You say goodbye, and I say hello

What is up once again my folk

       Don't got a whole tonna time to write today cause a new transfer starts tomorrow, and I got a whole bunch to clean and a whole bunch to do, but still was a week in the life! With the transfer going on tomorrow, Elder McLane will be saying goodbye to me here in Tapanã so that he can go work an office job, and I'll be saying hello to Elder Lokham tomorrow! Haven't met the dude yet, but he seems super cool and tall, and my Spider senses tell me he's a way hard worker which is honestly great. I'll trust anyone with "Lok" in, and go "ham" in their name. 

      Was a good week! Not a ton happened between now and the last time I got an email out, but we're progressing with a whole lotta great people. Super excited and grateful that I can take the baton from Elder McLane, and continue the work here in Tapanã. 

      One of the dudes we're teaching is named Felipe, and he's a super awesome human being. We're tryna get him to come to church as of right now, and the other day when we invited him to read The Book of Mormon (we gave him a copy earlier in the month), and dude said that he couldn't read it because a dog ate the book.  Man pulled the "dog ate my homework" card on the missionaries. The unfortunate reality is that dogs here actually get mad hungry though, cause he showed us his torn up copy of The Book of Mormon with a bunch of crazy teeth marks. We gave him another copy, this time dog-proof, and sent him on his way. Really though he's awesome. I'm super hyped to get to keep visiting him and helping him on his way down the covenant path!

      This week I finished The Book of Mormon again! Mormon and his son Moroni bear some of my favorite testimonies of the book, and there is genuinely some super super great spiritual wisdom. I'll share one that I loved, that I felt was really applicable to me:  

Moroni 10: 8

"And again, I exhort you, my bretheren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the spirit unto men, to profit them.

 

      We don't see a ton of scriptures about spiritual gifts, but I love this topic. Literally everybody has different spiritual gifts! Gifts given to you by God, in order to fulfill the purpose that he has for you here! God loves all of his children so much, and blessed each and every one of us with our own unique ways to let his light shine, and to be a blessing in the lives of others. Brother McConkie of the MTC once mentioned that it's a lot easier to get along with someone when you can recognize their spiritual gifts, and so my invitation today is to think about your spiritual gifts, and also them of those around you! I will certainly be doing the same with the new comp, and I know that as I strive to see the spiritual gifts in him as well as everyone around me (and also myself), the Lord will magnify the potency of these gifts, and give me the strength I need to use them to progress his work. 

      And that will just about do it for the week! Love you all so so much. I love the Lord and im grateful that my relationship with him is strengthening and my faith increasing. Y'all,  reach out to me, I miss hearing from you guys! And thank you to those who have emailed me recently, it always means so much to me. Until another week passes, TTFN! 

Email Title is from the lyrics of The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye,” from their album “Magical Mystery Tour”

1. Cadê este cara 

2. Elder Seal gets my seal of approval 

3. She's right behind me isn't she

4. These greenies are hitting the big leagues

5. Elder Johnstead 

6. Finally someone who gets me

7. See you someday dad