Campos - Week Twenty-four

Hey mom!

Yeah the week was actually pretty good this week, there were some disappointments, but overall, it's just been good. So we had a really good zone meeting this week, where the Spirit was really strong and we talked about being testifiers and challengers. It kinda helped me a little. We did a few divisions this week and we just had a lot more success than before, mainly because we stopped thinking negatively about the area. I decided that I'm going to be here 5 more weeks, so I'm gonna make the best of it. If I'm still here there is something that I still need to do here. We had some really cool experiences this week by being guided by the Spirit. If we pray for the opportunity, and then listen, be open to the promptings that come, you will be guided to where you need to be. Really cool. The Spirit was just great this week. I love it!

I had an interview with President again this week. He told me that this will be my last transfer in Campos, and that at the end of the transfer I should have my bags ready. I really like President.  He's a really cool guy. =)

So the best part of the week for me was definitely conference. We watched ALL of the sessions, which is lucky, and we just chilled in the high council room and watched in English. Last time I had to watch it in Portuguese. The spirit of conference is so awesome. I loved all of the talks. I especially liked Elder Cook's talk. I thought it was great. I also liked Nelson's talk, and I knew that you would like that one mom. I always love to hear Elder Holland's talks, and I think that they bring really cool insight to the scriptures. He is definitely my favorite.  [Watch and listen to Elder Holland's talk below.]

I thought that the new missionary age is really awesome. It will definitely open the doors to a lot more missionaries, especially to sisters. Instead of the old, "if I don't get married first" thought, they can actually get out there and serve. Sister missionaries have power. They help so much. I would encourage all the young women in the ward to think seriously about serving. The mission blessings and experiences are unforgettable, and I am sure that they will help me throughout my life. I love the mission and the spirit that I feel on the mission. I think it's just incredible. I love the gospel.

Some of the sisters were saying to us this weekend, how the young women are always told to marry a returned missionary, that we should also only marry a returned sister missionary. haha

Anyway, I love this work. I love the gospel and the spirit and joy and love that it brings. There is no experience that can replace serving a mission. The spiritual growth of the mission is like no other. It puts your faith to the test. It's hard. But if you don't give up, you will earn, or strengthen, or solidify the testimony that you thought you had.

I really liked (I think it was Uchtdorf) who talked about the regrets of the people in the hospital and really thought about it. That is one of the things that I wish I had done, was spend more time with our family. =( I just downloaded conference to listen to it again this week.

I love you guys. Thank you mom and dad for everything you have done to teach me to do what is right. Thank you for getting me here on the mission. Thank you for being excellent examples.

I love all of you. =) thanks for all the help and support. =)