Hey everyone!
Another week has just come and gone here in
Itaboraí. Most notably the weather took a drastic change. Last week we were
enjoying nice 65-70 degree days and it shot up to about the 90s all week.
Summer is on its way back and I'm not looking forward to it, but just one more
time!
This week wasn't too bad, but wasn't too exciting either. We have been
working with one person since the beginning of June and its been a roller coaster
ride. Last week she had told us that she didn't have any desire to go to church
and still was full of doubts about things she saw at church. We passed by there
Tuesday and she said that she had prayed and was going to church this Sunday.
We finally thought that she had received a sure answer and was set on going.
Sunday came around, we went there to pick her up and she didn't want to go
anymore. Well keep fighting but it's been a brutal two sided fight since day one.
We have some solid investigators who are progressing right
now, C and E who we found knocking doors two weeks ago. They already
had some contact with the missionaries in the past and have always been curious
the learn about the church. They are coming a long great and the next step is
to help them come to church.We also found Cx knocking on her door and she is
great. Of all the investigators I have ever taught she really understands the
message we bring and is full of great questions. She is very intelligent and
understands that to receive and answer from God about the truthfullness of the
restoration she needs to exercise faith in the Book of Mormon and in the message we share.
She is reading a ton and we are so excited for her. This week we had to field
one of the most difficult questions with an investigator. Upon learning that
the authority to baptize had been restored, and is found today in the Church of
Christ, she asked,
"I was baptized my immersion and I truly felt like it
played a role in my conversion to the gospel of Christ,.... are you guys saying
that my baptism was invalid?"
We asked her about her baptism and asked about how it had
changed her life. Baptism is an ordinance we do to show our Heavenly Father
that we have had a change of heart, and have desire to follow him. Baptism
doesn't save our souls if we truly are converted to the gospel. We affirmed that
she fulfilled with many of the steps of baptism; immersion in water, a true
desire to follow Christ, and a devoted life to the Gospel of Christ. Those
things WERE real. We explained [priesthood] authority and one more step to baptism, that
she could fulfill. She understood really well and I think she felt like
the Savior knew she was doing her best with the knowledge that she had. That
what she did in faith, was real. Now she has more knowledge and she will be
accountable for the new information about the priesthood that she has received.
She understood and we continued!
It was a great week here in Itaboraí. In other news both me
and my companion are staying here for one more [transfer]! Elder VW is also staying here,
which is crazy because after this transfer he will have 9 months in this
area...
I love all you guys! Have a great week!
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