Sister Dias and I waiting for the onibus:) in Curitiba.

Opening the 12 days of Chrismas package of all joy and happiness! 

 Sister Fabian and I waiting for the onibus in Piraquara! Sister Fabian got here on Wednesday morning after an emergency transfer, she switched places with the other sister that was here who was from Chile and only stayed one week, the fourth sister that was here was Sister Alasia from Argentina and went home to do this crazy surgery on her legs but she should be able to return at the beginning of january. So for right now, there are only 3 sisters here in Piraquara! 

It came without tinsel. . . .

 15 December 2014

Wow, my Brazillian Christmas has been the best so far!! I can't even say how grateful I am to be spending it here in Piraquara with all of these people that I know and love so well, I am so blessed!

I thought it would be weird to be having Christmas in the hot weather with palm trees etc etc. but there's just this lovely Christmas spirit everywhere! Everyone decorates so well and all of the stores and restuarantes have decorations and my little Piraquara has decorated the main street so cute! I still need to take pictures:) And the Christmas hymns in sacrament meeting are the same hymns and bring that Christmas spirit just the same:) Last Friday we had the ward Christmas Party and it was sooooooo great! They had everything decorted so cute and I was frantically taking videos of everyting! Up until then I had been worrying about if I would be able to feel the Christmas Spirit/ *magic* etc. But let me just tell you, my heart was full to bursting with the true Christmas spirit and gratitude. Yes Dad, "It came without tinsel, it came without trappings. . . . " ( I can't remember the rest. .. !) We can feel the true happiness and love of the Christmas season no matter if we're in warm Brazil or warm Utah ;) I hope you 're all able to feel that true joy of Christmas that comes because of the birth and life of our Savior. http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR112814529

I was studying in PMG this week about the importance of bearing testimony and read this really great quote by President Monson that I wanted to share with you guys. " Regarding one's testimony, remember, that which willingingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses. . . " PMG pg 198 Pres. Thomas S. Monson.

This is so true! Every time we share our testimony it is strengthened but at the same time we are helping to strenghten someone elses testimony! Many times ( I know, I promise!) We think were were an example, tried to bear our testimony etc and it was in vain, it didn't helpe anyone. Well. The same day I was reading in the Book of Mormom abou the story of Abinadi. GREAT MISSIONARY. He bore his testimony until it got him into enough trouble that he was sentenced to death. During all of that it appeared like his testimony wasn't affecting anyone because they were all so wicked that they weren't truly listening. But did he desist? No! And theeen. Mosiah 17:2. It talks about ONE, just one person who was prepared by thd Lord, was WAS listening all of that time. We all know what Alma went on  to do later.  . . just re-organize the true church and stuff. . . .sooo. Wow. What  lesson for all of us! If we will be like Abinadi and bear our testimony of what we KNOW  to be true, no matter the circumstances, I have a testimony that Heavenly Father will not let our testimonies and our examples be in vain! There WILL  be an Alma waiting somewhere down the line, we never know all of the things that Heavenly Father has planned, but we have to do our part! So, here comes the best part- I challenge you guys to look for an opportunity(ies) to bear your testimony to someone before Christmas. However briefly, or simply, to whomever about whatever part of the Gospel you KNOW to be true. I know that Heavenly Father will provide the opportunites and the Spirit to help us recognize the opportunites:) Christmas is the deadline because we always need deadlines and this way you'll all be able to tell me about an experience! Waahoo! I have a really classic story to tell you guys too that I was going to write but I'm out of time and it will be way better to TELL it, you know what I'm saying?

Whoo.

Well, that's it for this week folks, I hope that you guys are able to enjoy the Christmas cheer and like you said Mom, seeing a Christmas miracle every day!

Talk to you all at Christmas!

Looooove,

Sister Ventura :) 

Eleven Lovin'

8 December 2014

Well First of all, SOOORRRY! Mom, I'm alive and well! We went to Curitiba today so that was cool but we got back suuper late and so now I literally have 10 minutes to write you guys which is a big bummer because I had lots of good stuff to say! :(

But yes, today is my 11 month mark my dear people! I canNOT believe it! After the 9 month mark, it's so true, the time passes so very quickly. To celebrate we will be eating pizza, yes that's right, brazillian pizza, there's not really a better way to celebrate. I've been thinking all week how I only have 7 months left until I will leave Brasil ( a.k.a Piraquara;) and it's is something that makes my heart hurt. I've just been realizing how much i love the fact that I speak with these people in this beautiful country in a beautiful language ever minute of every day. And not only that but I talk to them about the Gospel of happiness! What could be better I ask you? Nothing. 

My companion? Another Sister Dias! She's from  mina gerais and was already companions with Sister Cox! She is absolutely one of the most sweet, positive people I've ever met in my life! I'm also excited that my portuguese is going to get a lot better??! Unfortunately she has a boot on her foot because she broke her foot a month ago. . . .So we're still not able to work completely normally which is really frustrating but it's ok, we're using every minute that we can to talk to everyone. Seriously, I've never actually known what that phrase meant before, EVERYONE. Just imagine. It's actually so fun. It's cool because I remember in New York that that was the hardest thing for me, talking to strangers, annnnnnd now things have changed so much! 

This leads to my invite for the week for you guys. President showed up this week unannounced at our Zone meeting and talked a lot to us about constantly correcting. Constantly. Every day we have to correct ourselved to live the Gospel a little more the way we know we should, and we have a responsibility to help those around us as well. He told us that this is the way that we avoid straying from the path, every time we stray a little, we're already working on returning. A life-long persuit. Afterwards I read a verse in the BOM that I had never noticed before but now I love! Mosiah 7:33 ( i think, it's the last verse) It talks about how if we RETURN to the Lord with all of our heart and mind and with all dilligence that we will be blessed and achieve Eternal Life. But no matter who we are, what stage in life etc. we are being called to RETURN to Him. Please read that verse and decide personally just one thing that you will work on correcting, or one way that you will RETURN to Him starting today:) I'm doing the same every day too! 

I love you so very much my dear family! Next week i promise to send pics of my and my comp and Christmas here in Piraquara ta bom? Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite! ( We had bed bugs in our apt this last week, THE WORST). Hahah just kidding, but it wouldn't be surprising would it? At the rate I'm going??

Looove,

Sister Ventura :) 

Reunited with my dearest Sister Cox! Oh the joy! This was at the Christmas Conference that we had with the whole missions this last Tuesday, it was fantastic! So much fun! A little weird to be celebrating Christmas already but hey! My camera died after this so I don't have any more pics. . . .but I promise that it was really cool! ( cue Sister Cox! ;)

So crazy that she leaves tomorrow! It really made me think about how fast the time passes. Before I know it this will be me. . . yikes, still so much to do. Every missionary thinks that this day will never come and so sometimes we waste time thinking about it when in reality we just need to work sooo hard and appreciate every precious minute!

6 for the MINIMUM.

1 December 2014

So. This past Tuesday we had the Christmas Conference that I mentioned, it was splendid, so fun to be with billions of missionaries and Christmas joy and music and looooooooots of food. But anyway, President was talking a little bit at the beginning and  saying how he gets lots of complaints from missionaries that have been in an area for 3 or 4 months and how it actually says in some missionary manuel that when it's possible, missionaries should stay in areas for 6 months at the minimun. .. . I was so sure until that point that I would be leaving Piraquara finally! And honestly I was feeling pretty tired and wanting a change. When he said that I started to doubt a little bit. . . .Well my dear family. Yes. Yes, I will be staying here in my dear Piraquara another Transfer. Honestly, when i first found out yesterday I was just bummed. REALLY??? WHY? 7 1/2 months in the same area, my FIRST area too! More than 1/2 of my time in Brazil here in Piraquara! Haha but then we went to church and I was there with all of the people I love so very dearly and people were already talking about how they were happy that I WOULD be able to be here for Christmas and I just realized how truly devastated I will be when I do leave this little place in Brazil. I know I will leave a piece of my heart here and it will not be easy.

But, for now, I will appreciate that I know this place and this ward like the back of my hand and work soooo hard! It's really a blessing to have a ward that you know really ( reaaaaaaaaly ;) well that is a good hard-working ward:)

This week: Well, unfortunately, it was kind of a bummer week. I had the worst ear infection known to man ( well at least to me) for a week and a half and it was so bad that I wasn't able to work normally. Wow. I cannot express how much I prayed. Every hour of every day. Not being physically able to do almost anything, especially when you know that you only have 7 MONTHS  left to be a missionary and you have to spend a week of that time in your house/going to the doctor. . . it was one of the hardest times of my life honestly. Now, talking about it I can't really express what it was like but. . . .I don't know, i watched this Mormon mes.(http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3897359657001) that my dear Sister C (<3) sent today and she said something that sums up what I learned. She talked about Newton's Law-when there is a reaction, there is always an EQUAL and OPPOSITE reaction. She said, "The greater our sorrow is, the great our capacity is to feel joy." That's exactly right. I suffered a lot this last week, but I learned even more about my Savior and His Atonement. That He never did leave me and that He loves me. I don't  know yet exactly what I was supoosed to learn or why it happened to me but I am SO extremely grateful for health, for happiness and to be a  missionary-and my desire to work, work,work and just do all of those missionary things is so much stronger! Something else I learned about the Atonement of Christ at about the end of the week that brought a lot of peace to my questions filled mind and soul, is scripture found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. It says:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ( Thank you Sister C, do you see how much you're still helping me?? :)

Beautiful right?

I love you family, I hope that you had lovely Thanksgiving, we did. . . .nothing here haha, that's ok, I never liked Turkey anyways and basically eat a Thanksgiving Dinner every stinkin' day for alomço sooo. .. . 

Looooooooooove,

Sister V

2 p-day's ago when we hiked to the top of the world with Diner:)

2 p-day's ago when we hiked to the top of the world with Diner:)

Last Sunday during almoço. The Sister in the middle next to me is Brazillian ( from Natal!) She had an emergency transfer last Sunday, so that was a big bummer.  We only had about 4 weeks together but I really enjoyed getting to know her. It's so cool how many people from all over you get to know and love during a mission:) The sister that came in her place is from Argentina. So now the sisters in our house look like this: Me (american) A sister from Bolivia, Uruguay  and Argentina!  Man, It's so annoying when they all speak spanish together!

Yesterday waiting for the onibus to go to church: We had to wait about 40 minutes and there was a dandelion field nearby. . . .=about 20 bouqetes ( i do NOT  remember how to spell that!) for Sister Garcia and I :)

"We're all in this together"

24 November 2014

Annnnd who knew that High School Musical could be applied to so many things in life, not the least of which being the Hastening of the Work.  

Yesterday and Saturday was our Stake Conference and it was awesome! The entire focus was, you guessed it, The hastening of the Work and how we as missionaries and everyone as members have to work together to be really do this in the Lord's way.  A member of the 70, Elder Soaries (?sp) came and shared so many experiences of people coming to know the church but through MEMBERS that orginally invited their friends to meet with the missionaries in their homes. It was sooo cool and the Spirit was so very strong. He showed some videos from the church about memberse and missionaries working together. I cried every time because seeing those missonaries in the videos reminded me that I AM a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! It's STILL surreal for me, and somethings that is so cool. Is is a once in a life time opportunity that is worth every hard and seemingly impossible part, just knowing that I am a missionary makes everything worth it:) 

Anyway, Elder Soares made a promise/ challenge for all of the members: That every family needs to pray together and then decide on at least one friend/ family member/co-worker etc.every 6 months to invite into their home ( to have a "movie night" and watch a church film and then have desert etc. BUT to invite the missionaries to be there too, to meet the friends and mark another appointment. He said that he knew that those who will do this will have a wonderful experience and then will want to do it again and again! This made me think of D&C 18:16- I know that this is true! I want to extend this invitation to all of you too! I KNOW that this will be a bit harder in Utah, but it is possible, especially in 6 months! The means of finding people to invite may be unexpected situations but I KNOW  that Heavenly Father is preparing people for all of us to help, even in Utah. 

After the session yesterday morning the spirit was so strong and there was a big batismal service for the whole stake, so there was 6 baptisms! It ws so  cool. The coolest one for me, was the first baptism that was from our ward. There's a kid in our ward who was baptized just about 1 year ago and who is SO  strong in the church now, preparing to leave on a mission in 2 weeks, a member of the Y.M presidency in our ward, always helping with recent converts etc. everyone in his family is baptized now except his dad. His dad has been really tough for lots of missionaries and his family for a long time, never accepting the Gospel. Yesterday, he found our Bishop and told him that he wanted to be baptized!! The bishop, the elders, and the other sisters were running around the whole meeting and no one else new. The dad wanted it to be a surprise and so to sum it all up. His entered the baptismal font when  his son was waiting now knowing who he was going to baptize. . . . it was one of the coolest things, a really beautiful thing to watch:)

Well, I love you family, and am  so GRATEFUL for you guys and that I am a missionary! Happy Thanksgiving! ( So weird)

Loooooooooooove,

Sister Ventura 

Ok. I know that you can't tell what this is. But. Let me explain. It's a teeny, tiny frog! About the size of a lady bug! I don't know how I spotted him, we were knocking doors and I just looked down and saw him-groovy.

My companion and I yesterday after church:) I forgot to mention about the other 2 sisters that are in our apt. One is from Uruguay and the other is from Natal ( Brasil) I like them both a lot, but don't have a pic with us 4 yet. . . .

This is sooooo weird for me. Everyone is putting up Christmas decorations and lights and the stores are full of stuff aaaand I live in a place with Palm Trees and it's sooooo hot! The Brazillian sister in our apt told us the other day that where she lives their tradition about Santa Clause is that he'll come to the beach with a swimming suit and sunglasses to visit the kids. .. .what??!

"I am with Thee."

17 November 2014

First of all, parents, your little trip so sounded  San Fran sounded heaaavenly, Yes mom, I feel like I need a vacation too, some day:)

This week was a lot better for me. Every day I had to choose to be happy. Choose to laugh and love my companion, choose to teach with all of my heart and choose to keep going. Choose to feel Heavenly Father's love for me. Sometimes it's easy to just stay in this place of gloom and self pity and thinking about how things SHOUL be.Oh man, that can really get us down. I felt like I rediscovered how to be happy after 2 week of really being unhappy and sick. Man, it was a ride.

Some little things that helped: Last  p-day we went to a touristic site called "morro ( this word is HILL my friends) do canal." I didn't want to go hiking in the sun because I just wanted to rest. But we went, ( Diner took us!) and it turns out the people who wanted to go  weren't that happy when we got there and It turned out to be really enjoyable for me! Ironic. I just climbed and climbed ( yeah , it was more like a vertical MOUNTAIN- the name was rather deceptive. .. .) until I could see more and then I climbed more to see more and the result was breathtaking, I felt like I could see all of my Brazil. And I felt closer to my Heavenly Father, to just be in nature, where it was beautiful and see the working of His hands. This always really helps me, so I'm glad I went, I'll try to send pics, it's not wanting to work today. ... :( my legs weren't to happy the next 3 days but it was still worth it:)

For Christmas we're going to have a day long Christmas conference with ALL of the missionaries in our mission this next Tuesday. There's going to be food, music fireside etc. every zone is doing a musical Number. Since ours is so big we get to do 2. One of ours is sung in Spanish and they asked me to direct it! It's been quite the challenge since ONE of the 10 missionaaries has musical ability. But Sucked it up and thought of Mr Bills and went to work. They've improved so much! I feel so proud of my little hispanic number hahah :) It's funny because I can't even speak Portuguese all the way yet. ... . but really directing a choir is a veeeery gratifying thing to do, I'm enjoying it very much:) I was telling Tayler that I can see why people enjoy doing it. We only have 1 or 2  practices before the conference. . . . yikes. Pray for us. We have to be good, we're the first number! Really, for not knowing music we're doing good. .. .. haha Mom. sis Monteirro was there last week to listen to us and she she videod our practice. She said she was going to post it on her page. If you're not friends with her yet, you can add her and try and watch it! The song is "What Child is this?" In Spanish:)

This week was cooler and rainy ( it's really rare, usually this time of year is suuuper hot. I'm just fine with it though!) and was really beautiful. Brazil is a very beautiful country, I'm grateful to be here in Piraquara and be able to see so many parts of the country etc.

This past Friday  we had lots of appointments that were all during the night so we did splits with 2 different irmas in our ward. They're so awesome! I forget that how much we walk isn't normal until we take a member out with us haha. but The Irmas that went with me was so awesome. She got home from work and then left right away and wallllked with my for about 2 1/2 hours the whole time telling me about her son serving a mission. I asked if it was hard since he is the oldest etc and she said. . .." Nooooo! I've been planning on this my whole life!" But then she spent the whole time talking about him hahaha. I think that missionary moms think that their missionaries ARE the best,and they are! ;) 

*Family* I would like to invite you guys to do something missionary related. I know that there are always things to do for callings, etc but something with the missionaries! Mom, tayler, or both, go on a visit with the sisters! How cool! Have the sisters over for dinner! Have kaylee and fam over for diner, I KNOW that you guys will be able to know a little bit more about what I am doing, Tayler, kKrey, Coltrana and Kali it will help you know if you want to serve missions. And I know that you won't regret it! It will be a pain to add something else to the business of life but it is worth it! I can promise that!

One more little moment this week: We were teaching a lady with a member that is her neighbor and invited US to go with him ( sooo awesome!) During the lesson I wasn't really feeling it, feeling frustrated with myself, tired etc. At the end the member was telling Daisy ( the lady) that we are here to help her keep learning, that we are representatives of Jesus Christ and pointed out to her that we carry His name on our chests. I didn't hear the rest of what he said because this reminder hit me so strongly. I think that I forgot how close He is to me always but especially during this time that I have to carry His name on my chest. I felt His awareness of me very strongly all of a sudden and these words in my mind, " I am with thee." And I remembered and I knew. It's more not than oft that I hear actual words as answers, usually the spirit works through feelings. But I heard these words in my mind and it was a very beautiful experience. I will try to remember this for the rest of my mission. This time is so sacred!

I love you so much my family! I was telling Dad how grateful I am that I have a family that is a source of strength for me. There are so many people who do not have that:)

I'm excited to hear about missionary experiences!

Loooooooooooove,

Sister 

Our district! I love them!

 Aaaaand this is the one and only Elder Brown! He's in Reo de Janerio right now with his parents. .. . In case any of ya'll cared:) Now that you can see how he looks just imagine him talking to bunches of brazillians, " Oi, eu sou. . . Brown!" [Translation:  "Hello, I am brown."]

 We took this picture and then printed if off and sent it to our district leader's house with a pizza ( Yeah, we're the best basically). His name is Elder Brown, and every time he would come to our area to do intervistas and would meet people for the first time he would always say, " Eu sou, Brown!" Haha

What a Bugger. ..

October 20, 2014

Well I'm not really sure what happened this week because I haven't written in my journal since last monday! Ahhh! I never do that! All that I really remember was that there were many different time that I was so very tired, just tired to the bone. Physicaly, mentally, spiritually, you name it. I remember that a couple of weeks ago I wrote that I was more tired than I had ever been in my life and that I didn't think that it could ever get any worse. .. .  Hahah. But it was the last week of the transfer too ( we'll get to that!) So that probably didn't help. 

But, talking about being tired. That it why we have the grace of The Atonement. Becuase we don't have to do it on our own, and in deed we cannot. That it where grace comes in. The grace of Christ fills in our giant gaping holes of inadequacy. I prayed many times this week for Christ's grace because I was just without desire, or I felt inadequate to be walking around and helping people I didn't know. But I prayed and prayed and prayed and nothing was made miraculously easier but I kept putting one foot in front of the other and before I knew it Sunday had arrived and so many people that I really love were there at church and we were all together for the same reason and  I took the Sacrament and it was all worth it! This is the amazing part about being a missionary and I think about being a converted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there are always moments or days or times where everything is made worth it! It's amazing:)

Alright, it's time to address my title ^^ Dad, after this story I don't want to hear smack about not eating crazy stuff. This should  keep me covered at least for another 6 months. So this all happened last Monday. Ok. Deep breaths. Get excited folks! So I had this little deal on my big toe for 2 weeks. It looked like a calus or a blister but it wasn't raised above the skin and it wasn't causing any pain. It had this weird scab looking deal that would just bleed randomly throughout the day. But I didn't do anything about it because going to the doctor here is horrible and I've found that usually your body just heals itself if you wait long enough. Well last p-day I was bored and decided to investigate a little bit more. I went to work with some tweezers and. .. . you probably already know where this is going. Long story short. I ended up pulling a sack of little tiny eggs out (yes OUT) of my toe. Literally. Yes, this literally happend; to me; Sister Ventura. I can now officially join the club of gross missionaries that served somewhere "crazy" and got a worm/had a bug lay eggs inside of them. Sweet. I kid you not, one of my first thoughts after the initial shock was how sweet it is that I get to tell this as one of my mission stories for the rest of my life! The R.S pres took us to the docter but it was just a local hospital here in Piraquara and it's all public health and not very clean or organized or anything. They had no clue. They just put on a bunch of antibiotic and told me that if I started feeling pain that the bug (momma) probably was still inside and to come back and they would have to cut my toe  open and stuff. But they had no idea what kind of bug, etc. etc. They then wrote a list of 4 different kinds of medicine for me to go get, 2 of which were painkillers. ...Yeah, I probably wasn't that polite with them because they were so lazy and didn't know anything! We decided to go into Curitibia the next day to get a second opinion. But. I had cleaded it really well and dug out every last egg that I could find and I started thinking, going into Curitiba takes almost 1/2 of a day and it would waste a lot of time. So I said a prayer and told Heavenly Father that I wasn't going to go to any more doctor's and just go on with life and please let me know if this wasn't the right decision. But it turns out it was. The whole in my toe is healing and it never ever caused me any pain, even after digging around and cutting skin off etc. So that's that!

Sorry that this letter was kind of full of gross details and not much else buuuuut, I think it's pretty cool and hope you all enjoy!

TRANSFERS: All 3 of the other sisters in our house are leaving and I'm the only one staying. . . woooooo! I have mized emotions about it. .. I'm excited for the adventure and more responsibility but at the same time really nervous and freaking out. Yes mom, like you said, I own Piraquara! By the end of this transfer I will have 6 1/2 months here! This is just about 1/2 of my time in Brazil, in the same area! Crrrazy!

I love you guys so much! I hope that you all have a lovely week and that you are making an effort to not just read but to LEARN from the Book of Mormon every single day. I'm trying too:)

Loves and hugs (and bugs),

Siste

Solzão

13 October 2014

The first thing that must be said: All of a sudden Summer decided to show up and  I was woefully unprepared. Oh my gosh. No they do not have a.c here. And yes, we spent many days this week walking an hour or more in between appointments feeling like we were melting. I was thinking yesterday how cool it is that in my mission I got/get to experience super extreme cold and heat and walk through all of it. . . . . hahah ha. but really it's kind of good because it will help me know later on in my life that I'm not really dying of heat. . . or cold. Ever. And I can tell me kids to suck it up becuase, " In my mission we had to. . . . . 

Ok, second thing, I wrote all of you individual e-mails!! Wahoo! You're the best Sister V! Yeah, I know, but that means that I literally have 2 minutes to write this e-mail. . . . 

So. Since Wednesday was my 1/2 way mark I spent a big part of this week having a mid-misiong crisis and wondering if I've used my time the best I could etc. etc. and how/what I need to improve to do way better for this last 1/2. To really do what Heavenly Father has for me to do. I was worrying, worrying worrying. Friday we had a conference with President and he spoke about our call letters. How really they are like scripture, how every word and promis is very significant and that we should read them weekly. He showed us how our call letter has a promise. That we will have more joy than we've ever experienced as we work with ALL of our might mind and strength to find those that ARE ready to recieve this Gospel and these ordinances. I realized that I need to work so much harder to consecrate myself.I need to sacrifice more of my mind, time and energy into being a missionary. But howww???

Well I'm still working on that and praying every day but yesterday I had a really lovely experience that was a little bit of an answer. Yesterday we had fast and testimony meeting, and it was one of the most spiritual sacrament meetings that I remember. We started out by singing " I stand all Amazed," and I was just hit with the love that the Savior has for me; of the reality of what He did for me; that He really is grateful for my desire and He will continue to help me. So many times when I feel the Spirit it's when singing:) I thought that I would like to bear my testimony about what I was feeling but decided not to because I thought it would be impossilbe. In this ward everyone goes up to the front that wants to bear their testimonies and there are always so many people! But then, when there were just like 7 minutes left, miraculously there wasn't anyone waiting! I felt like I should very strongly, so I basically ran up there before anyone else could. Again when I was talking I felt the Spirit so very strongly. I don't bear my testimony very often ( ok, like besides every day being a missionary, but before the mish!) And I hardly every cry in front of people, seriously, like never. But I felt the Spirit so strongly and I'm really glad I went up there.  Afterwards when I returned to the congregation I just KNEW. I just felt so peaceful. I absolutely know that this Gospel is true and we HAVE to live it and help others live it in order to live with Heavenly Father again. I remember when Elder Bednar came to the MTC and told us about how many missionaries come home and eventually go inactive because they weren't absolutely converted during their missions. He said that we have to become converetd during this time, we have to build a foundation to last for the rest of our lives. I remember thinking I didn't know if that was possilbe. Well, now I know:) 

I want you all to know that I KNOW that this is the Gosple of Jesus Christ and that He loves every single one of us personally and infinitely. Being a missionary is groovy:)

Loves! 

Sister Vent

This reaaally doesn't do the situation justice but.  . . . .

The Errand of Angels ( and Nozes)

October 6, 2014

Ok, dear family, I have a lot to say this week, so I hope that I can say it all. None of you will be getting personalized letters:( Soooooory, But i really want all of you to read THIS letter! I'll do better next week, and please know that I appreciate your letters ever so much! Coltran buddy, I LOVED your purple letter with a Brazillian flag, it was the best! I'll write back next week!

adVENTURA=adventure in Portuguese right? Well, for good reason:) This past Tuesday we had the craziest adventure ever! So we were headed to this part of our area that is like 20 minutes away driving so we always take th is shortcut that is like hiking up and across a bunch of muddiness, more or less,and some train tracks and the freeway. .. . So we headed off at about 4:00 in the afternoon. Straight into a bunch of evil looking storm clouds. (Yes, there was a predicted rain storm.. . . )When we were about 1/2 of the way there (our app.) It started pouring. I have never seen anything like it in my life! I had my little polk a dot umbrella and Sis. Cox had nothing. Cara. Within about 1 minute or less we were absolutely, soaking wet. I am not exagerrating my friends. EVERYTHING. but we were already 1/2 there and really far away from our house. . . . .so we kept going, there wasn't anything else to do! We were screaming, laughing, and crying at the same time as we climbed up a giant hill and across the freeway. We finally got to our app. ringing out our clothes with mascara dripping faces. Those poor people. The lady insisted that we switch into a dry skirt at least so that was nice of her. It was like 6:00 so we still had 3 hours before we could go home and were too far away to go home and swith clothes a little bit. So what did we do? Taught lessons of course! It finally got to be 9:00 and we went to the only member's house in that area and they weren't home. . . so we decided to call for someone else to come and get us. Credito acabou. . . . . (we ran out of credit!) Seriously, we were still dripping wet, and didn't know what to do. .. . so with chattering teeth we asked our newest friend Joao Beuno if we could borrow his little wooden bench to sit and wait for a miracle. So we sat, and dripped and planned for the next day. . . and waiiiited. And then at 9:20 that member drove by! Miracle! Man, I wish you guys could have seen me! It was so crazy!

Alright so  "classic Mun" moment here: So, noses in portuguese= narizes right? And Nuts in portuguese=nozes right? Yes, weeeel, no matter how hard you try does narizes=nozes in portuguese! This has gotten me into trouble many times and always makes for everyone laughing their heads off. For example: A member family was asking my what kinds of cakes I do and don't like ( for my b-day) me," Yeah, well, the only kinds of cakes I don't like are cakes with coconut and narizes."  *silence* everyone, HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH! Me," hahah. ha." Hahahah oh man. I have to stop and think every time I want to talk about nozes now;)

Remember all of my stories about these crying suffering woment that we have found exactly at the right moment? Well, here's # 5: Saturday morning we were running around trying to gather people for Conference and our apt had fallen through. We were left with 10 minutes before we needed to head off for almoço and we didn't have anything to do. We had returned to a road because I had seen a family I wanted to talk to, they weren't there. Hmmm.   We just stood there in the middle of the road a bit frustrated. I saw 2 women outside a house. " Vamos la sister?" So we went with the idea of just inviting them to conference. They didn't really want to talk and I thought, "Ok, so much for that idea." Sis Cox asked if everything was ok? The only lady told us that her aunt had just passed away that night, and because of this her mom was outside crying. Sis Cox asked if we could just enter and say a prayer? She let us in, we walked in a few steps and I don't really know how but before I knew it the crying sister was in my arms, holding on to me and sobbing  uncontrollably. Wow. In these situations I feel so unexperience and so inadequate. But I know that Heavnely places us there with His suffereing children because he trusts us and that He will use me in spite of my inexperience and inadequecies. We were able to tell here where her sister is, and comfort her, and of course invite her and her family to conference promising them that they would find peace. They didn't show up wich is really sad:( But I'm glad we were able to help a little bit:)

OK, CONFERENCE!!!! They fixed a little room for the missionaries and it was awesome:) I loved how they had the different languages and that I could just switch and listen to the talk in Portuguese! All of our recent converts were there and 2 investigators:) This is what Conference did for me on a general scale: Strengthened my KNOWLEDGE that this  Gosple is true. I know it without a shadow of a doubt. I have really gained a very strong testimony in these past 9 months, i could not have said that before my mission. I love this church! This time passed soooooo fast. Seriously, I could not believe it! I felt so close to you guys knowing that you were doing the exact same thing at the exact same time! I could just hear you mom, saying how "it's true, we need to do better at morning prayers," and dad saying, " it's pretty cool that Mun can understand this guy too huh?!"  I cannot say a favorit talk or anything becuase it was all so good but I loved Elder Scott's talk about the 4 things we need to do every single day to truly understand the Atonement and have the promised peace and power necessary for these days. Daily personal and family prayer, scripture STUDY ( "take time!") and weekly FHE,and going to the Temple frequently. He promised peace and power if we will do these things, I loved it!

Well, I love you guys! I will write personal letters next week and the big letterl won't be so long:)

Keep keepin' on!!

Love,

Sister Ventura

The batismos of Danivaldo and Leonardo! 

The Temple with Joanice and Vitoria!! Happiness:)

egg rolls!!! the first chinese food i´ve had in my whole mission! and they were so stinking good, gosh i miss soy sauce!!

Yes, you are looking at two pig heads. Yes, you can buy that in the store. Yes, that man is buying one like its the most normal thing in the world. No, I won´t be buying one, thank you very much.

Missionary Christmas!

September 24, 2014

Yes, Christmas in September!! Becauuuuse, we got to go the the Temple!!!! Usually we can't go, but President Montierro gave us four sisters special permission:) It was absolutely just so peaceful and beautiful. I felt like a Princess who got to enter a Castle. And actually that's just was it is:)  We all got a dressed up and shnazzy and took the onibus for 2 hours to get there ( peace out hair. .. ) and then when we go there there was hardly anyone there and all of the workers were sooo sweet and funny! After I gave my recomend and was ascending the stairs, I felt it again I am a daughter of God, whos knows my true identity. I have the responsibility of helping all of His other children know their true identity too! All of us who know, need to helpe the others remember, (the number of us really is so small). All of us who have current Temple recomends are so very blessed and should take advantage of it! Make time to go the the Temple THIS week, and take advantage of the power available there,and the opportunity to escape the noise and business of the world.

Thank you so much for the fun package Heather! I can't wait to see your new house!

So, I'm just going to write about last week until Segunda like normal.And, I don't have a whole lot this time.

One night we were knocking doors and came upon this Atheist and. .. . he wants to be baptized! Naw, just kidding. In Brazil is suuuuper rare to come across someone who doesn't have some religion/some type of belief in God. He was very firm in his unbelief of God however. It was so very strange and sad. Everything we said he just argued and wanted logical proof of our testimonies! I told him that life the way he was living it seemd without hope and not very happy, and sister Cox, said, " Why not just believe in case He does exist, you know for that time when you get to the other side to talk to him?" And he said" Well if He really does exist I guess I'll go to Hell." I don't know what happened in his life but I knew I needed to be a bold witness to him that he was wrong. I just told him i KNEW that God lives and loves him. And then we left, it was sad, very.

The two solid investigators we had last week? We marked interviews with out LD and everything and BOTH of them  were avoiding us and were never in their houses, so that was stinky sauce. Then we met this guy in the road on Friday who had been to church before and wanted to be baptized, perfect, we set up an interview (which actually happend) and they Sunday we went to his house with members and everything to get him and his son (Danivaldo and Leonardo) And he wasn't in his house!!! Gah! 3 failed baptisms! It was a litte rough esepcially because Leonardo (9 years old and soooo stinkin' cute) really wants to be baptized but can't    be without a parent. .. . :/ We were able to do good with staying positive though and just keep going and being grateful for all the other good things ( ie Valdir, our R.C got the Priesthood and is preparing to bless the sac this week!!) AND we found this family, A FAMILY. A Mom and 5 kids, that are sooo very sweet. So, poor and humble and giving, it's amazing. They second lesson we had with them she was making this huge chocolate cake when we got there, we realized afterwards it was probably just for us. Those kids don't get chocolate cake very often, but they all waited while we got our pieces first, they are they sweetest family. The plan is for them to go to church with us this week, they're excited:)

My miracle of the week: It seems little but actually, that's what makes it so big! Let me explain: Friday morning we were rushing to leave the house on time when all of a sudden I couldn't find my nametag. Anywhere. I left the house super ticked because i had never ordered another one and they take like 2 months to get here and I'm such an idiot, what kind of missionary etc. etc. So It wasn't the best start to a day. I said a little prayer in my heart that somehow I could find it. Later that day we were on the same road as our last compromisso the night before. I had a thought to just look up and down the road as we walked, because well, I couldn't hurt right? We passed the house that we were at last and. .. . . . lo and behold. My nametage, just sitting there, perfectly unharmed, right on the side of the road. Yeah, that's it. But I really can't describe how happy I was. And how much I realized that Heavenly Father CARES about us. Our little frustrations, mistakes. I should've ordered a nametag when I lost the last one, we're always supposed to have at least 2. But I didn't because I was lazy.  I was so upset that morning feeling like I couldn't be a good missionary w/o a nametag. Of course that isn't true, but that's how I felt and Heavenly Fathe knew it and CARED. He knew that I should have ordered a new one a looong time ago but I didn't. He cared enough about these little details and I found my nametag! Mathey 10:29-30 talks about this. Heavenly Father notes every little sparrow that falls, He is aware and involved in everything! Especially when we exercise our faith and ask him to help us! I need to try to remember this more often:)

I love you family, sooo much! Talk to you again soon!!

Love,

Sister Ventura

(Excerpts from 29 September 2014)

Friday morning first thing we got a phone call. I don't know how, but I knew what it was going to be the minute Sister Cos said, " Oi, Elder?) Yup. Our Z.Ls wanted us to go and get danivaldo and leonardo that very second and just take the onibus with them and have a baptisamal serive. Gah. There were so many factors that appeared impossible, no members, so cake, no musical #', no nothing. But our leaders our called for a reason to guide us and our areas. They said that obviously Satan was working so hard to prevent this baptism and that we had to work harder. Alright, I learned that we really cannot rest until we see them leave the water. And really not even then. But we spent the day running around ( literally running from one end of Piraquara to the other, ok not really Piraquara is super huge, but literally running) like chickens with their heads cut off. Serioulsy. We had to find car rides, someone to make a cake and then someone else to cook it because the other members's gas ran out. . .. . in between running back and forth to danivaldo's work to check up with him. Seriously, just try and imagine: 2 sister missionaries literally running with a cake pan full of batter being approached by this completely drugged dude who wanted to eat our bread. He wasn't in a state of mind to see that it was cake and that it wasn't even cooked yet.. . . hahah. Oh boy. But. We finally got to their house that night, everyone was actually THERE, and all spiffed up, ready to go. We crammed 7 people into one tiny car (the one member who was STILL  willin to hlep us- we love you Vitor!!) and drove 40 minutes to the church. When we got there there were only Elders But they had organized things nicely and it was a super calm, nice baptism. There were only about 10 of us but it was very nice:) And now Danivaldo and Leonardo ( He is the cutes little boy on the planet, I loove him!) are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints!

Man, I have NEVER been so phsically and emotionall andl spiritually tired. The next morning (Sat) I felt like I had never slept and for the first half of the day I literally could have slept on the side of the road at any given moment. It was a battle.

Buuut, here I am alive and well and of course it was all worth it. It just means tha the next time I can say thay, " I have never been so exhausted in my life!" It will be even worse.... haha

Sunday we got to church and realized that Valdir wasn't there and he was supposed to bless the sacrament for the first time, our ward missions leader even gave him a white shirt and time and everything! So. We found a willing member and piled in to the car to find him and missed half of church driving there and back. But! He did it! I seriously felt like a proud mom! ( I think, I don't really know what that feels like. .. .) Happy moments:)

Well I love you people! I am so very excited for General Conference this weekend. I hope that every one of you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity we have to hear from the Prophet and apostles of the Lord this weekend! I'll definitely be missing cinnamon rolls and pajamoas with you cool kats!

Love you bunches!!

loves,

Sister Ventura

P.S Oh yeah, mom, the "sad" pic with sister cox and the microwave is because we got home saturday night and didn't have any power. ... . and we still don't and we don't know why! Evreyone else has it, we flipped the breaker like 20 billion times. . . . It's making for some good times. we have 2 outlets in the hallway that we use- hence the carrying our microwave out there to use it:) I heated up a pot of water last night to shower yuuus #missoinarymoments:)