January 19, 2015

Another week flew right by!  Wow.. before we know it it will be FEBUARY already!  Crazy!

This week was a toughie, but it was good.  Still no luck with L____ - E____'s daughter... We taught her and invited her to be baptized, but she thinks it's still too soon.  Poor thing, she came here to Curitiba from São Paulo to escape an abusive husband.  She's looking for a job, and is having to re-adjust to so many things!  I'm sure she'll accept the Lord's invitation in the near future.  We just have to help her with her current situation first.

This week I had a cool moment.  When I was set apart as a missionary, I remember specifically a part of the blessing that said I would "be blessed with the courage to approach and talk to those whom I would normally pass by"... that part of my blessing has stuck with me, and this week, I had that experience!  We were knocking doors one hot, sunny, afternoon, and there was a shirtless older man who looked a little crazy and annoyed with us sitting under the shade in front of his house.  I started to pass by him to knock a different house when the spirit told me to go back and talk to him.  I did!  His name is I_____ and I'm pretty sure he might be an elect of the Lord.  We brought him to church this week, and he loved it.  We'll be going back tonight to teach and invite him to be baptized.  I'm not sure where it will go - maybe just another seed planted - but it was a little experience that strengthened my testimony of the Spirit.  

I love the Gospel!  It is TRUE.

"Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work." D&C 10:5

Love this scripture!  I know there is true power to overcome all things, in prayer.

Love forever,
Jason

Photos!

- The money here in Brazil is colorful

- Let freedom (and the Gospel) ring!

January 12, 2015

What a week!

GOOD NEWS!! Transfers came and went, and I'll be staying here in Guabirotuba with Elder E. Silva!!  It was exactly what I was praying for!  Such a tender mercy.  It will be a fun transfer.

Things are going well here.  It is getting HOT HOT HOT... I am always sweating buckets and my sunscreen isn't working too well, but life is good and the work is progressing.

This week was a special one because dear E____ received a calling, her son, C____, received the Aaronic Priesthood, and we were able to take their sweet family to the temple.  Gosh, it was such a good experience...  No joy compares with seeing the sweet people progress in the gospel.  I almost cried when the Bishop set E_____ apart in her new calling, and C____ received the priesthood.  The gospel has changed their family sooooooooomuch and brought their family so much joy.  They loved the temple, and are already making goals to enter.  So good!

This Sunday, K_____ was also confirmed, and ANOTHER daughter of E_____ moved in... wooo!  She came to church and liked it and we'll be working with her to get her baptized and on the path, too.

I have been so overwhelmed with gratitude these past few days.  Heavenly Father has truly been helping us and carrying us SO much these past few weeks.  It has made me realize just how dependant each and every one of us truly are on His mercy, grace, and love.  It has shown me that when we do our best to do His will, things go right, and we become happier.

I hope you all have a wonderful week, and stay warm!  If I could give you some of the heat from here, I'd give it.. snow would be nice!

Love forever,
Jason

PHOTOS:

- The big buses here in Curitiba!  

- Me and Elder E. Silva trying to snap some "selfies" at the temple... didn't work out too well... Haha

Christmas photos from Jason

Fun with Fernanda, LOTS OF FOOD FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR!

My Christmas was one to remember!

January 5, 2015

Dear family, The internet cafe is closing (we got here suuuuuuuuuper late, so we only had about 30 mins) but I wanted to send these pictures, because, as they say, pictures are worth a thousand words! Heavenly Father has been so good with us these past two weeks.  Even though LITERALLY everyone went to the beach and no one was left in town to teach or contact, we were blessed with a miracle baptism, K___, E____'s grandson who moved in with her a few weeks ago.  She has another daughter who will be moving up to Guabirotuba this week, too. :)  Hopefully she too will accept the Lord's call to follow Him. thanks for making my Christmas so wonderful!  It was great hearing from all of you, and great to think that in just 4 months, we'll be together again. This next week we'll be receiving transfers... I hope and pray that I'll get to stay with Elder E. Silva to "finish him off" (he'll be finishing his mission in 7 weeks!!)  We'll see what Heavenly Father has in store. The gospel is true!  It has been restored.  Let it touch your lives and change you for the better.  This new year is the time to change what needs changing, and become the you that you've always wanted to be! :)  Only Christ can help you achieve that. Love forever, Jason sweet Elvira's family entering into the covenant of baptism!!!