Week 84 (Week 38 Back in Brazil!)

 

Picture with our dear friend, Denise

Hey everybody!!! Yet another amazing week has gone by, and I am just so grateful to be a missionary in the service of God!

This week we did a lot of visits with a young man named Caique, who is preparing to serve a mission! We ended up visiting a few old contacts of people who had once spoken with the missionaries, and we found 3 awesome individuals, Luiza, Gabriela, and Brenda. At Brenda's door she answered and invited us inside. She was taking care of her 2-year-old the whole visit, and towards the end he began to scream and would not stop. But it was a really sweet visit and we plan to visit her again this week!

At the Itaqua church building, they had an activity to celebrate Pink October and Breast Cancer awareness, in which we participated and met many new faces! Our friend Denise (shown above) also participated, and came to church for her second time as well!! She is the sweetest lady you will ever meet, and we are planning to invite her to be baptized this week, so wish us luck! 

This was the last week of the transfer, and so I would normally come bearing news today of the changes in the mission. However, our transfer day has been postponed until Thursday because Thursday morning quite a few American missionaries will be arriving. Most likely we will find out tomorrow, but I'll definitely let you all know next Monday!

Our last district council of the transfer!

Last week, I shared about Elder Ulisses Soares, of the Quorum of the 12 apostles, speaking to all the missionaries,  and today I'll share a little about another devotional that he gave yesterday, to the Young Single Adults in Brazil. One thing that I really liked that Elder Soares shared was that we need to put God first in our lives. He shared that God's blessings are always available to us, and that means ALL his blessings, but it is only when we are faithful that He is able to give unto us the great blessings he has in store. When we put God first in our lives, the blessings of heaven pour out! 

Elder Soares also talked about a concern that many of us have about how we can possibly maintain equilibrium with all the things we have to do each day, with work, church callings, family, personal studies and prayers, and sharing the gospel, etc. He mentioned that it is impossible in our current state to maintain perfect equilibrium in everything, but that instead we must prioritize certain things, and raise the bar in the specific areas that we are beginning to neglect. He talked about a street performer who spins plates on multiple sticks at the same time. Have you ever seen one of those performers before? When one plate begins to slow down, the performer gives that plate a little push, and watches for when another begins to slow down as well. The same applies with our equilibrium. We have to focus and prioritize on what is most important, but always remember that Jesus Christ is who helps us make up the difference, and find peace when we are weighed down and tired. His grace is what qualifies us to be something greater, and fulfill our roles as disciples of Him. 

Gotta love nature, am I right??

I would invite you all to ponder how you are putting God first in your lives, and then pray to know how you can improve specifically. Then, follow the prompting that you receive, even if it may not be the answer you were hoping for.

I testify to you all that God lives, and he loves you so much. This world can be cruel at times, due to the choices of others, and the consequences of mortality, but God will never abandon those who faithfully seek him and follow his son Jesus Christ. Press forward with steadfastness in Christ, and all will be well.

~Elder Kasey Lightheart

A fun dad joke meme to put a smile or disgusted
smirk on your face! You're welcome!

Selfish with my slugmate Pablo

Elder Ceron having too much
fun with artificial snow in a can!