Arrependimento

Olá,

We found a some new investigators this week, Vanessa the grandchild of a member, Conceição we met at a street corner, it was a miracle, and taught her two times this week.

An old lady offered us Whiskey this week haha.

We were walking passed the chapel and a lady was passing by so we offered to quickly show her the chapel, she is from another island, Graciosa, so we gave her a Book of Mormon, and planted a seed for the future.

For a Family home evening we did an example comparing 11 year old Rodrigo to a professional soccer player and what he needed to do to eventually become that pro, and compared it to spiritual growth preparing to enter the Holy Temple and be sealed as an eternal family. Then we watched a super cool video about temples.

We worked in São Sebastião one day for the first time, another little "fraquesia" that has hardly been touched by missionaries. We explained the Book of Mormon to a man, he was not interested but we asked if he knew a family close by that would have interest. he said walking about 2 minutes go right then right then left leaving my house and follow that road to the end and there should be a family. We went there and the second door we found a family who had interest and was open to hear our message, we just had a little time waiting for the bus, so we explained the Book of Mormon and left one with them!

I gave a talk about Repentance in church, what a joyful topic! It is amazing to me how Christ paved the way for us to be redeemed and cleansed from sin through the process of repentance and have a life of Peace and Happiness. D&C 18:13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" I played "The Morning Breaks" in Sacrament meeting and no one knew it so it was pretty much a piano solo with some mumbling haha.
I "ponderized" Ether 12:27 this week, 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." What a  hopeful scripture!

Boa Semana!

Elder Anderson

 A hand-written account from one of the first elders who helped open up Terceira island to missionary work in 1981. Very inspiring!

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head..."

Olá,

Fortunately I felt better Tuesday afternoon after being in bed for 13 hours straight. Élder Tanner returned to Lisbon to do SEF so I was the the other Élders and went with them to Porto Judeu, we found a family whose Dad died a few years ago and were able to teach them the plan of Salvation. It went well except for the kid was crazy running around throughout the lesson haha.

Élder Tanner got back Thursday and brought my package! Thanks family for the candy, cards and ties! I wore the green one to church Sunday.

Working in Fonte we saw some nice apartments, knocked them and turns out they were pretty much all American military, I felt like I was in Salt Lake City again talking in English.

Saturday the branch had a soccer activity it was super fun but tiring, 3 straight hours almost nonstop haha. We walked a ton that afternoon and the 4 of us were super worn out than night and went to bed super early.

In São Mateus we found Fabio who wants to read the Bible this year but was not able to find one, we gave him O Livro de Mórmon and he was super grateful and decided he would just read it this year instead.

Teaching Lucia the Restoration, i told the story of Joseph Smith and said that you have probably seen and heard many incredible things in your life but i testify that you have never head of something more incredible than this, " "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me….When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! " Joseph Smith History 1:16-17 The spirit entered that room testifying to all of us that Joseph Smith was and is Prophet of God and I know this without a doubt.

Até Proximo.

Elder Anderson

 Bullring

 Serra de Cume

 Praia

 Thanks Obama-The military´s budget was cut years ago now there are 150+ American homes abandoned along with a school, etc. 

Doente

Olá,

Margarida is progressing well and has now accepted baptism, but she was sick yesterday so she was not able to attend church.

We met a man named Fouad from Morocco who just speaks English, I explained what we did as missionaries and about the Book of Mormon, and later passed his dentist office to give him one.

Élder Smith, President's assistant, once told us that the Lord watches us at 3 o´clock, the hour to leave the house after lunch and studies, and blesses us according to our obedience. Thursday we had to leave the house early at 2:30 for an appointment that fell through but going to that area, we found a potential investigator family and talked with a less active member that has been away a while and has a desire to come back. Tender Mercies from the Lord.

We had some extra time Friday night before returning to the house and felt that we should pass Irmã Lourdes, she let us in and explained how she had been praying for the Élders to pass because her computer wasn't working and she had lost the conference talk that she was going to teach about Sunday. So we were able to print it out at the chapel for her.

We pass by the "prisoners" many times every day, (the people that hang out at the bars all day drinking and smoking with super heavy addictions) We saw a man run out of a bar and throw up from drinking too much alcohol. I am greatful for the Word of Wisdom and other revelations from modern prophets to guide and protect us.

Carnival started saturday and will end tomorrow with a water fight haha its pretty crazy to see.

Sunday after church we returned home and began to plan the rest of our day, when I started feeling bad, I went to lay down in bed and was there pretty much all day except for throwing up, and going to sacrament meeting with Frank that night. I didn't leave bed until 10 this morning and felt terrible until I threw up again. I feel a little better like 70% now and hope I will be better tomorrow.

Boa Semana!

Elder Anderson

The Rock of our Reedemer, who is Christ the Son of God

Olá,

Tuesday Élder Tanner arrived on the island, he is from Arizona and has only been out 3 months but already teaches and talks really well Portuguese. I am one day older than him, he was born September 1, I August 31 and because of the cut off with school, I graduated one year earlier and have one more year on the mission haha, we could have easily been in each others positions.

Wednesday we sat down to plan a family home evening activity with some members, I opened the scriptures in the Index to "Rock" and looked at Helaman 5:12, and was about to say my idea when he began to read Matthew 7:24. We then knew exactly what to talk about, building our foundation on the rock of our Redeemer, Christ the Lord. We made an example with house books made on "sand" and "rocks" and explained how reading the scriptures helps us keep our foundation firm. Marco said to me after that the message was exactly what they needed to hear that night.

There are a bunch of little "Fraguesias" smaller than cities around the island, that have hardley been touched by missionaries. Friday we decided to go to Fonte, we went to one road and in that 4 hours only knocked 5 doors and taught 4 of them.

Sunday morning I finished O Livro de Mormon for the first time. I love reading it and know the book is true.

It was announced recently that Upon the departure of Presidente Tavares on July 1 and the arriving of the new president, the missions, of Lisbon and Porto will combine and we will have one big Portugal mission. It won't affect me very much because it will be at the end of my mission but it will be cool for the other missionaries to serve  in both missions.

A few nights ago we felt inspired to knock a door and met Andrea, whose husband passed away 3 months ago and was left with 2 children. She has been questioning the purpose of life. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and explained how her family can be together again and be eternal. And she wants to be baptized on the 24. Please Pray for her.

Boa Semana!

Elder Anderson

 P-Day Adventures!