Hello my wonderful family! WHAT A CRAZY WEEK! Haha wow...
We have been working very closely with L_____ and her family in efforts to re-active them and baptize her and her daughter, F______. We marked their baptism for this Saturday, and you know what happened...? Let me tell ya... THE DAY AFTER WE MARKED THEIR BAPTISM L_____ was riding her bike with her daughter to a doctor's appointment, and her front tire hit a huge hole in the road and sent her flying! She broke her four front teeth, busted her face (black eye swollen shut) and almost broke her hand... yep. So this Saturday didn't work out. But she told us she recognized this accident as Satan trying to throw her life changes off... she said she will not give up, just has to heal first! Haha sometimes you just have to laugh at life!
On a brighter note, our mission as a whole confirmed 346 people this month!! That has NEVER happened here in Curitiba. President and Sister Monteiro are planning a fun 'Super Pday' for the mission.
This week was one of the hardest of my mission so far. Not sure why... I think Satan was really trying to discourage me because so far in this area, we haven't been able to baptize anyone, then our two baptisms we had marked fell through. Our mission as a whole is having a LOT of success, but we seem to be missing out on the experience... I was feeling so overwhelmed and sad about it all when I said a prayer, asking for a calm, or a peace, or some guidance. I picked up my Book of Mormon and read the first thing I opened. This was what I read (Alma 38:1-5):
1 My son, give ear to my words, for I say unto you, even as I said unto Helaman, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence.
2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.
3 I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites (Tarumã).
4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
5 And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
It was such a beautiful, direct response to me in my moment of sadness. I think we ALL pass through trying moments. One of the most powerful things I've learned this week, and throughout my mission, is that the scriptures LIVE. That they literally have the answers and guidance we need in our day-to-day difficulties and trials. I am SO thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who heard my prayer and answered in a form so sweet and simple, even when there were MILLIONS of other people with bigger problems to be resolved. He hears. He is listening always. He will ALWAYS reach out to us when we reach out to Him.
I am so thankful for the peace that comes through the Restored Gospel of Christ. TRUE happiness and eternal life are the fruits of this gospel. I am so thankful for this Easter season we have now to reflect and remember all that Christ has done for us that we might have joy in this life and the life to come. :)
This video is one we are sharing with all people we come into contact with. Watch it! Share it on your facebook and with your friends.
Have a wonderful week, and a wonderful General conference!!
Love forever,
Jason
Jason
PHOTOS!
- This pioneer got lost on the trail and ended up in Brazil instead of Salt Lake!
- Our area
- Funny TINY lawn mowers that they have here (creeper shot)
- a crazy dear lady named S____ we're helping to quit smoking so she can get confirmed next month
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