Monday, March 2, 2015

"The Lord has become my best friend"

Good Morning Bragança!
I know we´ve come so far but we´ve got so far to go! This week some songs from hairspray are going through the air as I wake up in the morning every day here in Bragança instead of Baltimore, and I hit a year this week thusly, the songs from hairspray being appropriate. Can you believe it? A year ago this week I was saying my last goodbyes, not eating because of nerves, and being setting apart as a missionary for our Lord and His Church. It´s definitely been a journey and there are for sure many more adventures to come. I don´t know that I am the exact same person I was a year ago, but I still am just as handsome, clever, and charming.... oh and #humble. The Lord has become my best friend in the past year seeing that He is the one that I have been able to look to 24/7. I have gained a strong testimony of the grace of his atonement. I know that our Heavenly Father lives, and that he truly wants us to have happiness and joy in our lives. I know that His plan is perfect, and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I know that this Church was restored by a prophet of God.
I have been a year without seeing my friends, family, pets, and movies. No videogames, no (long) naps or sleeping in. It´s an experience that you can´t trade for anything that truly changes your life forever.
Everything has been going fine. Unfortunately the family we´re teaching had a little set back. Something happened in the past week or so and he didnt want to talk to us so the rest of the family kind of acted wierd towards us and they didnt show up to church. It´s definitely a let down, but we cant get discouraged. We got the stake coming here again for our Branch Conference! gotta get things in order and people to church! All is well, spring is coming and its warming up. The sun is staying in the air longer and we´re still quotin our movies.
Love you all, thanks for the support and love and prayers.
Love Elder Quinn!!! See ya´ll in a year! ;)

"...with the Spirit I usually keep warm."

Good Morning Bragança! (hairspray...)

Welp, one more week in this tiny little city! But good news, the sun is staying in the air longer and we are getting closer and closer to spring!!!! It gets pretty windy here unfortunately and it brings the cold air from the snowy sierras of Spain!!! But with my jacket and with the Spirit I usually keep warm. Still looking for those elects of God here in this town! I know they're here... just a little more and we´ll be having some baptisms!! This branch will be a ward here in no time!! The family we are teaching are sooo cool!! Just trying to get them to make the change from sleeping in on Sundays, to coming to church at 9:00 am. has been the biggest challenge! With just a little more patience and love they´ll get there! Been challenged by the president to speak only portuguese outside of the house, so we´ve been doing that and it has really helped improve my language! Headed to Porto again this week for some meetings there with the Zone and with President. Still drinking juice, and putting brown sugar in basically everything we eat... I have gained quite the sweet tooth out here... I guess I already had one... but still! The Lord is helping us out so much in the Branch here in Bragança! We broke our record with people in sacrament meeting yesterday!!! WOOO 16 people! haha! gave like my 12th talk in sacrament! but its all good, Learning sooo much being here and loving it! Elder Lines and me get along real well! We quote Matilda, Harry Potter, and all the classics. We also find time to do missionary work. All is well here!

Love you all!!!
Love Elder Quinn