Picture with jello-just like Utah!

1/27/14

No packages or letters for a LONG time. I don't know what the deal is. I think someone is holding them hostage. Oh my!! haha yeah I'm not sure what's up. The mail here is always totally unpredictable, but things should start coming, I hope. If not, I still know you love me. Haha, that would be funny if you guys really didn't send anything and you were just like, Oh that darn Brazil, sorry Tess! lol.....Don't worry I know you didn't do that.

Hey people! Hows it going up there in the North Pole? Still sweating down here, but Jaboticabal is waaaay better than Ribeirao. Oh man you guys, its so nice here. I love it. If it wasn't so hott, and they had American pizza....and they flushed their toilet paper, I would consider living in this place, haha.....okay probs not. I've realized I'm pretty American, and quite okay with it, but I do still love Brazil. My comp says every day that I'm really a Brazilian, so I must be doing something right lol.

Jabo is all hills, so there is lots more breeze, and our area is RICH. Wowza, the houses here are so nice....we just have to find a way to get into them lol. Our street contacts are going great. We even had a couple yesterday that just invited us to come to their house and eat cake and meet their kids. We taught them the whole Restauration and they want to have us for lunch on Sunday. Cool. Its amazing the miracles we encounter here. God is so involved in our every day lives. It's so amazing to see that when I follow the tiny promptings of the Spirit. We are opening an area right now, soooo basically just trying to talk to everyone, as we are starting from scratch, but luckily the people here are really friendly and open. God has so clearly been opening their hearts. I love explaining the gospel to people to the first time, because it just makes sense. If there really is one God, then shouldn't we all been unified together under Him? If Christ established a church with apostles and prophets and temples in the past, why wouldn't we have those same gifts now? If God is our loving Father, then why wouldn't He give us more scripture to guide all of our children. I believe in miracles. I believe in angels. I believe in a God that lives today. Actually, I know, and I want to share it with anyone who wants to know as well. We can be happier. We can know our purpose in life. We don't have to fear death or trials or pain. We have so many answers and all we have to do is seek and accept.

We had an Elder that was here for only 2 weeks and decided to leave. It was super sad. He told us he just didn't have the desire, and he thought he was a bad Elder. I tried to explain to him how it's hard at the beginning, but its so Worth it. I tried to explain that we are all inadequate, but it is God that qualifies us, and then we learn from it. I tried to explain that this is the hardest, yet most rewarding thing he could do in his life. Even though it didn't work for him, it did really help me. Telling him all those things helped me realize the truth of what I was saying. Sometimes it's really hard to be away from home and all the comfort of loved ones, but when I thought about it, I couldn't even imagine going home before my time was up. It truly is a gift and a privilege to serve a mission. The benefits out way the costs, even if some of the benefits require a lot of time and patience. I know that a lot of them wont appear until after I return home, but I trust that I will gain so much (already have gained so much) from this time I dedicated to serving my Heavenly Father and His children.

I love you guys. Beijo!!! ask me questions if you want. I dunno what you guys want to know. There is sooo much to say and so little time.