Hey Mom and Dad and Everyone!

We are really enjoying the work over here.  It is really funny becaue ever since the play of the Book of Mormon has been showing in the nearby region, we get a lot of people that stop us in the street screaming "EEEELLDERS!!!!!   EEELDERS!!!!  They really do exist!!""  It is pretty funny.  So we taught a couple of times this week.  I dont know if I have seen so many miracles happening with one investigator at once.  We taught him in the chapel with an RM who´s name  is Alexandre.  We had already taugh the Restoration, so we followed up a little about the Book of Mormon.  He had read ALL of first Nephi!  He said there was a scripture in chapter 13 about the apostasy and how parts of the doctrine of Christ would be incomplete and all that he will carry with him for the rest of his life. He said that sometimes he feels like baptism would be the right thing to do, and that other times, he feels like there is a veil that comes between him and this desire that gives him a little fear.  We explained that the clearness of thought and desire comes through the Holy Spirit when we read the scriptures and pray.  We taught him the Plan of Salvation using a cool little wooden puzzle board that Elder Bitnoff has.  It was one of the most powerful lessons that Ive had on the mission.  We focused a lot on the Atonement and the possiblity of change in our thoughts and actions.  At district meeting we had an example of the Atonement.  The DL asked if we wanted a chocolate, and as we responded yes, my comp would have to do a set up pushups.  As we passed through all the members of the district, the pushups grew progressively more difficult and the Sisters started rejecting the candy.  For each chocolate that was rejected, it was also required a set up pushups.  With sweat dripping from his forhead and trembling arms, the DL explained how the situation applied to the Atonement- that accepting the gift or not, Christ atoned for us.  We explained this to Darckson, and the Spirit hit really hard.  In the end, Darckson gave his prayer as he cried thanking God for "sending him His true gopel."  We taught him on Saturdayabout the Word of Wisdom and other commandments.  When we got to the end, we asked him if everything was in line to go to church the next day.  He said that he was going to talk to his boss that night to see if he could cancel the training the next morning-  the problem was that he had cancelled the week before too, and there are a lot of people that come from other states in brasil to be part of that training.  He would give us an answer Sunday morning.  We got to Church, and he showed up in the middle of the first hour.  He said that his boss on Saturday night was a little rough with him-  "no, you already cancelled, you have to do this training- you signed the contract- your church thing can wait."  Even still,  Darckson went home, ironed his church shirt, and left everything ready.  The next morning- out of the blue- his boss calls him saying " hey, just go to church, ok?  You dont need to come in today."  Wow.  He showed his faith by leaving everything ready, and God did the rest.   We will teach him Tuesday,and mark his interview for Thursday to be able to be baptized on Saturday.

Im super stoked to keep working my last few days here.  If you could pray for Darckson, it would really help him.  Ive got a lot of other stories that Ill just have to tell you another day.

Love you all!!  

Elder Stinnett