Teaching Discussion

Our dinner appointments for food are actually lunch appointments. In the United States the missionaries eat dinner with members but here it is lunch. The biggest meal for them is lunch and very little Brazilians eat dinner and if they do it is like bread with butter and that is it. We always have somewhere to eat and when the members cannot give us food they just give us money and so everything is fine. We actually get fed a lot as well for dinner. So I am being very well fed. It helps as well that last Sunday was my companion’s birthday. We ate so much cake and pies. It helps that since about the 7 of July my companion has been telling everyone about his birthday. He knows how to play the field. We received a cake from about every single member. ha.

This last week has been great. Yesterday we taught the first lesson to a family. Nothing new right? The first lesson just one more time. The difference is that the Spirit really touched me during this appointment. I really felt the truthfulness of the gospel and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. The spirit was so strong during the lesson. I said a lot of things that I don't think I have ever said. The spirit really helped me so much. I really can feel the difference in the lessons I teach with the spirit and the lessons I teach by myself. I need the savior every hour. That is so true. The Lord seems to help me with everything when I search for him. He helps me with the language and with knowledge and with knowing exactly what to say. The weirdest thing is that ever since I have been on my mission I have never really cried a lot during the lessons. I feel the spirit really strong but it doesn't make me cry anymore. Until yesterday. I was not balling but I really felt the spirit and my eyes started to water. I know without any doubts that this is the true church. I know that God loves us and wants our families to be together forever. We need to do our best and work our hardest to obtain eternal life. The great things in life do not come easy. We have to really battle to obtain eternal life. For me however I think the battle for Eternal life is worth it. I will give everything I have to live with my Father in Heaven again and to live with my family. This is a battle I cannot and will not lose. This is the battle that we face every single day of our lives. This battle will not end until we are in front of our maker. To win this battle we all need to work together. NO battle is ever won without always doing the little things. All armies need to eat need ammo and need each other. In this battle for eternal life we to need each other and need to feast ( the scriptures/ ensign / prayer / church/ Temple). We need to be spiritually fed every single minute because if not we will become weak and the enemy will win. Also we need our ammo. We need to use our garments. We need to use our scriptures and we need to obey the commandments of God. If we Love God we obey his commandments. If we obey his commandments we earn His love and His blessings. What a great thing it is to know these things. I love this gospel. I know it is true. I know that Jesus Christ died for us. I feel so great to know these things. I am nothing without my savior and Redeemer and my brother Jesus Christ. I need him every hour. I love my mission so much. I love these people so much. Brazil is now my home. I cannot think about leaving. It will be hard. I love you all. Thank you for your support. Always remember that you are all in the True Church the Church of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Stay strong and stay in the Church. Do not forget to fight the good battle and "feast regularly", use your "amo", and use each other. I love you all. Thank you again. Just know that I am doing good. Until next week.
Com Amor,
Elder Daniel J. Parkinson