The Best White Christmas Ever

Since it is Christmas Day, and we got to video message with Elder Rawson, he did not send a written update for this last week.  He did however send some pictures.

Feliz Natal - Brazilian Santa Clause

Elder Rawson in beautiful Brazil

The highlight of his week was 3 baptisms!  He said his favorite smell in Brazil is the smell of cleaning products they use to clean the font for baptism!

3 Baptisms for Christmas!

Baptism of Gabriel

Baptism of Jorge

Baptism of Micael

He also knew that he will be transferring from Sao Gabriel  back to Santa Maria tomorrow.  He had mixed feelings about the transfer as he felt that things are going well in Sao Gabriel, but is optimistic about the good things that will happen in Santa Maria.

Adam, Blake, and Grandma watching David say goodbye on Christmas call

Some sweet members in Sao Gabriel also sent us some pictures and videos this week.  We are grateful for the love and kindness they show to Elder Rawson.

Lasagna Lunch with Members

Elder Rawson & Elder Lopes

Christmas Eve Sunday

Sweating Cats and Dogs

1. WELCOME SUMMER
And it´s offically summer here down in Brazil! This week was a solid 105 degrees with humidity.  Only rich people have air conditioning, so it´s safe to say I´m sweating cats and dogs! We are blessed though cause people see us walking on the street and feel bad --so they offer us water and to sit in the shade a bit- which turns into a great opportunity to share the Gospel!

2. Light the world FHE
This week we had a special "seja a luz do mundo" family night with members and investigators and it was SUPER special. We passed the challenge from day 12 about taking in and loving strangers- And the love of the Savior really hit me. So many times on my mission people have taken me in and loved me, and the light of Christ really overwhelmed my heart as I was able to bear my testimony to everyone present. I love my mission.

3. The secret to mission work
MEMBERS! Working side by side with the local members is really the key. We´ve been focusing on teaching members friends/families and visiting incomplete families, and we´re being super blessed. I've never had so many good investigators. We were blessed to have 10 investigators at church this week. Our "Domingo do Amigo" (Friend's Sunday) really is working out.

Don´t forget to share the Gospel with someone today so that they can feel the true joy of Christ!

Luke 10:38-42

Love,
Elder Rawson

the famous Elder Pereira

our Christmas choir in the city center

Our Christmas choir in the city center featuring a drunk guy

our bff RM Natanael

 sunset in our area

Elder Rawson sliding in to teach you the Gospel:)

 Elder Rawson saving the day:)

2 years to work- Eternity to remember!

1. Christmas
Hello family and friends! I hope this Christmas time is going as good as mine is! There's not a better time to be a representative of Christ. We had a wonderful Christmas conference with half our mission. Me and some of the older missionaries did a skit in the talent show that was well liked (see pic #2 bellow). We also got presents and had an amazing training on how to Light the World!

2. 2 years to WORK
When I was at home I didn't full realize that a mission is two years of work, serving the Lord and preaching the Gospel in every moment! Now that I`m more experienced, I´m doing my best and giving it my all in every moment! This week we really focused on inviting people to church and we were blessed to have 12 INVESTIGATORS come! I was overwhelmed. The Lord really is blessing me and I couldn't be more grateful.

3. Apostasy
This week my testimony of the Apostasy grew! We talked to a lady on the street who attends one of the many churches here in the city, and she was explaining how in her church  they pay 30% tithing, 10% to God, 10% to Jesus, and another 10% to the Holy Ghost! Hahahaha and they announce to all their members not to accept the Mormons in your house, "cause that's how they get you.'" Made me appreciate that God restored His church:)

Love you!
Elder Rawson

#SejaALuzDoMundo (Be the Light of the World)

Skit in talent show

Christmas Presents

Seja a luz do mundo at church

a present from an investigator-mini Elder Rawson

 São Gabriel!!

Vai Grêmio!!!

1. Spicy week here in Rio Grande do Sul
HELLO family and friends- what an exciting week this was! So soccer here is obviously huge, and this week the team from our state won the South American Cup, so people went CRAZY celebrating!

Also this week I got bit by a dog and a woman offered herself to me. My personal favorite was a comment from our ward mission leader "Adam, the first man, was the luckiest man ever- he's the only man ever who didn't have to deal with a mother-in-law!"

2. Balling and Preaching
As we finished English class this week I noticed that there were a bunch of people playing basketball on the court, so I decided to give it a look. They invited us to play- so we did! I won´t lie, my jump shot isn't look good, but I managed to impress people with my skills:) they called me white Michael Jordan! We were able to get some people's addresses so it was a success.

3.The Church Miracle
We've been focusing on bringing people to the church on Sundays. Well, Sunday morning it started raining, and because everyone walks a ways to church, during the first hour we had no investigators in sight- so during second hour we headed to the street to invite anyone in sight to come! As sacrament was starting we saw an investigator slide into the back:) after all our effort God blessed us! I´m grateful for the tender mercies that he gives me each and every day.

Love yáll!
Elder Rawson

Utah county representing in São Gabriel-- my new roommate from Provo 

My Study Area

Our "Christmas referral box

Elder Rawson with a cool fam!

Jorge and family (investigator who came)