One Year
Hey friends! One year ago today I was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's been one year of trials, miracles, lessons, tears, smiles, laughs, side quests, and, can't forget, walking. I'll be real me being out for one year there has a lot of reflecting. How have I changed in the past year? What do I need to improve? How is my testimony doing? Where are the people I have helped at now? How can I continue helping people? How are the people I love? What are my friends up to? What's life going to be like a year from now? Do I know my Savior better? The list goes on and on. I spend a lot of time pondering so let's chat.
How Have I Changed?
What hasn’t changed? A lot. I am still me. I love my family. I love my friends. They are my rock and are always there to catch me when I fall. I love helping those that are struggling in silence, being the listening ear when they need it. I love being the smile that my friends see when they walk into a room. I still rely on the spirit 24/7 to know who needs help and how I can help them. The joy that I feel comes from ministering to those that I love. I love the Lord and I love being his hands on the Earth.
What has changed? A whole lot. Everything I just listed I know how to do better and focused on the Lord’s purpose. I understand so so much more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know who Christ is and I understand his Atonement. I understand how I can apply the Atonement to my life and help others apply it to their lives. I have learned how to love everyone and I feel the love that our Father in Heaven has for everyone of His Children. I have learned to find joy in every situation. I have learned to manage the difficult and heavy moments and continue pressing forward. I have learned how to take care of myself, my emotions, my struggles. I know how to express my love and testimony of the Gospel. I have learned how to rely on the Spirit in every moment and I have come to know how much the Lord cares about every aspect of our lives. I have learned that when we let him he will guide us and will help us answer questions, solve problems, and endure. I am much more conscious of the Lord’s whispers and when he is speaking to me and how I can speak to him. I have placed such a higher value on family and relationships.
I love the Lord and His work so much. This is just a small list of things that have changed and improved. I could go on for years about everything that has changed but I am still so far from perfect. We got one more year of change to go.
What Will Change in the Next Year?
Not much and a whole lot. I want to and will stay me but I also have so much I want to change. I need to be more diligent. I need to be more obedient. I want to focus my studies more on the Book of Mormon. I want to focus on Preach My Gospel as well. I want to really put “talk with everyone” in practice. I want to understand what stops people from entering into the waters of baptism. I want to have a better balance between administrative and proselyting work. I want to invite more and more of God’s children to return to him. I want to be even more one with God and His purpose. I want Him to be able to trust me with any one of His children. I want to learn how I can feel the Spirit 24/7/365. I need to be more diligent in my personal prayers. Overall the focus is being more diligent in fulfilling the purposes of God and obedience.
The Mission
If you know my story you would know that a mission was never in the plans. It took an army of angels to get me here and it worked. There are countless miracles that had to happen for me to get where I am today it's insane. It's a testimony to me that God doesn't let a single one of His children go astray. He loves us so much. I am so grateful to part of this marvelous work and to be a representative of Christ on this EartH. I am thankful for the power of testimony and the gifts of the spirit. I am thankful for the trust my leaders have in me to do all that I do and that I have been able to make an impact here in Brazil. I am thankful for all the new friends I have made and the people the Lord has blessed me with. I am thankful for the spirit and the miracles that bless me every single day. I know for a fact that I am where God needs me to be doing what he wants me to do. I know He has had this exact calling in this place, at this time, in this role, planned for me since before I came to this Earth. I know He loves me and loves you. I am thankful for the testimony the mission have given me and that I have one more year to grow. I am thankful for the joy I have felt in His work in Brazil. I am thankful for the Brazil São Paulo East Mission.
This Week
Interviews in the office all week.
Construction started on the new office. After 34 years of Missão São Paulo Leste we will be moving to a new office in about 3 months. The start of a new chapter. I am lucky and get to oversee the process.
We got to work in our area a good bit this week and we had some good lessons and contacts but unfortunately no one was able to come to church
I had a division with my ZL. It was super fun we walked a lot, knocked a million doors, and yapped a lot.
God's Hand
Lunch with my comps uncle
Seeing all my friends past through the office this week with interviews and being able to catch up with them
Some personal answers at a general Priesthood meeting and feeling the Spirit super strong, taking away some doubts.
Real smiles and real laughs
Talking to my best friend, ex-Elder Bingham!
Running into some inactive members in the least expecting moments and being able to invite them back
Hugs from President
Spiritual Thought
When you don't feel seen, the Lord sees you. When you are lost, the Lord knows where you are. When you have no hope, the Lord sends angels. You matter to the Lord. He sees your effort. He feels joy when you recognize Him and strive to improve. He knows you perfectly and your desires.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
The Lord knows you, strive to know the Lord. I have a personal witness that each one of His children matters to Him. He found me when I was lost. I know He send angels. I testify of this.
So, with one year down, that is a glimpse of what I have learned and a glimpse of what I have done and what is yet to come. I am extremely thankful for every second I have had here and I am excited for one more year. I hope you all are well. I miss you all so much. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need anything or just want to chat! Say your prayers!
One more to go,
Elder Urbano
