MIRACLES

5/21/12

The work of the Lord is just bursting with miracles- always!!!  We have the Lord´s promise that when we do our best, when we listen to the spirit and do His will, miracles will happen.  Many times when me and my companion feel the need to visit someone, often times it wasn´t that person we needed to talk to- it was the women standing next to us at the bus stop that doesn´t believe God exists, it was the man stealing a lemon from the tree that needed some hope, it was the young man at the back of the bus that feels the need to be baptized because his father didn´t allow him to when he was a baby.  -Okay this story rocks.  It was late and we were on our way home.  It was only us and the young man on the bus- red flag!  Normally there are more people, so of course we needed to talk to him.  He is from Brazil and he is 17 years old.  He got off at the same stop as us so we continued to talk and we brought him to the church (close to our apt.) and showed him around and basically taught him the first lesson.  His heart is the most open heart than any I have talked to so far.  He is so ready for the gospel its insane.  He asked where he could get a Book of Mormon- I love that question.  He was very respectful and asked really sincere questions.  I am pretty sure he will serve a mission.  I am so excited to teach him!!!  AH!!!  Me and Irmã Dos Santos felt so much love for him.  Irmã Dos Santos said he will be our ´son´of the mission. haha.  

SEVEN people came to church yesterday!!! WOOHOO!!!!  2 of our revelados- better than normal.  Ildafanso, Telmo, Iolanda, Jelciley, Ari, Felipe and Angela.  I was sitting next to Titi- the recent convert that was baptized last transfer, and this little girl came to sit next to me.  I asked her name, age, etc. and asked who her parents were.  She said she came with a friend and her parents aren´t members.  She is 10 years old and so, so, so sweet.  During Sacrament meeting she asked me for paper and a pen.  I was thinking she wanted to draw or something to pass the time but NO- she passed me a note that basically said Í am not baptized but I want to be.  Do you know how to help me be baptized?´ I just about cried.  She showed me her Book of Mormon that she has- which she has marked!!!  She has read up to Alma 22!!!  She said other sisters had taught her before.  Remember that she is ten years old.  I was filled with so much love for her- Ari is her name. But red flag- huge desire, was taught my missionaries before but not baptized- must be the parents.  I talked to the mom of her friend and sure enough she said her parents don’t want her to get baptized.  But she will talk to them and we will talk to them.  

Felipe just walked in because his father is a member in-active I think) and he was curious. SAWEEET!!!!  Earlier this week we were stuck in the rain with no protection.  Usually we always have an umbrella, but with summer beginning we thought we didn´t need anything.  wrong-o.  But we prayed for the rain to stop so we could see an investigator and it did.  Blue skies.  Power of prayer is real.

We were able to eat with some families this week with lots of kids!  It made me feel like I was home- lots of people, talking, chasing, yelling.  I felt at home.  One family- the Dad is from Bulgaria.  He was very interested in my genealogy- the first person that has asked me.  I am so grateful for the blessings of our ancestry- there is so much power of the spirit in it.  We have found a lot of less actives this week- just from contacting on the street!!!  Miracles!!!  

I am learning so much about faith.  About not giving up.  About demanding my best even when I am tired and hungry and sweaty.  When I keep the Savior in mind, I can do anything.  It is truly incredible how the Lord uses us to be instruments.  All we really have to do is be at the right place at the right time and listen to the spirit (easier said than done, right?) and WOW.  The Spirit is what works the miracles.  

We might not be called Irmã any longer! :(  We will get new plaques.  All the other Portuguese speaking missions are Sister, so they might change us to have it be unified.  The new mission president with decide for certain.  This is our last full transfer with President Torgan- So sad.  But I am excited for the new mission President also.  President Fluckiger will come in the middle of June.  Did I mention I absolutely LOVE my area?  I LOVE this ward and I LOVE the people here- so many open and humble hearts.  We have a zone meeting on Thursday so I will get your package!!!  I am SO excited!!!  And can´t wait for the surprise!  Oh and it will be easier on me if i don´t know when the Family beach Reunion is going to happen.  I would love to hear about it after, but not really before if that is possible. :)  I love you All with my whole heart!!!  This church is the church of God- with Jesus Christ as the head.  The Book of Mormon is the word of God.  It is SOOO powerful.  I absolutely LOVE the Book of Mormon- the more we use it to teach, the more strong the spirit is.  I am learning to love Portuguese- still hard for me, but getting better.  LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!!!!  HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!

Irmã Tingey