Dear Family and Friends,
This past week was quite the week. Elder Bednar's visit on Tuesday was the highlight. We had prepared the weeks before by reading two of his talks. When he stood up to speak he asked us what we learned. As the mission began to explain, it was interesting to watch his reaction. Sometimes the person would give a thought and after he would just look at him/her and wait for them to continue. He also made a rule that we weren't allowed to write anything he said, only what the Spirit directed. He talked with us about the difference between objects and agents-one is acted upon, the other always acts. He asked us if we felt if we were agents or objects while talking to him and if our investigators are objects or agents.
He made notice that the way he was asking questions was to invite us to give what we learned, that there was no specific answer. He said we were teaching ourselves and that he was only helping direct the discussion. It was really intense, where you could feel the Spirit and lots of thoughts were coming to our heads.
I had been studying about Adam and Eve, and I had a question about Eve's choice, whether she was deceived or if she really understood what she was doing. The thought came to mind that she did the best thing she had with the information she had. She knew they had to start a family, and the only way to know how was to eat the fruit and receive the knowledge of good and evil. So I was feeling very content, having a spiritual feast and having my question answered without asking a question.
And then Elder Bednar invited us to ask him questions. As he was explaining about questions, I had another question-what is the one thing that we could teach the members that would help them have a temple? So when he asked, I raised my hand, expecting he would ask someone else. To my great surprise and astonishment, he looked right at me and chose me.
So I stood up and asked. After the translator translated it into English, he looked right at me. "That is an inspired question Elder." He went on to relate that there are 3 governing councils in the Church-Priesthood, Mission and Temple/Family History. Members of the 12 serve on all of them. There are 2 that serve on the Temple council-Elder Scott...and Elder Bednar. It was such an amazing opportunity, not because I was feeling very intelligent or spiritually prepared, but because it was such a great teaching experience for the entire mission. We learned that it wasn't the number of members, tithing, stakes, etc. that was faulting for Brasilia to have a temple. The only thing that is missing is the number of frequent temple goers. Elder Soares of our area presidency answered this part and Elder Bednar explained that on average, the members will be very excited from the announcement to the dedication, the first months the temple is full and then people find reasons not to frequent the temple the way they should with it so close and the temple isn't used. He explained when Brasilia shows that the members won't do this, God will give them a temple. It was an amazing experience.
Yesterday we went to the birthday party of Luzete. We've been teaching her and her husband for some time now. They have family members in Taguatinga that are members and her nephew has been waiting for his visa to go to the United States. He will serve in the New York City North New York mission. He finally got his visa and heads out this Thursday. He and his family were there, and it was nice to get to know them. He is a really nice guy. I told him I have a friend who works in the mail room, so can you tell Breanna that if an Elder Lima tries to talk English with her, I sent him to say hi, from me.
Also, I'll let you know next week, but do you think you could send him something like Reese's peanut butter cups or Mike and Ikes while he is there? He's been a huge help teaching Luzete and Luis and Luzete really wants to go to the temple for his wedding (in the future). The temple edition of the Liahona is great! We showed it to them and it helped a lot to get a more long term view. His name will be Elder Leandro Lima-New York North New York (something like that).
I will try to write the 100 things too (for family night, Dave challenged us to write 100 things we're thankful for by Thanksgiving day).
Where is Marshall Graves going? Ronda's going on a mission! What?
I sat next to Elder Barry for lunch at Elder Bednar's visit. Elder Kirkham says he is doing amazing and will definitely be an assistant. I saw Sister Ortolano from across the chapel, but didn't have the opportunity to talk, and overall elders don't talk to sisters-kind of an unofficial rule.
The rainy season is in full swing. I still can't believe Sister Fitzgibbon (Natalia's mom) said it was a desert here. Eu duvido! I have been soaked for 3 weeks straight! Utah, Arizona and Nevada are deserts. I don't know what Brasilia is, but I am pretty sure it receives enough rain to not be a desert.
Elections here ended and the first woman was elected president of Brasil. It will be nice to not worry about Sunday elections anymore.
That's about it.
Love,
Elder Barton
p.s. Happy birthday Dad! Feliz Aniversario Papai!
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