On Sunday we had three people lined up to be baptized. Only one of them went. Marcia, from Paraopeba, the lady who had a fear of water and backed out of her baptism while she was changing clothes came by herself on Sunday on a bus and was baptized.
Sunday was the Sete Lagoas Stake Conference from 9-11 and then from 5-7. Henrique's family all went (five in total), and Henrique was supposed to be baptized after the first session, but he backed out at the last minute. He had even brought a towel and underwear and everything, and was all excited. I think he was sad that he wasn't going to be baptized together with his dad. But on Sunday we are preparing for the whole family to go together.
President Parrella was there on Sunday for the conference and he stayed to watch Marcia's baptism, which was a blessing because I think that if he hadn't been there with Sister Parrella she may not have gone, they gave her so much support. After she came out of the bathroom she didn't smile anymore, she was scared to death. President and Sister Parrella talked to her quite a bit and calmed her down. President Parrella suggested that when she was baptized, everyone stay in the cultural hall and wait, and not to fill up the room, so just he and I and the Bishop and Sister Parrella went to watch the baptism.
The first time didn't give, her head popped out of the water. The second time the same thing happened. Because of her fear, when Elder Vasquez tried to immerse her in the water, she stiffened her whole body and didn't bend her knees or do anything to facilitate the baptism. After President talked to her again while she was standing there in the water, and explained to her a little bit better, the third time she was baptized. It was very exciting.
Elder Vasquez underwent a mini-surgery for his ingrown toenail this morning. The doctor told him that he has to stay 2-3 days at home resting, so we have to find members that can divide with us so that we don't have to abandon our area in this critical moment.
The other night I did a contact with two ladies and one of them kept asking these stupid questions about the church, and making ridiculous, false comments, but after she left and we were talking to her friend, her friend said, "I think that she's of the Devil, but I want you guys to go to my house." And then she told us about how she use to be from the Universal church, but she didn't like how the pastor talked so much about money, so she prayed and asked Heavenly Father to enlighten her. She opened the Bible, and read that scripture in 1 Peter 5 that says that people who take care of the church shouldn't be paid, but should do the work voluntarily and for love, and so she stopped going to the Universal church and said she was looking for the truth.
We went there yesterday and taught the restauration to her. The Spirit was very strong. At the end of the lesson I asked her, "how are you feeling right now?" and she said, "I feel like an emptiness that was inside of me has been filled." We invited her to be baptized on the fourth of October and she accepted willingingly.
"Os eleitos ouvirão a minha voz e não endurecerão o coração."
"The elects will hear my voice, and will not harden their hearts." (I think that's what it is in english)
I love and miss you all,
Elder Sisco