Mr. Lewis and Sister Nelson

“We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.” 
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Puxa vida (my goodness). Mr. Lewis has really just about summed up our inner desires. I find so many people searching for something good, warm, and celestial. I also find so many people searching for something good, warm, and comfortable. And so, when we present the restored gospel they have to make the choice. I´m not saying the gospel is uncomfortable, but it requires a life full of changes and progression. There really isn't any room to idle. Just to rise or fall. The gospel offers this true friendship and meditation that people search so diligently for. They want the truth but they don't know where to find it, as they say. 

So yesterday the Boqueirão stake hosted the Curitiba temple president, Sister Nelson, and Elder Russell M. Nelson. It was such a great conference. Before I left home and hopped on the bus to head over the the stake center, I said a little fervent prayer in my heart, hoping that I could find what I was needing at this conference. We brought 6 investigators to the conference. It truly helped them understand the importance of eternal families and the need for saving ordinances. I would like to summarize a thought given by Elder Nelson´s wife, Wendy.

She let us know that she loves coming to Brasil to see the faithful members here. She loved coming when they came to break ground and later dedicate the Curitiba temple. When she changes flights in her heavy traveling schedule she always sees the sign "ONLY PASSENGERS BEYOND THIS POINT" and at times it brings her to tears. She made the clear connection between flights and our eternal progress towards the kingdom of God. So that we can be a passenger that is permitted to enter the plane and fly high we have to make some prerequisites. We have to pack our bags, we have to get our boarding pass at the reception area, pass through security, wait, and wait, and wait some more and finally give our ticket to the flight attendant so that we can be allowed on the aircraft. She told us that she sees so many people all over the world that want to know how to return the presence of our Father in Heaven but don't know how. Only through completing the saving ordinances of the temple can we give our valid ticket to our Father, have rest in his everlasting and celestial kingdom and then progress forever. She then went on to explain that through baptism by the proper authority (priesthood of God), receiving the Holy Ghost by one who holds the priesthood, being endowed, and then being sealed as a family, is the only way that we can return and receive exaltation -- which is different than immortality. We have to stay firm, humble, and steadfast and only then can we return to God. ONLY PASSENGERS BEYOND THIS POINT. Our life is very much connected with the lives of those on the other side. People that have passed on have literally passed on and really aren't dead. But very much living. I don't think they like to be called dead ;) They are just waiting for us to do the work in the temple on their behalf. 

The conference seemed so clear to me. I felt motivated and happy. These feelings should be the basis of our repentance process. 

Oh yeah and Elder A. Santos will be transferred and I will be training a fresh new American that got his VISA! Wooo português class. 

p.s. It is so cold here. So I wrap myself in my sweet Brazilian green blanket every single moment at home. 1.2.3 geography lesson --- I am living on the other side of the equator....that is so weird, right? And so the seasons are flip flopped. We should be getting snow this year because the summer roasted us.