Ok gente I need to tell you about Dona Neide. Neide recently moved to Aldeia
from Itapevi. She said she found a pass along card at the bus stop that talked
about "Another Testament of Jesus Christ". (We always put phamplets at the
bus stop libraries but never pass along cards specifically the one she found
about O Livro de Mórmon. We don't use those anymore, so how she found this
card is a miracle.) Anyway, she knew her new neighbor, Aliene, was a member
and she asked her more about this book. We had lunch with Aliene the next day
and after she took us to meet Neide. Neide said she's visited almost every
church in existance but never felt like she'd found the truth she'd been
looking for. When she said the closing prayer at the end of our first lesson
she thanked Father in Heaven for sending two angels and for sending her
neighbor with a "special energy" that made her want to learn more.
When we went back for our second lesson she'd read the Restoration phamplet
and The Book of Mormon until 1 Nefi 12. She said when she prayed about it she
felt like she'd finally found her place and that she knew God sent her to
Aldeia specifically to find the Christ's restored church. FRIENDS, THIS IS
EVIDENCE YOUR EXAMPLE SAYS MORE THAN YOU THINK! Neide found a pass a long
card and then because of this "special energy" Aliene has, she decided to
learn more. She accepted the commandmets with ease, willing to do or give up
anything to follow Christ. She accepted a baptism date for here in a little
bit. One day she asked us if there was a way to know if her parents were
"saved". We explained about ordinances for the dead and she got SO excited.
The next day after church we took her to the new São Paulo Temple visitor's
center. When she saw something written on the wall about baptisms for the
dead she lit up and said "LOOK IT'S TRUE!" She's so cute. She's like our
grandma here in Aldeia, always telling us how young and pretty we are and
sharing stories of her youth. She's the cutest thing.
The spirit in the visitor's center is so special. It was cool to see Aline,
a convert of 2 years, get so excited about member missionary work. Also,
while there I ran into my CTM teacher, Irmão Siquera and his fiance. I also
saw Sister Sansores from my CTM group and Sister Emma Loftus from my
elementary school days. Small world!
Our recent converts Angélica,
Leticia and Luana went to the temple this week with the other young women.
They loved every bit!
We've recently introduced Family Search to the
Katava family and the Da Silva family, our other recent converts. They are
so excited! They've caught the spirit of Elijah and are so curious! It's
amazing to be with them as they skype their parents, granparents, great
uncle, etc searching for informtion. They've been able to print a few name
to take to the temple for baptisms. It's amazing to think the people I helped
baptize are now helping to baptize other people and we're all just going to
be apart of one big happy party in the celeatial kingdom one day. Whoot!
Side note: Estevo recieved the priesthood yesterday!
This new thing about calling our families every week took me by complete
surpise. For a while now some of us missionaries have been praying for updates
to the missionary manuel because some of the things such as some schedule
guidelines, stuff about film, cars, bikes, as well as other things dont
appy/don't work here in Brazil. There have been so many new updates with
technology, new church releases etc that sometimes it feels like we want to
be obedient but aren't sure what is really a rule and what isnt. For now
we're just trying our best to obey the handbook and out leaders. I feel like
these updates are coming in the Lord's time, but THIS change was unexpected.
THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BE A MISSIONARY! The Lord is hastening His work in
so many ways. Never thought I'd use a smartphone on a mission in Brazil, nor
did I ever imagine I would call my family weekly. The Lord is really placing
an emphasis on stregnthening families through Come Follow Me and now this. I
feel so blessed to now have a greater ability to share these miracles in
greater detail with my family. Missions bless the lives of the missionaries
serving and the lives of their families. I know this change will only create
more unity and streghthen teatimo ies. We're still not quite sure what mode
of communication we'll use here in São Paulo because obviously things are
different here and for the time being we can't use the smartphones for
anything other than this refrence project, (but that's coming to an end so
we'll see what happens). <br><br>Being a missionary is awesome. There are
days when I miss having a normal life, taking naps, watching movies, chilling
with family and friends, I even miss driving! But this week I realized once
again what a privledge it is to be serving. Brazil is so beautiful, the
people are so warm and loving and as a missionary I have the spirit with me
in a special way. We get to take that special spirit into people's homes and
teach repentance under God's authority. Helping people come unto their Savior
is without a doubt the best thing I could be doing for these 18 months. I
love being a missionary.
Hurrah for Israel!
Sister Barlow
MSPN
1) This health app on our phone tells us we walked in between 20-25 kilometers
every day this week. I'm so thankful for daylight savings and the extra hour
of sleep we got.
2) Goofing off with some Galentine's day stuff my mom sent
3) Sister Bernardo is an artsy photographer
4) Centro de visitante with Aline and Dona Neide
A super rare butterfly (borbaleta 88 acording to a member) landed on me this week.
Didn't get a picture sadly
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