Headed to the Farmlands…but in Brazil
Hey friends! It's transfer week! You know what that means… I got transfer news last night! I'm going to Vista Verde in São José. I'm sure all of you know exactly where that is, it's okay I don't either. All I know is that it's apparently in the middle of nowhere. I'm both excited and not, not really a fan of change but oh well.
You Thought I Was Done with the Water?
Y'all remember the elect old man I talked about way back in the middle of last transfer? His name is André. He truly was an elect and after working through a few things we got him into the waters of baptism! It's been amazing to see him change over this past month and a half. Everything from his physical to emotional appearance has changed and I am so glad to see him get baptized. Our Bishop baptized him which was super special and then I got to do the confirmation. Confirmation is when you are confirmed a member of the Church and receive the Holy Ghost and oftentimes a blessing through the laying on of hands by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood. It's a very special moment; not only was it my first time doing it but also it was in Portuguese. A little stressful but with the Spirit on my side it was much easier.
On another note, remember the kid that showed up to Church by himself last week? He is on date to be baptized next week and wants my recent convert, Eduardo, to baptize him. It is going to be very special and I am extremely sad that I won't get to see it.
Walked and Then Walked Some More
On Thursday I had a divisão with Elder Allen since our comps had to go to English graduation. The day was extremely short because it was only during the time that our comps were gone but it was fun. We met up at the train station to drop off our comps then decided to walk to my apartment instead of getting an Uber; a one and a half hour walk, not too shabby. We stayed in my area because a member was planning on us for lunch and in what world would we deny free food. It just happened to be my favorite meal too. We were trying to get permission to have a full day division but our comps weren't fans of that and happened to be on their way back well we were still at lunch. We decided to walk back to the station from the members house because there was no time to go do anything else. Basically our divisão consisted of walking, 2 lessons over the phone, some chatting, a delicious lunch, and some more walking. It was good to just yap though. I hope we are comps one day.
Random
On P-day we went to a park with the sisters that had a splash pad… you can imagine how that went. I was in my last set of proselyting clothes too :| Worth the memories though.
You know how I said I need to learn Spanish at the beginning of this transfer… well my mission is starting a Spanish class! Unfortunately I cannot participate because I am still new in the mission (and don't really know Portuguese yet… oops) but I will start in two transfers! I'm super excited.
Told myself I was gonna cut out soda but that lasted a whole 5 days… Coca-cola is just too good here. I am drinking less though.
Had an inactive members make me some fire matte tea.
The Word of Wisdom doesn’t say anything about eating churros everyday… does it? They are too good and the owners of the little shop are so sweet.
Got a haircut on Saturday and I'm gonna be so for real I have no clue what I'm gonna do with my hair. I got it cut but didn't really think… whoops
I had to teach in English on Sunday because we ran into some people that speak English (duh) and wanted to learn about what we believe. Boy was that hard. Every five words I would switch back to Portuguese. We ended up teaching in three different languages. Portuguese, English and Spanish.
I've been packing my bags and holy I have a lot of stuff.
I have a crap ton of travel tomorrow
I'm going to the countryside! Home sweet home.
Quotes
For the first week so far I have no good quotes to share. That means you get a CTM flashback.
“Can you teach me?” [Elder Quesne, 9/25/2025]
“No you're a lost cause lowkey” [Elder Johanson, 9/25/2025]
God's Hand
Decided to stop at a cookie shop and get cookies and the kid that randomly showed up at Church last Sunday just happens to work there!
Rainbow after André's baptismal interview
Priesthood Blessings
The Gift of Tongues
Spiritual Thoughts
This week I read a lot about the Priesthood. Holy cow the Priesthood is amazing. What is it? The power that “governs the heavens and the earth” (Priesthood, Topics and Questions in the Gospel Library App). It also is the power by which men do “all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children” and the power that binds heaven and Earth allowing us to receive heaven's blessings.
This week I had a handful of opportunities to exercise the Priesthood Authority that I was ordained with about a year and a half ago. Now-President Oaks explained Priesthood Blessings in a talk he gave in 1987. Here is an excerpt.
“What is the significance of a priesthood blessing? Think of a young man preparing to leave home to seek his fortune in the world. If his father gave him a compass, he might use this worldly tool to help him find his way. If his father gave him money, he could use this to give him power over worldly things. A priesthood blessing is a conferral of power over spiritual things. Though it cannot be touched or weighed, it is of great significance in helping us overcome obstacles on the path to eternal life” (Priesthood Blessings, Elder Dallin H. Oaks — April 1987).
We also learn that, “If a servant of the Lord speaks as he is moved upon by the Holy Ghost, his words are “the will of the Lord, … the mind of the Lord, … the word of the Lord, … [and] the voice of the Lord” (D&C 68:4)
This made me reflect on the opportunities I have had to leave blessings and guidance upon people both before my mission at BYU and now. I also reflected on how spiritual and sacred those opportunities were and my testimony that it is God's power; it is the power that binds Earth with the heavens. I am extremely grateful that I have the opportunity to be a servant of the Lord and work with his authority. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Okay I have to say some goodbyes now :(. Sorry for the shorter email, I didn't have much to report. Until next week when I write you from … Have a great week and please write to me! I love reading your emails, every single one of them. I am praying for you all!
Mais uma vez de Continental,
Elder Urbano
