Incredible week this week! It was themost amazing baptism ever! The branch has been suffering so bad,and the family the Lord prepared to change things around just got baptized! The dad (34) Javier and daughter (15) Andrea asked me to baptize them and my companion baptized the mom (37) Alejandra and son (10) Mauricio. The interviews brought them all to tears, and the interviewer said it was one of the most spiritual moments of his mission. Their spiritual maturity is unreal. Andrea is autistic and in her interview Elder Fackrell asked her who God is to her, and she said that he was her father in heaven who sent his son to die for her and tearfully said and because Christ was baptised, I want to follow him. It was so special I wish I could put into words better.
The day of the baptism, they were the first ones there, we took all of our pictures in white and such, and during the whole service the spirit was so incredibly strong I could only compare it to temple work, maybe stronger. The lady that gifted Alejandra a Book of Mormon that started it all 5 years ago gave the talk, and we did a special musical number with a professional singer we reactivated (who is getting married next month and baptizing his wife!!!!!!!!!!!!) who also happened to be a longtime friend of Javier (another huge random miracle). All of the baptisms went really well and they all came out of the water with a HUGE smile and tears.
After the baptism, the branch Pres invited them to share their feelings, and Javier jumped up and said "I've never had the chance to stand before people to speak, and I could never before have without feeling very nervous, but I feel the spirit, and I am calm. I knew the church was true the moment I saw my youngest son pray, and knew I had to live up to him. My family is now united and we are happy. I know that this is the true church and that was restored by a true prophet." and a few other things it was SO AMAZING!!!! Selios from the stake gave him a hug and told him that would be the first of many times he'd be standing before the congregation haha he's going to be Pres. for sure in July after Stake Conference when he has the Melchizedek Priesthood. Attendance in the branch this week broke 75 again the 2nd week in a row!!!!!!!
Their blessings in their confirmations were amazing, too. Mauricio was promised in his that he would bring many souls unto Christ through his missionary service and example in sharing the gospel to his friends. He's only 10, but he reminds me of Joseph Smith, he asks very very deep questions that always worried his parents, but now I think they understand how mature he actually is to be able to recognize those promptings so well. Alejandra was just bawling through all of the confirmations it was great haha she's such a good mom. They invited us to lunch twice this next week, they are going to be future missionaries favorite family forever hahaha
The Da Silva family is doing great. Both pairs of twins are progressing really well still towards baptism the 28th. The branch reached out to the mom really well on Sunday and she loved it!
We had out last district meeting today and we had a funeral for the 2 missionaries going home. It was powerful, we had them give an account of their "life" and testimonies. They've been really great leaders. We took our zone photos and went out to eat together dressed in our suits (all in black for the "funeral" haha) at a fancy restaurant. I'm going to miss a lot of the missionaries in the zone, it's been a lot of fun. We are on track to get our month goals! Changes are already next week. It came soooo quick, it gets faster every time!
The cheap way I saw to get to Iguazu is by Buquebus from Salto. That was a year ago when I saw it so maybe that line doesnt run anymore, but I assume so, its just a small plane ride. $400 round trip is WAAAY too much, there's tons of deals I've seen on bilboards and such in Deo for way less. Try looking on uruguayan websites, it'll be way too much money through an international airline service. Look for something small or private.
I love you all, keep smiling and working hard! Look for miracles! Do what the Lord asks and He's obligated to put them in your path.
Elder Magnusson
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