March 16, 2020

Prince of Peace
Olá family and friends!


Yup, we have had a big shock here in Brasil with this Corona virus. Presidente is making Food-preparedness kits for us and we have been told to try and avoid public transport. Church in the member´s house was AWESOME!!! Our investigator, Daniel, went to the church building, but we were able to pick him up and his first church meeting was in the house of a member! Legendary.


Not much happened as I was sick this week and my companion as well, but we read a lot about the Restoration and I was renewed with a sense of love for a Kind God who has brought forth the restoration of the true Church of Christ in these latter days. I am so grateful to be apart of His church and to be a missionary serving Him and His children. Also, I know that we have a true prophet of God here on the earth, Presidente Nelson, who receives inspired revelations from God to help lead and guide us through these difficult times.


God lives! Jesus is the Christ. He is the Prince of Peace. Come unto Him if you are stressed, worried, anxious, or doubtful about the future or the now, He is the one who will bring a peace and calming to your heart. And watch this video, it always brings a comfort to my soul!
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1420-because-of-him?lang=eng



Because of Him

Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior. Because of Him, death is conquered, our lives have meaning, and we can live with God again. http://www.mormon.org/becauseofhim
www.churchofjesuschrist.org



Keep being a light to those around you! Love you all! Be safe and have a great week.



love, Sister Giles


fotos: 1) we did exchanges with the sisters I take care of and we did comp study in this nice park 2)one of the sisters had lice, so we helped her wash them out :) 3) Açai!! 4) beauty and a book

March 9, 2020

Olá family and friends!!

We had a busy week here Pinda! Lots of people to visit and the area is huge so lots of buses and car rides from members. Seriously. We can´t walk to some areas because it is just straight farmlands and no side to the road and it is super far. We are blessed with really great members who understand this and are super nice to help out!


Friday was the baptism of Guilherme and Yasmin! It was super special! Guilherme had been waiting for permission from his parents for 7 months and finally received it from his dad and Yasmin is the sister of a recent convert Vinícius who the other sisters had clapped at their door almost a year ago. The fruits of hard labor and sacrifice are real and the Lord blesses all those who participate. Guilherme shared with me after he was baptized, that he felt incredible. That literally all of his bad feelings and sins were gone and that he was filled with a joy so strong. His experience strengthened my testimony in the Atonement and the importance of baptism. As in Come, Follow me this week, we learned about baptism and that it is not the end. We need to keep going on this straight and narrow path to reach life eternal. The last words of Nephi (chapters 31-32) that explain the gospel of Jesus Christ so clearly and elegantly, are what we need to really study and put into practice. Continue on the path of righteousness that leads to everlasting joy and happiness, follow Jesus Christ.


We had stake conference yesterday and it was super spiritual! The old stake pres is moving so Elder Aíduikates and one of his counselors (the pres of the area seventy in Brasil) came and called a new one and everyone bore their testimonies of how they were converted to the true church of Christ and they shared their experiences. It was super pretty and touching. The Spirit was super strong and we had our investigators there which was a blessing. A family from Venezuela that we will teach on saturday, came and really liked it! The dad is called Julho and his wife is Rosa and their 4 year old son is Jesus ( in Spanish), he is super cute and doesn't speak any Portuguese, but the parents speak pretty good! They have been here in Brasil for 5 months. After the meeting, we were talking to President and Sister Miller (our mission president) and he told us he got to meet this family before the conference and had invited  the dad to be baptized. And we were like ``what! okay great!!!`` He said that Julho accepted but didn't feel like it was the time still, but that he would think about it. Thanks Pres for helping our investigators :)


Love you all! I bear my testimony that this is the true church of Christ and that it is restored on the earth.


love, Sister Giles


photos: 1) PINDA! 2&3) baptism!!! 4) we were doing contacts in a park one day and a hippie dude made us these rings

March 2, 2020

Welcome to Pindamonhangaba

Ola everyone!!

A little info about Pindamonhangaba:
Literally, we are closer to Rio de Janeiro than to São Paulo.
It is a small city, but growing.
Super country side and lots of pretty, green mountains.
Was a Branch for 30 years and became a Ward only a little over a year ago.
Lots of people being prepared to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.


P.s. In about 10 weeks, I will give a candy to the person who can pronounce the name right :)


We had a great week getting to know the area and the members and the investigators. Lots of members live on Ranches so they all live a good distance from one another. 

This Friday will be the baptism of Yasmin, who is 13 years old, and Guilherme who is 17 years old. 

Yesterday, after church we went to teach a friend of a member and taught about the Plan of Salvation. But in specific, about the relationship we have with God and Jesus Christ. The importance and blessing of prayers because at any moment we can talk and communicate with our Father in Heaven. And HE ANSWERS. Always. I shared 3 Nephi 18:19-21. 

I am infinitely grateful for the Prophet Joseph Smith who asked, and received. By his example, we can do and know the same. We have a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior who want us to return and life with them in a state of happiness without end. 

Be courageous and share a Book of Mormon with someone. It will change their life.

Have a fantastic week!!


love, Sister Giles


fotos! with Vinícius and Feijão who will be baptized this saturday! With Juliana, she is super cute and we already miss her. And with Adriana who went to a family night our last night, we love Vila Ema! And now photos of the new area - Pinda.