Another Six Weeks!

Sister East and I will be spending my birthday, Christmas, the New Year, and my 9 month mark together in Sousa!!  These next 6 weeks will be one big party (missionary style, of course!)!!  This past week and half has been crazy!  During the day we talk to as many people as possible, and then at night we teach lessons to the families and investigators that we have found.  It's exhausting!  During one of lessons (to be honest, many), I have to fight to keep myself awake when I'm not talking.  I try to mask my exhaustion by pretending that I'm reading the scriptures, or praying for my companion, and then when everything becomes quiet I quickly wake up and say something along the lines of, "I testify that what my companion just said is true..." and then continue with the lesson!  heehee  Somedays are more rough than other days, but as a friend of the family used to always say, "I'm still kicking!"

Last Wednesday, we had a GREAT family home evening with our ward.  We have been teaching two families, so we invited them to come to our ward family home evening.  We walked with them to the member's house, and then left to pick up André and one of his friends because they live nearby but didn't know where this member lived.  When we arrived at André's house his mom, who absolutely adores Sister East and I, invited us in to drink some water.  When we entered the kitchen, we noticed that she had made couscous with eggs (a favorite dish in Brazil).  She asked us if we liked couscous com ovo...now this is a loaded question, if you say 'no', you might as well have told her that she is a terrible cook, but if you say 'yes', you better get ready to eat.  Well, we said, 'yes'.  No sooner was the word 'yes' out of my mouth and André's mom was scooping couscous on to two plates and shoving us down at the table to eat.  She then sent André out to buy us some juice real quick because water was no longer good enough!  Sister East and I didn't even try to resist, we just sat at the table and ate our couscous and laughing at the whole situation.  Needless to say, we made it to FHE a little late, but it was worth it!  Our two families loved the FHE.  We watched 'Mundo Feliz' and then played a game afterwards where one person is blindfolded and they tap a person with a wooden spoon and ask them to make an animal sound.  Then, by the sound that is made the person that is blindfolded has to guess who made the sound!  It was way fun to see what kind of sounds people made for the different animals!

I know that this Gospel is true!  If you don't have a personal testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, get one!  The morals and standards of this world are degenerating rapidly.  It's confusing and difficult to navigate our way through this world.  However, with a strong personal testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, we will make it through the mists of darkness and reach the 'tree of life'!  

Let's Go to Church!

Sundays have always been one of my favorite days of the week, because it's the day when you get to see the 'fruits of your labors'!  Who, out of the hundreds of people that we invited and taught, will come to church?!  Sister East and I have had such a large group of people these past two Sundays, that we've had to ask some young women in our ward to go on splits with us to help us 'pick up' everyone that we promised.  I wonder if sometimes people tell us they'll come to church with the thought, "oh these girls will never pass by to pick me up anyway!"  haha!  and then Sunday afternoon at 3:00 -- "Surprise!!  We're here to take you to church!"  There was one 14-year-old boy who we had invited to come to church,and he had seemed super excited to come.  However, when we should up at the meeting place, he wasn't there.  I asked around on the street to see if anyone knew where he lived (because his current house was under construction).  We finally found a woman who knew where he lived and she agreed to take us to his house.  As we were walking down the street, the young man passed by on his bike on the street in front of us.  We yelled for him, but he didn't hear us.  So, I did the only sensible thing to do and took off running after him!!  Unfortunately, we never caught up to him...bikes tend to be faster than running, but we tried!  

As I've been studying in the scriptures, I was intrigued by Alma's instructions to his son Helaman concerning the plates (Alma 37).  He begins by telling his son that the Lord works by small and simple things to bring about great things.  Then, he talks about how the scriptures helped Ammon and all those missionaries in their missionary work to the Lamanites.  Finally, he tells Helaman that he doesn't understand the Lord's reasons, but that the Lord has a wise purpose for every commandment that he gives us.  I'm sure that it wasn't always easy to keep the records in those days.  Scratching out words in metals would not be fun, and I can imagine that someone at some point probably thought, "What a waste of time.  No one is even going to read these records.  I'm just doing all this hard work for nothing."  Yet, as Alma testified to his son, the Lord has a wise purpose and He is in control.  Often in our own lifes, we too find ourselves wondering, "Going to church is such a waste of time," or "No one pays attention when we have FHE or family scripture study," or "I'm doing all this hard work preparing this lesson or this talk for nothing."  Whatever it is, we too wonder whether our 'small and simple' efforts are truly going to pay off in the end.  I testify that YES!  Our 'small and simple' efforts always pay off!  We can't always see the full picture, or understand the Lord's ways, but we can have faith that truly, the Lord has a wise purpose in every command, and if we faithfully obey we will be blessed!

A Brazilian Thanksgiving!!

With the Petries in Sousa our Thanksgiving dinner (lunch) was pretty darn close to the real deal!  I was going to make home made rolls, but President and Sister Hall ended up coming to Sousa to do some training on Thanksgiving day, so I didn't have any time...darn, but Sister Petrie made some bomb mashed potatoes and gravy, a roast, pumpkin bars with cream cheese  frosting, AND real box brownies from the US!!  I've made some brownies while I've been here in Brazil, and I thought they were delicious, but when I put a bite of real brownies in my mouth I thought for sure I'd die of pure brownie goodness!  Since we had training with the Halls, our whole zone was together for our Thanksgiving meal, which made it all the more fun.  While we were washing dishes after the meal, all of the American missionaries started singing Christmas songs!  We're all feeling the holiday spirit, even if there isn't frost or snow.

Saturday was filled with craziness.  At 2:00 we had some men from the Branch show up to help us move apartments!  We just moved across the street, so it wasn't too complicated...but then again our new apartment is on the third floor, so those men got a good work out!  Sister East and I helped where we could, and stepped out of the way when our help didn't appear to be very helpful (heehee).  The difference between our old apartment and our new apartment is like the difference between a bitter carrot and a sweet carrot.  They're both the same thing, a missionary apartment, but one fills you with disappointment and disgust, and the other fills you with happiness and energy.  Even climbing the extra 3 flights of stairs is a bonus - more exercise!  No longer will Sister East and I return home at night to a dark, stuffy, apartment.  It's amazing how your environment truly effects how you feel.  These past few mornings I've woken up with a grin on my face and a ray of sun in my heart! 

We finished the move in two hours, and then Sister East and I headed to the Chapel to set up for our activity with the members.  We are doing a month long activity where each member will earn points for their organization when they do something to help missionary work.  For example, they earn points if they: bring a friend to church, bring a friend to an activity, give a reference to the missionaries, sit beside one of our investigators, go on splits with the missionaries, have FHE in their home and share a message, etc.  Our activity on Saturday was to get them excited about this competition.  We played a variety of games, and whoever won earned points for their organization.  I didn't know how this activity would work out, but Brazilians like a competition!  On Sunday we had a couple investigators at church, and I don't think a single meeting went by that a member wasn't sitting beside our investigators!  Then, in the morning as we were out passing by people's houses to take them to church, we passed by three of the young men from our Branch out trying to get their friends to come to church too!  haha!  I love it!!

I've been thinking a lot this week about our potential.  Often, we set limits for ourselves whether conciously or unconciously.  We look at other people and say that they are different, or the circumstances were different, and we can't accomplish the same things now.  However, that is not true.  Why can't we be as spiritually  powerful as Nephi or Moroni.  Why can't we be missionaries as effective as Alma and Ammon?  Why can't we raise children as firm as the Sons of Helaman?  Why can't we have wards and families as unified as the people of Enoch?  The only barrier we have is ourselves!  We can accomplish great things, we just need to believe - AND most importantly, trust in the Lord!!

Missions!!!

I can't resist giving a shout out to my sister, Cassie, who just received her mission call to Fortaleza, Brazil!!!!!!!!  WOOOOOHOOOOOO  Missions are the BEST, but Brazil has a special place in my heart with cookies, ice cream, and everything else wonderful in life!!  

This morning, Sister East and I left our apartment at 10:30 to start our P-Day activities.  Before we can get out on the street, we have to unlock a big gate in front of our apartment.  The lock always gives us trouble, but today it was impossible!  We asked one of our neighbors to try and unlock the gate, but she couldn't.  We called the owner of the apartment, but he couldn't come until 1:00.  Sister East and I aren't the kind of people to just sit around, especially after a long week of missionary work.  One tiny little lock wasn't going to keep us prisioners in our own apartment.  We did a quick scout along the fence and found a spot that looked easy to climb up and over.  Then, with skirts and all, we pulled ourselves up and then jumped over!  Freedom!!!  The people of Sousa already think we're crazy for running every morning, so jumping over fences will just reaffirm to them our strangeness.  

As a missionary, I hear all kinds of excuses...all kinds!  Sometimes I get weary of hearing the excuses, and I just want to say, "só diga logo a verdade" (just tell us the truth!)  Yet, other times, the excuses can get pretty funny.  This past week, Sister East and I  were talking to three people.  Each of them lived in a different house.  We invited one of them to come to church and she replied that she couldn't because she would be moving houses on Sunday.  Tudo bem, on to the next person.  However, the next person replied that he would also be moving on Sunday (riiiiiiiiight *winky face*)  Sister East then turned to the third person and said, "and let me guess, you're going to be moving on Sunday, too?"  hahaha!  If you're going to make an excuse, at least make an effort to be original!

One of my favorite parts of serving a mission, is recognizing the countless miracles we are blessed with everyday.  Even a miracle as small as commenting to my companion that I would love a certain kind of juice, and then we show up at a member's house for lunch and they have made the exact juice that I was craving!  It's something small, but truly is a testimony ot me that Heavenly Father is aware of our lives to the tiniest detail.  He wants to bless us, strengthen us, and raise our spirits!  

I was studying this week in Alma about the antichrist, Korihor.  Korihor led away many Nephites to commit sins and lose their faith.  However, when Korihor tried to destory the testimonies of the people of Jershon and the people of Gideon he did not have any success.  What was the difference?  The people of Jershon and the people of Gideon didn't let Korihor stay among them and preach; they tied him up and threw him out!  We need to do the same thing with Satan in our lives.  Satan will try to enter our lives and our homes in whatever way possible; movies, internet, cell phones, TV, books, crazy schedules, pride, etc.  He will find our weak point and do what he can to tear us down.  Yet, we are more powerful than Satan.  We do not have to let him have success in our lives and homes.  We need to recognize the methods that Satan is using to weaken our testimonies, and then do as the people of Jershon and Gideon, 'tie it up, and throw it out'!!!  I know that this Gospel is true!  We have the power to choose eternal life and happiness!  Daily prayer and scripture study will strengthen our testimonies!!  Stay strong and keep enduring!

Brazilian Baking

I've been doing a lot more baking lately because I find great pleasure in taking cookies to members and watching them take that first bite into a chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter cookie (I use some strange, but delicious peanut candy that is basically dried peanut butter to give my cookies a peanut butter taste).  I love watching as their faces transform and are filled with the joy that can only come from eating a chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter cookie!!  Brazilians don't use measuring cups to cook, so I've developed the talent of 'eyeballing it'.  Surprisingly, I haven't ruined any recipes yet, I just have 20 different types of banana bread that all come from the same recipe!! heehee!

This past week, we had an appointment to teach a family that was a reference from a member.  During our planning the night before, Sister East and I decided to do some contacting in a neighborhood that was quite a long ways from our apartment.  As we were walking there, Sister East made the comment that perhaps our planning hadn't been that good because we were going to end up walking a lot for what appeared to be little success.  However, as we were nearing the neighborhood, we heard someone call out our names.  We turned around and saw the wife of the family we had marked to teach that night.  She told us that she had to pick up her son from a meeting and that she would be 30 minutes late for our appointment.  She then told us that she had found out about this meeting yesterday night, and was worried all day that she wouldn't be able to tell us about the change of times and that we would pass by and assume that she had forgotten.  A coincidence that Sister East and I planned to make contacts that neighborhood near this woman's work?...I think not!  Later that night, after we had taught our lesson, I was writing something in my planner when the husband asked me if he could see the picture that I had taped on the front of my planner.  It was the picture of Jesus stepping out of the tomb on the pass along cards.  The husband then told us that he had found a picture identical to this picture when he was in São Paulo.  He had brought the picture home with him and had put it on their refridgerator!  A coincidence that I chose to tape this picture to my planner, the same picture that this man had found in São Paulo?...I think not!  It is incredible to see how the Lord is guiding our lives!  As I thought about these experiences, I remembered a talk by Elder Bednar.  He made the comment that many people worry about the question, 'how can you know when the spirit is guiding you?'  His answer was, 'Stop worrying about it, and just be a good boy, or a good girl!'  It seems too simple, but it's true.  If we are being righteous and obedient, then the Lord is going to guide our lives.  We will be instruments in his hands to comfort those who are in need of comfort, to strengthen someone's faith, to answer someone's prayer, and to take the Gospel to all the world! 

November 5, 2012

During the past 7 months, I have worked with a lot of people who desire to change something in their lives -- improve a marriage, stop drinking, stop smoking, be more happy, etc.  It has been amazing to watch as some of these people have succeeded because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the application of Gospel principles.  For others, I have been saddened as I've watched them have success for a little while, but then give in to their old habits.  In my own life, I've noticed things about me that I desire to change as well.  I too have moments of strength when I'm doing everything right to help me make this permanent change and implement a correct principle in my life; yet, I also have moments when I give in to my old weaknesses.  So, what's the difference?  How can we make a permanent change in our life?  How can we come to the point where we can say, "because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually!" (Mosiah 5:2) 

Developing Christ-like attributes and 'putting off the natural man' aren't easy things to accomplish.  Even Nephi exclaimed, "And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh?  Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?...Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul!" (2 Nephi 4:27-28)  As Nephi declares, we too must have this determination to conquer the natural man and become more like our Savior.  These Christ-like attributes are gifts from God, and we can only develop these qualities through the power of the Atonement.  So, how to we apply the power of the Atonement into our lives?  The Book of Mormon teaches us three basic principles: scripture study, prayer, and fasting.  In Alma 17:2-3 we learn that the sons of Mosiah remained firm in the faith through diligent scripture study and much prayer and fasting.  Also, in Helaman 3:28-29,35, we are taught again that it is the 'word of God', or scripture study, that will help us combat the temptations of the devil, to fight against our old desires and habits.  Then, fasting and prayer will strengthen our faith and humility, ultimately purifying our hearts and helping us to put off the natural man and become Saints! 

Change isn't easy, but through the power of the Atonement, and through the application of the principles of the Gospel, it is possible!!  Our purpose in this life is to become like our Savior, "that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." (Moroni 7:48)  Let us each strive to apply the Atonement in our lives; diligently study the scriptures, fast and pray intently, and repent daily.  I know that each of us can have this mighty change of heart!  Each of us can receive the image of God in our countenances and truly become like our savior!

As I've probably mentioned before, there are a lot of wild dogs on the streets of Brazil.  Sister East and I have made it a game to give each dog a nick name as we walk by.  So far we've come up with names like, 'puddle-licker', 'fufu', 'dung beetle', etc.  We just say whatever is the first word that comes to our mind!  It's ridiculous, but it keeps us sane.  Another game that we like to play is when we ask people who would they like to pray.  Usually people don't like to pick and they say, 'tanto faz' (it doesn't matter), or, 'qualquer um' (whichever one).  These two phrases are so common for people to say to us, that Sister East decided to be 'qualquer um' and I am 'tanto faz'.  So, when we ask someone which of the two of us can pray and they say, 'oh, qualquer um', Sister East prays; and if they say, 'tanto faz', then I pray!  hahaha!  Oh the things we do to keep our lives from turning into humdrum, boring scum!

Até o Fim!

Transfers were this week, and as we figured, Sister East and I will be staying in Sousa!  Since we have a senior couple in our area and our zone leaders, we all met up at an ice cream shop to eat ice cream while we waited for the call from the Assistents!  It was way better than just going back to our apartment, planning for our day (without knowing what's going to happen), and then anxiously waiting for the phone to ring. 

This week, I had a nice surprise!  One of the young woman in Guarabira traveled to Sousa to visit Sister East and I (Sister East also served in Guarabira)!!  Monday and Tuesday Rayssa, our visitor from Guarabira, came with Sister East and I for most of the day to make contacts and teach investigators!  Rayssa will be turning 18 in January and is preparing to serve a mission, so it was perfect for her and of course we loved the company!  One contact that we made with her was super neat.  We began talking to a woman and during the course of our conversation she told us that her husband had found a Book of Mormon on the bus he drives.  After no one came back to reclaim the book, he and his wife began to read it.  Now, whenever he travels, he always takes the Book of Mormon with him to read!  Until we talked with this woman, she had never made the connection that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses the Book of Mormon!  I hope I will be able to see the ending to this awesome story! 

Two weeks ago, we received a referrel of a man who is about 59 and lives alone in a one room house with only a hammock, a night stand, a handheld radio, and his bike.  His mother, sister, and daughter all live nearby, so I think he goes to their homes to eat and only sleeps in his one room house.  Anyway, we stopped by his house two weeks ago and invited him to church.  (Pres. Hall has told that we can recognize investigators with potential by those who come to church.  So, a lot of times our contacts are invitations to come to church and an explanation of the importance of the church and the blessings that we can receive).  Well, the following Sunday he showed up at church, on his bike, without anyone going to get him or reminding him!  Sister East and I marked a baptismal date with him and began teaching him.  The poor guy talks so fast and mumbly, though, that neither of us can understand him that well and he only understands about 50-60 percent of what we say.  Thankfully, the member who introduced us to him is always willing to help us teach.  Most of our lessons were taught twice; we would teach a concept and then the member would repeat what we had taught.  This dear man, Vicente, doesn't know how to read, and just like an innocent little child he understands things on a very simple level.  When we asked him if he believed that Joseph Smith was a prophet he replied, 'Sim'.  We then asked, 'Porque você acredita?' and he responded, 'por que ele foi' (because he was!)  On Sunday, the day of his baptism, Vicente didn't show up at 3:00 like we had told him.  Of course Sister East and I started to worry a bit, but after about 20 minutes, Vicente walked into the church building, hair cut, wearing a fancy pair of sandals, and using a nice collared shirt!  He was so dang adorable I just wanted to give him a hug!!  The baptism went smootly besides the fact that he had to be baptized 3 times because some body part kept popping out of the water (pobrezinho)...but he survived and was super happy afterwards!  Sister East and I sang 'How Great Thou Art' in english for the special musical number.  Later in the week, we visited Vicente.  He was still way excited about his baptism, and had apparently told some members that if he had known how wonderful the Church was before, he would have been baptized a lot sooner!  Vicente told us that some people in his neighborhood had made some rude comments to him about being baptized, but he told us that he doesn't pay them any mind because he is happy now that he has been baptized and even more happy that he will remain firm in the Church!  Everything we taught him Sister East and I would say, 'And how long do you need to keep this commandment...etc?'  and with every question he would respond, 'até o fim!'  (until the end!)  I can't describe how much I love Vicente!  His understanding of the Gospel is simple, but it is enough.  He believes that it is true, and he recognizes the joy that it brings into his life!  I love to see how the Gospel fills people's lives with happiness.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true!  It has the power to change lives; we just need to apply its principles into our lives!