12-9-13
Dear Family,
It is crazy to hear about all the cold crazy weather you are having up in the states! It is super hot and humid here this week, but then randomly we will have a day where it will just be pouring rain and freezing cold and its super muddy because unlike Bacacheri it´s pretty much all dirt roads here in Piraquara. J So it definitely doesn´t feel too much like Christmas time here, but we do what we can with our little Christmas tree mom sent and singing Christmas carols for people almost every day. J
This week was Stake Conference which was so Good! They talked a lot about families and temple and had each of us 14 missionaries in the stake (a bit small compared to the 82 in Laura´s stake) stand and introduce ourselves. But the best part was that all 3 of our investigators that came to church had a really good experience!
Probably my favorite thing about being a missionary is seeing the changes that happen in the lives of others. We found this cute 74 yr old, Ilda on Friday and it has been incredible to see the change in her. When we met her she just went on and on forever about all the problems in her life and all the problems with every member of her family. We visited her Saturday as well and by Sunday morning, wow she had changed so much in just 2 days. She was at the gate waiting for us, ready to go, and when our ride was late she passed the time showing us pictures of her childhood and cried talking about how much she loved them. And when she left Stake Conference she just kept hugging us and saying how much she loved it. I was thinking, wow this is such a good example of the power of the atonement. We haven´t even taught her any commandments or taught her anything besides the restoration, but just feeling the spirit and the love that is present has changed her attitude
and outlook so much!
We´re also super excited for Henato. Henato is going thru a lot of hard things right now. Just lost his job, and his wife left him with the kids so he´s living with his parents right now. But he is another great example of how big of a difference the gospel makes. We’ve only been teaching him a couple of days too, but yesterday after church he was saying how much he loves this feeling and wants to have it with him all the time (perfect for us to teach him about baptism and the HG today and teach him that na verdade he CAN have the spirit with him ALL the time!) I know the gospel is going to continue to change His life too!) We are so blessed to have the gospel. It is so easy to sometimes forget how blessed we are. But seeing these people who don´t have it in their lives makes me appreciate it SO much more.
I love this time of year when we can remember who made it possible to have this happiness, not only after this life but HERE. That is one of the beauties of the gospel I’m realizing a lot of religious people don’t have. When I ask them why they choose to do good things they always say "So I can go to heaven", but it´s not just to go to heaven. The commandments make us happy here!
I love you all! Keep being wonderful examples and sharing the gospel!
Love you!
Sister Lewis
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