suçesso!

olá família!

First of all, I´m greatful to hear that Grandpa can finally rest for a time. He´s a funny guy! I really do love that set of pants that looked "like a mexican family moved out the back end" and his excited smile whenever we slipped him a tasty treat. I really loved the look on his face when we all were there for his birthday. He was so thankful I think to be praised in such a manner. I couldn´t have asked for a better grandpa.

Now, for my week... We finally had some success after such a long time of not seeing any fruits beside Cleber, vasyl e Paula. By Tuesday night, we already had taught four new lessons to new investigators. It was so exciting to see the fruits of our almost 4 weeks of knocking without seeing any. We have Elisabete, Giorgina, Sophia, and Veronica that we left books of mormon with and unlike some other times when the first lesson was taught, these ladies really have been searching. They are intelligent women with a desire to know. The thing that makes the work here in Portugal different than in some other places is that we are finding the pioneers of Portugal. The church has only been here for less than 30 years and so we are not just looking for converts, but for leaders. We therefore have an area of esforças that is in more of the well-to-do area and the going is tougher, but I think it is so worth it because we are building the strong foundation of leaders that this country needs for it´s prophecied future. It is to be the lighthouse of Europe. It needs leaders like Vasyl. He has been really investigating, searching until 3am sometimes on the good and bad of the church. He has said that once he knows that the book of mormon is true then he will know that everything else is true, that Joseph Smith was God´s prophet of the restoration, and that this church is the Kingdom of God on the earth. It is so exciting to see his progress. He and Paula are so good. We were there last night and taught them the importance of families and unity. Then we helped to clear up some of his doubts about different things he had read. He afterward said a prayer so humble that he would know that the Book of Mormon was true, and to know the will of God for him in his life. I know he will get a response. It was beautiful. Oh, and cute little Cleber, he is going to make an awesome missionary in about ten years. (he´s 10) He is probably the most reverent child in the ward already, and it was so great on Sunday he came up to us and was so excited that he had seen us on the street one day this week. Paula is one of those quiet observers and has been taking notes in the meetings and also she watches things all the time and then applies them. Their family has been listening to the Children´s Songbook CDs in their home at nights. I think they might memorize them before I do, but then again they already speak Portuguese.

Another awesome thing this week was our new missionary meeting that we had yesterday. President said just what I needed to hear and also some things to help me with the doubts that our new investigators will have. At the very end of the meeting we watched Ensign to the Nations, a must see for all who wish to have the fire for missionary work rekindled in their soul. All of us left just about bursting ready to go gung-ho de novo.

Oh, and I got three letters from Samuel yesterday when I went by the office for the meeting. It was kind of fun to read and I´ve decided that I´ve got an awesome missionary for a brother. It inspires me to work harder to read his letters, what a good Elder he is already, and what an amazing Elder he will become.

Don´t despair because you´re companion isn´t native, you´ve still got an apostolic promise from Elder Scott that if you try you´re hardest every day to continue to learn, you will be able to teach clearly and convincingly in Portuguese. He should know, he already knows Spanish and is learning Portuguese right now so as to be better able to communicate with the saints in those areas. Isn´t that awesome. Also, it is awesome to be selecting and cutting foundation stones. They are harder to find, but oh, so worth it, Sabe. É verdade. The church is for everyone of every culture, of every age, of every economic background. I love that we are in the final gathering of the elect, and we get to hunt for them as well as fish. Here at times I´m more of a hunter for the big game. We need both in the kingdom of God. Oh, do you have a different address than the one you gave me at first?

Hope things aren´t too busy for you all, and especially hope that all of you are spreading the gospel and the happiness and peace that it brings to everyone around you, regardless of if they are already baptized or not. The kingdom of God is again on the earth and I am a part of helping it grow!!

Love you all, bejinhos para todos! (kisses on both cheeks) (she has dimples on her cheeks--she´s nice)

ellen

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