure those pioneers in all the struggle in persecution and crossing the plains could hardly imagine the truth in the prophecy that the gospel would be taught in all nations in all languages to all people and would fill the world as it is today. It truly is a blessing and an honor to be here to testify of the things we know are true.
This church is God's church, and nothing stops His work. Strep throat, weakness, persecution, 700 lost photos, unbelief, nothing. The stone rolls on.
Happy new semester and fall to everybody!
Sister Holmes