Week 27: ¼

6 months! 1/4 of my mission has already passed. It feels like it's been forever, or maybe it doesn't, I'm not really sure. Certainly I've never gone this long without watching youtube, and I've never felt this close to my Savior. (I'm not sure if those two things are related.)

But things have been going well here! 

Two Americans In Brazil pt. 3 -- I had a division this week with the wonderful Elder Theodosis! For those keeping score, I've now worked with three of the five elders here who I knew from the MTC! It was amazing teaching the Restoration with him then thinking back to the first days of at-home MTC, when teaching that lesson (even in english!) with him seemed impossible. I also learned the power of laughter. Someone you were making a contact with randomly cuts in with "I'm catholic!", turns around, and jogs away? Laugh about it!

After Two Years -- This week, we had a miracle! We had baptism dates marked with a family, but because their mom is doing nurse training, she works literally 24/7 and so wouldn't be able to come to church to be baptized until March. But then out of nowhere this week, she texts us, "I'll be coming to church this Sunday"! So, we remarked their baptism for this week.

They were first taught by the sisters who knocked on their door two years ago, so it was pretty cool to see the baptism that was so long in the making! Though sadly, their dad is lame, doesn't want to be taught by us, and didn't want their son to be baptized either because he's not old enough (but he's already 10). 

Favorite Hymn -- I learned this week that Ben Rector sang I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus at a church young adult conference in Utah a couple years ago, so now I'm sad I never saw that, but hey, blessed are the poor in spirit.

Anyway, it reminds me of a lunch message I gave this week about the apostle Peter. You may remember when Christ said that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed that day. And, indeed, when asked three times, "do you know this man?" "are you one of the disciples of Christ?", he says no. Peter, one of the first disciples called by Christ, denies him. And after the third time, hearing the rooster crow, he turns towards Jesus, sees he's looking right at him, and just starts crying. Peter did not want to deny his savior, it was difficult enough to send him to tears, but he did anyway.

This story is powerful for me because it reminds me of what happens many times when someone or some decision asks me, "are you a disciple of Christ?" and I say no. Even when I wanna be! Even when I do love the Lord. 

But, Christ still wants us anyway! He still wanted Peter, and after his ressurection, came back to Peter, asked if he loved him (three times ;)), then told him this simple commandment: "feed my sheep!"

So, the step one for showing our love for God is to love our neighbor. Now importantly, it is not the only step nor can it be overwritten by later steps; charity is essential and the first way to begin to be like Jesus Christ:

(Moroni 7:47)

So, however much charity you think you have, I challenge you to have more! Seek the example of Christ in this before anything else.

That's it for this week!

Till next time,

Elder Haroldsen

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