Você Quer Saber A Verdade? - April 28, 2014

Family!!! Friends!!! People!

This week was....great!! Well, not for my companion. This week started out a bit rough. She was super sick for the first couple of days. So we really didn't have the opportunity to work. My poor companions body is just falling apart. Just kidding...she is doing a lot better now! Those American drugs work wonders, ya hear? 

But our first normal day, we had this plan to go and visit every single investigator. We planned sooooooo good for that day, everything detailed, and ready. Because we had missed so much, that we wanted to work and visit a lot. So lunch finishes, and we got dropped off back at our apartment. We were picking up things, when our District Leader calls. The assistants have given a challenge for our zone. Go out and invite, and then later confirm 25 people for church. My companion hangs up the phone, and we sat there. We aren't teaching 25 people, we have no new investigators this week due to lack of work.....what?!?!! All 4 sisters sat there, like...how are we going to do this. When finally it hit us. Every sister take 15 pamphlets and lets just station our an area and talk with everyone. So we start writing number and addresses on the back of the pamphlets and getting ready to do this. As we are doing this..it just starts pouring, thunder, lightening. It was horrible. And my companion says, to be funny, "Its like we need to fast or something!!!" As soon as she said that, the rain stops. We all just looked at each other, stood up, went to our separate corners/rooms and started fasting. We walk out and its completely sunshine!!! Haha, so we finished with the pamphlets. But we still haven't decided where we should this? Where is it gonna be busy? We prayed, and at the end, we all said somewhere completely different. We prayed again, and after my companion and I said Metro...but the others thought no. So we prayed again. This time, Sister Melo asked not where should we go...but if the Metro was where we needed to be. And right after she asked that in the prayer, it was just silent....and it was made clear that Metro was where we needed to be. We finished that prayer and just stared at each other...like "Did you all feel that?????" The spirit was incredibly moving then. 

We headed for the metro, with the goal that we cant leave until each and every pamphlet is out of our Hands. Which meant for me, that I was going to have to talk to people ALONE. Without S. Tanaka helping!! Haha, I mean what? I kind of freaked out....but as I started talking, and the people responded, and I understood...I calmed down. I realized that the Lord's hand is in everything. He is going to guide me, because I am helping his Children take one step closer to him. And that is exactly what happened. With every person I talked to, whether they were open and receptive or not, I felt growth, I felt his love...I felt comforted. And I knew that it was because the Lord was there. I may have physically been alone, without my companion, but I had a companion on my side. Standing next to me, it was my Savior. I know it. I felt it. 

This week was slow. With a companion being sick, and more Holidays (can you believe it? I think we have a holiday once a week here)

Last week of my second transfer! Can you believe it? Next week we will find out if Im still in Good ole Guara 1! 

--

Sister Craig!

Happy Birthday Brasilia and Happy Easter!! - April 22, 2014

So I am a day late....because it was Brasilia's birthday yesterday! And apparently the area I am in is the Texas of America. Because our area was the ONLY one that every store was shut down. The town was a desert last night. As it had been all weekend due to catholic holidays and such. 

Right now I am writing to you guys from a different area! Aza Sul. We just got out of our District Meeting and are waiting to go to the hospital ( yes again....) for my companion. So we are in the area of our zone leaders. Hospitals here are ridiculous and we will be spending the day in Aza Sul. Hahah, dang it. 

Happy Birthday to Sister Willardson and Bryce Baby.... 

Happy Easter!!!!!!! 

It was an awesome easter. 1) Because we have an awesome ward here. The people really are truly incredible people. We were getting ready for church, it was about 730 in the morning. We get a call from the bishops wife saying that our lunch was cancelled but she has pans of food for us. So we rush down stairs outside...and the entire family of the bishop is all dressed up as bunnies (yes, the bishop too) and they were hiding with easter baskets for us and chocolate eggs. Down here in Brazil they have these HUGE and really expensive chocolate eggs...and they are really really expensive.So a couple members went in on it... one of them being Iramo Chequino...(The one that sends pics always), our ward mission leader, bishop, patriarch. This ward is incredible. 2) The sacrament meeting was incredible. This week a missionary returned from his mission and he bore his testimony of Christ. The talks given were incredible...it was all just sooooo good. The spirit was so strong! Sunday night we had a family night with Irma Lena, whose son just returned, and her entire less active family. Her other son is the Ward Mission Leader to the sisters of Guara 2. So they came and Sister Tanaka and I gave the message, of course about The Atonement. It was all and all just a really good Easter. A lot to remember, but the spirit was with us the entire day.

This week we finally got to teach Paulo Agusto. The 18 year old that was very forward about his search for the truth and was at conference. He is basically a miracle as of right now. We taught him, and the lesson was 2 hours long. Because he had questions about every single thing we said. Not questioning to bash, not questioning to be annoying. Questioning out of real interest. He is so sincere, so interested. It was incredible, and a very detailed lesson. Haha. I mean 2 hours worth of the restoration... 

This week Sister Tanaka and I decided to pre-question for baptism, Antonio...if you guys remember him. The investigator with the dream, incredible. Well we went to his house with members that he knows. We were just talking because he left sacrament early. And we didn't know why. Turns out he had Dangy...a really nasty disease that hurts, and you have zero energy, and you cant do anything but just wait it out. But he still came to church regardless!!!! Incredible. Anyways, we taught the commandments, and asked the baptismal questions. We have some work to do with him, but not anything because he doesn't believe. He is so sincere, and has such an incredible faith in the Gospel. He knows. So we are really excited to continue working with him. Because I know he will be a firm member, once he is a member. 

This week was hard to work. The entire town here shuts down when it is a holiday...and it was a holiday Thursday until yesterday. Everyone was traveling, including members. So I don't have much to report on.

We just had an awesome District Meeting. Elder Calderon gave an incredible doctrine on the Atonement. Everyone, including Elders, were crying. I liked one question he asked. What is the Atonement doing for you right now in your life? Just think about that. How is it helping, guiding...etc.  

I know this Gospel is true. I am so grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He paid the price for every single one of us, so that we may return to our Heavenly Father. The price was big for him, and what he asks of us in return is so little. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet. I am so grateful for his example. 

Love you all. Excited to talk to you guys in a couple weeks!! 

 

--

Sister Craig!

Miracles, Miracles---Everywhere! April 14, 2014

Family!!! 

First and foremost-- CONGRATS to KAYLEE!!!! Wahoooooo!!! Im going to count her as one of my baptisms too ;). Proud of you Kaylee Babe! Sounds like a good week for all back at home.

This week was AWESOME! 

First and Foremost-- MOM AND DAD. I got the package :) Thanks....it came at the up most needed opportunity. And also, the scarf is adorable. Nice touch mom. The Elders that brought it made me fashion it. Now they all know how styling you are!

This week was....spiritual. Yeah, that is how I would describe it. 

First off, the Patriach's wife is in the hospital and its very serious. I don't know what she has...because sorry my medical knowledge in portuguese is not up to par...and if you remember me at all...it will never be up to par. Ewie. But she went to the hospital and is in the equivalent of the ICU... She went the Friday before conference. Her son is the Mission President of my companions home ward. And he was called to be a Seventy this General Conference. But cute little Irma Laurita didn't get to see it. This family is incredible. They have a bunch of kids that moved to Florida and played semi-pro soccer there, but are now coaching. And they are less active. More than less active...its really sad. But this family moved here for the summer for the World Cup. They are really truly against the church. Get really frustrated when missionaries visit type of thing... But when we stopped by to visit Irmao Pacheco and just be there for him, the son was totally different with us. This son speaks portuguese but his wife nor children don't. But he was SO friendly toward Sister Tanaka and I. He asked us to teach his daughter (15/16 year old) portuguese. And so we set up a portuguese class with her. But everybody in the family came up and was like you are going to teach her through the discussions right?? My companion and I just laughed...of course... haha. But the less active dad is totally okay with that. He WANTS her baptized.... it was a miracle. Seriously. I probably cried... 

Second...ERASMO FINALLY CAME TO CHURCH! Erasmo is the husband of Celia, Son of Antonio. And difficult as ever... but I love them. There date for baptism is next week...but on Saturday we totally thought it was going to have to change. Because they STILL hadn't come to church. So my companion and I stopped by their house Saturday night at 830 after a baby shower. My companion, who has serious stomach issues, was having a really tough time, wanted to go home. But I knew we needed to stop there. So we did. We begin talking with Erasmo...same old promise he gave us. But then...My companion starts to talk about all the times we have a bad day, and we visit them and instantly feel better. She shared how at the moment she felt horrible, but as she started talking to Erasmo, she felt better. He just looked at us and said, You can always call us. And immediately after that everything changed. He began to ask us what happens after we leave and finish our missions and how him and Celia were never going to see us again. And my companion mid sentence about Facebook just stopped. And we both looked at each other and said...We are going to see you again. And then my companion threw in...You are going to go to Sao Paulo. And Erasmo looked at us like we were crazy. Haha, we are. But he wanted to know more. I questioned him about Celia, and if he wanted to be with her forever, and if he wanted to be with his Dad forever too. As he answered the questions he said he started to feel something, something he had never felt before. And my companion and I refused to explain how life eternal could be his, the only thing we said was the word, TEMPLES. (mainly cause it was 8:45, and we lived 20 minutes away). But he just became super interested....(finally, he feels the spirit haha)....and Sunday...HE WAS AT CHURCH!!! Haha, miracle. It was testimony meeting...and even more of a miracle, it was our wards week at the temple in Sao Paulo...so every member was talking about Temples... I felt like Kaylee and Mike with word of the day at church. Every time they would say temple, Erasmo just looked at me..like...HEY!! haha, it was hilarious...but at the same time an incredible experience to have. He started crying....it was an awesome sunday. I loved it. 

We also had more investigators there! Which was awesome, but difficult to get everyone everywhere. But we did it.

This week the members really stepped in with us. We had a lot of teenagers that came and taught with us for a couple hours. One of named, Dudu... (hold your laughs, thats a common name here, and has nothing to do about the bathroom) But he is a 15 year old kid in our ward. His Grandma and mom are the only firm members in their HUGE family...seriously huge. The same situation of the Mansell side of things...everybody knows each other. But we have been working with Dudu, to keep him firm, and also his brother David and his Uncle. They are incredible people, just lost way a little bit. They have a strong desire to return, but need a little push. Thats what we are for, right?

It has been so fun to have 2 more sisters in this area! We have pajama nights sometimes that last about 20 minutes...haha until we are all dead asleep at 1030. But it is way fun. And we have a lot of fun members that just are always so willing to help. 

This week I went to my first Brazilian Baby Shower. It was different...haha. Seriously, not a baby shower. It was for our investigator that is 17, and awesome. But this was an excuse for her mother in law to throw a big party. And when we went...we left.  haha. Dropped some diapers off for her, said Hi and peaced. But it was good we went...because nobody was talking to the center of the party!! Eeka. Funny story. Before I say this, everything was blue...EVERYTHING. Blankets...clothes...the babies name was on everything, on the wall...BLUE BLUE BLUE. We were sitting there, and talking to Arleisa (investigator) and one of the guests comes up and asks...´so is it a boy...or girl...´ I just couldn't believe it...hahaha. My companion and I busted up a gut after about that one. The sad part is, the next day... Arleisa and Amanda didn't go to church...and we have to cut them...which is going to be way hard.... 

Anyways...this week was good. My companion and I worked really hard to achieve the Silent Standards...because it was Standards week. So we worked a lot. a lot a lot a lot. But... we did it. First time for me!!

We have a lot of baptisms coming up that I am super excited for...we have worked really hard to help these members, and it has been such an incredible learning experience for us. 

Today I am writing a bit later because we had a Zone Activity. I want to send pics, but the computer I have today USB thing doesn't work. We played water balloon volleyball, treasure hunt for Easter (is that this week??? Nobody knows down here...) Ate some Brazilian pancakes (crepes with taco meat...) it was a good time had by all....I am pretty sure I am sunburnt to a crisp...but it was worth it. And yes...Aunt Gay, I put on sunscreen....

Anyways, love you all!!! Miss you guys lots. Was thinking about you lots this week, and am of course, always praying for you!! You know what they say...home is where the heart is. :)

LOVE YOU!

Sister Craig

Pictures - April 14, 2014

Mission President and his wife.....and the group i arrived with!

This is our new zone! They are awesome. From top to bottom, left to right. Elder Neres, Elder Furphy, Elder Brown, Elder Chaves, Elder Gil, Elder Bautista, Elder Willardson, Elder Torales, Elder Schinigoski, Sister Melo, Sister Bezzera, Sister Timario, Elder Reis, Sister Bennion, Me, Elder Calderon, Sister Proença, Elder Fonceca, Sister M. Silva, Sister Tanaka.

Eh, probably makes no sense. but. They are SO FUN!!!!

Pictures - April 7, 2014

Sister Tanaka with her Birthday pizzas

And Jefferson and Isabella (cutest Brazilian girl ever....) Jefferson just got his mission call to Sao Paulo! Wahoo!! 

At the ward mission activity we have every thursday the primary surprise Sister Tanaka with a cake..and she cried...it was hilarious. 

All the sisters that i live with. Sister M. Silva, Sister Melo, Sister Tanaka and ME

All the sisters in my zone! Ya!!

Hello? Anyone There? - April 7, 2014

Family! 

Alright-- I guess I will start the letters this week! 

Conference was INCREDIBLE. Seriously by far the best conference I have ever experienced. Yes the conferences talks were amazing ( I will go into that later) but our investigators!!!! The church is true!!!

1) Francisco and Pricila- These are the investigators that cannot grip the Book of Mormon. Children of a pastor. They love to ask other people, and the internet their questions instead of asking our Father in Heaven. They are challenging, but they are amazing people! And I love working with them. And they finally came to church!!! They came to the Sunday Afternoon (Sunday night for us...) session. Two members in our ward, Amauri and Gabi drove them to the chapel and they came! These members were a gift sent from heaven. Everything this couple needed. Afterwards, Francisco and Pricila said that they loved it! And it looked to me that they really like Amauri and Gabi! Wahoo! Member friends...this ward is incredible. During Elder Cowbridge (spelling???)  talk I was crying. Because I knew they were there. And this was the talk that they needed to hear. And they did, they heard every word. Foi Incrivel! Yup.

2) Domingas--She is the mom of two Recent Converts. Milena and Bea are 10 and 13 years old. And have the biggest testimony of this gospel. We have been trying to work with their parents, but its difficult cause they are always working. But Domingas came to church. And she loved it too. And loved the time with her two daughters. Incredible.

3) Paulo ´Miracles´ Agusto- He is a 17 year old boy that works in the grocery store really close to our apartment. And we always go there..cause they have Pao de Quejo with Carne. And its incredible. And when we go, and he is working-- he is ALWAYS just eyeing us. But we never thought twice about it. Mainly because my companion said that she contacted him with her last companions and he was totally not into it, and didn't want it. But as we were checking out, he contacted us! Asking us where our church was and if he could come. Uh......OF COURSE! And he actually came. We had a member pick him up too. Andre (Reminds me of Rob Mansell...seriously.)and his wife Barbara. And so he came and he sat with Andre and a bunch of men during the Sunday night session too! We rode home with them after the session when all of a sudden Paulo just starts to talk. Starts telling us how he is looking for the truth. This alone made us happy. He begins questioning about missions. Well tell him about the ages, and how its optional for woman and its expected of men. When he says, (and I quote and translate...) Im not ready to serve right now, but If Im ready when I turn 18, I will go. Every member in the car after that statement was silent. We didn't expect that to happen..haha. We quickly picked up our jaws and answered more of his other questions. I am pretty sure we taught a mini version of every pre-baptism missionary lesson in the 20 minute car ride...just because he had so many questions. But as my companion was explaining...all of a sudden I heard her inviting him to be baptized on April 20th. Again--silence in the car. This time he was silent too. When he says--if I know this is the true church, then yes, I will be baptized in it. 

UH DOUBLE WHAT? Seriously by this moment in time Im just sitting there in shock, praying to Heavenly Father in gratitude. I don't even know how to sum this story up...where to go... It was just incredible all in all. A real testament to me that I have people here who are waiting for us to teach them. And just because a person has been contacted, doesn't mean that their time is NOW. Just like Paulo--he wasn't ready when contacted...but we can try try again. As Elder Ballard talked about-- Consistent, Persistant, Follow up. Rise up and walk--Replace your fear with your real faith. 

Anyways-- now just to even talk about conference.... Yes, I watched it in English. It was really fun. Haha, all the American missionaries (fluent in portuguese or not) listen in the english session...cause its better! So it was really fun to kind of just relax in our own special room and just talk in english. Actually--it felt really nice to talk in english! haha.  I cant even pick a favorite talk! They all were incredible! I loved Elder Bednar's talk about the Atonement. I loved all the talks about loving one another, and treating others with respect. I double loved Elder Cooks talk about temple work when he told the story about the lady who heard, And the prisoner shall go free. I got chills. 

I cant believe they just started out with the bam of Elder Holland! Haha, Man, I don't know...I seriously loved them all. I think its different when you are a missionary...because every talk is something an investigator needs, and others are exactly what you need. Difficult! 

Life has been different here with other Sisters in our area! One--I am learning portuguese a LOT faster. Haha.. and two...we are double contacting each others contacts! Our area is not that huge to begin with...but now we have double the missionaries to work in it. But I love the other Sisters! They are so awesome! 

We had another splits. This time Sister Tanaka went to Aza Norte with Sister Jackson, and I stayed with Sister Groneman. But...sadly...Sister Groneman got Dangy. So we had to stay inside and she slept all day. Haha. 

This week was my companions birthday! I made her an american fun fetti cake with fun fetti icing. Haven't had that much sugar in a while. Haha. And our Ward Mission Leader invited us over for a ´family night´ but really he bought Brazilian pizza and the bishop and fam came over and we had a mini party. By the way..you should all know that Brazilian pizza includes eggs, green olives, peppers, tomatoes...I am missing a solid Dominos pepperoni pizza. 

Other than that--just a normal week here in Guara 1! 

Hope everything is swell on the other side of the equator! Love you all! Cant wait to hear whats going on over there and how everybody's conference was!

-

Sister Craig!

March 5, 2014

My skirt! And the bow i made with left over fabric! I am so crafty!!!  Teach y'all when I return :)

March 5, 2014

My zone! P day.... they are such fun kids!

Pao de Quejo..cheese bread...and Acai...which is a fruit here that is heavenly. In America, we cover it in chocolate..but here they blend it with granola and banana...and its heaven like. and it makes me so happy.