EASTER ~ New Life

I loved getting an Easter package from home! Thank you so much! I am so excited to teach my comps how to color Easter eggs! I'm also so excited for my little brother to get his mission call. I hope you all had an awesome Easter. What did we do this week? What did we do for Easter?… Teach! It was crazy this week. The winter season is starting, and it's cold. It is been raining and cold/windy outside. It's not fun. Especially without an umbrella. Mine broke and my companions broke too so we carry our stuff in bags and just get sopping wet. We will buy umbrellas today for sure. 

Our lovely boots as we watched Women's Conference.

The other women were staring at us like we hiked a mountain or something haha.

We have been sharing the Easter video that the church launched. It is super good!

We had divisions this week with Vila Julia and Uruguaiana wards. I was dying with excitement because I got to serve with Sister S.! She is the new American sister from AZ.  I feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to teach, serve, and help her during these difficult days of being new here. The division went so well. I had never served with a "newbie" before, so it was interesting. She can only share her testimony right now (in Portuguese) so I basically had to do the teaching. She is was so sweet. She cried a few times during the division too, and it reminded me of how I was when I arrived in the mission. It was the hardest, most lonely time I've ever passed through in my entire life. Wanting to talk and share and not being able to, not understanding anyone, not knowing what to say or do, and feeling alone and useless, is the worst feeling ever. I just gave her lots of hugs and I gave her a few pep-talks and we chatted about the mission and how she can do it. I bore testimony to her about how Heavenly Father helps us, comforts us, and gives us the strength to do all things. I shared my personal experience with her and I loved being able to use what I've learned to help her have more confidence and hope. It was so strange knowing that she met my family, saw my new home before I did, petted my dog, and read my emails before she came here. I felt like she already knew me super well. It was so special for me to help her. I felt the same way she does and I'm so glad I could help another with the knowledge I've gained. I loved serving with her!

I also served with Sister C., another American from Missouri, St. Louis. She is so fun and one of my good friends now. We live in the same apartment and are always talking and enjoying little antics. I love serving with her too. 

Sopping wet on our division!! We were soaked!!

Really, I feel so privileged to be learning from many sisters from all over. They are also incredible and powerful examples to me. I am a lucky one. We have been seeing so many miracles lately. L. is trying to get married so she can get baptized on the 16th, V. and V. told us yesterday that they both want to be baptized and will pray about the 16th. People are stopping us in the street to talk to us about the gospel. We found a man wanting to change his life. He yelled out, "Missionaries!" And asked us if we could help him. Also, the members are giving us references. One reference we went to visit yesterday. She told us that her husband had treated her bad for many years and abused other women too. She cried so many times during the lesson. She told us that she left him and wants to start again. We talked her about the atonement and she expressed her feelings towards her situation. At the end, she thanks us so deeply and closed in prayer. During the prayer, she thanked God for our visit and thanked Him for sending us there because she was thinking about killing herself before we got there. Ahhhh!!! My heart sank. God really does guide us and knows which children are ready or not. Mission life is tough, but so amazing. I love being able to help people as an instrument in gods hands. He does everything. The church is so true in every way. I hope you all enjoy conference this week! Sister Porter

 VISA MUGSHOT (haha)

This freaks me out. I went to the police station to update my visa and they took a pic. It was a whole year after I had arrived in Brazil. Look at the difference of one year!!!! The one on the left is when I got here, and the one on the right is right now. I am a new person!!!! Little girl to woman...haha crazy, huh??

ZONE TRAINING MEETING

Sister S. from AZ. 

Hello! This week was so different. It flew by so fast, but was so amazing. This country still makes me smile every day. We are loving this work and the sweet gauchos we are serving. This week started with us in Santa Maria. We were there for a couple days handling visa paperwork because I've been in Brazil for about a year now. And we also had the mission council meeting with all of the zone leaders, sister training leaders, and President and Sister Parella. I loved being able to pass my P – day there in my first area. Sister G. and I went to visit some people I taught and knew as a new missionary.  It was incredible! 

Santa Maria, I. 

I absolutely love seeing everyone again. It was so cool to see how much I've changed in such a short amount of time and to remember all of the hard days I had there struggling at the beginning of my mission with the language and basically, everything. Ha ha. Heavenly Father truly helped me through it all and comforted me when I needed it. 

C.G. and family

Santa Maria is a place I will always remember. I felt so alone when I was serving there, but I grew so close to my Savior. He is my true friend, guide, and what I relied on. It was so funny seeing the people and seeing them get all wide eyed in shock that I could speak and understand them. It was amazing. 

G. and familia

Seeing J., who was baptized, left me emotional. She looked me straight in the eyes and thanked me for inviting her to be baptized and for teaching her. She gave me the biggest hug and we just shed tears of joy together. 

J. 

What an amazing experience it was for me. Being a missionary is the best thing ever. Members told me that the whole ward talks about the "Little American sister who struggled to speak but did everything with love."  I was so amazed at how even though I thought I wasn't making any difference, the people were touched by my loving them with my actions. The mission council meeting was good. I'm officially the oldest sister in the mission, all others have less time. So weird. So sad. Thursday was our zone conference in Alegrete. 

Conferencia de zona

It was so weird giving a trainment during the conference but neat seeing how the sisters can help teach the elders too. President Parella turned the time over to us and we gave a trainment about the Book of Mormon and how we need to use it to teach. I don't remember what I said, but I know the spirit helped me know what to teach the mission. It was so nerve-racking teaching in front of half the mission, the assistants, and President and Sister Parella, but everything went well. So many elders and sisters complimented us at the end and president said he loved it! So we are way more calm now, ha ha. I love my calling and this work. 

I'm so glad that God helps us accomplish what we never thought we could do and stretches us to be more than we are. He knows us so well and knows what we can become with his help. All we have to do is have faith in him and his plan. 

We are teaching tons of amazing people that should be baptized soon. C. needs to get married so she and her kids can get baptized. L. too. A. needs to come to church along with V. and V. Here in southern Brazil, this is the problem - Marriage, and coming to church. But, we know God will help us to baptize his children when we follow his ways and plans.  I am so grateful for this time in my life. I love these people with all of my heart. I know God is helping us and loves us. He so real. I love this gospel.

Sister Porter

One of the best missionaries I've ever met. 
I loved working with him in Livramento.

Sister Smith-a couple missionary who is so sweet.

 The elders I served with in Sao Gabriel

& the elders I arrived with in the mission Elder S. and Elder M.. 

They are zone leaders & I'm a sister training leader now.

The elders I served with in Santa Maria. 

The shoes I threw away this past transfer....

MISSION FULL OF SURPRISES

Oi familia!! Guess what?!? I didn't get transferred! Sister Gregatto and I are gunna stay together in Uruguaiana!!! Yay! and right now I am in Santa Maria for Visa purposes and the mission leadership counsel. 

The border of Argentina adventures with my ladies

That is why I didn't have time to write a longer email. But I am so excited for today because it's p-day and so we are going to go visit some of the people I taught when I first started my mission here!!! Ahhhh I'm dying to talk to the people that I couldn't fully talk to or express my love to when I couldn't speak Portuguese! I'm so excited for this next transfer. The time is passing way fast though, this transfer will only be 5 weeks instead of 6. The sister, that met you mom in Arizona, is coming tomorrow and I hope I will see her at our zone conferences this week! We will be having zone conference in Alegrete again, but this time, President Parrela asked  Sister Gregatto and I to give a trainment. So we will be giving a trainment to all of the missionaries about the Book of Mormon and how we need to use it to teach people.  In front of all of the elders and sisters and President and Sister Parrela. Ahhh  Talk about nerve wracking! I never would have imagined doing this before the mission, but all things are possible through our Heavenly Father who takes our fears away and gives us the strength to do all things. We are excited. I love to teach.

This week was crazy. Just a few things that happened:

-We got a phone call from the zone leaders. They told us that they think it would be good for us to go visit the sisters and see what is going on because there has been a lot of what we call "fubecagem" going on in their apartment (basically disobedience). So we woke up early and went to the sisters home at 6:30am and called one of the sisters to open the door. Wow! did we see a sight. When we got in the apartment, a sister was heading to take a shower. She saw us and then ran into the room to change into her work-out clothes (we work out for 30 min every day). Another sister gasped with shock that we were there. Another sister was SLEEPING at about 6:40am and the other sister was doing nothing. Woww. it is incredible what happens in the mission with disobedient missionaries. We asked the sisters if we could see their plan book and it had blank pages or they drew pictures on the pages. These sisters weren't doing anything. I have learned so much about how to deal with people that need to be helped. I am so grateful my Heavenly Father is allowing me to help these sisters.

Some things that happened this past week~

-My companion fell asleep during a lesson. It was hilarious!!! The man totally knew it and we laughed a ton.

-We found out that V. and V. are married and that she received an answer that the church is true just by reading the Book of Mormon. It is seriously the most powerful testimony and witness of the true gospel and the restoration.

- We are teaching I.'s husband now!yay!

We are working tons and seeing miracles. The mission really is amazing. As I am here in Santa maria, I remember being a new missionary and can see how much I've grown. I came into the mission field 1 year ago! I have become someone that I never thought I could become. My life has completely changed. The mission field is super tough, but so incredible. I love being a missionary. There is no greater work than this. I am so grateful for the things I've learned and grown from and for this time for me to give back to my Heavenly Father what he has done for me. I love helping the missionaries here in this mission and am looking forward working my hardest for my master, Jesus Christ, all the way to the end. I love you all and hope you have a great week!!!

Sister Porter

LOVIN' LOLLIPOPS

      The train tracks that I love. 

Oi familia!!! This week was really great. I love serving here in Uruguaiana. The members and people are amazing and the sisters we live with are super fun. I loved getting packages from my sister and my grandparents. Thank you so much for sending me stuff!! You dont know how important the candy was for a family we have been teaching. I gave the little kids the candy that Caitlin send and they were all in heaven! They don't have much, so it was so sweet to see them cherishing every bite of the candy. We are teaching some amazing people and are seeing the hand of our Heavenly Father in every moment. He is in charge of this marvelous work. The time is racing and it is killing me. We will be receiving the transfer phone calls this week and I am thinking that I could be transfered. We shall see, but thanks for all you do and I hope you all have an amazing week!!!

 

                                   Happy my sister took a picture 

                                   with my flag at her wedding!!! 

                                               I love it!!!!

JOURNAL ~ Tuesday, March 1, 2016

The time is flying, it's insane. March already! I have been thinking a ton about the MTC lately being that I was there learning a year ago. It blows my mind how much I've grown and learned in just one year. I look back to those first missionary moment and remember all those nervous and scared feelings missionaries get as they press on with faith through the MTC and the first few months of being in the field. I am a whole new person because of the experiences I've had. I loved the MTC and I'm so glad I got to witness and feel the powerful spirit there with missionaries from around the world. I will always cherish in my heart my MTC experience. Today I have been reflecting on a lot of things.

Friday, March 4, 2016

We are teaching so many amazing people and we are seeing miracles. God truly is in charge of his work. C. still loves the church and loves our messages. She needs so much help with her family, but she is so strong through all of her difficulties. As we are right today, they all gathered around (her family of six) to hear our message. We taught the gospel of Christ with her and talked about things He taught. At the end of the lesson, we asked her about baptism again. She shared that she wants to be baptized but she's not married legally and doesn't have money to do so. She shared how they only receive food on Thursdays and that the kids don't have clothes. My heart broke. We asked her about how she feels about the church and how she felt at church on Sunday. She got quiet and started to cry. She said that she feels like all of her problems and trials disappear when she enters the church building. She said that we are her angels sent from God that are changing her life. I shed some tears with her as she expressed her love and things for us and for the change we are helping her to make in her life and her family's. What an amazing feeling it was to see someone that has been impacted by the gospel and Christ's church I shared with them candy my grandparents sent me from the USA and it was so sweet seeing the kids savoring every bite. It took them a good 10 minutes to finish eating it. I love this family and their humble sweethearts.

I love this family!

Thanks to my sister for the lollipops!! They all loved them!!! 

I gave them the suckers as we walked to the church building. 

They all were in heaven.

Sat., March 5th, 2016 

There are so many people from a religion called the "Banda". I think that it only exists in Brazil, but our area has tons of members and it's not good. The people have ceremonies and rituals where they kill animals as sacrifices, drink blood, talk to and or see spirits from the other side, and do all sorts of horrible things. It's super scary. We found and talk to someone from this religion and met someone possessed with an evil spirit. Satan is so real. He really does have followers. I'm so grateful that the truth has been restored on the earth once more and that as members we have the peace that the Spirit brings. I am grateful for the covenants I've made in the temple that guide me and serve as a protection from all evil. The last days are here and I'm so glad that Heavenly Father is calling all of his children to repent and be protected from all that is bad. He is so loving. All we have to do is do what he asks and directs us to do and we will have true happiness forever.

Sister Porter

      Love the horses in the middle of the street.

FULL HOUSE AT CHURCH

This week was really good. We taught a lot of people. Our president came into town and we had interviews and a little devotional with him. My companion had her birthday this week and we went over to a members house and they surprised her with cake and food. Her parents sent a video for her to watch of her family talking to her. It was really cool! I think that you got a picture of the party. My companions camera is super nice. It has Wi-Fi and so she can send pictures to any email by Wi-Fi. So just know that is how you got it. This week too I got to speak with my past companion. I served with her in Santiago and she is in San Gabriel right now serving with all the people I taught there. She said that I. cut her hair and she bore her testimony in Sacrament meeting and that it was super scary for her to go up there and talk to the people but she was super powerful. Her testimony is really strong. It made me super happy to hear this and it was really nice to talk to my companion again. I think that there is a special bond that we have with our companions. I think that we will always be such good friends, almost like sisters forever because we have shared so many spiritual experiences together. She visited an old man that I used to teach. (I sent a photo of him a couple months ago.  He is this old guacho, super sweet old man.) She handed the phone over to him and I about died, I literally cried talking to him. I love these people so much! He talked to me about how he misses me and sister R. and how he feels like we're his granddaughters. It was really cute. Sunday we had A whole family of six come to church. It was really neat because chapel was full of people. The elders, along with us, brought a lot of people-  A lot of investigators to the church. It was really neat. They don't really have anything and are very poor but hey are so humble. I am learning so much from these people that have nothing but are so happy. 

Right now we have P-day and it's really fun to just relax and do whatever we want. I love the mission and I never want to leave. Crazy to me how much the time passes. It's already March and it's freaking me out. I think I would stay here forever if I could. It's definitely not easy. There are some days when I just want to roll up in a ball and cry my eyes out but it's such a learning experience. I'm so grateful that I have this opportunity. I just wanted to thank you for all that you do. I hope that your week was good. I'm having a super hard time speaking English- It's embarrassing. I'm excited to see you guys on the 12 of July and to talk to you on Mother's Day. I looked on the calendar and saw that it's going to be my moms birthday! What a special day this is going to be to talk to my mom on Mother's Day, on her birthday. Just know that I love you all and I think about you and pray for you. You all are amazing!

Journal

Saturday February 20th 2016

Today we saw a miracle that I never want to forget. We had lunch with a sweet member I. and after we ate lunch, and left a message with her, we asked her if she knew anyone we could visit. She thought for a while and then told us about a neighbor who already received the elders in her home for years. She told us that she let us in and let us share a message, but that she is very Catholic and doesn't want to ever change. But she said, who knows, maybe I'll change one day. So we went to visit this woman I.. She let us in and we began to converse about her life and we got to know her well. Her two adult daughters were there too. The whole time they kept sharing how elders always shared messages with them and how their whole family is Catholic. I kept thinking these ladies don't want to listen to us let's just share a scripture quick and leave. But as they accepted to hear the message and as we started to teach, the situation seemed so right to share the message of the restoration. The words that we needed to say just flowed out of our mouths as we talked about the restored Church of Christ, the spirit literally took over. We taught the first lesson about Prophets, Joseph Smith, and how Christ established his church on the earth. They were all asking questions and understanding everything. At the end of the lesson, we invited them to pray about the message. I kept thinking to myself, they understand the message, and feel the spirit, but we can't scare them away by inviting them to be baptized. But the spirit told us otherwise. We explained about how baptism needs to be and we challenged all three of the women to be baptized. All three accepted immediately. We were in complete shock. They told us that they have been having doubts about the Catholic Church and now understand the truth. God really does know when his children are ready and prepared to receive the gospel. After so many years of receiving elders, all these women needed was time, humility and sisters. I am so grateful for the many tender mercies and miracles that I see everyday. God is so aware of his children.

Found a twin to my dog, 

Casper, here in Brasil! 

Wednesday February 24th 2016

Today President and Sister Parrela arrived in Uruguaiana to have interviews and to inspect our homes. The Zone leaders called us and told us that we needed to meet at the chapel for a meeting with the president after lunch. 

Our whole zone was at the church building and President Parella talked to us about the new mission vision and strengthening the priesthood and youth in Brazil and how we needed to work with the members to fulfill this vision that God has inspired the church leaders with. He then started having interviews with each one of us. While we waited, we chatted with the other missionaries, shared experiences, laughed a ton, and Sister Parella checked our homes. We waited all day for our turn to be interviewed. Literally missionaries have a lot to talk about. I finally got to talk with him at about 8 o'clock. It took forever, especially in the humidity, heat, and without air conditioning in the chapel all day. But it was so worth it. I entered the room and he greated me like he always does. In English and with a firm handshake. He began to ask me about how things were going, and about obedience and if there was anything I needed to help with, or worried about, or wanted to know. I told him everything was fine, that I was obedient, and that there wasn't any particular thing he could help me with. But I knew that this interview would be a good time to ask him anything. I asked him, "President I am curious to know how you receive answers to who needs to be with who, and what callings need to go with what people and how you knew I needed to be in the calling I have right now as a sister trainer leader? What went through your brain?" Haha I explained to him how I feel so inadequate and other sisters could do better. He looked at me and said, do you really want to know? I think it's fair that you know what happened. He explained to me how he fasted for 3 days only eating lunch and then kneels in front of the board in his office with our pictures and prays. He said he feels he needs who needs to be with who and if something isn't meant to be, he removes and tries again following what the Spirit tells him. He said that he knew immediately that I needed be a leader that I was prepared. He said our mission needs powerful sisters and many times I wanted to call you to train new sisters coming into our mission, but Heavenly Father wouldn't let me. He made it clear that you need to help train, teach and be an example for these sisters. My heart sank. I always wanted to help the new sisters and train a newbee. But God needed me to help train them all. I began to shed a few tears. He looked deeply into my eyes and with the sweetest words look deeply in with the sweetest words then thanked me for my service and example. He expressed how Heavenly Father calls those who think they aren't capable to do hard things or have a leadership position because they will be humble and learn how to lead with love. He thanked me for staying strong during difficulties and trials, like being sick, learning a new language and dealing with tough companions. He explained how through these experiences, I will be able to know how to help the sisters in the mission with the knowledge and strength that I've gained. I shed many tears hearing this from my Mission President. What a blessing he has been in my life. I will forever be grateful for him in the confidence and faith he always puts in me. I will always treasure his fatherly love and concern and his words of wisdom and comfort. What a powerful man. I am so blessed. We ended way late. It was just my companion and I and two other sisters left. We all were hungry and so what did President do? We all ate a super nice Charasco dinner with him and Sister Parella. Gotta love Gauchos.

Sunday February 28th 2016

Yesterday we had a family night with our ward and our investigators at the church. We brought the C. family. C. is a woman we found as we were looking for an address one day. She has six children and is super humble. Their family literally doesn't have anything. There is a part of our area that is super poor. Like third world, really bad poor. When we went to visit them this week my heart broke. We were teaching them about the Book of Mormon and during the lesson the kids were fighting to eat burnt rice. They have two beds, and one little fan. In this heat you need more than one fan and I don't know if the bathroom exists. I have seen poor, but not to this extent. Her husband works all day parking cars and only receives coins that the owners give him. When we teach, they all listen so closely and the kids hug us and give us anything and everything. We came to pick them up today for church and all were dressed and ready when we got there. C.carried her one-year-old and we walked about 40 minutes to arrive in the church with a flock of children early this morning. 

It was amazing the ward members were dying with excitement to see a whole new family at church. The family loved all of the meetings. They will be baptized for sure one day. We took pictures with them and as we took the pictures C. asked, "Can you girls print these pictures for us? I don't have any pictures of my children. I would love one of me and my new baby." Wow! I almost cried then and there. The smile on their faces was so amazing to see as people make them feel welcome and loved. God is so good. I love the gospel. It helps all because it is the Church of the person who saved and helped all mankind. What an amazing blessing it is to be part of this incredible work of the Lord.

THE LORD DID STRENGTHEN ~ Week of Training & Divisions

Sirio letting us meet his chickens

Selfie from today & 

Sunday with my companion 

I don't know why the email did not go through from last week but here it is, along with this weeks~ 

February 15th, 2016

Oi oi oi!!! Happy Valentines day everybody!!! This week was full of divisions with the sisters in our zone, miracles, deaths, teaching, and a ton of sun and rain! We are still dying in this heat and humidity, but loving every minute of everything. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!

JOURNAL:

Monday, February 8, 2016.

Today we taught such a powerful lesson. We are teaching a woman, F., and her husband, M. They are friends with N. (a recent convert) and E.. N. invited them to come to church with them and they came! We are so excited to be teaching them. They have been seeking out a church and felt good at ours. They already have testimonies. Members invited them to the ward youth encampment and they loved it and got to meet so many members. All because someone invited them. It has strengthened my testimony of member missionary work. We taught them the restoration and Wow! the spirit was so strong. Always when it comes to the first version of Joseph Smith, the people feel the truth. It's my favorite part to teach. The lesson went perfectly. We work together so well because my comp has a gift of speaking directly and clearly the doctrine, and what is needed to be understood, and I have the role of helping them feel the spirit and receive that confirmation in their heart that it's true. It's a good blend. We learn so much from each other. When it got to the part about Joseph Smith in the lesson, the whole room was so still and the spirit was undeny-able.  They both understood. They both felt the power. They both shed tears. What an amazing feeling it is to be an instrument in Gods hands. I love being a missionary more than anything. There are no words that describe the amazing feeling we get when the spirit takes over our actions and words. It's amazing!

2 Paulistas 2 Americanas

We had 6 sisters in the same tiny apartment for divisions. It was insane! Girls camp on steroids, seriously haha.. but so much fun!

Tuesday, February 9, 2016.

Today, Sister Gregatto and I gave a trainment in our zone conference. Sister training leaders always give trainment to the elders and sisters in their zone at zone conference to help with the work and teach the zone about what can be improved. I thought, "Ah, we are just teaching the zone, it will be super chill and easy." But man, I was wrong! I'm not used to talking in front of a huge group of people, especially missionaries. It was so weird giving advice and training them on what they need to do. But it was a great experience. I love being able to serve and know God is preparing me for other things in my life right now. He always pushes me out of my comfort zone, but he always makes me stronger and better through it all. "There's no progression in comfort zones" - President Parella

We also started divisions with the sisters. I got to serve with Sister Condena for one day. She is from Cusco, Peru and is so sweet. 

I loved being able to serve with her. We talked and talked with so many people. Her comp is new to the mission and it was neat remembering my first division with the sister training leaders and how I was so nervous. Her companion was so nervous and quiet. I was so glad we could help her feel more comfortable. It is so great to be able to serve these amazing sisters with the same struggles and stresses that we once had ourselves.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
Today I went on divisions with Sister Alencar from Bahia, Brazil.

It was awesome serving with her. She was nervous at first, but when we got talking and got to know each other better, she completely changed. She really opened up to me about her feelings, worries, and struggles. I love being able to help her. This calling is such an incredible honor. I feel so blessed to be able to meet and help so many sisters from all over the world. I truly feel a sisterly love for each of them. I feel so immensely blessed. I'm learning and growing so much.


Saturday, February 13, 2016.

We received a sad text message today saying that E.'s dad had passed away. They asked us sisters to go to the funeral and help give comfort. Man, it was sad. The whole time I wanted to cry thinking about how hard it would be to not have a dad. Then, as he said his last goodbyes to his dads body, I couldn't help but shed tears thinking about how extremely sad it would be to lose my dad and to say goodbye to him. Saying goodbye to him in the airport when I was heading out to the MTC was hard enough. I can't imagine knowing that I wouldn't be seeing him every day for the rest of my life. I reflected so much on this. My dad means the world to me. I am who I am because of him. He has always, and will be forever, my example. I'm so grateful for my sweet dad and incredible man he is. Our relationship is so special. I love him with all my heart. What an honor it is to be his daughter. What an amazing knowledge we have of the plan of happiness. God's plan is so perfect. I know that my family will be together forever. There's no greater promise or comfort them this ❤.

We are literally dying it's not even funny. I've never been so grateful for air conditioning in my entire life. 

I love the dogs here, they make me miss my Casper haha

Tuesday, February 16, 2016.

So, we were walking down the street and a man started yelling at us, "Hey! I want a book!"  Um, ya.... When someone yells at us from the side of the road it's normally because of three things – they want to rob us, they are on drugs or have been drinking, or they are crazy and aren't thinking straight. So, of course, we ignore and keep walking. This happens often as missionaries. It's normal. But this time he kept yelling at my companion went over to talk to him. Ahhh! I kept saying, no, sister no! She went over and started talking to him. Surprise, he is a less active member of 20 years and served a mission in São Paulo. He told us that he wants a Book of Mormon and after we had talked to him for a while, he said he felt good and wants to come back to church. We were so amazed. He has been inactive my entire lifetime and is wanting to return. God definitely works in mysterious ways to use us to help his children. It was an amazing experience to see him recognize the spirit again. We hardly spoke a word. We just listened to what he wanted and needed to say. And because we listened to him, he felt the spirit just by us being there with him.  The spirit is so powerful.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016.

Today rained a ton, but we talked to some amazing people. We are teaching the son of a recent convert, L. She is the sweetest lady and treats us like daughters. We have been teaching her the lessons again and she expressed her concerns for her son, M. He drinks a ton and is trying to stop drinking, but doesn't know how. We asked her if she could talk him into talking with us and receiving the missionary lessons too. He has hit rock bottom with his addiction to drinking and accepted to listen to us. Man, we were so excited! I love helping people like him. -People that are addicted and want to stop. That want help. The only person that has power to cure and heal anything is our Savior, Jesus Christ. The gospel helps all. So, we started teaching him and he was super interested. We challenged him to baptism and he accepted! We are super excited to help him and teach him. The atonement is so real and so powerful.

Thursday, February 18, 2016.

We have been instructed by President Parella to have the sisters come to our area for divisions so that we can be an example to them of how they need to work in their area. But yesterday evening as we were planning for the next day, something didn't feel right. The sisters working in Livramento we're going to be coming to Uruguaiana. We always call their zone leader before the division to see what we need to accomplish, what difficulties they have, and what we need to help them with. Their zone leader gave us his concerns. The sisters aren't working how they should and they are opening the area as new sisters. The sisters don't have much experience because they have only been in the mission for a little time. The spirit was telling me strongly that we needed to go to their area to help them. My companion agreed. We called their zone leader and then he called the assistants to see what could be done. The assistants talked to President Parella and he allowed one of us to go there and help one sister and the other would stay here and help the others. President said that their senior companion would arrive here and the junior companion, that is being trained, would stay there. But, he said it didn't matter whichever training leader could stay or go. So, we prayed to know who needed to stay and who needed to go. But we didn't receive an answer. We wanted so badly to know God's will so that we could help the sisters how he wanted. This morning, before my personal study, I prayed hard to know if God needed me to stay or go. He knows his missionaries and their needs, so he is the one that needed to let us know where we were needed. After my prayer, I began to read my Book of Mormon. And to my surprise, my prayer was immediately answered. Mosiah chapter 23. Every phrase talks about traveling. The words hit me so hard. I knew what I needed to do and where God needed me. He answers prayers. I am a witness and cannot ever deny! I kept reading and in verse 10 he gave me an answer that made me emotional. What an amazing experience. I will never forget this answer that he gave me and the sweet comfort that he gave me knowing that he would use me as his instrument. I felt such peace knowing what God wanted me to do. So I headed out to Livramento. The bus ride was so amazing looking out at the wide-open spaces of grass and cows.

I got to serve with the cute Peruvian sister named Sister Barbosa. 
I love Peruvians. They are so sweet. She's from Lima, Peru and arrived in the mission three months ago. She was so sweet to the entire time. I love being able to help her. There were lots of problems that needed to be solved there. As I gave feedback to her and asked her if there was something she needed to talk to me about, she opened up completely to me about her worries, struggles, and concerns. We talked for a good amount of time and I understood and that moment why I needed to be there. She had some of the same concerns and difficulties that I had when I began my mission. When I got there, she seemed sad and didn't say much, but wow, how she changed in one day! We became such good friends, laughing and enjoying the work together. Her whole attitude changed. It was such an amazing experience for me to help her. I noticed her doing and saying the things that I do and say. I feel so grateful that Heavenly Father knew I needed to be an example for her and help her know that she can do difficult things. At the end of the division, She thanked me so sweetly and said, "Sister, thank you so much. I wish you could be my companion." I couldn't have felt better knowing that God used me to make a difference in her life. I love being a missionary and know that God uses his servants to fill his work of salvation and happiness.

A man in the street dressed like a woman for Carnival...haha

My companion & I cooking in the humidity. haha 

I said, "Give a look to the camera of how you are feeling right now." soooo HOT

We had to walk up this for lunch...killed me haha