Hello All!
Just an update to all those wanting letters from me... I sent them. But the Brasilian postal service seems to be on strike or something. i dont know. I dont watch the news. But I sent about a dozen letters. And I know the reason why I havent recieved all those letters you all have sent is because of this whole brasilian post office strike issue. So just throw a few more letters out there for me ;) just in case, ya know.
One of the elders in our ward was transferred by emergency about 2 hours ago. Were sad. Its almost like we have lost one of our companions. Who knows if the new kid will be cool. I am sure he will be. Hes from the amazons.
I was a bit frustrated this past week with people in general. Take note. If by some rare chance there is a foreigner serving in our ward here are a few things to not do.
- dont make them say the prayer at every meeting/meal/whatever,chances are they can say more than a prayer
- dont not say their name because you cant pronounce it "hello elder freitas, elder alvarenga, sister ribeiro and.... sister..........."
- dont tell them that their people are cold/unloving and that they should probably just marry someone who isnt from their homeland
- dont tell them you cant understand a word they say but they are cute so you like them
- dont point out how blond/tall/different they are.
- dont talk to their companion like they dont understand
Not that any of this has happened to me.
Then this lovely girl from the YW who is after the elders chose who said the prayer in the gospel principals class and apparently I did something wrong. She looked at me with vengance and said uhhmmm sister BLOND can say the closing prayer. haha. I am making friends here!
Other things happened this week. More embarassing things and now the elder tease me and say that adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy. Because sister neptune fell and everyone enjoyed it. I wont go into details. I need balance!
This week I missed my mother. i tried calling but our cell phone doesnt make phone calls to the US. Que pena! But Dont worry mom, your prayers have been answered and our mold problems are gone! woohoo! Our house is being painted as we speak. It will be so pretty!
The work is going great, it is really difficult but at the end of the day I know we are doing our part.
Our dear Jasmin (recent baptism) has such family problems. Her mother is a strong women who needs to come to church. She wants help to find a place for her husband who is completly into drugs. Hes living on the streets and she cant have him in the house because he sells everything for drugs. She says when he lives with them they all go hungry. But at the same time Jasmin wants to know her father. In the end we said wed talk with the ward but i told her all we really have to offer as missionaries is our message. Because we know that this will make all the difference. That this is the most important gift we could bring her.
But its true. Because when we have the gospel we have everything.
i love you all! ate mais!
kensie
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Yet Another Week
I cant believe how fast time is flying by! I have made it to 7 months in the mission! 7 months! I like this area and my companion so naturally the time is fying by even faster. I dont allow anyone to speak about transfers. I feel like it will curse everything.
This week was good. I fell a lot. One time down the stairs in our house and another time in the street with the elders. i think elder alvarenga is still laughing. How kind. Luckily I got up fast enough to cause attention. Unluckily im all bruised. Just when I thought i was growing out of my 21 year long klutzy stage.
Last sunday there was an announcement in church to clean the chapel. So being the charitable missionbaries we are we showed up at the chapel at 8 am (and forced the elders too) to join in the effort, to make a good appearance for the ward. We waited and then one man showed up. Just a normal ward member. So just the 5 of us cleaned the chapel. It was a bit frustrating that no one else made the effort but ther elders were smart and they made this notice and applied it to the bulletin board ( I attached the picture) It says " ward chapel cleaning 08/17- thank you for all your efforts!" and then a picture of the 5 of us. Im hoping the members will take it light heartedly!
I want to apologize for my horrible writing/sentence structure/spelling errors. I know its terrible but I dont have timne to edit. In other news, I speak in portuguese in my sleep! I have been for quite some time, I just forgot to mention it before. Pretty neat huh?
So the temple was nice last week. I got up early to do my hair. It looked lovely. then we walked in the rain on the bus in the train (I do not like green eggs and ham!) and It looked horrible when we showed up. Our money was supposed to come in that morning but it didnt. So we had to beg from other missionaries so we could get back home. And then a lovely little miracle happened. Sister Ribeiro was complaining about her hair in the bathroom and a woman from fortaleza who was a hairdresser just happened to be there! And she just happened to have time to do our hair! She made this lovely braid in sister ribeiros hair! then asked me if id like my hair down. I accepted. It was a poor choice. i think ALL the women in the temple were there watching as the really sweet kind woman was doing my hair. " you have such a beautiful face, wow such talent! yes the haiur is great but you two are so pretty! How neat!" so naturally I couldnt say anything as she teased and poofed and slicked my hair to my head. She used a whole bottle of hairspray. My hair looked wet. I looked like a big wet white rat. Ready for the prom! " Que Vergonha!" When all was down and everyone dispersed I ran into the bathroom stall, refusing to leave. My hair was past correction! what can you do with hair full of hairspray? NOTHING! So I did as much as i could, loosened it up enough to stop the piuniding in my brain and naturally when we left the temple all the elders in pour district were there waiting and laughing and ready to take pictures. I was mad. It was dramatic but frustrating! The picture with me and the sisters shows a little bit of what my hair was but trust me, it was worse. I washed my hair 4 times that night.
I think thats all the news I have for now. I love you. I miss you! Do whats right!
kensie
This week was good. I fell a lot. One time down the stairs in our house and another time in the street with the elders. i think elder alvarenga is still laughing. How kind. Luckily I got up fast enough to cause attention. Unluckily im all bruised. Just when I thought i was growing out of my 21 year long klutzy stage.
Last sunday there was an announcement in church to clean the chapel. So being the charitable missionbaries we are we showed up at the chapel at 8 am (and forced the elders too) to join in the effort, to make a good appearance for the ward. We waited and then one man showed up. Just a normal ward member. So just the 5 of us cleaned the chapel. It was a bit frustrating that no one else made the effort but ther elders were smart and they made this notice and applied it to the bulletin board ( I attached the picture) It says " ward chapel cleaning 08/17- thank you for all your efforts!" and then a picture of the 5 of us. Im hoping the members will take it light heartedly!
I want to apologize for my horrible writing/sentence structure/spelling errors. I know its terrible but I dont have timne to edit. In other news, I speak in portuguese in my sleep! I have been for quite some time, I just forgot to mention it before. Pretty neat huh?
So the temple was nice last week. I got up early to do my hair. It looked lovely. then we walked in the rain on the bus in the train (I do not like green eggs and ham!) and It looked horrible when we showed up. Our money was supposed to come in that morning but it didnt. So we had to beg from other missionaries so we could get back home. And then a lovely little miracle happened. Sister Ribeiro was complaining about her hair in the bathroom and a woman from fortaleza who was a hairdresser just happened to be there! And she just happened to have time to do our hair! She made this lovely braid in sister ribeiros hair! then asked me if id like my hair down. I accepted. It was a poor choice. i think ALL the women in the temple were there watching as the really sweet kind woman was doing my hair. " you have such a beautiful face, wow such talent! yes the haiur is great but you two are so pretty! How neat!" so naturally I couldnt say anything as she teased and poofed and slicked my hair to my head. She used a whole bottle of hairspray. My hair looked wet. I looked like a big wet white rat. Ready for the prom! " Que Vergonha!" When all was down and everyone dispersed I ran into the bathroom stall, refusing to leave. My hair was past correction! what can you do with hair full of hairspray? NOTHING! So I did as much as i could, loosened it up enough to stop the piuniding in my brain and naturally when we left the temple all the elders in pour district were there waiting and laughing and ready to take pictures. I was mad. It was dramatic but frustrating! The picture with me and the sisters shows a little bit of what my hair was but trust me, it was worse. I washed my hair 4 times that night.
I think thats all the news I have for now. I love you. I miss you! Do whats right!
kensie
Ola Todo Mundo!
I have found out the reason why woman arent neccesarily encouraged to serve missions. Because the prophet knows we will return much uglier and ths never marry and thus ruins the whole plan. Im joking, sort of. But I know my feet will never be the same. My toes especially. I know my skin will never be the same. (dont worry mom, im using sunscreen!) and I know that due to the heightened rate smokers (of all kinds of things) here in sao paulo there is a good chance ill get lung cancer.
But no worries because the effects are short trm as well. I have finally conquered curling my hair with a straightner! Thanks to the help of the RS pres here. But just moments later it is COMPLETLY straight again. This morning my hair looked like Taylor swifts, I put on makeup choosed an outfit and looked in the mirror and I had straight hair again.IlovethemissionIlovethemission. Then to add insult to injury it was garuando (rain that is like a thick fog) so I i cursed the air and threw my hair in an ugly old aunt jemimah bun. And 7 months with the same clothes. My District leader called me "fresca" (prissy) and maybe hes right. Its just frustrating when you can never look pretty. Never. We tried so hard on saturday to look nice for the baptism and we even got a ride there. but then we sacrificed our ride and walked 40 min in the fog rain. I showed up and shook my hair and all the elders laughed at me.
TUDO BEM!
We had a baptism this week- it was great! And hopefully we have another this saturday! I like this area!
I was thinking while in our District Meeting today about the difference between the church back home and here. One main difference is here the wards are a bit weaker, very few people go out of there way to get to know or help others. Its hard to work with the wards because everyone has good intentions and even better excuses. Back home the wards are stronger and everyone is ready to help, to be the first to lift a helping hand. (yes this is all generalzation but stay with me here). But here in Brasil no one is too shy to pass on a reference to us, or to bring a friend to church. The problem is will they stay. back home I fee like we are super afraid to invite our friends and open our mouths which is a shame because we know that our wards are strong and we know that these people will stay in the church because theyll have a home teacher and a calling and on and on. So heres my theory, lets cut the negatives of these two cultures and apply the good. Easier said than done right? And im a missionary, living a bit of an idealistic situation. But still, just food for thought. We know what we have is awesome, what are we doing to share it?
Sometimes We think about the spirit world after this and we know well be missionaries there and everyone accepts this and thinks its great but remember that we will be there what we are here.
Ok, my weekly rant is through.
My week was great. All the elders from our zone came to knock doors in our area and now we have lots of people to visit! they are great. Sister Ribeiro got really sick but all is well now. Were really excited for the temple this week, 3 months without the temple feels like an eternity! I am grateful im serving in a mission where we get to go to the temple!
I love you all I miss you all. I know there is a lot im forgetting to write but I cant remember now. I have lots of good pictures to send but im without my camera at the moment!
Tchau!!!
kensie
sis neptune
But no worries because the effects are short trm as well. I have finally conquered curling my hair with a straightner! Thanks to the help of the RS pres here. But just moments later it is COMPLETLY straight again. This morning my hair looked like Taylor swifts, I put on makeup choosed an outfit and looked in the mirror and I had straight hair again.IlovethemissionIlovethemission. Then to add insult to injury it was garuando (rain that is like a thick fog) so I i cursed the air and threw my hair in an ugly old aunt jemimah bun. And 7 months with the same clothes. My District leader called me "fresca" (prissy) and maybe hes right. Its just frustrating when you can never look pretty. Never. We tried so hard on saturday to look nice for the baptism and we even got a ride there. but then we sacrificed our ride and walked 40 min in the fog rain. I showed up and shook my hair and all the elders laughed at me.
TUDO BEM!
We had a baptism this week- it was great! And hopefully we have another this saturday! I like this area!
I was thinking while in our District Meeting today about the difference between the church back home and here. One main difference is here the wards are a bit weaker, very few people go out of there way to get to know or help others. Its hard to work with the wards because everyone has good intentions and even better excuses. Back home the wards are stronger and everyone is ready to help, to be the first to lift a helping hand. (yes this is all generalzation but stay with me here). But here in Brasil no one is too shy to pass on a reference to us, or to bring a friend to church. The problem is will they stay. back home I fee like we are super afraid to invite our friends and open our mouths which is a shame because we know that our wards are strong and we know that these people will stay in the church because theyll have a home teacher and a calling and on and on. So heres my theory, lets cut the negatives of these two cultures and apply the good. Easier said than done right? And im a missionary, living a bit of an idealistic situation. But still, just food for thought. We know what we have is awesome, what are we doing to share it?
Sometimes We think about the spirit world after this and we know well be missionaries there and everyone accepts this and thinks its great but remember that we will be there what we are here.
Ok, my weekly rant is through.
My week was great. All the elders from our zone came to knock doors in our area and now we have lots of people to visit! they are great. Sister Ribeiro got really sick but all is well now. Were really excited for the temple this week, 3 months without the temple feels like an eternity! I am grateful im serving in a mission where we get to go to the temple!
I love you all I miss you all. I know there is a lot im forgetting to write but I cant remember now. I have lots of good pictures to send but im without my camera at the moment!
Tchau!!!
kensie
sis neptune
Hello All
My Dear Friends and Family!
How are you? This week has been great. It really is flying by. Today our zone spent yet another day on the Islha da bororre. The 1st time was cool. The 2nd time was cool. The 3rd time more or less. but the 4th time! The 4th time means I have been in this zone for way too long and this zone has nothing neat to do on pday. But thats ok! Next week we are going to t he temple. And I have never been so excited to go to the temple and I think its because I have never passed so much time without going to the temple. How great is is that I stayed in the same zone, the only zone who hasnt gone yet?
Im still loving my companion and learning so much about helping people make commitments. We have three people marked for baptism and have a couple others in the lew for this week. We have a baptism this week. Jasmin! shes only 11 but her sister is a less active member and her cousin is a member in our ward. Shes reading and marking the book of mormon every day. She invited her other cousin to go to church this last sunday and coincidently the elders had already taught this cousin. They are reading and praying together and the elders in our ward so grasciously allowed us to teach the cousin as well! Even though she lives in their side of the ward.
We had really great experiences this week with our lessons. I wish I had a lot of time to write but one day you can read my journal for the full edition.
We passed by the home of an eternal investgator the other night. He daughter is already baptized and she is amazing. She is already a member minus the whole baptism part. She cant quit smoking but when it came time to leave a message sister riberio looked at me for a scripture I flipped through book of mormon and felt inclined to read ether 12. But I shrugged it off for a moment because I love ether 12 and its my decoy scripture. Then sister ribeiro said ether 12? Aha! so it was the spirit. It was one of those moments where I had no idea what I was saying it was just warmth. Afterward we makred her again for the 17th pf this month. Shes soo soo great. I hope with all my heart she can quit smoking to be baptized. She deserves it.
I was thinking this week about how great it is to have the gospel in my life. I dont have one doubt. I am completly at peace. i dont know what my future holds I am so far from having the most impotant tgings settled ie: husband, job etc but I have the gosepl. I dont need to worry. God will guide me, hell take care of me. That is the message so many missionaries are trying to bring the world. Just happiness. Thats the message we bring. Its not any easy life by any means but what life is easy? You might as well be working hard for the right things. Because when it comes down to it everyone one in the world puts their faith in something, why not put your faith into the one who can bring you etrnal joy? This is the church of Jesus Christ. I am so happy to represent him.
Dont forget to do your part! Help the missionaries, or help yourself with your testimony, do what you need to do to use the atonement of christ! I love you all and I am so grateful for you all in my life. Sometimes I cant believe how blessed I really am!
Kensie
or
Sister Neptune
How are you? This week has been great. It really is flying by. Today our zone spent yet another day on the Islha da bororre. The 1st time was cool. The 2nd time was cool. The 3rd time more or less. but the 4th time! The 4th time means I have been in this zone for way too long and this zone has nothing neat to do on pday. But thats ok! Next week we are going to t he temple. And I have never been so excited to go to the temple and I think its because I have never passed so much time without going to the temple. How great is is that I stayed in the same zone, the only zone who hasnt gone yet?
Im still loving my companion and learning so much about helping people make commitments. We have three people marked for baptism and have a couple others in the lew for this week. We have a baptism this week. Jasmin! shes only 11 but her sister is a less active member and her cousin is a member in our ward. Shes reading and marking the book of mormon every day. She invited her other cousin to go to church this last sunday and coincidently the elders had already taught this cousin. They are reading and praying together and the elders in our ward so grasciously allowed us to teach the cousin as well! Even though she lives in their side of the ward.
We had really great experiences this week with our lessons. I wish I had a lot of time to write but one day you can read my journal for the full edition.
We passed by the home of an eternal investgator the other night. He daughter is already baptized and she is amazing. She is already a member minus the whole baptism part. She cant quit smoking but when it came time to leave a message sister riberio looked at me for a scripture I flipped through book of mormon and felt inclined to read ether 12. But I shrugged it off for a moment because I love ether 12 and its my decoy scripture. Then sister ribeiro said ether 12? Aha! so it was the spirit. It was one of those moments where I had no idea what I was saying it was just warmth. Afterward we makred her again for the 17th pf this month. Shes soo soo great. I hope with all my heart she can quit smoking to be baptized. She deserves it.
I was thinking this week about how great it is to have the gospel in my life. I dont have one doubt. I am completly at peace. i dont know what my future holds I am so far from having the most impotant tgings settled ie: husband, job etc but I have the gosepl. I dont need to worry. God will guide me, hell take care of me. That is the message so many missionaries are trying to bring the world. Just happiness. Thats the message we bring. Its not any easy life by any means but what life is easy? You might as well be working hard for the right things. Because when it comes down to it everyone one in the world puts their faith in something, why not put your faith into the one who can bring you etrnal joy? This is the church of Jesus Christ. I am so happy to represent him.
Dont forget to do your part! Help the missionaries, or help yourself with your testimony, do what you need to do to use the atonement of christ! I love you all and I am so grateful for you all in my life. Sometimes I cant believe how blessed I really am!
Kensie
or
Sister Neptune
Zona Grajau!
So I have been transferred and I am SO happy! I am currently with my DREAM companion. I love her so much. Before the transfer we talked on the phone a bit because sister silva and her are friends and we kept joking about opening an area together in the interior. The morning of the transfers, " And sister Reibero will be opening Cocaia A with Sister Neptune!" Yessssss! So I am opening an area, again. And I am in the zone of Grajau, again. Yes, I have moved literally 2 miles away from my old area. I have passed in my old chapel about three times already since the transfer. I have seen everybody from my old ward and so its like nothing has really changed. Anyway, after we cheered and decided that we are in fact prophetic we headed to our new home.
And then died. Because our new home is the sickest thing you have ever layed eyes on. And I dont mean sick as in cool I mean sick as in "what have I gotten myself into!?" The house is actually relatively nice just very poorly taken care of. We spent to days cleaning it until 12 am. It was horrendous. There was an civilization of mosquitos living in the kitchen and bugs in the fridge and green potatoes. I almost died. But thank goodness Heavenly Father knows my tolerance level and I have yet to see one coackroach. No one had lived there for over a month. Its just.... just 11 more months until a clean house! ( I found out this week that Brasil isnt a 1st world country, it makes a lot more sense now) But dont worry, the house is much cleaner now there is still unsighlty mold all over the walls but we did what we could. We have a tankina! Which is like a wash machine but isnt a washing machine! Its all the rage here in Brasil. And our neighbor has a dryer! a dryer! I was so excited when he offered it to us I said to my companion "ill be just so happy when the clothes come out warm (because the days were cold) " and she said " sister (while laughing) the clothes wont come out warm theyll just come out more or less not so wet. TUDO BEM!
Our area is strange because we share one ward with another set of elders. So its one area for 4 missionaries and we have lunch together every day. Its strange. Its weird being around elders for so much of our day. It just isnt right! But they are great and so we all have fun together. The area is huge and has tons of favelas! I was walking in the biggest favela I have ever sen the other day and I was just in awe. Nut dont worry, it was the elders area. And we have a list of areas we arent allowed to go near after dark due to the drug trafficking. And when we do walk past the areas the elders are always there. What gentleman.
Our ward meets in a chacora. I dont know how to define it except it isnt a chapel. Its pretty and there is one building for the chapel and one for the classes. Its like a camp almost. And there are tons of banana, avocado and mango trees! I personally love it. The ward is so warm and we were able to view a baptism for our ward this saturday it was a baptism for the elders but we have managed to mark someone for the 10th of this month already! The ward of miracles. The feeling is really different hear. I love the members!
And my companion- shes probably a a tiny bit shorter than my Anna and just as cute! Shes from the interior of Brasila Goiania and shes as white as me with green eyes! Oh she is so pretty! She baptized 3 years ago and she has one year in the mission. Its really hard to sleep because we just want to talk until way late. Really I adore her. We have the attitude towards work and towards obedience and relationships with our investgators. Really, i couldnt be more happy. Shes one of those friends where you know you knew her before this life and we have found eachother again! She talks as fast as anything but boy do we laugh! I am learning so much from her and she has the greatest testimony. Shes really good at commiting people.
Other than that the week has been a bit slow. We are starting from square one. Just finding people and teaching and working hard! And luaghing a bit harder!
I love you all, I miss you all. The summer is coming soon and I am afraid. Keep me in your prayers!
Kensie!
And then died. Because our new home is the sickest thing you have ever layed eyes on. And I dont mean sick as in cool I mean sick as in "what have I gotten myself into!?" The house is actually relatively nice just very poorly taken care of. We spent to days cleaning it until 12 am. It was horrendous. There was an civilization of mosquitos living in the kitchen and bugs in the fridge and green potatoes. I almost died. But thank goodness Heavenly Father knows my tolerance level and I have yet to see one coackroach. No one had lived there for over a month. Its just.... just 11 more months until a clean house! ( I found out this week that Brasil isnt a 1st world country, it makes a lot more sense now) But dont worry, the house is much cleaner now there is still unsighlty mold all over the walls but we did what we could. We have a tankina! Which is like a wash machine but isnt a washing machine! Its all the rage here in Brasil. And our neighbor has a dryer! a dryer! I was so excited when he offered it to us I said to my companion "ill be just so happy when the clothes come out warm (because the days were cold) " and she said " sister (while laughing) the clothes wont come out warm theyll just come out more or less not so wet. TUDO BEM!
Our area is strange because we share one ward with another set of elders. So its one area for 4 missionaries and we have lunch together every day. Its strange. Its weird being around elders for so much of our day. It just isnt right! But they are great and so we all have fun together. The area is huge and has tons of favelas! I was walking in the biggest favela I have ever sen the other day and I was just in awe. Nut dont worry, it was the elders area. And we have a list of areas we arent allowed to go near after dark due to the drug trafficking. And when we do walk past the areas the elders are always there. What gentleman.
Our ward meets in a chacora. I dont know how to define it except it isnt a chapel. Its pretty and there is one building for the chapel and one for the classes. Its like a camp almost. And there are tons of banana, avocado and mango trees! I personally love it. The ward is so warm and we were able to view a baptism for our ward this saturday it was a baptism for the elders but we have managed to mark someone for the 10th of this month already! The ward of miracles. The feeling is really different hear. I love the members!
And my companion- shes probably a a tiny bit shorter than my Anna and just as cute! Shes from the interior of Brasila Goiania and shes as white as me with green eyes! Oh she is so pretty! She baptized 3 years ago and she has one year in the mission. Its really hard to sleep because we just want to talk until way late. Really I adore her. We have the attitude towards work and towards obedience and relationships with our investgators. Really, i couldnt be more happy. Shes one of those friends where you know you knew her before this life and we have found eachother again! She talks as fast as anything but boy do we laugh! I am learning so much from her and she has the greatest testimony. Shes really good at commiting people.
Other than that the week has been a bit slow. We are starting from square one. Just finding people and teaching and working hard! And luaghing a bit harder!
I love you all, I miss you all. The summer is coming soon and I am afraid. Keep me in your prayers!
Kensie!
"Sister Silva... you are being transferred..."
The transfer calls came last night and I was so surprised when the secretaries wanted to talk with my companion. But dont worry because as soon as they told her she was being transferred they then asked to me too. And I have been transferred as well! Yes, thats right. I opened this area with sister fonseca just to close it with sister silva! And they arent replacing it with sisters, it will be an elder area! i am a bit sad that my JD Mirna is going to be elder teritory not to mention the awesome house we live in but I really hope/know its all for the best. i think its the boost this area needs, a complete new change!
I wont know until tomorrow where my new area is or who my new companion will be but its all up in the air. Every single sister companionship was mingled with. So I could go anywhere. i am excited though because I love all the sisters who will be recieving a sister. It's exciting! The ward members are bummed to lose us though.
As for my last week in Jd Mirna... it was boring. How can this be? im a missionary, life is never boring! Unless your companion gets a 102 degree fever and you are confined to the house for a week. Then to add insult to injury I had to go to the DMV of Brasilian health care with my companion. Its completly free but completly the DMV of healthcare- just think about it. Theres no such thing as free! Then the next day I got to go to the DMV of laws to get a paper signed for my companion by a notary of sorts. All in all its a relief I havent gotten sick;caught a strange disease from all the oublic, confined spaces.
I did learn how to be a great Brasilian house wife though. I cooked, i cleaned and practically read the entire book of mormon. Have I mentioned how to clean houses here? Its great when you dont have carpet because you sweep everything and then throw water on the ground afterward. swish swish swish! I washed all of my clothes by hand because our wash machine (ish) broke. then i put it in the sun to dry. I cooked manjioca and farrofa and rice and beans. All in all I am grateful to start over in a new area and return to missionary work!
I gave my 1st talk in Sacrament yesterday. I wrote it all in english 1st and then translated. I thought it would tae an eternity but it was actually really quick! I felt good about the talk. I talked about alma 37:6-7 and focusing on the small, simple and important things like family prayer, scripture study and church attendance. And oncewe fortify ourselves we can help with the missionary work. I hope it helped someone, I hope they understood when i spoke! WQe had an all time low of 40 people in the chapel and 0 investigators. I love this area, but a change will be nice.
Thats really all the general news i have for this week. I love you all and i am grateful for the support from everyone. thank you! The church is true. The book of mormon has power beyond imagination! I love you!
(and all the kids in this LAN house are trying to speak english and are using some choice curse words. im pretending like I cant hear them)
kensie! sister neptune
I wont know until tomorrow where my new area is or who my new companion will be but its all up in the air. Every single sister companionship was mingled with. So I could go anywhere. i am excited though because I love all the sisters who will be recieving a sister. It's exciting! The ward members are bummed to lose us though.
As for my last week in Jd Mirna... it was boring. How can this be? im a missionary, life is never boring! Unless your companion gets a 102 degree fever and you are confined to the house for a week. Then to add insult to injury I had to go to the DMV of Brasilian health care with my companion. Its completly free but completly the DMV of healthcare- just think about it. Theres no such thing as free! Then the next day I got to go to the DMV of laws to get a paper signed for my companion by a notary of sorts. All in all its a relief I havent gotten sick;caught a strange disease from all the oublic, confined spaces.
I did learn how to be a great Brasilian house wife though. I cooked, i cleaned and practically read the entire book of mormon. Have I mentioned how to clean houses here? Its great when you dont have carpet because you sweep everything and then throw water on the ground afterward. swish swish swish! I washed all of my clothes by hand because our wash machine (ish) broke. then i put it in the sun to dry. I cooked manjioca and farrofa and rice and beans. All in all I am grateful to start over in a new area and return to missionary work!
I gave my 1st talk in Sacrament yesterday. I wrote it all in english 1st and then translated. I thought it would tae an eternity but it was actually really quick! I felt good about the talk. I talked about alma 37:6-7 and focusing on the small, simple and important things like family prayer, scripture study and church attendance. And oncewe fortify ourselves we can help with the missionary work. I hope it helped someone, I hope they understood when i spoke! WQe had an all time low of 40 people in the chapel and 0 investigators. I love this area, but a change will be nice.
Thats really all the general news i have for this week. I love you all and i am grateful for the support from everyone. thank you! The church is true. The book of mormon has power beyond imagination! I love you!
(and all the kids in this LAN house are trying to speak english and are using some choice curse words. im pretending like I cant hear them)
kensie! sister neptune
Macumba!
I thought id add a nice picture of macumba (voodoo) with this weeks email. Its a lovely dead goat head, legs and tail. They leave offerings at the crosses in roads. Its black magic its evil and I wont delve much further into it because brasil is 100% the safest country ever! (but really, I just wont go to there "candy for all children for free" open houses)
We had a few hot days this week. Hot then the next day cold with the nasty misty rain. But all in all it hasnt been too bad yet. I am still prepping myself for the worst. Im like my grandma, i dont like being hot!
There isnt much news to report today but today is my 6 month mark! I cant believe Ive been on a mission for 6 months, I cant believe I am 1/3 of the way through. I cant believe I can speak portuguese! All in ll its a pretty amazing life im living right now. Never ever easy and I often find myself just wanting to be exploring folsom lake or studying but what a great opportunity I have been given!
We had a lot of fun with our ward this weeend and of course lots of fun includes lots of references from ward members to visit.
There is a transfer next week and I am kind of crossing my fingers to be transferred. 4 months is a bit of a while to be in once place. But I know whatever happens is for the best.
and im out of time. sorry! i hope the photos make up for my lack of letter! the church is true!
I love you
kensie
We had a few hot days this week. Hot then the next day cold with the nasty misty rain. But all in all it hasnt been too bad yet. I am still prepping myself for the worst. Im like my grandma, i dont like being hot!
There isnt much news to report today but today is my 6 month mark! I cant believe Ive been on a mission for 6 months, I cant believe I am 1/3 of the way through. I cant believe I can speak portuguese! All in ll its a pretty amazing life im living right now. Never ever easy and I often find myself just wanting to be exploring folsom lake or studying but what a great opportunity I have been given!
We had a lot of fun with our ward this weeend and of course lots of fun includes lots of references from ward members to visit.
There is a transfer next week and I am kind of crossing my fingers to be transferred. 4 months is a bit of a while to be in once place. But I know whatever happens is for the best.
and im out of time. sorry! i hope the photos make up for my lack of letter! the church is true!
I love you
kensie
Monday, August 15, 2011
1st bible bash
6 months into the mission and I just had my 1st bible bash! What is a bible bash? Its when youre teaching someone and they want to argue about how youre wrong with the bible, where in the bible does it say that? Prove it with the bible! and they are usually crazy and loud and argumenative (how do you spell that!?) But of coursewe just sit there politely. Its not lady like to argue about the bible!
We were teaching about the plan of salvation, about the spirit world and this womans husband stormed in and wanted to know the bible foundation for these ideas. We showed him 1 peter and he wouldnt have a word of it. He went on and on and on. And finally said " so whats youre message, whats your point?" I responded without missing a beat " Our message is that we have the only true church on the face f the earth!" that took him a back and he just looked at me and said " thats quite a claim" and I said, "and if it wasnt true itd be craazy" he shook his head and said " ill tell you one thing, you have a lot of faith" and I said thank you. It was awesome. Were going to bring ernesto to talk to him. He knows the bible like no other and acted like this with missionaries before he converted. Ill just make some popcorn, sit there and watch them "discuss"
The more I thought about the situation the more glad I was for a perfect, flawless gospel. Because it is. Because its not the gospel of man its the gospel of christ and well never be able to understand it through the logic of man because men are imperfect. I love the gospel, its so intelligent and deep and wonderful! But you have to learn it precept on precept.
Yesterday we set up a table of materials in a crowded location. We invited some members to help us talk with people and 12 people came, it was awesome! The street was full of members talking and stopping people. We have a lot of references to visit now. In the end everybody asked if we could do it again on saturday and of course we agreed. http://sistermackensieneptune.blogspot.com/
It was hot and gross but its a lot easier to talk to people in the street when you have the ward backing you up. And we had a couple RMs there who werent afraid to stop every single person.
Yesterday I was able to translate for a man from england in our ward. Its so nice to be needed. To be the only person who could help him communicate with others. Its nice to be needed, even with my minimal language skills.
In other language news, I was teaching jose and familia and jose stopped me to say 'filha, youre speaking so well! I remember when you got here I couldnt understand one thing you said" and then I spoke some more, messed up and he said ' oh and then you go and mess up!" Hes a brat. I bore my testimony again the ward and it was so much better than the 1st time, my 1st week there. How grand! I love communication. What a blessing.
I love you all, the gospel is true!
sister neptune
kensie
We were teaching about the plan of salvation, about the spirit world and this womans husband stormed in and wanted to know the bible foundation for these ideas. We showed him 1 peter and he wouldnt have a word of it. He went on and on and on. And finally said " so whats youre message, whats your point?" I responded without missing a beat " Our message is that we have the only true church on the face f the earth!" that took him a back and he just looked at me and said " thats quite a claim" and I said, "and if it wasnt true itd be craazy" he shook his head and said " ill tell you one thing, you have a lot of faith" and I said thank you. It was awesome. Were going to bring ernesto to talk to him. He knows the bible like no other and acted like this with missionaries before he converted. Ill just make some popcorn, sit there and watch them "discuss"
The more I thought about the situation the more glad I was for a perfect, flawless gospel. Because it is. Because its not the gospel of man its the gospel of christ and well never be able to understand it through the logic of man because men are imperfect. I love the gospel, its so intelligent and deep and wonderful! But you have to learn it precept on precept.
Yesterday we set up a table of materials in a crowded location. We invited some members to help us talk with people and 12 people came, it was awesome! The street was full of members talking and stopping people. We have a lot of references to visit now. In the end everybody asked if we could do it again on saturday and of course we agreed. http://sistermackensieneptune.blogspot.com/
It was hot and gross but its a lot easier to talk to people in the street when you have the ward backing you up. And we had a couple RMs there who werent afraid to stop every single person.
Yesterday I was able to translate for a man from england in our ward. Its so nice to be needed. To be the only person who could help him communicate with others. Its nice to be needed, even with my minimal language skills.
In other language news, I was teaching jose and familia and jose stopped me to say 'filha, youre speaking so well! I remember when you got here I couldnt understand one thing you said" and then I spoke some more, messed up and he said ' oh and then you go and mess up!" Hes a brat. I bore my testimony again the ward and it was so much better than the 1st time, my 1st week there. How grand! I love communication. What a blessing.
I love you all, the gospel is true!
sister neptune
kensie
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Great Missionary Idea
And it worked! references and contacts galore! And well do another this saturday... oh and some pictures with Ernestos garden, naturally....
Monday, July 25, 2011
Hi HOW ARE YOU?
This is what Sister Silva says to all the children in the street. It's endlessly funny. "I don't to understand English!" which is great because I don't to understand Portuguese all the time. I thought it would be a lot harder than it is, having a companion that doesn't speak English, but its not at all. Its really fun. Sister Silva is just truly a kindred spirit for me. Its not hard to have a friendship or laugh until the wee hours of the night (aka 10:45). I will be disappointed if I only get one transfer with her. But I am starting to adore this area so chances are Heavenly Father will want to teach me a lesson.
Last night I had a Portuguese break down. It's just so frustrating. I miss being smart! I miss big words. You all know how I am. Last night I found out I was constructing sentences with prepositions incorrectly and I felt so dumb. Learning a new language is like a continual uphill climb and when you get to the top you realize theres a another, bigger hill. So I cried a little. Because of prepositions.
But that's ok because today is a new day, and a new week. 3rd week of my 3rd transfer and in exactly one year (minus one day) I will be back in the USA. Not that I'm counting.
This past week was great though. I mean we got cut by 2 15 year old boys whose parents are already members. And 5 of our 6 lessons on Saturday were burned. And our district leader and his companion went crazy and decided they would make 500 contacts in one week (plus all their normal lessons) and the mission goal is 140 and believe me 140 is nearly impossible as it is. But they bumped it up to 500, not for us but when your DL makes a goal like that you feel really obligated to reach all of yours.
Oh and we had interviews with our new pres. Hes really different than pres Jackson. Kinda nuts. I think he will change a lot. Because right now hes authorizing everything (pres can we go to santo maro to go shopping? Sure! bring sister pinho... ok pres!)
The work is still going great and please keep Jose's family in your prayers. They all want to get baptized but Jose wants to quit smoking before he gets married. he wont get married with a cigarette in his mouth. And they want to get married and baptized the same day. Miracles happen people. Keep up the prayers!
My 2 cents for the week. Pray more, read your scriptures and go to church.... oh and attitude! Remember that we have influence on everyone whether or not we recognize it. What has a negative attitude ever done to help anyone?
Love you! I'm happy I'm healthy and I'm not sunburned!
kense
Last night I had a Portuguese break down. It's just so frustrating. I miss being smart! I miss big words. You all know how I am. Last night I found out I was constructing sentences with prepositions incorrectly and I felt so dumb. Learning a new language is like a continual uphill climb and when you get to the top you realize theres a another, bigger hill. So I cried a little. Because of prepositions.
But that's ok because today is a new day, and a new week. 3rd week of my 3rd transfer and in exactly one year (minus one day) I will be back in the USA. Not that I'm counting.
This past week was great though. I mean we got cut by 2 15 year old boys whose parents are already members. And 5 of our 6 lessons on Saturday were burned. And our district leader and his companion went crazy and decided they would make 500 contacts in one week (plus all their normal lessons) and the mission goal is 140 and believe me 140 is nearly impossible as it is. But they bumped it up to 500, not for us but when your DL makes a goal like that you feel really obligated to reach all of yours.
Oh and we had interviews with our new pres. Hes really different than pres Jackson. Kinda nuts. I think he will change a lot. Because right now hes authorizing everything (pres can we go to santo maro to go shopping? Sure! bring sister pinho... ok pres!)
The work is still going great and please keep Jose's family in your prayers. They all want to get baptized but Jose wants to quit smoking before he gets married. he wont get married with a cigarette in his mouth. And they want to get married and baptized the same day. Miracles happen people. Keep up the prayers!
My 2 cents for the week. Pray more, read your scriptures and go to church.... oh and attitude! Remember that we have influence on everyone whether or not we recognize it. What has a negative attitude ever done to help anyone?
Love you! I'm happy I'm healthy and I'm not sunburned!
kense
Boa tarde
So I have a new companion and her name is Sister Silva and I love her. Really really I love her! And I am 100% not speaking English anymore!! Woo. I thought it would be really tough but its actually really great. Tough yes but great too! I definitely had a Gift of Tongues week. I never knew I knew so much Portuguese until this week. But I was initiating the lessons and talking to my companion and everyone and really really communicating with people. And understanding people. I can't tell you how much of a miracle it is to have a conversation with someone and actually know what they are saying and to be able to speak back with them and really talk! So yes, it was a blessing and a miracle and all of that and more. And it definitely wasn't because I'm really super. Thank you for all your prayers. I still have so far to go but I know with Sister Silva I will learn!
She's from Fortaleza- the beauty of Brasil. One day I will have to visit her there.
It was so great to gain a new perspective on the area with a new companion. Now we are committing people like crazy and just working really hard. Her last 2 companions were difficult. One was going home at the end of her mission and the other was starting her mission and didn't want to stay. So she hasn't been able to work much for the past 4 months. That has changed and I think were both glad.
One miracle that happened this week was Jose and Altamira. Re ember them? Well something changed with Altamira a couple weeks ago and she knows she needs to learn more. 2 months ago when we talked about marriage they both said no way it is too complicated but we brought it up this week and set a date and they didn't decline at all. They are praying and reading the Book of Mormon as a family. It just goes to show that we have no idea about the capacity people have to change. Here is this family not married, smoking and the couple is 30 years apart in age and they aren't happy together. But Jose changed he started reading the Book of Mormon and started getting involved in cigarette addiction groups and they are praying together. I know it is only amatter of time with them. They all want to be baptized but they know it is a serious covenant and they truly need to change. So keep them in your prayers.
It was a bit warm this week. A bit war in the winter. I know I will die in the summer. I will die. I'm not going to think about it too much. But luckily it is colder today.
I guess that all I really have to share this week. I love you all so much and miss you even more. Today is a bit of a "I miss home" day but I know I'll be happier once we start working. I love you all!
kensie
She's from Fortaleza- the beauty of Brasil. One day I will have to visit her there.
It was so great to gain a new perspective on the area with a new companion. Now we are committing people like crazy and just working really hard. Her last 2 companions were difficult. One was going home at the end of her mission and the other was starting her mission and didn't want to stay. So she hasn't been able to work much for the past 4 months. That has changed and I think were both glad.
One miracle that happened this week was Jose and Altamira. Re ember them? Well something changed with Altamira a couple weeks ago and she knows she needs to learn more. 2 months ago when we talked about marriage they both said no way it is too complicated but we brought it up this week and set a date and they didn't decline at all. They are praying and reading the Book of Mormon as a family. It just goes to show that we have no idea about the capacity people have to change. Here is this family not married, smoking and the couple is 30 years apart in age and they aren't happy together. But Jose changed he started reading the Book of Mormon and started getting involved in cigarette addiction groups and they are praying together. I know it is only amatter of time with them. They all want to be baptized but they know it is a serious covenant and they truly need to change. So keep them in your prayers.
It was a bit warm this week. A bit war in the winter. I know I will die in the summer. I will die. I'm not going to think about it too much. But luckily it is colder today.
I guess that all I really have to share this week. I love you all so much and miss you even more. Today is a bit of a "I miss home" day but I know I'll be happier once we start working. I love you all!
kensie
Transfers!
And I'm still in the area but Sister Fonseca will be leaving tomorrow morning! We kind of expected it but it was still sad, just when everything was going really wonderfuly, go figure!
So this means I'll be showing the area to a sister. A sister who doesn't speak English so my Portuguese will really take off. It's going to be really hard I know but I think it's what I need to get the language up to scratch. We got new cell phones in the mission and one of the crazy sisters in the mission figured out how to do conference calling. So we were conference calling with every sister in the mission. It must have been against some rule but it was funny and we quickly found out who would be staying/leaving. We have our guesses about who will come here but everything is up in the air at this point.
This past week was a blast! We had our wards festa junina which is this party where you dress up like "interior" people (aka hicks), pig tails and plaid and square dancing and lots of corn! It was so much fun! It felt almost like halloween and we had so many investigators there so woohoo! Now if only I can find where they live without the help of Sister Fonseca ;)
Oh and the greatest moment of this last week was when our Raimundo (a member returning after 40 years) gave us these letters/riddle that he wrote for us. I translated it from portuguese to english so just know it sounds a lot nicer in portuguese.
People say that contemplating the stars brings luck
One man was walking in the street when he saw two stars walking by, and talking
The man said hello to the two of them and in that very moment everything became clear
One of the stars was little but had a great light
One of the stars was a bit bigger but the size of her light could never fit into all of the universe
Recently the stars began visting the mans house and a marvelous light began to grow
The stars invirted him back to paradise
When he got there the man could there were constellations of stars, many bright lights
When the man returned to his house he recognized that he too was given a light from them
Today his light isnt as bright as the stars in his life
But with lots of faith he believes that one day it will shine
Oh and I forgots, the names of the two stars;
Sister Fonseca e Neptune
So corny, yes but beautiful! Finally, a moment in my mission where I could honestly say I would stay here for a year and a half if only to be a small part of the change that has occurred in his life! Because really, we did nothing. We just walked by at the right time and he felt like he needed to speak to us. That was it. We didn't do anything. We were just instruments of the Lord! And because of this he is back with full force. He is ready to change. We were able to teach him about temples and it was so great and I know that he will be an example for his family!
Thats a wrap for this week. Life is good, the gospel is true! I love you all!
Kensie
ps pictures ( 2 of festa and one of raimundo)
So this means I'll be showing the area to a sister. A sister who doesn't speak English so my Portuguese will really take off. It's going to be really hard I know but I think it's what I need to get the language up to scratch. We got new cell phones in the mission and one of the crazy sisters in the mission figured out how to do conference calling. So we were conference calling with every sister in the mission. It must have been against some rule but it was funny and we quickly found out who would be staying/leaving. We have our guesses about who will come here but everything is up in the air at this point.
This past week was a blast! We had our wards festa junina which is this party where you dress up like "interior" people (aka hicks), pig tails and plaid and square dancing and lots of corn! It was so much fun! It felt almost like halloween and we had so many investigators there so woohoo! Now if only I can find where they live without the help of Sister Fonseca ;)
Oh and the greatest moment of this last week was when our Raimundo (a member returning after 40 years) gave us these letters/riddle that he wrote for us. I translated it from portuguese to english so just know it sounds a lot nicer in portuguese.
People say that contemplating the stars brings luck
One man was walking in the street when he saw two stars walking by, and talking
The man said hello to the two of them and in that very moment everything became clear
One of the stars was little but had a great light
One of the stars was a bit bigger but the size of her light could never fit into all of the universe
Recently the stars began visting the mans house and a marvelous light began to grow
The stars invirted him back to paradise
When he got there the man could there were constellations of stars, many bright lights
When the man returned to his house he recognized that he too was given a light from them
Today his light isnt as bright as the stars in his life
But with lots of faith he believes that one day it will shine
Oh and I forgots, the names of the two stars;
Sister Fonseca e Neptune
So corny, yes but beautiful! Finally, a moment in my mission where I could honestly say I would stay here for a year and a half if only to be a small part of the change that has occurred in his life! Because really, we did nothing. We just walked by at the right time and he felt like he needed to speak to us. That was it. We didn't do anything. We were just instruments of the Lord! And because of this he is back with full force. He is ready to change. We were able to teach him about temples and it was so great and I know that he will be an example for his family!
Thats a wrap for this week. Life is good, the gospel is true! I love you all!
Kensie
ps pictures ( 2 of festa and one of raimundo)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Nesse Frio!?
Well it is truly winter here in Sao Paulo and with winter comes THE END OF ALL THINGS as far as any brasilian is concerned. i am still more than grateful for the cold because it more than beats the alternative. I find it humorous that there are so many things that cannot occur due to the cold or "nesse frio" (in this cold) every lunch we go to is without salad because you simply cant eat salad nesse frio. You must eat black beans nesse frio. How can you wash clothes nesse frio? and most importantly, ness frio, its hard to attend church. I mean its cold. Too cold to leave your blankets or your home.
But alas! We are back in the game with the Jose, daniol and Altamera family. We left them alone for a week or so because they werent trying to go to church or read or anything. Last week jose and danilo came to church and jose was mad and said we deserted him. So we went back and asked them why they thought we hadnt come to visit. They got the picture and this sunday All 3 of them were at church, together! Altamera never goes because shes satisified with catholicism and doesnt see the need to change. We talked about re teaching the lessons so she could see the difference and now shes making great efforts to learn. It was SUCH a surprise and a wonderful miracle!
Speaking of miracles, Raimundo, a less-active member. He is making such strides. I am so so happy for him and so grateful we got to help him on his journey back to the church. He hasnt gone to church for 40 years. 40! But now he is consuming the Book of Mormon. He calls and tells us thats hes in alma etc etc. And the book is changing his life, without a doubt. He doesnt have a desire to do the things that are inorrect anymore. We went there last week to teach him the word of wisdom and he told us that earlier that week he felt really alone and decided to go to the bar he always frequents with all of the friends he knows. When he got there he knew this wasnt where he needed to be, he knew it just didnt feel right so he went home and continued reading the Book of Mormon. We didnt even have to commit him to stop drinking, the Book of Mormon already did that for us. I have know doubt that he is back in the church for keeps. And what an example he will be for his family. Were working with him now so he can recieve the priesthood. He is so so great and well really miss him.
Today was a great day! Happy 4th of july, I celebrated at a churrascaria with most of the distict and our ward mission leaders family. It was a rodizio which means they bring huge skuirs of meat to your table and then slice you off the pieces you want. BBQ and 4th of july, how american. Afterwards we vistied this really beautiful lake and it made me miss good old folsom. It also helped me remember that brasil really is gorgeous even if JD mirna is... ya know.
Transfers next week and I think there is a good chance sister fonseca will be leaving which means ill be showing the area to someone. Probably a brasilian someone. Haha, wish me luck!
I guess thats all for today. I love you all!
But alas! We are back in the game with the Jose, daniol and Altamera family. We left them alone for a week or so because they werent trying to go to church or read or anything. Last week jose and danilo came to church and jose was mad and said we deserted him. So we went back and asked them why they thought we hadnt come to visit. They got the picture and this sunday All 3 of them were at church, together! Altamera never goes because shes satisified with catholicism and doesnt see the need to change. We talked about re teaching the lessons so she could see the difference and now shes making great efforts to learn. It was SUCH a surprise and a wonderful miracle!
Speaking of miracles, Raimundo, a less-active member. He is making such strides. I am so so happy for him and so grateful we got to help him on his journey back to the church. He hasnt gone to church for 40 years. 40! But now he is consuming the Book of Mormon. He calls and tells us thats hes in alma etc etc. And the book is changing his life, without a doubt. He doesnt have a desire to do the things that are inorrect anymore. We went there last week to teach him the word of wisdom and he told us that earlier that week he felt really alone and decided to go to the bar he always frequents with all of the friends he knows. When he got there he knew this wasnt where he needed to be, he knew it just didnt feel right so he went home and continued reading the Book of Mormon. We didnt even have to commit him to stop drinking, the Book of Mormon already did that for us. I have know doubt that he is back in the church for keeps. And what an example he will be for his family. Were working with him now so he can recieve the priesthood. He is so so great and well really miss him.
Today was a great day! Happy 4th of july, I celebrated at a churrascaria with most of the distict and our ward mission leaders family. It was a rodizio which means they bring huge skuirs of meat to your table and then slice you off the pieces you want. BBQ and 4th of july, how american. Afterwards we vistied this really beautiful lake and it made me miss good old folsom. It also helped me remember that brasil really is gorgeous even if JD mirna is... ya know.
Transfers next week and I think there is a good chance sister fonseca will be leaving which means ill be showing the area to someone. Probably a brasilian someone. Haha, wish me luck!
I guess thats all for today. I love you all!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Fotos
1. A picture of our money at the end of the month. One pile was to buy our bus fare to make it into a town with an atm to get to a bank the next week. The other pile was for pizza. We searched all over the house for the money!
2. An inexplicably ugly picture of my 1st baptism. (with Bispo Leonildo) Unfortunatly all of the pictures were gross.
3. I ran into sister Wohlford (my CTM companion) at the temple last month! Shes in the SP norte mission and it was a lovely tender mercy. (shes the one in the middle) I love her so much and shes from sacramento!
4. After a lovely torrential down pur, rain like ive never seen and me without an umbrella!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Mais doida
What a week. We had our stake conference yesterday and it was.... well. It was good. Really and thank goodness presdient and sister jackson spoke (for the last time). They really saved the day. We had 9 inestigators in the chapel and many less active members too, it was great! And this golden couple we have been working with for the past couple weeks came. It was SO exciting. The wife, fatima had wanted to come but she wanted her husband Pedro to go. Pedro had a testimony of christ but he just hated churches because they are always asking for money and making big shows of things. So when they walked in we literally jumped out of our seats. I hope and pray that they felt the spirit. We'll be meeting with them on wednesday and dont worry mom Fatima has made it a point to be our mother here. She just worries about us and makes us salad and makes us drink juice. I love her and Pedro so much.
Ok but the kind of weird part of the conference. So we had choirs and thats all good but it was kind of gospel-y. Like pula pula pula jesus e legal. There was a man on the keyboard and the keyboard was playing slightly synthesized piano music. And he had a headset and was singing "ohhh ahhh ohh" with the choir. And then there was this woman who sang a song about the hands of christ and the slideshow (yes, a slideshow) had some not so reverent pcitures of jesus holding like glowing orbs and on the cross and such. Then her song got really screamy and hmm. Hmm... I guess reverance is sometimes a culture thing; I think everyone liked it but it was just too much for me and sister fonseca. Like nothing I would ever see at home. I laughed and hoped our investigators just thought it was wonderful and not creepy.
Our baptism went well. Its hard to find a 14 year old boy with no parents so to speak (his mom comes home maybe every 2 weeks for less than a day) so it was a lot of running around but he was baptized and confirmed on saturday. The district and zone leaders were there and the patriarch of the stake and some other great people. Because thats who was in the chapel. it was nice of them to all stay. Sister Fonseca and i sang I know that my redeemer lives and we tried to do the harmony in parts. Eh. not so much. I mean i can sing soprano as long as I have other people to sing with but it was just confusing! I dont do music! But alas, the people loved it (beisdes the american elders who obviously knew we messed up). I dont really have fear of singing here because well the singing is. You know. So we sing for our messages some times and people like this a lot. Can you believe it? me? haha.
Not much else is new new but we will be getting our new Brasilian Mission President this week. My portugues is coming along and I can almost understand everything... at times. Its all still very hard but good. And I know that once i can truly truly communicate to my herts desire I will be very happy. Because i am already having so much fun now.
Today our zone had a training meeting which included a bbq and uno! It was so much fun, imagine uno with portuguese and english and just a lot of laughing. I think i would adore Brasil if i just got to hang out with the missionaries everyday. But I guess thats not the point is it? But really, things are so great. Every day is crazier than the next and people never cease to surprise me.
I love you all and miss you all and want to hear from you all because I dont want to come back a stranger!
write me!
Ok but the kind of weird part of the conference. So we had choirs and thats all good but it was kind of gospel-y. Like pula pula pula jesus e legal. There was a man on the keyboard and the keyboard was playing slightly synthesized piano music. And he had a headset and was singing "ohhh ahhh ohh" with the choir. And then there was this woman who sang a song about the hands of christ and the slideshow (yes, a slideshow) had some not so reverent pcitures of jesus holding like glowing orbs and on the cross and such. Then her song got really screamy and hmm. Hmm... I guess reverance is sometimes a culture thing; I think everyone liked it but it was just too much for me and sister fonseca. Like nothing I would ever see at home. I laughed and hoped our investigators just thought it was wonderful and not creepy.
Our baptism went well. Its hard to find a 14 year old boy with no parents so to speak (his mom comes home maybe every 2 weeks for less than a day) so it was a lot of running around but he was baptized and confirmed on saturday. The district and zone leaders were there and the patriarch of the stake and some other great people. Because thats who was in the chapel. it was nice of them to all stay. Sister Fonseca and i sang I know that my redeemer lives and we tried to do the harmony in parts. Eh. not so much. I mean i can sing soprano as long as I have other people to sing with but it was just confusing! I dont do music! But alas, the people loved it (beisdes the american elders who obviously knew we messed up). I dont really have fear of singing here because well the singing is. You know. So we sing for our messages some times and people like this a lot. Can you believe it? me? haha.
Not much else is new new but we will be getting our new Brasilian Mission President this week. My portugues is coming along and I can almost understand everything... at times. Its all still very hard but good. And I know that once i can truly truly communicate to my herts desire I will be very happy. Because i am already having so much fun now.
Today our zone had a training meeting which included a bbq and uno! It was so much fun, imagine uno with portuguese and english and just a lot of laughing. I think i would adore Brasil if i just got to hang out with the missionaries everyday. But I guess thats not the point is it? But really, things are so great. Every day is crazier than the next and people never cease to surprise me.
I love you all and miss you all and want to hear from you all because I dont want to come back a stranger!
write me!
A few Sao Paulo Interlogians
Our last meeting with the Jacksons before they leave us for Utah... tomorrow!
Monday, June 20, 2011
I cant think of a witty title but I love you all!
So this week was quite the doozy. We worked and worked and worked and... we havent much to show for it, at least not by the standards of the human eye. I decided that the only thing that comes easy on a mission is sleep. Other than that it is a constant uphill climb.
Remember Joyce? Her baptism date was for may 22. Well, that didnt happen. And for a while we debated as to whether or not she was actually progressing. Back and forth and she had answers, she had good answers but she didnt have enough foundation to fall back on because she didnt read the book of mormon (this is the one that the last sisters just told her to read the bible). We had several serious talks with her and then she decided to start going to the Universal Church. We told her to call us when she wanted us to come back. We met her in the street yesteday and she wanted us to come over! So we did and she decided that things are going good in her life right now so she thinks the universal church is correct even though she disagrees with most of its tachings. One thing she dislikes about it is the idea that we dont do bad things, the demons that infest our bodies do bad things so once a week you go to church, put your hands on your head and tell them to leave. She told the pastor she didnt like this and he said " joyce, thats ok! just dont come to church that day!" (because this church meets like 5 times a week. one day for salvation, one day for health, one day for financial blessings and one day for getting rid of demons. Oh and you can donate your home and all your money any day you want, and people do "who wants to give $400 to the lord today!?") She told him how she meets with us and he said "joyce, thats great, god is one!" So she thinks shell stay because God is one and therefor in this church too.
And because we have worked so much with joyce and she is so good and I really love her I just cried. Right then and there. I cried. Because heres the deal people. There is only one true church. Thats only logical. If god is all that we know he is from the scriptures than it is literally impossible for there to be more than one true church. Maybe its the catholic church, maybe even the universal maybe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (I have an inlking its this one) but it has to be one of them! Anyway, so I cried. And I said "Joyce, yes God will always be with his children no matter where they are but he is not with that church because that is not the His Church" And then she said so you believe that you are the only true church? And I said "no, I know this is the only true church" And then she talked about how the other missionaries didnt pressure her and make her do things and I said " we are here to bring you words of comfort but were also here to make changes, to help you come unto chist and sometimes thats hard." and basically what it came down to was "joyce, you dont know any of this for yourself and you shouldnt believe us just because we are so certain but you never read the Book of Mormon. You will never know unless you read the Book of Mormon."
I said all that in portuguese though, because, you know,shes brasilian and cant speak english. And it seems harsh but I think it was exactly what she needed. I cant honestly say we tried our hardest for her. And as sister fonseca told her " you will want this tructh someday, youll be mormon some day!" And dont worry, it wasnt a huge cry fest. But oh it was sad. But I know her story isnt over and shell be in the front of our area book! Sister fonseca this morning said "maybe we should just tell her if she doesnt like something about the our church just ignore it. You dont like joseph smith? dont read about hime! you dont have to accept all of it!" Im glad my companion is sarcastic. It makes me feel at home.
But we had miracles too. I am really happy with our work with inactive members and the ward.We hope to get a lot of people to church this sunday, its stake conference! We have lots of good people now, if only we could adequatly express the importance of actually getting to church!
oh but I have mny very first baptism this weekend! The boy may or may not already be a member.... whoserecordswerelostbytheward but hey! its a baptism. And hes honestly the greatest kid. Him and his little brother go to church every week on their own (10 and 14) and they pray 3 times a day and talk about going on missions. When we asked if we could help them with anything they just said "pray for us so that our mom can be home more" I just wanted to cry. They are so sweet and I know God is so happy with them. So its a good 1st baptism!
I think thats all for now, this is a crazy place but im loving it more every day! And I love all of you and miss you tons!
Remember Joyce? Her baptism date was for may 22. Well, that didnt happen. And for a while we debated as to whether or not she was actually progressing. Back and forth and she had answers, she had good answers but she didnt have enough foundation to fall back on because she didnt read the book of mormon (this is the one that the last sisters just told her to read the bible). We had several serious talks with her and then she decided to start going to the Universal Church. We told her to call us when she wanted us to come back. We met her in the street yesteday and she wanted us to come over! So we did and she decided that things are going good in her life right now so she thinks the universal church is correct even though she disagrees with most of its tachings. One thing she dislikes about it is the idea that we dont do bad things, the demons that infest our bodies do bad things so once a week you go to church, put your hands on your head and tell them to leave. She told the pastor she didnt like this and he said " joyce, thats ok! just dont come to church that day!" (because this church meets like 5 times a week. one day for salvation, one day for health, one day for financial blessings and one day for getting rid of demons. Oh and you can donate your home and all your money any day you want, and people do "who wants to give $400 to the lord today!?") She told him how she meets with us and he said "joyce, thats great, god is one!" So she thinks shell stay because God is one and therefor in this church too.
And because we have worked so much with joyce and she is so good and I really love her I just cried. Right then and there. I cried. Because heres the deal people. There is only one true church. Thats only logical. If god is all that we know he is from the scriptures than it is literally impossible for there to be more than one true church. Maybe its the catholic church, maybe even the universal maybe the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (I have an inlking its this one) but it has to be one of them! Anyway, so I cried. And I said "Joyce, yes God will always be with his children no matter where they are but he is not with that church because that is not the His Church" And then she said so you believe that you are the only true church? And I said "no, I know this is the only true church" And then she talked about how the other missionaries didnt pressure her and make her do things and I said " we are here to bring you words of comfort but were also here to make changes, to help you come unto chist and sometimes thats hard." and basically what it came down to was "joyce, you dont know any of this for yourself and you shouldnt believe us just because we are so certain but you never read the Book of Mormon. You will never know unless you read the Book of Mormon."
I said all that in portuguese though, because, you know,shes brasilian and cant speak english. And it seems harsh but I think it was exactly what she needed. I cant honestly say we tried our hardest for her. And as sister fonseca told her " you will want this tructh someday, youll be mormon some day!" And dont worry, it wasnt a huge cry fest. But oh it was sad. But I know her story isnt over and shell be in the front of our area book! Sister fonseca this morning said "maybe we should just tell her if she doesnt like something about the our church just ignore it. You dont like joseph smith? dont read about hime! you dont have to accept all of it!" Im glad my companion is sarcastic. It makes me feel at home.
But we had miracles too. I am really happy with our work with inactive members and the ward.We hope to get a lot of people to church this sunday, its stake conference! We have lots of good people now, if only we could adequatly express the importance of actually getting to church!
oh but I have mny very first baptism this weekend! The boy may or may not already be a member.... whoserecordswerelostbytheward but hey! its a baptism. And hes honestly the greatest kid. Him and his little brother go to church every week on their own (10 and 14) and they pray 3 times a day and talk about going on missions. When we asked if we could help them with anything they just said "pray for us so that our mom can be home more" I just wanted to cry. They are so sweet and I know God is so happy with them. So its a good 1st baptism!
I think thats all for now, this is a crazy place but im loving it more every day! And I love all of you and miss you tons!
Captions
"mais"
1- this is the queen and king of Jardim Mirna, our ward mission leader and his wife. They have the craziest story and some day when I have actual time Ill tell you about it. Sufficeth it to say Quiteria makes the best food ever. And they are always so generous!
2.My lovely comp and I. SO every time we go over to Quiteria and Ernesto's he makes us go up to the roof to show us how is garden is growing. We laugh because its... funny! and then he always shows us where our area ends and begins and so on and so forth. Its like when Mufasa shows Simba all of the pride land.
3.Here I am helping the garden grow! (must be those green thumb genes from Grandma!)
4.I just thought it was rich americans who dressed there dogs up. But nooooo. Every dog here has a sweater or a tshirt. This one made me laugh so much! When i luaghed the dog got mad.
5.I took this pictures because of the psssiiiuu. I get a kicl out of this because everyone says "psiiiuuu" when they trying to get your attention.
"photos"
1. So the streets here are really confusing. On one street you have the number 12 and next door is 134. And they dont go in any order. So there is no rhyme or reason to anything. There was a whole side street (that had aname) but it was also the sdress 292. Yes an entire street was the number 292 but then every house on the street had a number too. One night we spent a good hour in the rain writing down every number of every house on a certain street because we can never find people. The paper was soggy but it very helpful!
2. the eggs after I put them in our fridge and the shelf broke (see caption 3)
3. There is a car that sells eggs. 30 ovos por seis reais! I heard the car. I grabbed my cash and I purchased the eggs all on my own. I was so impressed. Then they all broke.
4. How Brasilians plunge toilets. Dont ask.
5. My hand. More or less healed. Ill never get married.
1- this is the queen and king of Jardim Mirna, our ward mission leader and his wife. They have the craziest story and some day when I have actual time Ill tell you about it. Sufficeth it to say Quiteria makes the best food ever. And they are always so generous!
2.My lovely comp and I. SO every time we go over to Quiteria and Ernesto's he makes us go up to the roof to show us how is garden is growing. We laugh because its... funny! and then he always shows us where our area ends and begins and so on and so forth. Its like when Mufasa shows Simba all of the pride land.
3.Here I am helping the garden grow! (must be those green thumb genes from Grandma!)
4.I just thought it was rich americans who dressed there dogs up. But nooooo. Every dog here has a sweater or a tshirt. This one made me laugh so much! When i luaghed the dog got mad.
5.I took this pictures because of the psssiiiuu. I get a kicl out of this because everyone says "psiiiuuu" when they trying to get your attention.
"photos"
1. So the streets here are really confusing. On one street you have the number 12 and next door is 134. And they dont go in any order. So there is no rhyme or reason to anything. There was a whole side street (that had aname) but it was also the sdress 292. Yes an entire street was the number 292 but then every house on the street had a number too. One night we spent a good hour in the rain writing down every number of every house on a certain street because we can never find people. The paper was soggy but it very helpful!
2. the eggs after I put them in our fridge and the shelf broke (see caption 3)
3. There is a car that sells eggs. 30 ovos por seis reais! I heard the car. I grabbed my cash and I purchased the eggs all on my own. I was so impressed. Then they all broke.
4. How Brasilians plunge toilets. Dont ask.
5. My hand. More or less healed. Ill never get married.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Elder: " sisters, you have an investigator here.... shes kneeling in the chapel praying"
Oh our week.
We had many little miracles this week. We contacted lots of really promising people. These are the elect, weve finally found them! unfortunatly they can only accept us one a month starting in august.... but we dont take no for an answer. The ward is seeing inactives come to church and I think their is an overall improvement with the members. And one little miracle that made me so happy happened yesterday. We were walking to an appt and I was thining about how I missed music when across a crowded ave I distinctly heard taylor swift. i ran across the street and on the tv in a bar was a taylor swift music video. It was a tender mercy.
Its cold in Brasil! Like really cold! I didnt bring the right clothes for this. And when you have only one coat and that coat gets dirty and you have to hang dry it and its cold so it doesnt dry you stay cold because you cant use said coat. BUT this is in no way a complaint. I plead for it to STAY cold. Because the heat is terrible.
I finally mastered making chocolate chip cookies in brazil. And boy am I proud!
There re just so many things that happen every day that i always think "oh I need to write about this!" but then I cant remeber them. Things are good here in Jardim Mirna. Please keep praying for people to open their hearts to change. I am one transfer down and we are still trying to contact the people who really want to change. But they have to be here right?
The church is true. I know that this is the only true church. I know that other churchs have the ability to bring happiness into lives but not everlatsing happiness. Not eternal peace and joy. I know this because I know that I am not terminally mentally ill and there is no way I would leave everyone behind to struggle with a language and walk up and down and up and down hills all days unless this was the truth.
Joseph Smith saw god the father and jesus christ. He didnt create a church. He restored is through the power of god. i know that we all have the potential to live in the highest degree with our father in heaven, But it will take hard work. So for all my lovely friends and family who already know this- share it with others, talk to other and pray for others. If you dont know this.. pray about it. Read the Book of Mormon. If its false then all of this is a lie and if its true than all of this is true. I know its true and I love you all!
so thats my 2 cents for the week.
I love you!
love kensie
We had many little miracles this week. We contacted lots of really promising people. These are the elect, weve finally found them! unfortunatly they can only accept us one a month starting in august.... but we dont take no for an answer. The ward is seeing inactives come to church and I think their is an overall improvement with the members. And one little miracle that made me so happy happened yesterday. We were walking to an appt and I was thining about how I missed music when across a crowded ave I distinctly heard taylor swift. i ran across the street and on the tv in a bar was a taylor swift music video. It was a tender mercy.
Its cold in Brasil! Like really cold! I didnt bring the right clothes for this. And when you have only one coat and that coat gets dirty and you have to hang dry it and its cold so it doesnt dry you stay cold because you cant use said coat. BUT this is in no way a complaint. I plead for it to STAY cold. Because the heat is terrible.
I finally mastered making chocolate chip cookies in brazil. And boy am I proud!
There re just so many things that happen every day that i always think "oh I need to write about this!" but then I cant remeber them. Things are good here in Jardim Mirna. Please keep praying for people to open their hearts to change. I am one transfer down and we are still trying to contact the people who really want to change. But they have to be here right?
The church is true. I know that this is the only true church. I know that other churchs have the ability to bring happiness into lives but not everlatsing happiness. Not eternal peace and joy. I know this because I know that I am not terminally mentally ill and there is no way I would leave everyone behind to struggle with a language and walk up and down and up and down hills all days unless this was the truth.
Joseph Smith saw god the father and jesus christ. He didnt create a church. He restored is through the power of god. i know that we all have the potential to live in the highest degree with our father in heaven, But it will take hard work. So for all my lovely friends and family who already know this- share it with others, talk to other and pray for others. If you dont know this.. pray about it. Read the Book of Mormon. If its false then all of this is a lie and if its true than all of this is true. I know its true and I love you all!
so thats my 2 cents for the week.
I love you!
love kensie
Pday Sans Prep
Today we went to Ferreira. Which is always good but always leaves me wanting to puke. Public transportation is nauseating. BUT, I know for a fact that God is sparing me from actually throwing up on a bus. Thats my miracle for the day. Even though I am a motionsick person. Obrigada!
But today was wonderful. I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich with sister jackson (and my companion, duh). ANd it was so beautiful. I was just so happy to be in a lovely home with lovely company. And peanut butter. Need I say more?
This week was a good week. It is cold here and when your house is made out of cinderblocks that doesnt really do much for insullation.
Oh and I am now out of time! Uhm, so here is my letter this week. No throwup, yes peanut butter. cold. rinse and repeat.
I love you all! Write to me. I write back. I am just that great of a person.
love sister neptune
But today was wonderful. I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich with sister jackson (and my companion, duh). ANd it was so beautiful. I was just so happy to be in a lovely home with lovely company. And peanut butter. Need I say more?
This week was a good week. It is cold here and when your house is made out of cinderblocks that doesnt really do much for insullation.
Oh and I am now out of time! Uhm, so here is my letter this week. No throwup, yes peanut butter. cold. rinse and repeat.
I love you all! Write to me. I write back. I am just that great of a person.
love sister neptune
Monday, May 23, 2011
Pula Pula Pula Jesus e legal!
This is our problem this week. There are a lot of churchs around here and I mean a lot. And they all love God and God is one. Which is a really tender concept but it doesnt make people want to get baptized. We were at an investigators this last weekend and her children were watching this christian tv show with this crazy woman in a colorful outfit singing. It was teaching them about jesus. The words were "jump jump jump jesus is cool. jump jump jump with jesus we are big" we all felt the spirit. So heres the question? is it easier to work in an area where everyone denies the existence of God or and area where everyone loves God but feels like loving God requres no commitment? I guess it doesnt really matter because were in the latter boat. But really, Jardim Mirna is still great. The people say yes when we ask if they want us to teach them. Their hearts are open! SO well just keep working.
I have been think about the reasons why people do reject us though. The reasons range from "im catholic" to " I just go to church for the girls". one time a woman told us she was already going to 2 churchs. At that point, why not 3? Or "I cant talk now, I have vertigo". Sometimes I just wish people would say No! and sometimes they do. But people are just so nice that they feel like they need to make an excuse for not accepting us.
This week was a scary week! Thanks to you mother! Our cell phone rang 3x one night at 10pm but we didnt have the volume on. It was from pres jackson and he NEVER calls. So we assumed someone in our family had died. The next morning we waited and waited for him to call again because our phne wont let us call out before 1030 am. He finally did and it was all over that loan stuff! But we were veyr afraid. Dont do that again!
Also, the secretaries at the office called me to tell me that one of them was baptized by Justin Larkin- so shout out to the holts and the Larkins. Thank you for baptizing that elder and thank you for the elder who called to tell me about it.
Last week we went to visit an inactive member and we started walking down a road and kept walking and walking and walking and ended up on a farm. They live on a farm! In a tiny tiny home. But the best home ever because its surrounded by banana trees and cows and piglets. Were going back this week to help them with a garden. They gave us bananas. It was so lovely and green! On the way out sister fonseca and I were walking. I asked what time it was and we both reached into our bags and pulled out our cellphones. Problem is we only have one cell phone! I stole the womans cell phone. But she chose to come to church on sunday anyway. hooray!
Pray for investigators so that they will progress. Pray pray pray for me. Im tired of being a terrible person. Ach. I just want to get things right!
Sorry this is so short, I have legal work to sort through! Love you all!
I have been think about the reasons why people do reject us though. The reasons range from "im catholic" to " I just go to church for the girls". one time a woman told us she was already going to 2 churchs. At that point, why not 3? Or "I cant talk now, I have vertigo". Sometimes I just wish people would say No! and sometimes they do. But people are just so nice that they feel like they need to make an excuse for not accepting us.
This week was a scary week! Thanks to you mother! Our cell phone rang 3x one night at 10pm but we didnt have the volume on. It was from pres jackson and he NEVER calls. So we assumed someone in our family had died. The next morning we waited and waited for him to call again because our phne wont let us call out before 1030 am. He finally did and it was all over that loan stuff! But we were veyr afraid. Dont do that again!
Also, the secretaries at the office called me to tell me that one of them was baptized by Justin Larkin- so shout out to the holts and the Larkins. Thank you for baptizing that elder and thank you for the elder who called to tell me about it.
Last week we went to visit an inactive member and we started walking down a road and kept walking and walking and walking and ended up on a farm. They live on a farm! In a tiny tiny home. But the best home ever because its surrounded by banana trees and cows and piglets. Were going back this week to help them with a garden. They gave us bananas. It was so lovely and green! On the way out sister fonseca and I were walking. I asked what time it was and we both reached into our bags and pulled out our cellphones. Problem is we only have one cell phone! I stole the womans cell phone. But she chose to come to church on sunday anyway. hooray!
Pray for investigators so that they will progress. Pray pray pray for me. Im tired of being a terrible person. Ach. I just want to get things right!
Sorry this is so short, I have legal work to sort through! Love you all!
Monday, May 16, 2011
So Much to Say and So Little Mind to Remember
Oiiiiiii!!!!!!
Today has been a good day. We went back to the island and it was beautiful again, this time we went with our zone and had a picnic and flew kites and took hikes through the forest! Thats all I need in my life! We had a zone conference last week and it was wonderful and the most wonderful part was I recieved 7 letters! SEVEN! Thank you anna, mom, makelle, celeste, sisters from the CTM and Nathanael! Everyone is living up to their callings in life (aka writting me on my mission- parabens!!!) But really, your letters lifted my spirits far higher than I can even describe. I laughed, I cried I rejoiced, thank you thank you!!
Oh, but you really should keep up the good work- persevere till the end! The end is in 15 months, I hit my 3 month mark today!im 1/6 of the way down with my mission! I cant speak portuguese very well but I have a pretty good tan!
Now on to more serious matters- I am beautiful. Im not sure you guys knew this but I am. I am beautiful. I say this because I am told this on a daily, nay hourly basis. Its a matter of fact, not opinion. "Sister, sister, aqui, aqui, voce e muito bonita/linda/lalalaallaa" the moral of the story is these people dont see blonds very often. Last night we had ten minute discussion about how I have the face of a child and apparently this is a good thing. Crazy men on the street tell me I am a "beauty gal" and on and and on. It is the obligation of every single Brasileiros to find me and to notify me of my beauty. its a tough job but somebody has to do it. One woman in the ward told me if she was a boy she would wait for me. I told her to talk to tne boys back home.
So last night we had an FHE with some families in the ward, and as we were singing the opening song (poorly) I couldnt help but think about how our family sings befopre fhe and scripture study at night- poorly! It made me kaugh and I sort of felt at home. We watched an old seminary movie dubbed over in portuguese and it took place in utah. When I saw utah I cried- you know youre homesick when you see utah and cry!
I want to tell you about table manners in Brasil. There are really only 3 concepts. 1 you always have rice and beans. 2 you always have a fork in one hand a knife in the other- I think for better eating of the rice and beans. 3 you always " come mais sister, come mais!" and sometimes you dont want to eat more so the technique is to take only a little bit at a time so when they say eat more you comply and the woman of the house doesnt have to cry when you say im full!
Joyce- we probably wont have her baptism this week. Things went really well last week and we taught her a lot and she understood a lot but she didnt come to church and she has to come to church. its a disappointment but we just are hoping for the best. and as for our progressing family- we taught them the law of chastity and it didnt go over so well. So we need more serious investigators. Its been a challenge. Prayers please! and thank you for having me in your prayers, I really mean it. Thank you.
Im out of time today but check my blog for pictures! I love you, I miss you!
sister neptune
Today has been a good day. We went back to the island and it was beautiful again, this time we went with our zone and had a picnic and flew kites and took hikes through the forest! Thats all I need in my life! We had a zone conference last week and it was wonderful and the most wonderful part was I recieved 7 letters! SEVEN! Thank you anna, mom, makelle, celeste, sisters from the CTM and Nathanael! Everyone is living up to their callings in life (aka writting me on my mission- parabens!!!) But really, your letters lifted my spirits far higher than I can even describe. I laughed, I cried I rejoiced, thank you thank you!!
Oh, but you really should keep up the good work- persevere till the end! The end is in 15 months, I hit my 3 month mark today!im 1/6 of the way down with my mission! I cant speak portuguese very well but I have a pretty good tan!
Now on to more serious matters- I am beautiful. Im not sure you guys knew this but I am. I am beautiful. I say this because I am told this on a daily, nay hourly basis. Its a matter of fact, not opinion. "Sister, sister, aqui, aqui, voce e muito bonita/linda/lalalaallaa" the moral of the story is these people dont see blonds very often. Last night we had ten minute discussion about how I have the face of a child and apparently this is a good thing. Crazy men on the street tell me I am a "beauty gal" and on and and on. It is the obligation of every single Brasileiros to find me and to notify me of my beauty. its a tough job but somebody has to do it. One woman in the ward told me if she was a boy she would wait for me. I told her to talk to tne boys back home.
So last night we had an FHE with some families in the ward, and as we were singing the opening song (poorly) I couldnt help but think about how our family sings befopre fhe and scripture study at night- poorly! It made me kaugh and I sort of felt at home. We watched an old seminary movie dubbed over in portuguese and it took place in utah. When I saw utah I cried- you know youre homesick when you see utah and cry!
I want to tell you about table manners in Brasil. There are really only 3 concepts. 1 you always have rice and beans. 2 you always have a fork in one hand a knife in the other- I think for better eating of the rice and beans. 3 you always " come mais sister, come mais!" and sometimes you dont want to eat more so the technique is to take only a little bit at a time so when they say eat more you comply and the woman of the house doesnt have to cry when you say im full!
Joyce- we probably wont have her baptism this week. Things went really well last week and we taught her a lot and she understood a lot but she didnt come to church and she has to come to church. its a disappointment but we just are hoping for the best. and as for our progressing family- we taught them the law of chastity and it didnt go over so well. So we need more serious investigators. Its been a challenge. Prayers please! and thank you for having me in your prayers, I really mean it. Thank you.
Im out of time today but check my blog for pictures! I love you, I miss you!
sister neptune
Photos Galore
1.a neighborhood we work in
2. cereal- I only bought it so i can fashion a case for my BOM out of it- I thought it was funny because it has "briegadros" which is a candy they LOVE here
3.a view of our beautiful neighborhood from our balcony
4. elder anderson and I (from school) in the CTM
5. Elders from GB in the CTM
6.me and a brasilian elder hugging
7; A view from my CTM window- little did I know it was a relatively "nice" view...
8. sister bailey and I cleaning our room
9. My CTM district- minus 4 missionaries, com irmao melo e irma scisci
10. Provo MTC with sister beus who will be going to africa- portuguese speaking
11. my MTC comps! at the map! sis schaeler just got her visa and will be here tomorrow!!!
Monday, May 9, 2011
pictures!!
picture numa 1- some pretty place they went. mayhaps the island they visited?
2- the two of them
3- birthday directions for her companion! (for those of you who can't read portuguese, it says "happy birthday"... i think)
"it looks like the house where they found osama bin laden"
Sister Fonseca and I were laughing about that until we fell asleep last night. Im glad that the nice family who let us skype in their home couldnt understand jake when he said that. The thing is that house was one of the nicer ones in this area! It was so great to see everyone yesterday! I love you all and miss you so much but its good to physically see that you are all alive and well.
Sister Fonseca and I woke up this morning and went to an island. We had no idea where it was and whether it was in our area so we asked around and found out it was close only it really wasnt at all. But we got on the bus and a ferry and found a land as beautiful as you expect brasil to be. Im sure thats what sao paulo looked like before all the people came and trashed it. It was green and lush and ah, just beautiful and if I ever find a place to get pictures developed here I will show you. I miss nature. And solitude.
But, like I said, we have a baptism date! MAy 21!! For dear Joyce. I know Brasil gets the reputation for being a country where you baptize by the millions but thats not here thats Nordeste. (north east) here in sao paulo Its more similar to our country (more or less) so getting a baptism is exciting and it was a lot of hard work. I think we taught her the 1st lesson 5x which makes since considering she didnt have the book of mormon! We taught her sister and mom a bit too. Its so great to see them understanding. We told them about the prophet and apostles we have and they seemed really excited and even more excited that elder christofferson and andersen (apostles of the lord!) were here in their city last week. Yes, this is for real people! So please, pray for joyce! She will make it to that faunt!
We had a jantar for mothers on saturday night, the men and children cooked, and let me tell you it was delicious. It was a competition and the RS pres was smart enough to have joyce help with the judging. The people in Brasil know how to cook. But as for what we eat for breakfast and dinner. I usually have a smoothie for breakfast with some oats in it and for dinner probably like and egg on toast or a ham and cheese sandwhich. We just have a big lunch and little breakfast and dinner.
We had a leadership meeting in the ward on sunday and the stake pres was in charge. It was intense and he set a goal that by august the wards attendance needs to be raised by 30%. It will be a challenge but this ward really needs it! I cant even tell you how many inactives there are. It makes me appreciate our home ward so much. The bishop here is an amazing man but can you imagine how hard it would be to have a ward very few attend and ah, he works so hard. Like all bishops.
We had some interesting lessons this week. Last week we passed a man on the street who recognized us as missionaries. We first thought he was just a creeper but when he said he has a wife and kids we thought "bingo! family!" and then we asked for his address. WHen we sat down at his house, in broken english he said " I know that this book is true, I know that this church is true"..... seriosuly! me too! and then he said something about when he was baptized. Then I got confused, I must have misundersttod the portuguese,again. So I wrote on paper to sister fonseca " is he a MEMBER?" and it turns out he was. And so was his wife. Haha and it was going to be such an easy baptism! Anyway, his family doesnt like the church so he is hesitant to return. His daughter belongs to the Universal church (you should google this, its every brasil missionaries worst nightmare) Anyway, he went on to say that every church is neccesary for gods plan and that we just need to find the one that has the correct "vibrations" for us. So were going to teach him about authority and the restoration again.
We also had a lady who is a 7th day adventist- but not because they believe in baptism by fire... which doesnt mean the gist of the holy ghost. It means you get to speak in tongues. Regardless, we taught her the first lesson and I taught the restoration and Book of Mormon part. I always am afraid people wont understand my words but when we aked her and her husband if they would read and pray about it her husband said no. She then proceeded to retell what I had said and why the Book of Mormon was so important and all about Joseph Smith. She told him he needed to read it. She understood me! And she understood what was actually important! It was an awesome moment! I hope she keeps her heart open like that!
I made chocolate chip cookies on sunday. It was not the same. Nothing is the same. I think I give up on my american whimsies. It just wont work here. sigh.
Please tell Lauren Martin that I have been thinking about her this week and when I get the chance to go to the post office I will write to her!
I love you all so much!
sister neptune
Sister Fonseca and I woke up this morning and went to an island. We had no idea where it was and whether it was in our area so we asked around and found out it was close only it really wasnt at all. But we got on the bus and a ferry and found a land as beautiful as you expect brasil to be. Im sure thats what sao paulo looked like before all the people came and trashed it. It was green and lush and ah, just beautiful and if I ever find a place to get pictures developed here I will show you. I miss nature. And solitude.
But, like I said, we have a baptism date! MAy 21!! For dear Joyce. I know Brasil gets the reputation for being a country where you baptize by the millions but thats not here thats Nordeste. (north east) here in sao paulo Its more similar to our country (more or less) so getting a baptism is exciting and it was a lot of hard work. I think we taught her the 1st lesson 5x which makes since considering she didnt have the book of mormon! We taught her sister and mom a bit too. Its so great to see them understanding. We told them about the prophet and apostles we have and they seemed really excited and even more excited that elder christofferson and andersen (apostles of the lord!) were here in their city last week. Yes, this is for real people! So please, pray for joyce! She will make it to that faunt!
We had a jantar for mothers on saturday night, the men and children cooked, and let me tell you it was delicious. It was a competition and the RS pres was smart enough to have joyce help with the judging. The people in Brasil know how to cook. But as for what we eat for breakfast and dinner. I usually have a smoothie for breakfast with some oats in it and for dinner probably like and egg on toast or a ham and cheese sandwhich. We just have a big lunch and little breakfast and dinner.
We had a leadership meeting in the ward on sunday and the stake pres was in charge. It was intense and he set a goal that by august the wards attendance needs to be raised by 30%. It will be a challenge but this ward really needs it! I cant even tell you how many inactives there are. It makes me appreciate our home ward so much. The bishop here is an amazing man but can you imagine how hard it would be to have a ward very few attend and ah, he works so hard. Like all bishops.
We had some interesting lessons this week. Last week we passed a man on the street who recognized us as missionaries. We first thought he was just a creeper but when he said he has a wife and kids we thought "bingo! family!" and then we asked for his address. WHen we sat down at his house, in broken english he said " I know that this book is true, I know that this church is true"..... seriosuly! me too! and then he said something about when he was baptized. Then I got confused, I must have misundersttod the portuguese,again. So I wrote on paper to sister fonseca " is he a MEMBER?" and it turns out he was. And so was his wife. Haha and it was going to be such an easy baptism! Anyway, his family doesnt like the church so he is hesitant to return. His daughter belongs to the Universal church (you should google this, its every brasil missionaries worst nightmare) Anyway, he went on to say that every church is neccesary for gods plan and that we just need to find the one that has the correct "vibrations" for us. So were going to teach him about authority and the restoration again.
We also had a lady who is a 7th day adventist- but not because they believe in baptism by fire... which doesnt mean the gist of the holy ghost. It means you get to speak in tongues. Regardless, we taught her the first lesson and I taught the restoration and Book of Mormon part. I always am afraid people wont understand my words but when we aked her and her husband if they would read and pray about it her husband said no. She then proceeded to retell what I had said and why the Book of Mormon was so important and all about Joseph Smith. She told him he needed to read it. She understood me! And she understood what was actually important! It was an awesome moment! I hope she keeps her heart open like that!
I made chocolate chip cookies on sunday. It was not the same. Nothing is the same. I think I give up on my american whimsies. It just wont work here. sigh.
Please tell Lauren Martin that I have been thinking about her this week and when I get the chance to go to the post office I will write to her!
I love you all so much!
sister neptune
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Im German and my Hair is NOT Red
Oh the lies Brasilians tell me. Whenever my companions asks someone to guess where im from they guess germany. and everyone refuses to believe my hair is any shade of red. Its blond through and through! maybe in 16 months or so it will be red again. sighs.
Ok, so the other day my companion had a meeting for leaders since shes training so I went on exchanges with another american who probably speaks worse than me. AND we had to take the bus. Which is SO scary! But we lived! Were here. We even taught 3 lessons and learned a lot. Sure, we cant speak perfectly but we can teach. Its real! During one of the lesson an investigator asked
So what different about brasil?
resposta: todas coisas!!!!
the way you knock on doors (ie clap and yell their name) because every door is behond a metal gate
the way you flush the toilet
the way stray dogs are everywhere and poop everywhere
the way sweet potatoes are NOT the same vegetable
the way papagaious (parrots) are in everyones home even though its illegal and annoying. (someone, search the consequences of parrot murder for me)
the way the milk comes in boxes and doesnt have to be refrigerated till after you open it
the way ten year old girls dress.... ooooohhh mmmmmyyy
the bus (oh the horror) its crowded to the max times a million. its like a highschool dance
the way funk music plays everywhere! imagine rap on crack cocaine
the way it rains and pours and pours
the way we greet people, a hug and a kiss on the cheek, always
the way you buy bread at a bakery... like in olden days and its so cheap!
the way you have to buy things. You buy paper at the paper store, fruit at the fruit stand, drugs at the drug store. There is no one stop.
the way you put your trash in baskets outside the house and they clear them 3 times a week
the traffic
the soccer games
the HUGE easter eggs, but no hunts
the way people rarely ever decline a visit to hear about the gospel but are somehow never home! haha
oh the list can go on and on, and perhaps it will... next week!
mom- tell margo shaw the flip flops she got me are brasilian and they are SUPE|R chic here. Like they are upper class footwear. Havianas.
Ok so the american dollar is worth twice as much here but everything is twice as expensive and two times more cheap. Do that math, I lose here.
This area needs a lot of help, sister Fonseca and I are really excite about helping it change. Our investigators are all pretty new and no one is on date for baptism. We havent had one since january! One family is pretty close to golden if it wasnt for the smoking and the not being married thing (people dont get married here. seriously, its rare. they just say they are married) but I really do believe they can do it. Pray for Jose, altemera and Danilo!
My hand is finally healing from the freak lemon/sun accident and I can see my knuckles again! So things are looking up!!! Ok, I love you all and please write to me so people think im popular! my mission address, the mission home one is always the one to write to!!
And thats all for now. There are those things that my zone leader just says we dont tell our mothers about. in his words " dear mom: its great here, people love us! miracles happen everyday! 3 baptisms this week and did I mention the people on the bus are so polite, they even let us have their seats! Brasil is the greatest! the mission rocks!!"
Haha, but really. I love it. Its a struggle and some moments i just want to be home but when im working hard I just want to be here with my 3 year old vocabulary and complete lack of comprehension! beides, i love beans and rice!
love sister neptune!
Ok, so the other day my companion had a meeting for leaders since shes training so I went on exchanges with another american who probably speaks worse than me. AND we had to take the bus. Which is SO scary! But we lived! Were here. We even taught 3 lessons and learned a lot. Sure, we cant speak perfectly but we can teach. Its real! During one of the lesson an investigator asked
So what different about brasil?
resposta: todas coisas!!!!
the way you knock on doors (ie clap and yell their name) because every door is behond a metal gate
the way you flush the toilet
the way stray dogs are everywhere and poop everywhere
the way sweet potatoes are NOT the same vegetable
the way papagaious (parrots) are in everyones home even though its illegal and annoying. (someone, search the consequences of parrot murder for me)
the way the milk comes in boxes and doesnt have to be refrigerated till after you open it
the way ten year old girls dress.... ooooohhh mmmmmyyy
the bus (oh the horror) its crowded to the max times a million. its like a highschool dance
the way funk music plays everywhere! imagine rap on crack cocaine
the way it rains and pours and pours
the way we greet people, a hug and a kiss on the cheek, always
the way you buy bread at a bakery... like in olden days and its so cheap!
the way you have to buy things. You buy paper at the paper store, fruit at the fruit stand, drugs at the drug store. There is no one stop.
the way you put your trash in baskets outside the house and they clear them 3 times a week
the traffic
the soccer games
the HUGE easter eggs, but no hunts
the way people rarely ever decline a visit to hear about the gospel but are somehow never home! haha
oh the list can go on and on, and perhaps it will... next week!
mom- tell margo shaw the flip flops she got me are brasilian and they are SUPE|R chic here. Like they are upper class footwear. Havianas.
Ok so the american dollar is worth twice as much here but everything is twice as expensive and two times more cheap. Do that math, I lose here.
This area needs a lot of help, sister Fonseca and I are really excite about helping it change. Our investigators are all pretty new and no one is on date for baptism. We havent had one since january! One family is pretty close to golden if it wasnt for the smoking and the not being married thing (people dont get married here. seriously, its rare. they just say they are married) but I really do believe they can do it. Pray for Jose, altemera and Danilo!
My hand is finally healing from the freak lemon/sun accident and I can see my knuckles again! So things are looking up!!! Ok, I love you all and please write to me so people think im popular! my mission address, the mission home one is always the one to write to!!
And thats all for now. There are those things that my zone leader just says we dont tell our mothers about. in his words " dear mom: its great here, people love us! miracles happen everyday! 3 baptisms this week and did I mention the people on the bus are so polite, they even let us have their seats! Brasil is the greatest! the mission rocks!!"
Haha, but really. I love it. Its a struggle and some moments i just want to be home but when im working hard I just want to be here with my 3 year old vocabulary and complete lack of comprehension! beides, i love beans and rice!
love sister neptune!
Mais uma Semana
Oi!
I guess there isnt much to talk about this week, just lots of language, lessons and learning. Sister Bailey and I have been working really hard on our lessons every day and our portuguese and teaching has improved. Its really difficult and time consuming the way we outline but it has helped a lot! I have learned so much since being in this CTM. I am really grateful I got to spend this month here. I dont know that I would have learned as much portuguese if I were in provo, well I know I wouldnt. Its still really difficult but I am beginning to comprehend more and more each day. It will be bittersweet to leave next tuesday, the 19th. I love it here so much! i love my teachers and the other missionaries and our district is finally down to the coolest people!
We are having the greatest pday today! I went to the SP temple this morning and only got a little motion sick on the bus, in an hour were going shopping with the CTM pres wife. (which should be kept on the down low) we told her we wanted a couple more skirts because we brought heavy ones. She told us about this store. We asked if it was in our boundaries and she said " i dont know, ill get someone to drive you" shes so very fabulous. I adore her, and she likes my outfits and my hair and my face so shes basically just a really great person to be around- see ill miss this about the CTM too! For lunch/dinner were going to a brasilian restaurant with our teachers. Our district is down to 6 now so its just a lot of fun!
I thought id share the most amazing ability i have developed while on my mission. That talent is sleeping wherever/whenever. I used to be so fussy about sleep, the temperature needed to be right, the clothes had to be the perfect texture of cotton, the lights and the noise had to be just so. Not anymore. If you arent talking to me or I dont have a task to accomplish im likely asleep. I can sleep on busses, in the temple, for a minute or 2 hours. Note to family and friends: when I get home from my mission I will sleep for 1 week straight.
I wish I could share pictures with you. I hope I can print some or upload some when I get to the field next tuesday morning! I am going to the field next tuesday morning, ready or not!
We have had some really amazing lightening storms lately. They are loud and beautiful! Anyway, sorry this is short. We need to get going on laundry and stuff. Pdays always seem to be the shortest days of the week. Eu sei que este igreja e o unico igreja verdadiero em a terra. Eu so grato pro o evanghelo. Joseph Smith fui um profeta! Eu amo o amo voces mutio!
Hopefully my emails will be more exciting starting next week! Pray that I wont be sent to the sketchier parts!
I guess there isnt much to talk about this week, just lots of language, lessons and learning. Sister Bailey and I have been working really hard on our lessons every day and our portuguese and teaching has improved. Its really difficult and time consuming the way we outline but it has helped a lot! I have learned so much since being in this CTM. I am really grateful I got to spend this month here. I dont know that I would have learned as much portuguese if I were in provo, well I know I wouldnt. Its still really difficult but I am beginning to comprehend more and more each day. It will be bittersweet to leave next tuesday, the 19th. I love it here so much! i love my teachers and the other missionaries and our district is finally down to the coolest people!
We are having the greatest pday today! I went to the SP temple this morning and only got a little motion sick on the bus, in an hour were going shopping with the CTM pres wife. (which should be kept on the down low) we told her we wanted a couple more skirts because we brought heavy ones. She told us about this store. We asked if it was in our boundaries and she said " i dont know, ill get someone to drive you" shes so very fabulous. I adore her, and she likes my outfits and my hair and my face so shes basically just a really great person to be around- see ill miss this about the CTM too! For lunch/dinner were going to a brasilian restaurant with our teachers. Our district is down to 6 now so its just a lot of fun!
I thought id share the most amazing ability i have developed while on my mission. That talent is sleeping wherever/whenever. I used to be so fussy about sleep, the temperature needed to be right, the clothes had to be the perfect texture of cotton, the lights and the noise had to be just so. Not anymore. If you arent talking to me or I dont have a task to accomplish im likely asleep. I can sleep on busses, in the temple, for a minute or 2 hours. Note to family and friends: when I get home from my mission I will sleep for 1 week straight.
I wish I could share pictures with you. I hope I can print some or upload some when I get to the field next tuesday morning! I am going to the field next tuesday morning, ready or not!
We have had some really amazing lightening storms lately. They are loud and beautiful! Anyway, sorry this is short. We need to get going on laundry and stuff. Pdays always seem to be the shortest days of the week. Eu sei que este igreja e o unico igreja verdadiero em a terra. Eu so grato pro o evanghelo. Joseph Smith fui um profeta! Eu amo o amo voces mutio!
Hopefully my emails will be more exciting starting next week! Pray that I wont be sent to the sketchier parts!
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