July 25, 2011 Letter

Oi,

Well, its another week in Brasil. Today was transfers, but I´m staying here with Elder Hocker. Almost nobody got transfered. I think it´s because the new mission president doesnt really know many people. But we have interviews with him this week, and i bet after that there will be more transfers... But ya, for now im staying here.

So, some exciting stuff that happened here this last weekish....

Last Friday we were contacting people on the street. A woman came up to us and asked if only men could go to church. We told her no, and we marked to meet with her that night. So we did. We taught her, gave her a Book of Mormon, and she said she´s pray. It was cool. Then Sunday, she came to church and absolutely loved it. We passed by throughout the week and everytime was a super spiritual experience. One night was super spiritual and we invited her to be baptized that upcoming weekend. We thought for Sunday night but we didnt want to have to make her wait another week to get the Holy Ghost. So we called the Zone Leaders and asked if we could do it Saturday night and they said we could. It was great. This lady, Gilvanise, is absolutely amazing. She is so strong. She has so much faith. She will do anything for the Lord. I can definitely see how the Lord has prepared her to recieve the gospel. She used to smoke, do drugs, drink, "have fun",... everything. But she´s stopped everything a while ago. She´s completely turned to the Lord. It was really amazing. So ya, she got baptized on Saturday. It was amazing. We also had a 14 year old boy named Leandro get baptized too. It was a cool night. I think the highlight of the baptism was playing ping pong with Gil. hahaha It was so funny! I love that lady!!

Something that I have learned, or started learning this week is about life.... Most people think that life is to have fun. But thats because they dont know any better. But i was also thinking about members of the church... They know the truth, they have it, they hopefully learn more about it every Sunday, if not everyday. But even these people dont understand. They feel like the church is good, as long as it doesnt interfere with their other plans. I see it so much here... Its sad. Thats not what life is. The purpose of life isnt to do whatever you want, and fit in church if there´s room. What we really should be doing is focusing our lives on the gospel, on the Savior. Because really, this life is soooooo short. 80, 90 years.... Its not that much.... But eternity... thats like forever.... What people i think dont realize sometimes is that everything we have, everything we are, is because of our Heavenly Father. And some people are so selfish to not recognize that, or not do anything in return. We´re here on this earth to become like our Heavenly Father... How can we do that if we dont give everything we have to the church? If we´re lazy, if we put other things in front of our callings, our duties, our families.... It just doesnt work. So ya. Do whats right. Think about what stuff is taking up time, and maybe throw it out the window, and remember why we´re here.. Alright? :)

Well, thats whats been on my mind lately. So ya. Dont know what else to say. Love you all.

Elder Tracy