MIRACLES
I don´t even know where to start this week. I have never been so happy on the mission. This week was a week of miracles. Not only did I see miracles with Elder Xavier but with other missionaries and our zone.
We were lucky enough to do a split with the Assistants to the President this week Elder Bean,(Texas) Elder Duarte( São Paulo). They came to our area to see how the work is good and if they were able to help with something. It was so cool so see how they work, teach, and treat others. I learned alot from them and I felt the spirit that they had. I was able to understand why they were called to be APs. We had to do some interview for some people that were preparing to be baptized, so sadly our day with them was cut short.
Elder Bean and I went to a different area to do some baptism interviews. It was one of the greatest experiences I ever done because it was with 3 people from Ghana, Africa. They came to Brasil for the World Cup and they ended up staying. They are working here in Brasil and sending money back home to Ghana. They are living very humble lives so they can help there families back home. They are super kind and I could tell that they had a strong desire to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ. It was an eye opener for me because the gospel of God is for everyone and every place . It doesn´t matter if your from the US, Africa, China, ect If you have a desire to follow Christ you will feel his love in your life. It was a testamony builder for me and this work that I am doing. That the gospel has to be shared with everyone. So that they can have the chance to accept Jesus Christ.
This week in Gama all the Missionaries got the chance to baptize. It was a great experience because all 4 of us have been working super hard these pass few weeks to find the Lords elects. Elder Xavier and I have the privilege to baptize Rhuan(12) and Gostavo(14). Rhuan was a cousin of a recent convert. One day he asked why his cousin had changed so much. We showed him why. He loved the church by hes parents wouldn´t let him get baptized. We prayed to figure out what we could do to help his parents realize that baptize is important. We thought that they best way was to serve them. We ended up doing a service project for them. The Dad was so grateful that he let Rhaun be baptised the next day! Gustavo was the same way. From the first time he visited the church he felt something really different. He said he felt at peace at our church. His family is having some problems and he said that at church he stop worrying about the problems. We had over 70 people at the baptism, we are so grateful for the support of the ward. I was so grateful to be apart of there baptisms and I know that this wil be an event changer for the better.
I only have time to talk about what happened Saturday and Sunday but without a doubt we saw a lot more miracle than I was able to talk about. My comp is that best. He is always serving me with little things like ironing my shirt, make food, ect. At time I get mad at him because I don´t know what I can do to repay him. Loving my area, comp and my mission. Its so sad how fast the days are passing. It seems like I don´t have time to live in the moment.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
GAMA
Loving every second here in Gama.
We had 2 baptisms!!! This people that were baptized really changed there lives for the better.
To start out was Nina. She is 17 years old and she was really difficult at first. We told her to read the Book of Mormon and pray to ask God if it is true. She recieve an answer to say the least. She had a nose ring, refused to stop drinking coffee and didn´t even know if God existed. But little by little the Lord worked on her. One day we should up and she took out the nose ring. The next visit she said that she would never drink coffee again. Then we marked a date for her to be baptized on the 25th. But she changed her mind and didn´t want to wait anymore. So she was baptized this Saturday!!! She is a living example of how the Lord, through that spirit can really change people for the better! She is the first one in her family. Her family is next.
Vanda, 26 years old was also baptized this week. She was also a miracle. She is a friend of a less active member. She made a few mistakes in her younger years that she really regretted doing. She wanted to change her life for the better. It was really weird how fast she changed. When she told us of all her problems and difficulties we though it would take a while for her to stop breaking the commanents. But it all worked out. She stopped everyone the day we told her it was wrong. we were so proud of her will to follow God. She left her old life so that she could have a new life with high standards. After she was baptized she couldn´t stop crying.
Thainá (Granddaughter) the elect is progress so much. She is reading the Book of Mormon, going to church along, and loving it! This Sunday she was in alot of pain and she still manged to go to Church for the 3 hours. She told us after that she went to the hospital and she had 15 tiny kidney stones! I have so much respect for her and her desire to follow Christ. It makes me think back to the times when I was sick or tired because of a Red eye flight that I didn´t go to the church.I learned that going to church is essential. It´s where we can give and receive support and most importantly take the sacrament. She already told us that she will serve a mission! We are really excited for her baptism on her birthday on the 28!
We are starting up a English Class in the church this week. We made some handouts and it caught fire. Everyone is calling us, confirming that we doing it. It´s going to be a great way to find the Lords elects!
So grateful for the experience I´m having here!!! My comp is the best and is helping me so much. I know why I'm here because I have a task to for fill. To bring the restored gospel to as many people as possible through the ordnance of a valid baptism. There is just so much to take about but such little time! I love you guys and I pray for people at home everyday.
Hope your enjoy home Vanessa congrats on finishing your mission with Honor!!!! But I'm still living the dream down here in Brasil hehehe
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
Well, I know you guys have already heard me say that this was the best week on the mission. But this past week really was the best week on the mission.
First off my Comps name is Elder Xavier, a Stud. He is from Rio Grande Do Sul. Super smart, teaches really well, kind, ect ect. He looks more American than me because his skin is white and has blue eyes. The best part is he is really patience and is really helping me with the language. He has been a ZL for 9 months now( His going to be an Assistant to the President without a doubt)
About the new ward I'm serving, its the dream ward to say the least. Everyone is begging to do visits with us, giving so many references that we don´t have time to even contact them in 24 hours. And there is actually a chapel.
One of the biggest miracle I have ever seen happened this past week. We were teaching a lesson to 2 people that were pretty old and clearly wanted nothing to do with us. As we were starting to leave their grand child entered the house and said to us ´´Wait I have a few questions, if you guys are willing to talk for a little bit.´´ My Comp and I looked at each other and our eye lit up. We explained what we do as missionaries, why we are here. We only explained the basics because we were already late for another appointment. But we marked a visit and told her if she had more question she should write them down.
The next day when we visited her with 2 members of the Ward, she had typed list of 20 questions about the church. The lesson was so spiritual that everyone was crying. She said that she has been looking for the right church her entire life and she never felt that is was right. I was so grateful to be there at that moment because I was able to see how the Spirit works on people. Then at the end of the lesson we asked her if she would follow that example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. She accept and the day we picked end up being the same day as her birthday!!!
But wait there is more...we gave her a Book of Mormon Friday to ready a chapter. When we talked to her on Sunday she was already in Alma. She said that on Friday after we left she stayed up all night reading and she understood everything.
I know that is Gospel is true and that it changes life's, families, and the world for the better. Í also know that everything happens for a reason. I was thinking what if we would have left the house of her Grandma 5 minutes earlier. My testomony has grown, that if we are truly trying to do everything right for the right reasons the Lord will bless us.
This was just on of the many miracles I saw this week. I know that this work is amazing. My comp said something to me that I will never forget. `Being here right now isn´t even a sacrifice for me, it´s a blessing´´ I reflected alot about what he said. And it is true, this isn´t a sacrifice if you really working with all your heart, might, mind and strength. I know that is work is amazing. I get scared when I think that time is pass to fast that I can´t even enjoy it.
Love you guys and I pray for you guys alot!!!
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
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Oi Familia,
We had transfers this week and I was transferred from Palmas to Brasilia, Gama Leste.
It was a really weird feeling to leave because that was my home for the past 5 months. Looking back the time seemed to pass by like a drop of a hat. But reflecting on what happened brought joy to my heart. The bonds I made, the miracles I saw, and the changes that happened to me. I will never forget those blazing hot days in Palmas where people who let us into there house because they didn´t want the white kid to get skin cancer.
I will never forget the kind gestures and acts of love that the member did for me. When they found out that I was leaving, I ate 4 churrascos. It wasn´t the churrasco that made me feel their love, it was the fact that they don´t have alot of money, but they did what they could. They truly are faithful servants of the Lord.
Unfortunately, I didn´t get to watch alot of Conference because Elder Labrada and I had to run around making sure that everything for the transfer would run smoothly. But the parts I was able to watch were clearly inspiring and meant to change your lives for the better. I would be lying if those talks didn´t get me excited to have a family. I will use my next Pday watching them to make sure I hear of the revelation that was given to us by God.
I was really sad to leave my Comp because we grew really close. He literally became my brother. Although he lived on the West coast and I lived on the East coast, our lives are very similar. This made our bond so strong because we knew where the other one was coming from. The things I learned from him will never be forgotten. I can´t wait to see what he will do after the mission. He will be going home when I hit 1 year, in 3 months.
I'm super excited for this new area. My comp is Elder Xavier. He is from Rio Grande Do Sul. He was in the CTM with Vanessa! hahaha. I'm really excited to work with him and get this zone baptizing. I´v been with him for only 4 hours and already 3 people have asked if we were brothers. Looks like I can be considered a Brazilian, I just need to kill my accent.
I hope everyone had a great Easter. Remember about our Savior and the sacrifice he did for you. That you have the chance to return and live with our Heavenly Father. I'm loving my mission and I'm excited to see what bonds, miracles, and changes that are waiting for me in the future.
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
P.S Here is way cooler!!!! I'm looking forward to that fact that I won´t be sweating anymore after the sun goes down!!
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