This week wasn´t as normal as some other weeks. To start off, we had two divisões with the other elderes--one with the zone leaders in Santarém, and one with the other elderes in our district. I´m trying to think of something that happened during these two divisões that is email-worthy, but nothing is coming to mind, lol.
What happened after the divisão in Santarém is what makes it into the email: I got so sick! After we got back, I was feeling kind of queasy in the stomach, and joked to Elder Nascimento that I was going to throw up. Well, a few hours later it seemed like I had prophesied, because there I was, kneeling on the cold, hard ground of the bathroom, (haha sorry)
.
Needless to say, we weren´t able to go out that day to do our missionary work, which I felt so bad about. I wanted to go out and work, but it just wasn´t possible in the condition I was in. Before going to bed that night, I was feeling so sick and miserable, so I asked Elder Nascimento to give me a priesthood blessing. I have given a few blessings while on my mission, but I think this might have been the first time that I had received one myself. I knew that through the blessing, I would be able to work the next day. When I woke up the next morning, I wasn´t miraculasly healed, but I was strong enough to get up and do things during the day. Today, I don´t feel sick at all, and I´m grateful for good health and priesthood blessings.
Today we had another district P-day, and we went to Tomar again (although now we have to take a bus instead of a car, so embarrasing). We went on a nature walk in a random part of the city, which led to some old buildings (not ancient, more like walls from the 60´s, haha) and a river. It wasn´t quite as cool as seeing an ancient castle, but it was still fun to spend the day with our district again.
Along the way, a random dog appeared out of nowhere and started following us. After a few minutes we realized that he really loved to play fetch, and he was really good at it as well! We would throw the stick, and then he would bring it back to us and drop it at our feet. Because Portugal doesn´t have tropical animals, I guess finding a random dog in the woods is as close as we can get ;).
I was surprised to receive a packet full of christmas cards from various members of my family this week, which was exciting! I attached a picture showing my enjoyment (please excuse the Brazilian flag in the background, my companion is obsessed, haha).
Two cool/special things happened this week that I want to share.
1) Our old branch president and his two kids came to church yesterday! Ever since he was released, he hasn´t been coming to the church meetings. It appeared that he and his family were rebelling, and were becoming inactive. He has made some mistakes that have made it hard for the branch. The past few sundays, we have seen them walk past the chapel during the church meetings, without coming in or even waving. On Saturday, both me and my companion thought that we should go visit him in his house ( they live a minute from the chapel).
We got into the apartment building, but when he saw that it was us, he said that he didn´t want to talk, and that now wasn´t a good time. Both me and Elder Nascimento felt really dissapointed, because he was so friendly in the past. Well, the next day, a Sunday, guess who showed up? Him and his two kids! When I saw them, I was so happy and gave him a hug. I felt the hard feelings that I had against him ( for he truly has done a few things that we have to clean up in the branch) go away. I just felt pure joy to see him and his son and daughter at church. Maybe he decided to come yesterday because we had made the effort to go and visit him, maybe not. But the point is, always keep trying and always help people feel loved and welcome.
2) Before leaving to visit some potential investigators in a few buildings yesterday, I decided to open up the area book to see if there were any past investigators in that part of Abrantes. I found one teaching record of a lady from a few years ago, and it didn´t say anything about why she stopped being taught. When the other people we had planned to visit weren´t home, we decided to give this lady a chance. It turns out she was home! We were able to talk to her for a few minutes, and shared a message about prayer and about the Book of Mormon. After talking for a few minutes, I realized that if we had come during any other part of the week, she wouldn´t have been home, because her only day off is Sunday. She seems really nice, and said that she will read a little bit of the Book of Mormon this week.
With these two experiences, I really believe that the spirit was involved. However, it wasn´t like I felt the spirit pushing us to visit our old branch president, or pulling me to the area book. It was more like coincidences. But, as we know, there are no such things as coincidences. The Lord is involved in this work, and guides us through our thoughts and actions. Most of the time, He won´t prompt us in big ways. But also, sometimes it won´t even seem like he prompts us in small ways. We just have to stay busy and do our best and try to do the right things, and remember that everything/everyone has a time and a place. He is mindful of all His people, and sometimes works through two missionaries who thought "let´s visit the ____ family tonight" or "let me look in this area book real quick."
I love you all, and hope you are all enjoying some warmer weather like in Abrantes! I hope you have a wonderful week and know that I miss you!
Love,
Elder Barker
No comments:
Post a Comment