Skyping with my family was the best Christmas present I have ever had. It's not so much that I am homesick or want to be home, but it was such a blessing to talk to with those people who are soo important to me. I realize that every time I testify to people about the happiness that comes from a family centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am telling them about the wonderful and amazing family that I have and how much of an impact they have had on my life. It was an excellent spiritual "re-charge" for me.
Well now to rewind a bit. I decided to make a goal of reading the entire Book of Mormon out loud in Portuguese 2x this coming year. 4 chapters a day should get me done in a little over 2 months, so hopefully I can squeeze a 3rd and possibly a 4th reading in 2012 as well.
We've been trying to help re-activate a family that Elder Melo baptized about 4 months ago. The kid, about 19 I think, had a bunch of anti-Mormon literature that he whipped out on us. Man....what a joke. The stuff they write is so ridiculous, so biased, and so uncredible it's almost comical. I've always made it a point to stay away from that kind of garbage. I know this Church is true....I know it's true because I've read the Book of Mormon and know that no earthly power could have produced that book. Sometimes I feel that my testimony is almost undeniable....of course, this probably isn't the wisest thing to say, but I really do feel that I KNOW these things are true, and that I would be willing to do anything and everything to stand behind them. I had someone ask me how I came to have my testimony where It is today. I told them that it came from 19 years of little decisions, experiences, and struggles.....literally a refiner's fire, but I am so grateful for it. My Brazilian companions think my life has always been easy because I'm a "rich American", but they don't understand that the Lord tests and builds us in his own, personalized way. I know that because of every single little choice I've made to life in harmony with the Gospel, my testimony has grown just that much stronger.
We had a few miracles this week. The first came from a family....the Mom, Ana Paula, and the Dad, Moises. We had made contact with here about 2 weeks ago, and marked a follow up time, which he she feel through on. While walking past her house last week on a way to another appointment, we saw her on the phone on her front door step. I went to say hello to her, when she hung up the phone, and asked if we were there for the lesson.....I think my companion was about to say no when I said "yes I am so impressed that you remembered!". We were invited in and began teaching here and her husband and two little girls, 4 and 3. My goodness, I've never seen such adorable little girls. We began teaching them the restoration. I think the Lord was really with me this lesson. It was the most powerful language and testimony I have ever given in Portuguese. The Gift of Tongues was unquestionably with me. There was a point while I was talking when I asked myself what these words were that were coming out of my mouth....wow. It was an amazing feeling. This family was extremely receptive...Ana Paula has a smoking problem and Moises has a problem with drinking....we promised them the help of the Savior and our Heavenly father as they strived to live to the Word of Wisdom. They both realize that we taught them with real power and that we are more than just "missionaries".
The 2nd miracle came in finding a less active member. We got lost in a neighborhood on the outskirts of our area. While wandering around trying to find our way back to the main road, we came across a man who was drying to close his front door (it was a set of double doors, kind of like saloon doors, but were getting caught on each other and wouldn't close). I began to talk to with him, when he told us he had been baptized 6 years ago, but had become inactive 3 years ago after moving to a different branch where he didn't know very many people. He had since married as well. We talked with him and invited him back to church (he didn't end up coming on Sunday, but nonetheless, he was ready for the invite). After talking with him a bit more, we helped him close his door.....it closed on the first try....I don't think it was a coincidence that we were "lost" in that neighborhood the same time he was "delayed" by a "stubborn" door. Miracles.
Well that's about it for now folks.....my mission continues on, one day at a time. That's the only way to do this work....The Lord is opening the windows of heaven for me, although at times you wouldn't realize it if you watched a movie of my day to day life. I know that this is His work, and he will richly bless everyone of his servants that are willing to "thrust in the sickle with all their heart, mind, might, and strength".
Until next time,
-Elder McKinley
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