I testify that families can be together forever.

Boa Tarde minha familia linda! This week was great! We had the baptism of Thiago, who´s wife, Cida, is returning to activity. After his confirmation, their baby, Laura, was blessed. It was so sweet! This week, he and Lucas, who was baptized a couple weeks ago, will be interviewed by Bishop to receive the priesthood and limited temple recommends! Tonight, we have a family home evening with Thiago and Cida, Fatima (who Mom has talked with on Face) and Marcelo, and Maria dos Dores, another of our recent converts. Today, I went to the foot doctor with Elder Ward. Mary, the podologa, also treated my feet, which as it turns out were in need of a lot of help (LOTS of dead skin, even under my toenail, which could lead to future problems). We´ll be going back there in two weeks. This week, i have another routine visit to Dr Carmen. Our showerhead exploded again, yesterday morning. We had to buy a new resistor. Well, Dad will be very proud of me, i think. So a week ago at ward council, i proposed that we open the church to the public with events every day (except monday, of course). So far, it is a success! The schedule goes like this: Tuesday is Movie Night (church movie) Wednesday is Game Night Thursday is Family History Night Friday is Bible Study (VT) Saturday is English class and Spanish class. Bishops from both wards are very happy with the new change, and people even bore testimonies of the things they learned in my Bible Study. That, plus the miracle baptism, have everybody very excited about missionary work. The miracle baptism went like this: We were doing visits with a member of the bishopric and all of our appointments fell through. Elder Ward, following a prompting from the Spirit, asked the member, Luis, who he would like to visit. He pointed out a house where an inactive member supposedly live. This member was Cida, baptized three years ago in a different ward. During the week, we passed by and left messages with her and her husband, Thiago, about the Plan of Salvation and the temple. But, during an exchange, Elder Ward (again following the Spirit) and Elder Greenwood stopped by and taught the Restoration. It turns out that this was the first time Thiago heard this message. They challenged him to pray for a testimony, then be baptized. He accepted. The next day, we went there with Elder Greenwood and he interviewed Thiago. Thiago admitted that he hadn´t prayed and didn´t feel prepared, plus he had already planned a trip to visit his brother on Sunday. But he insisted that if he didn´t drink, he would be baptized Sunday night. Elder Greenwood warned him that he needed to resist all opposition. He gave the following example: one of his long-lost friends from the North would come to São Paulo and invite him to drink with him. So Thiago went to visit his brother and he drank. Feeling terrible, he prayed all night that night. They didn´t even answer the phone when we called. Meanwhile, we felt a warm, calming sensation, and a voice told us not to worry about it. On Monday, Cida called us while we were emailing. She told us to come by that night because Thiago had received his answer. When we arrived at their house that night, Thiago shared what had happened. First, not long after Elder Greenwood´s interview, a long-lost friend of Thiago´s from the North texted him, saying that he was in São Paulo and invited him to meet up to drink, exactly as Elder Greenwood warned would happen. Second, after his long night of praying, Thiago was out for a walk to gather his thoughts. A woman appeared alongside him and gave him an evangelical message, then walked on. He read the message. It said something along the lines of: "The time to follow Jesus is not tomorrow, nor yesterday, but today. Stop making excuses. You are always prepared to follow Christ." Thiago showed us this paper. We asked him if he would be baptized this Saturday. Immediately, without hesitation, he replied "Yes, I will be baptized.". We passed by everyday that week preparing him. He gave up coffee the day of his interview, and had not touched alcohol since last Sunday. Meanwhile, Elder Greenwood finished his mission and returned home to Winslow, Arizona. The time came for his baptism. On Friday he was interviewed again. And on Saturday, he was baptized. Elder Ward made a big chocolate cake with strawberries, and he performed the ordinance. Thiago and Cida even brought their friends to come see the baptism, only half of which were members from her previous ward. Bishop and his family, along with the Relief Society president and her family and other members were present. It was a great night. The next morning, he was confirmed and Laura was presented. Luis, the member of the bishopric who had originally pointed out their house, bore a powerful and emotional testimony about the importance of member missionary work. He had never thought that his one or two hours spent helping us could result is such a marvelous thing as another family safe in Zion. I testify that families can be together forever, and that the power of God is manifest through sacred priesthood ordinances. I am so honored to be a part of this marvelous work and a wonder. I testify of the power of the Savior in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. -- Élder Thomas Richins Ala Jardim Mirna Estaca Grajaú Missão Brasil São Paulo Interlagos

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

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

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

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

I testify of the purifying power of sharing the gospel and the exalting power of charitable giving.

Boa tarde, minha família linda! This week was AWESOME. We worked hard and saw some results! We had a great stake conference where an area seventy from Rio de Janeiro came to speak to us. Dr Carmen said that once I can get my vitamin B12, D and iron levels up, I will be much closer to being problem-free! We're helping a torn family get back together. I've had the privilege of giving a few priesthood blessings. It was so wonderful to have the Lord speak through me to His children on such a personal level. I also had a neat experience as I was leaving Dr. Carmen's office. A homeless man called to us and asked "Do you speak English?"... but he asked in English, with not even a trace of a brasilian accent. So we stopped and approached him. He is from Durban, South Africa, and has been homeless in São Paulo for 6 years. All he asked was for a cup of hot coffee and a salgado to stay off hunger and the chilly morning. We agreed, but on the condition that he go with us to buy it. As we walked and talked with him, we saw that he really was homeless, and that he was very weak and sickly. So I bought him what he wanted, plus whatever else he wanted. He refused to ask for anything else, but I got him a waterbottle and a gatorade, since he looked really dehydrated. As I bought him these things, Elder Ward reports that the look on his face was one of disbelief mixed with relief. We also left him some crackers that I had in my bag, and a pamphlet of the Plan of Salvation. We directed him to find the nearest church (we even showed him a picture of an lds church). As we left, he had tears running down his cheeks. I wish I could have done more. But I felt so great helping him out. I felt the approval of my Savior. His love is so powerful. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He has given us so much, and asks so little. If we obey Him and try to be like Him, then we will inherit all that our Father has. I testify of the purifying power of sharing the gospel, and of the exalting power of charitable giving. When we do these things, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the best Missionary who ever lived: Christ the Lord. I testify of His Godhood in His holy name. Amen. -- Élder Thomas Richins Ala Jardim Mirna Estaca Grajaú

I am so proud to be an instrument in the hands of God.

First off, some bad news: we left our house in a hurry and I forgot both the cord and the adapter! And I have LOTS of pictures to send! Oh well, I guess I´ll just send them next week (sorry, mom). So, I learned a lot about the atonement this week, in experiences and in preparation to give my talk. There were many things that happened this week (or didn´t happen) that taught us to appreciate more and more the cleansing and purifying effects of the atonement, and how it can bring us up and out of our sorrows and troubles. I have yet to translate my talk. I´ll try to do it this week. I got the birthday package! Thanks a lot! We LOVED the Reese´s Pieces! Those didn´t last too long! I´m going to make no bake cookies, and I hope they turn out as good as Mom´s! (That´s something I´ll request when I get home!) I´m super glad to hear that you had a good Father´s Day! I did, too! I would like to share a very spiritual experience we had yesterday. I was feeling down, as my emotions were starting to be hard to control (a symptom of an oncoming episode of chemically-caused depression). We were going to just go home and end the day early (about 6 at night). It was already dark. Elder Ward wanted to pass by one more house, and it was on the way, so we went there. I´m not going to use names for the privacy of those involved. When we arrived in the house of the family, we found the two active youth there, the mom having just left. We entered into the one room home and began to talk. After a little bit, we found out that when they went to the ward activity last night, their house was broken into. All of their food, some furniture, the gas for the stove, and whatever valuables they had were taken. Their mother had left to ask for food from relatives. We asked if they called the Relief Society president or the bishop, and they replied that they were too embarrased to call. So we called Bishop Oliveira. Unfortunately, he wasn´t able to offer immediate help (he would need to go to the bishop´s storehouse). We could have called around for help, but we wanted to respect their privacy, so we decided to act for ourselves. We left them there to run home. We took a majority of our food (a lot of which we got leftover from the ward activity), some Liahonas and copies of the Book of Mormon, and whatever else we could spare to take to them. We ended up making two trips. I gave them, among other things, the blanket I took with me on the mission (the mission already provided me with a much MUCH warmer blanket, which I kept). Elder Ward gave the young man his second pair of sunday shoes and a stuffed dog his friend had sent him, among other things. When we arrived with the supplies, we found the mother returned. She was involved in a car accident a few years ago and was left blind. Yet tears fell from her eyes as we told her what we had brought. Bread, oranges, crackers, cookies, bananas, herbal teas, juice packets, clean water, toothpaste, shampoo, silverware, plastic cups, things that we took for grant it, were received as if they were great treasures. I wrapped the blanket around the mother. She cried a lot. Elder Ward gave his freshly polished shoes to the young man and the little dog to the young woman. We both felt like Santa Claus. The mother said: "I thought God had abandoned us, but now I know He loves us because He sent you to help us! Now we can be happy!" After a prayer of protection for the family, we left that house feeling such a sweet spirit. We wanted to give more, but at the same time we knew that it was enough. On this Father´s Day, we had unknowingly given a special gift to our Heavenly Father: hope for a family struggling to live the gospel in a very hostile environment under such difficult circumstances. We did not just give them food, we gave them peace of mind and the love of God. I am so proud to be an instrument in the hands of God. Today, I received a priesthood blessing from President Dalton. Today, some of the questions that ached my heart and tormented me for a year and 8 months have finally been answered. I know with a perfect knowledge that my Heavenly Father has accepted my offering to Him, and that He is willing to be with me for the rest of my mission, until the end. I love Him and I love His Son. I await His coming with awe and with the spirit of preparation. I testify that we can build His kingdom here on the Earth. I testify that Christ lives. He truly does. In His holy name, amen. I love you all! Have a great week! -- Élder Thomas Richins Ala Jardim Mirna <--- ZION, THE PURE IN HEART Estaca Grajaú Missão Brasil São Paulo Interlagos