Paracuru

this week has gone by really well :)

the Lord is working really hard here in Paracuru to prepare the hearts of the people to receive the gospel. Yesterday was Presidente Forte´s first sunday and his 2nd counselor, Fabio´s first time directing the meeting. It was kinda funny because he stuttered and mixed up his words and was like sorry guys, its my first time, but it was really cool because they both spoke and bore testimony of how the Lord is guiding this work that they´re small and simple and the Lord will make them strong. The principle that by small and simple means, great things come to pass. President Forte told an awesome story about a toolbox. The words make more sense in portuguese but ill translate. One day the tools in the toolbox decided to go on strike. The tools plotted and decided the hammer had to go because he hits everyone, he said fine, but if I go then you should kick out the ruler because he measures everyone according to his own judgement as if he´s perfect. the ruler said fine, but if i go the screw should go too because he doesnt do anything directly and works in circles. the screw said fine, but if i go, you should kick out the sander because he rubs everyone the wrong way. And then the carpenter came and used the hammer, the ruler, the screw, and the sander to make a beautiful piece of furniture. The moral of the story is that each of us as instruments in the Lord´s hands can see the problems in one another, and assume that we can´t work together. But if we let ourselves be used by the Carpenter, He has a greater wisdom and a use for each of us. And to complete his purposes, he needs each one of us to fill our role. I really liked his talk :) 

This week a family that we were teaching decided that they wanted to stay catholic and didnt want to switch religions, I was really sad about that because I know that she doesnt even realize what she´s giving up, and she didnt want to know either. How many times are we content with the comfort of mediocrity and unwilling to learn what our potential holds? 

Have you ever tried to do something and someone offers their help and you say no thanks im good, and then struggle and think, on second thought, yeah please help me. I think sometimes thats what its like for them when we offer them the gospel and theyre like, no thanks im good. 

In the book of mormon 2 Nephi: 28-29 reads 

28)O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. 

29) But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God

I know that I do that in my life, for example the spirit tells me, you should do that, and i dont always do it. Because its not convenient for me or because my natural man wins the battle of agency that goes on in my head or because i dont see the consequences, or for whatever reason.

But its my constant goal to heed the counsel of the spirit and do what´s right. So that I can live by God´s wisdom and not my own understanding. 

There are also miracles in Paracuru, at church yesterday came an inactive member who for personal reasons hasnt been coming to church. But he came with his wife who isnt a member and his friend :) we talked to his friend Victor (25) who used to be catholic until his mom died so he fell away from the church and accepted the invite to visit yesterday. We will see him tonight, he´s really cool :) He said he liked church and would come back sunday. I told him our purpose as missionaries and explained that we could teach him the teachings of jesus christ and if he accepted the teachings and didnt have a problem following them in his life we could prepare him to be baptised, and he accepted :) THAT is someone who hearkens to the counsels of God. 

I know that everyone here on earth is a child of our Heavenly Father. Some people are kinda bratty and some people are really sweet and have a true desire to find their purpose in life and understand why they´re here. They´re a pleasure to teach :) 

i love you all!! have a great week