Sent: Monday, April 1, 2013 10:35 AM
Subject: Another week for the record books!
Hello
my amazing family and friends! How
in the world are you all doing?! I have had quite a crazy week and for some reason can’t remember a lot of what
happened... I guess I should start bringing my journal to email with me?
Anyway,
things are getting better here in São
Gonçalo! Don’t get me wrong, its still incredibly tough and I am being tested to my limits each day, but nonetheless things are getting better. I am able to
understand so much more of what people are saying and that really helps me out
a ton! I still have to pay strict
attention to people when they talk and have ZERO background noise if I want to be able to hear Portuguese
instead of gibberish, but that will change
eventually.
Speaking
of Portuguese vs. gibberish... We were teaching
an investigator last night outside of his house on the street when
this guy in his late teens walked by and stopped us asking for money. He said he was homeless and only wanted 1 Real from each of us so he could eat
because his family lived outside the hospital and had no food. He proceeded to tell us his story when our investigator
went inside to get him some change and that’s when we started trying to teach him about the gospel and how it could bless his life.
When
we started teaching, he started quoting scripture (I think some Psalms?) and then knelt down and put
his forehead to the ground to pray. In the middle of his praying, I lost all ability to understand him and started to feel an evil presence. I
looked at Elder B. Carvalho and gave him the look of ‘I don’t know what’s going on’.
It
turns out the guy was
“speaking
in tongues” which was really confusing for a poor Elder such as
myself who already has a tough time understanding
the language!
He
got up and we started teaching him
again, but again he interrupted and talked about how he’s homeless and needs
money for food. It was really sad! But the
weird part was when we all said a prayer together
and then he wanted to say a prayer holding hands... so we let him and he began speaking gibberish again, and the bad
feeling I had earlier returned.
At
this point I was starting to get freaked out and wanted to leave. So my
companion looked at him and commanded, by
the Power of the priesthood, for the evil in his life to leave. Exactly
after he said this, the kid looked as if he was about to pass out and fall
over. I felt the evil leave our presence
and it was the craziest experience I have had over these past 4 months.
I
know there is legitimate Power from God in the
Priesthood and that it is a privilege to be able to be bearers of it.
In
other news, we are still walking thousands
of miles a day and its surprisingly not
too awful! There are some times when I’m walking up a hill that seems like
its going straight for Heaven that I think “ugh I love
how flat Texas is” but when I get to the
top I feel so accomplished!
A
little tip for weight loss- Eat
nothing but a ton of rice and beans for lunch and don’t eat other meals
throughout the day except for snacks. Then, proceed to walk around from noon to 9 pm and you will be amazed at how in shape you are! I don’t know if I’ve gained or lost
weight, but I definitely feel a ton skinnier than when I left the MTC...
We
also had some cool experiences with
lessons with some members present this week. We are teaching this girl named
Larissa. She is 14 years old and has a 14 month old and a 4 month old. She needs the gospel in her life more
than anyone I think I have met so far but she is reluctant to accept some of the principles we teach such as the Law
of Chastity as she is living with her 22-year-old boyfriend.
We
taught her on Saturday with two of the ward missionaries and a recent convert
and the lesson was a thousand times more
powerful than any of our others with her! It made me realize how very
important it is to bring a member to each lesson whenever possible because they
bring a different aspect that helps the investigator feel more comfortable and accepting of what we teach. So, please be willing to go out and
teach with the missionaries in your area because you can literally be the difference in someone’s life!
I
also want to talk a little about the importance of families. Families are our
mode of happiness and security in this life. It talks about how everything that is good comes from God in Moroni 7 and clearly families are GREAT! Therefore, they are
of God.
With
that, how do you think He wants us
to live within our families? In my opinion, He wants us to love one another and
ALWAYS be happy. And to accomplish
that, He provided us with a plan that allows us to live with our family forever in His presence! What more could you ask for?!
Love your family and forgive
one another for whatever way they have offended you! It’s a Commandment that we
forgive everyone for EVERYTHING! Be obedient
and the Lord will bless you. I promise :)
Anyway,
I love you all and I hope life is treating you amazing!
Study your scriptures DAILY
and pray for the Lord to guide you in your lives. He Lives and answers prayers!
Go out and make the world a better place!
Com muito amor,
Elder
LeSueur
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