Wowzers!!
Well you think you had a crazy week? Don’t get me
started! Ha, It was a very good emotional and exciting week. So as you know I
guessed it right, and I was leaving my little beloved area of Jardim Castelão.
It was cool though because I did a split with the little greenie companion of
Elder McLaws’ and I visited my old Ward, Castelão. I thought it was funny
because it really wasn’t even the people that I missed exactly but more just
walking around there. It just gives you that weird feeling because you know you
have passed sooo much time of your life there. It was quite enjoyable, and it was
very nice to be with a greenie, I liked doing the training with him, I felt
like I inspired him a little more to do exercises and English study a little
bit more.
Saturday though was a day I never will forget in my
mission. So in the time that I have spent here in Fortaleza I have really
learned a lot about working with the members (ex: ALL my baptisms here came
from a referral of a member) and how God really needs us to strengthen their
faith as well. It’s hard to be a member here. They aren’t as stable down here
and it is crazy how a firm, strong member a few weeks later stops going to
church and is openly sinning. My goal for this last transfer was to really get
the Ward Missionary Work organized, so that after I leave I know that it will
continue and help retain members and make the difference that I know members
have in the missionary work. Well after many prayers, fasts and meeting with
leaders, we finally had our first activity with the new Ward Missionaries.
We had a nice little Churrasco (BBQ) and then we started a little meeting with
them. Wow, the Spirit was strong. I felt impressed to talk about the privilege
to have a calling and the power that comes from it and how God really
strengthens us in our weaknesses in our callings. I got really choked up and
stopped when I said, "Not a day passes that I don’t thank God for
my Calling". Later after this training, everyone got up and bore their
testimonies. The Spirit was really strong and you could feel the missionary
work fire starting up in them. With this whole experience I really felt the
confirmation that I fulfilled my duty in this Ward and that my time here really
made a difference. I know I left that Ward better than I found it. It was
surprising too how emotional the members got when I told them the news that I
was leaving. Especially my semi-active members that live above us and also that
family, the Jalis’, that we had all those fun FHE’s with. It was great!
So now you are probably wondering, what happened now?
Well I have to say it was pretty shocking! So the mission split.... I stayed
with President Souza; ha, it will be cool though because my first 3 areas are
in 3 different missions now. But get this. I was called to open an area (start
from scratch, I know I always do this but it is actually rare and is real
work). I was called to be Senior Companion, but not only that, I will be
training!!! I also was called to be a District Leader over 2 other Elders and 2
Sisters (I heard a rumor that one of them is the granddaughter of the
Prophet!) SOOOOOO YEEAAAHH...... EXCITING!! All of these new things on my
plate. I will go get my "Filho" tomorrow and then all the fun will
begin.
SO, it is now Praying Season for our family. I need
your Prayers; I know God called me to do this because He knows I’m able, but I
know it will be A LOT. My limits will be stretched no doubt, but I want to pull
through it all mightily and baptizing! Alright? So let’s call down the powers
of heaven in Fortaleza, I know this could really make my mission, I’m excited.
I love you all and THAT was the Good News for the Day
=)
-Elder Cetraro
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