Well "hump day" was pretty weird....It doesn't even click to me that I've been a missionary for an entire year....it's even weirder when I hear that my friends back at home are all leaving for the MTC now....I wouldn't trade the last 12 months of my life for ANYTHING! I've loved it! It's hard, but there's nothing better than looking back with happiness and fond memories!
Well on Wednesday we got to go to the temple....I think I've been to the temple here in Recife 5 or 6 times already....each and every time I learn to appreciate the beauty and amazing spirit that is found there, in the House of the Lord. What a blessing it is to have a temple in my mission....I realize that a lot of missionaries serve hundreds of miles away from a temple....I'm about 30 minutes from the temple here....I'm pretty privileged....here's a word of advice for all those of you at home. Don't be a "fubeca" as Brazilians like to say (or slacker), and go to the temple!!! While we were inside, I had the opportunity to make a baptismal goal with the Lord for the rest of my mission. It's something that I hadn't done before, but is so important.
We found a lady this week that is really quite special. Her name is Gilca. She was baptized 10 years ago, but fell away from the church after having a lot of negative pressure from her family and friends in regards to her decision to be baptized. About a month ago, she told us that she prayed for someone to help her return to church. Then, we showed up. We had never worked in the neighborhood where she lives, but we both felt prompted a little while back that we should start to work in that area. The Lord really did lead us to her. We started to teach her 14 year old daughter, Iara, who received an answer about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. She just said to us...."I know the Book of Mormon is true....I want to be baptized in the Mormon church". Wow was that cool. They were traveling to visit some relatives this Sunday, but she says that she wants to return to church, and that she doesn't want to fall away again. While we were teaching her about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of eternal families and temple ordinances, we could fill the thick spirit enter into the room. She sincerely thanked us, and was even a little bit emotional. She called us "angels".....that's when it hits you as a missionary. You just feel like you're teaching one more lesson....one more person....but to them, you really are a Godsend.
We are also teaching a girl named Jessica. She works on floor beneath our apartment, and we had a chance to talk with her and her super wealthy aunt (the owner of the building) when I went to go get my towel that had fallen down from our balcony and landed on the balcony below (embarrassing right?). It turns out that she is the fiancee of the son of a pastor's son here in the Presbyterian (I'm sorry, but I just can't seem to spell that name right) church....she had a lot of questions, and was even asking to attack us a bit, but we stood our ground, and used the Book of Mormon, our most powerful tool, to defend the Church and our testimonies. She was saying a lot that the Book of Mormon presents another gospel that contradicts the gospel in the bible (anyone that has already been a missionary has heard this one 10,000 times before)....I asked her to read 3 Nephi 27:13-21, where Jesus Christ presents his Gospel to the Nephites. I read this scripture with the intent to show to her that the same doctrine that is taught in the bible is found in the Book of Mormon
13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.
16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.
17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.
18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.
19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
As we read the Savior's words here, the spirit was THICK in the room. There was no way to deny it. We bore our testimonies to her and her boyfriend. Even if she doesn't progress with investigating the church, I love and cherish every opportunity that I have to bear testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel in our day. I love the opportunity that I have to declare the blessings and promises that the Lord has to offer to each and every one of his children....to all those who will listen.
I got lots more to share, but I'm starting to understand that a majority of my "tales" are going to have to wait until after my mission to be told. Thanks for all of the prayers that have been offered in my behalf....I feel their power every single day!
Until next time,
-Elder McKinley
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