The term "The Refiner's Fire" has turned into a vivid reality hear in Santos, Brazil. As tempuratures hit above 100 degrees daily, with 100% humidity, I have been thinking that I will be pretty refined!
In other words, my companions and I have been planning a cruise to Alaska after the mission.
This week has been a true example of the blessings and miracles that come after our faith is tested. On Tuesday we had a wonderful training about cultivating Christ like love and having the faith to reach your goals. (Our goals being to baptize). Another Elder (Elder Bogdan) and I were just a little too excited to baptize. So much so that we got everyone wet in a water fight after the meeting!
With this spirit filled training, Sister Cunha, Sister Hale and I made a goal that we would baptize at least one person before Sister Hale goes home! (Yeah, she goes home this next P-day) So we have been working our tails off to what seemed to no avail Sunday morning when not a single investigator came to church. I became discouraged during sunday school as I realized the likelyhood of realizing this big goal. At this very moment, the Bishop knocked on the door and introduced our new visitor MARIA! She had just decided to visit our church that day (if you try to tell me that the Lord doesn't prepare people to recieve the gosple I won't beleive you). She loved the sacrament meeting. How could I tell? She started taking notes and she cried during the sacrament. It was a wonderful spirit.
We asked if we could visit her that very day. In the midst of our busy Sunday schedule we ran to her house in the hot noon day refiner's fire sunshine! And she was there waiting with cake! A spirit of eternal gratitude filled my heart when I heard (after the lesson) Sister Hale yell, "She's getting baptized!" Maria agreed to be baptized this Thursday before she starts to work again. We are going to baptize in our SUPER TRIO! What an incredible blessing after this week of the refiner's fire.
I love you all so much! You are all incredible! Stay strong! And remember: the fires gotta be pretty hot to make a diamond!
P.S. Mom: 12 WEEK CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
In other words, my companions and I have been planning a cruise to Alaska after the mission.
This week has been a true example of the blessings and miracles that come after our faith is tested. On Tuesday we had a wonderful training about cultivating Christ like love and having the faith to reach your goals. (Our goals being to baptize). Another Elder (Elder Bogdan) and I were just a little too excited to baptize. So much so that we got everyone wet in a water fight after the meeting!
With this spirit filled training, Sister Cunha, Sister Hale and I made a goal that we would baptize at least one person before Sister Hale goes home! (Yeah, she goes home this next P-day) So we have been working our tails off to what seemed to no avail Sunday morning when not a single investigator came to church. I became discouraged during sunday school as I realized the likelyhood of realizing this big goal. At this very moment, the Bishop knocked on the door and introduced our new visitor MARIA! She had just decided to visit our church that day (if you try to tell me that the Lord doesn't prepare people to recieve the gosple I won't beleive you). She loved the sacrament meeting. How could I tell? She started taking notes and she cried during the sacrament. It was a wonderful spirit.
We asked if we could visit her that very day. In the midst of our busy Sunday schedule we ran to her house in the hot noon day refiner's fire sunshine! And she was there waiting with cake! A spirit of eternal gratitude filled my heart when I heard (after the lesson) Sister Hale yell, "She's getting baptized!" Maria agreed to be baptized this Thursday before she starts to work again. We are going to baptize in our SUPER TRIO! What an incredible blessing after this week of the refiner's fire.
I love you all so much! You are all incredible! Stay strong! And remember: the fires gotta be pretty hot to make a diamond!
P.S. Mom: 12 WEEK CHALLENGE ACCEPTED