What
a week. It's interesting how when lots of blessings come, lots of
difficulties come too. We baptized a man named Francisco this weekend
and it was really amazing. I am so grateful for the opportunity to find
him and teach him the gospel and see his sincere desire to follow Jesus
Christ. He has so much faith that his future will be better and that he
can leave his past behind because of the gospel. Heavenly Father really
led him to us when he was prepared with a strong desire to change his
life. I felt like an instrument in God's hands teaching him, it was
really wonderful. There were a lot of disappointments this week too
though. Really good people, with a lot of potential that for one reason
or another decided not to accept the gospel. Maybe someday they will,
but not with us right now. It is such a big difference the feelings when
I was watching Francisco be baptized and the feelings when someone
chooses not to accept the gospel. I feel like my heart is being torn in
two directions. Needless to say I feel super exhausted mentally and
emotionally.
Today
is my 8 month mark as a missionary! Part of me can't believe it passed
so fast and the other part of me doesn't know if I can persevere for 10
more months with this exhaustion. I love being here, but it is
stressful being a missionary. Sister Alves is wonderful as ever. She
seriously brings so much happiness to my life. She always keeps me
laughing and she is super down to earth so I can really talk to her
about anything. God always finds a way to bless us. Pombal is not an
easy area, but there are still things to be grateful for.
I have eaten feijoada, it is really popular here in
the nordeste for special occasions. I don't like it a lot though. I
prefer the standard rice & beans. Here in Pombal the same members
give lunch every week to all 4 missionaries. It is a really big
sacrifice for them and usually we don't have lunch everyday so we have
to cook for ourselves sometimes. Every single day is the same lunch with
the members. Rice, beans, chicken, and spaghetti (without sauce). It is
also the same members who do basically everything in the branch here.
The same members clean the church every week. This week they decided to
do it before and during our baptism we scheduled on Saturday.
It was a test of patience. Who doesn't want to remember their baptism
with someone scrubbing down the bathrooms during the spiritual message.
This branch has a lot of potential for the future. Good thing the church
is true.
I love you all. Until next week.
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