transfer 4!!!!

BAPTISM!!

 

In our last interview together, president Jordan reminded me at the very end to pray for humility and I have been doing so since. This week I think that the Lord answered these prayers in his loving way. We got a message from Stephen, our investigator with a baptismal date, on Thursday telling us that he had spoken to the bishop pertaining the law of tithing and he was sure that the bishop had told him he could not be baptised this Saturday. We are still unsure of what happened exactly on the phone call, maybe Stephen misinterpreted the bishop, but for some reason Stephen understood that he could not be baptised. He was devastated. He started messaging members of the ward and telling them how it was going to be cancelled. In the mean time, Sister Carvalho and I are going to great extents to contact the ward mission leader, the bishop, and district leader to sort things out and teaching lessons at the same time. It was stressful to say the least. I tried so hard to remain positive in the situation but underneath it hurt so bad. Would Stephen really not be baptised? For the few hours that this thought was in my mind, I became humbled. I truely had to recognize that this is the Lord's work. If God did not want him to be baptised this Saturday then it would be okay. I felt bad for sometimes congratulating myself on the good work that we did with Stephen because it truely was the Lord who helped us; we were only his messengers. While celebrating for a baptism after all of the hard work put in to teaching is great, it is always important to be humble in these situations. This truely is the Lord's work.
Stephen was able to be baptised and it was a beautiful day full of the Spirit. I am so grateful for this because witnessing a baptism of someone that I have been able to find and teach truely makes all of the difficult times on a mission seam minute. To know that I helped in bringing salvation to a soul makes all of the homesick nights, cold weather, and tired days worth it. The Spirit was so strong at the baptism and it all flowed smoothly and perfect! I have attached some pictures. Missions are often hard but salvation does not come at a cheap cost.
you!
speaking of stephen, he is going to be posting a letter to you this week that he is really excited for and its a great letter of his conversion story! so basically you should really be looking forward to it. Stephen is truely a MIRACLE.

Ok so now for the moves calls. Make your predictions...whats gonna happen?!?!?! I am staying! Milton Keynes take transfer 4! wahoo. Sister Carvalho and I will both be staying here together! which im really happy about because I love her so much. She is great. Im also really happy because I get to spend christmas in milton keynes and i think that will make it easier on the account of the ward here is now like family to me. Twil be great.

 

the ward send me a copy of all of the conf talks! it is so great i read them every day! please tell them thank you from me and let them know how much i appreciate it.

 

please tell grandma happy birthday from me! and tell her that i love and miss her.

 on an unrelated note, what are some of the best IT, graphics, gaming, etc. colleges or universities in the States? There is a kid out here who really wants me to find out so any suggestions please?? thanks.

 

POPS- CONGRATS on the election! whoo that was a close one. Mian i too would like to know who the 13% were who did not vote for you. They were just blinded by the craftiness of men thats for sure. Anyway, im really happy that you will still be mayor when I return. Looking for any secretaries in the future? Say maybe 1 year ish??

MOMER-yes I am allowed to listen to music! anything that invites the Spirit is allowed. If you're taking suggestions...david archuleta and kalai church music would be great:) also, on a thumb drive is best. oh you asked what i cant get here that i miss. Here they have mostly everything. they dont have crystal light though and thats all i can really think of. also, thank you for all of your prayers for Stephen! they were DEFINITELY needed and still are!
JOSHUA- haha my comp laughed at your message to her. dont worry, she definitely eats sweats. She LOVES sweets. all the time oh my gooodness. 11 kilos now. Also, she said that you wrote everything perfectly in portuguese! well done brotha!

KIRSTEN-how is the blogging? also, you asked how the interior design is here? bluh. haha. atleast in the houses i have been in. sorry but nothing would be quite up to your level. my favourite thing though is the Spirit is soo manifested in the homes of the righteous. It is seriously so easy to tell the difference when we walk in to an investigator vs less active vs members home. Members homes are SO great when they are filled with the Spirit.

ZANE- pound it right back at ya. wahoo jazz!! way to lose hard core! keep it up!

MARY-i got a link from you but not sure what exactly it is...hmm

JACOB- jacob 6:12. no email from you :(

SARAH- short and sweet. love you too!

GILLIAM- how is eliza?

POKIE-hope to get your letter soon!

BANDIT-mom said your in good shape. please keep yourself in shape! you were in a dream of mine this week

JETT AND JANE- i love you!

 

pictures:

1) Sister Carvalho and I at baptism

2) My main man STEPHEN! WAHOO! look at how great he looks in all that white. He doesnt like smiling for pictures.

3) me with one of the members who taught a lot with us when we had lessons with stephen

4) sister C and me!