Pray for Brazil

1. Jerusa's baptism
The highlight of this week was for sure Jerusa;s baptism! Her late mother was a faithful member, and always invited Jerusa to come to church and talk to the missionaries, but she was never interested. Well, we met her in February as a member reference.  Slowly the Lord has worked with her, softening her heart, to the point where she basically told us she wanted to be baptized! Her stepdaughter, Diane, was baptized in March and her other kids were already coming, so it was a triumphal moment to see all her family together at her baptism and at church! She had real intent, and the Lord blessed her and did His part. He ALWAYS does His part when we do ours! A great experience for me.

Jerusa´s baptism

Jerusa´s family

2. Small Victories 
We had a tender moment this week. We were teaching a less active grandma and her 9 year old grandson, who came to church last week. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and this lesson we taught about the Plan of Salvation, and of course at the end we invited him to be baptized! The grandma has health problems and wants to wait till she gets better and can come every week for him to get baptized, a valid thought. But Victor´s little prayer at the end touched my heart "Heavenly Father, please bless grandma so that she can get better so that I can get baptized and be able to enter into the Celestial Kingdom with my family." His powerful little prayer touched my heart!

3. I love teaching the Gospel
I have come to love teaching the Gospel, explaining God´s teaching so simply that even a child could understand. This has made me be able to clearly see what God expects of us and I have gained a testimony that all this really is the truth. There´s such a joy in being a missionary and teaching the Gospel. There is no more compelling work than this, nor any which brings greater satisfaction. "More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among His children." And I testify that it's true.

4. Pray for Brazil
Brazil is passing through some difficult moments. The truckers, who deliver everyday products, are on day 7 of a national strike because of corruption in the government. Basically markets are running out of food, some cities don´t have gasoline, etc. Pray that this can be resolved before a national panic happens.

Well, next week will be my last P-Day.... and shortly I´ll be home! I love you all! thanks for the prayers, love, and support.

Elder RAWSON

Coming Soon!

my BFF Elder Vandertoolen

CHURRO STAND

the living statue!! (he's a member)

#ConheçaOsElderes (meet the Elders)

I absolutely love this work. The burning joy that I feel in my heart is indescribable.

1. Our social media campaign
We've been applying a 20th century method to preach the gospel, using the Facebook of members! They take a picture with us and post it using the hashtag #ConheçaOsElderes (meet the Elders) for all their friends to see! It´s been cool to see the members positively react and help bring the light of the Gospel to everyone. My question for you now is- when was the last time you put a spiritual message on your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram??

2. Visits with President and Sister Louza
This week we had the privilege of heading out with our mission  president and his wife to visit some of our investigators! They are so awesome and their bright spirits were able to help two families we are teaching! And finally, Seila came to church, so it worked out! At this point I`m inviting all of our investigators to be baptized on the last Saturday of my mission in 3 weeks. Go big or go home, right?

3. The power of the Livro de Mormon
I´m so very grateful to have the Book of Mormon in my life! As I was studying this week I felt it´s message penetrate my heart once again. I know that this is Christ´s church. This is where we need to be to one day return and live with Him. I have felt God´s undying love for me, and I hope that each one of you can feel it too. Ask, and it shall be given.

love,
Elder Rawson
Enos 1:26-27

Going Out With a Bang!

A successful week! A wedding,  2 baptisms, ward conference, and a wonderful Mothers Day call home:)

1. Leticia and Alisson 
After months of preparation Leticia and Alisson got married Saturday morning and then Leticia was baptized that afternoon! I´ve shared a little bit about them in previous emails, but our all-star member Alessandro passed a reference to us- His less active brother Alisson  and his girlfriend Leticia that lives with him. Leticia and Alisson  were super open with us and willing to do what the Lord expected of them! After the first Sunday that they came to church, Alissone got a call telling him he got the job he needed! They recognized it as a sign of God´s love for them, and they've done everything expected of them since! After their wedding they told us they have a new goal in 365 days- the temple! Such a great experience for me to witness. God does his part, always!

The wedding

The newlyweds!

the wedding group

Leticia family support at baptism

2. Vitoria´s story
We were also super happy to see Vitoria get baptized! Last month the Elders from the Center had made contact with a girl (Vitoria´s sister) and sent us her address to go visit her, and when we got there Vitoria showed way more interest than her sister! She hasn't missed a Sunday since and is loving the church. It´s cool to see how God acts- the real elect was the contacts sister! God acts in mysterious ways to bring forth the salvation of his children!

Vitoria´s baptism

2 new members -- Leticia and Vitoria!

3. The "lasts" continue
 I´m having a lot of "last moments" but it doesn´t feel real yet, cause I still got a month to go. This week was my last zone conference. We gave a training on teaching simply and clearly and we got lots of positive feedback, so I was happy.

In my interview with President Louza he just thanked and thanked me for everything I've done- for having that big smile on my face since I stepped off the plane, for always leaving my areas better than I found them, for inspiring other missionaries, and for making a difference in the lives of the families I've taught & baptized. It was a tender moment.

I love President Louza! He´s an excellent mentor and a role model for how I want to live my life.

I love you all! Thanks for your love and support.
Elder RAWSON

exchanges in the zone with Xis!!!!

Elder Lundrigan and I after zone conference,

talking with the best family ever!

Our P-Day lunch in the "shopping center" -  American style- hot dogs

Tender Mercies Everywhere

1. My last mission counsel 
This week was the last mission leadership counsel meeting! I bore my "last testimony" along with the other missionaries who are going home next transfer... We talked a lot about the great change that our mission had. Today we have harder working and more obedient missionaries, our mission is baptizing  almost double from when I got here, and mission life is all around better. I´m grateful to have been a part of this change and for my personal conversion that will stay with me for the rest of my life!

2. Miracles that happened this week
This week was amazing! Jerusa, the step mom of Diane our recent convert, always chatted with the missionaries but never was really interested. Her mom was a member so she has known the church for 6+ years. Well this week she told us she made a deal with God, and that if she got the job she applied for she would change her life and come to church- and she got it! When we got to her house on Saturday she told us how she´s ready to be baptized. So cool!

Also a month ago we made a street contact with a teenage girl who was already baptized and she started coming back to church! Well this week she told us how she didn't know if she should go to her mom´s church or come back to ours so she said a prayer, and a few days later we stopped and talked to her. She recognized this as an answer from God and now she´s reading the Book of Mormon daily, doing Personal Progress, and wants to serve a mission! All this because I followed the Spirit and opened my mouth.

This Saturday will be Leticia and Alisson´s wedding, followed by the baptism of Leticia and Vitoria, another girl we´re teaching! I´m so grateful to see the blessings of heaven every day. I know God´s immensely blessing me in these last days on the mission. I LOVE MY MISSION

Elder Rawson

Giant Livro de Mórmon 

my last mission counsel with my friends

FHE with investigators/members

a member was randomly wearing a Ute shirt  #GoTyler

Elder Lopes- ex comp

my Sister friends

Goodbye pizza for Elder J Silva

Elder Luz- ex comp

haircuts with our man Irmão Silvio

Elder Lundrigan-my last companion