I Believe in Miracles
Hey friends! I know you missed my normal Monday update but, don't fret, I am here now. This week was a test and a testimony builder that's for sure. It was a LONG 9 days. There were a lot of flashbacks and longing for home this week but I survived yet again. So what happened this week, let's chat…
The Miracle
This week there were so many instances that I saw God's hand in my life but the moment that opened my eyes to all of them happened on Sunday just after sacrament meeting. When we started teaching Eduardo, the boy I baptized last month, we also started teaching his mom. We invited her to be baptized with her son; however, she said she wanted to wait a few months and learn a little more about the Church. A response I have heard a million times. We taught her a few more times after Eduardo was baptized but she held firm on not being baptized yet so we stopped teaching her. She still came to Church and we still stopped by her house every now and then but she wasn't progressing.
Last week we fasted for our area and nothing happened. It was pretty disappointing. Then, this week, our Sisters suggested that we do a fast for the whole zone. I'll admit that after nothing had happened last week I was not very excited to fast again but I still did it; being hungry for a few hours doesn’t kill you. I started my fast and within 20 minutes my baptism fell through. You're probably wondering the same thing I was, “Why? How? That's the exact opposite of what is supposed to happen.” I don't know but I just kept praying that something would happen. We woke up on Sunday and went to Church and only had two, Eduardo's mom and a lady that lives across the street from the Church. My faith had dwindled to just a few sparks but I kept praying.
It was God's little test because 5 minutes after sacrament ended, out of nowhere, Eduardo's mom said she wanted to be baptized next week. I kid you not I was the happiest person in the world at that moment. Then, on Tuesday, our baptism that fell through told us that he still wanted to be baptized; he just had some things he had to work out. Fasting works. God's timing is real. He hears your prayers. Miracles still happen today. I gained an even stronger testimony of all these things this week. This I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Divisão com Gelo (with Ice)
Okay, for context, his name is Elder Eysser but no one in Brazil can wrap their head around that so we always joke around and tell them to call him gelo (the Portuguese word for ice). Anyways, on Thursday, I had a divisão with him which was so much fun. Within 5 minutes we were laughing, smiling, joking, everything, and it reminded me what it's like to actually have joy while working. We also got SOAKED. Elder Eysser’s umbrella broke and mine was not big enough for the two of us so we both walked without. It was still a good day though. It was a nice escape from the days where I force myself to keep going and have to keep myself from dragging my feet. The sad part is the day flew by but it was definitely a much needed moral boost.
Brain Dump
It was the bishop's birthday on Tuesday and we partied it up. While we were hanging out I had a moment of reflection… 4 months ago I got here and did not understand a thing. I was a stranger. Now I understand nearly everything and joke with everyone. Now I'm part of the family. It's insane
Had interviews with President… I am slightly terrified for what is to come in the next year but I am also so excited.
The sisters took a crap ton of pictures on my camera
Cleaned the chapel because no one showed up to clean.
Got a keychain with the Church logo and the ward name from our young adult leader.
Had some drama go down in the Ward
Things with my comp are getting better
Got drenched many times this week. I had puddles in my shoes. It even hailed which was insane.
Had some good impromptu lessons this week
Quotes
Flashback: “No snow but uhhhh… ice… cubes… It was a good day…you know… ice cube… The ice cube from the sky” [Irmão Calado (in honor of the hail), 8/30/2025]
“Yeah I did it in like 9 seconds… if every second was like 20 seconds” [Elder Eysser, 1/14/2026]
God's Hand
A crap ton of rain
Regaining my focus on studying!
Reading Alma 33 right when I needed it
The Gift of Tongues and the Spirit guiding lessons.
The Miracle
The emails and voice memos that got me through the week (thank you)
Saw some gorgeous flowers
Spiritual Thoughts
God always hears you. No matter what. From the small questions you ask during the day to pleading with all your heart at your bedside. He hears you. Don't believe me? Alma 33.
5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.
7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
Another thing from this week was something our Sunday school asked. “If God could organize the Earth then why wouldn't He be able to organize your life?” Just ponder on that. He really can do the seemingly impossible if you let him.
To those of you that emailed me this week; thank you, I needed those to get through. To all those reading this email right now; thank you, your support means the world. I love you and miss you more than you can imagine.
Another week from Brazil,
Elder Urbano
