(Elder Mackrory)
Fala galera!
Essa semana foi rápido demais, e só vimos 16 fuscas. 1127
agora é o total.
This week was so fast, I hardly remember anything. Last pday
we hung out at home because we were really tired. At night we had a sick lesson
with a dude who was super interested in the Book of Mormon. We then went to
teach some recent converts, but they weren't home, so we went and got burgers
instead.
On Tuesday we left early for district council and
accidentally got off at the wrong bus stop. But we had plenty of time to spare,
so we walked. We then went to visit some people, some were home, most weren't,
and then we had primary program rehearsal. I love primary hymns.
On Wednesday we taught Antônio and Patrícia about what
happens after we die. Antônio is bald, so I made a good use of Alma 11:44 and
everyone (including him) had a good laugh and understood the principles.
Tomorrow, they will hear the restoration.
On Thursday I had a division with Elder Oliveira. He's got
slightly more time than me on the mission, and it was great to be able to learn
from him. We had an exhausting (good) day and made some acerola juice. He gave
me some goated training tips which I will use extensively, and I taught him
that adding a bit of lime in any juice makes it hit the spot.
Also Thursday was interviews with president. He gave me some
really cool new insights to our work in small towns. We also geeked out a
little to my spreadsheet (which he said was better than his!!!). If the
compliment wasn't enough, he then asked me for a copy of it. It's a pretty nice
feeling when a professor who taught an excel class thinks your spreadsheet is
really cool and asks for a copy. Anyway, this might mean that next transfer ill
be a secretary. Elder Kjar is outa the office next transfer, so they will be
needing a new tech sec.
Friday we ended the division and had a dope family night
with Cleiton, his family, and Thiago. We had hot dogs, and they gave us the
leftovers. Members are awesome.
Saturday we ate those leftovers and went to visit Selma, the
less active member who came to church last week after 12 years. We were
planning on just stopping by real quick and asking her how she was, asking how
she felt about church this week, and re-extend the invite. Then it started
raining. The thing is that the forecast didn't predict rain, so we didn't bring
umbrellas. She begged us to stay until the rain stopped, so we settled to do a
reading of the Book of Mormon. She randomly flipped to a page and said “let's
start here.” Guys I've never seen anyone flip to a more goated chapter than the
one she flipped to. Mosiah 24. We read it, talked about it, she loved it, we
loved it, it stopped raining, she said she'd be at church, and we left. Mission
accomplished thanks to the rain God gave us.
On Sunday we were planning a million different visits. And
none of them ended up working out. Not because they weren't in house, but
because plans changed at the last minute. For whatever reason, the branch Christmas
party is this Friday and no one told anyone. So we helped the primary
president, the young women's president and the teachers quorum President
organize the thing. And by the time we reached Conclusions, it was already time
to go home. But it was good, well-spent time I think.
In other news, my trainee Elder Hernandez is learning the
Carioca accent really well, since he isn't around any other Brazilian from
anywhere else. It's started bleeding into his Inglish. He now says, “oopsh”
Instead of “oops”.
Tender Mercy: In our Christmas presentation at the branch
party, I'm singing “Quem é o menino” while Elder Hernandez goes wild on the
piano. I think the song is so pretty, and it's on my favorite melody of all
time: greensleeves. Anyway, as I sang it, I was reminded of the first time I
felt that I knew Christ loves me. When I was like 10-12, I always went outside
to take naps after church. I would always take my iPod (not the touchscreen
kind; think older) with me and listen to music as I fell asleep. One of my
favorites (year round) was Little Drummer Boy. One afternoon, as I listened to
the song, my heart was struck at the climax of the song “Then He smiled at me”.
In that unforgettable moment, I knew Christ was aware of me and loved me. And
what was true then is true now and is true for everyone. Yesterday as I sang
“What Child is This” I felt the same love and confirmation that His love for me
is everlasting, and was the very reason He suffered for all of humanity,
including me.
My spiritual thought today echoes my experience from
yesterday: Christ was born into this world for a purpose planned long ago. He
chose to come to Earth to save us from death and sin, to comfort us when we are
sad, hurt, or alone. His birth means everything because His life changed
everything. The penitent sinner saved, comforted, and loved by Him.
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