Attitude Adjustment

Hello world!

Conference was this week! We got to hear from a living prophet and his
twelve apostles. What a priviledge. Let me share a little miracle in
my life that kind of represents my thoughts and feelings as a
missionary right now.

When I arrived at the chapel in Alogoinhas on Sunday, in a bus full of
Catú ward members, I was super super excited. Conference has always
been a big deal at my house, and I was even more excited now as a
missionary to watch and learn and feel the Spirit. I had prepared
myself emotionally--I thought--to listen in Portuguese, knowing that
finding a place in English would be unlikely. But when I find out that
this was the case, and I really would have to watch in a second
language, I become a bit depressed. I admit that I pouted a little,
deep down inside. The whole first session, I listen and tried to
understand, but felt overwhelmed and helpless. I could only think of
how much BETTER and EASIER it would be in my own language, dang it!
This first session, I understood little.

However, at the end of the first session, my wonderful companion Sis.
Santos sat me down and challenged me to pray sincerely and ask the
Lord to bless me with the gift of tongues. If you do this, you will
understand everything you need to, she told me with the power of a
missionary. Her challenge and the Spirit it brought were powerful, so
I swallowed what I then realized was my pride and followed her
guidance.

I prayed, adjusted my attitude, and went to the second session with my
head in a completely different place. "What a great opportunity this
is to learn," I told myself. "How often will I get to watch conference
in Brazil?" I sat down, pulled out my notebook and pen, and focused
with all my mind and heart on the speakers. With my eyes fixed on the
floor in front of me, sometimes even eyes closed, I listened and felt
and understood. With the Lord's help, I really did understand
everything that I needed to. I felt the Spirit, I received revelation
for myself and for my work as a missionary, and had a completely
opposite experience than the first sesson.

I know the Lord lives. I know that attitude is everything, and with
the Lord's help we can truly have the attitude we need to.

I love you all. I love your letters and support. I can't thank you all
enough for your prayers. Keep 'em coming...this week my comps are
giving me a turn to be "senior" companion. GAh! So I'll need the
Lord's help even more.

Keep praying and reading scriptures every day!

Com carinho,
Sis. Petty