Week 73 - Feliz Natal in Castanhal!

Hello Hello Hello!!!

It was great to see all of you yesterday! I am glad we didnt have problems with the internet! It is crazy how big everyone is! Archie and Dottie who were little babies when I left are now running around and talking!! Crazy. And I dont even know Annie Marie yet. CRAZY! But I had a wonderful Christmas. We had a ward Christmas party with tons of food and games and what not. It was really fun. THe party was suppose to be outside and when we got there it was pouring down raining! There were a few people outside trying to set up 2 trampolines and all the tables and what not. They said they were counting on the rain to pass. So we helped them and got absolutley soaked. Once it was all set up, it started thundering and the rain only got worse!! So we had to move everything upstairs to the culteral hall to save the activity. So we spent a lot of time moving everything and drying it all off, but it was a success!! Everyone enjoyed it.

So funny story. We got to an investigators house and they offered us dinner and we dont reject food. So I put my bag on the floor and we went and ate. After the message we asked when we could come back. I put my planner in the back pocket of my bag, and when I went to get my planner to mark another day, it was soaking wet. I knew I hadnt walked in the rain and the liquid was yellow. I thought someone had spilt something on my bag, until i smelt it... The dog had peed right on the back pocket and all over my planner! And then it got all over my hands!! I was horrified. So after a wash in the washing machine and lots of perfume I was able to get the smell off my bag, but I had to get a new planner and transfer EVERYTHING over from my old one. The Lord tests us in mysterious ways..

So we went to visit a family that is a member of the church but hasnt gone to church in a while because the lived in a city that doesnt have a church. They are an old couple that was baptized 16 years ago and have already gone to the temple, but the man lost his job so they had to move to a small city that is far away to live with their kids. That city doesnt have the church so over time they ran out of garments and passed 10 years or so without going to church. But now they saved up the money and have moved here. They talked about how much they missed the church and how they want to go to the temple again and get new garments. I felt really sad for them because they are old and arent really able to take care of themselves but love the church, and after 10 years without going to church they are now returning. It makes me wonder what I would do in that situation and it strenthens my faith to seem people like that!

We started working in a new part of the city and have found lots of good people. We were knocking doors this week and talked with a lady who wasnt really interested in hearing us and didnt even want us to come back, but we asked it there was anyone else there who would like to hear us and her son then came out and didnt say anything to us except, "come in". We talked to him and his girlfriend and he knows a bishop from another ward and he already has a Book of Mormon with a chapter marked for him to read! He is really receptive and wants to know more. He really wants to go to church but they travel this week and only come back next month. But they are super good. The Lord is generous with His blessings.

I read a talk this past week that was exactly what I needed to hear at this point in my mission. It is titled "Am I good enough?". One thing that has always been hard for me is to accept that I have done my best. I always feel like I could have done a little better. I am never satisfied. I sometimes feel like the Lord is disapointed in me because He knows I can do more. On my mission I have come to understand Atonement a little bit better. None of us are capable of earning our Salvation through our works. No one can do that. We have to do our best and REALLY TRY to follow the Lord, and we must believe in CHrist and accpet Him as our Savior, and He will do the rest. If we belive in Him and do our best, Christ atonement will make up for our failures. Perfection doesnt come overnight. Be better today than you were yesterday, and better tomorrow that you were today. Doing this and applying the atonement in our lives will bring us Salvation.

I love the Lord. I am so grateful to be one of His representatives during these 2 years. I feel His love and His presence everyday.

Love yall!! Happy New Year!!!

Elder Green