Christmas Pictures

12/30/13

Wow, okay so can I just say, it was incredible to talk to ya'll on Christmas. Just the very best :) Sperry and I went home and just smiled for the whole night. It made you guys feel so much closer to me, like you really were just one phone call away. You all just looked so wonderful and happy and that made me so happy :) Best Christmas present ever. 

 I hope Amanda liked the boxing glove hahaha. 

Oh speaking of packages, you know how you asked me if I needed anything and I was like...No....well I actually thought of some stuff if you ever have the fancy to send another. I know they are expensive though so no pressure. A few ideas though: Kings Hawaiian bread. Delicious, and one of the few things that doesn't melt :)

Good pens. they don't have those here.You know the Pilot G-2 kind....colors please.

Pics and more pics! Oh and a new journal would be so awesome Dad. I'm running out of room (be proud) and it turns out they don't have cool journals here. What's that all about? All they want is American stuff haha.  Okay those are just some ideas. 

Next

I got a package!!!! woohoo. It was from Sister Perry and at first, I gotta be honest, I was super confused, but then I opened it up and realized that the wonderful YW had sent me all kinds of cards and goodies and oh my, I cannot even tell you how wonderful it was..especially the Reese's. You might find this disgusting, but I ate them all in one day...I'll explain in a moment haha. Anyhoodles, thank you all the Young Women!!!! It was incredible to hear from you and it made me and my comps Christmas. My comp almost cried because she had prayed for Bath and Body Works soap lol. So, you done good. Thank you times a million!

Okay, so here's some updates on my life. First of all, I'll explain why I ate nothing but Reese's for a day. First off, they don't exist here, so they are a coveted delicacy. Second of all, we found out what is wrong with us in regards to our sickness......we kinda sorta might have worms. Bleh! Yeah, so there are currently little bugs living inside of our guts!!! It's been quite the journey trying to figure out what was wrong with us, but I gotta be honest, I was thrilled to find out I wasn't just becoming the laziest person ever with a disturbing love for chocolate and sweets. So yes, that is why I lived off of Reese's for a day. The worms made me do it! Don't worry, we are taking medicine right now, so that should take care of the problem and that's all I will say about that lol. BUT get this, we finally found out our problem and were going to get better and THEN...I got mango face haha. So it was back to bed with a big red allergy face. I guess God just really wants us to learn how to rest. Oh man, I just want to work again, but I am learning a lot about what it means to rest. That is for sure. Right now, S and I are learning how to rest, how to trust God, how to love ourselves and most important, how to find joy in every moment, even in trials. As our President said, if God needed the rocks to preach the gospel, he would have them do it, but he wants US to learn how to trust and rely on him. 

I'm out of time, but I just want to share a part of a poem that I read and loved by TS Eliot. It says: 

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

As missionaries, we get really good at keeping busy, but we often forget how to be still. 

As missionaries, we get really good at finding our faults and seeking to improve, but we often forget how to love ourselves in the process.

More important than what we DO is what we ARE....and we ARE children of God. He already loves us perfectly. He sees us as we are and will help us to improve. Trust in Him a little more. Love yourself a little more. We are told to love others as we love ourselves, but if we don't love ourselves, then how are we to fully love others? I'm still working on not beating myself up  every second, but recognizing that I am WORTHY of love is the first step. You are all incredible. Remember to be still and see the beauty around you. Remember that you are allowed to love yourself, that God wants us to, and that if we refuse to recognize our worth, its like telling God He made a piece of junk....which I don't think He would appreciate too much. 

LOVE YOU,

Thanks for EVERYTHING and all the people who sent me things. Jenny, the Shepherds, Grandpa, the Young Women, and anyone else that I just haven't received yet. You are all angels!

Sis Hunny

12-23-13

Okay so first business stuff: I'm pretty positive you can do the 3 way skype thing. It will be done via skype and it should be around 6 oclock my time. I already went to skype and created an account and requested Amanda as a friend, so make sure that it worked. It will be in a members house. Be ready before and after that time, because nothing is ever on time in Brazil haha.Sorry that's like super flakey, but welcome to Brazil.

 

Okay so Wow, Christmas is basically here! That really snuck up.....probably because I am black and my hair is white and I'm sweating as I type this haha. But still, Christmas is coming and that means I get to talk to you guys. What a blessing! Can I tell you though, I never thought I would be grateful for the cold. God has a sneaky way of forcing us to be grateful for EVERYTHING, doesn't he? Even things we thought we hated lol. 

I'm not going to lie, it really is hard to be away from family and loved ones at this time. Really hard. But, once again, I'm so grateful I only have to give up one Christmas in order to experience a tiny bit of loneliness. There are others in this world who have it the other way around. It is more rare for them to feel love than to feel alone. How tragic, but true, and that is why I'm here for just a short chunk of my life. Of course I am missing everything about the Christmas I know, but I'm here for a little bit to tell people every day something I was already blessed to know: That they are children of a loving Heavenly Father. That they are more precious than all the stars in the sky and all the gems in the ground and as cheesy as it all sounds, its true as well. Its true and I know it is a fact that one day, there will be no more tears or pain or loneliness, but only love in its place, and all this is because of our Savior Jesus Christ (Rev 20). Even though I'm missing out on all the Christmas traditions this year, I don't think anything could be more true to the Christmas spirit than going into streets and homes and reminding people of their eternal, sacred worth. I have the chance to teach people about a perfect friend and brother that died for us, even though we rejected Him. This is powerful. This is the reason for Christmas. We must remember and MUST share this gift. There is no gift more important that we can share than the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will change lives and bring light to the world. 

   Yesterday I had an amazing experience. It was so small, but very tender, which is basically the sum of a mission-- tiny miracles every day. Anyway, it was at C's house and we are also teaching her 18  yr old granddaughter I, who is just so broken and has NO self worth, but she hides her sorrow well. She once told us that she it didn't matter if she lived or died, because she is just going to go to Hell anyway. ahh!!! So sad. Last night, as we were saying goodbye, I  hugged her and told her she was so special, but she couldn't look me in the eyes. So I lifted her chin and told her again that she was special and beautiful and that God loved her. Just those simple phrases caused her to collapse into my arms and cry, and in those moments, I know I'm here for a reason. If all it takes is a few simple phrases to make someone cry, then think how much more good we can do. We need to strive to live as an example of Jesus Christ. We need to share His love with everyone we meet, and we have this ability. You guys are all amazing. 

I hope you know that. Thank you for everything and the amazing example you are to me. 

Feliz Natal

LOVE Sis Hunny

12-16-13

Oi!!!!

Como esta meus queridos? I am doing great. We had a baptism this past Saturday and have another one coming this Sunday. Sis S and I are being so blessed by Heavenly Father. He is truly just carrying us along, because I mean....look at us, we are just two Americanas trying to survive in another country, but we are finding success and truly helping people. Haha only Heavenly Father could make this possible. Brendon was our baptism, and he is sooo good. He was just so ready to follow Jesus Christ and dedicate his life to growing and learning in the gospel. He truly is so humble and wonderful and only 14 yrs old! Sorry this letter will  be short, the key board is all messed up and it's hard to type.

So today we lose our P day because we have a practice all day for the missionary christmas chorale. Its gonna be pretty awesome though. Tomorrow we have our Christmas conference/banquet for the mission and we are going to sing our little hearts out for all the missionaries and President Brum and other special guests. Yeah, we are kinda famous...you'll have to wait for autographs ;) Some of the songs are in English and its pretty adorable hearing the Brazilians try to pronounce their Rs, but they are really doing so great.
  So, this week is going to be great. I just know it. Sis S and I have so much fun together, but even more, we are witnessing so many miracles and have so many opportunities to help others. It's truly a blessing to be able to help others, but this week was also kinda hard. So, here's the deal, S and I.....we got really excited about the area and all the good we could do, and we worked our little bums off. We have tried to always put everyone else first and its been really awesome, but it started to catch up with us. Our house was getting dirty, we were going to bed late, and we weren't ever eating because we were too busy. We were getting super stressed. Oh yeah, and we had a baptism, but our bishop wasnt interested in helping us and nobody would answer their phones. So.....all of a sudden, about two days ago, it hit us that we were both kinda dying haha. We were both sick and Sis S said I looked like a Holocaust victim because my eyes were all tired and sunken in haha. Yet still, we felt like we weren't doing enough, like we should be doing more because there is SO MUCH TO DO!!!

Listen up everyone, we have got to enjoy life. We have got to stop and smile every once in a while, and we have got to take care of ourselves just a little bit before we go save the world. Sis S said she cant imagine Jesus Christ running from place to place, because he stopped for Everyone. Remember the story of the woman who touched the hem of his robe and he stopped? Well he wouldn't have felt that if he was only worrying about his next appointment and all the OTHER people he has to help. So, right now, sis S and I are trying to discover the balance. Christ had a lot on his mind, but he also had perfect peace and joy, so we are working on resting as well. Its actually really hard to do, but I think its something everyone needs to learn, Americans especially. Thats why Sunday is just such a gift. Its not a sacrifice to keep the Sabbath Day holy. It's a gift. It's a day when we can force ourselves to just rest and not feel guiltly. Look, God is so great, He gave us a guilt free way to force ourselves to relax and meditate on life and enjoy our families. SO give yourself a moment to rest. It doesnt have to be sleep. Just remember that every moment is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.

I'll let you  know next Monday what time we will skype, but probs it will be in the evening. SOOOO EXCITED. Excuse me now, I'll probably cry, so dont judge okay, haha.

LOVE YOU ALL merry  xmas.

PS- it's so weird that it's Christmas because I'm going to bed sweating every night haha.

Oh and forgive me for my lack of writing right now. Like I said....I've been really busy. Ill melhorar! I promise. Disculpe!

12-9-13

OOOOOOKKKKKAAAAAYYYY! holy guacamole where to begin?! This has been my best week in Brazil for sure and it's only gonna get better I know. Wow, so my new comp is the bomb diggity! Let me tell you what. She is like a cool breeze and a pina colada (virgin of course) on the beach after a year without vacation. I didn't really say anything, but last transfer was REALLY hard, but now I'm really, truly, so amazingly happy! I am finding so much joy in the work. Its not even work. It's just an adventure and a blessing to be able to uplift people and be a part of little miracles everyday. 

O man, why am I so happy? Well, Sis S is just a joy. She is so humble and sweet and sincere and she wants to work hard, but we don't worry about numbers. We are worrying about people as individuals, not tallies, and loving them. Our goal is to leave every person, place and thing better off than we found it. Every study hour is like a devotional, and we learn sooo much. She has had a hard mission up to this point as well, and always tells me I'm helping her heal, but really she is healing me as well. We laugh and smile always. Seriously, this week could have been really bad haha. We came home to something crazy every night. One night, it rained and our windows were opened and EVERYTHING got soaked, including all of my books and scriptures.....and our beds. So.....we were like wowza, this is bad, and then we just died laughing. We slept on different beds with nasty pillows and separated each page of my scripture and just laughed. We can get through anything together. When she first got here, she was so afraid to make a mistake. She said sorry for everything, but in just a week, I've been pushing myself to always be calm, patient and optimistic, so that she isn't afraid. Its a blessing for both of us, because we never stress or despair, even though we are two lost Americans just trying to get around a foreign country haha. I see her personality emerging more everyday and she really is just a gem. We have so  much fun. 

We see so many miracles. We focus less on numbers, but we do work on being prompt and reliable. Because of that, everyday we end up with more lessons and contacts than we even planned on. Another miracle is that the day we started working together, I could understand and speak Portuguese ten times better! It was amazing. Seriously, I was so nervous because we are both very new at the language and I didn't know how people would understand us. But guess what, we just went out there and talked to people and I could suddenly understand everything they said. What?! Miracle. BAM. I can talk way better too. God is amazing. He truly qualifies us when he needs something done. I know Sis S and I need to be together. We are not only trying to help our area, but we want to uplift our roommates and all the sisters and all the missionaries. We want to change the mission to an environment where everyone feels safe and confident and is not afraid to make mistakes, and that just comes from building people up and being an example. We are hoping President Brum will let us stick together for a long time, so that we can help as many people as possible. Seriously, we have miracles everyday. WE are hoping for 3 baptisms this week :) but its not even about the baptisms. Its about helping people recognize that they are children of God. I am here and you are there in this exact moment so that you can encounter people that need your love. They need somebody to tell them that there is a God above that knows and loves them, and you can be that person. We are all tools in Gods hands. I happen to be here in Brazil right now, and I'll do whatever it is He needs me to do right now, but when I return, I will still be an instrument for Him to lift the hands that hang down. Life is beautiful. If it doesn't seem that way, then change something and pray for Gods help. He will provide :)

I feel so fulfilled in the work right now. I was growing so tired from constantly worrying about uplifting others, but I didn't realize that first I had to uplift myself and find ways to smile. Being in a positive environment is just so life changing. It changes everything. Seriously, avoid negativity like the plague, because it will only lead to despair. EVERYTHING that happens in life can be a blessing or a curse. Its your decision.

Oh yeah haha you'd get a kick out of this. Everyone in my apartment is wanting to get into shape, so I'm kinda their personal trainer. We wake up at 6 and run and do exercises. These girls are awesome and so determined. I love it. It's so fun to see them grow and push themselves both physically and spiritually. So great. We run to church music playing on our phone and it's quite the sight. We get lots of looks and lots of smiles. Its great.

12/2/13

Okay first, Dear Darla: I got a letter from Sam and it was great. She said that you send her my emails and I was wondering....if you have the time......it would be awesome to get a hard copy of her emails as well, so i could know how awesome she is doing. Thanks. Luv YOU!

Second, Christmas. I don't know what your plan is, but if you were wanting to do a package, then my old comp really wants some of those special socks and they don't exist in Brazil so if you could throw some of those in there, that would be awesome.....and some chocolate covered raisins haha. 

Speaking of old comps.....i have a new comp!!!! Sis S. Transfers are today and everything changed. I get to stay in my area, but I got a new comp. Get this, she is American and I technically have more time in the mission than her!! what!? It's  because I served in the states first, but we are both babies in the mish so we are just gonna be two Americanas rockin' the world. I dunno how its gonna go, but I know that it's going to be great. I'm so excited! Seriously she is great and so humble and we are going to work so hard and see so many miracles. I'm sad to part from Sis A but I also know that having two Americans together will bring a fresh perspective to this work. I'm so excited to make plans and be efficient and maybe actually follow our plans for the day haha. That will bring miracles, I know it. I know there are so many people that need to be taught and by golly we are going to find and teach them all. It's going to be an adventure but it will be great. I kinda was freaked out at first, because I really still don't know what I'm doing as far as Brazil goes, but it will be an adventure, and who doesn't love that. I really am looking forward to this transfer so much. I think I'm going to be smiling all the time, which is how I want to always be. Actually, there you go, i just decided it, I'm going to be smiling all the time, despite anything that happens. The word for that is Otimismo, my new goal :)

Yesterday we almost got moved from our area because our pres was afraid it was dangerous. I was so devastated! Seriously, it was good for me because it helped me realize how much I love the people we are working with and how little time we have to help them. In a moment, everything that needs to be done flashed before me and I know I need to be here. I think the mish goes through waves. Sometimes it is more for the missionary and sometimes it is more for the people. I think this time period is going to be for the people because my comp is awesome and we are going to help these people so much and just give everything we have to them. I have so much I want to do and I have so much confidence that it will happen if we are willing to work and show God we care. This is going to be 6 weeks of change and growth. I can't wait. Hey guess what, the Bishop likes us now!! 

Love you alll, beijos

11-25-13

hello hello hello

I got Dad’s letter last Monday right after I wrote my email. I guess the mail service is on strike right now so some are taking longer :(

So....well....we have a baptism this week! That’s a miracle. It’s been up and down, on and off with Agatha. She is the daughter of a less-active member that we met in the street and hadn’t been active for about 20 years. Now she is coming back to church and hopefully her 11 yr old daughter Agatha is getting baptized this Saturday. Her most important request was that we make her chocolate cake, square not round, with brigadeiro and coconut haha. She really likes cake. She really wants to be baptized too, but she has been scared that her Mom won’t stay active and she didn’t want to make a commitment to God that she wouldn’t keep, so that’s why she has been off and on. I have been fasting every week and was fasting yesterday when we set the date. I truly believe it was an answer to my fasting. 

This area is not easy. We have so many people who want to be happier, but they just aren’t willing to give up their addictions or face their fears. I wish I could show them that it really isn’t a sacrifice, because the blessings they will receive through their faith will immensely outweigh what they give up. It’s like trading a piece of stale bread for an entire wedding cake! 

What else? The language is coming along. I’m feeling more and more comfortable every day. Yesterday, sister A was really sick so I taught a lesson all on my own while she was sitting there super out of it. That was a miracle too, for sure. Half of the time I was just hoping I was responding correctly, but I know the Spirit was helping me. 

So transfers are coming up. A and I both have a feeling that something is going to change but we aren’t sure. I’m a little nervous, because she has been such a help to me, and I don’t want her to leave. But I know Heavenly Father will help me and qualify me if that’s what needs to happen. Wow can you believe I’ve been on a mission for 5 months. Next transfer I’ll hit 6. Weird. Time goes by really fast and really slow at the same time. I can’t really explain it. 

I sent you guys a letter with more details about life in Brazil, because it’s hard to think of stuff during email time, but I don’t know how long it will take. 

What else, oh Celia, our awesome investigator, fell off a wall the other day and got hurt really bad. We are hoping she is okay. We have dinner at her house today, so we will see. Oh funny story really quick.

So, the Bishop doesn’t really like the Sisters and we aren’t sure why, but his wife also was really cold toward us. I really wanted this to change, so I asked Rita, his wife, if we could visit her. She was so excited we had thought of her and said she would make us bread. So, before we went there, we were going to Maria’s(another member/angel) for her birthday and we had bought 2 necklaces for her. But sis A thought we should actually give one of them to Bishop’s wife. Well, we did and it was so cool. She started crying and appreciated it sooooo much and couldn’t believe we would do that for her....and now we are basically her favorite people in the world. Thanks you Holy Ghost. I think that will help a lot. Seriously, the Spirit can guide us in ALL things if we just act and listen. Don’t be afraid to act immediately on a prompting and don’t doubt your thoughts. God can have a hand in EVERYTHING if we only let Him in.

That same day, we didn’t follow our plan at all and went to a lot of random houses, but people cried in every single house we visited. It was so cool to see how we are constantly guided to those who need us most. This work is not about numbers or baptisms. I mean, yes those are super important, but baptism is only a quick step on the path to following Jesus Christ. The true importance of this work is just to be a tool in God’s hands so that we can help people endure to the end, progress, and enjoy the many many blessings God has in store for all His children. Please keep an eye out for less actives. Look for new faces or people who are sitting alone at church and go talk to them. People are waiting to be contacted. People want to matter and they want to be thought of, but they don’t know how to reach out. The ward is a family. We need to take care of one another. Our area is 90 % less active and I know the Lord is just as happy to see inactive members return to church as he is about new baptisms. Those of you who want to be a missionary, but can’t think of what to do, go talk to someone who hasn’t been to church. Find the ward list and give people a call. Be a friend to those who need one. Keeping people in the fold is just as important as bringing others, because we all need to be uplifted. We all struggle at times. That is why we are all here on this earth together. I love you all. Shine your light! Share your love, and you will receive more!

I miss you guys so much, but it’s truly a small sacrifice for the blessings that God has and is giving me. 

Love sis Hunny

11/18/13

Hello,

I have gotten one letter since arriving. I think im going to have to wait a lot longer for mail from now on....so keep em coming haha. I need letters, not to sound demanding or anything....but they REALLY help.

Well, in all honesty its hard to remember what happened this week. I'm pretty sure I spoke a lot of Portuguese (or tried lol), saw lots of miracles, and came home.....crawled home every day exhausted haha. Life as a missionary is kind of impossible to describe. I have never been so tired in my life. My brain is always working hard because of the language...and there have litterally been a few lessons where I have to keep shifting around so that I don't fall asleep. Actually, Im pretty sure I might have accidently fallen asleep in a lesson or or two for a few seconds, but I don't think they noticed.

So, we MIGHT get a baptism this transfer! Whoo. We had a lot of dates set for this transfer and sooo many awesome investigators, but all of them just need more time. So we have big plans for next transfer. Our goal is 15 baptisms! Hey, its possible. We just need lots of faith....and work...and fasting. We are fasting every week. I know this will bring miracles. I would fast every day if we were allowed, but alas, once a week is the limit. I love fasting, because its something I KNOW I can do right and I'm guaranteed to get help from God. Its like paying tithing. When we have something we CAN actually do perfectly, take advantage, because there are very few things I can do perfectly. I like the things that I can do exactly right and not always feel inadequate. I have never been so humbled by any experience in my life. I feel so inadequate all the time, but luckily Heavenly Father is carrying my along. There are some lessons where I forget we are speaking another language and everything just flows, but then their are others where my brain just gives up and all I can do is wait for a spare moment to bear my testimony about something I think they were talking about haha.

Im not going to lie, many times I feel so alone because of the  language barrier. I love talking to people and really getting to know them, but here it's difficult because I often can't understand the responses to my questions. My comp is very helpful and supportive, but it's still hard sometimes. I think this experience is really good for me though, because I'm learning to rely on the Savior so much. For the first time in my life, I really have nobody else to emotionally rely on, so I have to turn to my Savior. All this time, I knew ABOUT Christ, but I didnt really KNOW Him as the dear, trusted friend that he is to all of us. He knows how I feel. He truly can comfort me, but its my job to turn to Him for help. I think I have always been a little too proud and maybe a little to weak in my faith to turn to Christ and really believe he would be able to comfort and help me like a friend, but I know He can. He is right now, and even though its hard, I know this experience is a blessing. I have wanted to KNOW Christ my whole life, and I'm beginning to. He is real. He is powerful and gentle, strong and meek, loving and wise all at the same time. I promise you all that when you feel that there is NOBODY that understands you.....there is. We are never alone. He is waiting to comfort us all. He knows our pains. He weeps when we weep, just like He wept when Lazarus died, even though he knew he would rise again.

to me

Im learning so much every day. Literally we have miracles every day! I just need to be more patient, I know. There is so much I need to work on. Luckily I have lots of time...eternity actually lol.

I think my favorite moment this week was when a man told me I was `luminada`, which means he could see that I had light....in a sense. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing much and I'm running in place, but moments like that remind me that I do have light and that I am an example of Christ for others.  We can all be examples of Christ. I love you all so much and miss you.

abracos,

sis Hunny

Pictures 11-11-13

11-11-13

Okey dokey!

So its already been 3 weeks. In some ways it's gone by so fast. In other ways I feel like I've been her for a year haha. Wow, there is nothing like learning another language. Nothing. I can't describe it any other way than just always feeling like you  are a newborn baby all over again that has to learn to walk, and sometimes you need your diaper changed, but you can't scream and cry because you are actually a mature adult and a representative of Jesus Christ and all that good stuff. So yeah, sometimes you just keep working with diaper rash. 

BUT its also the coolest thing in the world when I'm talking and forget I'm speaking in another language and then realize it. Wow, the Holy Ghost is so awesome and soooo helpful. Yesterday I had an awesome experience in regards to this. We were doing contacts and met a kid playing futbol in the street, and when we started talking to him he went and got his mom. We were like okay that works, then she invited us in and just waited for us to start teaching. By the way, this never happens here. Okay, so we start teaching her and the kids together and it was awesome. The Spirit was so strong and talking was easy for me. A lot of times, I never know if the people actually understood what I said or if they are just being polite, but at the end of the lesson, Rose, the woman, told me that she understood everything I said because the Holy Ghost carried it from my heart to hers. She said the closing prayer and asked if what we told her was true, and started crying during the prayer. At the end, she told us that she had prayed that morning to know what she should do to better her life, and she said she knew we were messengers from God and an answer to her prayer. It was amazing. Things like this happen every day. I can't believe it. Miracles happen everyday you guys. I promise. We just have to open our eyes and see with faith. Missionary work is so emotionally exhausting, but these gifts from God like this are what carry me through. I want to work even harder and show God I have faith. I hope you all are seeing blessings in your life, because I am working really hard haha. When I feel like I have nothing left, I think of those I care about, and it gets me pumped that I can do something for them :)

 

Today is going to be awesome because Celia, our amazingly delightful investigator is going to teach us how to make gnochi and this amazing fish dish from scratch. Oh my mouth is watering already. Celia is sooo awesome. I just love being around her, and I have never met someone with so much faith and such enthusiasm in bearing it. She feels like a mom to me, which is really nice to have, even if I can barely understand what she is saying haha. I love sitting next to her in church. I don't know how to explain it, but she reminds me of you, Mom, even though she is super loud and so different, I feel like I'm sitting with you when I sit with her in church. Every week in church, she tells the WHOLE world this church is true and she is not even baptized yet. She is such an example of how we should all treat our testimonies. We need to shine our light. We need to share our gifts. 

Speaking of gifts, I read Moroni 10 about spiritual gifts. Did you know the same thing is in Corinthians 12 and D and C 46 (i think 46 or 42) so it must be pretty important. Anyway, I can't believe how many of these gifts I have developed in my mission and am beginning to recognize in myself now. I promise they were not there before, but as I have gained more faith, these gifts have come as a side effect. How amazing! God has been blessing me in ways I didn't even recognize...and they are really cool ways..things that I can't really write about in an email. You guys, the coolest part is that the scriptures promise these spiritual gifts to all those who have faith, nothing more required. Men and women and children can all have these amazing gifts and they are given liberally as long as we have faith. I promise you that if you desire to have these gifts, then you can. You only need to have faith that it is possible. I know that God works miracles. I know that there are angels among us carrying us through our challenges. I know that we can do amazing things if we have the courage to shed our doubts and believe anything is possible. 

You guys are awesome! I love you all soooo much. I challenge you to pray for miracles. I challenge you to talk to strangers and share the gift of the gospel with others. I challenge you to believe, and if not yet believing, then have the desire to believe and the faith will come (Alma 32).

love love love sis Hunny/Barbie/boneca branca

Beijos

Pics from Brazil

11/4/13

Oi! Tudo Bem. So first please the excuse the many typos that will occur because this key board is awful, but oh well. 

So, where to begin. Wow, there is so much to say. My brain is learning so much everyday, but so is my spirit. I can't believe how tired I am every day, but its a good tired, because every night I go to bed and know that I worked as hard as I could. Speaking of work, I had the coolest little personal revelation. So I have been worrying about a lot of people. Well, I dunno if worrying is the right word, but wishing I could be there to help them. Lots of different people. It was interfering with my focus and really draining me, but then I was talking with Sis A and she told me about a scripture in D and C 118 I think that basically says that when we work our hardest, then God will pour out blessings on our loved ones. When I read this, I just knew that this was true for me. I know that if I am am here in this place right now for a reason, and I know that God has a perfect plan for everyone. I can't physically be there for everyone, because they are all over the place, but in my heart I now know that I really CAN do something for them. I can WORK! Somehow, and I don't know how that is, the harder I work, the more blessings I can bring to my loved ones. Like I said before, I don't know how it's gonna work, but people, be expecting some great blessings, because I am working even harder now. Its seriously so exciting for me to work now. It was before, but sometimes you just feel like you can't do more or like you're getting nowhere. But now, when I feel like taking a rest, I think of how I could be helping my loved ones, and I want to walk a little farther, and talk to more people. God has given me so much! I have a healthy body and mind. I have dear family and friends. Now I have the chance to serve people here and even out of my presence. That's all I could ask for. I love work. I am so motivated now. I'm so excited to hear how your lives go and what blessings everyone receives, so everyone: pay attention to the miracles that happen in your lives. Look for unexpected blessings. I know God keeps His promises and that He is always pouring His love upon us. 

Oh I have to tell you something funny. So, nobody can pronounce my name. NOBODY. So I have about a million different names: Sister Hunny, Sister Hunny Baby (don't ask), and Sister Barbie (everyone also always thinks I look like a Barbie because of my blonde hair. I find it ironic because I never even liked Barbies as a kid and hated....still hate pink haha), or boneca (which means doll, another reference  to Barbie). Its always funny to see peoples' faces when I tell them my name. Most people just don't even try to repeat it. ]

This week, we made 164 contacts! A contact is when you talk with someone on the street or where ever and we usually try to teach them something, bear testimony of something and then get their address for a time when we can return and teach more. Its sooo different from NY because people almost always say yes. What?! People here are sooooo friendly. Strangers can just walk up to each other and pick up a conversation and its not weird at all. Everything is more laid back here, but Ribeirao is still pretty nice. Most of the people we work with would consider themselves poor, but in a lot of ways, their houses are nicer than the houses in North Tonawanda NY. I actually feel like Brazil is a step up from where I was in a lot of ways. So, everyday we see so many miracles. Every day! Yesterday was fantastic. We had an amazing testimony meeting at church with 4 investigators there and 3 less actives. Everyone's testimonies were so powerful and the whole room was crying. I was pretty scared, but I bore my testimony as well. It was so cool, because when I rely on the Spirit, I can speak Portuguese so much better. It helps me to put my thoughts into words, but even more, I think it helps me speak to peoples' hearts, even if my grammar is very flawed. At church, one of our investigators, Celia, saw the picture of the second coming with Jesus and the angels and began to weep, because she had dreamed this exact image, but had never seen anything like it. She is now determined to quit smoking so that she can be baptized in November. It was so awesome. She knows it is true :)

Okay well I've gotta run but I hope all is well and I'm working hard for you all, my dear ones. God loves you. I know this for a fact. He loves us all perfectly despite our imperfections. Don't doubt the power of faith and diligence and especially service. These will bring us closer to Christ. Remember that God wants this life to be happy and simple. Don't over complicate things and trust in God. What a blessing that He has all the answer and we don't have to. 

LOVE YALL beijos

Sis Hunny

10-28-13

First my address;

Sister Tess Huntington
R. Sao Sebastiao #1003-centro
Ribeirao Preto- SP
14015-040

NEVER Fedex packages, because of the tax. Use another source for packages. Supposedly letters only take a little over a week, so that's pretty cool. Not sure about your letter description Dad, but no haha I don't think so lol.

Oi! Tudo Bem?

Okay, holy cow I wish my fingers had super speed because I have so much to write and so little time but WOW. How can I even describe what its like? Brazil is awesome and beautiful and I love it already. I have only been here for a week but it feels much longer...except for the fact that I still hardly understand what anyone is saying. So I'm going to go in order what I'm guessing you guys will ask about.

Food: Okay, the food in Brazil is just plain better, no matter how you slice it. Seriously, Oh me oh my. You guys really will have to roll me off the plane. Luckily, we walk ALOT at least. Tortas and pastels and pao de queijo and sorvette and acai and stroganoff. Holy cow. The funny thing is that I've only had beans once! The members feed us everyday and they all want to feed us like there was literally no tomorrow, but I cant even complain because its so delicious- every bite. Also, they eat.....constantly....every moment they are hungry. Everyone is ALWAYS hungry, even at ten at night right before we go to bed....but the people still aren't as fat as Americans, just very comfortably plump haha.

Okay, the language:

Well, I definitely have a lot to learn, but people keep telling me I'm speaking very well for only having a few days here. I don't know though. Its definitely one of the most humbling experiences I've ever had in my life. I am learning that I simply cannot be a perfectionist with myself here, which is not easy for me to accept..but I kind of have no other choice. I am so used to having the ability to express exactly what I mean with words, but here...I'm just grateful if I can get the basic point across. Then, I pray that they don't respond too fast. I just bear testimony of what I know and believe and hope and pray that the Holy Ghost helps them understand. Every time, I walk out wondering how it happened, but people really do understand what I say and I can see their faces soften and their hearts open up. Thank you Holy Ghost! God is literally carrying me along, more now than ever. Of course, Sister A, my comp, is a gift from God as well. She is so patient and helpful and keeps my spirits up when I feel like a total idiot...which happens on a daily basis haha. I can speak, and supposedly I can bear testimony powerfully (yet again, thanks to the Spirit) but when it comes to understanding....mia nossa! I just literally pray that I can catch a few words...then I look to Sister A and she explains what they said. I can understand her accent quite easily, but apparently since we live in a more rural area, the people here have a hick accents. Just imagine someone coming from Brazil and trying to understand some Appalachian investigators. Yeah, its coming with time though.

The people here are amazing and so friendly. I already am in LOVE with Brazil. I'm learning so much and having to rely on others a lot....which also feels really weird for me, but its probably good for me to learn. This gospel is true. I have never felt Gods influence so strong in my life. It can change hearts and improve lives in an instant. I promise God lives and loves each person. I know we all have a marvelous purpose. You are all magnificent! LOVE LOVE LOVE

Sister Huntington

BEIJOS for all!

Pictures

10-21-13

Hey everyone. so my flight is at 3 today...i think.....i haven't actually received my itinerary. Still not sure on the phone call thing but ill do my best. So, yesterday was awesome! Mike got baptized and I know he is going to do amazing from here on forward. He just has such a willing heart and glows with the Spirit! It was an amazing gift to be a part of the on my last day here. What awesome timing! Mike is so awesome. He had fasted the day before without even telling us, and we hadn't even  told him to. He doesn't drive because of a traumatic event in his childhood, but he has decided that now he wants to learn, just so that he can get to church easier and so that he can help others in the church. He is so kind. AND we had another miracle yesterday. Rod, homeless alcoholic investigator, came to our last appointment totally sober, just as he had promised. Even more, he has been only drinking every other day. that was his own goal that he set! Oh, and here is the best part. He came to church yesterday!!! It was so awesome! He got a ride from a guy who has walked in his shoes and is a recovered addict, so they really connected. Even more, he stayed for all three hours! He had to take some smoking breaks, but it is such a huge accomplishment. Rod also has a lot of social anxiety, (which is why he drinks) so he was so afraid to be at church. He kept joking that either he or the church would burst into flames, so he kept tabs on all the fire extinguishers in the building haha. Just walking into the chapel and sitting down was a huge feat for him. At first, he sat in the back with Pete. Then, when he left for a smoking break, he had a hard time going back in, but Sister H and I came out to the hall and gave him a pep talk. We stood together and prayed for strength to get through the rest of the meeting, and then Rod gave a big smile at the end of the prayer. He was a-okay for the rest of church.  I just felt so proud of both Rod and Mike yesterday. What superstars! I can't wait to see what they do with their futures. If I pretended not to be sad to leave, I would be lying. Actually, my heart is really sad right now. Don't get me wrong, I KNOW I'm meant to go to Brazil and I know it's going to be soooo amazing the moment I get there. But right at this moment, it's really hard to leave all the people I love so much. I'm so grateful for the Plan of Salvation that ensures I'll be able to see all my loved ones again. I'm so excited for the day when we can ALL be together in the next life and distance and location won't matter and I can embrace and take care of everyone that I have come to know and love.
This life is meant to be happy. Smile. That's my advice. Our life will never be without trials. That's a guarantee, but we don't have to simply endure them. God has given us the resources to know how to find happiness. He has given us so many gifts: scriptures, prophets, church, the Holy Ghost. These things are there for the taking and they are there for anyone willing to seek after them. God has showered us with so many blessings! It's amazing how much He can be a part of our lives if we so desire it, but we have to use these resources He has given us for them to be of any worth. It doesn't matter that the Book of Mormon is true if we never read it. It doesn't matter that we have prophets to guide us if we never listen to their voice. It doesnt matter if we WANT to believe if we are not willing to ACT, but I promise that when we do start doing the little things that add up, it will change our lives in ways we could have never imagined. God is waiting to pour blessings upon us. I always promise my investigators that, even if none of their circumstances changed, the gospel of Jesus Christ would make their whole life better and richer and happier. When we neglect our relationship with God, of course he is sad, but it is really just us that suffers. This life is meant to be a happy one, a clear one, a good one. When we draw nearer to God, everything else lines up as well, but it definitely takes a little leap of faith and trust and maybe a few sacrifices.  I love you all. I can't wait to see what Brazil has in store for me, even if my heart breaks at the thought of leaving here. Thanks for EVERYTHING and all of your support. God bless. He loves you all sooooooo much. I promise :) I can feel it, and so can you if you want to.

Love, sis Huntington

10/14/13

Hello hello hello! Isn't facebook great? I got to tell you to tell you the big news before email time haha. Sneaky right? Anyway, yeah, so Im going to Brazil!! Here's the story. It was just a normal old day , when sis H walks over to me with the phone and said it was President Francis for me. I knew what that meant, but I was somewhat in denial. So, then he told me I had my visa and would leave the 21st (which is such a blessing because Mike's baptism is the 20th!). Well, I was silent....for a long time, and President probably thought I had died, but I just couldn't talk. I was crying and all the sisters were watching me and well.....I'm really sad to leave. I've got to be honest, I'm sooooo grateful for all of your prayers for my visa, but this transfer has just been amazing and i haven't even thought about my visa since it started. I always knew that God would wait until I was completely immersed in the work and vulnerable to tear me away haha. That silly bugger. I have been working so hard and accomplishing so much, and because of that, I knew it was coming soon. I knew it, but I really wanted another transfer here. How can I explain other than just one word: Love. I have loved and learned from so may people here in ways I cannot describe. I am sooo excited for Brazil, of course....well, I know I will be, but it is very bittersweet. I know without a doubt this didn't happen by chance. I know without a doubt I was meant to be here for reasons that are honestly too sacred to explain via email, but believe me when I say that God is so perfect in the way He directs our lives. We just need to trust Him. Trust Him! and you'll never regret it. Trust him, and He won't let you down.

I thank God for the opportunity I had to serve here. I can't believe how much I have learned in such a short period of time. Wow, it truly changed my life to serve here, so I'm trying to not think about leaving. But at the same time, of course I know that this is an answer to so many prayers and I feel so blessed to receive my visa with sooo many people waiting to go. In many ways, I am speechless. I don't really know how express in words how it feels to have so much emotion that is happy and sad at the same time, but I'm just working as hard as I can so that it doesn't sit in the front of my mind. Wow, Brazil. It's still sinking in. Holy cow, you guys, I don't speak Portuguese! Ahhh, but I know the Lord has me cradled in His loving hands. He'll qualify me for whatever work needs to be done. I am nothing more than a tool for Him right now,  and I'm going to need all the help I can get. I want to share His love with everyone. That is my ultimate goal in my mission. God's timing is something we will never fully understand, so we cannot get discouraged by stats or numbers. However, love is something we can feel and know and understand in our souls, so that is how I measure my success. I can truly see in people's eyes when it really clicks and they start to believe and feel how much God loves them. If people understood only this, if everyone really truly knew it, then we could change the world, baptisms or not. Share a smile. Tell people how wonderful they are, because we are all our worst critics. Isn't it amazing how many compliments are never actually heard by the person they are directed at? Why do we save all of our praise for people when they aren't in the room? Tell them, because they aren't telling themselves. I feel it is such a privilege to tell people they have worth, and through the power of the Spirit, they are able to feel the truth of my promise. We all have worth. Let's remind one another. I might be able to do emails again on Saturday. Not sure. I also might be able to call from the airport. Not sure again. I don't know my itinerary right now at all.

Okay, I'm headed to Brazil soon. AHHHH crazy! Love you all and feeling so blessed. Remember God loves you! He does. I know it. I feel it. You are all masterpieces in His eyes, regardless of where you are in life.

sis Huntington

10-7-13

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, you are just now getting a birthday wish from me. I should have sent you a letter or card or something. I'm sorry. I'm terrible...It's just like another world here though, ya know? I've never been so busy and so focused on one purpose. Please do something fun for yourself for me okay? Or eat something yummy. I know, make something new and delicious from Pinterest and listen to Michael Buble and dance while doing it okay? Deal :) I love you guys so much. Please know that. I just love you both beyond words. I wish I could reach through the computer and hug and squeeze you both and kiss your beautiful faces! Thank you so much for being such amazing people and amazing parents. I can't tell you how full my heart becomes when I talk about you two. You each have so many talents and strengths, SO MANY. I am beginning to realize that people are soooooo hard on themselves. I thought it was just me,  and that most other people were totally awesome and knew it haha. Boy was I wrong. People are so awesome and talented and pure and beautiful, yet I have found that everyone seems to think they are just plain worthless! What is that all about?! We have got to stop degrading ourselves, because that is like saying God didn't' know what He was doing when He tried to make us. No, God doesn't make mistakes and He doesn't doesn't make anything worthless. We have infinite worth and infinite light within us. So much is hidden far too deep inside us. Something that I have been talking to another sister about is inner light. You see, we all have so much light within us, and light is everything. It is power. It is life. It is pure and it is of God. It lifts us and others and exceeds mortal and comprehensible limitations. And yet, with all it's power and influence and ability, light is very easily contained, blocked or hidden. It can travel millions of light years and literally heat an entire planet, yet all we have to do it put our hand in front of the source and we can make a shadow. Despite the potential of light, it can be blocked with very little effort, and it cannot force itself through. So, back to people, we all have light within us. In fact, most of us have far more than we even knew was possible, yet it almost seems as if we are working to keep it contained. Shame and guilt and self-defeat act as shades and curtains and boxes that block in our light, and don't allow it to shine. The scriptures tell us to "let our light so shine', and when we do this we will not only give light to others, but the light that shines through will literally change our countenance and help us to see our own worth. People are beautiful, all of them, inside and out. We need to recognize that. Christ asked us to be meek, not self-loathing. Christ was humble, yet He never denied His divine worth as the Savior of mankind and the Son of God. I think if I were to give Christ a compliment face to face, He would gratefully smile, thank me, and then tell me something good He saw in me as well. You see, let us lift one another instead of pulling our own selves down. God has never asked us to beat ourselves up and it doesn't please Him when we do. He wants us to recognize our inner worth, for we are HIS masterpiece after all. YOU are a masterpiece of infinite worth and potential. We all have light that we are hiding and blocking within ourselves. Move the curtain. Lift the shade. Let it shine and see the light within, so that you can share it with others.

Lots has happened this week. Lots. What's new right? We are keeping so busy, yet I still feel like sometimes we can't keep up! Mike, our miracle, is doing so amazing. He is the most genuinely innocent and tender person ever. He came to church and told us he wished he could stay for ten more hours. He is also a gourmet chef, and he tries to feed us every day! I literally had to tell him he wasn't allowed to sign up for every day on the missionary calender. Oh, and let me tell you, it's like a restaurant every meal! He watched every session of conference, and loved every second of it. He kept saying, wow, it just all relates so much to me. It's amazing. He told me that he feels like a new person that is starting a new life. I told him, "Oh just wait til you're baptized. Then you really will be a totally new person." How exciting and beautiful. Baptism is such an amazing opportunity to start fresh and have an even deeper relationship with God. I know it's not necessary, but I almost wish I could get baptized again, just so I would appreciate it as much as I should have when I was eight. Yay for the sacrament though, where I can start fresh and remake those covenants every week. Even more, Mike is so caring and protective of us. In fact, he was a body guard in the past for some celebrities and he always offers to be our bodygaurd haha. We actually let him help us out this week when we met with Steve and Rod in the park. They are alcoholics and homeless and a whole lot of other stuff, but they really do want to improve and change. We always make sure to meet in the park, where it's open and public, but this last time, we had just finished eating and teaching Mike, so he walked us to the park and sat on a nearby bench for 2 hours! Even more, he listened to the Book of Mormon on his ipod the whole time! What a boss. Seriously, I don't know where this guy came from, but he can stick around. It was pretty funny at the end though, because Rod (who drinks nd smokes DURING our lesson....baby steps right?) saw us talking to Mike after our lesson and thought we were in danger, so he came over to "protect" us....as well as a slightly buzzed little man can do. Well, we told him Mike was our friend, and he said, "Oh! I'm sorry, I saw you with a strange man and thought I was going to have to come beat him up." Then Mike goes, "Oh, I don't think so.".......and they did their man stance at each other, you know, where so much is being exchanged without words. Well, you could have cut the tension with a knife. I had never seen Mike like that, and it was so funny! They both wanted to be the protectors of the sisters, and neither of them fully trusted the other. Men sometimes haha. So, don't worry, we are well taken care of, since we quite literally have a personal chef and body guard now. Our investigator Jesse is also doing well. He is 15, and he told us we make learning about the gospel fun. YAY! that is such a great thing to hear, because the gospel IS fun and happy. If it's boring to study, then change something now, because it's not supposed to be boring. Okay I gotta run, but I LOVE YOU ALL. Please forgive me for not writing as promptly. It's so busy and there are soo many letters to write AAAAAHHHH! 

Okay, take care, smile, and let your light shine. See the beauty in yourself, because I [promise it's there.

9-30-13

So I got my package!! Thanks guys :) that was too cute. I loved the monster one. That was pretty funny. Thanks again for your love and support. I loved the candid pics too. Looks like your little invention is coming along. Pretty exciting.  Oh yeah in regards to clothes, don't worry just yet (people are all loving and generous), but if you could look at my spending record and replace the money I have spent that would be great. I think I spent about 60 dollars on shoes and a camera card. Also, mom are you making sure that my fb account tells people about my blog posts so they can see my emails?

Okay, so now Drum roll.........We have had soooooooooo many miracles!!! AHH!!!!! Wow, how can I even begin? Well, I guess I start with the best part: we have a baptism!!!! Oh my goodness, I am just so excited and still in unbelief in how everything happened. So, we were meeting in the park with Rod and Steve: our lovely alcoholic homeless friends who say they want to get sober, which is awesome, BUT they also both brought a huge bottle of whiskey to our lesson hahaha. I think they were kinda drunk by the end and they started hitting on us more (hence the reason why we met in  a park) but they really do have a new hope in their eyes, so we will just see with those two. Anyway, we went to check on another woman and taught her a quick lesson. Then, we started walking back through the park to get home. Well, on our way there, we waved to a man who almost seemed to want to talk to us, but he was far away and we were in a hurry to reach another appointment. So we hurried on into the park. Later on, Mike told us that when we waved to him (he was the guy) he felt something warm and peaceful pulling him toward us. Then, he ended up having to go the same direction as us. Anyhoo, long story short, we ended up running into him again in the park and he told us he had fed the missionaries dinner ten years ago when his now ex wife was investigating the church. But then she stopped and he never knew where they went. Well, I told him he could always feed us (turns out he is a gourmet chef, not complaining) and he was excited. Then, while he walked with us through the park, he asked if we wanted to sit and chat. Well, I was about to tell him we had another appt, but right as I looked at my phone, i saw a new text that our other appt had cancelled! So, I said yes and Sis H just followed along a little confused. 

So, in the next hour, we just had the most amazing conversation with this man. I started out saying a prayer, and afterward, he commented on the feeling he had in his heart. He kept saying, "Wow, I felt something. That was amazing. It's just like what I felt when you guys waved to me. Wow, it's like euphoria." We explained to him that that was the Spirit and then we taught him just about everything we could and he just soaked it up like a sponge. He was so excited and said then we asked if he wanted to know if everything was true, he could pray right then. So we all listened to his simple, sincere prayer. At the end, he looked at us with amazement, because he received an immediate answer. He had the same feeling all over again right after praying! Ohhhh I was so excited! The Spirit was just so strong. He then told us that, yes, he did want to be baptized and his 13 yr old son too. Sis H just looked at each other like "What? Is this real life!?" It was crazy and so amazing. Mike walked us to the corner of our street and the whole time just kept saying it was the best day of his life, and that he had been searching for this feeling and this knowledge his whole life. It was just beyond description how unworthy, yet grateful I felt and still feel for such a miracle. Mike started reading the Book of Mormon the very next day and hasn't stopped studying and learning and watching LDS videos online since. He came to church this Sunday and said he could have stayed for 10 more hours. Ahhhh it's just so wonderful and he is the most innocent, genuine, faithful person I have ever met. Mike is truly the ideal example of how we are all supposed to be childlike in order to be more Christlike. I don't think he could deceive or manipulate if his life depended on it. He is such an example to me. Ahhh, so he is scheduled for the 20th, because of conference. Ahhhhh, this is what it's all about :) Miracle, miracles and more miracles. I am so undeserving, but so grateful for God's trust and blessings. Well, I really need to run. 

Life is great ya'll. I haven't even thought about my visa since the transfer started. I know I'm supposed to be here, not only for the investigators, but for the Sisters I am living with too. We all have trials to go through. Don't ever assume someone's life is perfect or that they are not hurting in some way. We are all here to care for one another. Right now, I am doing my best to make everyone feel loved and valued, because we ALL deserve to feel God's love. His love is there, whether we accept it or not. He will never turn away from us. Never. God works in his own time. Please pray for ways to be an instrument in His hands, because He can and will use us all if we are willing to act. 

I love you all. Greg and Bresia, best of luck to you in the work. I pray for you both and keep it up. Let's bring this whole country to the wonderful love of Jesus Christ :)

Love you ALL, sorry letter are slow.....so much to do!!

 

Love sis H

9-16-13 and 9-23-13

9-16-13

Okay, so this week has been pretty awesome. So jam packed with miracles!!!! It's funny because so many things fell through and we had so many "failures", but we also had countless miracles and found sooo many new people. We even met a homeless man and made an appointment with him, so we will see where that goes. It was honestly almost bizarre. Things were falling into our lap left and right. But first, guess what, I have two new roommates in our house and we are splitting the area by people. Sis A is gone and we miss her a lot, but I know she is doing awesome things back home now. What an amazing missionary she was. We have a Guatemalan sister and a visa waiter, so we are speaking lots of Portuguese. Also, the Guatemalan is a national champion street fighter, so we are teaching each other stuff in the morning. So fun. ahhhhh I'm out of time. Okay well include whatever you like in the post. Just have discretion, ya know haha. Okay I have to run. Sorry. Oh, M kinda dropped us :( but we are staying friends with her so I know she will get things figured out. She promised to finish reading the BoM.

Sorry guys, but in using my discretion, this was all that I chose to include. But the next email is awesome. (Carol)

9-23-13

Alrighty guys, 

 I'm back and this week FLEW by. Wow, It's really hard to think back and know what went where, but all I know is that we got lots of miracles. So, we are sharing the car with the two new sisters, who are awesome, and have been walking a lot more because of it. It has been so nice in so many ways. First of all, my feet are more or less better, so I can walk and finally enjoy it now. Also, now I get to be outside and get more exercise, which is SO great. Last, we have found an insane amount of people just through walking and talking to every single person that we see or meet. It's been such a blessing to walk and I just am so grateful for the the fact that we don't have the car, as weird as that sounds haha. Okay, so we have found so many people who have expressed interest in learning about the gospel, but it's a whole other ball game to actually get them to commit to sit down and talk to us and do something about their curiosity. The very hardest part is getting people to come to church. Gregory I feel ya! Something just always come up at the last second second, and it's usually something very insignificant. If we can't set aside a few hours of our week to devote to God, then how is He supposed to communicate with our hearts throughout the rest of the week. We have to give Him something so that He can reach us at other times. We are teaching a lot of single men this week. I'll be honest when I say that I'm pretty sure most of them first spoke to us in order to hit on us...then the convo turns to the law of chastity.....then we lay down the law....then they actually wanted to learn more. Anything works I guess haha. Don't worry, we are meeting them in public places, AND I'm back to practicing Jiujitsu, thanks to my most amazingly awesome roommate ever, Sister A . I can't remember if I already said this but she is the Guatemalan national street fighting champ. What!? So cool. She is also probably the nicest and most humble person ever. We work out and train and teach each other different moves every morning. It's the best and makes my whole day so much better when I can get some real exercise in. Even more though, this Sister has the greatest faith I have ever seen. I'm not going to go into detail, but she has trials that I cannot even imagine having. I would expect that most people would just give up on God, but she just trusts in Jesus Christ so much. Seriously,  she is always looking forward and hoping for a better future and trusting so fully in the love and power of Jesus Christ. I have able to talk with her and help her through some of her trials, but honestly she is the tender mercy for me. I am just so blown away by her example. We have to keep a smile on. We just cannot lose hope. If we lose hope, then everything else crumbles. I wish I had more faith! I know that faith is the key to happiness, truly. Sometimes I get down, and then I know that if I could just have more faith, then I would not feel sad ever, because a hope in Jesus Christ can literally get us through anything. I want to have a faith that can carry me through anything life throws at me, and then inspires others to believe as well. I want to know that the power of Jesus Christ can overcome all obstacles, that He truly did endure ALL things, so that none of us have to anymore, and that He can bring us happiness in the darkest of times. Right now I truly do believe and have a hope for all of these things, but I want to KNOW. I am striving to know, because it will bring me true, unwavering happiness, and it will bring miracles. The only way to fid this knowledge is to follow the advice in Alma 32 and exercise a little faith first. I have to do. I have to hope and believe it is possible. I have to act and open my heart and stop fearing. I'm realizing that we are all so afraid of one thing or another. It's something nobody is immune from, and it causes us to hide from action. Fear is probably the biggest reason why we hurt one another, which causes even more fear and pain. If we realize that we are all just a little bit afraid of this thing or that, we would be less inclined to judge one another so harshly. We would be able to help one another. If we shed our fears, we can trust God and open our hearts to others and feel true peace in our lives. I can't imagine somebody genuinely not wanting those things.

   We had some pretty big disappointments this week. One of them being D. She, like so many others, has a lot of fears that are holding her back....and now she has allowed her fears to make her not like the church. She still loves us and wants us to keep coming, but she is not interested in coming to church any time soon. We aren't sure what to do. It's a tough situation and it was a really hard blow to my heart. I love her so much and want her to be happy. That's all I want and I know that by turning away from the gospel, she will not find the lasting happiness it could bring. She is so plagued by her past and it is seeping into her present. Sometimes I wish Satan had a body, so I could sucker punch him hahaha, but seriously. 

 Okay fun story: We waxed our eyebrows this week. It was quite the adventure and very hilarious. Sister H does it all the time, so she did it for us. It wasn't too bad, but Sister A's reaction was priceless. It was also sis H's B day, so we got her a pinata for her to break....also hilarious to watch. Anyway, we have LOTS of good times to get us through the harder times. There are so many tender mercies every day, and sometimes it's up to us to recognize them. For example, one morning sis A and I went out to run and it was pouring rain. We could have been all bummed and just gone inside, but instead we had soooo much fun running in the rain and splashing in every single puddle like little kids. It was an awesome start to what could have been a bummer day. Attitude is everything. Pray for a good one :)

 LOVE you all. Sorry letters are kinda falling behind. there is just so much work to be done :)