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
