Hey everyone!
We sure had quite the week, full of surprises! We had 2 Pdays last week: Monday and this Saturday. So the work week was short, making it more difficult. Also everyone was traveling, so we didn't have a ton of success, but the success we had was STELLAR. Let me tell you about it.
We are working in Vista Verde now, which is the wealthier neighborhood in our area. We received a bunch of media references there, so while we were contacting those, a few people were stopping us on the road to ask who we are. That happened a while ago, so I think I already mentioned it. This last week, we followed up with a few people, and knocked doors there, and a ton of doors were opened to us. Thursday was quite the day for this; let me tell you about it. We set out with Silvinha, with a goal to teach about 50 lessons...haha, okay, not 50, but a lot. So, we had already chosen the street we would knock. The first door opened, and they invited us in. It quickly became apparent that they only wanted to fight with us, have a Bible bash. So....We tried to get a few words in, but the dude just kept interrupting us. So I finally told him that I was going to leave, because I did not come there to argue about these things. He told me that on the judgment day, when I find out that the Sabbath is Saturday, I will remember who tried to tell me that. I said a few things in response, and we left there running..........I never want that experience again. It has been a LONG time since I have felt 100% without the Spirit, and it is not a good feeling. So we went to a nearby park to let off some steam, and then we prayed and continued, deciding that to make up for that HORRIBLE visit, we would find someone awesome on that street. Well....we did! We kept knocking all afternoon, and since everyone was busy or leaving, we marked a ton of appointments for this week. Finally, in the last house, we found a family. The couple is married, and they have 3 kids, two of whom are of baptismal age. We taught them, and they had a ton of questions for us, which was fantastic. They truly are a blessing in our day! I had made cookies, so I gave some to them, which they loved. Then, as is the case many times, not all can be left on a good note. When we went to take a picture with them, my camera fell on the floor and broke. The lens got a little smashed and twisted, and now I am without a camera. The world hasn't ended, but it is a little more difficult. I need to do something about it this week....So that was a bummer. But the family was so stellar that all I could do was laugh. For real. You all know how I basically can't live without a camera...and yet, in the situation, it didn't seem to terrible. But I cried that night.
As for other thngs....we prayed all week and fasted one day that we would have people in church this week. Remember how I said that is always the most difficult thing for us? Well, we had faith. We did not have many people who said they would be at church, and I wasn't too confident that the people who had promised to be there would show up. Francimar was moving to Minas on Sunday, so the last time we saw him was at FHE on Thursday. Sunday morning, we called Jorge a million times, but he never answered, and didn't show up for church. When we got to church, I didn't see anyone there. So we peaced out to go pick up Valtinho, as it's been a few weeks that he hasn't gone. He wasn't home. As we were walking back to church, all depressed and such, we were nearing the church and saw Francisca and her family descending the hill, going to church! WHAT A HUGE BLESSING! I have been trying for like 3 or 4 months to get this woman to church! She finally went, and brought the whole family! They liked it. Anyway, we walked in with them, and as we walked into Sunday School, I was shocked to see Francimar sitting there...I was so excited, I think I didn't stop smiling! So in the end, I saw how the Lord truly works miracles as we exercise our faith. I know we always need to do our part and work hard, but He always makes up the rest if we trust in Him and ask Him for help. What a wonderful Sunday it turned out to be! Except that I was so stoked to maybe be able to mark Francimar's baptism, but then we found out that he was still moving to Minas, just later in the day. Anyway, he left last night. And Francisca and the family are moving to Piaui this week too. Bummer............. Well, at least some missionaries in other parts of Brazil will be blessed by these people! Anyway, I was just so stoked about the day, that pretty much anything coulda happened.
Also, we are starting work on the musical part of our fireside on January 30. I am praying and pleading that I will stay here another transfer (already transfers are next week) to be able to see this fireside go through well. All is confirmed with President; we just have the hard task of finding people to sing and play. But I know that it will all come together, as did the last one. After transfers, it will be a little easier, because we will be able to use other missionaries if necessary. So, it's all good. I trust that the Lord will help us with this.
Welp, that's about it that I have on my mind right now. Today is P-day (oh blessed P-day) and I think I am going to look at camera prices today....good grief. I just wanted to rest. But also my mind is going and going and going and going and just doesn't turn off sometimes, so maybe sleep just won't come. Haha. Oh well.
Have a great week everyone! Happy 2011! I hope all is well in the northern hemisphere.... :)
Karen
We sure had quite the week, full of surprises! We had 2 Pdays last week: Monday and this Saturday. So the work week was short, making it more difficult. Also everyone was traveling, so we didn't have a ton of success, but the success we had was STELLAR. Let me tell you about it.
We are working in Vista Verde now, which is the wealthier neighborhood in our area. We received a bunch of media references there, so while we were contacting those, a few people were stopping us on the road to ask who we are. That happened a while ago, so I think I already mentioned it. This last week, we followed up with a few people, and knocked doors there, and a ton of doors were opened to us. Thursday was quite the day for this; let me tell you about it. We set out with Silvinha, with a goal to teach about 50 lessons...haha, okay, not 50, but a lot. So, we had already chosen the street we would knock. The first door opened, and they invited us in. It quickly became apparent that they only wanted to fight with us, have a Bible bash. So....We tried to get a few words in, but the dude just kept interrupting us. So I finally told him that I was going to leave, because I did not come there to argue about these things. He told me that on the judgment day, when I find out that the Sabbath is Saturday, I will remember who tried to tell me that. I said a few things in response, and we left there running..........I never want that experience again. It has been a LONG time since I have felt 100% without the Spirit, and it is not a good feeling. So we went to a nearby park to let off some steam, and then we prayed and continued, deciding that to make up for that HORRIBLE visit, we would find someone awesome on that street. Well....we did! We kept knocking all afternoon, and since everyone was busy or leaving, we marked a ton of appointments for this week. Finally, in the last house, we found a family. The couple is married, and they have 3 kids, two of whom are of baptismal age. We taught them, and they had a ton of questions for us, which was fantastic. They truly are a blessing in our day! I had made cookies, so I gave some to them, which they loved. Then, as is the case many times, not all can be left on a good note. When we went to take a picture with them, my camera fell on the floor and broke. The lens got a little smashed and twisted, and now I am without a camera. The world hasn't ended, but it is a little more difficult. I need to do something about it this week....So that was a bummer. But the family was so stellar that all I could do was laugh. For real. You all know how I basically can't live without a camera...and yet, in the situation, it didn't seem to terrible. But I cried that night.
As for other thngs....we prayed all week and fasted one day that we would have people in church this week. Remember how I said that is always the most difficult thing for us? Well, we had faith. We did not have many people who said they would be at church, and I wasn't too confident that the people who had promised to be there would show up. Francimar was moving to Minas on Sunday, so the last time we saw him was at FHE on Thursday. Sunday morning, we called Jorge a million times, but he never answered, and didn't show up for church. When we got to church, I didn't see anyone there. So we peaced out to go pick up Valtinho, as it's been a few weeks that he hasn't gone. He wasn't home. As we were walking back to church, all depressed and such, we were nearing the church and saw Francisca and her family descending the hill, going to church! WHAT A HUGE BLESSING! I have been trying for like 3 or 4 months to get this woman to church! She finally went, and brought the whole family! They liked it. Anyway, we walked in with them, and as we walked into Sunday School, I was shocked to see Francimar sitting there...I was so excited, I think I didn't stop smiling! So in the end, I saw how the Lord truly works miracles as we exercise our faith. I know we always need to do our part and work hard, but He always makes up the rest if we trust in Him and ask Him for help. What a wonderful Sunday it turned out to be! Except that I was so stoked to maybe be able to mark Francimar's baptism, but then we found out that he was still moving to Minas, just later in the day. Anyway, he left last night. And Francisca and the family are moving to Piaui this week too. Bummer............. Well, at least some missionaries in other parts of Brazil will be blessed by these people! Anyway, I was just so stoked about the day, that pretty much anything coulda happened.
Also, we are starting work on the musical part of our fireside on January 30. I am praying and pleading that I will stay here another transfer (already transfers are next week) to be able to see this fireside go through well. All is confirmed with President; we just have the hard task of finding people to sing and play. But I know that it will all come together, as did the last one. After transfers, it will be a little easier, because we will be able to use other missionaries if necessary. So, it's all good. I trust that the Lord will help us with this.
Welp, that's about it that I have on my mind right now. Today is P-day (oh blessed P-day) and I think I am going to look at camera prices today....good grief. I just wanted to rest. But also my mind is going and going and going and going and just doesn't turn off sometimes, so maybe sleep just won't come. Haha. Oh well.
Have a great week everyone! Happy 2011! I hope all is well in the northern hemisphere.... :)
Karen
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