Addiction and the Courage to Overcome!

Hello Everyone! Its a bit difficult to write these emails in English; because my English is getting worse  and with all that has gone on during the past week and looking back on the week its hard to remember the things that happened.  😃

This past week we were trying hard to prepare a teenager named Jonatan and his twin Rayane for baptism. We went to their house everyday to share more lessons and to talk about baptism and it's importance in hope of gaining a strong commitment regarding baptism from them both. We even brought them some Cevada which is a really expensive substitute for coffee and literally did everything in our power to help them be prepared for baptism. We asked our District Leader and our Zone Leader to help and to talk with them and Jonatan and his twin Rayane still weren't ready to baptized this coming week. We will continue to help in their preparation to become members and to follow the Savior's example. I am hopeful that they will be baptized soon.

This week we did a another division or companion split. I stayed in the area with Sister Linhares. We found a ton of success and were able to do a lot of good. Elder Gonçalves and Elder Francis said that our numbers and what we accomplished were really good for two Sisters that are new on the mission. My Zone Leader said that it's possible I could train the next transfer.... lets pray that that does not happen. 😃 Nelson is doing good and  smoking a lot less. Many that we teach have addictions that are strong barriers to progressing and include being in attendance at church each Sunday. Addiction really "tangles a person up" and only the Savior and his Gospel can free them from the strong "bands" of addiction. But each prospective member has to choose to accept the Savior's help and have the courage to stop. I hope that Nelson can "dig deep" and find the courage to change. Also, we had an appointment and met with Graça and Sergio. They are doing well! I really hope and pray they both continue to progress.

I don't know if you remember Dorival; but in keeping a  long story short he has stopped with the problems he was struggling with and he has worked hard to overcome and wants to be baptized! He announced in front of all of the priesthood brethren at church that because of how he has overcome and how Christ and himself  resolved it that it was an answer from God that he needs to be baptized and follow Christ!  He still needs to be interviewed by Pres Acosta. Sister Lara and I are hopeful that he will be baptized soon!

I will continue to press on and further the Lord's work. Thanks for all your love and support! Have a great week!

Municipal Theatre of São Paulo, Brazil