Guns. Drawn. You’re ON.
Hey friends! I live another week! Yes, I got a gun pulled on me. Here's what happened: we were on our way to Zone Conference which was 45 minutes away so we got an Uber. All chill, right? About 10 minutes into our drive this guy starts to pull out in front of us (as one does in São Paulo) and our Uber driver gets PRESSED. He gets in front of the guy and keeps swerving so that the guy couldn't pass.
Well, we get to a stoplight (and of course it just had to be red) and they both roll down their windows and start going at it. I look over and see the other guy reaching into the center console and I know exactly what is about to happen. 5 seconds later we have a gun pointed at our car. Luckily the bickering went quiet very quickly and when the light turned green our driver floored it out of there. I won't lie, about 7 different scenarios ran through my head during those 45 seconds. I'm alive though and extremely thankful for silent prayers.
Also, those of you that get the reference of the subject line… I appreciate you.
Só Água
BATISMOS! This week we had THREE BAPTISMS! Sara (mom), Ana (sister of Sara), and Bryan (son)! This was THE MOST elect family ever. We were visiting some less active people in the Ward and went to visit Johnatan. We found out that he had a son who wasn't a member of the Church as well as a wife and sister-in-law. We asked if we could come by and visit every so often just to check up on them and asked if they'd come to church with us. Spoiler alert. They did! We started teaching the kids that week and put them on date!
On Saturday, Sara (mom) joined in on our lesson and LOVED it. They all came to Church again the next day and apparently Sara told our Bishop she wanted to be Baptized and didn’t even tell US. That's okay though because we put her on date for THE NEXT Sunday. This is where a miracle happened, since we had only taught her once we hadn't got to talk about the Word of Wisdom yet and with only 6 days until her baptism we had to teach her right then and pray our President would approve her baptism. Of course he did and 6 days later her, her son, Bryan, and her sister, Ana, were baptized.
I got to baptize Bryan and it made me so happy. The water may have been freezing but that just made it more memorable (besides the Holy Ghost baptizes by fire anyways). He's such a cool kid, I love him. I bought him a soccer ball and he may or may not have cooked me… but that was the highlight of my week!
Zone Conference
On Tuesday we had Zone Conference, my second of the mission. I understood SO much more at this one than the one 6 weeks ago. It was pretty good, got some good training and it was really cool to watch my mission president be led by the Spirit in things we needed to be taught. My comp spoke briefly since he is dying this transfer and we had a funeral for him. I also got to see Elder Allen and Elder Call, some missionaries that I arrived with. Lunch was fantastic as always. We have a couple that works as cooks for the mission? since there are so many meetings, events, and what not, and they always go off.
After Zone Conference we stuck around for a little bit while everyone headed back to their areas. It was nice because I got to know some more missionaries outside of the few in my zone and that I arrived with. I met Elder Velasco who is super cool and his Dad is from Mexico too. He doesn't speak Spanish though so we are basically twins. I met some of the new missionaries and their trainers and talked to the APs (Assistants to President) too. And of course as we went to leave it started pouring. Just our luck. Overall a good conference though!
President Oaks is Popping Off
Who is President Oaks? President Dallin H. Oaks was sustained as the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the beginning of October following the passing of then-Prophet President Russell M. Nelson.
In the last week alone there have been a handful of changes made to hasten and emphasize the work in the Church. Here's a summary of what has happened since the passing of President Nelson: 55 New Missions were announced (still crazy), the Saturday Evening Session of General Conference was discontinued (just a little sad about that), some Area Presidencies were reorganized (Brazil next??), Young Women can now serve missions at age 18 (shout out to my sister missionaries… how are we feeling?).
Times are always changing and I know that Christ established His Church in a way that allows for adjustments, changes, and clarifications to be made as time goes on WITHOUT affecting the doctrines and beliefs of the Church. I know President Oaks is the prophet called by God to lead the Church and that the adjustments to functions of the Church are made under the direction and counsel of God. I know Christ is the center of the Church and it remains His Church for time and eternity.
Random
I bought a new guitar case and I love it
I got soccer jerseys!!
Got some Pastels from the street market and they were so good. I got one meat and cheese and may or may not have gotten a chocolate filled one. If someone can find me a recipe that would be fantastic. So so good.
Absolutely cooked my comp in soccer (we weren't playing I promise… just practicing)
Made a 50 minute walk in 30 minutes… was dripping in sweat afterwards
Spent 45 minutes trying to figure out why the font wouldn't drain just to find out we never switch the breaker on.
Was knocking doors and a member of our bishopric answered.
Sunday we had the Baptisms AND THEN we got my favorite meal for lunch. I was so happy.
We had a stake youth devotional of music that was so so good.
Going to Brás today!! (Imagine the streets of India on top of New York)
Vocab
Zone Conference - where missionaries from different zones in the mission meet together and get training from Mission Leaders
Dying - what we say when someone is ending their mission
Transfer - period of 6 weeks you spend teaching and serving in your assigned area
Bishopric - a Bishop and his 2 counselors lead the local congregation of Church members. Like all other local leaders they are unpaid and do it simply because of their love for God.
Quotes
“YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?! WHAAA??” [Elder Wolf when I spoke, 11/18/2025]
“I'm from Nebraska.” [Me, 11/18/2025]
God's Hand
Sara's heart was touched and she wanted to be baptized
No shots were fired
President approved the baptism
Tuesday we were walking back to our house after an appointment and mid walking I just stopped. And not consciously, my legs just stopped working and I stood still. Not even three seconds later a car came barreling around the corner and passed right where I would have been had I taken two more steps.
BATISMOS
Spiritual Thought
Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. (Mosiah 4:9)
We may not understand the reason things happen. Or why we are given certain commandments. Or why things change. But we can know that he knows and that he has a plan. His plan. I know this. And I am thankful that I have that testimony.
Challenge
Treat yourself to a sweet treat and send me a cookie recipe!
Well until next P-day! I now measure time as Sunday, P-day, or not Sunday as well as day or night. Aside from that I have no sense of where we are in the week.
Email me! I appreciate them all and read every single one. I am a little behind on responding but I got you don't worry! Let me know if there is anything I can pray for!
Muito amor,
Elder Urbano
