A Quick Trip To Switzerland

Well howdy there friends and family,

How's life treating you all? Man, a lot has happened in the past couple of weeks and I totally left you all hanging last Monday. I've got some extra free time this P-Day so I'm hoping I can make up for it!

Starting off with the highlights, we had the incredible opportunity to baptize 4 people this week! João Otávio, Francisco "Olávio" (his nome de guerra), Max, and Thaylon were all able to be baptized yesterday in the Atlantic Ocean (you know, I had gotten used to the fact that the ocean's so close until I wrote that).

Shortly after their baptisms, I had the opportunity to confirm each one of them and give them the Gift of the Holy Ghost during our record-setting sacrament meeting of 20 people (my first time confirming somebody, nevermind doing it in a different language). Last week was also a record setter with 19. While the difference may seem small, there were about ten people who weren't able who weren't able make it last week due to illness, travel, or family emergencies. Our goal for next week is 30 as we continue working toward the magic "40" number . 

Why is 40 so important, you might ask?

If we have a frequency of 40 in our meetings, our Mission President will send a proposal to church headquarters in Salt Lake City for the group to become a branch. 

Why would this matter?

As a "group," the Church here in Tutóia has no physical location, no leadership (besides myself as the "Group Leader" and President Lindsey over in Teresina as the President over all of the groups in the mission), and very few means to do any activities besides the weekly meeting. 

As a branch, the Church would gain a physical chapel, a Branch President, and a budget to do churascos, family nights, etc. As a branch, the work would almost certainly accelerate even more her in Tutóia.

So if you would, please remember that in your prayers; don't forget about the little gathering of folks over in Maranhão, Brazil that are raring to get a better footing.

Besides that, the past couple of weeks have been chalk full of loads of work. I mentioned Switzerland in the subject because Elder S. Portela and I headed over to Pedro II, Piauí to do a divisão. As the coldest city in the state of Piauí and in the mission, it's nickname is Suíça Piauíense (I think that's how you spell it) which more or less mean the Switzerland of Piauí. If you get a chance, look it up on Google; if I'm not mistaken it's the richest (and in my opinion, one of the most gorgeous) cities in the mission.

Well, I don't want to drag on too long with this one, but like always I'd like to thank all of you for reading and responding. I can't tell you how much I love to open up my inbox and see an unread email waiting for me.

Love all of you and appreciate all that you have done and continually do for me! Have a great week pessoal!

Desejando uma boa semana para cada um de vocês,

Élder Lindsay

"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

2 Nephi 28:30

1. R$1 ($0.20) lunch here in Tutóia

2. Batismo

3. Other lunch

4. Batismo

5. Getting a ride back from the baptismal service (video)