04/11/16

Right, it's going to be nice and quick this week because I don't have too much to report! This week was good, but rather routine as well. The highlights are that we started teaching two new couples that are legally married (this hardly EVER happens here!), Darlene is super excited about her baptism next Saturday, and there was a transfer this week and I am still sticking around in Santarém. (Going on 5 months already here!) Ah! And Sister Custódio tried her first real açaí!! (Here in Pará we eat it pure--almost like a smoothie. in the rest of Brazil it's more like icecream). She didn't like it one bit... but you have to eat it a few times to get used it it. I love açaí! But it is rather bitter... I'm debating whether or not to bring some for you guys... And we made brownies and cake on Thursday for our zone leader who finished his mission this week. I don't like saying goodbye to good friends, mas faz parte! He had already stayed one more transfer than he was supposed to, so it was clearly a hora dele. 

We also had stake conference! Presidente and Sister Stasevskas visited us!! I LOVE it when they give talks! It is so PODEROSO!! They talked about the importance of member missionaries and helping us in the work. It was great! Definitely needed... So I would just like to remind you all to do all that you can to help the missionaries! They are doing the Lord's work and strengthening YOUR ward. Usually they won't ask much--just to go teaching with them. It is something so simple that really does produce miracles. Preach My Gospel teaches that when members are involved in the process of teaching an investigator, more people are baptized, confirmed, and continue to be faithful members for their whole lives. Just ask them when you can visit with them, or invite them to bring an investigator over for FHE. The little things go a long way. :)

Love you all so much! I pray for you all daily!
Sister Dickerson

"Santificai-vos hoje, porque amanhã, o Senhor fará maravilhas no meio de vós." - Elder Holland

TEMPLE IN BELÉM, BRAZIL!

I still can't believe it!!! We are getting a temple here in Belém!! To be perfectly honest, I didn't hear the prophet give the big announcement because we arrived late, bringing an investigator, Manuel, to watch. But when Elder Cook started to give his talk and mentioned that Belém would be getting a temple, I turned to Sister Custódio and whispered in unbelief, "There's going to be a temple in Belém?" She just nodded silently with wide eyes. And just like that, I started to cry. As always. You all honestly have no idea how exciting this is!!! The members here travel for DAYS to get to the temple. Here in Santarém, they travel two days via boat to the Manaus temple, and in Belém it's three days by bus to the Recife temple. They make so many sacrifices to receive the blessings of the temple. After I found out, I began thinking about our investigators, the less atives, and recent converts who have yet to be sealed in their families. Just imagine the joy that this temple will bring!! So many more families will be able to be together for eternity!! So much more work will be able to be done by the members here for their ancestors! This really is a miracle! It is an answer to years of prayer and diligent effort on behalf of the members and missionaries here. I felt so privileged to be here during this conference. 

Time is super short this week! But I loved all of conference; there were talks written just for me and just for our investigators. I honestly saw miracles this week. Remember that talk on Saturday that was entirely about forgiveness? Diana was there in that session, and forgiveness is the one thing that is holding her back from being baptized. He described perfectly all of the feelings she told us she was having, and gave the perfect suggestion of how to overcome them. That was just one of the talks that I love. :) Let's all try to apply this things we learned in conference this week!

Love you all so much! I pray for all of you! Fiquem firme e forte!

Sister Dickerson