We are not alone


Olá friends and family! What's cooking? If it's not feijoada I suggest you get started because the work is worth it! In all seriousness, I was worried about the food on a mission, but the only problem I'm having is the amount. I am going to be the size of truck when I come home lol. SO GOOD! Also coxinhas? Best thing ever. Our branch is the best branch in the mission at feeding the missionaries. We have meals almost every day and sometimes more than once a day and they put enough food in front of us to feed an army! And for a lot of them, if you don't eat more than a human naturally can they get mad that you don't like their food... Lol. Most people are pretty patient with me though, being tiny sometimes has its perks!

Ok, BIG NEWS! Carlos was baptized! His journey was kind-of what I expected missionary work to be like, and what it will probably never be like again. He was so incredibly prepared. We taught him, he had no problems what so ever with the commandments and he was baptized. We found him after his sister (a member in our branch) passed away very suddenly. Some people may remember me talking about that. We went to visit her mother and he was there as well. We taught him the plan of salvation, and he felt that he needed to learn more. Since then I have had the honor to see the change in him. He didnt have a lot to change about his lifestyle, and when he did have to change, he did so willingly. The biggest change I saw was in his countenance. Before you looked at this man and he looked so lost and maybe a little confused about who he was or what his purpose was. Especially after losing his sister. As we taught him and especially as he was baptized and confirmed, there came a light into his countenance. When I am around him I can feel how happy and content his spirit is. I will never forget the smile on his face when we went over the interview questions, and I told him that I thought he was prepared. It was the first genuine smile I have seen on his face, and after that, I have seen it every time we talk to him. This is why I am a missionary. This is what it is about. And the title of the email, I know that his sister was there teaching with us the whole time. There is a talk that was given to missionaries (I don't remember, where, when, or who was speaking) that says when we are teaching it is never just us and the person, we are surrounded by heavenly help. Another talk by Ronald b. Rasband from the last October conference says that when we open our spiritual eyes we will see that those who are with us are more than those that are against. (that is a scripture somewhere na verdade, but I read the quote most recently from elder Rasband) what a comforting thought. I know, especially with the temple here in Lisbon nearing completion, that we are surrounded in our work by those who have already passed helping us and helping their loved ones find the truth. What a beautiful image.

This is going to be a longer email because I have another miracle to share! We were on a bus this week and we start talking to the man sitting behind us. We introduce ourselves as missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ, and he finished it "of latter day saints." turned out he was a less active member! He loves the church though and found where it was all on his own right after we got off the bus! We are now teaching his wife as well! He loves the church and had been wanting to come back for a long time but didn't know how to find it. He didn't come to church this week and we don't know why because he seemed so excited. We are going to keep on working with him though, find out why, and help his family so that one day they can be sealed together as an eternal family!

How grateful I am for this work. It is hard. At times it seems impossible, but nothing is impossible as we focus our efforts and our lives on Christ.

Thank you so much for your support and prayers, I feel their power every day. I know this gospel is true, I know God is my father and he loves me. I know Christ is my savior and knows me perfectly. I love him.

I love you all! 
Sister Hardy

-a wonderful Sunday lunch and a wonderful group of people!
-Irmã Izaura and sister chagas looking cute with some cupcakes! 
-I made 6 months this week! Only a year left! 
-some of our cute friends we are teaching! 
-heart attack! We love our branch! 
-fé (faith) 
-Carlos! 











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