Dear Everyone,

 

I feel like too much happens between emails! This week was very rewarding and we saw many tender mercies.

 

Tender Mercy #1: On Tuesday we had a really great Zone Meeting. We were all still internalizing the wonderful advice we were given from the Mission Tour and us leaders from the Mission Council. We all discussed together how we as a zone can do to purify and unify ourselves. We decided that as the Lisbon Zone we need to be `one with Christ,´ or in otherword humble enough to leave behind our will and come to do His will.  It was my best Zone Meeting/Conference yet!

 

Tender Mercy #2: I got an extra copy of the Liahona with Dave´s family on it. I want to make it the back cover of my Preach My Gospel!

 

Tender Mercy #3: We are helping a less active, Leira, become Sacrament worthy by keeping the Law of Chastity. So we set an appointment on Wednesday at her house and we brought a big, black garbage bag. She went through her closet and we threw away all of her immodest clothes for her! It was a huge step for Leira and afterwards she dusted off her hands saying, `I am a new Leira now. Let´s say goodbye to that other Leira today!´ We are excited to do more work with her.

 

Tender Mercy #4: Jorge already wants to pay his tithing and `fast´ in his modified way! What a one-legged stud!

 

Tender Mercy#5: Tavares (aka Obama) wants to be baptized! Right now he is marked for the 28th, but we want to bump that up a week. We´ll see...

 

Tender Mercy #6: 7 people showed up to English class!

 

Tender Mercy #7: Elder Kearon advised us to work more with recent converts. We ended up with 11 lessons with recent converts and less actives but it didn´t even affect our work with investigators. The ones we couldn´t visit in person were Bárbara and Silvie, so we decided to call. As we were on the phone we felt impressed to pray for each of them right there in the call, just like we do for marked investigators. Bárbara, who is having some difficulties, told us how much she appreciated the prayer and that it helped her feel releived and loved. Silvie, who was sick, said that  that night she slept well for the first time that week and felt lots better the next day! 

 

Tender Mercy #8: On Saturday I woke up refreshed for the first time in months! I hope this lasts!

 

Tender Mercy #9: Maria de Carmo got baptized yesterday!!! She was super nervous and was being really picky about the water. She stuck her toe in and said that it was way to hot for her. TOO HOT?! Everyone usually says the opposite. So we turned off the heater and turned on the cold water. Still not cold enough. So the Elders Quorom President and some of the Young Men took ice from the freezer and dumped it in the water. The poor Bishop was doing the baptism and didn´t complain a bit! After the service he asked if they could have an interview during the week. Phew!!! We were afraid she was going to run away, but it all worked out in the end.

 

I honestly think these tender mercies came from lots of sources, but as we´ve been working on our 40 day `spiritual fast´ we´ve been seeing the Lord bless us more and more. Thank you for your prayers and support! I love you all.

 

Sister Derrick