Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf - an Apostle, Ministering, and Baptisms!

I am doing well this week (week starting Monday, Feb. 25th). It was pretty busy but great. It was neat to be able to chat with my family at home the last couple of weeks on our prep-day.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to São Paulo and Salvador Brazil on a nine-day assignment to visit with the missionaries, church leaders and member families here! What a wonderful blessing. We had a few missions in São Paulo, Interlagos meet as a large group to hear his message. It was super exciting as I was able to shake his hand and speak with him briefly! It was a wonderful, spiritual experience for me! The presence of the Spirit was super strong! I didn't get to talk to him for very long but his message was a great inspiration to all the missionaries in attendance! Part of his message was that we as full-time missionaries need to always try and help the Savior baptize to make not only members of the church but help in creating disciples of Christ. He said that our missions in Brazil, we baptize but we need to remember that it is not just about the number but the helping of the soul to endure to the end! Also, he talked a lot about gratitude and how when we are thankful in all things we find more peace and power in this life to love and endure to the end with joy.
As a missionary hard times will come to them on a mission; those times have come to me periodically. Yet, they come to help missionaries understand, to a very small portion of what the Savior has gone through for each of Heavenly Father's children. Sometimes doubt, or lack of faith 'creeps' into the work.  President Acosta has told the missionaries that the Lord knows that excellent missionary work is going forth and that the Savior loves each of them! But that they are to remember that this work is not whether they are sufficient enough, but that it is about the Lord and the power he has to do all things. President Acosta told the story of Laman and Lemeul and the difference between them and Nephi. He said that they were all obedient; all had the same successes and difficulties; the same potential - everything was the same. The only difference was the fact that Nephi recognized the Lord and instead of complaining and letting doubt or lack of faith creep in, Nephi looked to the Lord, loved the Savior even more and was thankful. President Uchdortf talked about similar things when he spoke to us. I am now even more thankful and prayerful; giving more thanks and remembering what was said.
Now that I am here on the mission I know that there are people that needed me here and the adversary did not want me to come to find them. I know that there are many of God's children, here in Brazil and throughout the world that still need the help the Savior can give and it rests with the members of his church and that have a testimony of his Gospel and the missionaries to share it! God always, and I mean always qualifies those he calls. There is a Scripture in D&C that says when we are called and labor in the Lord's vineyard you are qualified for the work - whom the Lord calls, he qualifies.
A man named Fabio is scheduled to be baptized this coming week! He is the nephew of a member! We have been working and fighting to get him to church for about three weeks. He always said,  "I am not the kind of man that goes to church." But he went this week and loved it! We found out his brother that passed away had actually been baptized as well.

Ryan's Baptism!

Rafael's Baptism!

One thing that is the really great thing about a mission is when one is set apart as a missionary you are given the power and gifts of the Spirit to help those that you will come in contact with. I have seen many times on my mission where I felt guidance to teach a certain lesson at the initial contact and it has been an answer to someones prayer. I know that the lesson you need to teach comes to your mind from the Spirit!
Rafael was baptized this past week! Also, Ryan, he was baptized the week prior to last week! These are young men that we found while talking with and contacting people in the rain. There is another man we found making contacts in the rain this past week.
I guess the rain is a blessing in disguise. I think of it that way, yet it rains lots here - that means lots of blessings and many to talk with! I am truly blessed to serve the Lord here in Brazil! God bless all of you!

7 And in this place let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting, lifting up holy hands upon them. For I am able to make you holy, and your sins are forgiven you

(D & C 60:7).

60 Verily, verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things;

61 For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.

62 Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature (D & C 84:60-62).

88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up (D & C 84:88).

O Ye that Embark in the Service of God!

This past week was bit of a battle; we are very busy and time sure seems to be flying by! We had splits or a division this week and I was able to go to my old area, Cursino! I was able to go back there to help  find a few more people to teach. I spent all of Tuesday, February 5th there  and it was great! Also, I was able to see a few of my recent converts Dorival, Patricia, Thaissa, Cris, and little Matheus - if you remember them. Patricia and little Matheus ran up and gave me a big hug. Also, I was able to see an old investigator, Anna and I made a call to talk to Isabel - which was also super awesome!
This week we were able to start teaching a man named Rafael! He said that Sister Missionaries had been teaching him in the past but he feels that now is the moment for him to start following a religion. He expressed that he knows that God guided us to him and knows that it has purpose that we found him again, given he works almost 24/7 and we were able to speak with him again. He is a great miracle because he was a contact that we were able to do when it was pouring rain!
We are teaching Rian still;  his mother said that she wants to give it a few more weeks before baptism. Yet we are going to try this week to commit them to a baptismal date. We will also try to set a date for a woman named Lucia that has a daughter that is less active and has a ton of desire to receive the Holy Ghost and follow the Savior and his teachings.
Luis, a recent convert is super active. He memorized D&C, section 4. By doing that he was able to get a tie to wear to church! Rita was also at church even though she just had surgery.  She knew it is important and is going to start giving lunch to the missionaries and prepare for attending the temple. Washington is also preparing for attending the temple. Sandro is doing super well! Flavia will being going to girls camp and her whole family now is super active in the church - it is so neat to see their smiles and feel of their happiness! Benedito decided that he will, for now, keep going to his church because his pastor said that he shouldn't change his tradition and what he is used to -  ughhhhh..
Have a great week!

Doctrine and Covenants, Section 4, verses 1 to 7

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

The Beauty of the Gospel!

It was a blessed week, yet a hard week at the same time; I will be staying in this area of Vargas as we just had another transfer. I am positive that we will continue to see the area grow with many more hearing the Gospel message; supported by our testimonies. We hope many of those we will come in contact with and teach can be invited to the waters of baptism. It seems like yesterday that I was asked to reopen or as a missionary says, "whitewash" this area that was closed for sometime prior. We have seen some great things happen in this short time here!

This past week we were able to see some of our wonderful new investigators be baptized. That being the baptism of Ruan,  Isabelle and a friend of our recent convert, Ingrid! Sister Feres and I were super excited! Rian was not able to be baptized this past week because he will be going out of town, however we are working with him for this coming week. Benedito said to us, that prior to this coming Sunday he would decide what path or what church he would follow and then be baptized. We reminded him of what he knows to be true and to ask Heavenly Father in prayer what he should do. It was also a great time to bear my witness; my own testimony of the blessings of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, we reminded him to ask Heavenly Father and that he would answer his faithful prayers. He was not able to be at church this past Sunday, yet hopefully he is doing what we asked him to do to find answers. We will be checking at his home often to see what his feelings are. We are praying a lot for him and each of our investigators! On a lighter note, Sandro, for his work, does parachuting classes - you know jumping from a plane with a  parachute, crazy huh. I told him that I would come back with my family to visit and go parachuting! He smiled and said okay!
We are enjoying the warm Summer here in Brazil!  God bless each of you!

Church and Darkness to Gospel Light.

This past week was pretty great! Although,Isabelle and Ruan were not able to be baptized because of the holiday here in Brazil. They went to visit their family, however, this coming week Sister Feres and I will get them to commit to a date for their baptism - it will go alright for sure and maybe even this current week they will be baptized! Eduardo is doing well always going to church with us, although whether he gets baptized now or in the future - it yet to be determined; I am confident it will happen. Also, we visit Eduardo frequently to help him always progress. It's kind of funny, because in a few of the pictures I have you will see him with one or two of his dogs. I think he has more than that; I may have lost count 😄.  Benedito had the baptismal interview but doesn't feel prepared to be baptized just yet; so we will  work with him a little bit more. I have faith because Sandro was exactly like that. Sandro, in his own time, with patience and love, was baptized! Jonathan moved to another home, out of area so we have referred him to those missionaries in that area. They will get  him where he needs to be!

Washington this past week went to church wearing a suit and tie; crazy because he hates wearing a suit and tie. He even brought a friend with him to church. He also went to the young single adult activity with his friend. When we went to visit him, he told us that we are his "Angels" and that we changed his life - we know it was the Holy Ghost bearing witness to him! I love to see the light that is now in his eyes! He said prior to meeting with us that he felt an emptiness that he now doesn't feel! I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives!

We went to visit Sandro with a member and he made Tapioca for us and it was super good. Kind of funny that he was trying to make it on the stove but forgot to turn on the stove (maybe just overly excited to have the three us there) - he just kept stirring, and stirring. I didn't say anything; I just smiled. I wanted to see how long it would take him to realize what was not happening. Finally my companion, Sister Feres, said something and everyone started laughing - we all laughed for a very long time. It was pretty great!

This past week we were able to take a teenage boy named Rian to church. Also, Jonas came to to church - many came to church with us! We are hoping to baptize all of them this week! We are also helping a less active member, Roselito come back to church. The best part about the mission is seeing people in darkness come into the light and seeing Christ change their lives! These definitely are the big miracles that make it all worth it! Also, this past week, ward members, recent converts, Sister Feres and I helped provide some service by painting. It was a lot of fun.

( © Copyright 2019 Eneida Costa - São Paulo, Brazil)

For my birthday, we had lunch with Eneida and Claudio. They are wonderful, awesome people! I love both of them and their family.  Eneida had a cake for me. It was a great celebration! We also had a division in our area with the Secretaries and Assistants to the President. They called me that morning prior to the division and sang "Happy Birthday" which was a wonderful surprise😄. Sister Acosta also called me to say Happy Birthday! Many in the ward and recent converts also remembered my birthday! What a great birthday - many people that I love made it such a wonderful day.  Remember Irmão Lima, I also got to see Irmão Lima, from the CTM when I was there. He came to visit us, in the ward, this past Sunday!
I feel very blessed! I send my love to each of you.

“Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More important, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs.” - Elder Robert D. Hales, Ensign, "Light and Darkness Cannot Occupy the Same Space at the Same Time", May 2002.

“With Christ, darkness cannot succeed. Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Hope of God’s Light” - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,Second Counselor in the First Presidency, April 2013.

How Great Shall Be Your Joy!

What an awesome week!I don't know if you both remember Sandro? We had searched him out the first month that I was here in the Cidade Vargas area of São Paulo. We were preparing him to be baptized, although he did not feel prepared because of some very difficult challenges he was having in his life - trials that he was going through. It had been about five months of trying to help him realize that baptism is not for those that are perfect or when things are going well but the step we must take especially in these hard times. We found him leaving work last week and I bore my testimony to him at that time. I told him that there was nothing left that we could do to help but that all he needed was to exercise his faith. I promised him the blessings of his Heavenly Father would come to him and promised him that he would receive the answer he was looking for. He always told me that when the day came that he was ready, he would call me and tell me to start preparing everything for him to be baptized. This week I received a phone call. He said on the phone, "Smart, remember when I told you I would call you when the day comes? I am calling to tell you that it came - I am ready." We prepared everything and he was able to be baptized this past Friday, January 18th!
We have also been teaching a man named Washington that we had prepared to be baptized with a man named Fernando some time ago. After several days, we were never able to find him home again. Then some time went by; after a few weeks of not seeing him or talking with him his name came to my mind. The next day, as we passed by a city park we saw him sitting with a group of his friends. We were a bit nervous to approach him in front of his friends thinking that he would ignore us and make fun of us; not wanting to hear our message again. Because of this fear we just kept going and didn't speak with him, but I felt deep down that that was not the right choice. We stopped, prayed that God would help him to speak to us if it is God's will. We wanted to help him know more about the truth. We passed by again, he turned his head and saw us. We talked with him then and scheduled a time to meet. We taught him what was left of the discussions this past week!  He was able to be baptized on this past Friday with Sandro! They both thanked us for being their angels and never giving up on them. What great joy Sister Ferres and I felt. When Sandro was in the font, he looked at me and smiled with the biggest smile I had ever seen from him. I love to see the joy the gospel brings to those that allow it to come into their lives. This next week we are planning to baptize the siblings of Flavia; Ruan, and Isabelle! Her family has come back to church two weeks in a row. They are now more active and involved! We were also able to take Eduardo, Jonathan, and a man named Benedito to church! We are so busy, yet loving every bit of it!  I know that sometimes God requires the divine trait of patience, but I know that he will always do his part. I know that the Gospel changes lives and this work is the happiest work there is.

This past week we had six sister missionaries, and Sister Ferres and I in our tiny apartment staying overnight - so crazy. It is hot and Summer here in Brazil. When we have time, we do fun Summer stuff on our p-day or preparation day - and better yet with members or investigators. I was able to fly a kite with one of our investigators, Marcio which was pretty darn fantastic! My birthday this week will be different this year - I can not believe I am that old! Thanks for the birthday wishes. Have a great week.

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (Doctrine and Covenants 18:15–16)

Flavia's Baptism!

The first couple of weeks of this month we were able to take a man named Eduardo to church. He is fifty-four and one of the sweetest men I have ever met. He has had some difficult challenges in the past. However, he stopped drinking and changed his entire view, opinion and purpose of his life. He is a miracle! Also, earlier this month, we were able to take a teenage girl named Flavia to church as well. We are working with her to baptized later this month! She is young in years and one of the sweetest girls. We found her sitting outside of her house and although seemed without interest, we felt we needed to go back and visit her again. We found out that her mom had been baptized and wants her to find the same path. She said she liked church a lot.

This past week, the week beginning Monday, January 7th went well! I have learned a ton! We went by the home of Flavia each day this past week to check on her. Great news is that she was able to be baptized this past Sunday, January 13th!!!

(Left to Right) Sister Smart, Flavia, Sister Ferres

The more we taught her the more desire that she found within her to follow the Savior. She began to, early on not only believe and rely on our testimonies but she began to gain her own testimony and feel the truthfulness within her heart each time we met with her. We came to find out that her mom and grandmother had been baptized about fifteen years back and had became less active members. On Wednesday, we left a message with Flavia but ended up leaving a message regarding the Plan of Salvation not only with Flavia, but her mother, grandmother and her little sister. We were teaching them about the Spirit World, we noticed that Renata, Flavias's mother, began to get a bit emotional. Renata told us that a while back she had some recent thoughts and feelings come to her about her dad who had passed away some time ago. She said when she heard us teaching about the Spirit World and Temples it felt true and touched her heart; she expressed the desire to help him. It was a testimony to each of them about the truthfulness of what we were teaching. So many wonderful blessings with the Gospel! Everyone was at the church for Flavias's baptism! - her step dad, grandmother, mom, and three siblings and a friend, named Ingrid! We are going to be teaching her little sister Isabelle, and Ingrid and prepare them to be baptized as well; the two of them seem to have a great desire to learn for themselves!
This week I have thanked Heavenly Father in prayer for our investigators believing that God would not let us fail; also I have exercised more faith in our work. As a result, we were able to see a lot of miracles! This area has always been super, super hard to get people to church. It's usually only one or two investigators; even with the help of a pair of Elders that are most recently in the other half  of the Vargas area. This past week we were able to take six investigators to church and two less active members!
Eduardo is not progressing as we had hoped, but I know that he has great desire and is a very different man now. I have so much love for him and I know that one day God will help him when Eduardo is ready. I never knew I could have so much love for people I barely know!
I know that the mission can be hard but it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! I have learned so much and have come to know my Savior and true happiness in this life. I will come back home a very different person! Best to each of you. Thank you for your love and support!

Having fun with a turtle 😄

Happy New Year!

This past week was good, yet exhausting as well! After Christmas we went back to work, the normal routine -😉. We were able to visit a few investigators but sometimes even when you give them the chance to make the right decision and they know it is the truth they decide to not move forward at that time. We have had a couple of investigators attend church that are not willing to continue for now. We pray and hope things change with them going forward. However, great news, Fernando, the young man we have recently taught and that I told you about was able to be baptized this past week! He is one of the most awesome young men I have ever met. He has already made a lot of friends with the other youth in his ward which is more important than being attached to the missionaries. This past week we ate a ton of junk food haha. We received a big Christmas package from the wards we work with. It contained a ton of treats - it was an awesome gift! We are thankful for what they did for us making Christmas special this year. We also bought some Brazilian pizza. How am I supposed to go a week without eating pizza? 😄 For New Years Eve, during the day we are able to stay in the home of a member family. However, everyone is busy or traveling; it is hard to find many home during the time between Christmas and New Years. This past week was super hard to set up appointments as they are traveling; or nobody was home because everyone is at the beach. We weren't able to take many to church, other than Fernando. However, I had something I had only heard about, happen to me, and everyone should have a good laugh because a dog went and peed on me this past week. Fun times! It was awesome to talk via Skype to my family on Christmas day! Happy New Year!

Christmas spent with a wonderful family! Merry Christmas!
( © Copyright 2018 Eneida Costa - São Paulo, Brazil)

New Years spent with a  wonderful family and some awesome Elders! Happy New Year!
 (  © Copyright 2018 Eneida Costa - São Paulo, Brazil)