Also, hit my 7 MONTH MARK this past Friday. Time passes so so quickly.
But this week Sister Bagatoli and I saw some serious miracles in our area.
A few days ago, we were knocking doors in an apartment building close by our chapel, and a woman, Alíce, answered the door and let us in, explaining that she was actually a member. Turns out that she had been less active for quite sometime, due to something that happened in the past with her husband, but now she lives with her two daughters. But she told us that just a few weeks before, she had read her patriarchal blessing, and felt the feeling that maybe, just maybe, it was time to return to church. And then we showed up. We bore our testimonies of the reality of the priesthood, and how Heavenly Father is so so mindful of us and our lives, and the fact that we need to attend church everySunday and partake of the sacrament, to fully receive the blessings that he has for each one of us. The spirit was so strong, and she and her daughter agreed to go to church yesterday - and they went! (: Her daughter, Analice (10 years old), wants to receive the lessons, and we will be continuing with her this week. Grateful and excited to continue with her.
But I really am loving this area. São Luis is a big tourist city, and has so much happening. I am a sucker for cool buildlings, murals, roads, etc. so this is definitely the place for me. This past P-Day, we visited Centro Histórico, some museums, took photos, etc. and there is so much culture and history here. Yes I was just gasping and dying over every street we entered, haha. Our area is just a tad more ghetto, to be completely honest, but is still so beautiful. There are some parts where we climb up stairs for a while, and you can just look out and see green. Thick forests and these red clay roofs. Last week finally saw the ocean from a distance, and wow. I have definitely fallen in love with Brasil.
Newest update on my love life: Guarana Amazônia. Glory glory, just one of the heavenly blessings of São Luis. The other missionaries told me that it is only in Maranhão that we have Guarana Amazônia, so yes, I am hoping that I stick around for a few more transfers (: But the members here feed us super well, and we leave almoço every day just stuffed.
But all is well here in São Luis! We have lots of baptism dates and a few weddings planned already. Super excited to see these people progress.
This week in my personal study, I really focused on the Priesthood Session from General Conference, and wow. If you haven't looked over it yet, you need to, it is seriously so good. I especially loved the talks 'Prepare the Way' by Bishop Gérald Caussé, and 'The Greatest Among You' by President Uchtdorf.
I love these points from Presidente Uchtdorf, that "God's greatest reward goes to those who serve without expectation of reward. It goes to thos who serve without fanfare; those who quietly go about seeking ways to help others; those who minister to others simply because they love God and God's children."
"Our service - whether great or small - refines our spirits".
So true. It's incredible to see how much we change when we are focused on serving and building others, how it cures us. Seriously, look over these talks if you haven't read them yet.
Grateful for the worthy priesthood examples that I have in my life, and the opportunity that I have had to share this with the people I meet every day.
Boa semana,
Sister Hill
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