Guys, the spiders are getting bigger and they're EVERYWHERE! They just hang out
on their thick walls of webs in between trees and bushes. I'm getting really
good at putting my matrix moves into practice.
We were looking for a few addresses and one of them was in a littla vila.
As we started walking up the path this giant black dog came bolting at us so
logically we turned on our heels and headed in the other direction. I'm not
scared of dogs, quite the opposite, but this one was gaurding his territoy and
I wasn't about to mess with him. A few days later we decided to try again. We
made it up the path and started to approach a house. As we got closer the same
big black dog came bolting at us again. As we started to go back wanting to
avoid being eaten by this creature, I felt prompted that we needed to try again.
So we went back and right when we turned around we saw a girl standing in the
doorway. The big black dog came running at us full speed but she told us not to
worry and that he didnt bite. Suave. This creature ended up being the happiest
dog I've ever met. It happed to be this girl's birthday and she is so ready for
the gospel. We've been extra prayerful about our finding efforts lately and I
can't help but think what would've happened if we wouldn't have followed the
promoting and faced that giant, black, (happy), beast. This is why we always
follow promptings gente.
We've also recieved a few awesome references
this week from members. I love the members here in Aldeia.
At the beginning of this transfer we prayed about what goals we should make.
We were prompted to make a goal of 4 baptisms. I like to pray for specific
things because it helps me identify how the Lord is answering my prayers. As
I was pondering what I could pray for specifically with these 4 baptisms I
felt the spirit whisper, "Pray for a family." I thought, como assim? The Lord
has been so good to me and has allowed me to teach and baptize various
families. Yet the spirit told me once again to pray for a family. So Sister
Bernardo and I started praying and fasting até o pó to find one more family.
We were looking everywhere, using all our resources, but little did we know
the family the Lord prepared for us this transfer was right in front of our
noses.
When I arrived in Aldeia there were lots of eternal
investigators. Pai Celestial was super gracious and allowed me to be apart of
their baptisms. Now there is only one family left of eternal investigators.
The Audi family heard about the church through the owner of Wizard, a famous
English school here in Brazil. They had a mansion, a helicopter, 60 horses etc...
but they weren't happy. They always come to the church, to the point where
any visitors think they are members. They tell everyone they know this church
is the true church of Christ, but they would never agree to a baptismal date.
Recently they've passed through some trials and sold their helicopter and 60
horses and are now moving to a smaller, modest home. During all this Chico
told us he heard a voice that kept telling him everything would be ok and he
knew that was the Holy Ghost. We were finally able to meet with them this
week and answered all their questions. It was amazing to see a change in them
as they came to realize in order for everything to really turn out ok they
will need the blessings that come from baptismal covenants and the
companionship of the Holy Ghost. Chico, Taniâ, and their son, Mateó accepted
baptismal dates. Huge miracle. Before I left on my mission I was given the
promise in a blessing that I would watch the spirit convert people and see
the change in their faces and lives. This family is a great example of that.
I think it's interesting how sometimes Heavenly Father puts people through
trials to help them be humble and "wake them up" to the influence of the
spirit. As we learn in Ether 12:27 when we're humble He'll make us strong and
with Him everything really will be ok.
Remember the promise Elder Ballard gave us a while back saying that if each missionary made 10 contacts
everyday our baptisms would triple? I believe so strongly in that promise. I
don't like to focus on numbers because these are souls, not numbers, but in
this light it helps me better understand how God really does keep his promises.
"Through my voice or through the voice of my servants it is the same." - D&C
1:38 When we started actually making 10 contacts we baptized a family of 3.
As we've continued making these contacts over the last 3 months we've seen
the promise being realized and now we're preparing our 3rd family of 3 people
to make these sacred covenants. Truly evidence of how good God is with His
promises. He has been so merciful to me during my mission, blessing me with
so many miracles. Sometimes my companion and I just can't help but stop and
look at eachother saying, "What just happened?" marveling at the goodness and
mercy of our Father in Heaven. <br><br>In all this I've also gained a
testimony of the power of fasting combined with fervent prayer. Fasting
works gente. Just experiment upon the Lord's promises. Do your part and He
always makes up for the rest.<br><br>Hope you all have a great week!
Sister Barbie
MSPN
1) We caught a cold front of 76 degrees F. It was refressing but chilly! I
love how Brazil is so green!
2) We drew O Plano de Salvação in a little park.
3) Fun fact: São Paulo is where the most lightning strikes hit in all of
South America and everyone says it's super dangerous. We were at Luana's
house and were trapped by a lightning storm. We had fun messing around with
the stickers on our snazzy new smart phone while waiting for the lightning
to calm down.
4) Just a usual day in Aldeia
5)Spiders
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