How was your Christmas? (Week 67)

Hey Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I definitely had a good one. I even (unexpectedly) was welcomed into the homes of many members, and my new companion and I got a few gifts! Check it out! 

Skype With My Family:

I got to talk to my family on Skype on Christmas! It was great to be able to see and hear their voices again. They had such uplifting stories to share, and I think they liked mine too. I had such a fun time. Its kind of weird to think that this is the last Christmas I will be spending here, and the next one will be back in the USA. 

Update:

I have a new companion. His name is Elder Belo. He is Brazilian and is from the state of Para, and he knows English! He originally was in the US studying, but he got called back to Brazil! Haha so cool! 

Spiritual Experience:

So we found a women named Ellen. She is very interested in the church. She went to church this week, and she is very excited. She also went to an activity, and she is loving the church. She is reading a lot, praying and overall she just seems really happy. We found her Friday and she is already excited to get baptized. She told us that she knows the church is true. She also told us that she wants the best for her son and daughter too. Overall, Ellen is amazing and we are going to continue to teach her and help her feel the spirit This just goes to show that when we obey the lords will...he will respond at his timing.  

She told us what after our lesson? (Week 66)

Hi Everyone!

The new companion!

Update on the new area I am in:

• This is the first apartment where I have air conditioning

• My apartment is so easy to clean, I'm so grateful! 

• This area is much bigger than my last one

• I still have a lot to learn about this new area, but hopefully I start picking things up quick

Spiritual Experience:
We where knocking on doors and than we made it to this one house. We clap at the door, because knocking is rude here in Brazil, and this woman invited us in, and welcomed us. We started to teach her and she surprisingly already knew everything about the the Book of Mormon. My companion and I were so amazed and happy she already had some knowledge.
She then told us...that she was praying for the Lord to send someone to help her find the correct path, and it just so happened that we showed up and taught her.
BUT THEN...it also turns out that she is very religious...and she is very strong in the other church that she is currently involved with...and the pastor of that church told her that she will be invited to go to other churches and that she should NOT GO...I can tell that the adversary is working hard, but not to worry...so are we ;) 

Gym:

Okay, I am so happy! I'm going to an actual gym today to workout! I know that I walk miles and miles a day but I am so happy to for once for workout at the gym. Anyone that knows me knows I love working out, and I know that the mission is more important right now, but it'll be a nice change to go in this one time and exercise a different way for once. 

Final Remarks: 

Well, I hope everyone has a great week. Thank you all for your love and support and your emails! Merry Christmas!! :) 

Love, 

Elder Arevalo 

Planes, Parties, & Potential (Week 65)

Hi Everyone, 

As you all know...I got transferred, and I am now getting moved AGAIN! Haha they want me to open a new area, so I am officially going to be doing that with my new companion Elder Costa. He is from Sao Paulo, and has been on his mission for 10-11 months so far.  

Off to the new area! 

We took plane and the plane ride was about 45 minutes. The first day in the new area was on Friday, and this past Sunday the new ward had conference so it was good. I didn't get to meet a lot of the members that day, but the ones I did meet were very nice.

Mission Christmas Party:

Christmas Party

So this was a lot of fun! There were games we could play, and I kept going from game to game. We even had a gift exchange, and I had to give something to Elder Silva. I also got a really cool gift! I also saw so many familiar faces, and so many friends that I haven't seen in a long time so that was really great. I am so thankful that our mission president and wife do such nice things for us! They are wonderful. 

Spiritual Experience:

I would say the most spiritual experience I had this week was the Christmas devotional that our mission Christmas party had. The spirit was so strong, and I love every minute of it. 

Investigators:

So in my new area we already have 3 new investigators. Please pray for them!

• Valmir 

• Juvinal

• Vivani

Some last goodbyes from my last area:

I'm going to miss them all so much.

-Love, 
Elder Arevalo 

They're sending me where? (Week 64)

Hey Everyone,
I hope you're all enjoying the Christmas festivities back home!

Visiting The Doctor: 

As you all know...I went to the Doctor this week because I have been having weird white spots on my skin. He gave me a cream to put on my skin and he said everything should be fine, so that's good. 

I'm going to miss my companion! 

I am getting Transferred:

So its official. I am transferring over to a new area. I leave on Thursday, and I am going to my new area in a plane. I will be going to Macapá which is a city and capital in the state of Amapá . It's so far away! Amapá is a state in northern Brazil bordered by Suriname, French Guiana and the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon Rain forest covers a great portion of its area, and the Oyapock River forms part of its northern border...so that's pretty cool haha. I kinda saw this coming...since I've been in my current area for about 3 months now.

I'm a bit disappointed because this always happens to me haha. I always get transferred before my birthday or before Christmas. For the most part I'm not sad. If anything I am happy to get to know other places. I would have liked to stay, but I am here to do the lords will not mine.
My new companion is going to be Elder Costa, and we will be District Leaders in this new area. 
My current companion that I am training will stay and finish his training. 

Spiritual Experience:

My spiritual experience this week is about Rodrigo. He is a member we are re-activating. He is really feeling the spirit, and he is really excited about coming back. He even gave us a reference. The reference is for us to go visit his his friends, and they seem to be really interested and want to go to church and learn more! In general I have noticed that the spirit never leaves us. If we do not feel the spirit it is because we have left the spirit, and that if we desire the spirit to stay with us he will help and guide us.

Baptism This Week:

I had another baptism this week.  I unfortunately am not able to send pictures right now, because the computer is not letting me...so I am going to put them up next week. Thanks everyone!

Baptism picture from last week!

Love, 

Elder Arevalo 

I Have A Disease? (Week 63)

Hi Everyone,  

This week was pretty good, I don't have much time to write today, but here we go: 

New Member

So Leo, a newly baptized member, is very happy and he is very excited to help others. He even helped baptized his cousin! He also invited us to do a service project with him so that we can get to know his family, and eventually help baptize them. 

Service Project

Leo is just filled with the spirit, and he is happily sharing the Gospel. I think we can all learn from Leo. We should all be happily sharing the Gospel, just like him! I am very happy for Leo, and I know he will be a great leader in the future.

Baptism

In other news...we will be having a baptism this upcoming week. Woohoo! We had 10 in the Month of November, and starting off December with one as well! What a blessing!

What Disease?

Also, I am going to the doctor this week. I have some white spots on my skin. I don't think its anything really bad, but I don't want anything to get worse...so its definitely more of a precaution thing. I bet its just because my skin isn't used to all this sun and heat. Who knows...anyways, I'll let you all know what the Doctors say next week! Thanks everyone for your support. My family always tells me how many views and supporters I have back home, and I couldn't be happier to know that my missionary work is hopefully influencing as many people as possible.
Until next week! Love you all.
Love,
Elder Arevalo :) 

The AP told me what? (Week 62)

Hey Everyone!

Guess what! Five people got baptized this week! I AM SO HAPPY! We had 6 people get baptized two weeks ago, and now we have ANOTHER 4 this week!! THATS 10 TOTAL! AND we are hoping to have ANOTHER 3 NEXT WEEK. It's so amazing to see the Lord help us find people ready to receive the Gospel! Check it out! Sorry the picture is blurry.



The AP told me the other day that I am leading the mission in baptisms this month. I was so touched to hear that. I am so honored, but I cannot take the credit. This is the Lords work, and I am just honored to be here to help. 

Me, Jessica, Raisa, Evny, Bishop, Larissa, Elder [Left to Right]

Spiritual Experience:

So as you know...we had the 4 baptisms. This family is great. We are helping Evny (mother) and her children Jessica (youngest), Larissa (oldest), and Raisa (middle child) currently. We also are helping Rodrigo (oldest son) to come back to church. It has been going very well, but oh my goodness guys. You should have been here when these 4 got baptized. Larissa, Jessica, and Raisa where baptized, and shortly after tears flowed from their eyes as they looked up at my companion and Bishop the second they came out the water. At this moment I knew they felt the Love of the Lord. At this very moment they knew happiness and the knew what it felt like to follow Chirst our savior. 

They loved there baptism. Larissa even told me that she wants to go on a mission and the Lord is blessing them a lot, I can tell. 

I can only say that we made it at the right time, and the lord did the rest. My companion and I just expressed our love and concern for them and they said they felt the spirit. It was a great experience for them and I am going to continue to help them continue to be great members of the church. I know the Lord prepares people for us, and all we need to do is trust in the Lord and do what is right.

Another experience:

At one point I was very lost, and had no idea what I should, where to go, what to do, or who I should talk to. When all of a sudden....a member passed by and said, "Hello!" and said, "We where going to visit some people...Oh I also have references for you guys". He gave us 4 new investigators that wanted to hear our message!!! So that's exactly what we did. We went to these 4 and shared our message about Christ, and they where so happy to hear our message. The lesson was on the plan of salvation. The member that gave us the reference is Eric, and I was with elder Ferrieha.  The visit was amazing. Eric's friend Carol, cried and they knew for themselves that the lord has a plan for us, and what an amazing joy that brought me.   

I Was Wrong (Week 61)

Hey Everyone, 

Do I look Native Next To My Fellow Brazilians?  

Here is a summary of my week:

My new companion is doing good. He is having a bit of a hard time studying for 1 hr and staying focused, but I can tell he is trying. Which is great. So that's good.

Also, I recently found out that two missionaries from my district have been lying to me and saying that they are getting along very well when in fact they are always fighting. Two members recently just told me that they are a bit concerned about them always fighting.

Besides that...I am good. We found an inactive member and they have 3 little children that want to be baptized so we have 3 baptisms this week.

We also found other family that wants to be baptized. Three of them want to get baptized next month. They are very happy. So in total: Three for this week and then possibly for 4 the next month. We are definitely having this success because the members like us and go out with us when we ask. Its great! I am so glad poeple respect us a lot here.

Spiritual Experience: (Reason I was wrong) 

Good Times

So this week I had the privilege to go on splits with Elder Nougeira. He taught me a very important lesson. In the past, I would always pass these two people and I never bothered to make contact with them, but this time around...Elder Noungeira decided to stop and we shared a message with these two people that I always neglected and they loved it. They are married on paper here in Para (which is a miracle) and they have a true desire to come unto Christ. I pre-judged based on their looks. They have tattoos and they didn't look very spiritual but they were completely ready to hear our message and I felt so bad for thinking these two people didn't want the Gospel in their lives...I HOPE ALL OF YOU LEARN FROM ME...and the mistake I made. Everyone deserves to hear our message. If you ever think "Nah, they won't want to hear this" please think again and give it a shot, because it may be EXACTLY what they are looking for. 

People To Pray For:

Jose Maria Silis Larica Jessica Raisa Raquel Bruno Kadija (recent convert needs lots of help) Adalia

Thanks everyone.
Love,
Elder Arevalo 

Everyone in White (Week 60)

The Baptism

 Hey Everyone,

I heard that Daylight savings time has finally come around to all of you this week. Here in Brazil we don't worry about changing the time. Anyway, this week was pretty amazing and here is why:

Fun Facts About New Companion: 

• He is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!
• He is very new on the mission (1 week in the field)
• He is a bit shy
• He is funny!
• A bit different than me, but I like him! 

I think its funny how both of my sons are from the same place (RIO), but they are both very different people. 

I think this is a sign that I need to go to Rio de Janeiro. Haha! 

Spiritual Experience:

So we planned to meet a family at their home around 7 at night on Saturday. Once we arrived they let us in, and this was our conversation:

Wife:       "Hello Elders Come in"

Me:         "Thank you" 

Father:    "Are you two in any rush to leave right away?

Me:         " No not really you are our last appointment. 

Father:    "Great! Then you two can stay for the "Ceula" (Its like Family Home Evening but for this other religion)

Now, we didn't want the pastor from the other church mad so we tried to get out of it by saying that it was far away and he said 

Father:    "No worries I will take you home after, you are our guest. 

So we stayed. I personally felt uncomfortable, but when we all prayed (I also said a personal prayer), and the spirit comforted me (even during the yelling and all the noises they call praying) and when the pastor tried to explain everything as to why they did what they did...he had no scriptural references.

My New Companion

The spirit guided me to the scriptures...I felt like I needed to at least do my best to explain my beliefs to those around me. I started to share some scriptures (with their permission) and I felt the spirit guide me towards certain ones, and you can see that the people where more interested and they felt the spirit. I know they did and the people liked us a lot better then the other pastor (I don't mean that in a prideful way). 

One man even asked us to give him a blessing haha! So cool! I felt the spirit and it was funny because after I finished talking...no one had anything to say. One more thing...these people who were in the other religion said that they where saying they turned to their church only because of this miracle or something...and then I once again felt prompted to share with them how I realized what I believe to be true. I told them that I prayed and that the Lord confirmed to me that I am on the right path, and that is what we need to do with all of our choices in our lives. 

So happy for these two!

During this entire thing my companion didn't have much to say (mostly because he has only been out here in the field for a week), but the one thing he did say to me was "Elder Arevalo you are crazy and bold. The pastor had no words after you spoke! You where just saying one scripture after other and it was incredible!" 

Marriage:

This week I also had the opportunity to marry a couple named, "Leo and Sulie". They where baptized and they where married last week. The marriage was simple and small, but they didn't care because they were just happy that their family and the president of the branch was there. So they loved it. 

Baptism:

Then there was the baptism. You can see (in the photos) that the family was so happy and so excited to make  ever lasting covenants to the Lord. I felt the spirit that day (for this family) and that they are very happy to be following the Lord. I know for a fact that the Lord has big plans for Leo and his family to be future leaders and a great blessing to other. 

Companions Are Like A Box Of Chocolates...(Week 59)

Hey Everyone, 

I don't have much time today, so lets get started...

I'm going to miss this guy!

Transfers happened! I am staying here as the District Leader with a new Elder fresh from the MTC who I will be train! His name is Elder Moraes! I'm really sad to see my old companion Elder Ferria leave, but that's how it goes here on the mission. They come and go and the memories of a great Elder are all we have after. 

This past week was great! We got:

6 baptisms 

1 Marriage

AND...I will be training again! I'm so excited! (Elder Moraes)  

Spiritual Experience:

So, when I was teaching Leo and Suelie and their children...they where a little scared about baptism, but they where completely ready! They just where a bit scared, and nervous. I was soon overwhelmed and inspired to open a scripture about continuting til the end, and when I read this scripture...they felt the spirit. I know they did, because I felt it and the spirit was just so SO strong in the room. They all said they will follow the savior and they decided to get baptized, and I know for a fact that they will love there Savior even more. The scriptures have the answer to everything. What a great blessing it is for us!  

My Testimony (Short Version)

My new greenie! I can't wait to serve with him!

I know the church is true. 

I know the Lord has a plan for us and he loves us.

I know that this Gosple changes peoples lives...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

The Mission Presidents Challenge:

As you all read last week. Our mission president gave us a challenge to 4 baptisms...

How is that challenge going for me you ask? Well, so we where in a trio and so we worked 2 areas at the same time. Of the 5 baptisms...my companion and I only get to count 1 for our area, and the other two Elders get to count THE OTHER 4 for their area. So technically we did the challenge, but we won't get recognition for it.

Don't get me wrong...I feel great knowing that I helped them get these baptisms, but I feel kinda sad becuase they didnt give us the blessings for our hard earned work...BUT who knows, maybe God has a better blessing for us. Only time will tell I guess. I just have to keep an eternal perspective and think positively. 

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the post, and I hope these are enjoyable for you all to read. I don't write a ton every week, but I do enjoy sharing my favorite moments of the week! Thanks all for reading. Love you all.

Love, 

Elder Arevalo

A Unanimous "Yes" (Week 58)

Hey Everyone, 

So this week was a pretty good week. Our mission president gave us a goal for us to reach, and we were all excited to know what he had to say. He told us that if we really did our best to work hard everyday, follow the rules perfectly, and get at least 4 baptisms by a certain date...then we get to have a get together party celebration type thing for all of our hard work out in the mission field. 

I feel so blessed and excited about this challenge. I do not want to just see these baptisms as numbers. I really care about these people, and I want them to find the joy and happiness that I personally have from this church and from this gospel. I am just so excited for the challenge, because its nice to get rewarded sometimes for our dedication to the Lord. 

Anyway I currently have the possibility of 8 baptisms. Five of these people have confirmed that they are getting baptized, and the other 3 are a little nervous about it, but they accepted the date, and that makes me so happy!

Spiritual Experience:

Elder Pinero and I have been meeting with this one family, and have had good success with them. We have asked them to express to us how they feel about baptism and at first they didn't feel too ready for it, but after answering some more of their questions and helping them with what they need...we saw some progress. 
Just the other day we went back to her house and we challenged them to be baptized again, (it would be this week) and when we asked the mother...she immediately said "no", but then I decided to open up to a scripture shortly after. Once we finished reading the scripture I asked, "Are you ready to follow the Savior, be happy and live with your family for all eternity?" They all simultaneously looked at each other with a love in their eyes that you rarely see, and they all said, "yes" to baptism. The whole family is going to get baptized! We are also going to marry the mom and dad this Saturday, So this is going to be a very eventful weekend for this wonderful family. I am so happy for them. 

Love, 
Elder Arevalo 

Wait, am I in Guatemala? (Week 57)

Hey Everyone, 
I hope everyone's Monday is starting off pretty well! Check out this picture! This Elder is also Guatemalan, but his family lives in LA. I'm so glad he had a Guatemalan flag! So cool! haha. 

Elder Duque's parents are both from Guatemala, just like my parents. He is from L.A.

Transfers:

So Elder Santos is officially going home this Friday, but he is leaving today from the area because he is going to say goodbye to some people. Transfers are in two weeks, and I or Elder Ferreira will be getting transferred. 

We Got A Cake: 

One of our investigators made us a cake this week. Her name is Claciani. She is 13 years old and her sister is the only member of the family. She is being a great example for her mother, and she wants to go to church. She likes us a lot, and you can tell she really likes listening to our messages. She is a great young women. I can see how the Gospel motivates people to want to be better. Just the other day, Claciani told us that she liked going to church, because she felt good there. So that's great! I was so happy to hear that.  
The Gospel can touch anyone and everyone only if we let the spirit touch us. It all depends on us. The more we let God guide us...the more we will progress and be happy.

Investigator Stories: 

Haha guys all I can say is that this is ALL happening because of the Lord. I have no idea what I am doing...I just pray for guidance and he handles the rest. 

My investigators are good. Maira add Jose...are a couple, but they are not married. They went to church all alone, and they liked church a lot, but I can tell Jose was a bit more enthusiastic about it. Then there is Claciani, which you read about earlier, and then there is a new family we met this week! They're names are Isabel, Maria, and Romelo. They loved our first message and Romelo said, 

"I liked everything...everything you said is in the scriptures and you didn't talk bad about others...I also noticed you guys are really happy... you guys brighten my day, and I think I am on the right path listing to you guys".  

Man, you have no idea how happy I was to hear that from him.  

Another Miracle (Week 56)

Hey Everyone!

Last picture with Elder Spock

So this week we saw a Miracle!

I was at a school speaking English, representing the United States

Lyandra (an investigator) was challenged by my companion and I to get baptized. She passed the interview, and decided to get baptized! It was great! Unfortunately, the day for her baptism she was scared and gave us many excuses. I sat down and listened to her for about two hours, and she still had some excuses. I then read the story of Jesus at the garden of Gethsemane. She felt comforted, and we have picked a new date for her baptism. The Lord can do all things. We just need to trust in him. 

People To Pray For:

• Lyandra 
• Edisangla 
• Bruno 
• Claciani 
• Jucilani

Old District (I'll take a picture with my new one this week)

We Met Our Goal (Week 55)

Hello family and friends...

Our Zone made our baptism goal for the Month of September, we all got a zone reward by the Mission President. Conference was great, I really enjoyed the talk from K. Brett Nattress. I also had the opportunity to PPI (Personal Priesthood Interviews)  with my district and it was a really great opportunity to get to know them better in a personal level. All is great in the District and my companionship.

A lot of people have recently asked about my health, and its good! Thanks for asking everyone! Brazil is my second home it is sometimes hot, but it is beautiful and the people are awesome here. I just love the Brazilians.

My spiritual experience for this week:

Follow the Spirit.

Friday we went to an investigator house and we read 3rd Nephi 11, we felt the spirit so strong. While reading she felt the Spirit and said that it is all true, everything you Elders are saying and the book is true. Joseph Smith was a Prophet, and I know that God love us. I know she felt the Spirit, I know she did, and she knew that she got her answer from God.  Then, on Sunday we went to get her for Church, but she give us lots of excuses, so gave her lots of solutions for all her excuses. At the end even after resolving all her concerns she said today I am not going, I could see it in her eyes that she felt really bad about not going to church, she had no other plan but still she did not wanted to go to Church. From this I have learned to never forget what the Spirit tell you, because in only 2 days the daily activities and peer pressure probably made her forget the Lord response to her prayers. I know that when we follow the Lord we can be blessed, and even more if we do the Lord's will and follow the prompts of the Spirit it will make you happy. This is what I have learned this week KNOT to forget the testimony you get from the Spirit, and even if you forget is never to late to listen to the Spirit.

This is all I have for this week. Please pray for missionary work. we need the all the prayers .

Love Elder Arevalo

A Short Read This Week (Week 54)

Hi Everyone, 

I don't have much time today to write, but this is a spiritual moment from my week! 

On Saturday we went over to a members house. She is the only member in her entire family, and so we decided to do a lesson with the entire family. The member said that her family is very shy, but that didn't seem like the case at all when speaking to them. I saw the Gospel enter their lives and I could see that they were truly interested. They wanted to change, they wanted to make a difference, and they wanted to start living the commandments! I can see the Gospel helping people in ways I never thought were possible. I know the Lord has truly prepared people for use to help. 

That's it for this week! Sorry its so short! 

-Love, 
Elder Arevalo 

Unexpected Surprise (Week 53)

Hey Everyone!

I hope you've all had a great week! I definitely had a better one this time, and here is why...

Some of the members out here threw me a surprise party! Why did they throw me a surprise party? Simply because I have been out here in Brasil for a whole year! So they thought they would do something nice for me to celebrate such a great time in my life. I felt the love they had for us missionaries. I was so grateful and blown away by the kindness of these people out here. I know for a fact that the members out here in Brasil have firm testimonies of missionary work and missionaries in general. What a great blessing it was to receive this little surprise from them all. 

Also, being an District Leader is becoming a little easier and fun. I am trying to motivate my district, and I think its working. The zone reached our goal of 15 baptisms! So that's good! I know numbers aren't the most important thing, but making goals are important and reaching them are even better!

I also want to thank everyone for their kind emails I received this past week. It really helped me to hear from family and friends from back home. 

Spiritual Experience:

My spiritual experience was when we went to conference. I learned that the Lord puts people in our lives to help us learn. When we went to a conference, Elder Antunies -one of the 70- helped me see that I need to be a better example to our investigators, and that we need to help others see that we are members of the church of Jesus Christ. We are the light! We should never try to hide our light from the, because in reality we are ones who will help others guide humanity to happiness that is eternal. I now see better, meaning that all my companions: Elder Numbers, Elder Luiz, Elder Graça, Elder Deque, and Elder Ferriera have all helped me move, and become a better person. I also know that before my mission....all my friends, and especially my family have helped me became the ball of happiness and person I am in general. I am going to let the Lord help me through the examples of others, especially from our brother Jesus Christ who was the best example for us in the world. 

One of our investigators said any church that makes great young men who want to help and serve others is truly a church of God, and makes me interested and makes me want to visit. Our example never goes un-noticed especially from our Father in Heaven. 

Investigators To Pray For:

Lyandra 

Ana 
Nane
Rodeval 
Wallace 
Renata 
Xilie

Love you all so much! 
Elder, Arevalo

The One Year Mark (Week 52)

Hey Everyone, 

I have officially hit the one year mark. It's so weird to say that. I feel like I am just starting. My dad asked if I've seen any changes in myself this past year (in Brazil), and I have noticed some things about me. 

1. I have gotten fatter. I haven't gained a lot of weight because my belt hole is still the same and my pants still fit and stuff, but people have been telling me I look fatter. It's kinda hard to hear that, but it is not that important right now.
2. I am more responsible. I have never had so many experiences that have helped me grow and do things that require a lot of responsibility. 
3. I feel the spirit more. I feel the spirit guiding me more. I feel good about life, and I have more knowledge about the church.

My spiritual experience:

This spiritual experience is about Doralis. She has strengthened my testimony. I've learned that everything the church does can be found in the scriptures. If we study the scriptures...we can find exactly what we are looking for.

People to pray for:
Lyandra
Juciliani
Robervan

Doralis lives with her daughter. Her name is Nane. She is about 26 yrs old. We teach her daughter Nane as well, but she isn't progressing and told her mother that she did not want to go to her baptism, but Doralis did not put attention to her. Instead, she continued to read and she felt the spirit and she went to her own baptism without her daughter. So she is following the Lords commandments. I learned from Doralis that it is not the people we should listen to, but instead we need to follow the Lord's commandments.

Also, my sister Amy shared something very special to me. She shared some advice and other things and it was great. It was exactly what I needed to hear because lately I have been hit with lots of responsibility.
I am expected to do a lot, and sometimes I find it hard to do everything. I am training a newbie, helping 3 other companions, and my zone leader is really is asking more of me. I am not one who usually gets mad at people, and I rarely ever get bothered by people, but my zone leader doesn't see that I am trying my very best every day! Apparently, everything I do for my zone leader is not good enough. I feel like nothing. I feel like I am failing with all the comments I get from him. I feel stressed.

But, one thing I do know for sure is that I know that I am trying my very best, and I know for a fact that I am  pleasing the most important person, the Lord.

Remember, Remember...(Week 51)

Hey Everyone!

Updates:

• I have some good news! We have a baptism for this upcoming Saturday! I will send pictures next week of the baptism. Her name is Doralis.

• I also did my first baptismal interview this week too! It was great. Really Easy! He has been an investigator for 3 years. He wants to get married in the temple.
• There were 95 people at church on Sunday! Not too bad! 

Spiritual Experience: 

So when I was at church...I wanted to share my testimony, and so when I went up there I was just speaking like normal, but there came a point where I felt the spirit tell me to talk about a certain topic. So I spoke about the plan of God, and how we need to trust in the Lord and go to church, and have a goal to feel the spirit of the Lord. I kept going and I said that the Lord loves us, he gave everything for us, and we need to trust him and love him and keep his commandments.

I thought the spirit was telling me to say the things I said for my pesquisadors (investigators), but it didn't seem to effect them...so I was a little sad, but it turns out that the spirit wanted me to say that for a member! After sacrament meeting a member said "thank you for your testimony it helped me a lot". I instantly rejoiced and felt privileged that the spirit trusted me to help someone in the branch.

Final Thoughts:

I feel like I am working really hard guys. I am a little tired, but I've noticed something in the scriptures. All the prophets remember the miracles that God does for them, and they have the force, strength, and will to continue. 
I too am remembering the miracles in my life, and working harder and harder. I remember the miracles, I remember Jesus Christ, and I am remembering that he is cheering us on! I hope you are also remembering these things. Until next week.

Love, 

Elder Arevalo