"Estou Gostando Para Caramba" -Antônio

Hello once again friends and family!

Hope this past week was a good one for y'all! It sure was here in lil ol Itapecuru-Mirim do Maranhão!

While it was a week without anybody making baptismal covenants, it was one in which those of the temple were made; Conceição - a member of over twenty years who had been baptized upon moving to São Paulo but had lost contact with the Church after moving back here - participated in the iniciatory and endowment in the Belém do Pará temple (which you may have heard was recently dedicated around a month ago). 

Christmas Day she had come up to me when we ate lunch in her home and really opened up to me about her past. I explained how these ordinances could bless her life and helped her prepare for the caravan last Tuesday. While at first nervous and unsure, she sent dozens of messages during this past week relating how much she was loving the experience of participating in the ordinances of and being in the temple. Some of the many photos she took I have attached below.

Incredible to think of how the Lord was able to use me in that way. Just a few weeks ago she was filled with worries and concerns about life, and while there still may remain some (as there always does), she has received a noticeable increase of joy, hope, and quite literally an "endowment of power" in her life. 

Her son, Ramon, did a proxy baptism for her father, and both Antônio and Hirlanildo seemed to have had a great time as well.

The Saturday before last, while walking down a somewhat rural highway, we met a man named Raimundo Nonato after he stopped us while driving by. He asked if we were the Élders and we came to find out that he had been baptized in another city within our mission in 2004. We asked his wife, who was also in the car, if she was also a member, to which she replied "not yet."

They went to sacrament meeting last week and we started going to their home to share messages with them. We discovered that he had been baptized at the age of around 19, received the Melchizedek Priesthood, and was preparing to serve a mission when he met the love of his life and moved to Itapecuru instead to marry her. Until today his testimony of the gospel has remained firm, and his help has been crucial as we prepare his wife, daughter, and two sister-in-law for their baptism that will hopefully happen this Sunday. He is excited about the work here and has told us that he believes (rather understands) the Lord has a work for him to do in the building of His kingdom in this city. I would not be surprised to see him called as the branch president once we reach that point.

Miracles are happening here in Brazil, and I continue to stand in awe at the fact that I am a part of it. Sure it is tiring, the leadership positions can be stressful, and the weather has no mercy, but I hope to push forward with my head held high.

"Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder..."

Isaiah 29:14

I sure love you all! I know I always say that, but it's true. Be sure to send me some email! I know I always say that, too, but I mean it!

Take care of yourselves! I'll se ya next week!

Élder Lindsay

P.S. Please pray for Benedita, Danielle, Amanda, Doca, and Carlos (aka 68-year-old Bob Marley)

"Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
  
Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen."

Doctrine and Covenants 4






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