Elder Chase Herrmann: 3/13/17

Wow, life can’t get any better than this! I feel like I am really losing myself in the work which makes me so much happier. I want so badly to bring the gospel message to everyone!

I love this ward! I’ve never met such funny, loving, and dedicated people in my life. They are always there to help us with references and are always feeding us. I have learned so many things about Brazil and am always crying by laughter because of their stories. They truly love the gospel and it really gives us missionaries a boost of energy. Having the members help with the work and be supportive of missionary work makes all the difference.

This week I had interviews with President Tavares. I entered the interview and he said, "Well Elder Herrmann, we tried to send you home but your country doesn’t want you so I guess you’re stuck with us, hahaha!" He is such a great man, truly inspired of God. He asked me a question that really made me think. He said, "Elder Herrmann, what is your goal for yourself while on your mission?" After thinking about it for a long time I came to the conclusion that my goal is to change, to come back home and be changed and not make the same mistakes I made in the past. He told me the only way I can do that is if I learn to really know Christ, not just like know him and what he did, but really know him personally. The figure the only way to really know Christ is to come unto him and follow his footsteps. So that is something I have been focusing on every day—knowing Christ.

So in district meeting this week I was trying to help us be more motivated. My district is so awesome and we are all really competitive so I thought of a new challenge for every day. The area who wins the challenge chooses the next day’s challenge. For example, the area with the most contacts with a return appointment wins for that day. Little stuff like that has helped our district a lot and we have so many new investigators!

Last week we visited a family in the ward and they have a 10 year old who is not a member and didn’t really have a desire to get baptized. His name is Alexandre. After teaching him and going to Church with him he’s gained a love for the gospel and is getting baptized this Saturday. I love him so much!

Something cool this week, we found a less active member who is from Angola, her name is Agusta. She is amazing and has a son, Luis, who is 13. He is super shy but we connected over magic tricks and soccer. We have been working hard to get Irma Agusta to return to church but she hasn’t gone in 10 years because she felt judged. We focused on how the gospel is perfect but the people are just human and trying. We thought last week she was going to come but she called last minute and cancelled. We knew that to teach Luis the lessons they needed to go to church together. SO we focused and prayed for Irma Agusta. When Sunday came around we were confident she would show up since she said she was going to come. At church we didn’t see them. It was 30 minutes into the meeting and I felt very sad. So I went outside to call them and while I was calling them I heard her voice behind me! She made it to church! In church I was scared that she would feel those same judgmental thoughts but she loved it! And apparently Luis had a friend who is a member which was great. It was truly a blessing! That night we went over to the house and started teaching the first lesson then showed the First Vison. At the end he looked at us and said, "Wait.... so this is the only true church on the earth right?" We told him yes, and he said, "Well then, I want this to be my path!" He gave the closing prayer and started crying and it was really powerful.

This week I learned a lot about the history of the church. My studies are picking up and at the end of every study session I think, “Like whoa, our church is freaking DOPE!!!!! I am gaining a love for the organization of our church and am so proud to be a member. Many times I use to think our regular lives and our church lives are separate. But that is so wrong, our lives and our church lives are one life, and with that we will have the most happiness!

I love you all so much! This gospel is true and will bring the most joy!!!!!!! AGUINHA!!!!

-Elder Herrmann