Well it was a great week here in São Carlos! We had a baptism! We
baptized Bruna (23). Other missionaries found her knocking doors when
the zone came to our area. Her husband is/was a less-active member
that everybody in the ward knows. She went to sacrament meeting last
week and we baptized her after the meetings yesterday. It was great!
After sacrament meeting (which here in São Carlos is first, just like
the US), she said that she just felt good. She participated in Gospel
Principles and like Relief Society. Her husband went to Elder's Quorum
with us. The baptismal service was simple but great. Quite a few
members stayed after to support us and they were super reverent, which
is always important. They have 2 little kids, a 6 year old girl and a
little boy with less than a year.
This week we were a able to find more people to teach. It's amazing to
see how the Lord blesses us and leads us to those who are prepared as
we diligently search. We found a little family. A wife and husband
that aren't married but have a little baby blond boy (I think is 2
years old). Also the wifes daughter (14) from a previous marriage
lives with them. On sunday the wife and kids came to church and liked
it a lot. We may just mark a wedding this week haha. We went with a
member to teach their neighbors. The member just knew them by sight
and talking here and there. He didn't even really know their names.
But we went with him to try and set up an appointment. We set up and
went to teach them with the member. It is a family from Bahia (NE
Brasil) with 8 CHILDREN hhah. They liked the message and werent able
to go to church yesterday, but said that they will go next week!
We ate lunch at our Bishop's house yesterday. It actually went really
well. Bishop said that the members and leadership are liking us and that pretty soon some of
those referrals should be coming through. The 1st counselor teaches at
a University here in São Carlos and I guess he has been talking to one
of his fellow professors about the gospel. Bishop said that hopefully
soon we should receive that referral! That was really good to here,
that our work has had some results. We are trying to work a lot
through referrals and less through street contacting. The most
effective is to work through both methods. The members in our ward are
super great! I hope I stay here for at least another transfer.
This last Wednesday we had an District Leader Council. In the mission
there is a monthly Zone Leader Council where the zone leaders receive
training and meet with President. For the first time this last week
was a District Leader Council. It was super good. All the district
leaders in the mission went to Ribeirão to receive training from the
Assistents and Presidente. I was having a hard time with the pressure
from our Zone Leaders here in São Carlos to throw people into
interviews and baptize everyone on the 2nd Sunday that they go to
church. I was praying really hard for direction and answers. When
President Prieto got up to speak, what he said answered almost all of
my questions. My worries and fears were calmed and my desire to work
renewed. I know that the Lord hears and answers our prayers. He knows
each one of us. I also renewed my testimony that Presidente Prieto is
inpsired of God.
Our Zone Leaders are good guys. I am seeing that there are 2 ways to motivate. 1.
BURN or 2. TEACH WITH LOVE. Both lead to results, but when you teach
with love and instruct and encourage, friendships are built and the
results continue for a longer period of time.
Today we will go to Ribeirão Preto. We will have the CHRISTMAS
CONFERENCE tomorrow! We are super excited. I will be a narrator in the
program and sing in a choir. I was the one who picked the program on
the internet and translated it to Portugues. On the mission I have
gained a greater love of singing and less fear of singing in front of
people. Maybe I even sing better?? haha
Glad to hear that everyone is doing great! I cant wait to talk with
you all next week! I think we probably will be able to call on
Saturday to figure out a time. (Please make sure there is money on the
calling account. Make sure everyone will be able to skype as well
(PB&K, TC(BY))
I love you all and know the gospel is true! Life is going great! Have
a great week and remember the true meaning of Christmas. The season of
giving. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ gave everything. Let us do
our part to give as well and let us continue giving after the season
of Christmas.
Elder Hawkley
PS. I did'nt get to watch the Christmas Devotional. What you could
send would be awesome!
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