New day new transfer and Sis Murbaki and I are staying 6 more weeks in Bebedouro. I was terrified of staying here without her and a little less terrified of leaving this place that feels almost like home in a very strange sense of the word. I AM SO STOKED!
Sunday we witnessed miracles and the thought of leaving right when the work was picking up left me feeling sad. For the past two transfers we have been working with a mother and her 10 year old son who seems like he is 14. Andre, the son is ready for baptism, and Andrea has a lot of problems, but Saturday night we marked a day for baptism for Andrea. She has never really showed that much of an interest in going to church so when she said, yes i would like to be baptized, i was floored. Presidente decided that it is best to wait for her also before we baptize Andre. She had never been to church before, i had my doubts but she went on Sunday and loved it! She has a lot of things to work on first but she is progressing and it is awesome.
This week was less stressful but we were still worried that Geni wouldnt come to church to be confirmed but we prayed a lot this week. Heavenly Father poured out his blessings on us. We walked to the gate of our church and right behind us was Andre and Andrea. I smiled and was happy. We walked into the chapel, there was Geni in her ironed dress ready for confirmation. I smiled bigger. I looked at this small congregation and found three new faces. One of them was a less active member who that day just felt the need to go to church. This is almost unheard of, especially with the fact that she has two small children. It is really hard for a lot of people to come to church sometimes especially with small children because no one has a car and walking is sometimes a huge hassel. And a lot of people dont care to make the sacrifice. She made it and we are now meeting with her. I WAS EVEN HAPPIER.
one of the other two faces belonged to a man we worked with almost 12 weeks ago. We never really made progress with him, but about two weeks we saw him on the bus, he said he would go to our church in two weeks and HE ACTUALLY CAME. everyone says it, but HE CAME and brought a friend. we had 4 non members in sacrament meeting. This is the most we have ever had! I thought i was going to have have a heart attack i was so happy. They all liked the church and say they will come every sunday. What an awesome experience.
These were such dramatic answers to our prayers that there is no question that HF was literally saying, well here ya go. It is so interesting. This transfer i have been praying for a lot of things to strengthen my testimony. Well we have been teaching this girl, Ronessia she has 19 years and is a mom and ´married´ She keeps all her commitments as far as reading and praying. We are working with her on the word of wisdom, but she is really amazing. I know that she probably doesnt understand everything she reads in the BOM but we had an awesome experience with her. I asked, ar eyou still reading in the book of mormon and how do you feel. She said she liked it a lot and then asked me a question that once again floored me, she asked: Sometimes when i read it, I cry, why do i cry? That Book has power, it is the word of God, I know it and Ronessia knows it. I will never be able to deny the power it has had in my life and in the lives of our investigators. It is true, it is power.
irmã Elba, I think I have talked about her before, is a recent convert of about 7 months. This woman is amazing and very humble. She has hands down had the hardest life i have ever heard of anyone having, and a majority of the problems she has had were from circumstance. I had the amazing opportunity to understand what the gospel truly means to someone with so little. For her, it is everything and it what lifts her. I love this woman and am so grateful for the example and her testimony.
all in all God answers my prayers. Dont think for a second that it´s just because i am a amissionary. It doesnt matter He hears us, He loves us. Sometimes we have to wait a little bit, but it is in His infinite wisdom. He wants to help us in anyway that will really truly help us. Like in Matt 7:11 if we being imperfect have the instinct to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our PERFECT Father in Heaven give us. This last transfer the attribute of Christ I was trying to develop more fully was love, for God for others. From all this I think i just became more aware of the Love the God and others have for me. What a blessing.
This week is carnaval so i dont know how much we will work, last year presidente took the sisters out of this area to stay with the other sisters for a week. we will see.
i love you all.
proud to wear the tag,
Sister JESSICA RUTH PETERSON
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