Worldwide Training was Incredible!

HELLO!

Mom asked a few more questions:
1. What do I think of all the new changes in the missionary schedule and key indicators?
I think its incredible!! I'm not sure which of the changes President Silcox will actually make, but I love the idea of it all. I just hope we don't wake up at 7:30 am and work until 10 pm and sleep at 11. I don't think we will because it is much more dangerous to be in the streets after 9 pm. To be honest, the change that makes me most excited is the key indicators. I think it was incredibly inspired and that missionaries will become incredibly more dedicated and focused on what will actually help people come unto Christ. WOOHOOO!
2. Ava's opinion on pants: So I used them for one day...and I think that's good enough for me, hahaha! The benefits of long skirts is that they are much less hot and attract less attention, but when it rains like it does in Brasil, it becomes very, very difficult to walk when you're soaked. One of my skirts actually ripped because of it! Pants are very comfortable, stairs and buses are much easier, and they certainly offer offer more protection from bugs -- considering we sit on the ground a lot. All in all, I prefer skirts because they are a lot cooler :)
3. My voice came back and I'm coughing way less :)

Training Meeting

SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED THIS WEEK and my heart is so filled with joy and thanksgiving and I don't have time to talk about everything, but I'll try to get it all in there.

The worldwide training was INCREDIBLE. Yes, they announced the new things (which was cool), but WOAH the training rocked my boat! Ever since then, I have been studying in much more depth how I can declare nothing but repentance to people, and I feel like I am a true, blue, through and through missionary now, like this part I didn't realize was missing to my preaching has now been filled in and I am helping people a lot more come unto Christ.

Rosana's Baptism

Something I've been realizing lately, especially when I teach the Plan of Salvation, is that I almost try to sell the gospel to people, to convince them that they want it. I talk about how glorious God's plan is for us and eternal families and become so confused when people here and say, "Oh, that's nice." I thought, "How is it possible that people hear that the church of Jesus Christ is restored and they aren't even a little bit rious to ask God if its true?

But this week I realized instead of convincing people why they WANT the gospel, I need to show them that they NEED it. When I think of my own personal conversion and when I truly began to LOVE the gospel was when I truly began to use the Atonement in my life when I was in high school. Maybe some people won't be too enthusiastic about the incredible doctrines of the church, but everyone needs the healing and soothing power of the Atonement in their lives. So ever since Thursday, I've been declaring - sharing the incredible examples of the Atonement and repentance bringing joy to people in the Book of Mormon. Maybe that's why I've been so giddy this week.

Things that happened:
1. Did a division with Sister Braga from the Bahia-- what a blessing she is in my life!
2. Took Rosana to the temple grounds!
3. She was baptized on Sunday!
4. RUTH CAME BACK!! We learned that she actually showed up at the church building on Christmas and New Years Day, but because she has no way to communicate with anyone, she didn't know sacrament meeting was later and just waited until she gave up. When I saw her I felt like this part of my heart that was missing was finally back in place, like I had been holding my breath and finally I could breathe again. I had no idea I could love someone so much!
5. Norma and Jessica and Marcos came to church after trying to get them to come for 3 months! I think they had a great experience.

I am so happy!

Sister Ludlam