Always Something New (Week 92)

Hey everyone! 

There was so much that happened this weekend. I cannot tell you how busy I have been! This week I''ll mostly just show you pictures, I hope you like them!

Marriage: 

So the marriage that was supposed to happen last week is being delayed because of some paperwork that needs to be taken cared of, but they still want to get married and be together, and that makes me really happy for them! 

Spiritual Experience: 

The Book of Mormon 

I have recently been trying my absolute best these days to use the the book of Mormon. When i was walking from a lesson our investigators who want to get married and be baptized said they are moving. I happily said we would help them move, but was sad when they said there where going to move to another area. Then, I open the book of Mormon, and it said to me -there is only one church and they will be part of the same family- I forgot where the scripture is exactly, but its in the book of 
Mormon. That gave me comfort, and the book of Mormon in general has helped answer many of the questions asked by my investigators. I encourage everyone to read it and use it on a daily basis for your own life, and for those around you! Just when you thought you knew it all, there's always something new to learn. 

Another Soul Closer To Our Savior (Week 91)

 Meet João

Hey Everyone, 

These past couple of weeks have been extremely busy, and I have had very little time to write the blog lately. 

So far things have been going well. We have lots of investigators and João, who was recently baptized! João is also going to get married today. The "casamanto" (entry papers) is going to last about 2 hours and I will be there. 

Recife Brazil Temple

I also have another investigator who is taking a 7 hr bus ride to the temple. She is going to the Recife Brazil Temple. I am truly inspired and amazed of the dedication the members have out here to do the Lords will. Its not easy to take a 7 hr bus ride, let alone, provide food, etc on the trip. I am so thankful to have temples so close to home back in the USA. I hope we all take full advantage of the blessings we can receive by helping others and doing the Lords will in the temple.     

Spiritual Experience:

 

One day we went out to do the Lords work this week, and we went to Belem. Afterwards, we then helped some missionaries go the the hospital and worked in their area.

On Saturday, the Lord put everyone in our path that we needed to help, and it helped us organize the baptism of John and we STILL had 5 other investigators in church. We where blessed. 

The Book of Mormon: 

We have been walking around with the book of Mormon everyday. When we where walking to our house from a meeting a man asked about the book and he said he knew lots of members of the church and he wanted to learn more about it. Then he said he felt liked he wanted to read the book.  WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! I could see his sincerity, and his desire to learn more about our Savior, and I couldn't have been more thrilled to be the Lords tool to bring one more soul back home to our Savior, Redeemer, Mentor...Jesus Christ.  

Investigators to pray for:

João 

Edlini 

Celma 

Andro 

Andres

Love, 

Elder Arevalo 

There is always time to Hep (Week 90)

Elder Amon and Elder Arevalo 

Hello, friends!!!

This week we found out that the Lord will always bless us especially if we do His will.

  

Elder Amon and I were going to our appointment, and so we were talking and saying that we were going to make it to our appointment really late. We keep walking, then we saw a family that needs help moving some stuff into the house. My companion looked at me and asked if we have time to help them, I taught for a minute and felt the prompt of the Spirit and I said "YES" Elder Amon there is always time to help, and don't worry comp we will make it to our appointment some how. 

We helped them and share a small message with them. To our surprise when we finish and started to walk to our appointment, one of the persons that we just helped asked us when we are coming back again, and I say this week for sure. We set up an appointment to return. But not only he asked us that, he also asked where we were going? and I said to the city of Congos, and he drove us there. 

My companion and I look at each other and look at the sky realizing that was the answer to our previous concern and we made it on time to our aponintment. That night my companion and I reflected and count the blessings. Tthe lesson we learn that day is always time to help and the Lord will take care the rest.

.

Baptism 

One of the blessings of being a missionary is that you get to see the change in people's lives.  This man has decided to change his life to have the opportunity to have an eternal life with his family.

Families can be together forever!!!

But this change can only be possible with faith in our Heavenly Father and JesusChrist, and the support of those how loves us.

Some people that love this family

Thank you for reading and I hope, you are inspired to help.

With love

Elder Arevalo

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