Matter over Mind(Almost)
Oi
mundo!
This week was awesome,
for the days we could actually go out at least. On Tuesday I came down with a
pretty bad sickness, but I thought it was just food poisoning... and then Elder
Lima got the same thing. After being out the whole day, we were able to go to
the hospital the next day. Everything was in Portuguese, so that was an
interesting experience, but apparently, we got some kind of virus. I'm
definitely thankful for the gift of tongues, I honestly wasn't even that
lost at the hospital when people were talking to me, so only talking in
Portuguese all this time is definitely paying off.
One of the other
missionaries got a kidney stone and had some other complications and surgeries,
so Elder Lima and I definitely got the better end of the deal. Since those
missionaries are also in our ward, we've been taking them lunch from the
members every day, which takes forever, but it's worth it to be helping out
those that are sicker and more afflicted than us. Thankfully Elder Lima and I
recovered really quick, so we were able to get back to work teaching all these
awesome people.
Something I've noticed
in Angola is that everyone says they want to be closer to God, but as soon as
you mention having to do something they're gone. Focusing on real
intent is something we've been doing a lot of. Elder Lima and I always say
that we know the happiness our message brings, but you need to find it for
yourself. Our relationship with God is a personal thing, something that we
simply can't do for someone else. Being able to help people discover and
strengthen their relationship with our Heavenly Father has been such a
blessing, we've seen a lot of miracles here. One was being able to teach the
little brothers of some members that were recently baptized. Alhoni is a great
example. He's only 10 but loves church and learning more about God's plan for
us. His prayers are more heartfelt than almost anyone I've heard on my mission.
Being able to teach such loving and humble people like Alhoni has been
absolutely amazing.
On Sunday, we saw a man
walking a monkey on a leash, so you know I had to take a picture of that. Not
something you see every day, even in Angola. Later we went to Alhoni's house,
and his newborn puppy tried to eat my shoes, but his teeth weren't big enough
to do any damage. Church was amazing, this week was the annual primary program.
Hearing the kids sing "I am a child of God" always brings the spirit,
even if it's in Portuguese and I don't know all the words. Hearing them bear
their testimonies and share scriptures was adorable and super spiritually
uplifting, little children truly are the kingdom of heaven. We also had lots of
cake after church, which I'm all about, the Patriota ward is super
awesome.
Other interesting things
that happened to me:
·
a lady asked us about
our church (not unusual), but then took a selfie with us (very unusual).
·
Some ladies complimented
our smell as we walked by, but we ended up giving them our info and churches
address, so hygiene pays off after all.
·
Some drunk ladies asked
if they could pinch my nose, not surprisingly, I declined the offer.
·
I got a new nickname!
Pinocchio ha-ha, the little kids love seeing us, I'm kind of surprised it took
them this long to call me Pinocchio.
I get to stay with Elder
Lima for the next transfer here in Patriota, which I'm super excited for. The
members in this ward are awesome, who would've thought I'd eat so much cake in
Africa? Elder Lima and I have been super blessed in so many ways but being able
to teach people who are prepared for the gospel is always the most rewarding
and exciting. This gospel truly changes lives and brings families closer
together.
Eu amo Voces! Ate mais!
Elder Madsen
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to
come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Living
with Real Intent
By
Randall L. Ridd
Real intent means doing the right
thing for the right reasons.
"Too often we passively follow patterns and habits
that have been developed through the years—we just go through the motions
without carefully considering where those motions are taking us. Living with
real intent adds focus and purpose to our lives and can make all the
difference. Living with real intent means understanding the “why”—the
motives behind our actions. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”1 So ponder how you spend your
time, and ask yourself regularly, “Why?” This will help you develop the ability
to see beyond the moment. It’s far better to look ahead and ask yourself, “Why
would I do that?” than to look back and say, “Why, oh, why did I do that?” "
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