Multi-Zone Meeting and lots of rain! (Week 3)

Família! Friends! :D

This week has absolutely flown past and once again I'm sitting here in front of the computer killing my head over what to include in this blog/email. It's great to hear you're all doing well and that all your lives are carrying on as normal despite me being gone. ;) Just kidding, but seriously, keep sending me pictures and stories! I might not be able to reply to everyone but I read all the emails and appreciate each one!

As the title of the blog suggests, this Tuesday we had a Multi-Zone Meeting. We got buses for an hour and walked for ages to get to the chapel. On the way there me and Elder Zenteno crossed paths with other missionaries who were going there too and after a bit, there was a huge group of missionaries in their suits walking down the streets of Serrado, Sorocaba. We were like the Men in Black and we had all the heads turning, haha. Anyway, it was great meeting lots of new missionaries and seeing many who I had met in the Missionary Training Centre too. The meeting began and we were taught amazing lessons by the Assistants of the Mission President and by President Farnes and his wife too. The focus of the assistants' lesson was the Atonement. They explained that once we understand the sacrifice that Christ did for all of us we will understand why baptism should be the goal for every missionary and why it is the vision on the São Paulo North Mission. It was very spiritual and I learnt a lot! President and Sister Farnes talked about the importance of planning. They taught (among many other things) that planning gives us the right to receive revelation for our investigators. This was something me and my companion were needing to hear and because of this amazing fireside we were able to re-find a very large family who was taught by the missionaries about a year ago and who we felt are now ready to accept the gospel. It was huge spiritual boost and we left there feeling excited for the work!

After that, we went to a "churrascaria" and had LOTS of food. When we finally had to back to Cidade Nova, it started raining cats and dogs as the expression goes. It rained a LOT. Like torrential rain! I tried to share my little umbrella with another missionary but it was no use. We got home soaking! However, there has been a huge drought here in São Paulo so I'm glad it rained a lot, even if I had to sit on the bus absolutely soaked.

But anyway, the week has been great as always! There was been lows as well as highs but it's only normal. Mission life is amazing but not always easy. It's hard when people cancel appointments, aren't there or lose interest. But I always remember Jesus Christ and his mission. If it wasn't easy for the greatest man and missionary of all why would it be easy for us? But it is truly a massive growing experience! I am becoming more in tune with the spirit and I'm learning that prayer is a really crucial ingredient in the recipe for a successful mission.

This past week I did a division with the Ward Mission Leader, Alan, who is only 19 but is doing an amazing work here in Cidade Nova. We got to visit a 15 year old girl called Thais who had shown interest before but wasn't sure about baptism because she has been in another church since she was little. We shared with her the Restoration and the importance of the Book of Mormon. Most importantly, I shared my testimony and how I had come to get it. Through reading, pondering and praying and then listening to the feelings in my heart who testified it is true. The spirit was very strong there and she committed to read and pray. Let's pray she goes through with it and is humble enough to accept the answer. :)

Yesterday me and Elder Zenteno were a bit sad as we didn't baptize this week. We worked hard, walked a lot and knocked lots of doors but we didn't baptize. This bad feeling was short lived when we both prayed together and also individually to ask for strength and guidance. I also opened the Book of Mormon randomly just before we went teaching and it landed on Mormon chapter 9. Miracles only cease if we lose faith and all that we ask in faith to God we will receive. Of course faith without works is dead, so if we show God our faith through hard work and being very diligent there's no doubt we an baptize weekly. After we left, we had very powerful lessons and marked some baptismal dates for next week. We are feeling very excited for the week ahead and I'll keep you updated on all the miracles that happen this week!

Love you all very much!!!