Elder Lindquist 2/11/09

Wow this last week has been busy, and good. It's starting to look like spring here in Beja so I'm very grateful for that. This coming week will be pretty busy as well. We have another baptism. It's an awesome eight year old girl. Her name is Ines and she's so easy to teach. Whenever we go there she's always like what are you going to teach me today? Where do you want me to read in the Book of Mormon? Man I wish teaching everyone was this easy. She's way funny we have an awesome secret handshake that we can do in like three seconds. She's pretty well behaved so I don't think there will be any cannon balls at this baptism unfortunately. So this Monday Elder Bednar is coming to talk to us and we're all very excited. He has an interview with the government TV station in Lisboa and then we're going to have a three hour fireside with him so I'm way excited. Well last night we had an interesting experience that I'll share quickly. There is an inactive lady from Brazil that our Brazilian investigator told us about and she's having a hard time going to church because her mom is very sick with cancer. We visited with her last night and it was a great opportunity to share my experience with her and share some scriptures that helped me during this difficult time in my life. I was able to testify to her that her Heavenly Father still loves her and her family and is watching over them. I'm grateful for this opportunity I had to relate to someone and help lift their spirit in this difficult time. Elder Rissi and I invited her to our baptism this Saturday and church on Sunday and she said she'd think about it. I said I have a talk at the baptism and it's a good one so you better come! We all laughed and said a prayer. Missionary work is so rewarding, I'm so grateful for the chance I have to serve the Lord and help bring light to people’s lives. Oh and before we went to that house we were walking there and saw a lady and a man carrying a big piece of a bed frame. So we immediately grabbed it from the lady and helped the man carry it. The lady was like no, no we don't want to distract you from your work. Elder Rissi said this is our work. We helped them carry it up a big hill and past the castle to their house. We probably walked a mile or so and while walking we talked about our church and missionary work. When we reached the man’s house we talked to them about the Book of Mormon and gave them both a copy. They asked if they could give us anything in return and we asked if we could come by and teach them another day. They agreed and thanked us again. I was so excited about that. I love service because a lot of times people don't recognize you and the Lords servants they just think you're two weird guys walking around in suits that are from the CIA or something. But service helps break that mentality and shows people that we're just here to help. Well this is the last week of the transfer and we're pretty sure Elder Rissi is getting transferred so I'll let you know what happens. It has been nice to have a native for a trainer. I get the feeling that President likes me the best because he has entrusted me with this great gift.. Well I hope all is well with you. Se cuida, Elder Lindquist