Bazinga!
Random Thought: I still don't have Spiderman light up shoes.
GREAT week!
So Elder Paredes and I started off the week by talking about the work we are doing and how we can do better. Then we decided that we were going to rock it this week! And then.......WE DID!!
Tuesday we started doing contacts like mad men and one of the first doors we knocked on opened. We said hi and introduced ourselves and our purpose and she let us in! As we walked in there was a man already there on the computer so we asked him his name and if he would like to hear our message as well. He said yes! So we started teaching and in the middle of the lesson a woman showed up. Let me explain here. The woman who answered the door is Maria and the man who was already there is Elton, her son in law, and the woman who showed up half way is Jussara (JOO-SAH-RAH) Maria's daughter and Elton's wife. So we finished the lesson and asked if they had any questions or comments or anything to say and Jussara spoke up and told us that it was weird because the day before, she saw us walking in the street and said to her husband that she wanted to hear what the Mormon doctrine is and then we showed up! She was really curious as well about The Book of Mormon and wanted to know more so we marked another day to go over there and talk about the book!
We went there later in the week and they had already read the pamphlets we had given them and Jussara even said,"These pamphlets were cool because every time I finished reading a part I wanted to know more so I wanted to go on to the next part." Then we left The Book of Mormon with them and made sure that they were going to church on Sunday.
On Sunday they went to church, and it was AWESOME!!!! Elton participated in Elders Quorum by answering questions and even raising his hand more than the members, to comment on things! Then when him and his wife were in Gospel Principles class, the lesson was about the gift of the Holy Ghost and how it helps us and how we feel it. In the middle of the class the teacher was talking about his experience when the missionaries taught him and he said that it seemed like when the missionaries left the Spirit left too. Jussara put her hand up and made this comment,"It's funny that you mentioned that because that's what we are seeing right now. The way they teach and the things they ask of us are different than other missionaries or preachings we have already heard. We are also seeing this here at the church" People this family is ELECT! This week the plan is to mark their baptisms!!
Also throughout the week we have been teaching a different family.They are wonderful and are so loving and giving. The other night Roselene, the mom, invited us over for dinner so we accepted and went. The food wasn't anything fancy and their house is a little small but it was wonderful we talked a lot about them and their family and about the gospel and at the end we left a message. It about Christ like attributes and how there family is really good at having charity and sharing it with us. Then I had a strong impression from the spirit so I followed it and said,"Do you have faith in Jesus Christ and do you have faith that we are representatives and servants of him?" They answered yes to both so I said,"Then as a servant of Jesus Christ that whatever you ask of the Lord for you family right now that is good, you shall have it." Please pray for them.
I want all of you to know that this Gospel is true. Jesus Christ directs this church and this work and nothing can stop it.
Mosiah 13:1-4
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Week #46
Bazinga!
Random Thought: I met Scooby.
Great week!
Wednesday we finally got electricity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This week we have been working a lot with one of our investigators who was baptized on Saturday! Larissa! She had been an investigator for months and finally decided to be baptized!!! She asked that Elder Paredes baptize her and that I confirm her. Everything was done this weekend and now its up to the ward members to keep her going! They are going to do a great job!
Because Larissa was being confirmed on Sunday, her mom and grandpa came to church with her and now have questions! One question her grandpa asked me was about people who died without being baptized. So we talked for a bit and I taught him about baptisms for the dead and how everyone will get a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in Heaven and to choose for themselves. Well he knows the bible very well and I expected a little bit of argument from him or maybe just more questions but he just nodded and said,"That makes sense." Then we walked to sacrament together. The other Elders are going to start teaching him now because he lives in their area.
This week we have been having a bit of trouble motivating people to go to church and such. I may have mentioned this before but I was thinking about missionary work and I remembered a talk I heard by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that talks a lot about why its hard to do this work and he is exactly right! Why isn't missionary work easy? I came up with an answer in my own words. Imagine the following situation:
Elders (or Sisters): Hi! We are missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and we have a message about the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will change your life for the better if you live it! BUT living the gospel will be harder than anything you have ever done, or ever will do!
Person at the door: No thank you!
Elder Holland's talk was very clear that missionary work is hard because what we offer is salvation and salvation WAS NEVER AND WILL NEVER BE EASY. YOU HAVE TO EARN IT! For some people that is just too hard and the Lord has to prepare them. So I was talking to Elder Paredes this morning and we are going to experiment with any kind of way to contact that we can think of and see what happens with each one. I know we aren't the first missionaries to do this but we are excited to see what happens.
Sunday was my birthday! Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday!!! It was a good day and I even got cake!! I like cake. Especially birthday cake!!
The rest of the week was pretty normal.
Mosiah 9:17-18
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Random Thought: I met Scooby.
Great week!
Wednesday we finally got electricity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This week we have been working a lot with one of our investigators who was baptized on Saturday! Larissa! She had been an investigator for months and finally decided to be baptized!!! She asked that Elder Paredes baptize her and that I confirm her. Everything was done this weekend and now its up to the ward members to keep her going! They are going to do a great job!
Because Larissa was being confirmed on Sunday, her mom and grandpa came to church with her and now have questions! One question her grandpa asked me was about people who died without being baptized. So we talked for a bit and I taught him about baptisms for the dead and how everyone will get a chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in Heaven and to choose for themselves. Well he knows the bible very well and I expected a little bit of argument from him or maybe just more questions but he just nodded and said,"That makes sense." Then we walked to sacrament together. The other Elders are going to start teaching him now because he lives in their area.
This week we have been having a bit of trouble motivating people to go to church and such. I may have mentioned this before but I was thinking about missionary work and I remembered a talk I heard by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that talks a lot about why its hard to do this work and he is exactly right! Why isn't missionary work easy? I came up with an answer in my own words. Imagine the following situation:
Elders (or Sisters): Hi! We are missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and we have a message about the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will change your life for the better if you live it! BUT living the gospel will be harder than anything you have ever done, or ever will do!
Person at the door: No thank you!
Elder Holland's talk was very clear that missionary work is hard because what we offer is salvation and salvation WAS NEVER AND WILL NEVER BE EASY. YOU HAVE TO EARN IT! For some people that is just too hard and the Lord has to prepare them. So I was talking to Elder Paredes this morning and we are going to experiment with any kind of way to contact that we can think of and see what happens with each one. I know we aren't the first missionaries to do this but we are excited to see what happens.
Sunday was my birthday! Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday!!! It was a good day and I even got cake!! I like cake. Especially birthday cake!!
The rest of the week was pretty normal.
Mosiah 9:17-18
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Monday, May 13, 2013
Week #45
Bazinga!!
Random Thought: Asa convinced me to buy new sandals.
So another week without electricity! Not as big of a deal this week though because of our awesome neighbor! Why is our neighbor awesome? Well on Saturday night when we got home he came out because he heard we didn't have power so he brought out a giant extension cord to reach through our window so that we can sleep with fans and use a lamp at night! After he brought everything he said,"Anything else just let me know!" When he left I looked at my companion and said,"We need to pray." So we knelt down and thanked the lord for the kindness of a complete stranger.
This week was a little rushed as well because I had to buy the rest of our furniture, such as desks and chairs, but we got prices and purchased everything! Now we just have to play everyone's favorite game. The waiting game. I called this morning and we should have everything tomorrow afternoon! We are excited about this because to get pens and pencils and books we have to dig through our bags.
We also had a visit with the family we are teaching and they are just really great! This time we taught about The Book of Mormon and when we were done I asked what they understood from everything we discussed. He said from what he saw and heard that its easy to see that the book is true!!! Talk about a GOLDEN answer!!! So we invited them to read with the whole family and to pray about it! We are trying to get them to accept baptism but they said they want to go to church more first. Pray for them!
Speaking of baptism. We were supposed to have one on Saturday, Larissa, but due to personal problems she asked if we could move the date one more week. After listening to the problem we accepted! We are talking with her everyday to make sure everything is on track for this Saturday and then on Sunday she will be confirmed!
Now finally! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all mothers, ESPECIALLY my mother! I want to take the time to publicly thank you mom for everything you have ever done for me. I have realized and remembered all of the ways I could have been better to you growing up, and I would like to say that I am truly sorry and that even though I am far away I still love you and continue to love and appreciate you more each and every day! I wish I could say more!!
Dad- How did you get so lucky as to be able to marry mom? You too are the best and I am so thankful for a father like you! Thank you for always getting after me or giving me advice and for sharing your funny stories with me. Você é o cara!!
Asa- Go on a date and get a wife. Also you are such an amazing example to me! One day I would like to reach the same level as you but when I get there you'll already be two more ahead of me.
Kati- You're growing up! We didn't get to talk that much but you are doing great and you're only getting prettier! Just work your tail off and you've got it made!
Hanna- You too are getting prettier! From what I hear you are rocking school and just ready to start life! Keep it up and congratulations on getting the job!!!!
Mosiah 7:11-12
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Random Thought: Asa convinced me to buy new sandals.
So another week without electricity! Not as big of a deal this week though because of our awesome neighbor! Why is our neighbor awesome? Well on Saturday night when we got home he came out because he heard we didn't have power so he brought out a giant extension cord to reach through our window so that we can sleep with fans and use a lamp at night! After he brought everything he said,"Anything else just let me know!" When he left I looked at my companion and said,"We need to pray." So we knelt down and thanked the lord for the kindness of a complete stranger.
This week was a little rushed as well because I had to buy the rest of our furniture, such as desks and chairs, but we got prices and purchased everything! Now we just have to play everyone's favorite game. The waiting game. I called this morning and we should have everything tomorrow afternoon! We are excited about this because to get pens and pencils and books we have to dig through our bags.
We also had a visit with the family we are teaching and they are just really great! This time we taught about The Book of Mormon and when we were done I asked what they understood from everything we discussed. He said from what he saw and heard that its easy to see that the book is true!!! Talk about a GOLDEN answer!!! So we invited them to read with the whole family and to pray about it! We are trying to get them to accept baptism but they said they want to go to church more first. Pray for them!
Speaking of baptism. We were supposed to have one on Saturday, Larissa, but due to personal problems she asked if we could move the date one more week. After listening to the problem we accepted! We are talking with her everyday to make sure everything is on track for this Saturday and then on Sunday she will be confirmed!
Now finally! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all mothers, ESPECIALLY my mother! I want to take the time to publicly thank you mom for everything you have ever done for me. I have realized and remembered all of the ways I could have been better to you growing up, and I would like to say that I am truly sorry and that even though I am far away I still love you and continue to love and appreciate you more each and every day! I wish I could say more!!
Dad- How did you get so lucky as to be able to marry mom? You too are the best and I am so thankful for a father like you! Thank you for always getting after me or giving me advice and for sharing your funny stories with me. Você é o cara!!
Asa- Go on a date and get a wife. Also you are such an amazing example to me! One day I would like to reach the same level as you but when I get there you'll already be two more ahead of me.
Kati- You're growing up! We didn't get to talk that much but you are doing great and you're only getting prettier! Just work your tail off and you've got it made!
Hanna- You too are getting prettier! From what I hear you are rocking school and just ready to start life! Keep it up and congratulations on getting the job!!!!
Mosiah 7:11-12
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Week #44
(Sorry this is late - I just realized that I forgot to send this out that last week - HL)
Bazinga!!
Random Thought: I have two reals (Brazilian money) in my pocket!
Ha crazy week! So I learned from the power company That our electricity wouldn't be turned on until today so we went without it this entire week! That means no washer, hot water, light, fans or charging the cell phone! It still hasn't been turned on as of this minute but all is well and its an excellent time to develop more patience! Its actually kind of been funny because every time we go back to the house at night and in the morning we check to see if its on! I always trick my comp and say,"dude its on!" hahaha Also no electricity means that the guy who came by to put our beds and dresser together can't because he has a drill with a special bit to do it! So for now we are taking cold dark showers, living out of our suitcases and sleeping on mattresses on the ground! Its all part of the experience!
Last week a young woman we have been teaching for months decided to be baptized!!!!! So this week we have talking with her and scheduling appointments! WE are SOOO excited and the plan this week is to visit her every day until her baptism on Saturday!!! We are trying to plan it perfect with me and my comp singing and another Elder playing piano and we want the whole city there!! Anyways I am just happy about it!
On Thursday me and my companion were walking and he was super thirsty and saw a family getting home so we went over and asked for something to drink. It was kind of awkward because they had just arrived home and THEY hadn't even drank anything yet. Now I am not one who likes awkward situations so I just kind of stayed quiet at first. But we asked if they had heard about the church and if they already had spoken to the missionaries. They answered no to both so we asked if we could teach and then we taught! Well guess what happened!!!!!?? Nothing....they seemed disinterested. SO after the lesson we left invites to pray and to read and they said they would, then marked another visit with them for Saturday.
Saturday we went back to the same family and left another message and this time they seemed a bit more interested. We invited them to church and I decided to use a technique I learned for one of my zone leaders and asked for a ride from them, to church! They have a car so it worked perfect! They said sure and then we socialized for a bit, prayed and left!
Sunday morning we went to their house and they were already ready and waiting for us!! Holy cow I was excited!! We got in the car and were on our way! We got to the church and the members were PERFECT!! Everyone talked with them and they really enjoyed church!! After church the dad, Assis, told us that at night when we were done working in downtown, and with our church meetings to call him to come pick us up! YES! That meant an hour less of walking and more time to teach him!
So we went to lunch and ate piranha and through the rest of our day of work and church meetings and then called Assis for the ride! He told us he'd be right there so we waited and he came and got us with his wife! We had a WONDERFUL conversation in the car! We asked what they thought about church and he went off on how he loved it and felt a peace he had never felt before and before we asked if he was going next week he said that he would!!! AND he said to tell the members that they are welcome to pass by his house anytime!!!!!!!!!!! People this is the DREAM for us missionaries!! So now we are just super excited and going to work our tails off with this family!! Please pray for them!
Mosiah 5:5
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Bazinga!!
Random Thought: I have two reals (Brazilian money) in my pocket!
Ha crazy week! So I learned from the power company That our electricity wouldn't be turned on until today so we went without it this entire week! That means no washer, hot water, light, fans or charging the cell phone! It still hasn't been turned on as of this minute but all is well and its an excellent time to develop more patience! Its actually kind of been funny because every time we go back to the house at night and in the morning we check to see if its on! I always trick my comp and say,"dude its on!" hahaha Also no electricity means that the guy who came by to put our beds and dresser together can't because he has a drill with a special bit to do it! So for now we are taking cold dark showers, living out of our suitcases and sleeping on mattresses on the ground! Its all part of the experience!
Last week a young woman we have been teaching for months decided to be baptized!!!!! So this week we have talking with her and scheduling appointments! WE are SOOO excited and the plan this week is to visit her every day until her baptism on Saturday!!! We are trying to plan it perfect with me and my comp singing and another Elder playing piano and we want the whole city there!! Anyways I am just happy about it!
On Thursday me and my companion were walking and he was super thirsty and saw a family getting home so we went over and asked for something to drink. It was kind of awkward because they had just arrived home and THEY hadn't even drank anything yet. Now I am not one who likes awkward situations so I just kind of stayed quiet at first. But we asked if they had heard about the church and if they already had spoken to the missionaries. They answered no to both so we asked if we could teach and then we taught! Well guess what happened!!!!!?? Nothing....they seemed disinterested. SO after the lesson we left invites to pray and to read and they said they would, then marked another visit with them for Saturday.
Saturday we went back to the same family and left another message and this time they seemed a bit more interested. We invited them to church and I decided to use a technique I learned for one of my zone leaders and asked for a ride from them, to church! They have a car so it worked perfect! They said sure and then we socialized for a bit, prayed and left!
Sunday morning we went to their house and they were already ready and waiting for us!! Holy cow I was excited!! We got in the car and were on our way! We got to the church and the members were PERFECT!! Everyone talked with them and they really enjoyed church!! After church the dad, Assis, told us that at night when we were done working in downtown, and with our church meetings to call him to come pick us up! YES! That meant an hour less of walking and more time to teach him!
So we went to lunch and ate piranha and through the rest of our day of work and church meetings and then called Assis for the ride! He told us he'd be right there so we waited and he came and got us with his wife! We had a WONDERFUL conversation in the car! We asked what they thought about church and he went off on how he loved it and felt a peace he had never felt before and before we asked if he was going next week he said that he would!!! AND he said to tell the members that they are welcome to pass by his house anytime!!!!!!!!!!! People this is the DREAM for us missionaries!! So now we are just super excited and going to work our tails off with this family!! Please pray for them!
Mosiah 5:5
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Week #43
Bazinga!
Random Thought: Always smile and be nice to the person who works at the DMV. They catch enough flak.
Great week!! Transfers! I am staying with Elder Paredes here in Cáceres.
Tuesday I received a call from the Branch President here in Cáceres saying that the Mission President wanted to put two more missionaries in this city. So after talking for a bit I learned that it was conditional to me finding another house and furnishing it for all six of us to live in. So Tuesday Elder Paredes and I went to look at houses and found one that was really good and pretty cheap. So we started preparations to have the mission office start the paper work and the next day, Wednesday we were told that the owner decided not to rent the house and that he was going to live there instead.
So it was already planned to do divisions on Wednesday and I was going with Elder Kennington, a greeny. So we spent the afternoon doing contacts and getting prices for fridges and washing machines and so on. It turned out to be a great day and we got a lot done.
Thursday we still hadn't found a house so Elder Paredes and I went house hunting again! We found one on a realtor's website so we went to their office and asked about it and ended up going to look at it. Turns out its PERFECT. Everything is new its kind of small and cheap! BUT its an hours walk from the church...so of course we chose it and started the paperwork! After doing everything I could I called the office and told them what I did and what they needed to do next and we closed the contract and had the keys in hand the next day! The finance secretary said,"Holy cow...that was the fastest contract to rent a house in the history of the mission." After getting the house we just had to get the electricity and water turned back on in the house. We finished up what we had to do today and tomorrow we move to the new house!! I am super excited!! This was great practice for the real world when I get home and get married!
Friday and Saturday were great because it was back to normal missionary work instead of playing house hunting monopoly. Friday we were walking and after getting rejected a few times we started praying for a miracle. Then we turned the corner and heard voices in a house and decided to clap there to see if they were interested in hearing a message. Out came two college girls (the college is super good here) and said we could teach them. So we put the chairs out in front of the house and taught a great lesson and they were actually interested in the message and not us! At the end we asked one of them to pray and while she was praying one more girl showed up. She didn't hear the message so we asked if we could come back on Saturday. They said that "coincidentally" they were going to have a study group there on Saturday and that we could come by right after they were done studying. So we marked and were on our way.
Saturday we went back to that house and had a lesson with EIGHT people all from different houses! They all participated in the lesson so we are excited to see what happens!
Sunday we waited at church in the morning and out of nowhere a young man we invited to church ONCE, just showed up! It was super cool! So we took him in and stayed with him throughout the meetings.
Today we were asked to go speak in a school about the differences in the US and Brazil. Nothing prepared or anything but more of a question answer session. It was soooooo much fun! They asked all about the government and health care and houses and security it was a super interesting experience! There was also a young woman from Germany answering the same questions!
Anyway this week was fantastic!
Moroni 10:33-34
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Random Thought: Always smile and be nice to the person who works at the DMV. They catch enough flak.
Great week!! Transfers! I am staying with Elder Paredes here in Cáceres.
Tuesday I received a call from the Branch President here in Cáceres saying that the Mission President wanted to put two more missionaries in this city. So after talking for a bit I learned that it was conditional to me finding another house and furnishing it for all six of us to live in. So Tuesday Elder Paredes and I went to look at houses and found one that was really good and pretty cheap. So we started preparations to have the mission office start the paper work and the next day, Wednesday we were told that the owner decided not to rent the house and that he was going to live there instead.
So it was already planned to do divisions on Wednesday and I was going with Elder Kennington, a greeny. So we spent the afternoon doing contacts and getting prices for fridges and washing machines and so on. It turned out to be a great day and we got a lot done.
Thursday we still hadn't found a house so Elder Paredes and I went house hunting again! We found one on a realtor's website so we went to their office and asked about it and ended up going to look at it. Turns out its PERFECT. Everything is new its kind of small and cheap! BUT its an hours walk from the church...so of course we chose it and started the paperwork! After doing everything I could I called the office and told them what I did and what they needed to do next and we closed the contract and had the keys in hand the next day! The finance secretary said,"Holy cow...that was the fastest contract to rent a house in the history of the mission." After getting the house we just had to get the electricity and water turned back on in the house. We finished up what we had to do today and tomorrow we move to the new house!! I am super excited!! This was great practice for the real world when I get home and get married!
Friday and Saturday were great because it was back to normal missionary work instead of playing house hunting monopoly. Friday we were walking and after getting rejected a few times we started praying for a miracle. Then we turned the corner and heard voices in a house and decided to clap there to see if they were interested in hearing a message. Out came two college girls (the college is super good here) and said we could teach them. So we put the chairs out in front of the house and taught a great lesson and they were actually interested in the message and not us! At the end we asked one of them to pray and while she was praying one more girl showed up. She didn't hear the message so we asked if we could come back on Saturday. They said that "coincidentally" they were going to have a study group there on Saturday and that we could come by right after they were done studying. So we marked and were on our way.
Saturday we went back to that house and had a lesson with EIGHT people all from different houses! They all participated in the lesson so we are excited to see what happens!
Sunday we waited at church in the morning and out of nowhere a young man we invited to church ONCE, just showed up! It was super cool! So we took him in and stayed with him throughout the meetings.
Today we were asked to go speak in a school about the differences in the US and Brazil. Nothing prepared or anything but more of a question answer session. It was soooooo much fun! They asked all about the government and health care and houses and security it was a super interesting experience! There was also a young woman from Germany answering the same questions!
Anyway this week was fantastic!
Moroni 10:33-34
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Monday, April 22, 2013
Week #42
Bazinga!
Random Thought: I like big dogs, not small ones.
Great week! Thursday the Zone leaders came to stay with us and do divisions for two days and it was awesome! Elder W. Santos was my companion for the day and we had some wonderful experiences. First, lunch was at that one far house where we have to cross the crazy bridge and the zone leaders thought it was super cool! So we took pictures with them there. Then we had a few appointments but the best one was with an old man whose real name I do not know! He just told us to call him Casquinha, which means little ice cream cone. Silly right? Anyways he is the dad of a recent convert in the branch and he's got some major problems with his lungs so he can't really leave the house. BUT he is progressing with he gospel! The first time we went there he had already read 124 pages of the Book of Mormon and when we went back on Thursday he had read up to page 334! This guy is great! He is also very intelligent and always has really good questions about how things happened in the book or where Christ was during certain parts of the book! Its wonderful! So we talked and taught for about an hour and a half before we left.
After that lesson we had to walk an hour back home so that we could get to our house and I could grab my white clothes before we went to the church for an activity! It was the same activity we did in Rondonópolis a while back where we made three rooms represent the three kingdoms of glory! This time I was in the Celestial Kingdom and then at the end we sang "Mais perto quero estar" or "Nearer my God to thee" and it was wonderful. Some people didn't even want to leave the room after!!
On Friday Elder Paredes and I left to work just like normal. We visited a family that was baptized a few months ago and they are the best! They always have great questions and stories about the Book of Mormon! The last time we were there they had questions about sins and their children and how if they don't teach and raise their children correctly they will have to answer for the sins of their children. So we used scriptures and stories to teach. This time we went there and they were super excited to share a scripture they had found just by opening the scriptures and just pointing to a verse. It was Jacob 3:10:
"Portanto vos lembrareis de vossos filhos, de como lhes afligistes o coração por causa do exemplo que lhes haveis dado; e lembrai-vos também de que podeis, pelavossa imundície, levar vossos filhos à destruição; e seus pecados serão amontoados sobre a vossa cabeça no último dia."
or
"Wherefore, ye shall remember your children, how that ye have grieved their hearts because of the example that ye have set before them, and also, remember that ye may, because of your filthiness, bring your children unto destruction, and their sins be heaped upon your head on the last day."
It was so wonderful to see the faith growing in them! They believe for sure the Book of Mormon is true! After that lesson was over we started walking and saw the neighbor outside the house so we did a contact and they invited us into the house to teach! So we did and they accepted baptism! Yes sometimes it happens that fast when people have been prepared by the Lord to hear his message! Well see how it goes now!
So I don't know when, but we were told that two more missionaries will be added to this city soon and that they will only work with less active members! I asked President if I could be one of those Elders to work with the less active members because I love it so much, but we'll see what happens. Sunday was great! We have a new ward mission leader who is great! We had a meeting right after church and he basically said he wants to get the members working more so that we don't have to worry at all about retention! He has a lot of good ideas and I am super excited to be working with him now! Right after that meeting we went to a barbecue we organized in the home of a less active member! We bought all the food and drinks days before and gave a message during the barbecue, to all the guests that attended! It was wonderful!
Enos 1:4-8
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Random Thought: I like big dogs, not small ones.
Great week! Thursday the Zone leaders came to stay with us and do divisions for two days and it was awesome! Elder W. Santos was my companion for the day and we had some wonderful experiences. First, lunch was at that one far house where we have to cross the crazy bridge and the zone leaders thought it was super cool! So we took pictures with them there. Then we had a few appointments but the best one was with an old man whose real name I do not know! He just told us to call him Casquinha, which means little ice cream cone. Silly right? Anyways he is the dad of a recent convert in the branch and he's got some major problems with his lungs so he can't really leave the house. BUT he is progressing with he gospel! The first time we went there he had already read 124 pages of the Book of Mormon and when we went back on Thursday he had read up to page 334! This guy is great! He is also very intelligent and always has really good questions about how things happened in the book or where Christ was during certain parts of the book! Its wonderful! So we talked and taught for about an hour and a half before we left.
After that lesson we had to walk an hour back home so that we could get to our house and I could grab my white clothes before we went to the church for an activity! It was the same activity we did in Rondonópolis a while back where we made three rooms represent the three kingdoms of glory! This time I was in the Celestial Kingdom and then at the end we sang "Mais perto quero estar" or "Nearer my God to thee" and it was wonderful. Some people didn't even want to leave the room after!!
On Friday Elder Paredes and I left to work just like normal. We visited a family that was baptized a few months ago and they are the best! They always have great questions and stories about the Book of Mormon! The last time we were there they had questions about sins and their children and how if they don't teach and raise their children correctly they will have to answer for the sins of their children. So we used scriptures and stories to teach. This time we went there and they were super excited to share a scripture they had found just by opening the scriptures and just pointing to a verse. It was Jacob 3:10:
"Portanto vos lembrareis de vossos filhos, de como lhes afligistes o coração por causa do exemplo que lhes haveis dado; e lembrai-vos também de que podeis, pelavossa imundície, levar vossos filhos à destruição; e seus pecados serão amontoados sobre a vossa cabeça no último dia."
or
"Wherefore, ye shall remember your children, how that ye have grieved their hearts because of the example that ye have set before them, and also, remember that ye may, because of your filthiness, bring your children unto destruction, and their sins be heaped upon your head on the last day."
It was so wonderful to see the faith growing in them! They believe for sure the Book of Mormon is true! After that lesson was over we started walking and saw the neighbor outside the house so we did a contact and they invited us into the house to teach! So we did and they accepted baptism! Yes sometimes it happens that fast when people have been prepared by the Lord to hear his message! Well see how it goes now!
So I don't know when, but we were told that two more missionaries will be added to this city soon and that they will only work with less active members! I asked President if I could be one of those Elders to work with the less active members because I love it so much, but we'll see what happens. Sunday was great! We have a new ward mission leader who is great! We had a meeting right after church and he basically said he wants to get the members working more so that we don't have to worry at all about retention! He has a lot of good ideas and I am super excited to be working with him now! Right after that meeting we went to a barbecue we organized in the home of a less active member! We bought all the food and drinks days before and gave a message during the barbecue, to all the guests that attended! It was wonderful!
Enos 1:4-8
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Monday, April 15, 2013
Week #41
Bazinga!
Random Thought: There was a lizard on my soap on Friday.
Well this week started off great! Then it ended ok...
I'll start with Wednesday! Wednesday was cool because I did divisions with the other dupla and it was super fun! I went with Elder Reed to appointments and to do contacts and just normal stuff! His dupla has an investigator who has been looking at the church for a while now named Kelly. She is very smart and really has read all the pamphlets and is reading the Book of Mormon. Well she believes that it all is true but has never accepted a baptismal date. So I went there with Elder Reed to interview her and too see if I could help her with her doubts. The interview was SO spiritual! I feel like I wasn't talking! It was all the Spirit! After the interview she said that she will think about when she would like to be baptized! I was SO happy!
After a family home evening that night with puppies we headed home! As we got closer we passed the bus station by our house and this lady motioned to me. I thought she was just waving so I waved to her! Then she shook her head and motioned for me to come over to her. So I called Elder Reed over and we said hi. She started talking and my first thought was,"Wow this lady is crazy, shes just talking jibberish." Then she said the word," Estoy" which is Spanish! So I started paying attention a little more and found that I could understand about 85% of what she was saying! People I understand THREE languages! that's nuts! So we talked for a little bit and found out that she is a member passing through and that sometimes she stops here on the weekends and wanted to know where the church is so she could attend on Sunday. We called Elder Paredes over because she didn't understand a lot of Portuguese and he speaks Spanish and he explained everything to her! Then she told us what happened. She arrived in Cáceres and was supposed to wait there for her friend who was coming from Cuiabá and wanted to know when her friends bus was supposed to arrive but didn't understand a lot of the language. So she started praying and Elder Reed and I walked by!! SO cool! So anyways we called President Reber to ask permission to stay with her until her friend arrived so that she could have someone to talk to and help her if she needed it and she wouldn't be left alone on the street at night. He gave us permission!
Thursday was the day we went super far to lunch over the torn apart bridge! After lunch we started over the bridge and I looked down into the little stream and saw a biggish snake! It was dead! So when we got to the other side we decided to fish it out with a stick to take pictures! Well it was really alive and I got BIT! ...KIDDING. We took pictures with it and then left it there! It was pretty cool. Then we tried to find the house of someone who asked for a visit and as we were walking a guy motioned us to come to his house. So we went over and started talking with him! Well after a little bit we found out that he is a recovering drug addict and that he just liked to talk religion. He was a little crazy because of how many drugs he has done but something that happened really hit me. We said we had to leave about 10 times but he kept asking us to stay and I couldn't help but come to this conclusion. This guy is in darkness and he knows it, and when he talks religion he can feel the light. So when we said we had to leave he tried to keep us, or the light, in his house as hard as he could. Sometimes those situations are uncomfortable but if you put yourself in their shoes you see why they are acting the way they are.
Friday I gained a stronger testimony about agency. We went to teach one of our investigators and she is a pretty big lady and has a bunch of problems in her life. So I used my life as an example! About how I was really overweight and sad and without thinking about it I said this,"...and then after years and years of this and asking 'why me' I had a sort of realization. This is ALL because of me. A lot of people ask why God would let their lives be bad or why he would have this plan for their lives when in fact it was never His plan. He has a perfect plan for each and everyone of us! BUT WE are the ones who ruin it. If we choose to do whats right we will fulfill the plan laid before us by Him. If we do wrong things we can't fulfill that plan and automatically we have a new one that isn't as good..." When I got done talking she was crying and said she understood. She said she would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.
After that appointment we walked an hour home in the cool, pouring rain. And I loved every step!
Jacob 3:1
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
Random Thought: There was a lizard on my soap on Friday.
Well this week started off great! Then it ended ok...
I'll start with Wednesday! Wednesday was cool because I did divisions with the other dupla and it was super fun! I went with Elder Reed to appointments and to do contacts and just normal stuff! His dupla has an investigator who has been looking at the church for a while now named Kelly. She is very smart and really has read all the pamphlets and is reading the Book of Mormon. Well she believes that it all is true but has never accepted a baptismal date. So I went there with Elder Reed to interview her and too see if I could help her with her doubts. The interview was SO spiritual! I feel like I wasn't talking! It was all the Spirit! After the interview she said that she will think about when she would like to be baptized! I was SO happy!
After a family home evening that night with puppies we headed home! As we got closer we passed the bus station by our house and this lady motioned to me. I thought she was just waving so I waved to her! Then she shook her head and motioned for me to come over to her. So I called Elder Reed over and we said hi. She started talking and my first thought was,"Wow this lady is crazy, shes just talking jibberish." Then she said the word," Estoy" which is Spanish! So I started paying attention a little more and found that I could understand about 85% of what she was saying! People I understand THREE languages! that's nuts! So we talked for a little bit and found out that she is a member passing through and that sometimes she stops here on the weekends and wanted to know where the church is so she could attend on Sunday. We called Elder Paredes over because she didn't understand a lot of Portuguese and he speaks Spanish and he explained everything to her! Then she told us what happened. She arrived in Cáceres and was supposed to wait there for her friend who was coming from Cuiabá and wanted to know when her friends bus was supposed to arrive but didn't understand a lot of the language. So she started praying and Elder Reed and I walked by!! SO cool! So anyways we called President Reber to ask permission to stay with her until her friend arrived so that she could have someone to talk to and help her if she needed it and she wouldn't be left alone on the street at night. He gave us permission!
Thursday was the day we went super far to lunch over the torn apart bridge! After lunch we started over the bridge and I looked down into the little stream and saw a biggish snake! It was dead! So when we got to the other side we decided to fish it out with a stick to take pictures! Well it was really alive and I got BIT! ...KIDDING. We took pictures with it and then left it there! It was pretty cool. Then we tried to find the house of someone who asked for a visit and as we were walking a guy motioned us to come to his house. So we went over and started talking with him! Well after a little bit we found out that he is a recovering drug addict and that he just liked to talk religion. He was a little crazy because of how many drugs he has done but something that happened really hit me. We said we had to leave about 10 times but he kept asking us to stay and I couldn't help but come to this conclusion. This guy is in darkness and he knows it, and when he talks religion he can feel the light. So when we said we had to leave he tried to keep us, or the light, in his house as hard as he could. Sometimes those situations are uncomfortable but if you put yourself in their shoes you see why they are acting the way they are.
Friday I gained a stronger testimony about agency. We went to teach one of our investigators and she is a pretty big lady and has a bunch of problems in her life. So I used my life as an example! About how I was really overweight and sad and without thinking about it I said this,"...and then after years and years of this and asking 'why me' I had a sort of realization. This is ALL because of me. A lot of people ask why God would let their lives be bad or why he would have this plan for their lives when in fact it was never His plan. He has a perfect plan for each and everyone of us! BUT WE are the ones who ruin it. If we choose to do whats right we will fulfill the plan laid before us by Him. If we do wrong things we can't fulfill that plan and automatically we have a new one that isn't as good..." When I got done talking she was crying and said she understood. She said she would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it.
After that appointment we walked an hour home in the cool, pouring rain. And I loved every step!
Jacob 3:1
Com muito amor,
Elder Roman Laws
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