Week 33: Baptisms by Zombies

Portuguese Grammar Lesson: The word "por" (por/pelo/pela) in Portuguese is pretty all-purpose. Depending on context, it can mean "for," "by," "in place of," "to," etc. Generally speaking, it's not too hard to figure out which word it means, but out of context, once in a while there is confusion. For example: "batismos pelos mortos" can refer to the sacred ordinance where people are baptized using the name of their ancestors, because to be saved everyone needs to have faith, repent, and be baptized in the correct form and only those with earthly bodies can be baptized. However, "batismos pelos mortos" could also mean that the baptisms were performed by the dead. Like, zombies were wading out into the river and baptizing people. 

In unrelated news, we've had some interesting conversations with certain people we're teaching.

Zombies aside, this week we had a really sweet experience. We met this girl on the street and started talking, and ended up walking her home. When we entered, we found a dingy shack where she lived alone. We sat on her bed and she started bawling. She explained that she had been living alone since she was 15 and had lost her father shortly after. Since then she'd gone through some hard times, made some bad choices and felt like she had lost God. It was a huge blessing to be able to testify about the plan of Salvation and the atonement, and to explain that she would see her dad again. We got to tell her that he was happy and waiting for her to join him, and then bear testimony that God loved her and that she could still repent and return to him. We explained about baptism and at this point, she just looked up with tears in her eyes and asked, "Are you saying that I really can start over?" The Holy Ghost got really strong and all I could say was "Yes. Yes, you can, and we're here to help you do it."

It's moments like these that I really love being a missionary. There are so many blessings that come from the gospel and it's so awesome to find someone who not only recognizes the value of the gospel but also rejoices in the blessings God is willing to offer.

I just want to let everyone know that I really know that this church is true, and that there really are a ton of blessings we can receive when we're willing to be obedient to God. He wants us to be happy and has prepared a plan that will let us have everything that will bring us joy, as long as we're humble and obedient enough to trust Him. I'm so grateful to be here and to be a missionary, and that I have so many opportunities to teach and testify about His plan and the restoration of His gospel.

Amo vocês!
Sister Hannah Hiatt

This is our house. We live in a cute apartment (I think I sent pictures of the inside a while back but maybe I forgot... I dunno). 

 We found a bunch of awesome scriptures and wrote them on the wrappers of each Bis (it's a kind of candy here, kind of like a kit-kat) and we're going to give the box to one of the people we're teaching. I hope she'll like it!

The view from our balcony. The houses are a little different here but it's good.

P.S. Send me a white dress for the couple that's going to get married and then baptized. (They're super cute)

Sister Hannah Hiatt
Av Dr. Luís Rocha Miranda, 159
8º Andar
Jabaquara
04344-010 São Paulo - SP
Brazil