Konnichiwa!

Hey everyone!!


So heres the new email... not a big deal though. Sorry I didnt write last week: it was Zone Leader Training Council and before we got on the bus for Hiroshima some members took us to this flower garden - where I was able to get in touch with my feminine side...?! wakaranai.... hahaha Anyways, time got cut way short.

So a lot of things are happening right now in the mission. First of all, I am safe. We live on the north side of honshu (main island) so we had no effect whatsoever. Its been warmer now going into march; its been nice but now its been raining for the last 4 or 5 days, but its normal in this part of the country.

Recently the work has been good, but nothing major has been happening as far as our area. As much as we trying to push the work and the members here, it will have to go at their pace - kind of slow. But oh well, thats the way it goes. We found a family that I think were going to be able to teach, so were pretty excited about that. Were going to try to visit them tonight.

In other news, in Yonago (my last area, which happens to be next door to where I am at) Sis Takeuchi's daughter is getting the lessons and theyre going to try to commit her to baptism!! Its pretty exciting and we asked the whole zone to fast for them so they can have that miracle happen.

As far as my health goes, my companion said I have huge bags under my eyes - it looks like my eyes got decked by Mike Tyson. The only difference is that my ear is still intact.

Two weeks ago my companion gave me a priesthood blessing to help with the massive backaches I was dealing with. Its gone. It was such a miracle!!

I wake up everyday and I am so grateful to be a missionary. Honestly, its really tough. But Im so grateful for the opportunity to be here and serve the Lord. The more I try, the more I realize my weaknesses, and the more I realize how much the Lord, through the Atonement, is making everything right now possible. I love the Lord; He is my Savior and Redeemer. And He comforts me, guides me, and strenghtens me in ways I have never imagined.

Recently i read a quote from Pres. Eyring that goes something like this:

"Our purpose in this life, is not overcome our trials and difficulties. It is to see if we will make correct choices amidst the trials."

I have a firm belief that we were sent here to Earth, not to do, but to become. That is how we will be judged. The Savior made it possible, through the Atonement, to change our hearts if we have faith in Him, and are obedient to His gospel and commandments. The way is prepared to save men from the Fall and make us perfect. As Moroni said: "be perfected in Christ". I solemnly testify that the way to Eternal Life has been prepared, and that as we listen to prophetic council, we "can be even as He is." That is the eternal perspective. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

WIth all my love,

Elder Mourao