Sept. 17, 2012

Momma e Daddy,

I tried to attach the recording last week and i though it went through so i deleted it to make room on the recorder! ugh! technology drives me nuts some times. But i sent the email to dad again and i just hope that at least the email goes through. So we started a 40 day fast of poor behaviors... and today is day 8. It is not easy and we find ourselves self criticizing a lot, but we are learning patience and humility. We chose english as one of our poor behaviors. the missionary manual says we should use the language of our mission the entire time. So nothing but portguese 24/7. it is already helping and on our lists (individual lists) of poor behaviors it is probably the easiest haha. I am really grateful for inspiration. And i am so grateful for revelation. personal revelation! We visited a family this week and the daughter said: "i don't totally believe in God because i don't know where he came from... but i pray to a higher power or grand achitect" Her mom on the other hand is catholic and believes in God... So i asked: "How do you know that God exists? and that he loves you?" she didn't have a very solid answer (like most people we ask she said - "because sometimes we ask for stuff and it appears so i think he exists"). She didn't like her answer so she asked me how i know. I smiled haha. Looked at the ground for a second and said: "I know He exists because i have an open conversation with Him. I talk to Him and He talks back!" We can't ask and wait for Him to prove Himself! haha. We have to actively seek Him. This week i have been keeping track of some cool experiences. After a tough day i got into my bed to review my purification list (behaviors to stop or change) with the Lord, but i was sad and frustrated.We had sat down with a family to explain the book of mormon and they were not understanding. We were sitting with dad, his brother and the neighbor. They said: "every one has their way of believing and obeying the commandments" to which i said: "That is right, and so does Christ. So what you think and what i think doesn't matter. Only HIS WAY is the right way." ... So the man's wife came out of the kitchen yelling! "Stop wasting our time! we are already saved! you need to find someone that needs this message. We already know the words and will of God." ... to which i replied. "Do you remember the faricese and saducese? The used the bible too and they questioned Christ using it. Our SAVIOR! The one who wrote the bible! So he asked them a question- do you read to scriptures? (here i asked them- you all read the bible?) and christ replied- then you do not understand them." I then explained the book of mormon and the importance of a modern day prophet. long story short we will never go back to that house haha.
I said- "Heavenly Father i am in some serious need right now. You know it and i am asking for a word of comfort. Show me in your words what the Lord expects of me." I had my quad (portuguese... english is not allowed) and i opened right then and there. 2 Nephi 6:17-18:

17 But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; ^afor the ^bMighty God shall ^cdeliver his covenant people. For thus saith the Lord: I will contend with them that contendeth with thee—

18 And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood as with sweet wine; and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Savior and thy ^aRedeemer, the ^bMighty One of Jacob.

My God is bigger than anything else in this world. no matter the obstacles, He is bigger. His church will grow, His truth will change lives, and His justice will fall upon those who deny Him.