Persistence

As a member of the branch presidency in Fortaleza, Brazil, Brother Marques with the other priesthood leaders developed a plan to reactivate those who were less active in his branch.
One of those who was less active was a young man by the name of Fernando Araujo.
Recently I spoke to Fernando, and he told me of his experience:

"I became involved in surfing competitions on Sunday mornings and stopped going to my Church meetings.
One Sunday morning Brother Marques knocked on my door and asked my nonmember mother if he could talk to me.
When she told him I was sleeping, he asked permission to wake me.
He said to me 'Fernando, you are late for church!'
Not listening to my excuses, he took me to church.

"The next Sunday the same thing happened, so on the third Sunday I decided to leave early to avoid him.
As I opened the gate I found him sitting on his car, reading the scriptures.
When he saw me he said, 'Good!
You are up early.
Today we will go and find another young man!'
I appealed to my agency, but he said, 'We can talk about that later.'

"After eight Sundays I could not get rid of him, so I decided to sleep at a friend's house.
I was at the beach the next morning when I saw a man dressed in a suit and tie walking towards me.
When I saw that it was Brother Marques, I ran into the water.
All of a sudden, I felt someone's hand on my shoulder.
It was Brother Marques, in water up to his chest!
He took me by the hand and said, 'You are late!
Let's go.'
When I argued that I didn't have any clothes to wear, he replied, 'They are in the car.'

"That day as we walked out of the ocean, I was touched by Brother Marques's sincere love and worry for me.
He truly understood the Savior's words: 'I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.'
Brother Marques didn't just give me a ride to church--the quorum made sure I remained active.
They planned activities that made me feel needed and wanted, I received a calling, and the quorum members became my friends."

Following his reactivation, Brother Araujo went on a full-time mission and has served as bishop, stake president, mission president, and regional representative.
His widowed mother, three sisters, and several cousins have also entered the waters of baptism.

-Mervyn B. Arnold - Strengthen Thy Brethren- April 2004 General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi