1 February 2014

I am the Missionaries!!

Hahah yes, I meant to write that.  Last week while on our Temple walk I saw a group of missionaries (surprising i know) and just out of instinct my first thought was: "The missionaries!" Hahah and then, "I am the missionaries!! still can't quite believe it!

Honestly this week was a bit rough but also was full of a million little miracles and I learned so much.  I think this was due in part to the fact that all my friends left! I realized that this is how the whole mission is going to be so I better get used to it. I also realized that I think I really rely on my circumstances and those around to determine my current state of happiness. I think a lot of us do that. BUT, these experiences and the opportunity i have to be currently on a mission are helping me to realize that i don't have to, nor should i, do that! Christ is there for me always! i need to rely on Him, tell Him everything and base my happiness off of Him, because then i will never be let down:) I by no means have this down to an art, it's definitely really hard but i learning and i've come so much closer to my Savior this week, it's amazing.  i realized that that's a possibility. i don't just have to feel close to Him when i'm going through a tough experience, or a really sacred one.  It is definitely a possibility to have Him with my always; to include Him, in every little thought and action, every single day. this isn't just for missionaries, i'm just now realizing it!  It's possible for anyone who tries, even just a little bit! Anyway, something that I learned this week, that I'm going to continue to learn about and practice.  I'm just so amazed and grateful for the closeness i've felt from my Savior this week.  It's also been bit tough thinking about you all together for Tayler's b-day and then next week in Cali. . . definitely wish I could come with you! I'll probably be thinking about you all a lot, think of my me: on the beach, on space mountain, watching the light show and ALWAYS!! Have fun my lovely family!! But: whenever I start to get a little homesicky guess what consoles me?? I get to call ya'll at the airport in just about 3 or less weeks!! SAI FORA!! Also, i should be getting my reassignment next Saturday! (keep praying for that visa folks)

Sunday: Fam, remember Elder Stephen Allen?? He came and spoke again! Sister B dragged me up there afterwards, I'm so glad she did, he remembered me, and had written down that I told him I would be there:) What a lovely person, it was fun to talk to him:)

Tuesday: For the devo choir number we sang this special version of  Called to serve where the choir sang a descant part and the entire MTC sang together like one giant choir, it was fantastic, there was such a feeling of unity. i am SO grateful to be able to sing in the choir!

Wednesday: This is the day that I gained my very own conviction that O Livro de Mormom e verdadeiro. Honestemente, 100%.  I think I've known for a while but not know that i've known.  That was starting to worry me. I knew that as a missionary i would have to testify of the BOM every single day.  when elder Bednar came he gave the most amazing testimony, i wanted that too. I've been praying for it and in class my prayer was answered.  We were reading in 3 N  ch 11 ( I think?) where Christ is teaching.  Let me just say this: Hosanna literally means, "save now." I invite you all to go read that chapter ( I really hope that's the right one, if not I'll have it next week!) And with the knowledge of what Hosanna means, dissect the way in which the Savior answeres this plea. Verses 17-the end of the chapter are where it's at.  He IS perfect teacher. He taught how we are being taught to teach in the MTC. i just had the most beautiful feeling of conviction, this is an amazing book and now I can say along with elder Bednar and many others that I KNOW that this book is true.  i find myself so excited for the 1/2 hour I get to study it each day. Going in with a specific question is amazing! It's a beautiful book, i love it:) Also, I got to eat with Emily!! I was the besst! Allie and Kayla: I know you lovely people were there spirit;/

Thursday: this day started out really rough and i was convinced that it was going to end that way (nao positivo!!) I found some really comforting things in the scripture and then we had this lesson with Marcos that was muito legal!!! We had been really trying to teach with the Spirit and ask 'inspired questions" With our first investigator, it did not go well and i was really frustrated. Marcos, has this intense love of the BOM, has quit drinking and BECAUSE he knows that baptism is a big responsibility, agreed to work towards baptism!! The Spirit was there so strongly and we were so happy afterwards! It's amazing to me that even though these investigators are just our teachers ( I was pretty doubting of this idea at first) when I put in the real effort and real prayers, Heavenly Father has helped me in real ways and with His real spirit! I have felt Him guiding me while preparing the lessons! It is amazing to me!

I thought I had a rough week but looking back. . . I've been so blessed:)

Friday: We did TRC again! Same result: the first lesson with rm's was. . . fine. But when we got to the cute old Brazilian couple?? Melt my heart! I have this love for these people when i first see them! And they do for me! Their hearts are big and they're just great! I could understand so much last night, it was awesome! They kept telling us that our language was good and that I looked like a doll. .. hahah they said i really look like a lot of people in Curitiba! They also showed me a pic of their son who lives there right now and his address. They said to go over and he would feed us! Buuut he's preety good looking and my ageish so that won't be happening! It's amazing to me how much i love these people though, i just know I'm supposed to go there and be with them! I cannot wait!

Tell sis Tarwater thank you for the ward newsletter! That was soo nice of her!

I love you guys SO much and really miss you, i pray for you all every day!!

Love,

Sis. V

The language has really begun to click this week, we have found that we can say almost anything we want (roughly) in Portuguese! It's exciting!