FELIZ NATAL TODO MUNDO!

FELIZ NATAL TODO MUNDO!


It really doesn’t feel so christmasy right now because it is hot and im wearing sandals and i have some mean tan lines going on. BUT everyone here is excited and I love it! It is such a good time to preach the gospel. Peoples minds are already on our Savior Jesus Christ and when they see the name on my tag, they like to talk and sometimes if we are lucky they like to listen also.



This week I had some hilarious I LOVE BRAZIL moments that made me think of a few of you. Primarily Lindsey. Friday we had the ward Christmas party and one thing that I really love about brasillieros is they love music. Especially American music when they don’t know the words. So in the midst of a ward Christmas party, Beyonce was blaring from the speakers. The song, if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it was playing so I was smiling pretty big, but this is the hilarious part. The 2nd counselor in the bishopric is a cute little old brasilleiro named Valdomiro, he is gray and slightly balding and smiles with his whole face especially his eyes. When he saw me smiling he starts dancing to beyonces all my single ladies and I started laughing so hard. One of his sons served in Salt Lake and knows English so he and his brother started dancing too with there fingers covering their ring fingers in unison. HILARIOUS.



Sunday it rained and it was a wonderful break from this heat but I realize that for the next 15 months I will be soaking from either sweat or rain. Awesome. It was beautiful and I was so happy.

W e have been teaching a lot. Unfortunately a very common problem with investigators are that they need to get married before they are baptized. Slightly less common but still common is that people need to get divorced from their previous spouse and married to the person they are with now. One lady has been ´married´ for 30 years with the spouse she has now but is still legally married to another. So different, but I guess it is expensive to get divorces so people just don’t do it. We are waiting on 4 or 5 people to get divorces so we can get them married. All amazing people ready, just one more stumbling block I guess.



Sunday we went to one of the favelas that we don’t like to go to much beause we got robbed last time we were there after dark and we were trying to find one of the ladies we had met but lost her contact info with the bolsa. She was travelling but we found her brother in law and he has been a member for 13 years, has been less active but wants to return to church. He has two kids that aren’t baptized and we are teaching them. There mom died about a year ago and they have been so sad, I know that this gospel will bless there lives. I love those kids, they are so smart and sweet.



We taught there older cousin who is basically a walking bible. We were kind of scared to teach him but we prayed and had faith that God would make up for the knowledge we lacked. One of the most frustrating things in the world is when you understand exactly what someone is saying but lack the ability to respond correctly. However, Sis Murbaki rocked the lesson. He had some strange ideas about prophets but sister Murbaki responded so well to all of his rebuttles. He tried telling us that we were prophets, but we responded that we have prophets on the earth today that have the power of God. It was amazing. I think in moments where my testimony is challenged literally, is when I feel strongest. The only thing I could communicate with power was my testimony. That is all I need.



I know we have a prophet on the earth today, Thomas S Monson and that he guides this church under the direction of the Savior Jesus Christ. This is his church. I know that the 14 other men who serve with him are prophets seers and revelators. We can obey anything those men say and we cant go wrong. Simple and amazing the love God has for us that He sends prophets in all times, that He sent his son Jesus Christ to organize his church with prophets apostles and the power of God. Really think about Christ this holiday. Not just about his amazing birth, but celebrate his life. He is our perfect example. Follow his example, you will be happy. I have seen the difference in my life and the lives of others. Strive to be like Him, the only thing you have to change is your thoughts. If you change your thoughts, your actions follow. It is amazing the power of ideas and thoughts. I am so grateful that God blessed me with this power to think and learn. Amazing.



I love you all very much I hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas.


Proud to wear the tag.

Sister Peterson