There is a bright spot in a gloomy week.

 Tuesday, April 15th

            Well, I didn’t end up writing anything for p-day yesterday.  I took a nap instead and went to Campo Grande to run errands.  We bought practical shoes for my companion, mailed letters (which I hope some folks are getting), bought picture frames for recent converts, etc.. We did the kind of things that you can’ do in Santa Margarida.  I. hate. Campo. Grande!  Also it is week 11 of Sister R’s training, which means that she is senior for the week – so I can relax a bit and not be in charge. (Is that a good thing?) It has been a very rainy and gloomy week on top of all that.  Mix all that with still struggling to cope with the fact that my Dad is very sick, and you have a 22 year old who is throwing a lot of pity-parties.  I am fine though, and actually happy when we are out working and serving, but when we are at home it is hard to keep my mind off of weightier matters.  I am striving to look for the blessings and develop and attitude of gratitude like President Uchtdorf taught in general conference.  But, this week my resolve is a lot weaker.  I figure that once the rain and my hormones stop raging, I will feel better.

Wednesday, April 16th

            It is a very cool 60 degrees and still raining. We are on divisions with Campinho and it is so nice to get a break from training.  I am working with Sister N. who was also trained by Sister Z . (my trainer). Sister N is a dang hard worker, skilled teacher, and doesn’t complain about anything.  She is humble, charitable, and just a great missionary.  BUT, like many missionaries, she confused walking faster and farther as a sign that we are working harder. There is a way to work without leaving you exhausted with achy joints at the end of the day.  It seems as though some sisters think that we have to be hurting in order to show that we are working.  Sister N is seriously broken… what I think is probably a torn MCL, yet she insists on walking and working some more.  Her entire left leg is swollen and she has had this problem for 9 months.  Sister B and I have insisted that she sees a doctor and take care of the problem.  She is scheduled to get an MRI this week.  I admire her drive and righteous desires, but you just have to take care of yourself. 

Thursday, April 17th

            Divisions went well, but it was kind of a bummer to get back to training.  Sister R. is doing well with her work as a senior.  That gives me comfort knowing that this time around I did something right while training.  We had a pretty good day despite the cold.  We taught 2 lessons with P.H. (the tall, dark, and handsome RM in our ward). We were able to visit with Ge. and Jo. along with the bishop, who talked with their father about baptism preparations.  That discussion went smoothly and the girls will be baptized on Saturday!

Our Young Women's President went all out on decorating for the baptism.

The girls with their dad, whom they adore!

The young women supported the baptism!

Bishop Curty baptizes G. and trades out for J.

A bunch of happy young women!

Beautiful girls on a beautiful day!

Monday, April 21st

            I am hoping that transfer week next week brings something different. I like challenges, and I feel like with a new companion, area, or leadership I will be able to channel my energy towards problem-solving. This past week was week 11 of the 12-week program--the week where Sister Rosário is senior for a week. I tried my best to allow her to have real experience--ie, not letting my natural tendency to take control of the situation take over. She learned a lot, and learned how to lead and control our lessons, but by the end of this week I am feeling my self-esteem is quite a bit lower. When I don´t have that responsibility to be "on" all the time (like a senior HAS to be), I find myself feeling quite down... Next week´s P-day we have to go to Andarai to have Sister R´s last evaluation...so there is a STRONG chance that we will not have the opportunity to email. 

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!!!

Josephina and Alcebaides

The family at Jos. baptism.  Most of the people in the picture are not members of the church.

Cute Grandkids at the baptism of their Grandmother

General Conference April 2014

                  Of course, like most missionaries, I love conference. I always feel at peace and have my questions answered and problems addressed. I also love conference because we were able to watch it in English again, which was a huge blessing. Sister Brown and Sister Jamieson and I continued our Campo grande tradition of cooping up in the outdated family history center –it was awesome. We got to spend almost the entire weekend in AIR CONDITIONING!!! There were about 1,000 mosquitoes in our room, but man oh man was it worth it!  It sounds really terrible, but it was soooo nice to leave our investigators with our companions and listen to and speak English while munching on snacks and sharing missionary experiences with one another.  It was a wonderful, spirit filled weekend.

            Basically the entire Sunday morning session was for my family.  I was so grateful for them and their constant desire to be righteous. I still can’t believe how at peace I am about my dad’s illness. Yet there are moments when I remember how shocking and real this trial is for my family.  The majority of the time, I am really quite happy, hopeful, and confidant that all will be well. 

My sweet companion!

The longest noncompanionship...and sista-from-anotha-motha

            We have had a great conference this weekend.  I had 6 investigators come to Campo Grande Stake center for conference.  It was a great experience for each of them. I feel very blessed to be able to help so many people--especially to help them change their lives and be baptized. I know that it is a unique part of my patriarchal blessing--it says TWICE that I will be blessed to see (and help) many find the path that leads back to our father in heaven. I know that even though I’m having trials and difficulties during this mission, the Lord has promised me that I will help many enter the waters of baptism.

Alcebiades and Josefa attended 2 sessions, the general women´s broadcast, AND the priesthood session. ELEITOS.

 Geisa and Joice, our cutest little investigators that have been coming to seminary EVERY day for TWO weeks, attending every church activity, watching every session of conference, etc. They are really amazingly prepared.

Snack filled, English speaking, air-conditioned Conference heaven

American Sisters - Sister Jamieson, Brown, and Colvin

The Lovely Sister Brown

 one of the families in our ward--the daughter is inactive and we helped strenghten her testimony and help her and her son come to conference!

Julie, quite possibly the CUTEST little kid I have ever met.

 Sheila (RC) and Marcos at conference

Eric (RC) and Carol at conference

 Zona Campo Grande

           

Inner Peace

March 31, 2014

            Well. Emailing home was rough, but other than that I am feeling all right.  I’m sleeping and eating well, and my digestive system is normalizing.  If only I could get our shower heater to start working!  President Lima called this morning during personal study to “study with me”.  This consisted of him reading Matthew 11:28-30 to me and then telling me to have more faith.  He said that he loves me and that he is praying and fasting for me. 

 It was Josefa´s birthday this past week--we gave her a simple gift and sang happy birthday and "parabens" and she cried! She said that it was the nicest, most thoughtful thing that anyone has ever done for her on her birthday! awwwwww

            Well, it is already 6 pm – time to get back to work…..(four hours later) It was a good night of work.  We found a new investigator, taught Lae., G and J, and then had Family home evening with Alc. and Jos. The Spirit is really helping me  - he’s lifting my heart and touching my soul every so gently every time I testify of a gospel truth.  I think that this trial with my dad’s health has made me infinitely more aware of the feeling of the Spirit in my life. I will make it through.  It is easier when I am focused on others, and I am happy.  I will continue to work and serve and rely on the Lord.

            Yesterday I sat on the pulpit after accompanying for the opening and sacramental hymns.  I was throwing a bit of a pity party, when I got the impression to look out at the faces in the congregation. As I did, I realized that all 5 of my recent converts were there.  One of them was even giving his first talk in sacrament meeting.  Jes. was seated with her husband and their little ones.  Mar., who is leaving for a big family trip, took the time and made the sacrifice to come to church before her departure.  S. was sitting with her teenaged stalwart son, Marcos. Alc. and Jos. brought a friend with them to church! In addition, there were 4 new investigators that are progressing in the gospel who were present.  I was overwhelmed by the love that I felt for these people and the moment of reassurance that was given to me that I am fulfilling my purpose and doing what I should be doing.

Does this wiring look "up to code?"

Wed. April 2, 2014

            I feel unusually calm and completely at peace. The fact that our shower is still cold and our toilet doesn’t flush isn’t driving me crazy anymore. I am not on the edge of tears or snapping at my companion.  I just feel completely at peace.  I have been praying hard and working harder.  I can feel the prayers of others lifting me though this trial.  I hope to continue on like this!  There is work to be done.

Typical day of tracting.

Fri. April 4, 2014

            Well, we continue to have very little time to write or do anything besides missionary work, but that is a good thing!  I am still marveling at the incredible inner peace that I am feeling. I was not expecting to find acceptance or comfort so quickly.  Surely it is coming from prayers, fasting, and the pure love of Christ. I feel my relationship with Him growing stronger each day. I hope and pray that in some way my prayers and service can bring comforts and peace to my family. I hope that this General Conference will answer some of their questions and concerns.

             Our poor District leader had to have his appendix removed last week. He is on bedrest for 15 days!  He is continuing to help to encourage us though.  I am a big fan of how he has led us so far.