And it came to pass...

And it came to pass that I, Sister Petty, waxed old.

Has anyone out there ever made a candle by hand? The kind where you
take a wick and dip it into wax a thousand times or so? It's
interesting, because when you start dipping that little scraggly wick
into the hot, watery wax, you feel like you'll never end up with a
beautiful plump candle. But after countless more dips, so many that
your arm is a bit tired and you've stopped paying attention, you
suddenly look down and realize you've got a candle.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophets often say that they "waxed old."
They way they write it, it seems to be a rather sudden process. Well,
my friends, now I understand them. When I started my mission, I was
sure I would be here pretty much the rest of my life. Now, suddenly, I
look down and see that I'm suddenly OLD on the mission! The process
was gradual, but I missed it! Not only will I gain another year of
life this week, on the 20th of January I will have NINE MONTHS on the
mission.

Half.

My mission is practically over.

WHAT?!

Whew. Calm down, Sister.

Okay, back to a normal post.

< / sentimental artist blurb >

A new transfer has begun! I'm so excited! I'm so grateful for the
chance for change that each new transfer gives. This is one thing
about the mission I'll miss--these clearcut chances to start new and
fresh. I'll stay in Dias D'Ávila (A Cidade das Águas) with my
companion Sister Piola, but we'll be awesome.

This last week was a good one. We truly saw miracles. Since I arrived
in Dias D'Ávila, I have a habit of naming each week. This last week
was the Semana de Simplificar. This week will be the Semana de
Escolher. We have to cut a bunch of people, CHOOSE which ones to work
with, the ones that will CHOOSE to follow Christ.

One thing I need to improve, and I believe this new transfer will help
me, is continuing to enthusiastically talk to EVERYONE about the
Gospel, even when I've been in an area for awhile, and even when we
already have a good-sized teaching pool. These are God's children and
He wants each one of them to have a chance to be baptized, entering
the path to salvation.

This last week we had an incredible baptism. It was right out of a
story book. This man was truly prepared by the Lord for us. He gave up
his girlfriend, one of his jobs (that was on Sunday), and lots more to
be baptized, following the example of the Savior. At his baptism, he
did something I've never seen. He himself got up during testimonies
and bore his testimony, thanking the Lord for finally showing him --
after years of searching -- the true Church of Christ, restored to the
earth. He said he saw us passing every day on the street, and saw that
there was something different about us missionaries. "These two had
the light in their faces of people that are working with a purpose,
working for something they know is true," he said, his eyes shining.

The Lord's hand is truly in the work. I will never forget this man and
his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.

I know that Christ lives, and that He truly died for each one of us.

Thank you all for your love, support, and testimonies.

Until next week,
Sister Petty