[Mom note: title for this week is "Fisher! This is Sophia! Are you coming to our house?"]
Bom dia todos! Como que tá? Pessoas que estão no Estados Unidos, vocês têm neve já ou ainda não? [Good morning everyone! How are you? People who are in the United States, do you have snow already or not yet?]
I hope everyone is doing well and has seen many miracles this past week. On the topic of miracles, we had one this week which ill get to. But, for now, heres the weekly update of "A Fisher of Men in Palmeira Brazil":
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| Milkshake |
Monday - Elder Hogge hit 1 year on the mission! To celebrate, we did a huge churrasco with garlic bread, steak, sausage, and peach cobbler! It was raining while we were cooking and at one point I ran from our deck patio to the house when all of the sudden the sky went cyan!🤯 immediately afterwards was a huge crack of thunder and all the lights went out. It was both terrifying and AWESOME!
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| Yeah idk... |
Tuesday - We met this man named Douglas today who is friends with Tyrone, a member who was away from the church for a bit. Tyrone had us have lunch with them and guess what!? DOUGLAS SPEAKS ENGLISH! Douglas was recently employed to work for Tyrone's language learning academy so... we got to teach Douglas about the Church in English! He honestly has a lot of interest and is an awesome dude. He actually just told me he got his wisdom teeth removed. (brought back memories when I got mine removed, thanks roomies and Sister Doss for the help during that time!😆)
Wednesday - Mission Devocional! We discussed a lot about the following scriptures: D&C 82:3,7-10 , D&C 121:33-46 , and Moroni 7:5. D&C 82 spoke about how The Lord is bound to the promises we make with Him if we do our part, showing the importance of showing our faith. D&C 121 was really powerful to think about "many called, but few are chosen" when it comes to power of the priesthood and our work as missionaries. We must be long-suffering, gentle, and kind to have the "constant companion" of the Holy Ghost. That's really what we strive for. To have the Holy Ghost with us. Later in the day we found someone who had a Barbie shirt and I almost freaked out! (shoutout to the barbie movie that came out!). Also, for those who know my only pickup line (Kiss me if im wrong, but dinosaurs don't exist), I told Elder Hogge it and he swapped it to "Dinosaur me if I'm wrong, but kisses don't exist!". So I guess thats my pickup line now!
Thursday - Found out today that my comp, Elder Hogge, was comps with the new comp my former MTC companion, Elder Mortenson, had. (I hope that makes sense) It was really cool to think how that works! Honestly had some random thoughts today like why people paint fake bricks on brick walls... food for thought. We also had a lesson with a music artist and barber, Tony! He was really cool and turns out, he already had a Book of Mormon! We had a good discussion about The Book of Mormon and the Church and he said he would visit one day. I also hope he has a spotify because I want to hear him sing!
Friday - DIVISION WITH MY BOI ELDER LOERTSCHER! We finally understand the area more so as "Senior comp" for the day, it was good! Met a lot of people, taught a lot, and sorta invited the entire family of our recent convert, Renan, to be baptized and you know what.... REGINA ACCEPTED! WOOHOO! She mentioned that she didn't feel prepared but I know that she will be. Please keep her in your prayers!
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| Facebook post with Elder Loertscher |
Saturday - Woke up this morning to howling wind from the cemetary across the street. Ngl, thought a ghost was about to posses me during personal study. We also got to see the MAN, MYTH, AND LEGEND: CHRIS! He also helped me get a physical printed copy of my Patriarchal blessing and as always, we sang a little bit together (He has an awesome voice!) Also spoke with a family while they were sitting outside talking and invited them to Church, including a young girl named Sophia, 6 years old. They all said they couldn't go but something awesome happened..
Sunday - Now for the Subject of this email. Here in Palmeira, we rent a van to bring people to church and the night before we make a list of people to get. So while Elder Cardoso and I were arriving early to the church at 7:30AM, I received an audio message that was addressed from Anelaine, one of the people we talked to yesterday but it turns out, IT WAS SOPHIA! She sent this audio asking when I would pass by. I was stunned to hear that she took the initiative to come to Church! I immediately reworked our route and her and her mom made it to Church and loved it! Her mom, Anelaine, told me that she didn't plan on going but Sophia made her go. Later in the day we saw them while working and Sophia thanked me. It touched my heart to see the light of Christ shine off this 6 year old and take the initative. Thanks Sophia! What also brightened my day was when we visited our recent convert, Renan, and taught him how to tie a tie! It was an awesome Sunday!
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| Division with Elder Cardoso |
I know that my fellow missionaries will understand when I say that being a missionary is hard, but it is so rewarding. Something I love about the new preach my gospel is the importance of following the spirit and knowing that "No effort is wasted". I originally thought that talking to that familly yesterday wasn't going to lead to anything but, I was wrong. Something about talking to that family and Sophia helped inspire Sophia and her mom to come to church. Alma 37:6 - the small and simple things confound the wise. To everyone out there, remember that we don't need to be perfect and be the person we will be at the end of life, we just need to be who we need to at the end of the day. Little by little, we improve.
I know that each of us is loved by our Heavenly Father. That He prepared a path for each and everyone one of us. He sent His beloved son, Jesus Christ, to do what I can't and set the example before me. I know that families are for Eternity and our Father in heaven has more blessings and miracles that are waiting for us. I love you all and can't wait to hear from ya next week!
Ate Mais!
-Elder Fisher (🐟er)