Ousadia e Alegria (Boldness and Joy)

Mission conference was good.  It was a blast seeing my old mates and listening to some inspired messages from our President about our mission. Ha we baptized more people than we marked for baptism.(?) President talked about how we’re scared to mark baptisms cause we’re scared that our leaders will get mad if the baptism falls through. Cause we baptize more people than we mark. One Elder made the comment "Our mission is a mission of miracles." and President said, “No, this mission is a mission of fear." BURN. President shut everyone down and said we have the change the way we mark people for baptism.

Anyway, Stake conference was different; Jardim São Paulo is a huge stake but is also pretty disorganized. There is lots of noise and not a lot of room for everyone. Us missionaries got about 5 minutes of listening time and then we stepped out to give our seat to members, so I didn’t catch too much of it. However it gave us time to prepare for the baptisms that would happen after Conference. Josefa got good and baptized along with two other people from our district. So sick!!! Man, helping people become converted to the gospel is a missionary’s greatest happiness!

I need to be better at writing letters. I’ve been pretty lazy. To tell you the truth, I’ve started over 30 letters but I never finish them and end up throwing them out, or I hold on to them and the weeks pass by so they become irrelevant.

Crazy to hear about all of the changes that happen, people moving in and out of wards back home. But I bet when I come home things wont be too different. Well maybe not. Good job Renee on the Young Women’s lesson, I’m sure the beehives love you and your passing of spiritual knowledge. Keep the faith. tenha uma boa semana.

Love,

Elder Kennedy

tá indo

So, this week went well. We had two successful FHE's. Josefa is still firm and preparing for baptism. Church was cool but it was all about families and marriage, which can make it awkward for missionaries and single members. kkkk

I am still loving socorro (my area). I can't believe how fast this transfer is going by. I want to stay at least one more and I think my comp needs me to stay too, to help memorize the area better as it's pretty big here. 

Anyway we still have three weeks I think. Yeah so this week should be fun. We have a Mission Conference and then Saturday and Sunday is Stake Conference. Hmmm what else....thats about it. 

We are working hard trying to find some eleitos mas o negógio tá difícil. I am so thankful to be alive and present in such a special place and time. I know Jesus is The Christ. I know He lives!! I know His gospel is here on the earth. When we live the gospel and follow him tudo vai dar certo (everything will work out) and we will be blessed eternally. Be happy always. Christ overcame the world. Peace and true happiness is possible and within everyone's reach because we are all children of the only living and true God. I love you all so much. 

Elder Kennedy

Focusing on FHE

Hey All!

Carnaval is over…. But it doesn’t feel like it. hahaha It seemed to continue until Sunday night. Anyway, I am well and pumped to do some work. We have been starting up our contacting again and being bold happy missionaries. Josefa will be baptized this month! It’s finally going to take place after Stake Conference in 2 weeks. She has been visiting family and travelling so it has been a bit hard to get a hold of her but this past week we are able to teach her almost everyday.

Last night we had a branch leadership council meeting and it was all about missionary work. We basically explained to the leaders and President of the branch the problems we were facing as missionaries and came up with ideas on how to improve/ hasten the Lord’s work in this branch. So one thing we have come up with is family home evening with members and just as importantly inviting neighbors!! We have 9 family home evenings marked for the rest of this month and the beginning of April in the homes of the branch leaders. I am totally stoked and anxious to see the results of the FHE’s. I know the lord is totally going to bless this branch and increase the attendance on Sunday’s. The first “noite familiar” is tomorrow.

Anyway, the weather is nice and warm. The temple was amazing, my comp and I are doing great! He has some sweet Yoda skills and I continue to learn from him every lesson we teach. Love you guys and always remember how blessed we are to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. It’s better than winning the lottery...(everyone here plays the lotto) hahahah

Love, Elder Kennedy

Short message

Family!

Hey. So this week has been a little crazy but exciting nonetheless. We are going to the temple this Wednesday so i'll write you a longer email. My comp is legit! He is from pará, Santarém and he likes the type of music that I like from here. I am totally going to visit him after the mission, we are already buddies and working well together. Plus, all the members like him and we probably will baptize Josefa this Sunday!!!! During fast and testimony meeting she totally bore an awesome testimony and it was her 3rd time at church. I then bore my testimony about Christ and how he should be the center of our lives. There are so many good things that we focus on in this Church but Christ should be the center always. 

Anyway I love you all so much and I am really enjoying the mission. I feel that my love for the people here is increasing exponentially everyday. I know Christ lives and that He loves us. His hands are always outstretched waiting for us to come unto Him. Espero que tudo esteja bem com vocês!!! te amo!!

Élder Kennedy