Born Again at 82 (Week 44)

Hi family! I've come to realise that very week I start my weekly blog by saying how great the week was but what can I say, each week is better than the other! :D This week a lot of things happened: we went to the temple, had a multi-zone conference and a few miracles along the way.

I forgot to tell you about an incredible little family we have been teaching these last few weeks. We met Andreia knocking doors and she told us she had moved recently, she knew no one and had been looking for a church. She lives with her boyfriend Renan and her three children: Diego (8), Gabriel (6) and Kaik (3) who is also known as cheeks for obvious reasons. ;)

I kept cheeks quiet by letting him take selfies during the whole time at church. ;D She began attending church activities during the week and the Sunday meetings. The women in Relief Society were super quick to make her feel welcome and now she has a LOT of friends. She wants to be baptised and is willing to get married. This week we are going to help her do just that. :) Whilst she can't be baptised for that reason, her son Diego can and did get baptised yesterday. :) We were talking about the baptism we were going to have and he asked "Am I gonna be baptised tomorrow?" and his mother asked "Do you want to?" He nodded with a huge smile and yesterday another one of God's little ones entered his kingdom. He was the first of his family and will for sure lead to everyone else, beginning with his mother. :)

On Wednesday we had the opportunity to go the São Paulo Temple once again and as always the opportunity to reflect and self evaluate was very wonderful. Everytime I enter the House of the Lord, wherever it may be in the world, my testimony of this Church and its truthfulness is strengthened. :)

Me and my companion, Elder José from Rio de Janeiro.

My old comp in the mission office, Elder Pereira. :)

On Thursday the multi-zone conference was incredibly uplifting and inspiring, simple but very practical. :) The assistants and President talked about planning and the Book of Mormon, Sister Farnes talked about the importance of The Fall of Adam and Eve in God Plan and how the Saviour's atonement plays a huge role in EVERYTHING. Sometimes, she said, you need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I am thankful for inspired leaders in the mission and in the church. :)

The Jaçanã Zone with Pres and Sister Farnes. JAÇANÁGUA!! :D

At the beginning of the week we visited Célia, the 82 year old lady I told you about. We reminded her of the baptism and she was like: "Oh, I didn't realise it would be so soon!" We then reminded her of the date we had set with her and promised her blessings of following the Lord without delay. She stopped for a few seconds and then said: "Alright, let God's will be done!" She is super elect! Yesterday, her baptism was wonderful. When she came out of the water, I patted her back and told her she was clean. She kept her eyes closed for a few seconds and then looked up and smiling, said: "Thank God!"

What a blessing it was to meet this incredible woman, her faith and willingness to follow God's will is inspiring! We should all be more like Célia! :D

Lots of love from São Paulo, Elder Torres