Week 80 (Week 34 Back in Brazil!)

We may not have the greatest views in São Paulo,

but that doesn't stop us from taking photos!

Wow what an incredible week and conference weekend we have had here in Poá!! 

Earlier in the week, we had an awesome district council online, in which a few powerful testimonies were borne. It reminded me that I only have a few more district councils as a full time missionary, and so I'm trying to make the best of them while I can!! After district council we had lunch at an English school. Yup, you heard that right! In our little town here, they have an English school called "Reward" and there just so happens to be a lot of members working there, including a couple who works at the cafeteria there. So, we fine dined in the cafeteria, and went our merry way with full bellies.

Eating with the Elders, Poá edition!

We are really coming to love the members in the ward for sooo many reasons, one of which being their willingness and excitement with the work of the Lord. We have received so many warm welcomes, referrals and ideas from the members so far which have really helped us to be greater instruments in the hands of the Lord, here in Poá. This week, one of those amazing referrals we received was from a recently returned missionary, Rodrigo, in which led to a powerful lesson with his friend Carol. We taught about where we came from as children of God, why we are here on Earth, and our eternal destiny after physical death as well. Carol was amazed by the clarity and sensibility of what we shared, and was very excited to learn more! Just a day later, as we arrived at the chapel, a member named Nazarei arrived and told us she just finished eating lunch with a family just down the street that had never gone to our church before. After we visited them quickly, we left them with 2 copies of the Book of Mórmon and a commitment for them come to church on Sunday!

Arthur's going away party! He will be serving a mission
in João Pessoa in about a month, so wish him luck!

I've also been teaching Elder Ceron how to play piano a little this week!! He actually was amazed by how simple it is to at least play one melody, so he is really excited.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how close I am to coming home. I'm starting have a lot of lasts now on the mission as well. For example, this last general conference was my last conference on the mission.

Speaking of general conference, what an amazing meeting we had right?! We really enjoyed the talks given in the 5 sessions this weekend, but especially the talk by Brad Wilcox. I personally loved many of his quotes, one of which being "dignity is not perfection" (if the translation was the same). Sometimes personally I get so caught up with my little mistakes and forget that I don't need to be perfect today, but that perfection will come in the eternities, as I press forward with faith in Christ. I hope you were all able to tune into general conference as well, but if not, you can find the talks online on YouTube and the church website! You definitely don't want to miss out on these inspired speeches given this weekend. 

But anyways, I wanted to thank you all for your love, support and prayers. I still have about 10 weeks, but as my mission is coming to an end, all I have in my heart is gratitude. Thank you all, and thank you God!

~Elder Kasey Lightheart

Meet my buddy Hulk! You know what we both
have in common in this picture? We were both hangry!!