9 February 2015

OK, so yes, dad, this week was just great, just splendid really:)

Yesterday Thais was baptized! I didn't have time to clue you all in on the story last week, so listen up. Last Saturday we were sitting oustide of our apt. playin with this dumb cat that our neighbors have- I really don't even like cats but I was kind of bummed that we had to return to the house a little bit early because Sis. Dias' foot was really bugging her. so there I was just looking at a cat for 1/2 hour when a man and his daughter passed our house and then returned and asked us if we knew where the mormon missionaries lived. . .. ummm yes,. .. .Yes we ARE the missionaries!! *running and shouting* Ok,  Enter Valdimir ( a member but inactive), and Thias, his 12 year old daughter. Valdimir explained that he was already a member but that Thais wanted to start receiving the lessons and that they had been praying that past week to be able to find the missionaries and to know wher the church was- and then they starting looking, and THEY found US! Ok, this doesn't happen very frequently, we are the ones that knock doors, they knocked ours! It was so obviously someone who had been prepared by Heavenly Father and who was sent to us! Thais has such a desire to change (she, unfortunatly has already been involved in some horrible things because of the places and the people she was living with) her life, to be sister missionary and to LIVE the Gosple! She acceppted baptism without batting an eye, is inviting all of her friends and neighbors, has already started doing Personal Progress, gave US an invite to her baptism and wrote us a letter thanking us for everything the day before her baptism. I feel like I haven't done anything haha but feel so privileged that Heavenly Father let us help this chosen daughter of His! I was reading in Alma 26 and it really put into words what I have been feeling about all of this: 

3 Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites,were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold,how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light ofGod! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us,that we have been made instruments in the hands of God tobring about this great work.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this,that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and wesupposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be themeans of saving some.

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you,there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we,since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, evenunto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, andall understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is amerciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent andbelieve on his name.

Actually it says EXACTLY what I want to express- I love being an instrument in his hands so very much!

Something that Thais really understood and applied in her life is the principle of repentance. I have been thinking about that a lot this week and found some really beautiful scriptures.  In 3 Nephi Christ tells us: 

13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

 14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

Repenting is not only a commandment but a blessing as well! Christ loves us so much and is just waiting for us to choose to repent! In Alma it's talking about the Anit-Nephi-Lehi's and how they followed this commandment: 

17 And now it came to pass that when the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth.

 18 And this they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood; and this they did, vouching andcovenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.

 19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought tobelieve and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace.

My invite for all of us: choose just one thing to bury deeply and truly just let it go, and you will see Christ's mercy and feel such happiness. The Gospel is SO happy. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to be happy! That's why they give us these commandments!

Speaking of Happy. This Saturday I was  able to go to the Temple with Sis. Dias and Sis. Cox and a young man who they baptized when they were comps who is now getting ready to serve a mission in less than a month! The only word I can use to describe that day-Happy! Beyond almost anything! It definitely was one of the happiest days of my life:) To be with 2 of my dearest friends, with someone going through for the first time, in Brazil, as a missionary-true happiness. Heavenly Father wants to give us all experiences like this, frequently!

Sorry that I used so many scriptures this time but I love the Book of Mormom and learned a lot this week and they just applied perfectly:)

I love you guys so stinkin' much!

Looove,

Sister Ventura :)