Fabiana and Ademir were baptized yesterday and it was so special! I don't know if this left anyone confused last week but I should explain. Ok, so for people to be baptized, if they're living with someone, they have to get married. Many people opt not to get married because it's expensive. Well, way back in December, two missionaries found Fabi and her family. Sister Richardson and Sister Martins. This family is incredible. They said the first time they went to church, they felt at home. They recognized something was different about this church. Their son, Lucas, was baptized in December but Fabi and Ademir had to get married first. But, she had no interest whatsoever and said it just wasn't for her. Well, after almost 2 months of working with this family, and largely thanks to the persistence of Sister Martins, who like I said last time is a lawyer (she's 24 years old and graduated young and lives in Rondônia, Brasil), Fabi finally decided she'd get married. That was when I got here. Me and Sister López helped with the papers and this couple got married last Friday. They've been going to church every Sunday for 3 months now. And guys, literally everything happened that could have prevented them from going through with it, BUT, miracles are real and it finally happened. It was a testament to me that the adversary is real and will do anything he can to stop us from doing what he knows is right. When everything is going wrong, that's when we need to exercise our faith and show the Lord that we will do what He's asked of us. It doesn't matter what is (or isn't) happening in our lives, we need to be faithful to Him. And we will be greatly blessed.
As many know, all church services and activities were temporarily suspended because of coronavirus, so it was a very small, very simple baptismal service. But there was a really special spirit. We also had the chance to partake of the sacrament in a member's house and with an investigator yesterday.
It was a historic Sunday and everything that's happened this week has strengthened my testimony that our prophets and apostles are inspired men and called of God. They have been preparing us for these last days because they are like watchmen on the tower; they see things we don't. Trust in their counsel. The timing of this pandemic is not coincidental. We were prepared last year for a home-centered, church-supported learning experience and the church has always taught about self-reliance and having a food storage. I know that we don't need to panic, but we can trust that everything is in the Lord's hands. He will protect and guide His saints until we reach the harbor. This week, when my instinct was to freak out, I prayed for comfort and to know that everything will be okay. And it will.
I'd just like to include this legendary picture that I have titled "The Feet of Sister Missionaries" that shows the price we pay for laboring in the Lord's vineyard: lots of fun tan lines.
I love you all. Stay safe.
Sister Dobbs
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