Corina's baptism

FELIZ NATAL!

 

This week was a roller coaster! We had a ton of ups and downs. Worst things first: Sandra and Cristina were marked for baptism yesterday, but they called us on Saturday saying that they were going to spend three weeks in Lisbon helping a sick family member. Turns out they lied and are still in Setúbal... Since we had that Mission Tour with Elder Dyches, all of the mission leaders have been following up like hawks on our progressing investigators which makes things all the more overwhelming. Adriano didn´t pass the interview for the Aaronic Priesthood because he wasn´t living the law of chastity. Last of  all the ward has very little confidence in María Augusta being baptized and remaining strong in the Restored Gospel.

 

But other than that, our week was awesome. María Augusta has been SO STRONG in resisting drugs and cigarettes. She came to church yesterday excited and filled with the Spirit that she testified like crazy in Gospel Principles and Relief Society. I freakin´ love her! We had a lesson with Stella yesterday and she was all serious at the beginning and said, `Look, I don´t want to be baptized this up coming weekend.´ I honestly had a little curdle in my stomach, but she later explained, `I want to be baptized on the same day as my family!´ What now!!! We are so excited to teach the rest of her family. Sílvia and Júlio are getting married today and we moved their baptismal date to the 4th because Júlio isn´t quite prepared yet for baptism. 

 

Yesterday we visited Adriano with a member, Rute. We read the Christmas story in Luke 2, sang `Joy to the World´ and gave him chocolates... Then we talked about chastity... It was hilarious because as we were teaching he said, ´You guys are too young for this,´ so Rute took the reigns and everything worked out. He´s back on track, thank goodness!

 

This week I´ve been playing tons of piano, which is awesome! The ward had a Christmas party, so I played for everyone. We had a Christmas Zone Conference and I sight read the accompaniment for a musical number. I love you guys so much and I am so excited to talk to you through skype!

 

Love,

 Sister Derrick