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!