Moving Again...to the Next Room

Oi tudo mundo!!  

How are you all doing?  

This has definitely been an exciting week for sure!  A lot of really cool opportunities and things have happened here, so I'll just jump right into it!  

So first things first, this week we had transfers.  This hasn't been like a huge deal cause like, we seem to be having transfers about every other week here.  And just like every other week, yours truly was transferred!  To the next bedroom over, in Mutuá!  The area São Gonçalo  (where I was) and Mutuá share the same house.  So it means I didn't have to worry about my bags.  But I have been called as the new Zone Leader in this Zone!!  I'm so excited to get started in this new calling and area.  My new companion has been my Zone Leader since I got here.  His name is Elder Nogueira, and he's from the north part of Brasil.  He's a great teacher, and I'm excited to get to speak and practice my Portuguese a lot.  

This week has been a strange mix.  We have spent a lot of time indoors because there has been a lot of rain, but we have also done a large mix of street contacts.  One unique thing I got to do was an exchange (companionship swap) with Elder Carson! He was the old companion of Elder Nogeuria, but it was super good to be able to go out with him and do some contacts.  

One of the first people we contacted was on the street selling cheap candy, and he immediately stood up when we came and shook our hands.  I thought he was trying to sell us, but he ended up being really really interested in our message and the Book of Mormon.  He said it was more precious than 200 Reais that anyone could have given him.  The Book of Mormon is true!!!!  

Then me and Elder Carson literally talked to EVERYONE on the street as we walked.  Plenty and plenty of people said no for various reasons, but we always tried to leave them with something.  A scripture, or a prayer, just so they know Christ loves them.  And they can feel a little closer to him.  It may not mean they will progress and make covenants with God, but if we can help them in anyway, that is our purpose!  

On Monday, the last day of Elder Carson, we went out to lunch at our favorite restaurant, the Fronteria, which is an all you can eat pizza buffet with sweet dessert pizzas that are to die for!! So so so good.  But a great way to send him off for sure.  

This week I also got the privilege to play the piano for Mutua area, which shares our church building. Only, the baptism started a lot later than planned, so I ended up playing prelude music for about 40 minutes straight, just going though page by page in the hymn book, playing all the things I know how to play.  But the baptism ended up being really really good, and sweet.  The woman baptized was baptized by her boyfriend, and they had such a sweet smile on their faces after she rose up out of the water.  A great step for her!  

In my study this week, I was studying in 1st Nephi 11 about the Vision of Nephi/Lehi.  They have this vision about this marvelous tree, which has fruit that is desirable above all other fruit.  They eat, and then they want to share it with everyone else!  It's later explained in 1st Nephi 11 that the fruit is, "The love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men 'wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things."  

The Love of God is a very very very powerful thing.  I've pondered about the amount of people that don't have that love in their lives, or those who don't have a knowledge of that love.  And that's what I'm doing here, is bringing that love to all, but there are plenty who need it. And we share that love, by loving our neighbor, doing service, sharing scriptures, and uplifting all through the power of Christ.  I invite you all to think about how you can share the love of God this week.  

It's been a great week!  I'm excited to begin the new area and responsibilities this upcoming week and keep you posted come next Wednesday!  

Elder Moss