The Week of Natal 2021!

Ola tudo!!  

FELIZ NATAL!!!

Or if you don't speak Portugeuse, which is probably many of you, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!  

This week has been an amazing one!!  There has been so many things we have done and of course we got to celebrate Natal!! We've also been so blessed to be able to see many miracles!  

The first miracle was the baptism of Eduardo!  He is someone who the sisters in our ward found and taught, but they found out he lives in our area, so we actually got to work together to teach and help him make his first covenant with God, baptism!!  It was amazing, and he's such a sweet guy!  He always tells us we've got a friend in Brazil when we come down and visit again.  Another blessing is we went to his house to help him prepare to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  He had his mom and sister there, and they didn't know he was baptized!  It was really funny, cause he got this "Did I do that??" Kinda look on his face.  But then we got to explain all about the Gospel with them, and faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!  It was a great lesson and they were so open, and the spirit was very present! 

Speaking of presents, this week in District Council we made some goals to really make this week count and make the most of our time!  We started out by making goals for copies of the Book of Mormon we give to people!  Me and Elder MacDonald really took this to heart, because we are almost out now because of how many we gave out.  It was really great, because I can testify that the Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Christ!  It truly is translated by the gift and power of God!  And so it was an amazing gift to be able to give people.  We would explain the importance and significance and gift to them, to learn more and feel of the peace and knowledge that comes from it's pages.  One woman we found on the street burst into tears and wrapped us in a giant hug because of her gratitude in receiving the special gift!  

And again, for those who don't speak Portugeuse, this translates to " I am Grateful for Scriptures" 

We have done a lot of walking and finding people on the street!  It's been great exercise and a great way to talk to as many people as possible.  Me and Elder MacDonald were curious how much we walked and we calculated we've done about......which translates to about.....miles!  #doingthelordswork

One of the many things we see on the streets of Brazil is just horses.  On the street.  Eating garbage mostly.  Here's an example.  

One of the reasons we walk is because our area is so large!  It's a huge geographical area, and so our Stake President has finally put into place plans to create a group, which will just be a small gathering for Sacrament meeting once a week.  To be more accessible, it will be at the large home of a member, and it's about 2 minutes from our house!  He's asked us to be a part of helping build it up and inviting new people to come as well!  Me and Elder MacDonald are so excited for this extra opportunity we have to invite and help all feel of the spirit of partaking of the sacrament!  

And of course, this week was Natal!!!  Me and Elder MacDonald received so much candy and snacks from the ward and family that will take a good couple months to get through.  We hope we don't get transferred and have to split it up!  A picture from Xmas morning and then one from Xmas Eve!  We got to have our own little Christmas tree and decorations provided friends and family! 

This last picture is what our mission president and wife were wearing on a mission wide call on Xmas.  They are the best!!! 

This Christmas I have been so very grateful for my Savior and for his dedication and service.  There is a lot of beauty in service.  Even things like learning about how he ministered to each and every one of us individually, truly makes a large impact.  I love my Savior Jesus Christ.  I'm grateful for how I can feel his presence in my life.  I can always tell, the best days are the days that we are out and about and really doing the work.  While yes, it may be very hot, and long, and we are walking so much, we will have one great contact, and the spirit will just rejuvenate and help us keep going to find the next person who needs to hear of the message!  It's not to say it's the easiest, or it gets so much easier but I just have that much more passion and drive to keep going.  The Holy Ghost is a very powerful tool, and I know it has such a great impact in our lives.  

I'm grateful for the message I am so blessed to share.  

I hope you all have had the most amazing Christmas and had opportunities to love, share, and invite people to feel of love, charity, and service! 

Elder Moss