Happy and Sad and a Little Tired But Mostly Just Happy

Yesterday was a happy sad day, Larissa was all ready to come to church but Satruday night something came up with her family and she wasn't able to come with us. But we are visiting her during the week and she is praying to know if everything is really true. She said she feels good about everything we share and everything she reads and learns but still doesn't feel like she has gotten her big answer yet. More to come...

Eliziane, on the other hand, has been praying and told us that she feels like everything really is true. As a missionary, that is pretty much the most rewarding thing to hear and we have come to love their family so much. Amanda, the 8 year old, looks like she could be our little sister and I will try to get a picture with her this week. They were also all set to come to church with us but I think Eliziane is scared of following the answer she received. She has been in her church since she was 6 years old and even though she knows what she needs to do, I think she is scared to take that step of faith. One thing I have learned in the mission is how much fear can get in the way of so many blessings that God is waiting to give us.

BUT we brought Raquel's family to church yesterday! Raquel was a reference from someone in the ward and we have been visting her family these last couple weeks. Raquel joined the church when she was 17 but when she got married and moved and had kids she stopped going to church. But now she wants to come back and bring her kids and came  to church for the first time in a long time yesterday! She came alone with three of her four kids, ages 10, 8 and 4, so we got to play nanny again in church which was quite the fun time, especially considering that it was a conference of 2 hours instead of just 1. The cutest family and we are hoping to get the whole ward involved in helping her raise her kids in the gospel.

We found some other people this week that quickly became friends and we are excited to continue visiting them this week. We are trying really hard to use all the help we can get from The Spirit and where the Lord subtly guides us to go. I am grateful for His help and his hand in our work, I know we aren't ever alone here.

I am feeling a little tired mentally, but hoping today will help with that. Our area is pretty small and the heat isn't too bad so physically I am fine but leading every visit and conversation and teaching someone else Portuguese 24/7 is a little taxing on the brain. But I am grateful for my cutecompanion, she has such an apparent desire to do what is right and I know I need to be here with her :)

Best news for last: JULIANO WAS BAPTIZED!!! I was really sad not to be there but Sister Barco said that it was amazing and that the Spirit was so strong. All of his family, immediate and extended, was able to be there and another member of the ward told me it was one of the most powerful baptisms that she has been to. Heart is a little torn but I am so so happy for him and so grateful to have witnessed his conversion.

The gospel changes lives and changes hearts too and for that I am so grateful to be a missionary!!!

Sending muito amor,

Sister Lauren Mather

ALSO: got to go back to my second area to sing in a concert thing with the rest of the zone and saw people from my second ward! And some mission friends again, so good to see them <3

photos/videos:
guacamole attempt
another attempt at a picture in front of the view ofthe beach
mini coxinhas..again
choir and old friends and president photobombing our pics