Olá!

I don´t have too much time today to email, so I will only be able to write my main email, and not reply to the personal ones! But I´ll make up for it with a bunch of pictures!

This week Susana was baptized! The Sister Missionaries have been teaching her for  a little over a month, and she has come to church at least five times. She moved in with one of her friends  who just happens to be a member of the church, so that´s where it all began! Because I am the District Leader, I get to have the opportunity to interview the investigators being baptized who were taught by the sisters, so I got to interview Susana a few days before her baptism. I had never spoken to her too much, so it was nice to be able to get to know her and see the faith that she has. She has already read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, read all of the pamphlets (including how to prepare to go to the temple!), and was very happy to join the church. Susana also has breast cancer, which has been causing lots of pain for her these past few weeks. We actually gave her a Priesthood Blessing about a week ago, and the next day she called the Sisters to tell them that she had been able to sleep soundly through the night without any pains for the first time in months! She was so happy and she said she new that it was because of the blessing we gave her. She is supposed to have surgery, but she was putting off the day in order to be baptized this past saturday. I know that the Lord has seen her sacrifice, and that she will be greatly blessed. She has since had her surgery, and has to stay in bed for a few days now in order to rest.

Remember that Italian girl from last week? We went to "deliver" her Italian book of Mormon with our testimonies in it, and she happened to be walking down the road at the same time as us. When we gave it to her, she seemed very appreciative, and said that she would read the parts that we had marked for her to read ( we had marked several verses specifically for her and her questions, because she doesn´t quite believe that God exists). She didn´t agree to meet with us again, but she asked for our number in case she has any questions. Once again, planting seeds!

This morning we went with a member named Irmão Dias to help him on his "land". He owns a few acres of land out in the middle of nowhere, and every once in a while he invites the elderes to come help him for a few hours. It was a cool experience! Portugal is so beautiful, especially when you get out of the cities. Even though Portugal is a very modern, advanced country, they still have a very strong agricultural culture. Many people who live in the city, still have their "land" out in the middle of nowhere  where they grow their gardens, etc. It was nice to be able to help him. Afterwards his wife (Cidália), made us lunch! 

This is Elder Alves´ last week on the mission! We have stayed three transfers together (or about four months), which has been the longest I have ever stayed with the same companion. We have had our ups and downs, but in the end we have become friends. I hope that I can help him to have a great last week on his mission before he returns home to Brasil!

I´m greatul that I can serve a mission and be able to learn how to be more like my Savior. I´m grateful for the opportunties I have every day to serve and teach other people. I love my mission and I want these last 7 weeks to be the best of my mission!

I love and miss you all!

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Barker