So this week was really great.  A little bit corrido, but really great.

We had conferencia das zonas with president!  So we woke up at 4 to get to Jacarepagua by 8:30 and we ended up getting home at 11da noite.  It was long, but it went to fast.  So we have the missionary purpose like every mission has, but we have a lema (motto)  "Batizar, reativar, reter, e estabelecer."  Our president announced that he was inspired to change it.  "Batizar, reativar, reter, a construir o templo!"  Now that the temple was announced, we are working harder than ever to help the families come to the everlasting gospel and keep that temple full!  

We learned a ton of prinicples.  President explained the promise that is in Malachia about paying tithing applies to all things.  The Lord invites us to do what he commands and then "prove Him"  if he won't complete his promise.  When we are doing what the Lord commands, we are told to cobrar O Senhor.  Our faith that He is obliged  and will complete his covenants with us works the miracles that help obra missionaria progress.  We found proof of this yesterday.  We were constantly searching for the off the wall ways to find new investigators.  We were at lunch yesterday (a churrasco for a member's bday) and we met a family that has already been to church, (not baptized b/c not married), but they stopped going because someone there made them upset.  We helped them see how the church isn't for perfect people and mesmo que pode ficar chatiado, nosso Salvador quer que todo mundo esteja na casa Dele.  They thought about it and this next week they are going to church again.  They also decided as a couple that this is a foundation that they want for their child.  They asked us to prepare and baptize him this Sunday.  Just like that.  The power of the Lord is incredible, but sometimes he waits to show his hand until we ask and expect the blessings to be cumpridas.  (Sorry for the portuguese words.  It is easier to explain better with them)

There was a really cool miracle that happened during the week, but I think that I will save that one for a hand written letter home.  (If I forget, ask me about the heart attack story)

I was also given the opportunity to give a talk this week.  It went super well, and I feel like the Lord was able to put the words in my mouth to help the members understand a little bit better about missionary work and how references are crucial.  PS all you guys go give some references to the missionaries!

We were talking earlier about a parable in the bible about the woman who lost one of her pieces of money.  She searched all throughout the house and then when she found it, she called everyone to celebrate with her.  The funny thing is, the money didn't even know it was lost.  It had no idea what its value was.  This is so much like the people today.  They have no idea they are a little lost, and they certainly have no idea how important they are in the eyes of God.  Right now it is our job to find them.  To pick them up, dust them off, and show them how much they mean to us and to their Father.  I'm more and more grateful for the chance to do this every day, and also to discover my own value in the process.  

I love you all.  Take care this week.  

Elder Stinnett

PS:  we found the fattest cat in the world.  I layed down my backpack to take a picture of it kneeling down, but then it came over and layed down by it haha.