Life long dream lived this week.

We, the two branches here in Santa Cruz do Sul, had a little church expo right in front of the Great and Spacious Building. That is right. That huge Catholic Church. Don't. worry. Don't worry about it. We had permission from the city. Was it a success? I tried to make contact with a ton of people that continued walking without saying one word to me. I talked to people that said there is nothing good about the United States. Excuse me, but what does the church have to do with the United States? I tried talked to many people that were in too much of a hurry to make time for God. I talked to a few people that acted a little interested. One in particular that was super interested in the Book of Mormon. Every single day that passes I become more and more convinced of the power of that sacred book. Anyway, this expo was super fun.....especially because of where we were doing it.

 

I didn't mention last week, but Sister Carneiro and I are opening this area. Because there are more sisters arriving in the mission, they split a few areas. I am living with two other sisters that work in the other half of the city. Talk about exciting......training while opening an area. Bring it!!!!

 

This Sunday, a member of the branch brought his daughter to church for the first time. She loved it and wants to be baptized. Her name is Angelica and she is nine years old. Haha super funny. When I met her, the first thing she said to me is that I talk funny. I love the sincerity of children.

 

I love Easter. Why? Because I love the Lord. Just think about how human we all are. We make stupid, petty little mistakes every day. We make huge mistakes every once in awhile. There is no way that we would be able to enter into the presence of our Supreme and Majestous Heavenly Father without the intervention of someone or something. Who and what is that someone and something? Jesus Christ and His infinite and atoning sacrifice. Without Jesus Christ, this life would be meaningless. Without Jesus Christ there would be no hope. I could go on forever saying "Without Jesus Christ......" but I prefer to think about the other side of things. With Jesus Christ we have EVERYTHING. I love Him. I know that he fulfilled all that the Heavenly Father required of Him. He lived, served, loved, atoned, died, and rose again. He lives.

 

Sister Autumn Barnes

 

Minha companheira! Sister Carneiro!

A member wearing the traditional clothing of the Rio Grande do Sul. Also, that beautiful street that I told you about!

3. Missionaries of the true church in front of the city's insane cathedral!

Santa Cruz do Sul!

Olá!

It feels so good to be transferred! It is so funny how every area has its pros and cons. I am in Santa Cruz do Sul. It is about 2.5 hours from Porto Alegre. It was settled by Germans, so it has huge German influence. This is cool and hard at the same time. This city is super pretty. There is this street here that has huge trees on both sides of the road so it makes like a tunnel of trees. There is also this GINORMOUS Catholic Cathedral here. Catholic, but SOO pretty at the same time. Just to let you know how strong the German influence is.......every year they have Oktoberfest which is one of those huge German beer festivals. It is the 3rd largest festival like this in the world. The people here are also WAY LESS RECEPTIVE. I have had doors slammed in my face here more than in any other area of my mission. It literally feels like I am in Germany instead of Brazil. 

My companion is Sister Carneiro. She is a greenie! Yep, I am training again. As of yet, she hasn't been bitten by any dogs or twisted any ankles. She is from Sao Paulo and she is SUPPPPER hilarious and friendly. I am laughing a ton with her. 

Sorry....this week I don't have much time. Maybe next week! Hahaha maybe! I love you all so much! Next week I will tell you all something a little more inspiring! I know that Christ lives!

Sister Autumn Barnes

 

The Catholic Cathedral here! It is huge! 

 

Transferencia!

I was transferred! I don't know to where yet.....but I will let you know next week! I have 2 transfers left!

Love you all!

Sister Barnes Sr.

 

Erik's baptism! It's been a while since I was last surrounded by 20 men (more like never). 

We went to Outback Steakhouse as a Zone before our temple session! It was amazing!! Sister Ferinho, Sister Young, Sister Araujo, and yours truly. 

 

Baptism

Olá!!!

This week was the baptism of Erik Rodrigues de Souza!!!! It was by far one of the most special of all the baptisms I have taken part in. Erik comes from a rough family. His dad and stepmom use drugs and don't even give him the time of day. It was super easy to get parental authorization to baptize Erik because his dad doesn't even care very much about what his son does. I was beyond happy to see that 75 people showed up for Erik's baptism!!!!...more than we usually have in the sacrament meeting. It was truly a miracle!!! At the temple a few days before, I bought him a Book of Mormon with Doctrine and Covenants and a Bible. I had all of the youth in the ward sign it for him a couple days before. I gave him this present after the baptism and he started crying. I could tell that it meant a lot to him. That was a SUPERRRR rewarding day!!

I found out agora, and almost started crying because of it, that an investigator that I found knocking doors was baptized in Montenegro. This really strengthened my testimony because at times we don't see the fruit of our labors. I didn't baptize him while I was there, but I remember very distinctly the day that I knocked on his door asking if we could share a special message with him. It was one of those days....one of those hard days when all of our appointments had fallen through. We were walking past this street and I had the strong feeling to knock doors there even though it was a road mostly full of businesses and only had a couple of houses. I don't think there is a better feeling in the world than the feeling of knowing that you were an instrument in the Lord's hands in changing someone's eternities!!! I love the mission!

KELSIE WAS CALLED TO PORTO ALEGRE NORTE???????? I don't believe this! Too bad that I won't be here still, but I love the idea of having family carrying on the work here in the BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD!!! If she has any questions about the mission, Rio Grande do Sul or whatever, let me know! Tell her she will ADORE President and Sister Wright! 

My heart is so full right now after a very gratifying week. The Lord knows us! He is in control! It is only through him that we can find true happiness!!! Love you all!!

Sister Autumn Barnes