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
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