Tuesday, August 19, 2014

The Final Countdown

How is the Catholic family doing?  
They're fine, as far as I know. Unfortunately, they decided to stop for a while because the parents didn't want to continue when their kids won't. I understand the importance of family, but I still get a little sad when they don't look into how God will help the family. Oh well, we'll keep contact in case they change their minds. 

Is this the same family who felt the spirit testify when you were teaching them the first vision?
No, this was another family, and they're doing really well. They successfully abandoned coffee and cigarets in just a week, but are unable to go to church because of problems in the family (mostly the ex-husband) :( I hope we can help resolve the situation.

Did the girl who was living with her boyfriend continue with the lessons?
Unfortunately this situation got extremely complicated as they haven't decided to continue together or not, but while they're together, he rejects anything to do with marriage or the church, so it's very difficult for her. I hope she can make a right decision for herself because unfortunately I can't do it for her. (Maybe I'll write my own book of lamentations.

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As the days pass I wonder just what happened in these last two years. For me, it's almost as if it were a dream. As a new tradition, we've begun singing the hymns, in a regressive order, to count down the days (the only countdown that's still spiritually motivating). This week we didn't get hardly any progress with those that we've been teaching, but we've been able to reach out to more people, as a lot more are opening their doors to us.

However, with everything that happened this week, I don't know if there's much to talk about other then the fact that when you ask, it will be given, and when you search, you will find. The progress we've had personally and in this area, I think, are highly a cause of dedication and inspiration, seeking to do nothing for ourselves, but only for others, always asking God to show the way. Although many have given up on the search, we've found many this week that have a real desire, and this week may have been filled with the most simple yet spiritual messages that I've ever given. But, for lack of Ideas in what to write, I'll leave you all with my testimony.

Jesus Christ lives. I know this, for many times I have felt the Holy Spirit testify of this truth and have seen it in the eyes of those whom He has manifested this truth to. I know that He is actively working in His great work "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  I know that He has one true path, and although it is strait and narrow, where few enter in, the path has been mapped and shown unto all in his marvelous and restored church. Truly Joseph Smith was His prophet and did His work. Truly the Book of Mormon testifies of Him. I know these things are true, and above all, I know they are witnesses to the one great truth, that there is a God in Heaven that created the Earth and all that is in it.  He is our Father, and by His great love has given us a purpose, a path, and a direction to follow. For two years I have been called to declare these truths and this testimony to all that cross my path, but the day this call shall end, my work, and my testimony shall endure. I know these things are true, and I know it because of one day, when a fourteen-year-old me knelt down and made his first true and whole-hearted prayer unto God. How great was that moment, and how marvelous is this calling!

In just a few days, I'll no longer have a name-tag nor tie, but my duty to testify of Jesus Christ will not change, and it is my hope that I will never forget to extend my love and testimony to everyone that I meet.

9 Days - dd Graças Damos a Deus por um Profeta pp

Elder Angus

As in Adam, All Commitments Fall

Sorry this letter is late.  I have been out of town for the past 2 weeks.  I have put his last 2 letters into this one email.  Jess will be coming home on the 28th of August.  We are planning to have a welcome home party for him on Friday August 29th at 7pm.  It will be at our house and I know he would love to have you come and visit. Have a great week!
Deborah Angus
 
 
From Jess Angus sent August 4th.
This last week was pretty interesting. Although the situation of our area hasn't changed much, the members are getting really excited to help me out before the end of the mission. Literally, the members are making plans to get as much work done as possible in the next three weeks so that when I return home, I can return "wet with the waters of baptism." Basically they want me to go GH (Gloria dos homens/ glory of men) and you know what, I'm actually fine with that. Of course, I don't work for praises, but I just love the idea of finishing the mission with one final success and a blessing from the Lord. I hope it all goes well. 

Anyway, a lot of stuff happened this week. One of our investigators was living together with her boyfriend, and we were helping them get things together so they could get married, when her boyfriend simply states "I will not get married!" But, to our pleasant surprise, she responded firmly to him "I want to follow God and be baptized! Either you get married with me or I'm moving out!" He hasn't decided yet, but it makes me happy to see someone finally putting their priorities in good order. :) We also ended up helping the other Elders in their Baptismal service singing a special number, Savior Redeemer of my Soul, which ended up stuck in my head for the whole week. Finally, as we arrived close to the end of the week, our numbers were still really low, but we had tons of people to visit on the weekend. So, to help us out, the other Elders returned the favor and we did splits in our area, divided the area between the two pairs, and then we just went for it, trying to teach as many people as possible. We had little success, but we felt really good at the end of the day because we had never worked so hard. 

Anyway, I lost a lot of time because the computer logged off on me. So, until next time!

Elder Angus

wotw:
Salvador (sal-vah-dor) Meaning Savior.