Share what, to you, is most Precious...

This week in Ponta da Praia:

     Preparing the whole city for the visit of Elder Holland! We´ve been visiting lots of members and non-members and everyone under the sun to invite them to hear the apostle Elder Holland speak tomorrow! SO COOL! Before the mission I didn´t fully realize the importance of seeing an apostle, and I´m not sure it´s really something that you can explain to someone. You kind of have to understand because of your own experiences and preparation, but I know that God calls prophets and apostles today to lead and guide us here on the earth, so that we can be prepared to meet our Father in Heaven when we leave this earth. I am so excited to be able to meet Elder Holland.

     Coolest thing that happened this week was that we met Larissa. She´s so cool! She said she thinks there are other prophets who wrote like in the Bible that weren´t included (totally true, even aside from the Book of Mormon) and that religion and science shouldn´t fight against each other, because they actually complement each other (also totally true)! We taught her about the Restoration and the prophet Joseph Smith. She said Joseph must have been a "Nota dez," or a 10. That was pretty funny, but she is so cool! We talked about how a baptism has to be done with the priesthood authority of God and she said "I´ve always wanted a true baptism." She´s really searching for the truth and I am so excited to be able to continue teaching her.  You know how we got to meet her? Because a member of the church, Brother Moraes, showed kindness. He offered a ride, because she was trying to find a way to get home. Then, he shared with her what, to him, is most precious. THE GOSPEL! Brother Moraes gave her a pass along card and talked a little about what he believes. He then asked if she would like to learn more from the missionaries, and she accepted. It is amazing the lives you can touch when you simply share what is important to you.

     We met another person who was very...interesting...and totally anti American. He wasn´t rude, but he was very concerned that I didn´t know that the US wants to own the whole world. He was a very interesting character. I´ve never heard an accent quite like this one. He was raised in Brazil and then moved to LA. Imagine a brazilianLA accent. Done. It was cool to hear him speak English. My companion, Sister Andrade, understands a lot of English, but got a little lost with the accent.

Me & Sister Andrade in our apartment

      Speaking of Sister Andrade, OH MY GOODNESS SHE IS AMAZING! Coolest, hardest worker in the world. My mom said she looks timid. Yes, she looks timid, but in reality, I am the timid one next to her, because she is never afraid to open her mouth. She is so creative too! We have an area full of apartment buildings (super fancy ones, normal ones, suare ones, round ones, tall ones, short ones, you name it) and this requires a lot of creativity, because it´s literally a lot harder to get to the people. 

    We are teaching English again, but it´s much better this time. I might even start to like it. We are doing so many cool activities to get the members involved in the work and invite their friends. I will tell you more about it next time. This letter is getting long.

     I just want to leave my testimony that I know this is the Lord´s work and that when He is with us, we cannot fail. I love you! Have an amazing week!

Love,

Sister Arthur