Time for a fresh start! Baptism of Henrique; "Would you really give all this up for..."

A new month, a new set of contact lenses, a new transfer.....ahh.  Yep, it's time for a fresh start.  :)  So, this transfer I'll be staying here in Maringá (woohooo!!), only in a different area and with a different companion!  Because of the problems with her foot, Sister Scapin left early this morning to head back home.  It was a really tough decision for her, but she and President Tavares both felt like it was the right thing to do at this point.  It's definitely going to be different without her... but I'm excited for this transfer to start, to be able to really get to work!  I've had a word or two with both of my feet, and I think they'll behave for a while...haha :)  Sister Lopez will be my new companion and will finish up my training.  I was hoping that I would be able to continue working with her, since we already know each other and have had a few weeks to get used to working together.  It's gonna be a good transfer.  :)  We still don't know which sisters will be arriving tomorrow to take the place of Sister Scapin and Sister de Jesus, so more excitement is in store....stay tuned.  :)

Let's see, que mais......this week was a little unusual, with Sister de Jesus and myself taking turns staying at home with Sister Scapin, and then with all the goodbyes and pictures and tears when Sister Scapin found out she was leaving...  But it was good, and despite the confusion we were able to work quite a bit.  We had a MIRACLE on Saturday...Henrique, an investigator that Sister Lopez, Sister de Jesus, and I have been working with for a while now, decided to be baptized!  It was really exciting for us, because for the longest time he'd been saying that he didn't really have the desire to be baptized, that all of the commandments and expectations were too much for him.  I still don't know exactly what changed, but I think it all started when we taught him the Plan of Salvation last week... After explaining everything that God has planned for him, Sister Lopez looked at him and said, "Would you really give all this up for a cup of coffee?  For a cigarette?  For one night breaking the Law of Chastity?"  And I guess that really made an impact, because Saturday night he decided he wanted to be baptized - the next day.  So we were in a rush all night, getting signatures and organizing everything, buying stuff to make a cake...and Sunday we had a baptism.  :)  It was especially special for Sister de Jesus, since she left this morning and would have missed the baptism if we'd waited for next week.

Henrique and Sister Lopez

Oh, and also, yesterday was the Primary Program in our ward!  That reminded me of Mom and home and all the stress she's probably going through getting everything figured out...haha :)  But really, I loved it.  I love seeing the sweet little kids and the pure faith that they have.  The Spirit is always so strong when they share their simple testimonies of the gospel.  The Primary president asked us to join the kids on the stand for a musical number - Called to Serve and I Hope They Call Me On A Mission - which was really special.  It made me think of my time in Primary, when I sang that same song....and now here I am 15+ years later, serving a mission!  Sigh....time flies.  :)

Anyways, I've gotta write my president now.  I'm so so grateful to be a missionary, to have this opportunity to learn and grow and serve and teach...I'm amazed by how much I've learned already, and I know it will only continue!  I love you all so much, and hope you are all happy and healthy and loving life.  I think about and pray for you aaallll the time!  Thanks for all the love and support I continually feel from you guys.  It means a lot.  :)

Love,

Sister Gee