I hope you are all doing well and
enjoying the summer weather! The weather here has been super
random...hot one day, freezing the next. But nothing too extreme, so
that´s been a blessing.
This week, I hit my
one-year mark on the mission. I cannot believe it has already been a
whole year. It feels like yesterday that I wasin the MTC trying to to
memorize the basics of Portuguese. The past year has had its tough
moments, but it has been full to the brink of miracles and some of the
happiest moments of my life. I wouldn't trade this experience for
anything else in the world. It´s sad to think I only have 6 months left
here!
The past week, I really gained a
testimony of fasting and prayer. Last week, Ilma (our elect who was
super excited to get baptized) explained that she had a sick family
member who lives far away and that she would need to go there and miss
church, which would automatically cancel her baptism the next week. I
fasted to ask God to provide a way for her to make it to church. Sure
enough, Sunday arrived, and she was there. She decided not to go. That
Sunday, we fasted again to give thanks for that blessing. Later during
this week, Ilma´s daughter, Vanessa, who was marked for baptism this
Sunday, was expressing doubts and wanting to cancel her baptism.
Normally, I would´ve entered into panic if someone said this three days
before their baptism. But I felt calm, and my companion and I both felt
prompted to teach Vanessa about fasting. She agreed to try it, and the
three of us, along with her teenage son, Victor, fasted together for 24
hours. We arrived at her house at the end of the fast and...she felt
great. God had taken her fears away and replaced them with confidence
and peace.
Yesterday, Ilma, Vanessa, and Vanessa´s daughter, Yasmin were
all baptized after church. It was glorious; a day I will never forget.
They were all glowing, happy and excited to make this important covenant
with The Lord and start their journey to the Temple and a forever
family. I know that God hears our prayers and honors our fasts. He wants
us to have answers and be at peace. All we have to do is humbly ask. I
could not be more happy about these three amazing women. I am honored to
be a part of their lives. They are incredible.
So that was the big focus of this week. I also renewed my visa in the center of Sao Paulo, so that was fun.
Also,
we received transfer calls last night...and....all four of us are
staying here in Poá. Again. I am super happy to be staying here. Poá has
become a second home to me. Sister Felartigas will be heading home in
two weeks, so we´re not sure if Sister Martinez will join us in a trio
or leave and have just one companionship in Poá. But for now, no
changes.
I hope you are all doing well and are
feeling God´s love in your life. If not, try doing a fast. It´s 24
hours without food and water, but it´s much more than that. Start with a
prayer and tell God your motives for doing a fast. During the fast,
focus as much as you can on receiving your answer and on hearing God´s
counsel. At the end of the 24 hours, end with a prayer. If possible,
donate the money that you would´ve used for food to help those who are
in need. I know that if you try this, and do it with faith, you will
recieve the help/comfort/advice/answers that you need. God loves it when
we show our faith and ask for help. He loves you, and He wants to help.
And I love you too. Thanks for the support and prayers! Have a great week!
All my love,
Sister Doyle
