Hello everyone!!!
Wow this week has been really busy. It is the last week of this transfer and many things are going on. So this week we marked Duarte for baptism on Saturday and he said yes. Thursday we had the interview with him and well, he passed. This means that we have a baptism on Saturday. He is really progressing. He has gone from only playing on the computer and not wanting to listen, now to always wanting to say the prayer and now wanting Saturday to come really fast haha. He is proof that the gospel can change lives. From going to a life where he didn’t want to do anything to now where he wants to do everything. He is even being a great example to his older brother Tiago (who is already baptized). The gospel is such an amazing gift that we have in our lives. It literally changes our lives for the best.
Saturday came and something came up, nothing bad only that we had to change the baptism to the next day, after church. Speaking of church, it was very busy a bit frustrating but not a lot. Because our Branch President doesn’t arrive till really late, we basically have to do everything. So we conducted the first two classes and they went really great. Both my companion and I are great teachers. We also had to give talks during sacrament meeting as well. One thing that we forgot to bring was bread for the sacrament (uh oh) but luckily we had a member who had bread with her. Our Branch President will usually bring the bread but because he comes late sometimes it doesn’t always work. Then after church we had a big lunch with everyone, right before the baptism of Durate. We then started the baptismal program and it went really well.
It felt so great to end this transfer with a baptism. That was our 2nd baptism this transfer which makes me really happy. Duarte will grow to do great things.
Because it is the end of transfers that means we will get some news about transfers. We thought both of us would stay or one of us would leave. What happened was we got the call and what they told us I didn’t believe. I thought they were joking with us, but what they had told us was that “Elder Rusnell both you and Elder Katipunan will be training new missionaries. We will be splitting the area and we will have four Elders here in Santo André”. Then he said one more thing. “Elder Rusnell you will also be the new District Leader for your district”. This means that for the very first time I will be training a new missionary and become the District Leader as well. My first time as a trainer and my first time as a District Leader, wow. I have a lot of stuff on my shoulders. I have two ways at looking at this. One, I feel really grateful that I have this opportunity to be a leader and train a new elder. But the second one is well, what if I don’t do a great job. What if I mess up the new elder? I was given some advice and told to do what I know is right and everything will fall in place. I will learn on the job and it will be a great learning experience for me. I am really excited for this grand opportunity.
Elder Katipunan and I will not be companions but we will live in the same house. Speaking of our house I don’t know if we have all of the stuff for two new elders here so we will see. Later tonight we will go to Lisboa and wait for a day to receive our new elders. Guess what guys I’m going to have a son haha.
My new companions name is Elder Rosenkilde I don’t know where he is from. Elder Katipunan and I decided to speak on Portuguese 24/7 to help these elders learn the language faster. We lost the ability to speak English haha. Well wish me luck guys. I will do my best.
I love you all so much. Keep up the good work everyone. And always remember to SMILE!!!!! :
come muito amor,
Elder Rusnell
Wow this week has been really busy. It is the last week of this transfer and many things are going on. So this week we marked Duarte for baptism on Saturday and he said yes. Thursday we had the interview with him and well, he passed. This means that we have a baptism on Saturday. He is really progressing. He has gone from only playing on the computer and not wanting to listen, now to always wanting to say the prayer and now wanting Saturday to come really fast haha. He is proof that the gospel can change lives. From going to a life where he didn’t want to do anything to now where he wants to do everything. He is even being a great example to his older brother Tiago (who is already baptized). The gospel is such an amazing gift that we have in our lives. It literally changes our lives for the best.
Saturday came and something came up, nothing bad only that we had to change the baptism to the next day, after church. Speaking of church, it was very busy a bit frustrating but not a lot. Because our Branch President doesn’t arrive till really late, we basically have to do everything. So we conducted the first two classes and they went really great. Both my companion and I are great teachers. We also had to give talks during sacrament meeting as well. One thing that we forgot to bring was bread for the sacrament (uh oh) but luckily we had a member who had bread with her. Our Branch President will usually bring the bread but because he comes late sometimes it doesn’t always work. Then after church we had a big lunch with everyone, right before the baptism of Durate. We then started the baptismal program and it went really well.
It felt so great to end this transfer with a baptism. That was our 2nd baptism this transfer which makes me really happy. Duarte will grow to do great things.
Because it is the end of transfers that means we will get some news about transfers. We thought both of us would stay or one of us would leave. What happened was we got the call and what they told us I didn’t believe. I thought they were joking with us, but what they had told us was that “Elder Rusnell both you and Elder Katipunan will be training new missionaries. We will be splitting the area and we will have four Elders here in Santo André”. Then he said one more thing. “Elder Rusnell you will also be the new District Leader for your district”. This means that for the very first time I will be training a new missionary and become the District Leader as well. My first time as a trainer and my first time as a District Leader, wow. I have a lot of stuff on my shoulders. I have two ways at looking at this. One, I feel really grateful that I have this opportunity to be a leader and train a new elder. But the second one is well, what if I don’t do a great job. What if I mess up the new elder? I was given some advice and told to do what I know is right and everything will fall in place. I will learn on the job and it will be a great learning experience for me. I am really excited for this grand opportunity.
Elder Katipunan and I will not be companions but we will live in the same house. Speaking of our house I don’t know if we have all of the stuff for two new elders here so we will see. Later tonight we will go to Lisboa and wait for a day to receive our new elders. Guess what guys I’m going to have a son haha.
My new companions name is Elder Rosenkilde I don’t know where he is from. Elder Katipunan and I decided to speak on Portuguese 24/7 to help these elders learn the language faster. We lost the ability to speak English haha. Well wish me luck guys. I will do my best.
I love you all so much. Keep up the good work everyone. And always remember to SMILE!!!!! :
come muito amor,
Elder Rusnell