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Monday, July 25, 2011

EU SEI QUE VIVE MEU SENHOR

Well, i think last week´s letter was a little panicy, because that is how I was feeling until thursday when my new companion arrived. Heavenly Father really prepared me, and by the time Irmã Young arrived, I felt calm and that everything will work out.
Now we have been together 5 days and i am even more certain that this is the will of the Lord that we serve together. It is challenging at times because now I have lots of responsability on my shoulders, but i am already learning a lot and will continue to learn as the transfer continues. Thank you for your advice and love and prayers.
Here is kind of how this past week went:
Monday, Irmã Speigle left, and I went with Irmã Joslin (who reminds me lots of Josephine!!) to Odivelas, she also is training. We taught the brother of two girls who were baptized last sunday. Then tuesday afternoon we came back to Linda-A-Velha to stay the night here, and Irmã de Almeida joined us, who will be training a new irma in the Azores, oh and they are white washing too!! We stayed in Linda-A-Velha tuesday night did some proselyting, then wednesday afternoon we went back to Odivelas. It was so great being together, i think i was freaking out more than them both, they are near the end of their missions, and one of them has trained before. I kept asking questions and mom i am sure i just had that deer in the headlights look for like three days straight! Thursday morning we got up and went to the office to meet our "daughters"! And we had a training meeting with them and the assistents, and President and Irmã Torgan. It was really crazy being there in the position of trainer because i still feel like i arrived here in Portugal yesterday! And I kept asking myself why is it that God called me to do this??? Then, we separated, and we as trainers went to President´s office to have a little training for the trainers. There are 3 irmãs training and one elder, Elder Ribeiro, who is in my zone. President Torgan told us that the most important calling in the mission is a trainer, and that we have a great responsibility to be an example for the new missionaries. I just feel like this is God´s will but still don´t understand why. It´s interesting because ever since i got in the mission, other missionaries kept saying that i would train, but i was always super super scared about it. but when Irmã Torgan called me, i felt that it was my time to do this. And now i am here! I really love President and Irma Torgan, they have a great love for the people here and they know what they are doing.
Looking back on this first week with Irmã Young, i feel like i have made a lot o fmistakes but like russell said, it is in the times of struggle that we learn the most. Irmã Young already is doin so well with the language. She has such a good attitude about it and is already picking up on the idea of what people are saying. In our first days together, we have been contacting everybody in the street, and Irmã Young has said lots of prayers with people! We had a great lesson with Sidney who is full of fire and he just wants so bad to be a missionary! Last night he came with us and we contacted a couple people in the street.
Each time we contact people, i realize how much happiness is within the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that this transfer will be a challenge, but i am already learning so much, basically going back to the basics of the gospel principles and how they are the most important things we teach.
About that family that went to church last week... we tried contacting them all week long, and finally visited. We taught the dad, Fernando the restauração and invited him to read and pray about it. he said he would, then we returned later to teach Joaquim, and help him prepare to be baptized on suday. But the parents are always working so its hard to find them at home. We returned saturday and taught joaquim and Zizi the mandamentos but it was kind of crazy, with the energy that the kids have, but we did our best, then we returned again later to talk with the mom about the baptism opf Joaquim. She said that he will not be baptized right now, because he doesnt know how to make his own decisions. we tried talking more with her, but she didn´t want to hear more... she has a really crazy work schedule, always working. Basically, it is interesting looking at this family from this perspective because we can see where their potential is, but they don´t yet see it. We are here to help them see it, but they have to want it too. I am learning that it is so important that the people feel the spirit in every lesson, otherwise they won´t recognize the difference of the true church!! ( i know this is something i already should have recognized, but i´m learning step by step...)
After this lesson, we had another Sardinhada at the capela, but first they showed the film the testaments, and after bispo had us share our testimonies. The family Amojo was there and watched the film with the ward members, - this family is another family that had so much potential but somethign is holding them back from letting us work with them. they dont ever want to set up an appt with us!! Anyway, as I bared my testimony of the film, i felt so powerfully the individual lvoe that the Savior has for each onf of us. i really love the part in 3 Nefi 11:14-17 where Christ invited each person to individually come unto Him and feel His Hands. This why the Savior suffered, so taht each of us could come unto Him. Our theme in the mission is 3 Nefi 18;24-25, and it is our responsibility to bring the light of the Savior into the lives of everyone we meet. Something that Irmã Young shared with me our first day is that she is noticing the light of Christ in the eyes of everyone we meet. Wow! She really is helping me see the simple things that matter most. Really like a child, she is so humble and really focused on the most important things. This is why i am traning, because HEavenly Father wants to teach me to be humble like a child, and really be sincere in everything that I do. I am feeling more and more each day the love of the Savior in this work.
I think i am finally beginning to understand why i am here on a mission. I always wanted to serve, and that is why i am here, but i am not here for me, but i am here for the people here in Portugal. There are people waiting for us to find them, and bring the light of the gospel into their lives.
Thank you for your love and prayers. I am here because this gospel is true. The Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died, and was resurrected so that we can find eternal happiness. That is what it is all about!!!
The Book of Mormon is powerful and contains answers to our prayers, and questions of our soul. Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and all of the blessings that I experience are becasue of the restored truth on the earth. Everything started with a humble prayer of a humble boy.
I love you all!! Have a great day!!! Be Happy!! Happiness is a choice!

xoxo
Irmã Michael

Monday, July 18, 2011

Irma Hillary and Sidney and Irma Spiegel

 
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Going to church with the Family

 
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TWO MISSIONARIES OPENED THEIR MOUTHS

Basically here is a run down...

Sidney was baptized!!!! The highlight was when he shared his testimony that 6 months ago he decided to stop visiting any churches because he hadn´t found the true church. He prayed every day morning and night, and studied the bible daily. Then one day, these two sister missionaries opened their mouths and began speaking with him about the restored gospel on the earth. two and a half weeks later he was baptized!!! He is an incredible man who will stay firm in the gospel and help many people receive the great blessings of the restored truth.

The picture of this family... here is the story...
We cn«ontacted Zizi (18) on the street a couple weeks ago. then we passed by her house and realized we had been there before, trying to contact Taíza, who happens to be the sister of zizi. Then we were there teaching zizi another day and her mom walked in who jsut happens to be this lady who i met in Linda-a-Velha about the second week here. Her mom is a member and lives on the other side of the river, and was visiting church here before going back home. She is a member of one year. The boys are the children of Taíza.
So, Sunday morning we passed by their house to help Joaquim (9yrs) and ZIZ get ready for church. and when we entered the house, they were still asleep, so we sang primary songs, and did jumping jacks with them to help them wake up. It was so funny to see the face of Joaquim try to wake up!! Then, Taíza told us taht their whole family was gonna go to church!! so we helped get the rest of the family ready, and we all walked together to church. Mom, Dad, three sons, and tia Zizi. It was such a wonderful feeling!!! They are incredible!! Joaquim is marked for baptism this coming sunday please pray for him and his parents that they will give permission! The parents are not married now, but when they marry they will be a great asset to this ward!!!

The other picture is of the baptism of George!!!


Okay, transfers.... guess what??!!! I will be TRAINING!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!! i am so excited but you know me mom, i am freaking out!!! I have no idea what i am doing, or how this will work, it will be an adventure for sure and i know i will grow a lot. Funny thign is that i have felt this past week that either i would be training, there were so many tiny promptings that this would happen and when Irma Torgan called last night, i heard the confirmation.!!. I dont know how it will happen but i know it will be great!
Please send me all the advice you have from experiences from everyone who trained!!
I really need your help. Also, I know that the Lord is preparing people here in Linda Velha that we will find and help enter the waters of baptism!
love you all!
thanks for your letters and prayers and support!!

xoxo
Irma Michael

P.S. PLEASE SEND MY LOVE TO BREE!!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Ó Criaturas do Senhor

* we sang this song this morning. Singing really brings the spirit super strong!

Well, after reading your emails, I just want to share with you all that this is the work of the Lord. I am so grateful to be here serving the people of Portugal. These people are special. The lord is preparing the people here for the temple, and also for salvation!!

That is so crazy that Jacob will be in the islad of Niuatoputapu, where the other side of heaven took place. He wrote me beofre he left and said that he found out that Tonga and Portugal are exactly 12 hours apart! Literally the other side of the world!! It is so amazing reading his letters and i will truly miss them. Maybe if you ever get a snail letter from him, you can send it to me after, or just let me kno wwhenever you hear from him. Tears came to my eyes as i read how he will be on a super small island, wiht no electricity, but what he said touched my heart deeply. We are all under the same moon, and he is in the Lord´s hands. This is so true. As missionaries we are literally being the hands of the Lord. I really felt this way this week. Just to share a few experiences:
first, we didn´t write yesterday because we had a huge conference with all the zones nearby (5) as the last week before transfers and the switching of missionaries from the north and all. It was an amazing conference. President Torgan is so humble and really he is here to do the Lrod´s work. He means business! When we don´t reach our full potential, he lets us know that we are here to do the Lord´s work and not our own. Everything that we do here is focused on baptism!! Every missionary here in Portugal is capable of having baptisms every single week! The assistants shared some incredible stories about how the Lord is really preparing the people and it is our part to find the elect who will follow the voice of the Lord. SOmething incredible that President Torgan focuses on is John 15, by their fruits ye shall know them. The fruits of our work as missionaries is baptism. He is a man of faith and dedication to the Lord. We as missionaries have a responsability to bring Christ to the people. He is such a humble man. Really, there are so many miracles that are happening here in Portugal. There are some incredible missionaries that humbly seek the Lord´s will through prayer, and then go and do!!
Here are some miracles that happened here in Linda-A-Velha this past week:

First, i have to tell you about Sidney. Here´s the story. Last thrusday, a week ago, we didnt have time to return to the house for jantar, so we stopped in a park to say our 10-minute prayer (we do this each day at lunch and dinner to seek revelation from the Lord for our area-it is so amazing!!!) As we ended our prayer, we opened our eyes, and pondered in silence for about 2 minutes. Then, there was a man walking past wiht his dog, Luck, and we opened our mouths and talked to him. It turns out that he ahd heard of the ´mormons´ and he had some questions.. I dont remember much of what we said, but we explained a little and gave his a restauração pamflet, and received his info, and invited him to church on sunday. He said he would, then we went on our way. We both didnt feel super great about the contact, but we just moved on to the next things we had to do. (his name is Sidney) Then Saturday night we called him and reminded him about church. He came! Along with many other people that we had invited durign the week. Irmã Speigle and i taught sunday school about baptism, intending to focus on George) it went well, and we continued on to sacrament meeting. It was dia dos testemunhos, and many people testified that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. (coisas basicas, pois) after Sidney had questions, we responded and gave him a book of mormon, and marked a time to meet with him. It was then that we felt there was something different about this man, that he really is looking for the truth!! Tuesday night we had a great lesson, we taught the Restauration, answered perguntas and duvidas and invited him to be baptized in saturday july 16th! He said he would have to pray, but if he felt, he would go forward with it!! then we called wednesday and he had already raed all of 1 nefi!! Thursday, we met with him again and he shared that he had a sipiritual experience as he was reading the book of mormon, and the book of Isaiah and pondering on this date of baptism. He said that he felt a confirmation that baptism is the right thing for him!!! He is receiving answers for questions he has had his whole life, and really is SUPER eleito!!! His questions are so profound and everything jsut clicks for him! Then, Saturday he assisted the baptism on George!!!!!! (YES George was baptized!) After we had a lesson with Sidney on the plan of salvation. There were 3 members present in the lesson. It was such a powerful experience!! On friday before, he had a question about the mundo espiritual, and when we were talking about the plan, he emotionally explained that his dad passed away 4 years ago and he just wanted to know what happens with people who dont have the chance to accept the gospel in this life, what happens after this life with them?? He was so touched that his dad has the opportunity to receive the blessings of the gospel after this life. it was such a powerful spiritual experience for all of us who were in that room!! Irmão Calisto explained batismo pelos mortos no templo, and it was just incredible!!! He is excited to be baptized this coming Saturday!! this experience is showing me that really there are people who the lord is preparing, and really, i had no idea that this would happen!!
SInce taht experience with sidney, i jsut want to talk to every single person because everyone has a story!!!!!!!!

Okay, George!!!!!!! I dont know what i´ve shared about him but irma speigle contacted him on the bus a few weeks ago, and since then he has been amazing! He has had a rough life, he´s from south africa, he was a very sucessful businessman, and then 16 years ago he was diagnosed with multiplesclerocis (spelling) ... (did aunt rachel have that?? ) and he had to retire. His personal life also was destroyed, he got divorced and so on, but anyway, it has been incredible to see the changes that have come over his with time. He was baptized on saturday, received the holy ghost on suday, and we met with him yesterday night, he said he doesnt know what he has done in his life to deserve this new family here within the church. He is an incredible man. in many ways he reminded me of Mario from Almada.

well time is up, i have to go!

I love you all! have a great week!!!

xoxo irma michael

Monday, July 4, 2011

Feliz dia de liberdade nas estados unidos

Bom dia!!! Boas festas!! Feliz dia de liberdade nas estados unidos!!!

I´m wearing red and blue today :)

This was a week of prayer and prayer and more prayer! The last few days of the missão Portugal Lisboa and the first few days of the Missão Portugal!!!!
We as a mission have a mission prayer every day at 10:55 am, where we as a mission pray to find the electin all of our areas. Today when we prayed, it was as one mission in Portugal and I felt the powerfulness of the Lord´s hand here in Portugal!! Now we are united as a country, it is a really neat experience! President Torgan is helping many miracles take place here. The Lord has a special purpose for the people or Portugal!!!
So, this week we were praying a lot and we saw a lot of miracles! Here in this area, lots of investigators ahve been to church. One suggestion of our leaders was to make a list of all the people in our area book that have been to church, and to pray about the list and ask Heavenly Father who is ready to be baptized. At the conclusion of making the list, there were about 50 people, who have been to church in the last 5-6 years, at least one time. This is incredible! So, we prayed about our list and felt some different people, but no one really forte. So we started contacting everyone on the list. Most of the people didn´t answer, some moved, numbers no longer work... so then we started passing by the houses of the people we felt. We contacted one family that is really incredible, just that there is a deep influence of some members who are strong in the catholic faith.
Then we visited another house, they let us enter and pray with them. At the conclusion, a friend who had been visiting said that he had known the missionaries since he was 8 in brazil, about 15 years have passed, but he remembered the missionaires. We later felt that we should contact him again, but not yet ahve been able to...
then saturday night we were in the capela praying and when we finished, the elders called to give us some help about what to do. we told them that we felt this lady Emalaine was ready to be baptized, and he told us to pray until we had a certeza in our hearts that she was the person that the Lord had prepared to be baptized. We felt it in our hearts, then we went to her house and we prayed with her, inviting her to ask the Lord if it was His will for her to be baptized. In the end, she still didnt feel, because she doesn´t want to make some sacrifiices that are necessary to be baptized.
After that experience, i thought about sacrifice, and how conversion takes sacrifice. Each of us have to make sacrifices in order to test our faith.
Please pray for George who will be baptized on Saturday. He has the desire to know that this is the true church and he wants to start his life over again. THis is the church of Jesus Christ on the earth today!
It is so amazing to hear the news that Brianna Forman was baptized!!! What an amazing thing to hear, someone i have known almost all my life enter the waters of baptism!
That´s what it´s all about!!!
xoxo
Irma Michael