Aguinha

Bom Dia,

Caettano was baptized Friday, he wanted a special day all for himself haha so we had 2 different baptism services. He wanted "Peace in Christ" as the special musical number so Elder Davis sang and I played the piano. Isaddora was baptized Saturday and with little preparation I played "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". Both baptisms went great, little by little the entire family will be baptized! Elder Davis is super good at singing and playing the guitar.

I translated for some guys from the Netherlands in Sacrament meeting, Irmã Niza spoke about the difference between Testimony and Conversion and how searching the scriptures and praying we can gain a testimony of the Restored Gospel but just a testimony will not be enough to help us get through the trials of life. We need to apply the gospel in our lives, scripture study, prayer, obeying the commandments daily will convert us to the gospel. 2 Nephi 28:30 ...I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Our District reached the goal of 5 baptisms in the month of July that I had established a few weeks ago!

We went to the Consolado with Luis and Marion to marry, they had all the right documents but the Consolado in Oeiras wanted one more document so it didn't work, they will go to another consolado in Lisbon today that will accept the documents. They are so close to quiting smoking and will soon be baptized.

While we were praticing our hymn, President Quinteiro gave a church tour to his friend, Ricardo who is the best selling real estate agent in Europe. It was cool to meet him.

Patticia's nephew, Vinicios arrived in Portugal last week, watched the 2 baptisms and came to church. He said to us, After watching the baptisms and going to church, I feel that I too want to be baptized. That night we taught the Restoration and he accepted baptism for next Saturday!

Boa Semana!

Elder Anderson

 We couldnt get it to close...

Eclipse

 The Portugal Lisbon Temple will open in 2019, It is such a blessing to be a member of the Lord´s Restored Church! 

Começa de Ultima Transferência

Bom dia,

This week we had less time searching for new people and more time helping our investigators and recent converts.

Tuesday we went to Sete Rios, my last time going there for transfers. Said bye to Elder Webb who went close by to Amadora and got to see lots of friends in the mission, then came back to Oeiras with Elder Davis, he is from Ohio and has one less transfer than I do. He is super good on the piano and Guitar, I will learn a few things from him! Sunday we went to Costa da Caparica to see the baptism of an investigator that he taught for a few months named Bruno It went well. We used 2 different boats to go and return.

We have been teaching Beatriz about "For the Strength of Youth" those principles are incredible. Agency and Accountability, Dress and Appearance, Entertainment and Media are some of them that we explained. I am so grateful for these guidelines to keep youth on the straight and narrow path. We explained the importance of family scripture study and prayer to Carolina. She said we will start tonight! They read the Book of Enos that night and particularly liked verse 15 " Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." Such a great scripture.

The birth certificate of Marion arrived this week! She and Luis will marry soon and will be baptized soon after.

Boa Semana!

Elder Anderson

 Isaddora turned 10

The Music of the Gospel

Olá,

A few weeks ago Isabella, daughter of Patricia sent us a message saying that she did not want to be baptized or doing anything with the church. Yesterday she came to church fasting to know if the gospel was true. Irmão João who teaches Gospel Principles taught about gifts of the Spirit and talked to her after about the Spirit. She called us Sunday Afternoon and said that she received her answer that the church is true and that she should be baptized! Such a miracle! she will be baptized Thursday!

I passed the sacrament Sunday. Fun to remember the days as a Deacon and Teacher. The longer I´ve been on my mission the more I have come to realize the importance and sacred nature of partaking of the sacrament weekly to renew our baptismal covenants. The Sabbath day is truly a delight!

Carolina and Beatriz are doing fantastic as new members! They explained to us how much happier and peaceful they feel after receiving the gift of the holy ghost. Beatriz has read to Mosiah 15, over 200 pages and Carolina has read about all the questions of the soul. They are awesome!

I went to Amadora with Elder Rogers for a division. That area is pretty much Africa haha so many people from Cape Verde and Angola and Guiné. Elder Rogers told me his conversion story 5 years ago. Pretty neat to hear. A pass along card of baptism fell from my Book of Mormon on the street, a man picked it up to give it back to me I told him to stay with it. We talked and walked with him to the chapel, he told us about the hard and sad life that he has had and we explained how Christ suffered for him and is there to help him through all his difficulties. It felt great to help him.

We saw "The Music of the Gospel" a mormon message with a few members including the Gois family.  Watching other people live the gospel and obey the commandments doesnt make sense until we individually and purposely stop and listen to the Spirit of the Gospel. "The joy of the dance will be experienced only when we come to hear the music" 

I love this gospel.

Boa Semana!

Elder Anderson

 Buffet

 Elder Gois (Dallin knew him in the MTC and this is in his home!)

 (Here is Elder Gois above and below with Dallin at the MTC)

 Amadora

 Cascais

P-Day Excercises

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart..."

Olá,

We had our last Conference with Presidente and Sister Tavers, they have been incredible I have learned so much from them, We had an hour question and answer time about their missions, then Presidente gave his last training about Trusting in God and his power to qualify us for this work by his spirit Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." I am so thankful for them.

Carolina was baptized Thursday because that in her husbands day off of work. It went so well. There was a special hymn arrangement of "Come thou fount of every Blessing" with Irmão Rafael on the piano, Elder Webb on the flute and Sister Restopo singing. The spirit was so strong and Beatriz gave a talk about baptism, and looked like she had been a member her whole life. They will be incredible members. Luis and Marion are excited to be baptized soon after they get the papers to marry. Luis went from smoking 60 cigarettes per day to 3-4, 15 coffee per day to 0, never more touched alcohol and is willing to change jobs to be able to go to church all Sundays for 3 hours. Alexandre who was Athiest is reading the Book of Mormon and now has the desire to be baptized, but is still working on Sundays so it will be a little while longer. We had dinner with them all last night and watched a video about temples. This Family is incredible!

We all ran to the beach one morning, we could see Cristo Rei and the 25 de Abril Bridge. The river is really cool at sunrise.

Walking back for lunch from helping a member I stopped and looked at 2 roads we could go then Elder Webb said, the first door on the left, so we knocked it met Guilherme (William) and taught him the Restoration. Pure Inspiration. I love seeing the difference in how someone looks at the Book of Mormon when we give it with 2 hands and wait until they receive in with 2 hands.

Saturday we had a Sardinhada, Fish Cookout with the Ward And of course there was a projector to watch the game. Well unfortunately Portugal got kicked out of the World cup losing to Uruguay. On our way we felt to knock one more Door, met Elson, Rosaline, Asaf and their baby Isaac, a Brazilian family. We taught the Restoration and they all came to church Sunday! Imaculada, Patricia and Caetano, Luis and Marion and Beatriz, Carolina was confirmed and her baby was blessed by Bishop. It was a great Sunday!

President and SIster Tavares and back in Brasil and President and Sister Fillmore are here in Lisbon. I´ve heard great things about them and am excited to meet them.

Boa Semana!

Elder Anderson

 Thanks Alexandro!

 Papi e Mami

 My comp, Élder Luis from my 3rd transfer in Santo André, returned from his mission and got married a few months ago

 Elder Angulo my comp in Vasco da Gama

 Elder Rogers! A convert of 5 years

 Presidente and Sister Tavers

 ​22 months from the MTC to now