I still have a virus on my camera so I can't send the pics that I took but I took this from the camera of another sister, it's from a super "super p-day." Grandma and Grandpa, this elder is from Africa! 

On Tuesday before sister Ribeiro (my daughter!) get here we decorated the apt with ballons and made a lovely cake, it was so fun! 

The nervous mom and aunts (yes, my socks are awesome and it looks like I have a gaotee. . . )

The night that she arrived, happy pajama clad sisters!

Erick and his family! :)

G R A C E

April 13, 2015

Oh man, I want to talk about grace today, and prayer:) Mom, and Dad, I was so very nervous about being enough, being good enough and what you guys said was so perfect, about "do your best and leave the rest!" Mom, I cut that blurb out and put it about my bed:) I was reading a talk by Elder Bednar this week from the last April General Conference and he talks about this (he also talked about this this General Conference!) He says that grace is the force to do good works that we would not be able to do if we were alone. It's a power that allows us us to do good and serve above our own capacity, that which we are not able to do alone. And prayer, we have to prayer for this force, this expiatory grace to finish and complete everything that we are trying to do. In 1 Nephi 15:11 and 3 Nephi 18:20 we are promised that if we ask and search for this power (or grace), we will be given according to our desires! 

11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me infaith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

I have seen this soooo much just this past week. I prayed for force and ability to be a good trainer and a good example for my new comp. Heavenly Father has helped me sooooo much with this. I prayed for ideas to help the members be more in invoved in this work. We are seeing so many little miracles with the members helping and getting excited! I have been praying for more energy every day to keep going and He always helps me feel excited and keep chuggin along until the end of the day. When my faith is weak I ask for help to have more faith and He gives it to me. When we can't find people to teach I ask for more orientiation and guidance and He guides us! 

When it says, "whatsoever" we ask, it really means whatever we need that is right. This principle of doing all that we can and then asking Heavenly Father to carry us and strenthen us with the expiatory grace of Jesus Christ is so beautiful and it really works:)

On monday and Tuesday I was just about dying of nervousness thinking that I was not ready to get a brand new comp! But wow, I got blessed with a wonderful companion! Her name is Sister Ribeiro, she's from Rio de Janeiro, she's 21, was born in the church, very humble, very sweet, very excited to work and learn and doing soooo great! I feel like she's already been in the field a lot more then 1 week! It's funny, she thinks everything I do is the law, so I need to be super careful! hahah. We're getting along famously ( yus Dad:) and I would be really happy to "die" here in Santa Candida with Sis. Ribeiro as a comp!

This week was great we were working all week to find someone that was prepared to be baptized this week but Friday afternoon we still didn't have anyone. We were knocking doors when all of a sudden I realized that we were in front of the house of Erick, a 12 year old that I had visited once with Sister Peterson (Yay sister P!) but his mom wasn't ever albe to meet with us. Erick's Grandma is a member and has always taken Erick to church every since he was born. His mom never let him get baptized for lots of different reasons. Anyway, we decided to see if they were home, when we got to the portão Erick got there the same time as us and his mom was there and really willing to talk to us. We found out that Erick was still going to church and loving it and wanting to serve a mission! That kid's faith and desire was so very strong, I feel confident that because of his faith and his grandma's we were guided there at just the right moment. We talked quite a bit about baptism with Erick and Georgia (his mom) and she still wanted to wait to let him get baptized, but the spirit was so strong and guided our words and she finally asked Erick if this was what he really wanted and he said, "yes, yes! I've been waiting since I was 8 years old!" The spirit was so strong and she said yes! We invited him to be baptized the next day and they accepted! He was soooo excited and happy! And said the cutest prayer thanking Heavenly Father for guiding us there to help him. It was so cool:) All of his family came to the baptism and his grandma and aunt were so excited and grateful after waiting so long. There were a ton of members that came to support and it was a very lovely experience:) He was confirmend yesterday and is now an official member of the church! It was so wonderful to know that Heavenly Father used us to help this young man that was so grateful to be baptized! :) Coltran, there's the Erick story :)

*best testimony yesterday in fast and testimony meeting* There's this older member of the ward that is a widow and super rich and just talks when and how much she wants got up yesterday and said that she doesn't know why she's still here because her husband has already been in Heaven for 6 years but she said, "I'm here hoping that everyone single one of you likes me,  I hope that you like me because if you don't you're not going to get into Heaven!" That was pretty classic, and hey, I think it's true so. . .. 

Have a lovely week my dear people!

Looove,

Sister Ventura :)

"Mai"

April 6, 2015

Yes! So, starting tomorrow I'm going to be a "mom." Meaning that I'm going to train someone fresh from the MTC! Aaaaaaah. I don't know if this is how all mom's feel when they are pregnant for the first time?? Like, they still hardly have any idea what they are doing and that they are still kids themselves and so how can they teach someone everything they have to know??? Yeah, that's basically how it is right now over here. . . . Sister C I will forever be grateful for the great trainer that you were for me and hope that I can help my "filha" feel as awesome and loved as you made me feel :) Oh boy! Oh and yes, I think it's going to be a girl. .  .  

So yeah, Sis. Peterson will leave today at 3:40! We took her to the Mish  office this morning:) It was great with her, I learned and grew a ton :)

This week, nothing really remarkalbe happened that I can remember right now. . . . . Sis P and the other sister that left had a bunch of stuff to do together this week so I did a lot of divisões with Sister Inagaki which was fun, but we had to do the work of our 2 areas so that was a bit stressful. 

On Thursday we had a mission conference and it was soooo fun to talk to everyone, it was the whole mission together, and say goodbye to everyone! Sister Dias' family moved from Minas Gerias and they live here in Curitiba now, so she's going to be super close and we are planning on do divisões and visiting Piraquara together before I leave:) It's going to be great!

The other day we were walking and a car pulled over to talk to us and it was a bunch of members from Pirquara that just happened to be passing! They said, "sister! Get in, where do you need to go??!" It was such a fun surprise to see them! This morning at transfers I saw our Ward mission Leader from Piraquara too! I love those peeps:)

This past week we were reading in Alma 56 together about the 2,000 stripling warrios (again!) and I read 2 verses that really stuck out to me, verses 17-20.  17 And now they were determined to conquer in this placeor die; therefore you may well suppose that this little forcewhich I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gavethem great hopes and much joy.

 18 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites sawthat Antipus had received a greater strength to his army,they were compelled by the orders of Ammoron to notcome against the city of Judea, or against us, to battle.

 19 And thus were we favored of the Lord; for had theycome upon us in this our weakness they might haveperhaps destroyed our little army; but thus were wepreserved.

 20 They were commanded by Ammoron to maintainthose cities which they had taken. And thus ended thetwenty and sixth year. And in the commencement of thetwenty and seventh year we had prepared our city andourselves for defence.

This really hit me why? Because so many times in my mission and my life I have thought I was ready for something, when Heavenly Father knew that I wasn't! I was already to fight but He let me prepare myself and my "cities" first and then went with me into battle, carrying me all the way! I KNOW  that when we wait on the Lord, even when we think we are all prepared to fight, that the win will be easier, will be right because He will be with us:) This is something I have been learning since I started my mission papers! 

I LOOOVED conference yesterday and Saturday, one of the phrases I'm remembering right now was that one awesome dude ( you know?!) you said, "hang in there" is not a part of the Gosple. Enduring to the End is awakening to Christ every single day-a constant effort. I loved his talk! I loved all of them! I really want to read and study every one when I get home:)

We worked really hard and dilligently trying to find people that wanted to visist and watch confernece with us and nothing worked out. . . :) Pleae keep us and our area in you prayers this week that we can find those who are waiting for us, that WANT to visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that they are here in this area! We need all of the help that there is! We will do all of our part to find them!

My camera card has a virus. . . :( I will go to another place today to see if they can work things out. .. I hope I can send pics next week!

I love you guys so much! I love my Savior Jesus Christ and know that He lives. I know that this is the perfect restored church on the earth today. I know that the Prophet and Apostles and ordained of God! I love the Book of Mormon and know that it gives us daily, essencial strength.

Pray for us, for minha filha, for our area, for this work!

Loooooove,

Sister Ventura :)

Tick Tock

March 23, 2015

Wow, so time is going by SOOOO fast, I think it's partly because I'm working harder than ever before in my mission and happier and busier and everything is just accelerated! But really. . . yesterday was my 3 month mark. .. meaning that, I have 3 months left! Gah. And it doesn't really help that there are 2 sisters that live with me that are going home in 2 weeks and that there are like 20 airplanes that fly over our area every day. . hahah but I am happy and will try not to freak about how little time I have left!

So, Dad, yes the cold has started all of a sudden, it's so weird and so cold! It will be nice to come home to nice dry heat! The weather here is soo nuts, we literally experience all four seasons almost every day all year round, it's weird, I won't miss that too much hahah

So, this week just flew by, we workd so hard, it was a great week and we saw lots of miracles and laughed and helped eachother, I'll try to tell a few of our adventures:)

One night we were taking a shortcut through that same cemetary, and when we got to the other side the portao was locked! All of the gates were locked and when we went to the guardhouse to ask for help there wasn't anyone there! We were getting kind of desperate because we were already running behind, I couldn't believe that we were locked inside of a cemetary!! But finally the guard found us and let us out and let us know that the cemetary closes at 6:00 :) haha

One day we were knocking doors and met a lady that didn't live in our area but was visiting her son who lives in our area. She told us that her husband passed away just 4 months ago and doesn't really know where he is, but lots of people have told her that he is sleeping and doesn't remember anything. She also told us that she had a dream that he came to her with another man and was telling her that he was really hungry- when she tried to prepare food for him he didn't want it and just kept telling her that he ws hungry. We told her that we could help her KNOW what her husband was doing and learning and what he was trying to tell her in her dream. It was a really cool little experience and I just know that there were people on the other side rooting for us and for her. it's cool, on my  mission I have seen the veil become just a little bit thinner and have realized how involved the ´people are involved in this work too!

We had almoço this week with a family that lived in the U.S for quite a while and the husband served in the U.S so they all speak English basicaly perfectly, obviously they wanted us to talk with them to practice with them. . .ummmm-it was the worst! They were talking to me in English and I literally responded in Portuguese, and couldn't speak correctly in English, the battle was so real my friends, I'm pretty sure there will be some mocking for a little bit. .. ahaha

Another day for almoço we were with this awesome family, that is all in our ward, parents, kinds, in-laws etc and everyone was there for lunch, so it was a group of crazy brazillians eating lunch together on a saturday, it was the best! I just felt so comfortalbe and happy with them! I laughed my head off and ate a ton and it was sooo great! Afterward I was giving the spiritual thought and used Alma 29:10 that says:  And behold, when I see many of my brethren trulypenitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is mysoul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord hasdone for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea,then do I remember his merciful arm which he extendedtowards me.

And I just felt the spirit so strongly all of a sudden bearing testimony of what I was saying to my heart and to everyone's hearts. Because I l love the Book fo Mormon and felt that this verse was really exactly how I feel, how my mission has helped me feel. It was such a wonderful feeling and experience-true joy! And then this morning I was reading in Alma 26 (again!) and I wanted to send a few of my favorite verses because they say what I would like to perfectly:) 

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I amweak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boastof my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea,behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in thisland, for which we will praise his name forever. . .yea, and we have been instruments in his handsof doing this great and marvelous work.

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we wereabout to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, andsaid: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bearwith patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto yousuccess.

 28 And now behold, we have come, and been forthamongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings,and we have suffered every privation; yea, we havetraveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies ofthe worldnot upon the mercies of the world alone butupon the mercies of God. (Mom, these 2 verses made me think of what you said today, exactly right!) 

35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say untoyou, there never were men that had so great reason torejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy iscarried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has allpower, all wisdom, and all understanding; hecomprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, evenunto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on hisname.

So, this is EXACTLY how I'm feeling, I love my mission and these people and my Savior and this Gospel and the Book of Mormon and you guys with all of my heart. I would invite you guys to read all of this Chapter together if you want to know a little bit more of how the mish is/what I'm doing and thinking, it's perfect!

I love you all so much! Have a loverly week! Até mais! 

Looove,

Sister Ventura :)

Ele é esperança/ A luta é real.

March 30, 2015

That means, "the fight is real!" Man, this week was another so intense and full and good, let me just get started :) But first of all, there is something wrong with my camera and no one can figure out what is is, so for right now, I'm not able to send anything. . . :( But I'll get it figured out and send a bunch of pics as soon as possible :)

Ok, as I am so aware, my time is becoming so very limited and my heart is not taking it so well. It doesn't help that Sis. Peterson and another sister in our house are going home in exactly 1 week! Things are are so crazy! And they are seriously sooo trunky hahah. But anyway, on Thursday we had a mission conference and the group of departing missionaries all bore their testimonies, when Sister Dias bore hers I just couldn't take it. I think because I'm so close to her and loved working with her and know the passion she has for her mission. I could feel a little bit of what she was feeling and I just realized how precious this time is and couldn't stop crying. yikes. Then yesterday our ward missoin leader gave a training for the 3rd hour about the obra missionaria and he showed a few videos. One of them, funnily enough, was about Tyler Haws and how he left basketball for 2 years to serve a missions. ok cool but it showed a video of the morning he left and arriving at the MTC and his mom crying and his mom was holding his hand in the car and crying and it was EXACTLY the same scene that we experienced 15 months ago, but it feel like it was yesterday. I don't know where the time has gone. And again, I just felt someting so intense and just starting crying-I LOVE my mission so much, every single day! Here's a little bit of our week :)

Last week was Kelvyn's baptism I wish I had a pic. .. he's Kelim's brother and it was really interesting because he actually has a little bit of autism, so his family was really surprised when he accepted the invitation to go to church, and then to be baptized, no one believed it! His mom was talking to us the other day telling us how he usually never leaves the house or talks, he literally usually only says "sim", ou, "não." But since the very first time he went to church he is changing a little bit every day! He actually talks and laughs with us now and the other day we had a ward activity and he brought his friend! We were teaching him the other day and watched this video http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_ with him and afterwards asked him to describe what the video made him feel in just word and he said, "esperança," or "hope." It was a really nice moment. Becaue that's perfect, that's exactly right, why did Jesus Christ come to the earth and give His life for us? To give all of mankind hope. Hope for the future, for tomorrow, hope for after this life, hope for our family. And maybe Kelvyn doesn't understand everything that's happening when he goes to church but he is experimenting of this hope that we have because of Jesus Christ and it's so beautiful to see:) This is why I love being a missionary-becuase really the little things like this are the big things, this is where it all starts. (Alma 37:7)

Another reason I love being a missionary? The other day we had started studying and Sister Inagaki was in the kitchen and started freaking out because she saw a huge cockroach in the food cabinet. I thought I could take it because it wasn't a spider. .. well I was there standig on top of a stool moving all of the food when all of a sudden the rotten guy showed himself again. Nasty. Seriously nasty. we were all screaming and he was running all over the place and finally the only Brazillian that lives with us killed it and told us to stop yelling. Hahah.

Another reason? Piraquara! I saw the sisters that are there right now at the conferencia and they told me about all of our recent converts that are still firme or returning, and the people that still remember me, yay:)

This weekend Mique and Tereza (a mom and son who is 18 years old) were baptized and I realized again how much Satan works to stop this work from happening, he attacks the investigator, the missionary, the ward, everyone. We have to be stronger, we have to win! I have been reading abou the 2,000 stripling warriors this week and it is so cool how the tactics and strategies are really for us, today! We too are battling every single day!  

 6 Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their nakedness.

 7 And being thus prepared they supposed that they should easily overpower and subject their brethren to the yoke of bondage, or slay and massacre them according to their pleasure.

 8 But behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they wereprepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi. Now they were prepared for the Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moroni.

 9 And it came to pass that the Lamanites, or the Amalickiahites, were exceedingly astonished at their manner of preparation for war.

This is what we have to do! Satan has to be surprised because we are SO prepared- for anything that could happen! This might sound strange but something I have learned in my mission is the realness of the Devil and the spirits that are helping him. They never passed through the veil like we did, they know us and the the stronger and happier we are the more they try to impede (is that a word?) us. But as long as we stand in Holy Places and use the armor of God, we will be safe! It's all quite intense and real and I'm learning more every day. I want to invite you guys to read Alma 49 and 56 ( but especially 49:) and see how we have to prepare! 

I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers-always.

I know that Jesus Christ loves us and died so that we don't have to, He gives us hope.

I know that The Book of Mormom is essencial for our spiritual protection.

I love being a missionary for Jesus Christ, I love trying again and again every day.

I love you guys and am so grateful that I have such a wonderful, blessed family:)

I love you!

Loooove,

Sister Ventura :)