WEEK 45: Lessons from Walking with Adelson

TUESDAY

Today we spent a lot of time with one good friend whose mom passed away last week. We went through the plan of salvation again and reminded her the things she has to do to prepare to be baptized. The day her mom went to the hospital, she told us she was obviously very distraught and broken, but she remembered the things Elder Franca and I have taught her; that families can be forever, that we can live with God again, that many blessings are to be had after this life is over. She said that was a big comfort. We are going to start teaching her brother, who is having a really hard time with the passing of his mom this past week. Death is a really hard concept to come to terms with. I'm glad for the knowledge we have that death is only one small part of God's enormous plan.

Later we were walking by this old man carrying a few bags of groceries so we offered to help. We started making small talk and we found out he's almost 90 years old! (he looked about 70) and he's been living in Araguaina since the early 50's.

As we walked I found it interesting how even a cliche act of service like helping an elderly man with groceries can bring so much peace into a heart like it did to mine today. I'm usually a fast-paced person; focused on efficiency and conserving time. And we walked at about a snail-pace with this really old man. At first I felt uneased and pressed for time because we were late for an appointment, but I decided to let it go and walk 1mph to keep this man company. I noticed a lot of things in my surroundings as we walked slow. Kids playing soccer, a family gathered around watching their dad construct something, a neat texture on one house's front wall, things I otherwise probably would've walked right past and not thought twice about.

I thought about how an old man that walks at snail pace probably sees about twice as much beauty in the world as a busy man rushing to work or an appointment, like I often do.

That's what I learned today.

WEDNESDAY

Today Elder Apaza and I were comps bc Elder Franca and Horlancher have been sick for awhile and finally went to the hospital. 

They're fine don't worry yall.

It was fun having divisions. We had a good lesson with someone getting baptized soon and went to some 14 year old's birthday party where everyone just played FreeFire the whole time (a mobile game that's a knockoff of Fortnite and wildly popular here)

Boy was it hot today. The sun really needs to calm the heck down.

FRIDAY

Visited some less-active buds again this week. They'll both be at church on Sunday AND their step-dad was super interested in the lesson and kept telling us he really wants to come to church with the boys when he gets a break from work in two weeks.

We fed their pet deer some milk too. It was a new experience.

SUNDAY

We met an awesome family today. Everyone was interested, especially the aunt who kept saying how much she wants to come to church next Sunday.

Deuces homies,

Elder Youngblud $$$

PICS

1) The sun is brutal

2-5) Rain selfies 🙈💁‍♀️

6) A bus made just for me

7) Bird pooped on my shoe while I was walking. How does that even happen

8) Spot the Elder França!