tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045255219433651802024-02-07T20:32:22.282-08:00~Sister Tasha Bierman~Tengo tanta hambre que puedo comer una vaca enteraTashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03166557423810687253noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-54672708151231215612013-03-04T19:09:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:10:46.509-08:00Tender Mercies<br />
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I must say that I stand all amazed at all
of the tender mercies that the Lord has given me this last week. We finally
received the documents for the weddings that we are planning--yay! So now we can
mark them. One is marked for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362797488_0">March
23rd</span> (let's pray that tomorrow we can mark the other one for little bit
sooner :) And we already had a trip planned to São Paulo, so it all worked out.
Another neat experience, we stopped by a member's house that we had never
visited that I had always wanted to and the irmã offered to give her wedding
dress to J, so we planned to bring her over the next day. The irmão shared
stories of their own baptism and wedding and sealing and I could feel the spirit
really strong, even though he is inactive. The next day we brought J over to
try on the dress and make the necessary adjustments (she's all super happy) and
decided to leave a message with them. We felt inspired to share President
Monson's latest conference talk on "Think of the Blessings". The Spirit was
super strong as we read President Monson's advice to do an inventory of our
life's blessings instead of focusing on the negative. The family is going
through a difficult time, and I felt the Spirit testify that this message was
meant for them. After we finished, the irmão told his wife he had
received an answer to what he had so long been praying for. He then bore a super
powerful testimony of the Gospel and power of the restored priesthood and how he
need to come back because of the doctrine and not worry about what the leaders
are doing wrong. It was really a special moment that I'll never forget--to see
the Spirit teach and touch. </div>
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I have such a strong testimony that all
of our prayers are heard and answered and that Heavenly Father really does love
and know each and every one of us. Usually here on the mission I get to be those
answers to those prayers, but will the passing away of my dear grandmother,
Heavenly Father answered one of mine. I'd been praying my whole mission that I
would be able to see Grandma B again before she died. In a strange sense,
my prayers were answered and I was able to see her one last time. What tender
mercies: I was able to talk with and see her through skype, I was at the church
when President called, and someone had a laptop and wi-fi, our students for
english class had gotten lost on the way, that I had time to be able to talk,
for all this modern day technology--all wonderful blessings! And to top it off,
I was able to go the very next day to the temple to witness my first baptism be
sealed. They were my mission "grandparents" and it was
such a touching experience! I know that families are eternal! I'm so grateful
for the restored gospel and temples and priesthood. Grandma B was the
greatest woman that I've ever known. I wouldn't be who I am today, and I
especially wouldn't be the missionary that I am today if it wasn't for her.
There hardly ever was a life better lived--of love and service an dedication to
the Lord--and there is nothing more beautiful than one who has really endured to
the end well. I love her so much, I'm so grateful for her example and life. I
hope to follow in her footsteps and walk in the light back to Heavenly Father's
presence. I want to dedicate my life to the Lord. I hope to be half the woman
that she was--what a wonderful life to celebrate! </div>
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D&C 130:2</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-89977381123019249242013-02-25T19:16:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:17:13.733-08:00We're preparing the TERRENA!!!<br />
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So this week we had a special 2 day
sister's training in São Paulo, that was MARAVILHOSA! Really! Complete with a
general authority, Elder Soares and everything. Well president started off with the scripture D&C
88:73 :"<span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia,; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Behold,
I will </span><sup class="yiv890044503" style="border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</sup><a class="yiv890044503" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/88.73?lang=eng#" id="yiv890044503footnote144" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #486fae; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362798738_0">hasten</span></a><span style="background-color: #fefbbf; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia,; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> my
work in its time."</span></div>
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Well the Lord sure is hastening His work
here...with the new mission SANTOS!!! Well do I sure feel privileged to be a
part of this special time. We are working hard here in Santos and I know that
this is exactly what it needs to really fortify the Kingdom of God here. Wow.
Amazing! All the sisters must prepare to be trainers, because most of them will
need to be. So we had this two day conference, preparing everyone for these new
changes! Wow, how I wished I could have had this conference at the beginning of
my mission. Most of us "older" sisters were asked to give special trainings. I
was super nervous, but with Sister M's help all went well. It really is
something special.</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362797328741_8594">
Other news of the week....R was
baptized! And what a sweet spirit she is! She's a super strong young women,
there's nothing better than a 15 year old with a testimony. And it's amazing to
see how the ward has just brought her in under her wings. A shout out to all you
young women leaders (especially those that I had, including you, Mom :) THANKS!
Keep leading and guiding us! They are the future!</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362797328741_8595">
Keep serving, keep growing, keep striving
to be better...there's nothing more important than the Lord's work!</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-29481235031697568612013-02-18T19:21:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:22:12.256-08:00Blessings are pouring from heaven! (along with the nightly thunderstorms)Wow, can I just say that Heavenly Father is Amazing! Really He is just leading
and guiding this work right along. Yesterday we had 10 investigators at church!
The members are great here, they are bringing their friends and family! And we
have and are finding some really great investigators! We are fasting and praying
that all goes well for 3 of our investigators to get married so that they can
get baptized before the transfer is over. Tick tock tick tock...ah! The problem
is that you have to have a new (within 6 months) birth certificate just to mark
the wedding (30days in advance...eita.) And some didn't have conditions to pay
for the documents because they are in another state and it costs a lot to send
them here. Well we fasted and prayed, and out of the blue a member came up to us
yesterday and gave us the money saying that they heard that they were needing
it...what a blessing! The relief society president is already working on quite
the party :) So we're all praying here that all works out for the documents to
arrive and mark the wedding for March 16th.... cross your fingers!
<br />
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It seems that just as people are getting
close to the truth, the adversary really tries to work hard...but he can't
succeed. "If God is with us, who can be against us?" It's been amazing to see
how the Lord is working miracles here in this area. He really knows and loves
all His children. This really is His work. </div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362797328741_11715">
J and J are pretty much
the cutest couple ever. We are trying our best to help them see how the Gospel
will help them improve their family. We took them to a family night and when
they told the irmão that they were planning on getting married so they could get
baptized he asked J if she loved him. And she said "of course!" It was super
cute...he said he loved her too:) They are staying really firm, they were
bombarded with a whole bunch of anti-mormon comments but they both stayed strong
saying they know that it is true and they know what they want. Yeah! The Spirit
is strong!</div>
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<br /></div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-39951831114573636342013-02-11T19:26:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:28:58.861-08:00Um instrumento nas mãos do Senhor <br />
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Oh how there is little that I love more than being an instrument in the hands of
the Lord. There's nothing more gratifying than to show up at someone's hous
after following an impression to go there and discover that you are an answer to
their prayers. The other day we woke up and felt impressed to bake J a cake
and take it to her. We had just seen her the day before, but we went over there
anyway and it was a for sure the direction of the Spirit. She said we were an
answer to her prayers and that she almost called us this morning but didn't want
to bother us. She said we were sent by God, and I know we were! I have such a
strong testimony that Heavenly Father really does know each and everyone of us
and He hears and answers all of our prayers--many times through others. So I
want to challenge you all to step up to Elder Ballard's challenge and pray each
day to know how you can be a blessing in someone's life. I know you're already
great at it :)</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362797328741_16693">
We had another experience this week with
this. We were in a road that the appointments always fall through, but we always
just left right after. Well our appointments fell through again and I thought,
"There must be someone in this road that is needing the Gospel." So we started
knocking. And we found her: I know we were sent to her. It feels so good to
be an instrument in the Lord's hands.</div>
Other news, this really is God's
true church. I know it. I am amazed everytime someone comes to church and then
they feel something different, the Spirit, and start to change. J was
a little hesitant to go last week, but he loved it. He said he felt so light
inside the Church--like whole bunch of bad stuff was lifted off his chest. He
said he felt so good that he didn't want to drink at the family party later that
day--how wonderful is the Spirit! And the sisters that came to church last week, both want to get baptized this month! R went to the
girl's camp this weekend and they are just blessings that fell from
Heaven!</div>
Let's all strive to be a little more positive, a little more
giving, a little more loving this week! We can and will make a difference!<br />Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-35853380852602274732013-02-04T19:31:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:35:47.755-08:00Do you wanna marry me?<br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362797328741_21606">
Wahoo! Always an adventure here on the
mission! In the last week, we've been to the aquarium, to São Paulo (brrrr!),
and all over our area. We fasted as a district this week to have miracle in the
last few weeks of the transfer. One of which was investigators at church....well
the Lord has blessed us again! We planned on quite a few, but only two of the
planned went, but we ended up with 7 in total! Wow, members are great! Bring
your friends to church! :)</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362797328741_21550">
Other great news...our investigators are
engaged! (oh and my best friend, shout out to Emilee :) parabéns!) So we are
teaching the cutest couple. We went and taught them about the importance of families and invited her to talk to J about getting
married. In the meantime we discovered where the cartorio (where you get
married) is and had to walk over an hour to the area of the zone leaders just to
get the information on what we needed to do. Well we came back a couple days
later and she hadn't talked to him yet, but she wanted us to talk to him.
They've been together about 6 years and have the most adorable little girl. So
we taught again about families and God's commandments and invited them to pray
together. And then we invited them to get married, and he said, "What, you mean
in the cartorio?" "Yeah." "Well I don't even know if she wants to marry me..."
he responded. "Well you have to ask her," I said. So he looked over at her: "Tu
quer casar comigo?" (You wanna marry me?) "Claro!" (Of course!) She said and
they both looked at each other all shy and then smiled at us. Oh my goodness, it
was the cutest thing ever! So here we are...the wedding planners :)</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-59903439033198830522013-01-28T19:46:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:48:50.552-08:00Weather warning for Santos: If it's ridiculously hot and sunny, prepare. Real soon it will dump a rainstorm!<br />
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Come listen to an apostle's voice!! This
week my life was permenantly changed! We had a special conference with Elder
Bednar <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362800497_0">on tuesday</span> and is was
AMAZING! He really is a living apostle called of God. We fasted, read his talks,
and were really prepared for his visit. We woke up at <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362800497_1">4:20am</span> (yikes!) to get to São Paulo for the conference.
For 4 hours straight we just soaked up pure Spirit. The way he taught was so
radically different--completely by the Spirit. He told us to get rid of the bad
"traditions of our fathers," including avoiding the impulse to write down every
word that he said (that would be the large plates of Nephi) but to just write
what we learned by the Spirit (the small plates of Nephi). Yeah, pretty sure my
large plates are pretty large all these years..but my small plates sure got
filled! It's amazing to me how we can all go with questions different, but we
all receive very specific answers. The Holy Ghost is amazing! I have a lot to
change and improve. But I'm here to serve and just bless others! Here we
go!</div>
Other amazing news....miracle baptism! We were able to teach R and witness her baptism and confirmation <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362800497_2">on Saturday</span>. It was really beautiful. She laughed at how
quickly it passed by. She said she thought that the bishop would hold her under
water a while to really wash away her sins. We all laughed, but for me, this is
a symbolism of the love and forgiveness that Heavenly Father has for us. It
doesn't matter what we've done, how many sins or how serious they are--the
moment we decide to repent and we start to follow His plan (partaking of the
ordinances of the Gospel like baptism and the Sacrament), he forgives us. Just
like that! It's quick. It's real. It's beautiful.</div>
So pretty sure that
Heavenly Father's lesson for me this transfer is PATIENCE. And the more I try to
be patient, the more opportunities Heavenly Father gives me to "practice" :)
Until yesterday. We were in a lesson and at the beginning she gave us a huge
glass full of juice of maracujá. Well they sure are talkers and not even half
way through the lesson I was in desperate need of a bathroom! Oh dear, talk
about test of concentration! Alright, but on the serious, I'm really grateful
that I have such a patient companion and all that I am learning
here.</div>
We played Indiana Jones adventure trying to get to another
appointment this week. We went all the way across town in the pouring rain to
teach a recent convert. Well the closer we got, the more flooded the road
became. I would have just trekked through it, but Sister M says it's not
safe. So we strategized like two mad chess players, and miraculously made
it!</div>
Remember everyone, FAITH IS ACTION. I hope that all of you are
praying with faith and acting on your prayers. I know he hears and answers, if
we are willing to follow His Spirit.</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-59593601978019233102013-01-21T19:49:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:50:56.322-08:00Fast blessings? Consider fasting!<br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1362797328741_29240">
Time after time I am amazed and grateful
at how quickly and abundantly the Lord responds to our righteous fasting and
prayers. Once again He responded as we prayed, fasted, and worked. 14 new
investigators! I know that He wants to prove our faith (through our actions)
before He can bless us. I hope to keep exercising my faith and working hard so
that He can bless this area. We had really neat experiences this week in finding
new investigators. I'm really trying to follow the Spirit and open my mouth and
take advantage of all opportunities. For everything there is a reason. For this,
the Lord really blesses us, but it takes faith every time! We were also bless
with a miracle this week. After sacrament meeting, Bishop called us into his
office with a couple (a less active and non member) who had just gotten married
a few weeks ago. We had visited them <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362800954_0">on Monday</span> to get to know them and they came to church.
R informed us that she wants to mark a date for her baptism! She has been
taught by the elders since May 2012, but was held back by the marriage. Well, we
marked her baptism for Saturday and are now in the process of making sure that
she's been taught everything and is qualified for this special moment. The
sisters of Ponta da Praia found a very special woman for us as well. She has 4
kids and came to church with two of them. She's really ready to accept the
gospel and is really special. She just has a problem with marriage. We hope to
be worthy of these wonderful blessings the Lord is giving us. </div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-68447265122484089742013-01-14T15:08:00.000-08:002013-01-20T15:14:23.122-08:00Faith is ACTION<br />
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Oláá!</div>
So what happened this week, it poured rain, and more rain, and more rain--what a blessing from Heavenly Father, because we've only had two sunny days and I'm already super dark and blonde! Yesterday we were talking to a couple and the man asked me a question, he said "now you can be honest, there aren't any "gringos" here, just brazillians. You talk funny, but you're brazilian." He thought that I was brazillian and was surprise when we said I was American. How about that? I'm brazillian, gente. It's official.<br />
Sister M and I try to convince people all the time that she's from New York (she actually speaks english really well) and that I'm from her city. Everyone believes her, but only one person has believed me until now because M has a very strong accent, but Sister Melo doesn't have it..how can I learn it if she doesn't speak it? It's quite the joke. I'm so blessed to have Sister M as a companion, we're already best of friends and that makes it so great to interact with everyone else. Lots of stories and jokes and laughs. </div>
We've started teaching a great couple, C and B, that are really great! They came to church yesterday with their two little girls and they seem to be very interested, especially C. He really is searching for truth. He said he had the opportunity to get baptized in 3 other churches, but hasn't found the right one yet...I know that the Lord has lead us there. It was the elders that had taught him the first time a few months ago, but never again. They were impressed by our organization that we were coming to continue teaching him.<br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">We've discovered that Satan works in all sorts of ways to try and stop this work, but he can't! Our first week here we were walking in the road and all of the sudden, a girl jumped out in front of us and started talking to us. She put out her hand in front of me and I thought "Oh no, we're being robbed." I didn't dare look down to see if she had a gun, until my companion said, shake her hand. Ha ha oh ok. Well she started complimenting everything about me...eyes, skirt, etc. and putting sacks of things in our hands. Turns out she was trying to sell little goody baggies for $6 (or 3 for $15)--way expensive! And we talked with her for a bit and invited her to church and went on our way... Well we were in such a shock from the experience that we became very timid to talk to people in the road...and for some reason it seems like we are walking on eggshells here, we have to be careful of everything that we say. Well we walked around like that for a few days. As you can guess, not much happened. And you know when you haven't done something for a while it's that much harder to do it again the next time. Well that's how we felt. But we discovered that that was just the enemy's way of trying to frustrate this work, because both President T and I receive revelation that Sister M and I were to be together in this area at this time. Com certeza for a reason, so we can't let anything get in between us and that purpose. We have people to find, souls to save (or help), and lives to change. So we finally overcame our shyness and miracles await! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I know that this is the Lord's work. I know that everything happens for a reason. I know that all things are possible through faith, and that our faith is measured by our ACTIONS. May you all find the faith and courage to ACT this week on inspired promptings to do good. You can and will be an instrument in the Lord's hand, just remember to ASK WITH FAITH and ACT!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Love you all!</span></span>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-22741305561755492682013-01-07T14:57:00.000-08:002013-01-20T14:59:50.287-08:00When Grandma's are nearing the end of life, they go on vacation with the grandkids!Olaaaaaaaa! <br />
Alright, who's excited for this brand new year?! I am!! So we got the news of transfers Monday afternoon, went around town saying goodbye to everyone and early Tuesday morning, we went to transfers. I always felt like I would go to the coast at the end of my mission. We discovered that there was way more sisters going to the baixada than there was areas, so I also felt like I would open an area. I also felt really strongly that I would be companions with Sister M. Well Heavenly Father sure knows us, that's exactly what happened! Sister B finished training Sister M, so now we joke that she's hanging out with grandma ha ha. The drive to Santos was gorgeous, I didn't know that there was green here! Turns out Santos is actually an island? News to me. And it's hot! Our first lunch told us that it never rains in Santos, shortly after it started pouring rain for the next 4 days and at times we had water up to our knees! But when it's not raining, it's HOT. And it's all flat (no hills!) and LOTS of apartment buildings. Our area isn't too big. And the members are great! Everyone is super excited to have sisters :) And we're super excited to be here!<br />
<br />
I feel like I have a lot of things to report and funny stories to tell, but it's been so long since I've had time to write in my journal, that I'm not remembering any! But overall, I feel completely renewed and excited and happy. I spent 5 months in Santo André and had a lot of success and learned a lot of lessons. And now I'm excited to put them all in practice. I'm excited to be myself and enjoy my time here and really make a difference. Sister M and I are so alike, it's creepy. She jokes that I'm just her imaginary friend that's all in her head. We are just absolutely loving our time together. One dangerous thing...we like to make cooking experiments. Needless to say, we made a running goal.<br />
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I really feel like Heavenly Father watches out for me, takes care of me, leads me, guides me, teaches me, chastens me, and above all else--blesses me. I'm so grateful for that. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to share His Gospel, (even if it is to a whole bunch of people with bikinis and surf boards;). But really, I couldn't be happier! Opening and area isn't easy, but I have the certainty that it's the Lord's will and the best thing for all of us. We're going to bring even more sunshine to sunny santos!Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-30033560316453279362012-12-31T14:54:00.000-08:002013-01-20T15:05:19.975-08:00Only through much prayer and fasting<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Hellow!!!</span><br />
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Well I learned that when we want to be blessed fr0m the Lord, we must sacrifice. And when we fast, miracles happen! We were blessed to witness two of Heavenly Father's precious children enter into the way to eternal life. M and V were baptized!<br />
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And we found so many new investigators this week! And I am being transferred to the Baixada (which I have felt I would finish my mission there since I got on the mission). Wahoo! Adventures here we come, souls to save, hearts to lift, lessons to learn, memories to make! It's a brand new year!</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-33656626926350059872012-12-17T17:00:00.000-08:002013-01-20T14:52:01.442-08:00Nothing brings the Spirit like Christmas music!<br />
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Olá!<br />
Tudo bem? Estou muito feliz...adoro Natal! Alright, So week was quite the different week. Yesterday we went around with our ward choir to sing to many nonmembers and part-member families. We all wore santa hats and sang Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High, and the Nativity. It was really something special to see, in a world where Natal is only presents and parties, that hearts can be touched, tears are shed, and spirits warmed, just with them memory of the true meaning of Christmas. One of the stops was the Bishop's condominium--there was over 100 people there to listen. There was a ton of pass along cards passed out :) Now we're just praying that they will all call!</div>
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Other news of the week, we're hoping to have two baptisms <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358722003_0">this sunday</span>. A's aunt, M, passed the interview and is very excited. She openly thanked Sister S and I during relief society and told all of the irmãs that she wished us a very special wedding. Ha ha! Everyone laughed. She's quite the character, I hope the ward members will embrace her well. She has such a pure love for the Lord and is so grateful for the Gospel. We also went to teach L and C one night and when we showed up, her other 15 year old daughter is visiting for a few months and well she wants to get baptized too! It's going to be a white christmas--even here in Brazil :)</div>
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We had a really fun ward activity <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358722003_1">on Saturday</span> (thanks Mom, for the Minute to Win It ideas--they were a hit!). </div>
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I know that Heavenly Father loves and knows all of His children, His Gospel is for everyone. It heals the broken hearted, lifts the burdened down, and brings us all closer to Him. May we all be super conscious of this, not only during this Christmas season, but always!</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-50328093122806027262012-12-10T18:17:00.000-08:002012-12-16T18:29:37.881-08:00 Prayers are answered, dreams do come true, I visited the Jardim Botanico....hope you can too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u3U0okYx4SksqDHNSoKcnFxG7aJrODs1Rw6vAXFOvFHsXf1hmhM9hC1Goaf60AoS12Qt0gd_NWCwrXrGtfGSgDnN0uNsvPqnKSxUjfNUTTchWNITAcCh7-wQI9dy87MpromDFL6_tWY/s1600/botannico+flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u3U0okYx4SksqDHNSoKcnFxG7aJrODs1Rw6vAXFOvFHsXf1hmhM9hC1Goaf60AoS12Qt0gd_NWCwrXrGtfGSgDnN0uNsvPqnKSxUjfNUTTchWNITAcCh7-wQI9dy87MpromDFL6_tWY/s320/botannico+flower.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Alright! So Heavenly Father sure provides a way...I thought that I wouldn't have the chance to go the Jardim Botannico because it's not open on Mondays, so you ahve to go on Tuesday after the temple, but this last temple trip just didn't work...but just a week later, us sisters had a wonderful surprise! Oh and was it so beautiful!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"> So that was pretty much the highlight of my week...the Special Sister's Traning was just AMAZING. We had wonderful trainings on the doctrine of the body and the importance of really loving and caring about others. We all left super excited and happy!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Other happenings of the week. I made a contact in english, we were knocking door and the man didn't speak portugues--just english, spanish, and french. So I tried to make a contact with him in english, but it was super hard! The words would hardly come out at all and all I could think was portuguese! People are thinking that I'm latin american these days ha ha. By the time I get home, I'll be brazillian!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">So my companion is great, she helps me a ton. We're preparing to baptize A's aunt this week and we've got lots of husbands to teach! Here we go!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">One thing we are seeing here is the importance to really care about people and notice them and serve them and LOVE them and integrate them. IT"S SO IMPORTANT! As President Utchdorf said, </span><br />
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"Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life. Is it?</div>
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I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus <a class="yiv471029845" href="http://jesuschrist.lds.org/" rel="nofollow" style="color: blue; cursor: text !important;" target="_blank">Christ</a>, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished. I can’t see it. Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time."</div>
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May we all strive to be more like the savior and love and serve all of those around us</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-39135613660430025412012-12-03T18:33:00.000-08:002012-12-16T18:38:41.205-08:00Sometime we make decisions that we regret...but that's why we can repent!<br />
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<a class="yiv634115660" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=604525521943365180" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355603904213_60405" name="26" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Well hello there, to start off the week with a some powerful word of God:</a></div>
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<a class="yiv634115660" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=604525521943365180" name="26" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"> </a><span class="yiv634115660" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355603904213_60432">26 </span>And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.</div>
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<a class="yiv634115660" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=604525521943365180" name="27" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"> </a><span class="yiv634115660" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1355603904213_60431">27 </span>Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.</div>
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<a class="yiv634115660" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=604525521943365180" name="28" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"> </a><span class="yiv634115660">28 </span>Yea, thus we see that the <sup class="yiv634115660">a</sup><a class="yiv634115660" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3?lang=eng#" id="yiv634115660footnote23" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1355711599_0">gate</span></a> of heaven is open unto <sup class="yiv634115660">b</sup><a class="yiv634115660" href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/3?lang=eng#" id="yiv634115660footnote24" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1355711599_1">all</span></a>, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. (Helaman 3:26-28)</div>
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How beautiful it is when the Lord hears and answers our prayers and His children repent and are baptized into His church! Really I know that all success comes from the Lord and is absolutely dependent on our prayers of faith. And Sister S has faith! A was all ready for baptism and everything, until Saturday, when we had marked to visit her and watch the Restoration DVD with her and her family. We called all day and passed by there even and every time they said she wasn't home, but we had seen her twice at her house when we walked by, so we were pretty worried about it and that she seemed to be avoiding us. Also, to add to it, we had both made the poor decision to forget our umbrella's at home (it's becoming the time of year that you can never forget your umbrella, but I just can't quite get that into my head) and needless to say, we were soaked. We went to A's house, and she had lost her umbrella, so she couldn't even lend us one and she said that she was pretty worried about Angelica because she was sad the night before that her family wasn't being to accepting of her decision to be baptized. So we made the adventurous trek in the rain to her house, and no one let us in. So we started knocking on doors. Still no one let us in--I don't blame them, we looked pretty scary ha ha. And anyway, I felt pretty worried and a little discouraged. But we said a million prayers, really we were praying constantly, and fasting. And like this scripture says, the Lord has mercy on us! She came to church the next day and was baptized and happy and the Spirit was so strong!<br />
What a marvelous work!<br />
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Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-77318329659486659172012-11-27T15:55:00.000-08:002013-01-20T16:03:16.719-08:00<div>
Hellow there!</div>
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So the every exciting transfers news...I'm a step mom! My new companion is Sister S and I'll be finishing off her training...what a switch from an old companion to a new one! But we are getting along really well. She is a sweetheart from M who is always serving me and smiling and bearing a powerful testimony. I'm loving it already! </div>
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This transfer is just proof that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. The week before the transfer, Sister T and I both felt that I would be training, but there weren't any new sisters coming in. So we shrugged off that thought. But I was really hoping for a Brazilian companion, and even prayed for one. Well come to find out, President felt that he should put Sister S with me to finish her training and she was told that she was going to be transferred. But then he changed his mind and called her back and said that she wasn't. Then he really felt the Spirit tell him that we should be together, so she got told last minute Tuesday morning and here we are! I'm not really sure why, but I'm sure there is much in store for us! </div>
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We are just working like crazy here! Seriously Sister S and I are just collapsing in our beds at night. We've faced a lot of rejection this week, but we're holding strong! We also found a great new investigator. She asked us to visit her and she told us a lot of life experiences and cried a lot. When we went to teach her we asked her if she had ever heard about the Book of Mormon, and then she asked us if we were Mormons, when I said yes, she jumped up and hugged and kissed us she was so happy--that was a first! We taught her the plan of salvation She was really upset because her mom had committed suicide and she felt like it was all her fault and I could really relate to her. We've loved visiting her, she's super energetic and happy and excited. Loves the church and really wants to get baptized! A will also be getting baptized this week. The Spirit really is guiding us this week. One night we went to go visit A at 8:00 and we waited until 8:20 and she never showed up. We decided to start the walk home and stopped for ice cream on the way, paid and everything, but then I felt like we should stop by A (A's member friend) first and then come back for the ice cream. Well what do you know, who's at A's house? A! So we taught her and she started off telling us about how the night before she really prayed to know if the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith was true. She said that she just cried and cried and then after felt the strongest feeling of peace that she's ever felt before. She received her answer! She's super excited to get baptized this week! Pray that all goes well! We didn't even have time to go back and get our ice cream that we paid for...tudo bem.</div>
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Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-57925180051759103562012-11-19T16:06:00.000-08:002013-01-20T16:17:45.600-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Well hello hellow!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">As always, what a week! I must say that Sister T is going out with a bang...if I have anything to do with it. We managed our contact goal for the last 3 weeks of her mission and it's been great. One of our investigators is throwing her a surprise party tonight...shhh don't tell :) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The biggest news of the week was the opportunity that we had to arrange a trip for the recent converts to go to the temple to do baptisms and President let us go too! Oh how wonderful it was! -quite the group! A just ate it all up, she wants to go back every week! She was so happy and so was I :) Oh what joy it is to see the progress of those you helped come to know the restored gospel--she's on the way to eternal life and she's staying strong! She's bringing others up with her. What a special, sweet experience to be there with her for the first time. I love that girl so much. Everyone had a great time--A was especially thrilled and said that she felt a surety that those she was baptized in behalf of accepted. V described his feelings and great, warm, spiritual. A was so happy to be back there after all those years after his mission. He even wore the U of U tie :) All of it was priceless. Oh how wonderful! I couldn't have been happier. We watched the sunset reflect on the temple, there was so many parrots in the palm trees and on the temple, at night it was just magical. A day to never forget. One of the strongest times I've felt the Spirit in my whole life. What a merciful loving Heavenly Father we have, that He would provide a way for ALL of His children to make it back to His presence. And we can have a part in that! Afterwards the whole ward went to Habib's and Bishop rented out a party room for all of us.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Let's see, we've been working hard this week. We have two investigators REALLY close to baptism, but they are both scared for some reason even though they love the church and believe it's true...we're hoping that they will be able to exchange that fear for faith and take that step. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">As for funny stories of the week. Last monday was just not my day. We went all around São Paulo and then all our appointments fell through. We were asked to bring something to the district meeting so we decided to make bread and cake when we got home. Well we put the cake in the oven first and then made the bread, and then when it came time to take out the cake, we discovered that our propane tank had ran out--ah! So we put it all in the fridge, but I really wanted cake for breakfast. So in the morning, i took the cake out of the fridge and then put it in a tupperware and put it in the microwave...to your likely surprise, it turned out! And we took the bread to the church and baked it there...yum. </span>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-77316656031722957982012-11-12T16:18:00.000-08:002013-01-20T16:19:30.515-08:00Faith + Action = Happiness!<br />
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1358695796545_175340">Hello there!</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1358695796545_152533">So this week I've just really felt the Lord helping me strive my hardest to do His work. Sometimes it's tough. Sometimes it feels like the little things we do each day don't really matter. And sometimes we feel overwhelmed, weary, and stressed. But I know that I have the power to change my thoughts and attitudes! I have the power to choose to have faith and be happy, daily. I have the power to make a difference. Our ward mission leader pulled us aside this week and helped me have a brighter perspective. He shared this scripture with us (just verse 17, but I also like verse 16).</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1358695796545_175339">D&C 123: 16-17</span></div>
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16 You know, brethren, that a very large ship is <sup>a</sup><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/123?lang=eng#" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358726997_0">benefited</span></a> very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.</div>
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<a href="" name="13af6227a83c3abd_17" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"></a>17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us <sup>a</sup><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/123?lang=eng#" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358726997_1">cheerfully</span></a> <sup>b</sup><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/123?lang=eng#" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358726997_2">do</span></a> all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the <sup>c</sup><a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/123?lang=eng#" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2862c5; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1358726997_3">salvation</span></a> of God, and for his arm to be revealed.</div>
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Small and simple things really do make a difference! Our thoughts have the power to change everything! We must always strive to keep our thoughts on the high road. Think and do things that invite the Spirit. I've really learned that this last transfer. Thoughts of home only drive away the spirit. But as I serve with joy and energy, I am full of the Spirit! I've only got 4 short months to serve with all I've got, I can make a difference! So let us all strive to do all things with JOY and then we can have faith and hope that it will all work out.</div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">We had zone conference this week, always a great boost! We also found some great new families! Alice was called to be a ward missionary! And we're going to take our recent converts to the temple to do baptisms this week :) Funny story, we found out one of our investigators didn't understand when we taught her the word of wisdom...she thought that she couldn't eat breakfast, or "café da manhã" (direct translation "morning coffee" but it's what Brazilians call all breakfast). Poor thing. We threw A a surprise party for her 19th birthday. We exceeded our contact goal, once again! I ran into a fire hydrant today and it really hurt. </span></span><br /><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Let's keep putting that faith in ACTION!</span></span></div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-26698903057422080052012-11-05T19:53:00.000-08:002013-03-08T19:57:43.171-08:00Every prayer is answered, if not in our way--the Lord's! How was your week? Did you just have a great Halloween? They don't celebrate Halloween here, but a couple days later they have a "day of the dead" were
everyone goes to the cemetery to pay tribute to those that have passed on.
Fittingly enough our Sunday school lesson was on family history and temple work!
How grateful I am for those that have gone before me.<br />So this week Heavenly
Father really responded to two of our prayers. One was last weekend we had
contacted a reference we had received from an investigator. She was really receptive of us, but we weren't so sure that she would be
very receptive of our message because she seemed pretty firm in her own
religion. But all week we prayed for her heart to be softened and prepared to
receive our message of the Restoration of the Gospel, even though I didn't
expect her to be very receptive. When we returned, she had read through the
pamphlet to the part about Joseph Smith and before we started to teach her she
told us that she felt a lot like Joseph Smith, confused about what church was
true! Well what do you know, the Lord prepared her.<br />Another prayer answered.
This week I made a goal with Sister T to get all of our contacts in and
reach the mission goal, something that she said she had never accomplished on
the mission (and I myself had gotten a little slack on it). So I challenged her
to get all our street contacts perfectly for the last 3 weeks of her mission--a
lofty goal! Well we prayed for the Lord's help, and boy did he help us. At first
we were really frustrated because it seemed that many of our appointments were
falling through and we didn't have too many back up plans so we ended up
knocking on MANY doors. Then we remembered our goal and our prayers. By the time
the end of the week rolled around, we were close to our goal, but because of how
the day panned out I didn't think we would reach it. But instead of getting a
ride to our last appointment yesterday night, we decided to walk and try and
talk to a few more souls. I know that when we make righteous goals and plans,
and ask for the Lord's help, and then do our part, He steps in and does the
rest.<br />Other great news, I and C were confirmed members this week!
Woo! Now they have the Holy Ghost, a truly prized gift. Make
sure you included Heavenly Father in your daily life and pray for the specific
blessings you've received and hope to receive!Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-11514443030991227742012-10-29T20:03:00.000-07:002013-03-08T20:04:14.548-08:00We're being cooked! So wow y'all are enjoying the wonderful fall weather, I feel like we've been
thrown into a fiery furnace! Sister T really doesn't like the heat or
sun, so I just joke with her that it is the baking part it the last step in the
recipe for a successful mission. Just a little crispy on the edges! Poor thing,
she burns really easily...I on the other hand, am turning Brazilian :) (Or so I
like to think ha ha).<br />Interestingly enough, this week seemed to be a pretty
rough week as it was going, but when we stopped to take a look back at all that
happened, we were quite amazed at how much the Lord has blessed us! We are
working with many couples that need to get married. Never in my life have I felt
so strongly about the importance of marriage. It truly is a commandment of God.
There is no exception. Just living together doesn't make you husband and wife!
Ah! But I'm really learning a ton about the importance of the Gospel in
marriages. There really is no substitute. We need to base our family
relationships on the principles of the gospel--especially love, patience, faith,
repentance, forgiveness, prayer, communication, selflessness, equality, etc. We
can see a huge difference in the lives of those that we teach that are trying to
apply the gospel in their marriage, and the others where the relationship is
unbalanced and only on is trying to do what's right. I'm so grateful for the
gospel and the teachings of the Savior that help us to be more united with our
families.<br />We are teaching one couple who are really
interested in the truth and just want to follow the Savior. She is super sincere in her faith and desire to
follow Christ and really wants to pray to know. <br />I had a great experience
teaching a recent convert this week that always goes out and teaches us and
seems to be really active. At first I didn't know what her needs were--it seems
like she's great on everything. So I said a prayer in my heart that I would know
what she needed to hear. I felt I should ask her if she had any doubts on the
commandments, especially tithing.Well come to find out there was quite a bit of
confusion--she and her sisters were each paying 50% an putting it together under
one name. She was so relieved when we told her it was only 10%! I know that
tithing is a principle of faith and that the Lord asks nothing more and nothing
less. I'm so grateful for this principle. <br />Another couple that we are working
with . l is a sweetheart that really wants to do things right and get
married and be baptized, but her husband isn't even there...well this week we
taught her about repentance and we heard her bear her testimony of the Book of
Momon to her husband about how it is blessing her life. She doesn't have desire
to do bad things any more and she even deleted all of her horrible "funky"
music. I love how the Book of Mormon changes people, it never ceases to amaze
me!<br />Stay strong. Don't run faster than you
have strength. Read the scriptures daily. Don't forget to pray. Do something
special for someone in your family EVERYday this week.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-19156423225552243402012-10-22T20:06:00.000-07:002013-03-08T22:33:20.384-08:00Who doesn't love to see a few people in white?News of the week, there's always plenty of that! The biggest...drumroll....I and C were baptized! Oh and what a sweet experience it was. From day one
teaching them, they have just always been so receptive to and willing to follow
the teachings of the Lord. The week of the baptism, I was passing through
some difficulties and she new it was a temptation from the baptism. So she
reread 2 Nephi 31 that we had marked for her to give her strength--what a great
example! They are humble and loving and grateful. What a blessing it was to see them
start on this new journey together, I know that the restored gospel will really
bless their family. A recent convert from another ward works with
I. And one day she was reading the Book of Mormon at work and I said that
she used to attend the "Mormon" church about 6 years ago, and would love to come
back. When R called us, we thought we were going to visit a less active.
As we were conversing with Ieda she talked about how after she left the church,
she went to many other churches, but she never felt the same spirit that she
felt in ours. When I asked her about her baptism, she said, "No, I never
actually got baptized." "Really?!" Well she and her daughter we super thrilled
when we invited them to be baptized this month. It's been a great experience.
I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father works in so many mysterious ways. It just
goes to show how much people are watching us and the great example and influence
we have on others. We never know when the Lord is depending on us to be an
instrument in His hands...I guess in every moment he depends on us! May we all
be more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost to reach out to those
around us and may we all live our lives in such a way that we can be effective
instruments in the hands of the Lord. We can count on Him, let Him count on
us!<br />
We are working with another family, It was a neat experience this week when we shared the Restoration with them and
invited V to be baptized. She teared up and he accepted! Now we've just
got a wedding to plan for! And another reference from a member who came to
church last week, we went to teach her and her husband this week and she just
loved the church and wants her whole family to be members! Just one catch...her
husband is a bit resistant. But we'll get there :)<br />
Sister T is great!
I'm really enjoying her as a companion. For her birthday <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1362801906_0">on saturday</span> I made her a cupcake for
breakfast and later Ieda had made a cake and then we had a little "surprise"
party family night for her. She really helps me laugh and enjoy the day, and we
just flow really well together.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-7732528249528884122012-10-15T22:34:00.000-07:002013-03-08T22:37:23.251-08:00Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven!<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">So as always, much novidades here on the mission...First: Transfers! I stayed here in Santo André and am now companions with Sister Tomlinson. She's from Washington state and will be finishing her mission with me this transfer. I was super excited to finally receive a companion that's older than me on the mission...I'm going to soak up all that I can, because I'm sure she has lots to teach me. Already I'm loving our time together, it should be a great transfer...I'll try not to get too trunky ha ha.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I feel like we had a break through in our area. We had 6 investigators at church and 3 less actives that haven't come for years! It was wonderful! Heavenly Father sure blessed us! Last week Sister B and I fasted to know how to help our investigators keep their commitments, especially coming to church, because we've been having a bit of a struggle with it. And the Lord just responded to our sacrifice! He reminded us to teach around the commitments and He did the rest! It was great! We were at the point where we were doing all we could, but it still wasn't enough--but we did our best and then called for His help and he stepped in and did the rest! What a humbling and amazing experience.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">We have two baptisms planned for this week--a super sweet mother and daughter that are super excited to get baptized. And we also have received some great references these last two weeks. We have begun working with a few families that are less active and not all are members, and are having quite a bit of success. It really is the best work, completing families! It is so wonderful to see that Gospel light return back to the eyes of those less active members and see the joy that comes from having the whole family united in the Gospel. The Gospel really blesses families!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Before Sister B was transferred, we had a family night with many of the recent converts to help prepare them to go to the temple. It was so great! A already has her temple recommend. And we gave her and early 19th birthday present: Preach My Gospel. She was so excited! She can't wait to serve a mission! She taught relief society yesterday and she went out teaching with us this week and I can tell she's been studying preach my gospel because she just jumped right in and followed up with our investigators and taught about the great apostasy and testified and invited! How wonderful! Sister B helped complete and reactivate a family. The dad had served a mission and everything. But he didn't have any more church clothes, so he's just been coming to church in normal clothes for the last few months. I've felt impressed for a while to give him that U of U tie that George gave me to give to my mission president...Sorry George, but to change your wishes, but I gave it to A and we wrote on the back, "So you don't forget the sisters from Utah." And he cried so much when we gave it to him. He wore it on Sunday. I was so touched that this humble man was so touched. So thanks George, you're affecting lives!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The week before last we mad e contact with a lady that was really anxious for us to come back. When we went there, I noticed that she was referring to God as Heavenly Father, that really surprised me for Brazil. Come to find out, she was baptized 20 years ago and wants to come back! The Lord sure leads and guides us!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">At our ward council yesterday, the ward discussed how it is starting to get really weak. We see that many don't have those three things taught by President Hinckley, a friend, nourished by the word and a calling. So we are going to do all that we can to help strengthen this ward and give them all of these things. I'm really enjoying working with Sister T--lots to learn from having a more experienced companion!</span>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-9141983743828381172012-04-23T18:00:00.000-07:002012-12-16T18:02:48.646-08:00"I like to look for rainbows!"<br />
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Soooooooo BIG NEWS!!!!</div>
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Guess what member's house we went to last night and felt the Spirit really strong...That's right--G and G got BAPTIZED on Saturday!!! Wahoo!!!! We are so excited and thrilled for them! And they received the Holy Ghost yesterday and are the newest members! It was quite the production, and honestly a lot was working against it for the whole week, everyday had something new, but everyone stayed firme and forte and it was such a wonderful event! The baptism was a miracle. We showed up to fill up the font a couple hours early and when the time for the baptism came around, the font was only half full and the water wasn't coming out anymore! Oh no! Turns out the water to the church was turned off! But amazingly we had just enough water for them to get baptized sitting down. A baptism to remember! And all the ward members there that were so supportive, and loving. Sister B and I sang that "I like to look for rainbows" primary song and the Spirit there was really special and strong. G and G are so special! I love them so much! It has been such a pleasure to watch their conversion into the Gospel and see how everything blossoms from there!</div>
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As for other news...We had a special meeting with Elder Quinten L Cook on Saturday too! And wow, were we just fed by the Spirit! It was a marvilous conference and a great privilege to hear from the Lord's servants. We learned and were uplifted and edified so much! Sister B and I and a group of missionaries sang "This is the Christ" and then everyone else sang it in portuguese and it was really special. I had a really typical embarassing moment, too. I was the chorister for the hymns and during the opening hymn I thought we had sung all four verses when we had only sang three. I started to walk off the stage when the pianist just kept playing! Oh dear, in front of the whole mission and Elder Cook. Everyone had big grins, ya know, the ones that say "Nice!"</div>
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Other news of the week...had my first personal trip to the hospital. Turns out I have Sinusitis! Yay :) It's been fun, hopefully it will clear up real soon. But the Lord sure blesses me with the strength to work just as hard as ever! We waited in the hospital for 3 hours for them to see me. Come to find out they had called my name 2 hours before, but I never heard. But that's okay, because Sister Bhad some great missionary moments with the others waiting, we even gave out 2 copies of the Book of Mormon! Success!</div>
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This week we've also got some really great references that Sister B and Sister S will have a great time teaching! Oh yeah, by the way transfers are tomorrow...I'm going Sister K. I'm excited, but at the same time, I'm torn too. I really love , all of our investigators, the members, and especially Sister B! This last transfer really was just too good to be true! I've had so many great experiences and I've learned SO much!! Especially from Sister B. She is a STAR! I am so blessed to have had her. She's going to take really good care of it here!</div>
Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-46294206526277353032012-04-16T20:08:00.000-07:002012-04-18T20:11:42.626-07:00Time Flies!!! Ahh!Well hello there!<br /><br />Is anyone else just watching the time fly right out the window and thinking, "Where is it going?"<br /><br />This week was jammed pack with lessons--for me and the investigators! I thinks some of the biggest lessons that we are learning is that the Lord has His own time and that everything will work out according to His plan and will. We've got lots of great investigators that we've been working with these last two months, a few marriages to perform, and some baptisms to plan! But everyday there's a new hurdle to jump, a new fork in the road, and turn in the bend. And all of this opposition is just really helping us strengthen our own testimonies of the priciples we are trying to teach. And I think that that it really how life works. Rarely will it just sail right along without any bumps in the road, but that these little (and sometimes grand) hurdles are just the Lord's way of helping us grow and learn and stretch and become stronger. There is no such thing as an insurmountable hurdle, and the Lord will always give us the strengths and forces that we need to overcome. His grace is sufficient for all of us to overcome victoriously! I really feel like the Lord is teaching me about weaknesses and humility and grace, here on the mission. Yesterday I thought of it in the following way...our weaknesses are like a stick of dynamite that blow a huge crater in our hearts. This crater is called humility and it gives the Lord the space He needs to begin building and shaping our foundation. It is only through Him that we can turn our mound of hard rock into a beautiful construction site into an amazing building where the Spirit can abide. For those of you who are also realizing your own weaknesses, I hope that you too can take comfort in the words of the prophets--Jacob 4:7 and Ether 12:27. His grace is sufficient for you. Just call out to Him and recognize that you cannot do it alone, but that with Him all things are possible.<br /><br />I've decided that Sister B is an expert at "Looking down the mountain" moments. She's so great at keeping the eternal perspective and helping us to see how far we've come and all the good moments in between. It is so refreshing. She also has a talent for making people laugh. Intentionally or not...this week we laughed really hard. One day we were in this neighborhood that we work a lot in and I was making a phone call on the pay phone, when Sister Brenchley starts getting really excited and anxious. Thinking an investigator or someone was walking down the road, I hurriedly ended the phone call to rush to them. Well come to find out, it was just the bread man on the bicycle coming down the road. (Everyday he bakes bread and then rides his bike around selling the bread, it's become a pleasant treat for us). So we bought some bread and Sister B insisted on getting extra this time. Good thing, because next thing I know she's falling on the ground trying to catch the piece of bread she dropped. That's right, my companions risks her life for bread. Oh it was quite the experience. Even a little bit of blood was shed. And the bread wasn't even saved...May we all be a little more willing to risk our lives for bread--the bread of life!<br /><br />Sister B is also helping me to work on so many things, like having NO REGRETS and writing down my thoughts and impressions and overcoming my own weaknesses. I love her. I'm so blessed to have her.<br /><br />Yesterday the Lord really blessed us. We arranged to pick up 8 investigators for church and called all of them and walked to all of their houses and...nada. So we showed up to church a little down, only to find that we had investigators there that came all on their own! What a pleasant surprise! And we got quite a few references! And then they asked me to teach sunday school right when it started. Okay, no problem. What was the lesson on? Chapter 15: The Lord's Covenant People. Okay, now what? I hardly know this in english, let alone in portuguese. Well with the help of Sister B and Irmã M, the lesson went really well and I actually learned alot about the importance of covenants and the Lord's promises. We are so fortunate to have made baptismal covenants and have the opportunity to renew those covenants EACH week! What a blessing! Everyweek we can access the power of the Atonement to refine and improve our lives. I hope that each one of us will have a renewed determination to partake of the sacrament prepared with a broken heart and contrite spirit--ready to change! Try it! It is an amazing experience!<br /><br />Our goal of the week: "Make every person feel like the most important person in the world" It's what the Savior did and I know that he loves and knows each of us. Trust in Him. Follow Him.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-39370468560184323762012-04-09T20:04:00.000-07:002012-04-18T20:08:39.111-07:00I Believe in Miracles!Hello!<br /><br />We're just tearing it up here in DC! This month for our mission is dedicated as the "Month of Miracles" and I really feel the spirit in the air. We are all working, fasting, praying, and uniting to make this month something special. We are preparing a "Day of Miracles" at the end of this month too! I really know that this month will be full of miracles. I already feel that it is. Sister B and I have been working really hard these last two transfers and we're really seeing some great progress here in our area. The floodgates are about to open, I feel it! In my interview with the President this week, he too said," You are on the verge of miracles here." Oh I know it! I believe in miracles :)<br /><br />This week I really feel like I'm seeing how the Gospel has the power to change lives. The purpose of the Gospel is to help us repent and change so that we can make it back to our Heavenly Father. The Gospel is meant for families. Sister B and I had a great discussion about that this week--we really see what a difference it makes when a family not only has the Gospel in their lives, but applies the principles consistently. It really is the little things that add up to firm faith (just like Presidente Eyring said in conference). I love how the Gospel is like a tier or pyramid. You have to build a strong foundation and then just keep adding to it. But you can't set it on it's point and expect it to stand! We really see that here. There is a reason the first commitments we help people to make are reading and praying and not tithing and the law of chasity. Just as you don't put a 5th grader in college, we all have to build our strong foundations and work our way up. The Gospel is full of that! Consistently reading and praying strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father, then we work our way up to the commandments that help us prepare (or keep) our baptismal covenants which in turn help us solidify this relationship and continue preparing for those temple covenants and all of this preparing is really just preparing us to return to our Heavenly Father and fulfill our Divine potential. Oh it's so beautiful. So don't put aside the small and simple things! Keep your foundation strong and keep building that pyramid to eternal life :)<br /><br />Alright, story time. So this week we taught L and L the word of wisdom. As they agreed to live the word of wisdom, we encouraged them to throw out all of the temptations from their house. So L got up and went over to the cupboard and started dumping out the coffee into the trash! We were so proud of her faith. As she was reaching back into the cupboard, she had an unexpected surprise--a mouse jumped out of the cupboard and fell onto her face! What a shock! As she screamed, we all laughed. No wonder the cat had been sitting there staring at the cupboard the whole time. We also planned to get them married this week, but L couldn't find her birth certificate. We're praying that it all works out.<br /><br />The Lord is really leading and guiding us. I have a really strong testimony that Heavenly Father really loves and knows each and every one of His children and is involved in the very details of their lives. Nothing is a coincidence. And I know that He uses His children to answer prayers of His other children. It's so beautiful. I don't know how it all works, but I know that it does!<br /><br />Had some really interesting conversations this week with people who believe in God, people who don't, people who are preaching too, and people who are homeless, jobless. Sad, happy, young, old...And the beauty is, the Gospel applies to ALL of them! I learn so much from the people here. The Jehova's Witnesses that we've talked to this week are just so sweet and really kind, they are willing to listen and discuss and respect. Taught me how I need to be more like the Savior in that respect. Another man said that there was no way that you could "know" anything about God or religion. And my testimony was only strengthen that yes! we can know! and we do know! God speaks to His children and the peace of the Gospel and our Savior leaves a lasting impression that can never be replaced or forgotten.<br /><br />Well after all this rambling, I just hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter. I am so grateful that we have the knowlege of our Savior's mission, atonement and ressurrection that open the way for us to return to our Father in Heaven. And how blessed we are to know of His plan for us. I know that He lives. I know that He loves us. And I know that if we follow Him with all our hearts, He will lead us back home.Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-779059955515771552012-04-02T20:01:00.001-07:002012-04-18T20:18:26.686-07:00Graças damos, O Deus, por um profeta!<div>Boa tarde, todo mundo lá~<br /><br />Oh how glorious! The ultimate culmination to a great week: Hearing the words of the Lord's beloved servants, speaking just to us! We are so blessed! So fortunate! We have a living prophet that speaks with God! This is unique and important! Ah. Loved it.<br /><br />This week we were teaching up a storm, just trying to spread the good news! We've got some really great investigators right now and I love them all so much, I just want them all to have all the blessings of the restored gospel in their lives. We're working hard, and praying for the rest! Lessons learned this week were many. One of them being never neglect to follow a good prompting, even when you think it's not important. Last Sunday we were anxiously hoping for one of our investigators preparing for baptism, J, to be a church. Had everything all set up great, called her saturday night and she was sick...bummer. Told her we would pray for her to get better and call her in the morning anyway because we'd already be on her street. So prayed with faith, woke up and called her. Her sister answered and said that she was in bed and sleeping and still sick so she wasn't coming. Bummer. So we went to pick up our other investigators and as we were walking we passed her house about 20 minutes before church. Sister B thought that we should go and call for her at her house. But she never hears us when we call and everyone else was sleeping and I'd already called her and she was sleeping so I told Sister B that and that we should just continue on. As I started descending the hill by her house, I felt a little desire to see if she was there, but I just shrugged it off...well we went by there on Tuesday and come to find out she had gotten better in the night and stayed up waiting for us to pass by until 8:30. She said that she just didn't turn on the light or anything because she didn't want to wake her son. I was devestated, because now we'll have to push her baptism back. But it happens. Lesson learned: God always responds to prayers of faith and any good prompting is from the Spirit. We'll keep working on it. I'm just going to follow Sister B, she's always really in tune with the Spirit.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrLi2_NF-2Q5oWTPlYhHqsNmvO7rRVA6o3QeH-uysoIu2WEIdAybVWNHcfCP4mrlFgIug29B5D8c9LIdOcsswVg-tgC7qqF7kDhGfStYH3jFUpcnEjA_FO4hyQsYZdkcYFg6k1qwpJEM/s1600/Tasha+birthday+basket2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732945666542923602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrLi2_NF-2Q5oWTPlYhHqsNmvO7rRVA6o3QeH-uysoIu2WEIdAybVWNHcfCP4mrlFgIug29B5D8c9LIdOcsswVg-tgC7qqF7kDhGfStYH3jFUpcnEjA_FO4hyQsYZdkcYFg6k1qwpJEM/s320/Tasha+birthday+basket2.jpg" /></a><br />So many other experiences this week. My birthday was wonderful. Irmã M made an amazing banquet for lunch and the Relief Society sisters put together a huge goodie basket for me. I was really touched. It was nice, but I felt strange with all the attention. It was so good to just get out and work the rest of the day, trying to help God's children. Best birthday present ever: we went to Lucas and Lene's house and Lene read the Book of Mormon until Mosiah 5!! Wohoo! (They haven't been reading very consistently and she read all this in just two days!) It was so amazing! We were stunned. We kept asking her again and again, "Wait you read the Book of Mormon, the big one. are you sure?" "Yeah, the blue one." She responded. Oh how wonderful :) Then she proceeded to pretty much teach us the Plan of Salvation and bear her testimony. The spirit was strong. It is SO important for each of us to read the scriptures for ourselves. That is how the Spirit testifies to us of God's love and our unique relationship with Him. That is how we come to know of His plan for us and how the Gospel lights our way. That is how we become the children God wants us to become. It's beautiful. God has given us such an amazing opportunity to exercise our agency and learn for ourselves. And He's given us all the tools that we need. So whoever you are, wherever you are, I urge you with all the energy of my soul--pick up the Book of Mormon, open it's pages, and discover for yourself the treasures God has laid up in store for you!<br /><br />And as for General Conference, wasn't it amazing?! I received many anwers, inspiration, encouragement, comfort, motivation, advice, and love! The Spirit was so strong. We learned about families, teaching, the important significance of making sacrifices, better communication with Heaven, how to receive and recognize revelation from the Spirit, how to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, love in replace of judge, and so much more! If you didn't have a chance to participate, go online (right now!--because you're already there ;) And start watching, pray for inspiration, ask questions, and watch as the Spirit fills your soul! Here are some of my favorite highlights:<br />"Family time is sacred time and should be protected and respected." -Pres. Packer<br />"Converted to the Lord--United to the Church." --Donald L. Hallstrom<br />"When we actually LIVE the Gospel, our ability to help others increases." -Paul E. Koeliker<br />"It's true isn't it? THEN WHAT ELSE MATTERS?" -Elder Oaks<br />"It is serving others and God consistently that turns our testimony of truth into unshakeable faith." -Pres. Eyring<br />"His concern is for the faith that you have in the hour you arrive. Don't delay, it's getting late." -Elder Holland<br />"Our doctrine is clear--we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith and not our fears." -Elder Cook<br />"Communication with Father in Heaven is not a trivial matter--it's a sacred privilege." -Elder Scott<br />"Daily reflecting upon and recording our personal encounters of the Spirit help us to recognize His divine influence." -Paul Peiper<br />"Wherever you are on the road to discipleship, you are on the right road--the road to eternal life. As you love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and follow Him--you will feel His love for you. His grace with do for you what you cannot do for yourself." -Elder Anderson<br />"Ponder the truths you heard and let them help you become even better than you were." -President Monson<br /><br />I hope it was a feast for you as it was for me. I know that this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His true Church. I know that as we live the gospel and strive to be more like the savior everyday, we well not only bless the lives of those around us, but our own eternal progression. As His sons and daughters, we all have the divine potential to become like Him if we follow in His ways.<br /><br />I love you all. Happy Easter.</div>Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604525521943365180.post-30294453150117868432012-03-26T19:59:00.000-07:002012-04-18T20:01:27.778-07:00Humility = TeachableOlá :) Como vocês estão? Tudo está ótimo aqui!<br /><br />Had a week a little rough around the edges, but definitely had the icing on the top! Working hard with all the investigators we are preparing for baptism. Trying to deflect the attacks from Satan. And make sure that in everything we do, we are doing what the Savior would be doing. We've got so many investigators with some really great potential right now! It's really exciting, now we've just got to be really organized and receptive to the Spirit so that we can help them continue on the road to conversion.<br /><br />Events of the week include, war against the cockroaches (we battled against ten in our apartment and stairwell on wednesday), getting kicked out of investigator's house when the husband didn't want us there, find of the week: Kellogg's Corn Flake (for only $3.69! Yesssss.), protection from the Lord, and many many spiritual experiences teaching and studying together. I feel like everyday I am learning so much, and things that I never imagined I needed to learn. Quote of the week from me, "Lessons with members is probably like the most important thing we can do in this life." With all the seriousness of a weekly planning. We're trying to bump up our lessons with members, adding one more each week. It is so vital, but it's hard. I encourage all of you to help out your local missionaries--offer to teach with them! Love it.<br /><br />So if I had time to tell you all that happened this week I would, but I don't so I will just try and briefly touch on the highlights of what I learned this week. First off, ATTITUDE is everything. For those of you that know me, know that I am pretty well a happy go lucky kind of a girl. Always happy, looking at the bright side, come what may and love it. But here on the mission, I've let myself slip it seems. Not acceptable. Now more than ever this attutide is crucial! It makes all the difference in everyday, in relationships, in prayers, in confidence, in day to day ins and outs, in lessons, in sleep, everything. Faith=happiness. And it all starts with hope. See Moroni 7. And that hope comes when we control our attidude.WE have the power to change our thoughts feelings. We have the power over our lives. Let us all choose to keep our attitude at the best. It will make all the difference in your life. Try it. Second big lesson of the week I learned from our investigator, Graça, but she does't know that I learned it from her. We read Alma 32 with her and the firest part of the chapter talks about humility and she is really humble and willing to learn more and just accept all that she is learning. She doesn't even know it, but she's taught be that to be humble means to be TEACHABLE. To be willing to learn, change, accept God's will, recognizing that there is always more to learn. When I first got on the mission, I was teachable--just soaking it all up because I didn't know anything. But it's so easy to get caught up in the motions and forgget that there is sill so much to learn. Bu thte Lord will always show us our weaknesses so that we can be humble so that there is space in our hearts for Him to teach us and so that our faith, hope, and charity can grow. Now see Ether 12.<br /><br />I have such a long way to go to be like my Savior, but everyday I am trying. And all that He asks is our best and He will do the rest. Don't forget to be teachable and keep the good attitude everyday, in every situation!Deannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15750761136935204461noreply@blogger.com0