#8 - The End of One Story, The Beginning of Another (7/11/23)

The Elders

 E ei beleza todas pessoas!

Sometimes life feels like a prison...and Mortenson still smiles

I'm here with another email, the final email that I will write while at the CTM! It's insane to think how my time at the CTM is already coming to an end! I still haven't gotten my travel arrangements but I should be leaving this Friday with Elder Mortenson and Sister Anderson from my district to Curitiba. I finally feel prepared and ready to go even though it means leaving the CTM and saying goodbye to a district that I call "family".

Our district pic at the Sao Paulo Temple

This last week has been a very eventful one (considering most of the days follow the same agenda). First things first, we had a sister from our district pass out because of an allergic reaction or something. No need to worry though because she is totally fine! In fact, from the story she told us, I think it was needed because an individual here in Sao Paulo needed her message. She got an uber to the hospital with her company and Elder Beck (one of the Elders in the CTM Presidency). Elder Beck was talking to the driver about the gospel and couldn't seem to find a way to direct the driver towards the gospel. Sister Hiller (the sister that passed out) felt prompted to share her book of mormon with the driver and bear her testimony in portuguese and it was exactly what he needed. Something about Sister Hillers testimony touched the heart of that man and he is going to try and go to church with his daughter who has been attending for a while now.

Elder and Sister Beck plus the Elders

Something I think we can all learn from this experience is how miracles and blessings can be in everything but we may not see them until after they have happened. Remember that, sometimes our biggest challenges and difficulties are our GREATEST blessings.

This last week was also a very challenging week for our district as we all began to feel the pressures of the mission with the language, the teachings, and the workload, but I am proud with how our district kept together and supported one another (although ngl, the portuguese test we took this last week to see where we were at was very humblying and difficult🤣) we must look at the fruits of our labor.

Elder Mortenson and I during our test

Today was our final p-day at the CTM and with it, our going away devotionals. And these

devotionals were POWERFUL. What I learned included:

- The Lord doesn't make mistakes and you are called to where you need to be and where you can best serve

- If you love the people, they will love you

- "Eu ti amo" and 3 kisses on the cheek means "I love you forever" in Portugues

- Talk less, DO MORE

- If you love Christ, He will love you

- If you ever feel discouraged in your work (especially missionaries) read Alma 26:27-31 and I know you will find the comfort and reassurance that you are doing a great work

I wish I had the time to truly explain all that I learned and felt but sadly I don't.

Our district

I know that this Church is true. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God that translated the Book of Mormon which contains truth and testifies of Christs work of this earth. I know that when we have faith and strive to be like Christ, we can receive blessings. I also know that families can be together forever and for eternity.

American flag we made on our window

Ate mais and so long Sao Paulo!

-Elder Fisher