How is everything? Is it getting any warmer? It is still hot as always but we have had a lot of rain this week!
Well, this week has been quite the week! However, I only really want to talk about a principle of missionary work for me that has been very prevalent this week. One day this week we had 6 lessons. SIX. We spiritually kicked butt. But it was the contrast of two of the lessons that was interesting. One of our lessons was a street contact we made and the Spirit was not there at all. The guy was distracted the whole time and his neighbor was blasting this screaming preacher the whole time. And I could not say a correct sentence to save my life. It was horrible! I was struggling so bad to say basic things. We ended that lesson then headed to one with our progressing investigators. There, we had the spirit. We taught a lesson about how the atonement helps us through our trials, which we didn´t plan on teaching. I was saying things that I hadn´t studied. The gift of tongues was there. And after we left, I was back to my regular speaking abilities. In the D+C it says that ´´if you don´t have the spirit, you shall not teach.´´ That is not a commandment that you will not teach, but it is saying that the people you are trying to teach will not learn.
Here in the mission field, the spirit is everything. Even when you feel prompted to talk to someone and they say no. You just planted a seed for a future missionary opportunity later in their life.
So, always strive to have the spirit in your life. How can you always have it with you? Obedience. That is the key. That is the secret. In fact, it isn´t a secret at all. It is a heavenly promise repeated over and over in all the standard works. So... Vamos!
Austin - Keep it up! You are rocking it. I´ve gotten several emails from members back home about how well you are doing. You are doing everything right but that doesn´t mean temptations won´t come. Be prepared! It is always when we are doing things right that the hardest temptations come!
Cam - We have an investigator that is your Brazilian twin. Literally he is a clone of you. But he is doing his best to spiritually find himself. I hope you are doing all you can to grow yourself spiritually. His name is Junior and he is 12. You should hear him pray. He prays for each family member individually that they will have better lives. So, Cameron, keep your focus! If you need to reevaluate your priorities, then do so! Change is a great thing!
Lexi - Well, here you would die because there are no chick-fil-a´s here! There are a ton of mcdonalds but they are expensive!!!! (a combo meal is about 10 american dollars!). Thank you for making all those bracelets! They will be a hit here!
President Cabral is in the process of deciding what we will do if (most likely when) there is a riot due to the World Cup. There will not be any games played in the mission boundaries but my area shut down yesterday because everyone was watching the São Paulo v. Santos game. It is the big rivalry here in soccer.
One of the nights this week I just looked out at the city and was just so grateful to be here and for the rapid improvement of my language. I truly know that faith and attitude is everything. Have an awesome week!
Falou!
Elder Johnson
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