Week 11- Life Beyond the Pines

Well, transfers have come and gone and I now find myself in a new area, Pinheiros, which translates to pine trees (still yet to see one). It's about 10 minutes from my old area so the weather is pretty much the same, but with a different apartment, friends, Zone and companion, Elder Tarin.

Some highlights:

-America!🗽

-3 months as a missionary!

-We teach English in this area (I am scholar)

-People can understand me (I think)

-Our friend Manoel has two pet parrots 

-Pizza x2

-The piano in this chapel actually works 

Ultimately, it was a good week. Pinheiros is a little smaller, but we still get our steps in because our friends are more spread out. Also feels like they're spread out on their progress (i.e. some are progressing and another not at all). But nothing that good work can't fix.

This week in my personal study, I started reading “The War Chapters” of the Book of Mormon and one thing that stood out was that Captain Moroni asked Alma the Younger to inquire of the Lord for guidance regarding military matters. I feel that this illustrates two important principles:

The first, that God is aware and cares about the things we care about. He seeks to bless us in all things both temporally and spiritually. He will aid us in our righteous desires, even in the secular word

The second is that of mentorship. Moroni was an excellent leader in his own right, yet still sought guidance from others. The Church serves practically as a way for us to meet like-minded, helpful people who can lead and guide us. The Church also brings us into close contact with the Ultimate Exemplar and Guide, Jesus Christ.

“Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.” - Moses 6:34

Until later,

Elder Pinkney