Folks--today I have eight months on the mission.
EIGHT MONTHS.
I having a bit of a mid-mission crisis (did I already write about this
or no?). Nine months is almost here! What does this mean? WAIT, time!
Let me catch up! I thought I was supposed to know everything by
now...that I was supposed to feel totally confident in all things, a
different missionary, and looking forward to going home.
Well...I'm still me. But a better version of me. I am learning to be
much more patient, much more confident, and to work harder than ever
before. However...I'm kind of in denial that I'm almost halfway
through. I still have SO MUCH to learn and so much I need to improve!
I've had at least three dreams in the last couple weeks that I went
home and had to take off my name tag, and I didn't feel like I'd truly
become a better person--that I hadn't truly given my best on my
mission. Each time, I woke up with a huge sigh of relief that I still
have time to grow, to learn, to love, to laugh here on the mission. I
still get to put on my name tag and represent the Church of Jesus
Christ.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, folks! It's here! In Brazil, it's Christmas too, but
it's hot. And the radios still play twangy Brazilian music in the
streets. I took the elders and some members caroling on Sunday night,
but it turned out funny because Brazilians don't know how to really
carol. We got invited in, people gave us water, and wanted to have a
conversation. I'm used to arriving at a door, singing until people
poke their heads out, smiling and singing some more while everyone
shivers and smiles, then singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as we
head to the next house. But the Brazilian version was fun anyway.
This week I learned even more that this is God's work, not mine. We
went to the home of Cristiane, a less-active member, on Monday, and
talked with her about the importance of marriage. She is living with a
man she's not married to, and is afraid to approach the subject of
marriage with him. We offered to do a special fast with her to help
her have the courage and the faith to do this, and for his heart to be
open to the idea. She said, "Tomorrow?" we said, "Great. We'll come at
11am on Wednesday to break our fast with you." (lunch to lunch)
We fasted and prayed for her, and when we came back on Wednesday there
was a special calm in the house. We broke our fast with prayer, where
Cristiane said, "Thank you, Lord, that I made it. I did it." After the
prayer she opened up and told us something I didn't know -- that she
had been a heavy smoker, 20 cigarettes a day -- and had managed, in
this fast, to stop. Although we had all planned to help her with her
problem of marriage, the Lord had a different plan for her. I know the
Gospel is real! Lives are changing!
Another highlight of the week was on Saturday, when I had the
privilege of working with my zone leader (E. Buarque) and my district
leader (E. Conceição). They came with us to visit and get to know our
possibilities for batismo this week.
Watching these elders work was a huge eye-opener for me. Before my
mission, I admit that I thought elders would be something to
"aguentar" on the mission, them being so young (and being male). But
ever since I arrived, I have been more and more impressed with the
elders here, and my testimony of the Priestood -- the authority of God
that these young men hold -- has grown immensely.
The lesson these leaders taught to our investigator Lucas was
incredible. It opened and closed with a prayer, but in between felt
more like a Spirit-filled conversation than a "lesson." These elders
didn't preach a thing to Lucas (16 years). They simply asked
questions, read some of 2 Nephi 31, and asked more questions. They
helped Lucas discover for himself the answers, learn for himself how
to pay attention to his own feelings. These young elders then bore
powerful testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, of
Christ, of their own calling to preach the Gospel, and specifically of
their authority to be here in Bahia teaching Lucas. "We are here to
hear you," they said. "What can we do help you feel ready to follow
the example of your Savior, Jesus Christ?"
As I watched them teach, and added my testimony to theirs, I felt the
powerful witness of the Spirit that what we are doing is truly
approved by the Lord. We missionaries are truly called by God to serve
His children. I know this work is changing lives, uniting families,
and saving souls.
I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Jesus Christ lives.
Let us all remember why we are celebrating Christmas this year. Christ
was born so that He could save us, and this is what he did. De
verdade.
Amo vocês, amo brasil, amo a missão.
Com amor,
Sister Petty
No comments:
Post a Comment