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| Elders Dawson, Tolentino, & Maughan |
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| Leonel, Francielly Family w/ Dawson & Childs |
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| Missionaries at the Office |
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| Shovel Time |
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| Street Lady |
Bom Dia!
You all are still waking up over there. Today is very nice, it is raining a little bit and it is welcomed because these last few days have been pretty hot and humid. But all is well here :)
So i know you are curious to learn more about Ricardo. He showed up on sunday morning for church very very tired. He had worked the whole night and went directly to church that morning. He was actually falling asleep in the elders quorum so he decided to go find somewhere to sleep. It was a very difficult decision for him. He had to go back to work at mid day to work to get some lunch then continue working at 6 or 7 until late into the night again, so he decided to go get some sleep. And then he didn´t show up again, it is still a great mystery to us. We just need to remember to have a lot of hope and faith in him that he did not do anything bad and he will find us one day here at church, the office, or even the street. So lets see what happens.
Thiago!! Wow all of the cool guys that are ready to receive the gospel are called Thiago it looks like. So 8 days ago, on a Friday, we were fasting to help some investigators have progression and to find those who have been prepared for the Lord. We were also doing visits with this young man in our ward called Gregori. A few days before this we had knocked on a door and taught a lady, we asked if she knew anyone that would be needing a prayer or would accept a visit, she pointed to her neighbor, we taught her too, but it wasn´t that amazing of a lesson. Coming back to Friday, we decided to visit that lady, Oraide, again. When we got there her grandson, Thiago, was there. He had left the rehabilitation center just hours before we arrived. It was a perfect first visit. Thiago, with his brother and niece, accepted our baptismal invite. We marked his baptism for the 29th of September. He is now so ready and converted that it will be the 8th now. But that same day, Thiago went to our English class, and brought a nephew, Ualisson. The next morning we taught him right before the institute classes(at our chapel) and then brought him over to the institute and showed him in to the old testament class. He made many friends. That same night he went to the institute activity with 2 nephews and a niece. Oh, and during the day he went and bought church clothes with his dad. The next morning he went to church with his brother (he looked like a member already with his shirt and tie! :) ) And this whole past week has been a breeze :) Thiago is showing us to all of his family too! It is being a very special experience. And all of this due to a fast, prayer, and lots of hard work! Got to love the mission!
So this past Wednesday we had a leadership training. with all of the zone/district leaders and the trainers. We got to talk to all of the district and zone leaders about some statistical things about the mission and what has been happening on the mission and how we can get better. Lets just say that they all put their heads down looking at the charts and graphs of some key indicators. We talked about how to "wake up" our efforts. It is important that we don't fall into a comfort zone as missionaries and always strive to stay alert in the work. I don't remember the exact translation of what Lehi said but, Lift yourselves up from the dirt my sons! Good advice for all of us! We were able to train some of the trainers and juniors too. We will give this training again this upcoming week.
After the conference i went in exchanges with a zone leader to elevate work with Elder Ewer, from my group! That was cool. I was able to put some fuel into their work and area, we marked 4 baptisms and had several new investigators in 24 hours. I came back to my area Friday morning.
Give a good talk there at the young women's thing mom! You will do great. Get really into the subject with so much knowledge that you can then present the knowledge that you gained in such a way that the spirit will put what you are to say into your mind. This is why the missionaries can only study the basics. Sorry for instructing...
Well if you are going to send the package still. Send something special for ElderTolentino, he is easily my best and favorite companion, I love this guy. We are going to switch soccer jerseys, São Paulo for USA.
Yes, missionaries are always looking to us for things and seeing what we will do. But it is being good :) One more reason to always be on my toes! And it is my recent goal to memorize some of the verses from D&C 121.
Well you all don´t have any pics for me, so i don´t have any for you! Ha! Well I haven´t really taken any pics too...I will get on that.
Yesterday we were teaching this lady called Nádia, she is very very knowledgeable about things in the bible and in general. But she was a little confused about the difference between God and Christ in the old testament. We were able to help, she knows that they re not the same person. But she asked about the Atonement of Christ. She asked why. This was one of my favorite lessons I have ever taught on the mission, we were able to leave several chapters for her in the Book of Mormon for her to read. We succeeded in teaching her a little about justice and mercy, just enough for her to understand a little. We could not teach everything or go deep at all, that would blow her mind, as it already is uncomprehendable for us. As an Apostle said, "I know 2% of the Gospel". I have got to know nothing then. But I can bear my testimony that I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, that he died and suffered for us to fulfill all justice and encircle us with His arms of mercy. I know that there is no other way, that He is Everything in The plan. I am grateful for the problems, the difficulties, the suffering, maybe we can become just a little more like Him. Elder Wirthlin, of the twelve, said that the Atonement is to make bad people good and good people better. But without the use of it, by ignoring it, we lose the best gift that has ever been given and ever will be given. Through Him, Everything is possible.
This is why being a missionary is so wonderful, I get to share this with others all day everyday.
I love you all and am grateful to have you all on the side of the Lord.
Elder Bradley J. Dawson
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