I hope all is well with everyone. Hopefully Vince had a good
birthday party last week. Mom, how is the knee feeling? Dad, any news? I
think we may get some mail this week or next, so I am sure some
questions will be answered and updates will be given.
This week was full of growth and the best way I grew was through
the concept of developing love for people here. Elder Bryant and I have
talked a lot about how we can be effective in helping people actually
grow closer to Christ. We have changed our focus to be directed more on
the ability to develop a personal relationship with the people rather
than simply drop a message about the Restored Gospel. This not only has
produced some better results with our goals of helping people towards
baptism, but is helping me realize the type of love that the Savior
showed people while He instructed them. Certainly he asked questions and
tried to get them to make the commitment to follow Him, but always
showed love while doing so. I do know that baptism is the way in which
we can help people receive more blessings from God and the gift of the
Holy Ghost, but this decision on their part is only going to be made if
they feel the arms of the Savior drawing them in.
On Sunday afternoon we taught a man and his wife, Ilário and Mara, and
her sister and friend, (four people total). Elder Bryant and I had a
conversation right before about our focus being out of whack a little.
We discussed and offered a sincere prayer for heavenly guidance during
the lesson. We certainly received the help, as they all felt the reality
of the message of the Restoration. When we invited them to be baptized,
Ilário said that he would almost make an oath with us to be baptized.
We were very blessed to have felt the prompting to communicate and
improve our focus to be better instruments for the Savior. This next
week will be transfers and we both want to stick together to see the
growth the Lord intends of us together and how we can actually give the
Lord some fruits for the labors we have put in here.
I read an email from Jennifer about her call arriving. How awesome
that she gets to go to Guatemala and serve a nursing mission. What an
incredible blessing for her and the people there.
I also got an email from Sierra in Tennessee. I don´t think I told
you but she was baptized a few weeks ago. She is enjoying the difference
that decision has made for her and is feeling the improvements in her
life as a result of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This morning, Elder Bryant and I walked up to a view of the city of
Santa Cruz and took a few photos. They also had an old pulpit
underneath the big cross, and we preached about the Book of Mormon to
all the spirits who were listening... Life is awesome as a full-time
representative of the Savior as well as knowing that we are children of a
loving Heavenly Father.
With love and charity,
Elder Graziano
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