Leprechauns, Fedoras, and Ducks. It's Gonna Be a Good Day
March 4, 2013
President Lima sometimes is really silly When he found out about the church adding 7 new missions in Brazil, he had our ZLs make a conference call at 5:30ish pm, which is an important time of the day for proselyting. We stopped in front of an investigator’s house with a married couple who had driven us there. While we were having the conference call, the couple decided to knock on the neighbors’ doors and offer for us to talk to them... okay, President... Really? [President] “I recently found out that President Monson…” [Her thought] is coming to RIO???? “will announce on Sunday...” A TEMPLE IN RIO?!?!?! “on the church internet...” Totally a temple, YUSSSSSSSSSSS! “7 new missions in Brazil, and Rio will divide into Rio and Juíz de Fora!” Everyone: Oh, COOOOOOOL! “The mission will divide in July.” Half of us, who will be dying around that same time… :( Well, COOOL, ANYWAY! “This means we need to show our gratitude for this great privilege by working hard. Go out there, missionaries, and seguem em frente!” [Move on or march forth. SEE THE DATE. Haha!] Our excited, energetic couple was back in the car because our investigator wasn’t home. They already got to know all their neighbors and were waiting for us. The phone rings AGAIN. “WHAT, Elder.” “Hahaha, sorry sister, but our ZLs want to have a conference call.” “Again?” They just wanted to tell us of the names of the 7 missions. |
Grammy has been closer than ever. I’m sending a letter through Mr. Cheney’s to have the “small plates” translation of the situation. When Elder Salviano called us on the bus, you can add in the story that as I was laughing, I was thinking that God is so ironic; and I heard Grammy’s sweet voice, “The Lord knows the intent of your hearrrrrrrrrrrt.”
Leprechauns, Those Hats that Ben Likes to Wear, and Ducks: It’s Gonna Be All Right
Maria Clara wasn’t baptized last Sunday because her mom has been adamantly opposed to the rushed decision to be baptized. Her mom was to travel this weekend, and her dad—who works in a far city the most part of the month—was going to be in town. Maria Clara came to the baptismal interview very deflated, thinking that if her mom would say no, her dad would, too. We checked with the DL to see if she had the support of her dad so she could be baptized, and then there was the real test: the call to the father to ask. We went in the other room to “Call Heavenly Father.” We didn’t pray for her to get permission, but we prayed that His will would be done. Her dad said he’d sign the baptism papers and support her in her decision! So Maria Clara decided to be baptized! On the way to her house to meet the dad, the “Dont Worry, Be Happy” song started being blasted in the neighboring...........somewhere. I think it was from heaven because it put a smile on our faces, knowing that God was in charge of this situation. We had done everything possible. The dad was nice and surprisingly quiet for being Maria Clara’s dad. Saturday, though, her mom said before leaving that if she came back and Maria Clara was baptized, she’d kick her out of the house. She’s “Espírita” and asked her pastor if her daughter should get baptized. Her pastor surprisingly said that the Church was a great church and all, but she shouldn’t be baptized. Of course, he would say that. Thanks, Satan.
Leprechauns, Those Hats that Ben Likes to Wear, and Ducks: It’s Gonna Be All Right
Maria Clara wasn’t baptized last Sunday because her mom has been adamantly opposed to the rushed decision to be baptized. Her mom was to travel this weekend, and her dad—who works in a far city the most part of the month—was going to be in town. Maria Clara came to the baptismal interview very deflated, thinking that if her mom would say no, her dad would, too. We checked with the DL to see if she had the support of her dad so she could be baptized, and then there was the real test: the call to the father to ask. We went in the other room to “Call Heavenly Father.” We didn’t pray for her to get permission, but we prayed that His will would be done. Her dad said he’d sign the baptism papers and support her in her decision! So Maria Clara decided to be baptized! On the way to her house to meet the dad, the “Dont Worry, Be Happy” song started being blasted in the neighboring...........somewhere. I think it was from heaven because it put a smile on our faces, knowing that God was in charge of this situation. We had done everything possible. The dad was nice and surprisingly quiet for being Maria Clara’s dad. Saturday, though, her mom said before leaving that if she came back and Maria Clara was baptized, she’d kick her out of the house. She’s “Espírita” and asked her pastor if her daughter should get baptized. Her pastor surprisingly said that the Church was a great church and all, but she shouldn’t be baptized. Of course, he would say that. Thanks, Satan.
This Sunday was very epic. Licurgo came early, Marcia and Carolina were picked up by our knight in shining armor “Carro missionário” Irmão Cruz, and Maria Clara came WITH her dad. She was very different that day. I think she was worried about her dad and the baptism. We were running around like chickens with our heads chopped off, making sure everyone—bishop, etc.—was on the same page. Ten minutes before the baptism—and while Licurgo was getting dressed—we opened up the font. There was only enough water to baptize a rat. The same amount of water was spilling out into the womens’ bathroom. WHAT HAPPENED?!? I had no idea what to do. Julio kept calm, even though he told me it usually takes an hour to fill the font. He attached a hose to the spigot in some place. So much for the “Immediately after Sacrament meeting” plan. Julio kept the faithful corralled in the Sacrament Meeting room and started the session. I kept Licurgo calm; the poor guy looked nervous the whole day. Soon after comes his WIFE, all worried that she had already missed the baptism. My heart leapt with joy. She’s a staunch [Assembléia] Ass. de Deus, and I thought she would never step foot on our grass. And here she is. She had the same attitude as the final before-the-baptism lesson: tense, nervous, trying to prove us wrong. “ENOS! THAT’s not in the Bible.” However rocky the baptism was, it happened, thanks to Julio. Licurgo came in all shiny and new with his “hat” on, and I calmed down. We sang a song without the piano; and although I had lost my voice the day before, we pulled it off.
Today I saw a man in a striped white and green shirt and suspenders. It’s gonna be a good day.
Today I saw a man in a striped white and green shirt and suspenders. It’s gonna be a good day.