Parker in Brazil: Weekly

So this week was really good. Monday was pday as normal, Tuesday was normal, Wednesday, we traveled to Itabuna to have a zone meeting! It was good, but we just went because we had to pick up more material, like pamphlets and planners. So we traveled there overnight Wednesday night and then left the next day at 1. on Thursday, President called and talked to us about how the transfer would be. so I knew my new companion on Thursday! I'm very excited about it. also, Thursday was national kids day! And we got invited to lunch at a member's house! I didn't have my camera, but it was a super good lunch. And then that night, we went to Ravena's house, to make sure everything was good for Saturday, and her mom gave us lasagna for dinner. It was a wonderful day. Friday, we had an activity at the church, it was really fun! We had a message, a game, and food. Good times.

Saturday, we finally had the baptism of Ravena and Sabrina. It was such an amazing day! It rained the day before, so we were a little scared, but they said they would for sure be baptized the next day. So Saturday the weather was amazing. The baptism was super cool, Ravena brought her mom, her aunt, uncle, her mom's aunt, and her grandma, and Sabrina brought her mom! So we had a lot of nonmembers there, and they thought it was super good! After the baptism, we had a little party at Ravena's house. Sunday, they were confirmed! Elder Vander Werff did the confirmations. The frequency at church was the highest its been since I got here. We had 37 people, 8 of them were nonmembers. The meeting was beautiful. We had three speakers. The first two talks were amazing, the spirit was so strong! The third speaker was President Barbosa, the second counselor of the mission. His talk was so so good! and he had a huge announcement! The church approved Valença to become a Branch! So they will finally be recognized as a church unit. The church is finally growing here! Everyone was so excited. Yesterday 2 men were given the priesthood.

also, we had kind of a miracle. after Sacrament, I noticed a woman I had never seen before. So I talked to her and found out that she has been searching for a church, but hasn't felt right at other congregations. she saw the Sign on the front of our church this week and decided to come. she said, through the speakers, she heard the Voice of Jesus. She asked if we could come by her house this week, and she already expressed a desire to be baptized. she said shes divorced, with 4 kids. her youngest is 4, and he has mental problems. She told us she lives in the poorer part of Valença and she was afraid we wouldnt go to her house. We assured her that we would go there this week, that there's not a problem. I'm very excited to teach her and her family.

So, this transfer, President had big news for us. Elder R. Santos is going to Brotus, in Salvador, to be companions with the assistant to the president.

President said he would only leave one companionship in Valença. so, I´ll be here for one more transfer, and I'll be companions with Elder Vander Werff! I'm super excited! its gonna be an awesome transfer! We're gonna start doing an English class on Tuesdays, and the youth were very excited about that! but yeah, I'm very excited to have one more transfer here, I love Valença so much. this transfer, We're gonna focus on families. We're gonna help Ravena's parents, and SaSabrina'sarents, I'm very excited!