Just Another Day in the Office (Week 19)

Family! Friends! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wow, *cue cliché frase* how time flies! Yet another new year has arrived, 2015 was a great year and 2016 will be even better!

So like I said last week, on Sunday morning Elder Hunt (the assistant) called and told me I had been transferred to the Mission Office to train as the new mission executive secretary. The prospect was slightly daunting but I was excited for this new chapter on my mission. The Lord knows all things and I believe if President Farnes gave me this assignment is because this is where I will be able to grow and develop as a missionary and disciple of Christ.

So Monday evening me and my 2nd mission dad Elder Yegros, got a lift from our Ward Mission Leader all the way to the centre of São Paulo where the office is. Right when I got there I began working, helping to organize the transfer meeting for the next day and making sure everything was right for the arrival of the new Elders.

The next day, it was Transfers Day! We got everything ready and little by little all the missionaries began arriving. It was so great talking to all the Elders and Sisters I have served with so far, I have made so many friends already. The Brasil São Paulo North Mission is a big family! :D After President and Sister Farnes arrived, the new missionaries walked in to a massive cheer and round of applause, São Paulo North style. ;) Among the new missionaries was Sister Cordeiro (Felicia) who was from our stake in Portugal and who I've known for ages. The church world is very small indeed. :) She is happy and very excited to work and her Portuguese accent is very strong, now I agree with my family that my accent has changed. :P Haha, she'll lose it soon. ;)

Here in the office it's been hectic, so much work, so many emails and so on and so forth. My companions are Élder Gonzales, from Argentina, who is training me and Élder Williams from Arizona who is the Health and Records secretary. The other secretaries are Élder Sagae (finance sec.) from Utah and Élder A. Oliveira (houses sec.) from good ol' Brazil. ;)

Next week I'll tell you all the amazing experiences we will surely have teaching as this week we haven't had many opportunities due to the work load caused by transfers week! Who knew that in order for the mission to run so smoothly there was so much work behind!

In my personal study this week I have been reading the Book of Alma and the following verses caught my attention:

Alma 1:28 - And thus they did establish the affairs of the church;and thus they began to have continual peace again,notwithstanding all their persecutions.

Alma 4:4 - And they began to establish the church more fully; yea,and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined to the church of God.

In Portuguese, the word "established" is 'organized". With these scriptures I learnt that if I am organised and work hard to fulfill my duties, then there will be peace in the mission and we will be able to baptize more and bring more souls to Him. I don't feel very qualified for this new calling I am excited to serve President Farnes, his missionaries and the Lord in this way.

I love you all and hope you had a wonderful new year!

BUG HUGS,

Elder Torres