SAO GABRIEL & THE WHITE CASTLE

Oi Todos!! I am in São Gabriel!!! And lemme tell ya, I am in LOVE with this place! I am in a dream. everyone has chickens, cows, horses, pigs, and dogs. I was dying on the bus ride here staring at the rolling hills and cute little houses. I am in such a small little city. The people are so humble, have hardly anything, and are so accepting of us missionaries. We are so blessed here. We have a Ramo (district) instead of a Ward and the members treat us so special. We have a house. literally a house. Just the 2 of us. 3 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms. The best appartment in the mission and the weather here is amazing. I couldn't be more happy! My companion is a dream come true! Seriously prayers have been answered. This week was literally a miracle. Milagres em cada lugar (miracles everywhere). Seriously. This week was insane!! When you put 2 American sister missionaries together that want to work hard, love teaching people, want to talk to everyone about the gospel, and have the same vision....man...miracles!

My second day here we got hungry, so we stopped to eat something on a bench in the front of a house in the street. A lady came out and asked us what we were doing, was fine with us sitting there, but then returned later and invited us in her house because it was sprinkling outside. (hehe we were more than happy that someone actually invited US in for once!). But as we were talking to her about where we were from, she got a shocked look on her face. She began to tell us that the night before she had a dream that she was in the United States and saw a White castle with a woman clothed in all White that made her feel really calm. We couldnt believe it. My companion pulled out a picture of the St. George temple and she freaked out and said "That's the place! That's the castle I saw!" Ahhh! The spirit was so Strong as we bore our testimonies and explained more about eternal families and temples. Miracle. It was a testimony to me that Heavenly Father knew that us American sisters needed to find her that day and that we are together for a special purpose. We don't speak the language perfect still, but the spirit is guiding our work.  A funny thing that happened this week was that we got locked out of our house. We tried everything. Clapping the door of the neighbors, calling the elders, breaking in, everything. Nothing worked but my companion is always happy and up for an andventure, so what did we do? We climbed two walls. Ya, in our skirts, with cars driving by, with our bags. everything. It was sooo funny!

I'm loving this time with her. It is very rare to have two Americans together in our mission so I know this time won't last long but man, this week was one of the best weeks of my entire mission. We worked so much and helped so many people! Our moto is "vamos trabalhar até o pó!" (we will work to the dust). The elders were so suprised with our numbers this week. They literally asked us how we taught so many people. We had 8 investigators attend sacrament meeting. It was awesome. I'm in heaven!

Heavenly Father knows us so well. The mission has taught me so many things and these past couple months have changed my life forever. I know this is His work. I love you all!!!

Sister Porter