Hello Everyone!

  

 So I need to start out by saying I’m sorry. I´m sorry for not writing faithfully every  week- to be honest, I’m just getting lazy! My life here seems so normal and I don’t know what else to say.  Let me think about what happened this week.

We had a baptism this week! It was really nice to help someone feel the happiness of helping someone feel clean again and become a member of the church. It was pretty funny because I made the program for the baptism all cute and girly, and when the Branch President was giving his message he said `I know for sure that what happened today was recorded in heaven. That this program is also recorded in heaven, well, maybe not in this ugly handwriting, but they wrote the general idea!` Ha ha, he is pretty funny. I´ve got some pretty funny stories to share when I get home! 

 We are working with the youth here to get a lot of referrals. This week we had a fun activity with them and played games and ate cake. They invited friends and we had some good success. But I have to admit that the best part was the clean-up, after all of them had left, because it was quiet! They are some noisy teenagers, that´s for sure! I guess I’m getting older!

 This week is the celebration of Saint Mary. They have a huge mass in the town center every night, then afterwards everyone sits around drinking or listening to music. They also have a fair going on too, with all of those creakily rides that look so fun!

The other night we set up a table with church stuff and sat with the elders making contacts. We didn’t have much success actually because I think everyone was embarrassed to talk to us as the catholic mass was going on.  O well- we talk of Christ and so do they! That´s what matters. 

 Well have a wonderful week everyone!

 Love, 

Sister Gordon

Wow, it’s coming to an end and I don’t believe it!

 I wasn’t transferred and I’m soo happy! My companion wanted to stay an extra transfer with me (because she is wonderful!) and we screamed when we found out we would be together. Seriously, I cant be happier!

 This past week was really fun. September 7th was Brazil´s Independence Day and they were having a ´big parade´ in the city center. We, being brilliant, grabbed a table and a ton of church materials and talked to everyone we could about the church. We handed out pass along cards, got addresses, taught lessons, invited people to church and saw a lot of friends. It was really great! Who knows, maybe people will get to know the church a little better here in Pombal because its so new. We had a lot of fun.

Believe it or not but its been getting hotter. But I´m doing well and getting tanner every day. We´ve been having a lot of success here lately and fortunately we had 7 investigators in church on Sunday!! I was really happy and hope to have some baptisms soon. I really am loving Pombal and they love us too. Last night we arrived at the church and faked everyone out saying that we both would be transferred. They were pretty sad and wanted to kneel down and pray that we could stay,  poor things! We told them we were joking and of course they became happy when we found out we really would stay. What more could I ask for??

I do need to share something that I´ve been learning. I won’t lie, a few weeks ago I was having some difficulties with the work and the heat. Nothing seemed to be progressing and I didn’t have the health nor the energy to do more. I finally began to pray for some help, or in other words `Help me thou my unbelief`. I didn’t believe it was possible to get people to church, and to really help the work here, but with this humility I went forward. I have to say that the Lord really blesses those who want to do what´s right. His blessings come back 100 fold, until you feel like you don’t deserve all the good that He gives you. He tests you until you´re beat, then helps out with the rest. I can truly testify of the Savior´s love for all of us.

  Oh right, the circus has been in town, actually 2 circuses have been in town and we are dying to go (but of course we didn't, against mission rules.) One is really close to our house and every night we hear everyone screaming and clapping. It’s pretty funny.

 Well, have a wonderful week! I love you all and am anxious to see you again.

 Love, Steph

The Circus Bus

Brazilian Policia

Independence Day