August
1, 2016
Hi
Everyone,
I hope that the fame
of Isailde is growing between everyone that has read my emails these last couple
of weeks, because she is the best!!
Last night she made a
FEAST, and I mean a full out banquet for me and my companion. Last week I
mentioned that while I have been in Brazil I have learned to love fish. So
Isailde decided to make a fish feast for us and a bunch of other people as
well.
Isailde made a fish
stew called muqeuca for us, and that sweet deliciousness has got to be one of
the greatest things that has every touched my little white American lips in my
entire life. It was SOOO GOOOD!!! I am pretty sure Isailde has a secret goal to
send me home fat hahaha. And I think she is succeeding!
Other than that
incredible food party, the week was incredible as well. Its always a pleasure
to see how the members slowly change as they start to feel more of the
missionary spirit. Before I came here the members were used to having an
investigator a church, maybe once a month or so. But now that they have seen
all the people coming to visit and learn more about the church, they have all
opened up so much to missionary work, and it always seems to be the greatest
concern of the members to help us as much as possible! Needless to say
its pretty great.
This week we meet a
woman named Rose, who is one of these new incredible investigators that we
have. We met her knocking doors and set up a return appointment and invited one
of the sisters in the ward to go with us. As we were getting to know Rose and
explaining about how our message could change her life, she opened up to us and
told us her life story. And man was it rough. I was amazed by the fact that she
was able to remain so strong during her whole life and keep her faith in God
even though she had been the victim of countless injustices. My heart was
touched with a feeling of extreme gratefulness that in my life I have never had
to experience such circumstances because I was born and raised in a
family centered in Christ. I owe a lot to my family, mostly my parents (shout
out to you mom and dad for being awesome!!)
But it really is true
families are a sacred unit ordained by God to provide love and protection for
His children. That is as long as the families obey the gospel. When individuals
and families decide to ignore God´s commandments there are always consequences
that follow, and unfortunately, as in the case of Rose, these consequences can
be extreme that leave emotional, and physical scars for the rest of your life.
Let be grateful for
the simple teaching of the savior and give heed to his words. Its worth the
price of any sacrifice.
``Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.`` John 14:6
``And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.`` Mark 10:29-30
Love you all and hope
you have an incredible week!!
Elder Rice
