(no subject)

The end of one more transfer... how is it already over?

Today is transfer day, and we had a big change in our neck of the
woods. Remember how this past transfer I trained? OK well we have been
living in our house with us four sisters. When my Irma Perkins came
half way through the last transfer we split up our area and Irma Lima
and Irma Perez traveled pretty far to work in their area everyday and
we stayed in Quinta do Conde. Irma Perez trained Irma Lima this past
transfer too.

Well we got the call last night that Irmã Perez would be leaving and
instead of another Irma coming to take her place and be with Irma
Lima, we would just become a triple companionship. So that means that I
have two comps who both have 1 transfer in the mission...... WHAT!?!?!?

And if that's not crazy enough, we will re-absorb that area that we
just split last transfer. So we will have to figure out how to work in
quinta do conde and in the other part of our area that is about 1 hour
away on bus and train....

Heavenly Father must have a plan but I have not yet received the memo
on this one.

I am excited for this new challenge. I have not quite figured out how
it will all work out, but I´m learning that worrying too much just is
not as effective as I used to think. When I worry I get distracted by
the little things. When I have faith I have the capacity to catch
Heavenly Father´s vision and become an instrument in His hands.

This past week we met William and Sonia. They are incredible. We have
met with them every single night since last Monday night. They went to
church and LOVED it. It just so happens that they were married just
two weeks ago. They have a beautiful 7 month old baby named Raim.

Since we gave them the Book of Mormon to read and pray about last
Monday, William has read almost the entire Book of Mormon. As of last
night he was in Words of Mormon, which means he has probably completed
the Book of Mormon by our appointment tonight. He took a binder full
of Liahona magazines from the Chapel to borrow and read, and when we
showed up last night he had lots of commentary about Brigham Young
University, and Joseph Smith, John Taylor, Temples, the organization
of the church and so on. He had already read several magazines since
church earlier in the day.

Turns out he has a photographic memory and remembers almost perfectly
what he reads. So as he explained to me what was going on in the Book
of Mormon, and remember every name and each part of the storyline, I
was blown away.

He prayed about the Book of Mormon and knows that it is true. Sonia is
reading and has such a humble heart. She says that she reads and then
she just can´t put it down, she says she just has the desire to keep
reading. She has also prayed and felt that the Book of Mormon is true.

We have invited them to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be
baptized by someone who holds the Holy Priesthood. We have a lesson
with them tonight and will find out what the response to their prayer
was.

There are people that have been prepared to receive the Gospel. They
just know not where to find the truth.

We taught about the word of wisdom and after a long and spiritually
intense lesson we invited William to pour out any and all alcohol that
he had in the house. Words can not sufficiently describe the feelings
I felt as I watched William and Sonia (with Raim in her arms) stand
beside their bathtub and pour out the last remaining bottle of beer in
the house. Sonia giggling with joy, William shaking his head with a
smile, knowing full well that THIS was the will of the Lord. As he
frees himself of these bonds of addiction (no matter how small they
seem) I know that Heavenly Father will pour out blessings that they
won´t even be able to count them all.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to make changes in our life, be
they big or small. I am grateful to know these people and to see them
turn their hearts and follow the Savior´s example.

I hope I can do the same everyday.

There are bound to be some rough patches with our companionship
switcharoo, with one companion that doesn´t speak English and one
companion that doesn´t yet speak Portuguese...I know that we will have
our patience tested and our our faith tried, but the Lord trusts us
with His children here, so we will work hard and His miracles will
come.

Thank you for all of your love and support. I miss you all and think
of you often.

-Sister Liz