"If you want me to, I will"

  Laaaadies and gentlemen boys and girls, it's officially that time. LAST september 1 I put on the missionary tag for the first time, you know what that means? 1 YEAR ON THE MISSION WOO HOOOO yall for real though, what a ride it's been! 1 down and 1 to go, this time last year I was packing the suitcases and this time next year they'll be unpacked. I wanna give a nice 1 year testimony but first lemme give yall the highlights of the week 

      This week we had 2 baptisms! The first I'll talk about is Reginaldo. He's this older gentlemen who works in MULTIPLE bakeries (certified bread maker), has traveled a bunch in Brazil, and has a super big desire to change his life for the better. He found the missionaries one day because they came into his bakery, he saw they had Jesus Christ on their name tags and he started telling them he wants to change his life! He dedicated himself to take lessons, make sacrafices, and even gave himself a baptismal date for his birthday - this last Tuesday! He turned 55 and got baptized on the same day, and he's even started bringing family and friends to church. Stud of a guy, and super happy to have been a part of his journey! 

  The other I'd like to talk about is a dame named Yasmin. She ALSO had her birthday this last week (double celebrations all around the board ) where she turned 24, she enjoys drawing, reading, watching fishing with her dad, and has also been talking to the missionaries for a time. She's been to church for the last 6 weeks straight! We've been being super purposeful about having her pray whether this is the path she wants to walk on and about baptism and stuff, and she's genuinely prayed a lot about it and said she'd recieved her response that it's the right thing to do. She was baptized yesterday on Sunday with her dad there too, and now we're organizing some visits she'll be able to do with us this week! 

  Aight guys. It was a great week! Life here in marabas been a grand ol time, and although there's been difficulties as there always is, I am in a really good spot in the mission. One of my favorite lessons I've learned in the last year is one that has helped me through a lot of difficulties, temptation and trails, and it's one I wanted to share with you today. In Ephesians 6, young Paul dishes one of the most fire motivational ideas there is in scripture: 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

     That's been one of the most useful lessons I've learned on the mission! We ain't up against robbers or crooks nearly as much as we're up against unseen evil trying to bring us down to misery. I've found the importance of every day putting on the armor of God so that I know which team I'm fighting for. For that reason, and for my love for this lesson in wearing the armor of God, that's the front page for the one year mark drawing in the hillstead magazine: 

  Yall listen up for a sec, ima put it simply: for the last year straight I have been filling my time, heart and mind with Jesus Christ, and it has been the happiest I have been in my life. There is something deep within a person, where when you do the will of God, you are happy. It's like a 2 step equation, that's as simple as mathmatics can be. You're obedient, and you're happy. Walk the path Jesus Christ has set, and you will find joy. Will it be easy? Heck naw. Will you still have sadness and frustration from time to time? Oodles. But my testimony is this: at the end of every day when I get home, battered and beat, Jesus Christ is the one that attends to my wounds. He is my source of strength, and I know that he has prepared a path for us to be able to do everything he asks. So when the world's got you beaten down and you don't know where to find strength, put on the armor of God. He will always be there to help you. 

      In the last year I feel like I've changed a bunch, but I've still got a lotta changing to do. The year's gone by unbelievably fast and I've gotta feeling this next one could be even faster. Still much more difficulties to face, incredible experience to have, and room to grow. Thank you all, each of you are a great support to me and I hope you know that I love each of you. Your prayers on my behalf are undoubtedly felt and I feel strengthened because of you each day. Thank you for the love showed over the course of the last year. I'll be able to say that personally this time next year. 

Until next time folks 

1. Cleanin' the font 

2. A buncha kids who wanna hear us speak English and are curious why we're so red 

3. The Kansas of Brazil 

4. When door knocking just ain't having it 

5. This absolute g we met this week named Irlan 

6. Maraballin'