(Elder Mackrory)
Fala galera! Feliz Dia das Mães!
Another week in the books. Not a super eventful week, except
for the weekend. We saw only 9 vw bugs, to a total of 635.
Some highlights:
-I went on a division with Elder Klein. He's from Rio Grande
do Sul. His family is ok; they live on a big hill, but they are still without
water and energy. Please pray for the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A vast
majority of the population is displaced.
-we got super cheap açaí
-For Sheila's baptism interview, she brought her daughter,
and we were able to teach her a few things and mark her baptism date for the
2nd of next month. That is after transfer day, so I likely won't be here for
that.
-on Sunday for lunch, we had churrasco and I got to try
grilling cheese. It doesn’t melt, just gets this nice crispy crust and it's
incredible. It's surprisingly good with molasses.
-this week was the baptisms of Sheila and Miguel! Miguel is
the son of Camila, who was baptized last week. He has 8 years, and was unsure
of baptism until he came to primary and loved it! He gave his testimony on the
pulpit and said he wants to be an “Elder”. Sheila has been taught since I was
in the MTC. She is really busy with work, and so it's difficult to mark with
her. But when we do teach her, it's incredible. We invited her to be baptized
about a month ago, and now it's finally happened! She was crying basically the
whole time, but no one could really tell because she had just come out of the
water.
Tender mercy: Saturday we marked with our district leader
for the interviews of Miguel and Sheila. Although Miguel didn't show up. We
tried contacting Camila through any means possible. No responses, nor were the
messages sending. We were pretty much worried the entire evening. Especially
since it was Saturday and the baptism was Sunday. After prayers and waiting, we
wet home, kinda lost hope. Then, halfway home, we get a message from Camila.
Her phone died and she had to take her aunt to the hospital (don't worry, when
health care is free, you go to the hospital if you sneeze). In the morning, we
were able to do the interview and everything worked out just fine.
Something I've been thinking about a lot lately is my own
personal development. The mission is incredible for quick personal development.
I mentioned this a lot during my first transfer and how I'm growing into being
my dad. Mannerisms, appearance, and other things. As a guy, it's quite easy to
compare myself to my dad. But recently I've been seeing things differently.
I've been seeing how I've grown to be more like my mother. She is a person full
of Christlike love and charity. A mother who cares for her children
individually and equally. A person who seeks to help all, according to their
needs. All these qualities are qualities that a dedicated missionary seeks. Her
example brings myself and others to Christ. I am incredibly grateful to be able
to talk with her every week. In nine months away from home, I feel like I have
grown closer to my mother than ever before. Although I miss her dearly, as I
make decisions that make me more like her, I feel myself growing closer to her
and to the Savior.
She has taught me how to be. The Book of Mormon contains a
story that adequately describes the greatest lesson I learned from my mother.
In the Book of Alma, we read an account of 2060 young men fighting for the
freedom of their God, religion, freedom, peace, and families. These young men
had never fought before, but the teachings of their mothers rang in their ears:
“Now [these young men] never had fought, yet they did not
fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they
did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they
did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of
their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” It says later in
the story, “Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command
with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them;
and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had
taught them.”
Because of the teachings of my beloved mother, I do not
doubt the power of God. I do not doubt that the Lord is with me. Although I am
not perfect in observing the commandments with exactness, I try every day. I
strive every day to be more like my Savior, following the example of my mother.
God lives, he loves us, and he knows us individually and perfectly. As we look
to Him in our struggles AND triumphs, we will be lifted up to like Him at the
last day. I testify of these things with all my heart, might, mind, and
strength in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Fotos:
-Me and Miguel
-Sheila and us
-Miguel and us
-baptismal invites
-me next to a fusca with a cool view behind (the camera
didn't get the view)
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