From Alex

So for those of you who dont know missionaries have a white handbook of rules. One of the rules say this "Shower daily if possible." Everyone in the USA kinda chuckles when they read this... BUT it is a real thing. haha

Now go back in time to the trip where dad packed our suff so well on top of the car that we couldnt get our suit cases out bc it would be to much work and how we couldnt shower or change our clothes.

Can I just say I am forever changing/changed? hahaha

So we had a water stike this week here in petrolina. Which means no laundry/shwers luckily the bishop got water on friday so we were able to take a shower! I can do anything now :) But anway it was funny in some ways but sad in otheres. We had a water supply and we had enough money to buy drinking water. But some of our members and investigators didnt. We got water on saturday and went to one of our members homes who is super old and she needed water so we ended up that day bringing water to her because she kinda lived far away; It was nice to see how happy it made her :)

We had a good week full of ups and downs. On tuesday we had our zone leaders with us. Which was kinda intimitating. haha but it was a good day. They ended up teaching one of our families with us (Manuel and Cecera) and they ended up coming to church on sunday! WHich was an amazing miracle. We had 3 less active families come as well!

We have the most beautiful investigator. She is the one I gave the hymn book to. Her name is Raiani; She is 12 and is so humble. She has been coming to church for a really long time and to all the ward activities as well. Usually kids from 8_15 have to attend church for 3 months before baptism but we got special permission for her to be at 2 months because she is so amazing. We were so excited! But her parents wouldnt give permission :/ It was super sad. But I learned so much from the experience. And I know at the right time she will be able to join the church. Prayer is so important and so is timing.

We had 2 lessons with the family we found last week. We taught them about the Book Of Mormon. But they wouldnt touch it :( I just wanted to cry. I kinda did. lol I can just see them with the gospel. I can see them as members, their children serving missions, and in the temple. What a beautiful life they could have. I can honestly say that Ive never been so sad for someone to reject our message. But Ive never felt the spirit so strong with a family before. We will continues to say hello and stop by. I know I will always pray for that family.

We kinda had a week full of rejections and pretty much all of our plans fell through. But God loves to put funny moments and miracles in our paths. Saturday was super hot and we were kind of sleep walking while we were carrying water. When this boy tripped (this isnt the funny part) And a donkey literally started laughing at the boy! haha Sister VIllaroman and I could not stop laughing. Oh and when God created mosquitos He told them to mutliply and replinish the earth in Brazil. But we have a new toy! Its a bug zapper! Sister Casperson! You would love it! Its kinda like a light saver! Also we helped another member this week. Her son has gotten into drugs and she could not stop crying. So we had all the children gather around from the street and we had her teach them a game. All of them loved it and kept on hugging her. It made her so happy and at peace.

The next miracle is that we accidently went to the wrong place for ward correlation and we ended up missing it. But we ended up talking to everyone on the street and we got all of their infos and found a less active! And at the end of the street there was a rainbow. Ç)

As a missionary you get rejected a lot. But the sad part is is its not you that they are ultimatly rejecting. But truthfully a lot of times you do not see the fruit of our labors. I read today about Abinadi who in the end died for the Lord and as His servent. He never saw the fruit of his labor but he never gave up He knew he was comamanded by God so he continued. And in the end with our his knowledge he converted 1 man named Alma, who in turn baptized 204 souls , who in turn had families. Alma himself was a father to one of the best missionaries ever recorded. Because of one man who feared God before men so many had the gospel. How Beautiful is that? I love the book of Mormon so so much. It has been one of my greatest sources of comfort. It has answered eberyone of my questions, it has given me peace, and it has given me hope. Always read it. It is true and it is the word of God. Always be bold, Everyone of you give a BOM out this week. YOou may not see what will come out of it but but the Lord does. Remember to look for miracles everyday because I promise you they are there. Keep on smiling and know Sister Powell prays for you and that God loves you :)

Love Sister Powell