August 23, 2011

Oi Família!

This week was really good. I got my new companion on Tuesday which was Elder Lomas from my MTC group in Provo. It is crazy to be in a companionship with someone from the MTC. I am also now senior companion on the mission which is another crazy thing. On tuesday before the transfer, Elder Dowden and i spent the day in Santa Cruz with Elder Jensen waiting for our companions. We went on a hike up to a cross on the mountain. It was really windy and my nametag ended up flying off and breaking after hitting th big cross. So now i am using another nametag until i get a new one. The next day after getting things settled in with Elder Lomas and Elder Steele, the new missionary for Estrela, we went out and did some visits which was really tiring because it was alot of walking. Then on thursday we tried to visit a bunch of former investigators and find new investigators since Elder Jacques was sick basically all of last transfer and we didn´t find many people to teach. We found a great family that has Vanderly, the dad, Viviane, the mom, and Kaun, their son, and Kauane, their daughter. They showed alot of interest and said that we could come back and also that the would come to church this next sunday. It is great to see the blessings of God from doing his work, it may be early to say but it will lead to something good. They really like to ask questions but they are good ones that help them to learn the truth. Viviane kept reading parts of the Book of Mormon while we were talking about it and she really liked it. That night the Elders from Santa Cruz came since they had a leadership meeting in Porto Alegre the next day. It was crazy because there was 6 Americans in one Brazilian apartment. The next day went pretty well although it was very tiring from all the walking. We ended up teaching a lesson in English because a member´s sister-in-law who is from Ireland was here, it was weird to talk about the gospel in english without wanting to use portuguese words. She really liked it but her husband who is from Brasil but lives in Ireland is a less active member so they didn´t come to church on sunday. That night we also taught a really good lesson at family home evening to a girl named Francine. She is a friend of Taina one of the young women in the ward. We talked a little bit about the Restoration and the watched the Jospeh Smith movie. Then afterwards she asked some questions about the Plan of Salvation so we also taught the plan of Salvation but quickly. She really like everything we said alot and dais she would go to church and she did. Saturday was more of a tiring that successful day but it wasn´t too bad, we found a couple potential investigators to teach. Then on Sunday Francine, Thayla (a friend of Daltrei) and Cleber were at church. We had lunch and Francine was there and told us she really liked church and was coming back next week and also that she was coming to an activity on friday. Later we visited Vanderly and Viviane and they became even more intrested in our message. I accidently left our cellphone at lunch and so we had to go back and get it. Yesterday was a good day because we got to visit Francine and her mom. Her mom loves that she is going to church but her mom isn´t too interested. Then we visited the Bishop and set up things that will help the ward but he wants to talk to us more at a meeting tomorrow. We also found a couple potential investigators in that area while we were trying to visit less active members. Then at night we visited Marroni and we set goals for him to read the Book of Mormon so he can find out the truth for himself. Well it was a pretty busy and long week and i am sure i have missed a couple thing that have happened. Just know that i love you all and that all is well. Keep buliding your testimonies and stay strong in the gospel.

Love Elder Cefalo