Jardim Ipe- Week Five

One more week...

Hello World,

This is the start of my last week in the mission. I have a lot of mixed feelings. I have felt really sad about the fact that soon I am not going to be able to be a missionary and represent Jesus Christ every single day. I am going to miss getting to see the lives of the people change. I believe change has been one of the biggest themes of my mission. I have a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for everything that I have seen and experienced during these two years. 

This past week, I got to meet our new President (President Oldham). We had a huge meeting with our whole zone. We sat in a huge circle and we got to introduce ourselves, ask question to the new President, and he left us with a spiritual thought. President and Sister Oldham are incredibly kind and I love them already.

On Tuesday, I got to go on division with Elder Santos (who is also from my group). I got to visit his area and it was a really great division. Elder Santos is really professional in everything that he does. I learned a lot from him. 

On Thursday, we had a ward activity where we were able to bring some investigators. We planned like an acting and guessing games. We made two teams and it got into a pretty heated competition. Some of the members started fighting and yelling a lot. However, it was all in good spirit and everything turned out fine. 

I am really sad that my mission is coming to an end. There has been nothing that as influenced my life more than my mission. I reflect about my mission every day and I remember the incredible experiences and feelings. I know without a doubt that this is Heavenly Father´s work. I know that He is constantly guiding our lives and that He works for eternal life. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ and that it is guided by a modern prophet. I know that this church is only church that as divine authority to fulfill His work. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I love its words and its teaching. I know that through it a man can become closer to God than by following an other book. I love my family. I love this gospel. I love my Savior. 

Alma 29:9

9 Sei o que o Senhor me ordenou e nisso me glorio. Não me glorio de mim mesmo, mas glorio-me naquilo que o Senhor me ordenou; sim, e esta é a minha ^aglória, que talvez possa ser um instrumento nas mãos de Deus para trazer alguma alma ao arrependimento; e esta é a minha alegria.  

Alma 29:9

9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do ^anot ^bglory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

Com amor,

Elder Pinkney

Jardim Ipe- Week Four

Hello World,

This week was really busy. We have a lot of people we are teaching and helping, so we are always running from one place to the other. I went on divisions with Elder Ball this week again to do some baptismal interviews. We went to Piraquara (which is a city right next to Curitiba)

Today, we went and had lunch at an investigators home who made BBQ for us. We flew kites with here grandchildren. It was a lot of fun. Flying kites here is a little bit different because they make it like a war here. They try to cut the lines on everyone else kite so that it flies away. It is a little sad actually, but that´s what they do.

Other crazy thing this week is that President Cuvelier went home. Our new President´s name is President Oldham. I have not meet him yet. I had the chance to talk to him on the phone. He seems like a great guy and I am really excited to get the chance to meet. Besides the fact that I am going home in two weeks, I am so glad for this new opportunity the mission will have to get a new insight on teaching technics and inspiration. 

I miss and love you all lots. Have a great week.

Com amor,
Elder Pinkney