The Adventure Continues

I'm thinking that this will be a headline that will continue to be

used for the next two years. Actually, less, because I've been out for

FOUR months! Pretty crazy. I'm practically fluent in Portuguese as

well, so awesome!

The work is moving forward, and we are pushing hard for baptisms this

week! My companion is awesome and got me a Brazil soccer jersey for my

birthday! Brazil is awesome as well and I'm extremely grateful for the

opportunity I have to be here and work with these people. Brazil is

beautiful and the people are awesome. They're simple, but they love

their way of life. 

As a missionary, I meet a lot of people with

problems. People with addictions that are super hard to overcome.

People who just want their child to believe in God and go to church.

People who have disfigurations and mental problems. All kinds of

people. Some people speak very well, others speak very little

Portuguese, despite it being the only language they know. The streets

are full of people of all kinds and types. People live in the streets,

others in one room houses in an alleyway, others live in nice, big

houses that they made with their own hands. But these people all have

at least one thing in common. They are all children of our Heavenly

Father.

I thought that I loved everyone before my mission. Was kind to

everyone. Gave everyone their chance to talk and share their opinion.

But it's a lot harder here. I automatically think that these people

aren't as smart or special, because they don't speak English and

weren't born in the US. It's a natural reaction that I've been having

to overcome. But the people here are all special. They are all

children of a loving God who wants all His children to return and live

with Him some day. They all have problems, just like any other human

being. They're simply in a different situation. Look at people not as

who they are, but what they can become.

Charity is the pure love of Christ. I'm pretty sure it encompasses all

other of the attributes of Christ as well. It's kind of like all the

virtues of Christ rolled into one giant characteristic. This Christmas

season, remember everyone. Help the people that are in need. Search

for people that need YOUR individual help. The beauty of Christ's

church here is that we are given opportunities to act, and not simply

believe. To show our faith and not solely say it. So use the programs

you've been given, or make up your own to help someone. I'm working

hard here every single day to give people hope in a crazy world. To

say that Christ really restored His church to the Earth, and that all

mankind can come and partake of eternal life through God's plan for

us. Remember to help lots of people. Follow the example of our Savior

Jesus Christ this Christmas season and find someone to help.

I'm sending lots of love back home to everyone. Thanks for the letters

and love and support to me, and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas

and has fun and remembers Christ! Stay safe and work hard!!

Elder Ashford