Dear friends and family.
Its been a while since I've written. I've been pretty busy.
But here are the big things that have happenned so far
We've been teaching this young family, (Leo Eliza and a
little 7 year old named Gabriel). They progressed so much. The story of his
conversion is absolutely amazing. So he lost his job a few months ago, and
things have been pretty rough for him for a while. Hes also been going to other
churches, trying to find the true church. and one day, he ended up praying to
god to help him find the true church. He prayed for someone to be put in his
path that would be an answer to his prayer. and the very next day, he was going
to bring his kid home from school, and decided to take a different route there.
It just so happened that we were doing contacts on that same street, and we
made contact with him that day, took his address, and the next day, visited his
house. At his house, the lesson was super spiritual, and it didn't take long
until he received a strong witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God,
and that this church is true. He's been going to institute, he's almost stopped
smoking, and we're working on getting them legally married (because no one's actually married here in Brazil). They are such an elect family.
We're also teaching this man named Luciano. He's 26 years old,
and is separated from his wife, yet has a daughter, who switches back and forth
from mom to dad. and we taught him on and off here and there. But I ended up
giving him a Book of Mormon, and he's read it, and prayed about it, and has
received an answer. He now has a desire to get baptized. the only problem he
has is work, he works every day, including Sunday, which makes it hard for him
to go to church.
We ended up teaching this single mom Friday, and she ended
up accepting the gospel, and went to church that week. She's going to get
baptized in the second week of April. She really likes the church, and has
already talked about it with a friend of hers, and she's only known us and the
church two days. Shows the faith the humility in her heart. That was such a
miracle. This experience also taught me a lesson about diligence and obedience. We made contact with her in the morning, before lunch. Missionaries have to
leave at 10:30 to proselyte. but that day was raining, and windy. Horrible
conditions to preach, and do missionary work. but, we got up, and got out, and
talked with the few people that were on the streets in that horrible weather.
We ended up walking down this one street, looking for this other house, with
people we made contact with a while ago. and we found her, made contact, and
ended up returning to her house that night to teach. I learned that no matter
what conditions it is, if we are obedient, and diligent, and go out and preach
the restored gospel, miracles will happen.
The other thing that happened was transfers. I'm finally
leaving the Branch Serrano and going to another area called Bento Gonsalves.
Which happens to be in the same zone, Caxias do sul. so, Im going to stay here
in Caxias, which is a blessing, because winter is arriving, and its going to
get cold pretty soon here. I'm also going to be companions with Elder Pryer, who
is another american. Nyland has been my companion for the past six weeks, and
I've learned a lot from him. This past transfer has flown by! We found families
just amazing to teach, and it's just been miraculous.
The more and more I preach the gospel, and teach people
these gospel truths, the more I am taught as well. The purpose of the holy
spirit is guidance, and to teach, and preach. The holy spirit preaches by confirming
truth, it teaches by enlightening our minds, and distilling understanding in
our minds, and guides by feelings and thoughts that we receive. The role of the
spirit is essential, not only in converting the investigator, but also in
converting the missionary. And I've learned that my searching and trying, and
qualifying to have the spirit with me, is allowing the spirit to convert me
more, and draw me closer to my Savior. If you live an entire day without the
spirit teaching you something , something needs to change in your priorities.
Read the scriptures, and started praying to your Father in Heaven, and go take
the sacrament with purpose. because without doing these things, it becomes a
million times harder, if not, impossible for God to work the miracle of change
in your hearts. Love you all, and just know, If I didn't know this gospel to be
true, I wouldn't be here preaching about it.
Sincerely,
Elder Shurts
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| delicious pizza |
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| President Caio and his family |
