New Year, New Me

Happy New Year everyone! Here in Brasil, the people celebrate this holiday like no other. Last night it seemed like we were in World War 2 with all of the fireworks and literal bombs that these people were throwing around. I was actually super scared that one of these "bombs" would get thrown into our window last night. 

I hope that you all have had a fantastic Christmas and New Years! This week was amazing, and we were able to see the hand of God so many times in the work!  

But first, I thought that for my last spiritual thought to wrap up this year, I would share with yall some phrases that I heard, read, or studied this week...

- Are you really going to tell me that you are going to pass up the chance to put in the time to think about something, wrestle with something and learn something just because you know is it going to require work and focus?

- Heavenly Father knows our divine potencial and is aware of what we did before this life, so he takes us out of our comfort zone to reach it. 

- The Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent has wrought a mighty change in us, or in out hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. 

- Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth,

and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?

- God cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin and not against each other. 

- Pray to God and ask him, "who can I serve today?"

-  The power of deliverance is not here to help us escape the test of life but to help us endure it well.

-   A frequent and powerful testimony of Christ as Savior, as Redeemer, as Atoning Lamb of God invites and becomes part of the divine power of testimony borne by God the Father and by the Holy Ghost. 

- The minute you walk out the door, forget about yourself and start concentrating on others. 

- And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. 

Highlights

- We had a big Christmas Zone Conference this week, and it was so enlightening. We heard trainings from the APs and the mission psychologist, and it really opened my eyes up as a missionary. And for lunch, President took everyone to a brazilian steakhouse! 

- I still have an eternal dislike for cockroaches. There were like 50 mini cockroaches in our tupperware that holds our utensils. 

- We brought back karaoke, and it was a big hit! It's literally the best ward activity ever, and there's no debate. 

- Matheus is progressing super well! This week we taught him probably one of the most special Plan of Salvation lessons that I have ever participate in. His humility and eagerness to change is super admiring. He is willing to give up his past life, exercise the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and live a higher standard. 

- I participated in an exchange with week with a newer american, and it told brought back so many memories from early in my mission. We were able to meet so many cool people and teach the Restoration lesson about six times. I know it's true!

As I look back on 2023, I can see so much change. Not gonna lie, looked back at my yearly goals that I set exactly one year ago, I accomplished almost nothing. But I have come to learn that change also comes in our hearts, minds, desires, and focus. Change is something constant. Day by day. I invite you all to create the needed change in your lives to bring you closer to God and His son Jesus Christ. :)

Love you all, and hope your new years resolutions can last until next monday!

Elder Ware