Nadejna: came to church and loved it! And it turns out she knows a few people from the ward already. The best part of the week was when we went to follow up how she liked church and how she felt. She told us she felt a peace there, the same kind of peace that she feels in our visits. She started talking about Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel, and how she was doubting in the beginnign if all that could be true. But she told us that every time we come she feels that it is right and that now she has "full surety" that the church of Jesus Christ himself was restored here on Earth. She started crying and told us that her "heart has been healing" ever since we started visiting her and that we were angels sent to her exactly when she needed it. I think the best thing in the world is when we get to be answers to someone's prayer.
Nazare: We are trying to be more creative in teaching her so that she can really understand and remember what we share with her. We already taught all of the points of the missionary lessons but it is hard for her to remember everything. So this week we watched the video of the Restoration with her and she has already rewatched it 2 more times!! She is really starting to understand the importance of this gospel and said that she has been feeling something. We have to be a little more patient with her but it is so rewarding. She calls us her granddaughters and feeds us a thanksgiving feast every time we visit. She agreed to pray about baptism to see if it is really what God wants for her and I am so hoping that she gets an answer.
We are teaching a few other people with a lot of potential but these two are the ones that have touched me the most. I absolutely love these people and know I am here for a reason.
Good news: I am staying one more transfer here in my area with Sister Seumanu!!! So grateul for her and this will be our third one as companions. So excited.
As for the subject line: reading about Jonah this week and was thinking about the fact that I have been alive for 20 whole years which is pretty weird. And was also thinking about the incredible amount of people that have helped me get here to be able to celebrate 20 years in Brasil doing a work I love so much. Jonah didn't want to listen and God literally sent a whale to take him to where he needed to be. I know I am supposed to be here and certainly have had plenty of whales that God put in my life so that they could help carry me to where He wants me to be and what He has planned for me. Even when I didn't want to sometimes. So yes, mom, I am calling you a whale, and you too Dad. And all my amazing seminary teachers, youth leaders, examples, surrogate families, friends, family members, basically the entire snoqualmie falls ward and everyone else in this group email. Thank you guys so much for helping me get here and for continuing to push me in the right direction, I am grateful for each one of my whales :)
Love you all!!!
Sister Lauren Mather
Photos and Videos:
division with Sister Alas <3
staying with the sisters from Trapiche
paid 50 cents for this photo
pday with the district (see videos too)
present from Nazare & bday celebrations
just some proof that brasil is the prettiest country ever
