Subject: One Way!
Hello Everybody!
Wow this week went by fast!
João and Marilda were baptized on Sunday! It was a really spiritual experience. They invited their whole family to watch the baptism. Usually we have to worry about the water being too cold, but this time was different. We left a member in charge of the baptismal font while it was filling up so we wouldn´t have to waste time waiting in the chapel when there are thousands perishing in unbelief. He got the water to the right level, but forgot to check the temperature. Either he forgot, or thought it might be more efficient to do the baptism by water and the baptism by fire at the same time. :) When Brother Rildo (counselor to the bishop) entered the water to baptize Marilda, he hopped right back out. We had to delay the baptism for about ten minutes to let out some hot water and add some more cold water.
After the ordinances, we had some very spiritual experiences. After leaving the font, João entered the restroom, fell on his knees, and offered a prayer of gratitude for being able to make the changes that allowed him to take this great step. While João and Marilda changed clothes we showed a church film that touched the heart of the family members, who later accepted the invite to learn more of the restored gospel. Both João and Marilda were invited to bear their testimonies at the end of the meeting. The both testified that they knew the Church is true. Marilda said that she felt quite warm in the baptismal font, but that the warmth she felt wasn't from the boiling water but from the spirit that she felt "coming from above." To end the baptismal meeting, 5 primary children sang "I Like to Look for Rainbows" while Elder Machado played the piano. The sound that filled the chapel was angelic and I´m certain that I heard the voice of more than 5 children.
Here in a year João and Marilda will be sealed in the temple, together with their son who passed away 2 months ago in a car accident. Marilda said that the Plan of Salvation was what opened her heart to the restored gospel.
We´re teaching a 28 year-old man who has trouble understanding and remembering all that we teach. When we teach investigators like him or when we teach a family that has little children, I always recognize how blessed I was to learn the simple truths of the gospel ever since I was young. The ways that Mom and Dad taught us, I now use frequently to teach. Preach My Gospel says that master teaching is when you can take something complex and simplify it until a child can understand it. I often remember and utilize simple Primary lessons, such as using my hand and a glove to explain how the spirit enter in the body, has the same form as the body, and gives the body life.
Edvaldo is one of our investigators that is really progressing. Because of how big his changes have had to be, we asked President Acácio (President Richardson´s counselor) to do a pre-interview to help us set goals with him and support him in the repentance process. The interview was Sunday night after the baptism. Edvaldo said that is was a very spiritual experience and that now he has a hope that he didn´t have before.
Thursday was a really neat day. We had interviews with President Richardson, and then Elder Machado and I took Sister Richardson to do inspections of all the missionaries' homes. We didn´t really have to show her the way because her car has a really advanced GPS. It was only wrong once, when we entered the wrong way into a one way street and almost died. Luckily Sister Richardson had asked me to offer a prayer before leaving to make sure we wouldn´t get in any wrecks. I felt really special because I got to act as translator for Sister Richardson when we visited each companionship in their homes.
I made another Book Of Mormon CD today. We´re teaching Iraci, a school teacher that ironically can't read because of pore vision. She´s really progressing, but is having trouble giving up coffee. The problem is that she doesn´t yet believe in the Word of Wisdom, which is because she doesn´t have a firm testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith because she hasn´t been able to read the Book of Mormon yet. But now our problem is solved!
Thanks for all the prayers, love, and support!
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Love, Elder Jason Morgan Allred
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