Promises and Understanding
Hey friends! This week was interesting to say the least. It all started with zone conference, then it was rent week which is always fun, followed by; one of those “I can’t tell you about” events that practically made up 48 hours of my life, appliance shopping, writing some reports, some visits, the best planning session of my mission, Church, and yeah, so overall a pretty normal week. Now you are gonna keep reading to see if I let something slip aren’t you? Spoiler alert: I don’t… maybe.
Zone Conference
Zone conference was super good and this time I actually got to participate in all of it. We talked a lot about invites and promises. One of the super amazing things that I love about being missionaries is our ability to promise blessings. It is so special to be helping someone grow closer to Christ and in doing so bless their lives. We did a practice scenario with the leaders being the person getting to know the church and the other duplas being, well, missionaries. My comp and I went directly to Sister Andrade because, working with her, we know she will be brutally honest with her feedback no matter what and she was, which helped a lot. It was super good. After zone conference it was a yap session as always. We drama, trauma, and lore dumped while waiting for our interviews with President. After many many hours of yapping (like 6), teaching my comp how to golf with a broom, teaching a lesson, walking in a million circles, it hit 9 o’clock and my comp and I ended up not having our interviews. It was still a good afternoon though.
On Saturday we got to have a lesson with our baptism date and I really focused to apply all the things that President said. As we did that the Spirit was so so so strong. It was undeniably there and we left our date and ourselves on a spiritual high for the rest of that day.
The Office
After zone conference we stayed so so busy in the office. It was rent week so I spent many hours paying bills, reading contracts, talking with property owners, fixing things that were done wrong years ago, reading more contracts, and then reading even more. It’s amazing how every single rent cycle something goes wrong. One day I will get it perfect (maybe… probably not). I did the normal appliance shopping with my comp. The event of the week was when I got an “Elder it’s an emergency” text with three screenshots attached. After that I turned into a detective for 48 hours straight. Using different screenshots, google maps, transfer boards, and area books, I somehow figured out who did what, when, and how. I haven’t got to the why yet but one step at a time.. In the process I put together a 5 page report with evidence and everything. It was highkey fun but also was a ton of pressure but what’s new? One thing I do want to say about this is every thought and discovery was inspired. I would not have been able to put together the things I put together without the Lord’s guidance.
Na Rua
Okay we weren’t actually on the road that much this week but we did have some fantastic lessons with our friend with a baptismal date and our recent converts. We had so many lessons where the spirit just pierced our hearts and every word was inspired. It was incredible. We shared some laughs and smiles with our recent converts and one even got called as the Young Woman’s president! It was awesome. Another member fed us pizza one night after having a lesson with our friend! There was so much joy in the little work this week.
I think the best part of the work this week was our weekly planning. Usually our weekly planning isn’t too intense because we never have that much going on. Most the time it’s planning about the people we have progressing, goals for the next week, office work, and other random side quests. This week we did our weekly planning on Saturday (don’t tell my ZLs) and it was the best planning session I have had on my mission. However it wasn’t because of the plans that we made that it was great, it was because of something we did. With our little planning that we have we never do companionship counsel but we did this week. It was the best experience I have had on my mission. I got to truly know and understand my comp. We shared laughs, tears, deep thoughts, stories, everything and it was so good to be able to strengthen and help each other. Along with that we now have an even stronger relationship and trust in each other a whole lot more. So, my piece of advice, take a moment to truly get to know your companion. Not only will it strengthen you guys but it will strengthen how you work together.
Other Happenings
I gave a training tonight and I think it went well. I had to be serious and straightforward but with a smile (because that is my goal in the office, smile)… not the easiest thing to do.
My comp taught me to salsa dance.
I have hit my mission halfway… I hit one year next Tuesday woohoo!
Last Monday I took a sidequest to the airport to drop some Elders off. So weird to see the spot I would be in a year and to see the spot that I was a year ago.
Got some great views of São Paulo this week. At one member's house I just stared out the window for like 15 minutes straight in just peace. It was awesome.
Met the HXP rep for all of South America… he served here 4 years ago as AP.
I picked up my guitar again and it made me so happy
God's Hand
Inspired investigating skills
Moments of peace and quiet to reflect
Spirit filled lessons with our friend
Seeing the change of heart of our friends and recent converts
Getting to know my companion
Being able to understand contracts and what needs to be done
Getting to yap at zone conference (even if I didn’t have my interview)
Spiritual Thought
This week I felt that I should study the Atonement a little more in depth and in Portuguese. As I followed that prompting I was brought to verses 13 and 15 of Alma 34.
13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.
15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.
Jesus Christ shed his blood to fulfill the law and allow himself to be an intermediary to the laws of justice. Key word: intermediary. Just because He suffered and fulfilled the Law of Moses doesn't mean that all is said and done. According to the Law of Mercy we must exercise faith and repent to allow Christ to stand between us and justice. Him standing between us and justice is the intent of His sacrifice. He suffered everything so that we don't have to but we must exercise faith and humble ourselves before Him. It is when we do that that He has power over justice. It's impossible to put everything that I want to say in words so I invite you to study, pray, and ponder this for yourself. It's incredible.
Well, on to another week. I hoped you liked this week's report. I have gotten really good at writing reports on my mission. Hopefully you caught the few hints that I dropped. If not, you might have to read again. I want to hear your report! Write me, my email is right in front of you. Okay I am gonna go play now. Love you all! Don’t forget to say your prayers!
Todo meu amor,
Elder Urbano
