It's the Little Things that Count

I would like to call this week It is the little things that count. This week was super super hot, like I need to shower every hour because I am sweating so much and I cannot sleep at night with blankets because it is soooo hot! All is well, I will survive, I think :) This week was humbling, I learned a lot about how people have agency, this is the Lords plan and he is orchestrating every single detail, and it is the little things in life that really count. I had some really neat experiences this week that testified to me how it is the little things that truly matter. We had a family home evening with Alessandro and Mariana, and their three little girls and President Andre and his family. Alessandro was baptized two weeks ago. He shared a thought from the Book of Mormon about families and how he received an answer that the gospel is true because he read the Book of Mormon. I almost started crying to hear these words come out of Alessandros mouth because two months ago I will be honest I thought he would be an eternal investigator forever and whenever we went to teach him he just was not progressing, but two months of prayers and fasting and help from the Lord, he was baptized and now this family will be sealed in one year in the Temple and goodness to see the joy on Marianas face when Alessandro shared this thought, brought me so much joy and gratitude. We invited another investigator, Alessandro, for baptism this week after reading 3 Nephi 11 with him, he said he did not feel ready to be baptized at this time, but that he wanted to continue learning and that he truly wanted to know that these things were true before he was baptized. I completely understood him in that moment, he has agency and he wants a sure knowledge that these are true. I am grateful that we can continue to work with him and we will continue praying for him that he will receive an answer and prepare for baptism in the coming weeks. We taught Rodrigo this week who was baptized, received the Holy Ghost, and received the Priesthood. He was not at church on Sunday and I felt very strongly we needed to visit him because Rodrigo has such a genuine testimony and such a strong desire to do what is right. We went to visit him and he broke down in tears telling us he had a very very strong fear of blessing the sacrament in front of other people and he did not feel ready for this responsibility. The Spirit literally spoke through me and comforted him with words that I did not have. I have never so badly wanted to hug a boy on my mission as when I saw him crying and asking him how he could do it because he was scared. I testified that through the Savior HE COULD DO ALL THINGS. Especially bless the sacrament and he did not need to feel scared. I have multiple experiences this week where I literally felt the Spirit speaking through me. He spoke words of comfort, encouragement, and pure testimony to reach straight into the hearts of our investigators and recent converts. I know that it was not me, but I am grateful the Lord is using me as his instrument. This sunday we fasted to have investigators at church, not one showed up, but Rodrigo brought his brother, Rojerio! This was seriously a miracle because Rojerio never ever spoke with us when we visit Rodrigo, I know without a doubt that this was a tender mercy of the Lord and yes our other investigators were no there, but the Lord knows! And it is okay, as long as we do all we can, he will do the rest! This week I love the scripture in Helaman 10:4-5. It truly touched my heart, we need to look for the Lords will and apply it in our lives! Love you all so much! Love, Sister Brotherson Our district on Christmas eve! ps. We helped paint Aparecidas house! For four hours Thursday morning it was so much fun! The brightest blue, orange, and purple you will ever see in your life! Pictures next week!

Churrasco Christmas

Churrasco or BARBECUE! We had a barbecue on Christmas day, probably one of the strangest things on my mission to be able to be outside in the sun in short sleeves on Christmas day, this has never happened before in my entire life, but it was awesome! I do not have much time today, but this last week was amazing. True, I was far away from my home, my family, and everything that I know for Christmas, yet I still felt the love of the Lord so completely. We were able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day sharing messages about the birth of Christ with members, recent converts, and less actives. I am so grateful that I am a missionary and I can share the message of the life of the Savior with so many people. I loved talking with my family and yes there were a few tears shed, but it was totally worth it to see their faces and just talk about life, the mission, and I am truly so grateful for your support and love for me during my mission! Knowing that you are being blessed because of my mission is truly a comfort and support for me. I have a new companion! Sis Lima! She is fabulous, I was worried about having a new comanion who only spoke Portuguese, but she is great! We are working really hard this transfer to FIND AND BAPTIZE! We want this branch to grow and grow and grow until it can split into two wards! We are also planning on doing a lot of work with our less actives, keep them in your prayers because we have a lot! This last Sunday was truly a miracle, we had people at church that have not stepped foot in the church for months, I was truly grateful for this Christmas miracle, that the Lord softened these peoples hearts and made it possible for them to be in church this Sunday. I am so grateful for my Savior, for his love, and for the infinite, atoning sacrifice he made for me. I am so grateful that I have been able to be here in Patos and see his guiding hand in every aspect of my mission. I truly am so humbled to be an instrument in his hands, because none of the miracles I have seen were me, they were all the Lord. I love you all and wish you a happy new year! Remember the light of Christ is within us and we can have the spirit of Christmas all year round. Sister Brotherson Photo 1- Me and Sister Lima! Photo 2- We, our district, had a french toast breakfast! Photo 3- Our baptism with Alessandor and his family!