Boa Tarde!

This week was full of new experiences and full of opportunities to learn and grow. It was also full of lots and lots of rain. 

Monday (January 7th, 2019)

It rained. And it was Transfer Day, P-Day and MonDay all in one. Elder dos Anjos only had to move from one house to another in almost the same area. Usually you have to wait for your companion to get to the area at like 8 at night but he arrived at our house at 8:30 in the morning because he lives 10 minutes away. I said goodbye to Elder Newman, then we started our P-Day. 30 minutes later I saw Elder Newman again because he is staying here in Pelotas as the new Zone Leader. So that goodbye seemed extremely useless. We did all sorts of normal things, I bought an empanada. Then we cleaned the house. Then I ate cereal. Then I continued telling you things that none of you wanted to know. Then I went to bed at 10:28.

Tuesday (January 8th, 2019)

It rained. Today was the first real day of work with Elder dos Anjos. It was a really good day. He knows how to teach really well and how to explain things in a very simple way but a way that everyone can understand. I have discovered that, it is indeed hard to be the Senior Companion. You have to do the planning and lead the way and make decisions. But we found a man who started to get emotional when we talked about how baptism could wipe away all of his sins. I think that very often we forget how much of a blessing repentance is in our lives. How much of a sacrifice had to be made for us to have this gift. And what a blessing it is to repent fully.

Wednesday (January 9th, 2019)

It did not rain. Today was one of those days when everyone that you talk to says that you can come back tomorrow. Its kinda rough but, I dont have to plan for tomorrow now. Today when we went to Suelens house, we had a super good lesson. And now she is smoking less and less every day. I hope and have faith that it can stay that way. Além disso não tem nada mais que aconteceu hoje. Realmente foi um dia bem tranquillo. 

Thursday (January 10th, 2019)

It rained. Today we had our first Zone Meeting and we talked abut goals for this month and week and today. We make a lot of goals as missionaries. It was good to see everyone from the zone. It was crazy because from when I got here in the zone for the first time, there is only one other missionary that has been with me since the beginning. Everyone else has either gone home or been transferred. Then we talked with an ex drug traffic man, also ex Gospel Preacher who is searching for the truth. Wow. That is one heck of a sentence. This is one special area haha.

Friday (January 11th, 2019)

It did not rain. Today we spent a lot of effort doing contacts. We did a ton of them and we found the people that are being prepared to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We really never know who is ready or who wants to know the truth. Other than that we talked to a lot of recently baptised people and they are doing well. A few of them have fallen off of the path but we are trying to help them get back. 

Saturday (January 12th, 2019)

Today was the baptism of Estelito who is the husband of Gleci. It was an amazing experience to see him put his trust in God and take the first step. It was especially amazing because he really struggled with the fact that he didnt know everything about the Gospel. But as I always told him, you know enough and the rest you can trust that the Lord knows. So trust in Him. I am so happy that this family will now be working together to achieve exaltation. 

Sunday (January 13th, 2019)

Today Presidente Souza came to our ward and gave a talk. It was amazing. He basically roasted everyone and told us that in our ward he can see the vision of a new stake. He told everyone that they need to work harder to make the missionaries work harder. Then in Priesthood Quorum, he roasted everyone again. He said that the goal for this stake in the coming year will be to divide the stake. Wow, we have a lot of work to do before that happens. Here we go. 

Spiritual Thoughts:
Even if you dont feel prepared, or ready, or if you feel like you dont know enough, just follow the example of Estelito and put your trust in the Lord. Let us all press on knowing that He knows everything and He will help us to know enough. We just have to trust in Him, in His power, in His glory and in His plan for us.

Love you all!! Have a great week!

Love, 

Elder Allen