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