3 Semanas

Well only one baptism happened, but it was great anyway. Malvina is 73 years old and got baptized on Saturday by my companion, Elder Bispo.

This week has been terrible hot with little success because of the Holiday, everyone was or is traveling to visit relatives or to escape the heat. But we got another baptism next week (we hope) with Juliana. I´m getting a little trunky, as we say here when someone is think about home more than he should. It’s also becoming super difficult to sleep at night because of the heat. But it’s alright, it’s almost over.

Hope everything is going good back home.

A Expiação é real, o poder cura vidas e muda nossos hábitos se deixarmos. Senti na minha vida e preciso ser mais humilde para mudar meu atitude para ser em harmonia com os ensinamentos do Senhor Jesus Cristo. Ele já pagou o preço, vamos receber esse presente com braços abertos.

[The Atonement is real, the healing power lives and change our habits if we let it. I have felt it in my life and I need to be more humble to change my attitude to be in harmony with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. He already paid the price; we receive this gift with open arms.]

Love you guys,

Elder Willard

4 Semanas

Well, it’s Christmas time and it’s super hot....que triste.

A women at church asked me if I have O negative blood (which I do) and asked if I could donate to a women in the hospital who has been waiting 2 weeks to do a surgery and I happily agreed.  I went to the hospital today but they didn't accept my blood because I took some antibiotics almost a month ago...dang it.

Last week we had our Christmas conference and it was about obedience and the importance of keeping the commandments. Everybody, I think, left a little burned and with a desire to be better, which is good.

I think we have 3 baptisms on Saturday WOOHOO!

I´m getting a little annoyed with missionaries that apply their own understanding of the scriptures and not what the profetas have taught us.

Pray every day, read the scriptures every day and you will not go astray.

Elder Willard

Merry Christmas (Feliz Natal)

5 Semanas

Well this week was difficult. It was terribly hot and lots of people are traveling so it was difficult to find people at home. It’s still hot.

Sister Castro has started a new rule that all missionaries have to take showers two times a day because of the heat. I won’t complain, but I live with 3 other missionaries.

Sacrament meeting didn’t have lots of people because of the holidays, but it was cool because I got to sing, Pequena Vila de Belém (O Little Town of Bethlehem) which was pretty spiritual.

We are talking to lots of people and inviting them to hear our message and to get a free DVD about Christmas, but not many leads yet.

Learning more and more how the spirit works and how it helps us to do what’s right. I feel like I´m at the top of my game, right before I go home, which is sad.

I would really, really like to be home for Christmas but I’ve got to keep working.

Arrependimento é real, Nós podemos ser purificado de pecado se nos arrependermos. A Expiação foi feito, temos que só arrepender-se. Tenha a coragem de arrepender-se e encontrará paz.

[Repentance is real, we can be cleansed of sin if we repent. The Atonement was made, we only repent.

Have the courage to repent and find peace.]

Falta pouco.

Elder Willard

6 Semanas

Well Our Zone leaders got transferred; one went home and the other become assistant to the President. He was my junior companion about a year ago: I’m so proud.

Well I was not transferred and I will die here with Elder Bispo, which will be good I hope. My throat got better...all by itself.

We are struggling to find people to teach but we´re talking to everyone. We are learning that the most important part of our work is quality not quantity.

Anyone can give a one minute lesson about something important but what counts is finding a quiet, calm space where you can teach in a way that helps a person feel and recognize that we are servants of the Lord and that he called us to do his work.

Someone has got to get baptized soon or I´ll go crazy.

Falta muito pouco mas no mesmo tempo...bastante.

Até logo

Elder Willard

7 Semanas

I have some kind of throat infection that is not getting better. It’s terrible difficult to eat and swallow. And I´ve been to the doctor twice and have bought about 100 reais (50 dollars) in medicine that is not working,

I´m getting a little frustrated. I have about 4 red-white, inflamed holes in my mouth that look like popped blisters. Sister Castro told me to find a specialist here in Pelotas. The trick is the mission might not be able to pay for the visit; I would pay and then be reimbursed later. A consultation is like 250 reais (125 bucks)...let see what happens.

I didn't get to work a lot this week because we had some days that were difficult to talk so I stayed home.

I´m also trying to help my companion work more and be obedient. Transfers are next week, one more transfer and it’s all over. I think I need to work more. I getting so tired, but I will try to sprint to the finish.

Elder Willard