So this week was a little difficult, but I learned a lot. It rained a lot this week; not the greatest when literallly all we do is contact people on the street. We did find some new investigators though, and a few of our investigators are really progressing. YAYA
I mentioned two of our investigators, Larissa and Jennifer, before. They are so cute. They love rock(pronounced ``hockey`` here) and always have like AC/DC or some other American rock band playing on their phones. I would define their style as like punk because they wear skinny jeans, band t-shirts, bright red lipstick and both of them dyed most of their hair bright red. I just love them because they are just so young and confident. I think they are really learning things though. They went to seminary everyday this week without us picking them up or reminding them! They are pretty much socially converted to the church but we still need to have more lessons with them and talk to their parents more before they can get baptized. We did have a lesson with Jennifer´s sister who is 16 and her boyfriend who is 19(Carol and Gustavo). They seemed interested, but my favorite part was when we were teaching about the Book of Mormon. We were sitting at the kitchen table and Larissa was at the sink washing dishes. Gustavo asked a question like ìs the Book of Mormon like the Bible?`` and Larissa turned around and said that they complete each other. Me and Sister Salles looked at each other and were like YES. Our little investigators continue to surprise us with their intelligence because we have only had like one lesson with them and they always just seem to get off topic and ask strange questions. They are part of the youth choir for stake or ward conference(I don´t remember which), and they are memorizing scriptures with the seminary class. I´m really happy for them. The decisions that they are making now will totally change their futures if they continue to learn and live the gospel.
Ah what else. So Wednesday we were supposed to have a conference in Sao Paulo in a chapel by the temple with Elder Anderson and possibly Elder Nelson, but as luck would have it, there was a huge protest that day. All the buses were shut down/unsafe so we had, so we had to be on lockdown. Couldn´t leave the house all day. We studied and then slept like all day and then ordered pizza, which was so wierd. Imagine a pizza with a chocolate-filled crust and a cream-cheese like substance and corn as toppings. Yumm.....
We had a FHE with a member family, a recent convert and our stake president on Friday night. We watched the Restoration movie and our stake president slept through like the whole thing....haha. He´s really awesome though. We had like a mini testimony meeting after though and it was powerful. We read D&C 135: 3 Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more,save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!
Last night we went to the stake center for a fireside. After we were really hungry so some elders gave us some bread that a member gave them earlier that day. It was like partially soggy because of the rain but we ate it anyway. Sister Costa said, ``This is so sad. 6 poor missionaries eating soggy bread.`` haha missionary life
Also Sister Salles calls me `Barbie California´ and Sister Stephens ´Barbie Oklahoma.´ haha.
``Never give up on any investigator you´ve ever taught; keep praying for them.``--The District 2
``We don´t just teach lessons to teach lessons; we teach lessons to build faith.``--Sister Voyles
We also had a lesson with a recent convert about missionary work, and he expressed that he has already tried to share the gospel with all of his friends and family but they aren´t interested. I think a lot of members feel that way. We talked about Mosiah praying for Alma (Mosiah 27), and how an angel comes to Alma because of the prayers and faith of his father. Truly miracles happen through our faith and prayers. Also we talked about giving our friends opportunities to feel the spirit(bearing testimony, inviting them to activities, etc) because it often takes time for people to recognize the spirit and a desire to learn more about the church. A lot of converts that I've met on my mission have joined the church because they had good experiences with church films, English classes, etc. I know that when we do our part, ultimately though we are the ones that become converted. When we invite and talk about the church, we are becoming more converted. Other people have their agency to either accept or reject, but the important thing is that we try and learn to show our love to God and become more like Him. I know that the reason that we are here on earth is to learn how to become like our Heavenly Father. We become like Him through faith and obedience.
Love you all!
Sister Sadie Bledsoe
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