Things Just Got Rio: Sick Companion Week/ 9 months out!

Here is the week in Recap:

Sister Brown and I celebrated our Hump Day...9 months in the mission field!

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 (my friend Jaclyn’s 22 birthday!)

Happy Birthday Jaclyn…I only remember this because she repeated “April 8th” every day for a month in seminary! I wish that I could remember my other friend’s birthdays like this one. Which reminds me that I missed Devon’s birthday in March – dang it all! If you read this, Happy Belated Birthday Devon.

Poor sick girl...It was a hard week for Sister R.

Anyways, I’m sitting at home right now because Sister R. is throwing up. Throwing up is the worst. Poor girl. But, it does give me some time to write and reflect upon the past week. It was a good week. Sister R and I teach well together. We have different strengths and we tend to compliment each other. We can really study well together, plan, and practice. I have a feeling that since things are going well, we will not stay together this next transfer.

I got handwritten treasures from Sister Sousa (former companion) and Bessie Porter (a sister from my parent’s ward) – they made my day! Even the littlest note raises my spirits down here. Please write the missionaries often.

A delicious fruit!

We are starting an English class! We have to have 30 people participating and it can only be one hour once a week. (Yes, President Lima is very strict!) I explained this to Carlos, and he was doubtful that we could meet the requirements. But, anyone who knows me, knows that when someone doubts me, it just makes me work that much harder to prove them wrong! Sister R and I have been working with members, shop owners, neighbors, and people on the street to help get the word out – we’ll see if it pays off!

My little family "shrine"

Update on investigators:

Ge. and Jo. (15 and 12 year old). I love these girls so much. They come from very humble backgrounds, but they are some of the happiest, funniest girls I know. Jo. is a crackup. I wish that I could video one of our lessons with her because it is really hard for us to keep from completely busting up and losing the spirit of the lesson. Ge. is more reserved, but she is already talking about when she will serve a mission. She has already asked her dad about it, and he has been asking us all sorts of questions. Their prayers are beautiful. They pray for everyone, calling them by name, and ask for such simple blessings. They are very grateful for all that they have and say things like, “we are thankful for food and light in our house.” It reminds me of President Uchtdorf’s talk on the spirit of gratitude. These humble Brazilians are teaching me a lot about how to be happy regardless of our circumstances. These girls have been attending seminary every day for the past 2 ½ weeks, been attending church regularly, an they just eat up what we teach them! We hve a mission rule that youth 11-15 years old , who don’t have a family member who is a member of the church, have to attend church for 3 months before being baptized, but there are some exceptions that have been made when ward leadership call directly to the mission President and explain the situation. Our Bishop, seminary teacher, young women’s president, and many others agree that the girls are exceptional and that the ward will help them to remain active. So we will see!!

Jos. and Alc. This family means a whole lot to me. I will be incredibly heartbroken to leave them behind. Jos. is becoming more and more converted – and is noticing the difference the gospel is making in her family’s lfie! She is much happier, and “lighter”, and more affectionate now than she was when we met her just 2 months ago. They both loved conference and love learning about and sharing the gospel. We have Family Home Evening at their home every week, which has been a great missionary opportunity to teach their grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. I have a feeling that this couple will bring many more people to the church in the future! Jos. should be baptized this Saturday. We just have to help he overcome her fear. But she is ready, has searched with real intent, and the Lord has given her many sweet confirmations.

Leo., Mar., Jor. – The verdict is still out on this family. The first hurdle is to help them get legally married, but they both want to be baptized. Mar. says that she has already been taught by the missionaries and she has read the Book of Mormon and knows that it is true and knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet.

We have other investigators, but these are the ones we are working the most with right now.

Walking in the rain!

Friday, April 11, 2014

We have had nearly a week now with virtually no work…but at no fault of our own….conference, P-day, and FOUR DAYS staying at home because of Sister R. sickness – poor thing! She vomited for two days straight – and if was made even worse because she never received a health card (insurance card). Sooo…we had the “joy” of going to a public hospital. It was very interesting to observe how things are run down here, but I didn’t touch anything or sit close to anybody…!

Monday, April 14, 2014

One month until my 22nd birthday. Sorry for he limited updates this week. The best part of the week was Jos. baptism on Saturday. You will see some great pictures of her family and her event. Alce. received the priesthood on Sunday! President and Sister Lima made a house call to bless Sister R. and other sick missionaries in our zone. Best news of all for the week is that Geisa and Joice have permission to be baptized on SATURDAY!!!