Que manhã maravilhosa!

Irmã Thomas, Elder Perkins, and I had the privilege to sing during sacrament meeting, with Elder Silva on the piano, this wonderful truth that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ appeared to the young Joseph. What a great and marvelous truth! I am so grateful for the many sacrifices that he and many others made so that we all can know with surety that we are God´s children, eternal beings on a mortal journey. Each step we have guides to help us know from right and wrong, to light our path. I have learned much about the Holy Ghost during these weeks and months. He is my best friend. the bishop from the Setubal ward always said that the Holy Ghost will whisper first all things that we should do, and we are commanded to listen and obey. When we follow, we will "prosper in the land" He will guide us and walk beside us. Halyna received this great and marvelous gift on Sunday, as well as a little 8 year old, Ana Laura, who is the daughter of a recent convert in the elders area. The baptismal service was beautiful. Halyna has been saying these weeks that she really wants to clean her body and soul from her sins and be blessed by Heavenly Father. As she entered the water, it was priceless to watch her huge grin, and right after the prayer, Oliveira didn't´t have to do much, because she basically threw herself into the water, she was so excited!! That moment right after coming out of the water too is priceless, as she had that huge smile, full of the light of Christ. This week we had plans to go to a new area to contact some references we had received. We were excited about our adventure ahead of us. But as we were on our way to Bairro Novo Imagem, we received a call from Sonia, a recent convert of a year and a half, and she needed our help. She has some difficult health problems, and when she called she already wasn't´t doing well, so we quickly turned around and ran to her house, singing "I am a child of God" with her on the phone the whole way. When we arrived she had opened to door, and was almost passed out on the floor in the entry way. The neighbor soon came out, and was also able to help (this happens occasionally so the neighbors are always ready) and about a half hour later Sonia was again her smiling self. I was grateful for the whisperings of the Spirit who helped us know what to do to help Sonia. After leaving her house, we went back to work, but didn't´t have time to go all the way to the new area, so we followed where the spirit guided us. We contacted Carla, who at first said she didn't´t have much time, but then opened up and shared with us that we had contacted the right person, in the right moment. She is passing through some difficulties with family and as we invited her to church, she said that is exactly what she needs, comfort from the Savior´s arms. She didn't´t make it it church, but we will try and contact her this week. We taught Emanuel and Halyna with Pedro who is visiting this ward, he recently returned from his mission to Cabo Verde. I am so grateful for members present in lessons! There is just a different spirit when members testify of how the gospel has blessed their lives!! We also taught Alexís with Liliana again about the book of Mormon.It was pretty funny because they would speak in french and then she would translate and then we would speak in Portuguese/English, (still not sure which he understands better). He has so many questions about the book of Mormon and he continues to read to gain greater light and knowledge about its truthfulness. The book of Mormon is so powerful! i love its truths, and am grateful for it being a grand tool that Heavenly Father has given us to use as a guide. We had interviews this week with president Torgan and a training from the assistants. There was a great focus on using Preach My Gospel to find the areas where we are weak and need to be better. In my interview President asked if i had any questions, and i just asked him what can i do to make the best of this time. He gave me some advice, and included was to ask Heavenly Father to take me to the garden of Gethsemane a little more. This is a theme he has used in several of my interviews with him. i am so grateful for inspiration and the divine gift of revelation. I am working on bettering my prayers, with more focus on gratitude and a greater appreciation for the atonement of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His infinite love, and His enabling power. He is always with outstretched arms of power, love and mercy to receive us, every one. I love this gospel and I love you all. I am grateful for this time that He has given me to serve Him, serving His children her in Portugal. I love this people, they work hard, they have great faith and there are many who have the desire to do God´s will and make sacrifices to bring forth the blessings of heaven that He so much wants to pour down upon them. As we follow the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, He will continue to guide us in all that we do. love to you all!! com muito amor, Irmã Michael