"This week was our first week in our brand new area, Álvaro Weyne."

Hello friends!! Vocês estão bem??

This week was our first week in our brand new area, Álvaro Weyne. Man, this area is LARGE. This area used to have 2 companionships, but not anymore due to lack of missionaries. We have been walking a TON every single day, contacting like crazy. 

Elder Momesso and I were looking in the Area Book and we found 2 names to visit, Beatriz and Debora. We visited them both that same day and set a date with them both for the 10th! But, unfortunately, later in the week Beatriz's parents and Debora's mom wouldn't let them be baptized right now. It was a little bit of a let down because they really have a desire to be baptized and follow the example of Jesus Christ. Beatriz (9 years old), when her mom said she couldn't be baptized, started WEEPING for 5 minutes haha. I think with time, and with E. Momesso's beautiful smile. her heart will open and let Beatriz be baptized.

The members here are fantastic. 1 hour after we got moved into our new house, Bispo Santos showed up and told us to hop in his beat-up van to get to know the area a bit more. This was especially helpful, because our last day in Parquelândia, we got robbed and they stole our cellphone (I'm okay mom haha). So you can imagine, it was pretty difficult to open an area without a cellphone haha. The members here helped us out so much, especially with referrals to teach. Our first day here we received 6 referrals and taught all 6 of them with a member!! 4 of the 6 agreed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.

Something that stuck out to me this week, is the love that that God has for each one of us. Every time I have the opportunity to teach someone, I feel the love that God has for them, how much He wants to make the right decisions here to return to his presence once again. Also, when we show and demonstrate our love for God, love for others and pure joy comes naturally. 

George Albert Smith illustrated how we can have perfect happiness,

"I can say to you, my brethren and sisters, the happiest people in this world are those who love their neighbors as themselves and manifest their appreciation of God's blessings by their conduct in life." 

As we manifest our love for others and love them as ourselves, we are blessed with infinite joy and happiness. I know that through our actions, we can show our love for everyone. Your family, your friends, even your enemies need to feel the love that God has for them. It's our job to show them.

LOVE YOU ALL!! Boa Semana para vocês!

Com amor,

Elder Eliason

P.s. sorry no pics today, double pics next week