DEHYDRATION IS EMINENT (Week 89)

Cooling off on Preparation day

Hello, friends!!
It is officially super hot here in Brazil ...I remember when I got my call and saw that I was going to Brazil I thought man, "I'm going to get a tan!" Well, believe or not I'm super TAN...  NOT that mom is not counting, but my time is coming to the end soon. Let me share this, I feel like I have to work more, and even harder.

I love the Lords work, and share the Gospel became easier every time, even dough people politely say no to us ...

We had one of the coolest experiences on my mission this week, and I don't have the words to describe it; it felt just right, and I have no doubt that this is the true Gospel. One thing about Brazilian families is that they are small and very close, and that make it is easier to share the Gospel. 

Marriage Ceremony

This. Week one couple got married and got Baptize. We are so happy for them because I can see that they love each other so much, and they want to be together Forever. 

Your Elder at the Ceremony

I like to challenge all of you that are reading this today, That if you read and ponder on your scriptures every day, as you persevere in gaining knowledge of Christ, He will manifest his love for you in a way that you will recognize.

I love my companion

Brazil, been a totally different country from the United States of America, I had learned how people at Brazil shows love for you, I also learned how there are lots of similar things, but there are also lots of different things, but what is similar is that you start loving the people that are closer to you first, and then do like a spiral that will extend to all that you get in contact with.

My dear friends, the more you learn to love people, the happier you'll be.”

Until next week, love you all 

Elder Kevin Arevalo

The importance of...(Week 88)

Hey Everyone, 

This week my companion got a little sick, nothing too serious, just the common cold. So hopefully he gets the rest he needs and nutrition to feel better. That has been our goal for him haha. 

Investigators: 

My investigators are doing great. We found 3 families, and one is trying to get married, but they still don't have the money to pay for the marriage license. Its about 250 Brazilian reals to get a marriage license, which is about 80 US dollars.  

Rosa

We also found someone named Rosa this week. We taught her about the restoration and she loved it. She said she felt closer to the savior because she could feel the love Jesus Christ has for her and her family to know that he has such an amazing plan for us, and she even went to church that following Sunday. 

Cesar -knows the importance of baptism and marriage  

Also, do you guys remember Cesar? Well, he officially got married, and will be baptized this week! I'm so happy that he found out how important it is to follow the savior and to follow his commandments. 

• Baptism's purpose is to show the Lord that we want to represent him in our everyday actions, and follow him. 
• Marriage is a representation that we want the Lord to be a part of the relationship we have with the one and only person we love the most on this earth and that is whomever we choose it to be. 
• Why is marriage in the temple important? -Marriage in the temple and a civil marriage are the exact same thing. It is a union that lawfully combines two people who love each other, BUT MARRIAGE IN THE TEMPLE...adds the presence of the Lord and that is what makes the marriage eternal. The Lord only is present in Holy places, and what better place to get married than the ONE place that the Lord can be a part of? That is why a temple marriage is so important. If you truly love the person you are with...wouldn't you want to make it eternal? 

George 

We are teaching him and he is really nice and he understands that the word we teach is true and he is going to bring his family to church. 

The best part of my week!

The best part of my week was Ellani and her parents. We taught a lesson like we normally do, but I felt something so different in this lesson, I felt like the savior was standing on my side teaching her and the lesson was very simple. It was actually one of the most simplest lessons I've taught and I loved it. I was so happy! It was amazing! She understood everything she needs to, and she was really happy with our visit, and she is going to pray and I know she will receive her response to her prayers, because the spirit in that room in that moment was something I can't explain with words, but it was amazing. 

-Love, 

Elder Arevalo 

  

Mother's Day (Week 87)

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone has had a good mothers day! I got to spend mothers day skyping my family a bit! it was awesome to see and talk to everyone for a little. 

Transfers:

Transfers are here, and I may or may not be leaving. I have been in my area for 6 months now, so anything can happen. I could stay or leave and go to a new area for 3 months left of my mission.

Spiritual Experience:

For this spiritual experience I have to talk about Suelen.

Suelen would have been baptized this week! but she had some problems she is trying to resolve. She got really sad, but a little after she was like "Nope, I will be baptized and I will receive the spirit". it was a huge demonstration of faith and focus and works. She needs our prayers and our help.

Baptisms:

Just an update for those who are asking...baptisms have been great this month. We already have had 8 this month and its only the beginning of the month. We are so blessed.

Thank everyone. Until next week! 

-Love,
 Elder Arevalo 

Off To Belem Again! (Week 86)

Hey Everyone, 

This week we had stake conference and it was really good. 

The area is also doing good. We have 3 baptisms this week, and overall the work is great. Cesar is going to resolve the little parts of marriage,Vera and Weaverson went to church again and Vera loved the plan of salvation, because she likes how perfect it is. She is helping her husband understand the lesson a bit better. 

Raissa is moving to são paulo (its really far) this saturday and she won't be baptized here. 

Johnny is also being baptized. He is just a little scared of the water, but we are going to help him with that.

Anyways, not much to explain this week, but today after I am done writing this I am going to eat, go to Belem for a zone conference, and then buy a camera. Wish me luck!

-Love, 
Elder Arevalo 

I Was Robbed (Week 85)

Hey Everyone!

Investigators: 

Marriage License

Everything is going really smoothly for everyone this week. Cesar and his wife finally got their marriage license! I'll give you guys updates next week. 

I Was Robbed:

This was a pretty crazy experience. My companion and I came home one day just like normal. We turned on the lights and as we looked around the apartment and we saw a huge mess. Everything was thrown around, things were out of place, things were ripped, destroyed, and dirty. We will have to reorganize the house again. It was all nice and clean and the robber made our whole house dirty.  My companion and I had no idea if the robber(s) were still in the house hiding from us, but it turned out that everything was clear. They must have robbed us during the day while we were working. So we are fine. 

We started putting everything back in its place and we looked around to see what was taken. Turns out that my new shirt that my parents sent me was stolen, my cologne, sandals, and my camera but that is all, nothing super important. 

It was sad to see our place destroyed...but that's life. All we can do is learn from it and move on. So, because this happened, my companion and I are changing things up a bit. We are taking new precautions. We are protecting the house by adding medal bars on the windows now so the robbers cant come back. 

Well, that's all for this week. I hope you all stay safe. 

Love, 
Elder Arevalo