Touching Lives

Again, I only have 10 minutes to write. STRESSFUL.

I'll have to do a quick quick summary of my life. If I'm lucky, my family will maybe fill you all in on some things.

First of all--THANK YOU SO MUCH for your letters and love and support. I received a bunch of letters today at a zone meeting, and was absolutely tickled. I have the bestest friends and family ever! To those of you who have written and have not received a reply....I'm so sorry! I only have time for about one or two letters each P-day, but I will get to you eventually!

I'm almost done with my first transfer (a six week period where we stay in the same city with the same companion), and I can't believe it. This month and a half absolutely flew. We did not baptize many people, but I stretched and hurt and cried and laughed and grew so much in so many ways. The language is finally coming along. NOVAS (news): yesterday I was reading Preach my Gospel (missionary guidebook, of sorts) in Portuguese, and suddenly realized something beautiful and wonderful--I wasn't translating it into English in my head! Before this, I could read and understand, but needed to translate. Yesterday I realized I could read and understand the Portuguese itself. I don't know if that makes sense, but it was a WONDERFUL moment. :-)

Another special thing happened yesterday. I was walking with Sis. Bezerra, my companion, along a little, typical Catu street like we do every day. Suddenly I stopped walking, staring at a little blue house. We need to knock this door, I felt. I didn't know why. Sis. Bezerra continued on, saying we needed to go to the bank, so we went and returned, me almost running. Someone in there is ready to hear this message, I felt. We knocked, entered, and taught the message of the Restauration to a young woman who was amazing.

I'm so grateful to have felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit, and to have had the faith to act on it. I know the Gospel is real, and Jesus lives and died for us.

I love you all. Until next time.