Success

Saturday night as we were walking home we found a young man that we were teaching and he said he wanted to talk to us, but didn't have time, that we would talk the following day at church. At church he told us that every time that he reads the Book of Mormon and prays about it, his heart starts beating fast and he feels at peace. 

He told us that he wants to get baptized. So we got super excited! We are excited and working hard for a baptism to happen this Wednesday. He has some challenges but we are confident that everything will be alright.

Elder Murilo is learning the guitar and I have almost mastered a Rubix Cube. What a huge waste of time.

It’s my companion’s birthday on Sunday. I´ll have to do something cool.

Anyway all is well in Zion.

Love you guys,

Elder Willard

Pictures are: 

1) Yerba mate plant used to make the drink Chimarrao

2) Windmills at the beach

3) Elder Murilo drinking Chimarrao from an ox foot

Frosted Flakes

We had a baptism on Saturday which was great, like frosted flakes. Marica and Cristian were baptized and are excited to get involved. Also Everton is going to get baptized on the 28th which is a miracle. Elder Murilo is doing great and learning quickly, and his birthday is coming up on the first of September, I think I’ll try to make some sort of dessert, which will be difficult without him knowing...because he´s always flippin´ with me!

We are finding lots of people to teach in areas we have visited before. I think I have the flu.

The summer is coming to an end for you guys and the winter is become a little more tolerable.

Every single day I learn a little more that the church is true and that if I keep the commandments I will have eternal life.

I love you all,

Elder Willard

Father's Day

Well the week went by super slow, but I think that’s because I got a new companion, Elder Murilo from Santa Catarina; he is super cool, kinda shy, but teaches well and is very funny. He´ll be a great companion and is helping me a lot.

We had another miracle in our area. There is an investigator, Everton, who has been visiting the ward for almost 2 years yet never wanted to be baptized. He told us yesterday that he wants to be baptized now on the 28th of August. His wife and son are members and have been for years and are really excited.

Yesterday here in Brazil was Father´s Day. Everton´s son, Daniel who is 11 years old, learned that his Dad wanted to get baptized. During the priesthood session between classes, the bishop put his arm around him and said, “All of us Dads got some really great gifts today, but Daniel got the best gift of all.” Then the bishop looked at Daniel and he started to cry and could barely say, “meu Pai vai se batizar.” The mission President wants to be there.

Well we are all happy and working hard and hope that you guys are too,

Elder Willard

Another Transfer Shakeup

Today Elder Jensen and I have 1 year and 5 months out on the mission. We are becoming some of the oldest elders because of the growth of the mission. Well we had transfers and my companion has been transferred...to another area inside the same city.

I will stay and train a new missionary. We have no idea who he is, but I’m hoping he will be an American. But will probably be a Brazilian, which is fine too.

We have a baptism all marked up this week on Saturday and we are super excited. My new companion is gonna be super happy about that.

I didn't go to church on Sunday because I was throwing up during the morning...which was brutal. And everyone got freaked out and wanted to know where the missionaries were. A member family came by the house and dropped off a huge amount of food and soda. And we are really thankful for them.

This same family took us to the beach and bought us milkshakes and lunch. The beach is amazing on the Atlantic Ocean.

But I’m all stoked to get started again in this area with a new companion and we are gonna tear it up.

I only have 4 transfers left...or 6 months, so I’m gonna make them count.

I love you guys,

Elder Willard