So as far as investigators goes, the work has been a little dead, since we were stuck inside a lot, but C is still incredible. We made a little headway with her in that she promised us she would definitely get baptized and she knows 100 % that the church is true. She has a stronger testimony than most of the members! But she said she wants to feel totally ready and she doesn't want to enter the water dirty. UGHH, if only she could understand that baptism is to wash AWAY sins, not to recognize our perfection. We don't have to be perfect to be baptized or even plan on being perfect after. Baptism is just the first step in TRYING to be more like Jesus. It is an open action and expression of our desire to follow our Savior and be like Him. We are literally born again. Baptism is incredible. Its such a fast moment. Its over before you realize it was happening, but everyone always leaves the water looking cleaner, lighter, more at peace than ever before. Its a simple action, but there is so much power in simplicity. I know C will be baptized. I just wish she would go ahead and stop denying herself the blessings that come from fully committing to follow Christ. If you know something is true, you cant just hide from it. BUT I know everyone needs different amounts of time, so we will be patient. I will not give up on her for sure.
Sadly, I wont be able to do much more in teaching her because I was transferred to Jaboticabol. Its another city about an hour from Ribeirao. I will be comps with Sis F, who is just soooo great. I already love her because we sang together in the xmas conference. She has the exact same time in the mish as me and is a sweet, happy go lucky Brazilian, but I know she wants to work. Oh man, I am just so excited to work. I'm sick of resting!! I know we have to take care of ourselves, but I'm ready to collapse in my bed because I walked all day and taught all day, not because little bugs are eating all my food, haha.
This gospel is so true. It changes lives, and the Spirit is incredibly intimate in guiding us if we will only listen. I'm super pumped for my new area, but sad to leave some people. One of them is an Irma in our ward, M R. She is incredible and I have gotten super close with her. She has had so many trials and is really suffering. Sadly, I can see that her testimony is weakening. You know, there are just some people that you meet and you know you were meant to be here for that person. She is one of those. The Spirit has always told me the exact perfect thing to say to her, even when I barely understood what she was saying. She was super sad to know I was leaving, and she said to me: you cant go because you perceive things about me that nobody else does. You always know how I'm really feeling.
I know its really just the Spirit, but I am so glad to be able to speak for the Spirit when prompted. I'm so glad to be a part of God's efforts to love and comfort His children. I hate that I have to abandon M, but I trust that God will send more guardian angels her way. Pray for her please, and C.
L is still out of town, ughh, so I wont get to see his baptism, but I just hope it really happens. He is so innocent and pure. He had a stroke and can barely walk, but he is at church every Sunday all alone. He is only 13. He said he wants to be baptized because he feels love and peace and charity. Its so simple, but so pure and perfect. We don't have to know everything to love God and follow Him. That's the whole point. HE will teach us.
Okay love you all. I'm starting to get mail again. Yay! the holidays just slowed everything down. Hoping to get your package soon :)
