The Gospel is JOY!

This week we met Palloma. She is 26, has a 7 year old son, and lives alone with her son while she works and studies at a college near here. She just happened to be at her mom's house when we went to visit, and when we explained to them about the Restoration, the Spirit was so incredibly strong. She understood everything, and when we asked her if she thinks it could be true, she told us that to have the very church that Christ established here on Earth is a really big deal and that she would have to take our invite and pray about it. She went to church with us on Sunday and LOVED it, telling us she had been looking for a church to raise her son in and never really found one she felt was right. But yesterday, she said that with us, she "saw a light, a sort of joy" that she saw in everyone else at church. I am so grateful for the ward members that sat with her in church, invited her over for lunch, explained everything to her, made all the difference. And for the Spirit that was there, giving me and her and everyone else that consistent JOY that seems to come from inside of me when I feel it. It's not like opening a present or laughing with a friend, it is a different sort of joy that seems to be a part of me. We were walking home yesterday and the sky was all cotton-candy-colored and we were laughing with Palloma and her son and I realized yet again how grateful I am to be here and a part of God's plan for other people.

My new companion is amazing and we get along unusually well. I was wanting to train in the next transfers but i love her and this ward and these people we are teaching so much that I am thinking I want to stay longer.. we will see what happens.

Still working with Juliano... trying to visit his family... but he is ready to be baptized. More to come, I hope!!

Edlene is reading the Book of Mormon and says she is feeling she Spirit stronger and stronger every time. Cue the JOY yet again...

Also working with Adriana still, the one that dreamed of us and cried in church. She knows it is true but spent 14 years in another church and is scared of the change and the uknown and unfamiliarity of it all. It is really interesting to see how fear can be such an obstacle in so many ways and that it is so hard to have faith when that fear is in the way.

New companion, new district, new zone, and I am really optimitic about these next few weeks. Thank you for all you guys do for me, sending lots and lots of Brasilian love!!

Love,
Sister Lauren Mather

photos:
new zone
our area from the 10th floor
new comp- sister barco!!!
the cutest little rat dog
PALLOMA's first sunday
sister welker <3(photo from our division a couple weeks ago)