First Sunday in March

March 1 Sunday

Merl and I caught the bus to SF de Paula at 8:00 a.m. this morning.  When we arrived a few minutes before 9:00 a.m, there were several people at the church - and we saw a mini-bus parked out front.  Apparently the Branch now has a contract with a bus company to pick up members and investigators and take them home.  This relieves the duty from Pres. Marcos; now he can start meetings on time rather than gather his flock.

 I took 11 more pictures of new children in primary.  We had to split the Primary into two groups as there was not room for enough chairs (30+).  So nursery age children along with their older siblings were moved to another room. . . the little ones have separation anxiety (moms are in Relief Society - the kids take care of each other). 

There were 97 in attendance in Sacrament meeting - a record.   There wasn't room for another chair; the small chapel was full as well as the entry/hall way and the Branch President's office.  They are really suffering growing pains.  The missionaries have set a goal of having 120 in attendance by the end of March.

Danubia (wife of Rodrigos - counselor in Branch presidency) has been on a mission of improving the reverence in Sacrament meeting.  She challenged the Primary children to set the example and offered a reward to be given once a month - on Fast Sunday.  Merl and I put together the goodie bags for this month.  Danubia set an additional row of chairs in the already packed chapel area and had all the Primary children sit together.  They did amazingly well with the oversight of Danubia.

Pres. Marcos asked Merl to bear his testimony towards the end of the meeting.  Fortunately, Merl had a written out testimony.  He has been given many opportunities to communicate in Portuguese at church, in counsel with Branch leaders and in meetings.  He is in his element.

The Elders asked if I would assist them in putting together a bulletin board to post pictures of new members.  This will help everyone recognize them  and to welcome them to the Branch. The Branch is only a little more than one year old.  Everyone is new so this might need to be a giant bulletin board.  Three children were baptized today (and four others were confirmed).   

We arrived home in time to grab a little lunch before catching a bus to Gramado for the After camp fireside that included a few testimonies from youth campers and a commentary from Pres. Nunes on some of the pictures I took.  The Branch presidents have requested copies of all the pictures, so I think I will attempt to put together a slide show and put it on a DVD for them.  Another project to add to the list!

Luana, Robson, and
Latiele

Choir practice for District Conference was supposed to be after the fireside.  The singers were there, but not the choir director.  Sister Copa filled in, and we at least went through the parts and sang all the verses of the songs.  Only one more practice before the big day, March 8.

David and Ann attended the baptism of Latiele Ribeiro Moreira, an eight year old girl.  She sang "When I am Baptized" after receiving the music from the missionaries just the day before.  Ann said it was beautiful and very touching.  Her mother, Luana, and her fiancé Robson were there.  They are planning to get married, and then Luana will be baptized.  Robson is Terezinha's son and already a member.