Week Twenty-Nine

"ONEIDA WAS BAPTISED! what a miracle!!! earlier this week, the zone leaders called us, telling us that they had a strong impression that we needed to revive our efforts with Onieda. we were still visiting Álvaro every once in a while to strengthen the faith a bit, but Oneida had been on the backburner for a while. she had such a fear of leaving her old church that she disregarded all the answers she had been recieving from God. we prayerfully meditated on how we could show that these answers she had been recieving were direct revelation from above. Álvaro wasnt helping much though, he gets everyone so sidetracked with random conversation that the spirit kept leaving throughout the lessons. very frustrating! until one day we felt prompted to promise her that she would recieve an answer that she could discern with ease. we left their house confident that she would get the answer she was looking for.

The next day, she related to us that she found her answer! she had a dream that she was sitting with Álvaro in the church, she took that as her answer and the very next day she was baptised. I cant describe the feelings i had that day! Oneida was all smiles and Álvaro couldnt hold back tears. i know why ive been kept here in Nilópolis until now! to witness the completion and comencement of a family united in the faith. the next step is the temple! And im going to do all that i can to help them get there.

Another miracle happened this week as well! while leaving a lunch visit, i felt impessed to take a different route to our area of concentration, rather than the ordinary road we usually use. by doing so, we saw a family i didnt recognize all dressed up in sunday clothing, flagging us down by waving their hands. we approached and learned that they were members from Niteroi, who used to live in oue area, and were visiting some less actives in our area. We didnt have any plans so we went with them. Throughout the day we contacted tons of fallen away families and new investigators. right before they left however, the dad looked me straight in the eyes and said, ´´i need you to give my son a blessing.`` slightly startled but ready to serve i obliged. The son was about my age. as we placed our hands on his head i immediately felt the spirit. as i opened my mouth, i was instantly guided by the spirit to promise blessings and consel fairly out of the norm. i had never met the kid, but i was giving him consel that i felt was way beyond me. after the blessing i found that the entire family was in tears. apparently they were going through some really hard times, their son was going pretty wayward and the blessing that the spirit gave through me were exactly what they needed to hear. it was one of the most spiritually rewarding exeriences of my life. i know that preisthood power is real. i love being an instrument of the lord!"

-Elder Kelland Hansen