Elder Connor Eliason: "When we do all we can, we will see miracles. Not always how we expect, but they come, always."

BOM DIA MINHA FAMILIA E MEUS AMIGOS!!

What a week!! Elder Pereira and I have been hitting the ground running in this mammoth of an area we have. We walk a TON every day, but that's just part of the job. We've been finding new investigators all over the place, through members, through our own efforts, and through recent converts and less-actives. We have been blessed so much this week.

We had Alice's baptism this week!! She is just the happiest girl you could ever meet. When the reunião batismal started, she got REALLY nervous and right before we entered the font and she was breathing really hard. I set her aside before we went into the font, and promised her that all the fear and nervous feelings would be left in the water. After the baptism, the nervousness slowly left and her usual captivating smile remained. She really is a special daughter of God.

During our fast on Saturday for our zone, a miracle occurred. We were making contacts in the street when a member ran up to us and told us that there was a youth that lived above him that has been going to Church ever since he was 5 but never got baptized because he was scared to talk to the Bishop hahah. We went there immediately and marked a date for this Saturday! I really have learned to expect miracles here. When we do all we can, we will see miracles. Not always how we expect, but they come, always.

I love this quote from Russell M Nelson:

"When you reach up for the Lord's power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him - when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw his power in your life - you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do."

We have access to the power of Jesus Christ in our lives, but it has a condition: to be willing to use the power that we receive. The Lord wants us to become like him and use his atoning power in our lives every day, but we have to be willing to use it correctly, quickly, and worthily. I have seen personally the power of the Atonement work in my life and so many people here in Fortaleza. It's real. We can try again and again and again, because of the Lord's sacrifice for us. I'm so grateful to be a missionary and minister like he would 24/7 all day, every day!!

Love you all. Make it a great week this week!!

- Elder Eliason