Another transfer flown by! Dang!
Well we got transfer calls last night. I will be staying in Praia and serving with Elder Foutz. He was my zone leader this last transfer so he will be able to teach me how to be a leader. Elder Puertas took his place as zone leader so he flew out for São Miguel island this morning. Im excited to serve with Foutz this transfer! Hopefully he is a cool guy!
This week we talked to the lady we had marked for baptism this past sunday, Margarita, and we found out that unfortunately she isnt married and that she lives with the guy. This is one of the most frustrating things that can happen for missionaries: a person who has the desire to be baptized because they feel that the church is true but they cannot because it is a process to be married. We have had this happen to two people so far and they are just complicated situations. We will do everything we can to push for their marriage but sadly thats the reason she wasnt baptized this past week.
BUT!!! This week we talked to Bruno, the investigator that showed up at church on his own. He is straight up a tender mercy sent from the Lord. Elect as they come!! We taught him the Plan of Salvation because he expressed that he really loves his kids and I felt the spirit super super strong. We also talked about baptism and he told us he had been baptized as a baby in the Catholic church but he doesn´t remember at all. He believes that it should be the persons choice wether they want to be baptized, which isnt possible as a baby, and then we also explained the purpose of baptism which is for the remission of sins. A baby is innocent and he completely agreed. I then held up the picture of Christ being baptized and asked him,"Bruno, will you be baptized by someone who holds this proper authority..?" His answer is one of the best answers a missionary loves to hear..."I can be baptized again?!" We told him that he definately could and that we would be holding a baptismal service the 21st of Feb. We then asked him,"Will you prepare yourself to be baptized on this day?" His answer was yes. He has been to church three times already and he told us he really likes this church. He said he hopes to come to this church forever.
I am beyond excited for him. He is such a stud and he will become a great priesthood leader in this branch, I know that. I cannot wait until sunday!
Two days ago, we were last getting home because we were visiting a recent convert a long ways away from home. When we were about 2 miles from the apartment, Puertas decides that we should run to not be as late. It was already 9:50 and we had already texted the zone leaders saying we were going to be late. So, of course, my answer to him was, "Dude, we are already going to be late either way.. I dont want to tear up my shoes and get all sweaty in my formal clothes" (Yeah typical lazy guy haha) Anyways he convices me to run and so I started running on the edge of the road and the curb. I started getting tired when suddenly I stepped on this 1" curb that is on roads to create a parking spot for cars against the main curb. I rolled my ankle and it hurt really bad. I couldnt walk for a couple of minutes but then I walked it off and it stopped hurting so Puertas convinced me to run again. I have a huge bruse on my foot now but it is getting better. Nothing to worry about! First time that has ever happened to me though!
Hope you all have a great week. I will let you know how the baptism went and will send all the pictures next week! Hard work pays off.. especially in Portugal!!
Love you all!
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Élder Brandon Michael Haroldsen
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