A selfie for mom!

A selfie for mom!

Monday, July 27, 2015

I am so happy to be a missionary!

Boa tarde, minha familia! I got a package of letters from the youth a couple days ago! That was great! I didn't get transferred! I'll be staying in Jardim Mirna with Elder Ward for at least a little bit longer! It'll be so great! This week, we have the baptism of Thiago. His wife, Cida, is returning from inactivity and she actually called us today (just now) and told us that he was praying for a long time yesterday and that he wants to be baptized. We will also work hard with Lucas, teaching him as much as we can to prepare him for confirmation this sunday (he missed church yesterday). If you guys could pray for Thiago and Lucas, I would appreciate it! Last week was very difficult for me personally and also for work in the area. But Heavenly Father continues to bless us richly. We got to go to the temple last thursday, where I got to do temple work for Artie Hickson, whose name Dad sent me. There, after the session, I enjoyed sitting in the Celestial Room, recieving revelation from my Father in Heaven. I am so happy to be a missionary! Although I don't want to extend, I do want to take advantage of every day I have here to help this wonderful ward grow, and become strong in the Kingdom of God. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves every single one of us. Through His gospel, we are both His brothers and His children. He takes each and every one of us and He raises us so that we might be ready to enter into the kingdom of heaven with Him, into the presence of His and our Heavenly Father. I testify of Him by authority and in His holy name, Jesus Christ. Amen. -- Élder Thomas Richins Ala Jardim Mirna Estaca Grajaú Missão Brasil São Paulo Interlagos

Monday, July 20, 2015

I testify that Jesus is the Christ.

Lucas and Larissa were baptized this week! Woo-Hoo! Larissa was an investigator of the Sisters and I did her baptismal interview. Lucas was a referral from Valquiria (who made me a humongo birthday cake and a surprise party. We´ll take him to the temple on Thursday (where I´ll do an endowment session for another of our ancestors!) and on Wednesday, he´ll be interviewed to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and a limited temple recommend! On Sunday, he´ll be confirmed, recieve the priesthood and the recommend! It´ll be awesome! He´s 19 and a great guy! He was already keeping the word of wisdom and the law of chastity! Dr. Carmen told me that I´m pretty much through the chemical part of the depression: it´s almost completely under control and before I get home, we might even be able to start getting me off the meds a little. But now it turns out that under all that chemical depression, i still have the emotional depression. But I know that, because of Jesus Christ, I can overcome it. I testify that Jesus is the Christ. His atonement allows us to do anything when we exercise faith in Him. I love Him. I know He lives. I testify of these in His name, Jesus Christ. Amen -- Élder Thomas Richins Ala Jardim Mirna Estaca Grajaú Missão Brasil São Paulo Interlagos

Monday, July 13, 2015

This week has been awesome!

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN AWESOME! Besides gifts, I´ve been able to help a lot of people, both in my new calling as district leader and as a missionary! We have some baptisms planned for this week: Lucas, an 18 year old who is well integrated into the ward, after just one visit! We´ll take him on visits this week and he´ll already be ready to be baptized this week! Rafael brought his wife, Amanda and his son, Rafael to church after a long absense. They aren´t baptized but have strong desires to join the church! They can also be baptized this week! I´m super excited! I filled up my journal from the Hinds and I´m starting a new one, this time in English! As my mission is winding down, I´m trying to make it the best part of my mission. I am loving being here. I hope to help many more people. I have been given many opportunities to administer priesthood blessings to both members and nonmembers who sought me out. I think I might be discovering a spiritual gift. I am so glad to be here! I will never, ever regret serving a mission! What a privilege! The whole course of my life and those whom I love has been forever changed in a positive direction. I hope you´ll recognize me when I get home! I testify that the Lord lives. He is real and He is coming to rule as our King. I love Him. And I testify of Him in His holy name, even Jesus Christ. Amen! I love you all! -- Élder Thomas Richins Ala Jardim Mirna Estaca Grajaú Missão Brasil São Paulo Interlagos

Monday, July 6, 2015

President Dalton has given me a new assignment: District Leader

This week has been full of suprises! First, news: 8 Julho - This week we have interviews with President 23 Julho - We go to the temple! 24 Agosto - We have a meeting with Elder Aidukaitis and his wife, and an APOSTLE and his wife! It´ll be really cool! Can you guys send me an ordinance request for one of my ancestors? I will only have time to the endowment, so the prior ordinances have to already be done. We have a couple weeks, so no rush. Packages: I don´t need anymore multivitamins! I already have enough to last me till december! :) but I will need one more of fiber pills in the future. Thanks again! I aparently have a package waiting for me to pick up at the post office. I´m not sure who it´s from. I´ve also been getting letters of support from members in Virginia. It´s pretty cool! After fasting and prayer, President Dalton has given me a new assignment: District Leader. In addition to working in Jardim Mirna with Elder Ward, I also have stewardship over a companionship of Sisters (Sister Fonseca from Cape Verde, Africa; Sister Negromonte from Recife, Pernambuco) and a companionship of Elders (Elder Greenwood from Winslow, Arizona (he´s a zone leader) and Elder Castillo from Chile). I´m humbled to recieve this designation and I´m excited to help my fellow missionaries! I´ve already given a training at district meeting, attended a training meeting for district leaders, and passed the numbers. Doesn´t sound too exciting, but it was exciting to me! Another surprise is that a family appeared in church! Rafael wants to come back to activity and has brought his wife and two sons, one of which is of age, the other being a toddler. We´re going to pass by their house tomorrow! The Lord is blessing us with His elect! I testify that the Lord lives and loves us immensely! His love is unconditional and incomprehensible. We are sons and daughters of God. Through the Atonement and Gospel of Jesus Christ, He because the Father of our salvation. His grace can save us despite our weakness, and He only asks that we follow Him and do our best. Jesus Christ lives. Thomas S. Monson and the 12 Apostles talk with Him and through them, He talks to us. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. I love you all and have a great week! -- Élder Thomas Richins Ala Jardim Mirna Estaca Grajaú Missão Brasil São Paulo Interlagos