April 25, 2011

Mom and Dad

SURPRISE!! My P-day changed. I know, it’s really silly, really silly. We tried to get on our email, but they haven’t switched the system yet so . . . . The reason everyone is switching is because they’re implementing the new pilot program, which is a new teaching method they’ve been working on and by August, everyone will be on it. Anyway, so we’ve had to readjust, which is fine, though we’re having a few tiny growing pains in all this, but all’s well.

The biggest news since Friday is that Gi, our “investigator”, is getting baptized! We’ve been teaching her for 4 weeks and she finally said yes. She was Catholic, and such a good girl, but just didn’t see the need to get baptized, but we taught a lesson totally guided by the Spirit, and at the end of it, when she agreed, we actually all cried a little (even though we’re well aware that she’s our teacher and that it’s just a role-play. But we really love her!) We have all realized the love that really does build for those you teach.

Sister Mary Cook spoke at Relief Society and it was lovely. She talked about her mission to Mongolia and told us we needed to use the enabling power of the Atonement as much as the redemptive powers. It was a lovely Easter all day. (And did you know that “pascoa” which is the word for Easter in Portuguese is also the word for Passover? So wonderful!) Also yesterday, I got to talk in church! Our Branch President announces who’s talking right after the Sacrament, but I just knew it was going to be me, and it was such a pleasure because it was on the Atonement, AND in Portuguese. I love testifying of the Savior in Portuguese, it was so wonderful.

We also got to go to the temple SUPER early today (one of those growing pains) and it was lovely, though the timing was such that we didn’t get breakfast (another growing pain) and it was raining part of the day (Oh Provo, how I love thee). Yet frankly it’s times like these where I have an unquenchable desire to conquer all those lovely things with surging optimism. Missions are the best, they are where you learn. We watched The Restoration movie last night, and Joseph and Emma went through so much, they were incredible (and so painfully darling in that movie.) Missions are pretty easy compared to all that.

Love you so much. I know this gospel’s true.

Love, Love, Love Sister Cornwall