I am sad to announce that this is my last email as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Unfortunately, my health has not gotten better, and after 8 months of being sick including some other trials at home, the mission has decided that it would be best for me to return home. I have been fighting this for a while (because they have tried to send me home before) but recently I have very strongly felt that it is in my best interest, and in my families best interest, to be at home right now. I sincerely know that this is God's will after a lot of prayer and fasting.
I will be leaving here on Friday, at 7am in the morning and getting into Kalispell at 12:30 pm on Saturday July 13th! If anyone wants to come say hi, feel free to join my family at the airport
This week wasn't super great because we weren't able to work because I just felt sick. But, we were able to confirm a baptism for this Saturday! I will have to skype them to watch it, but I'm super happy. His name is Miguel and he is the son of a recent convert. He is 13 and we have been teaching him for about 5 months. I started teaching him and it has been nice to see him progress. He started going to church after his dad was baptized, and started becoming more and more converted, but his dad didn't want him to be baptized because he wanted it to be his decision and his desire. He told us 3 times that he wanted to be baptized, but his dad was so focused on making sure he was certain about the decision that he wouldn't let him be baptized! Finally we did the interview and he told his dad he wanted to be baptized for sure and his dad finally realized he was sincere. He got super excited and was announcing it in the group chat of the church and at church etc and I'm so sad I can't be there to see it, but it still makes me super happy!
It's been a hard past year, but I honestly wouldn't trade it for anything. It was worth it to watch lives changed and to be able to play a small part in that. I love everyone who I have met here, and I love Brasil and I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve here, even for a short time. As I gave my last talk in church last sunday, I remembered that I was literally in that exact same place about a year ago, in the same ward. I was reminded of how much has changed, how much I have grown, and how much I've seen the people around me change. I am grateful for all that has happened and I know that the trials in our life shape us to be the people God wants us to be, as long as we choose to react in a positive way.
Thank you everyone for all the support and for all the love you all have shown me.
Sister Cecil
I will be leaving here on Friday, at 7am in the morning and getting into Kalispell at 12:30 pm on Saturday July 13th! If anyone wants to come say hi, feel free to join my family at the airport
This week wasn't super great because we weren't able to work because I just felt sick. But, we were able to confirm a baptism for this Saturday! I will have to skype them to watch it, but I'm super happy. His name is Miguel and he is the son of a recent convert. He is 13 and we have been teaching him for about 5 months. I started teaching him and it has been nice to see him progress. He started going to church after his dad was baptized, and started becoming more and more converted, but his dad didn't want him to be baptized because he wanted it to be his decision and his desire. He told us 3 times that he wanted to be baptized, but his dad was so focused on making sure he was certain about the decision that he wouldn't let him be baptized! Finally we did the interview and he told his dad he wanted to be baptized for sure and his dad finally realized he was sincere. He got super excited and was announcing it in the group chat of the church and at church etc and I'm so sad I can't be there to see it, but it still makes me super happy!
It's been a hard past year, but I honestly wouldn't trade it for anything. It was worth it to watch lives changed and to be able to play a small part in that. I love everyone who I have met here, and I love Brasil and I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve here, even for a short time. As I gave my last talk in church last sunday, I remembered that I was literally in that exact same place about a year ago, in the same ward. I was reminded of how much has changed, how much I have grown, and how much I've seen the people around me change. I am grateful for all that has happened and I know that the trials in our life shape us to be the people God wants us to be, as long as we choose to react in a positive way.
Thank you everyone for all the support and for all the love you all have shown me.
Sister Cecil
