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 :)