Christmas Eve Baptism

Christmas Eve couldn't have been better! Our Kelsey was with us and our sweet Grace was baptized. Grace's older two sons, Haury and Ronie have been faithful members for some time. Al and I have been their home teacher/visiting teacher for the last year. Grace has always been so kind and such fun every time we have been to her home. In fact, every time we go, there is a party! Sisters Kapp and Garmarano asked us to go with them to Grace's a few weeks ago. We went and Elder Barrus asked Grace if she felt she was ready to be baptized. I bore my testimony to her but told her she needed to be sure she was ready, I knew that I needed that assurance from prayer that I was ready to be baptized when I was seventeen years old She said she was and decided on Christmas Eve. It was a joyous occasion. Elder Barrus baptized her and Edsen Costa, first counselor in the Branch Presidency, confirmed her.

Feliz Natal!

Merry Christmas! The Nativity - Joseph and Mary aka Jacob and Addy Bair (our grandies).

Livia's Baptism

Saturday, December 16, just before the Christmas Party, Elder Barrus baptized Livia. Pictured at top left to right: Sister Gamarano, Sister Kapp, Luciana (Livia's mother), Livia, Sister Barrus and Elder Barrus. Al baptized Luciana about 2 months ago, then baptized her daughter Esther about 6 weeks ago and now Livia. Luciana has one more daughter that she hopes will choose to be baptized before we leave. Bottom picture, Elder Barrus, Livia, Luciana, Esther and Marila. On Sunday, December 17, Al had the blessing of confirming Beatrice, Maria Christina and Livia.

Interviews in Itapetininga

Friday, December 15, our zone had interviews with Presidente Ribeiro. Our zone leaders, Elder Lima and Elder Squires, asked us to bring something white to wear. We ended up making a short video. The letters we are holding up read, "We are the light of the world."

Tatui Branch Christmas Party

Gil made beautiful invitations for the Christmas Party. Eleven year Helena and Debora dig into the huge bowl of rice! Nicolas was loving the watermelon, it was almost as big as him. A party in Brazil isn't a party without dancing, so here Elder Barrus is dancing with little Mel. We were all so excited to see "Cricket" come to the party at only two weeks old.

Family Home Evening with Marivaldo and Gisele

Elder Barrus and Roberto went to the home of Marivaldo and presented a home evening. At the end of the lesson they played a game with palitos (toothpicks). The kids loved it and didn't want to stop. Beginning at top center, Roberto, Isabelle, Elder Barrus, Jean, Nayara, Gisele and Marivaldo.

Baptism

This family has a wonderful story. Right to left of the family picture is Sister Gamarano, Sister Kapp, Janaina, Janaina's husband Paulo, Beatrice, Maria Christina and Elder Barrus. The matriarch of the family is Janaina. Some of the children she is raising are nieces, some are children of other family members, but she has brought them all together to make a family. There are eleven in total in the family. Beatrice and Maria Christina were taught by Sisters Kapp and Gamarano and baptized by Elder Barrus after Sacrament Meeting December 10. Janaina and Paulo are now receiving the missionary lessons.