I was all worth it

 

Song of The Week- Quero te Encontrar- Claudinho Buchecha 

Weekly 

Leandro 

Leandro was baptized the 28th of September. I could not be more happier. I had the opportunity watching via Facetime... was sad but overall just so happy  It was just the most amazing most rewarding moment in my mission. Leonardo was a miracle. 

I think he was the most elect person I have taught on my mission. The lord has been preparing him for a long time. He had a lot of struggles and trials. Moments where I truly thought " god how do I help him... this is not working.."  the spirit just told me don't give up on him... I am so grateful I didn't. I cant express the feelings I have overall feel so blessed to have been apart of this process and filled with joy and love. I will briefly share his story because it is just incredible to me. God was in every detail. 

Me and Sandin were Knocking doors, we get to this one road and Sandin goes " I've knocked this road so many times.... " and I was like " welp worst that happens is they say no again" so we started knocking. This sweet old lady Maria ( Leandro's mom) answers the door. We taught her the book of Mormon and asked if we could visit with her again. She said yes. Next lesson we taught her the restoration. She kindly told us that she wasn't interested and was super strong in her church but that she loved the book of Mormon and wants to keep reading. She then goes on to talk about her son who was sleeping upstairs. How he visited the LDS church a few years ago and absolutely loved it. That hes going threw a really hard time in his life and could really use god in his life. So we exchanged numbers and told her we would give him a call and set up a meeting. As we were walking out Leandro walks into the room and goes " I was sleeping but I had the strongest feeling to wake up and come down stairs...you guys are the missionaries for the LDS church.... you have a message for me? ". We were shocked. But Then BAM. We taught him the Restoration, and he was crying and said " that was exactly what I needed to hear. When can you guys come back again?".  From there he just kept going up. He was truly Hungry for the gospel, and willing to make the changes in his life to follow our savior Jesus Christ. After he was baptized he called me and Sandin just BEAMING.... he said to us 

 " I am now a man of god, and a member of HIS church...... I feel so much joy, peace, and power behind those words. I feel powerful. Thank you for changing my life. "

So thankful, I looked past myself and decided to follow the spirit and serve a mission even when I was scared, and didnt want too. So happy we knocked that road. So thankful we went back to teach maria even though we knew she wasn't interested...... It all lead to Leandro. God is truly in the workings of everything. There were so many small things that lead to Leandro being found. He truly will do anything to go after the one . 

Luke 15

4- What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

 5 - And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6- .....Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Working Grind 

Just when I think nothing works out. Gods always proves me wrong. Literally I have never been more busy and more stressed/overwhelmed. But in a strange way never been happier on the mission. Something that I am super grateful for this week was really seeing gods hand in the details. Like Whoa. This really is HIS work. Not mine. 

Two examples real quick. 

We spend a good while trying to find this MRef and we eventually gave up due to it was getting late and we were in the favela... so we grabbed a bus to go work in a more chill area. And out of NOWHERE this guy goes SISTERS. We looked up and it was the Mref Lucas we were looking for. We ended up having a lesson with him on the bus and he shared with us how god for the last 3 years hes been constantly showing/leading him back to the LDS church. That he didn't have plans taking this bus today but that he entered and saw us and knew that he couldn't miss another opportunity. Twas soooo cool. 

Secondly, we are teaching this 17 year old boy João Vitor. He has had a rough upbringing with gang life, he lost his dad due to the gangs, and his older brother is highly involved. But he's the sweetest, purest kid ever and lives with his mom. Just as we were about to go home, I had the thought we need to visit him, welp we couldn't find his house anywhere, maps took us to the wrong place and we were in this road ally way. And All the sudden João yells hey sisters what are you guys doing here ...  AT NIGHT??? Ended up having a great lesson with him. 

Please everyone keep praying for the people here and the area. 

Probably have Lime Disease 

Literally woke up to this pain on my leg and I found a TICK digging into my leg. ( ngl thought those were a make believe thing) So I got some Tweezers pulled that sucker out and it was So fat and full of my blood that when I got it off it exploded..... 

Love you all have an amazing week! Sorry if I dont get back to you, literally things are just so busy right now, district always doing something fun. And Im really just being more selfish with my time and using every moment to be here in brasil and also rest.... lol  im exhausted. But TONS OF LOVE HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK 

Sister Hallee Tebbs