It's like I am famous. - May 26, 2014

Guys!!!!!!! Its been a great week!!!!

First off---Happy Birthday to my Ashlynn Girl!!!! Wahoo!!!! She is getting so old!!

Okay..so actually this week was normal...up until Saturday.

Saturday Morning was the day of Elder Anderson!!!! Wahoo. I am just going to start from the beginning. One, our mission got lucky. He ended up canceling a lot of Mission visits...but ours was one of few that wasn't cancelled. 

So the Assistants had us arrive there at like the crack of dawn, just to be safe. So 2 hours later, they start setting everyone in the spots for the mission picture with Elder Anderson. First off, you can all feel bad for any missionary that is in Palmas right now. They are 12 away from Brasilia, but still our mission, and they didn't get to come for this. Haha, so that really stinks. But still without them...we had 180 missionaries, more or less. 

So Elder Koelliker and Elder Swallow got everyone in their place...and it was about8:10...we still have 50 minutes, right? And its just this wild mess. Everyone is excited, talking to everybody...and Elder Koelliker looks at me and just gives that look like...I gotta do something! So he gets everyone's attention and says we are going to sing a hymn. And then he asked me to lead the group while he works on preparing other stuff. So here I am, in front of 180 missionaries, and everyone is just singing their hearts out. When one hymn finishes, everyone is bursting out numbers for which hymn they want to sing. But holy tar, Mom, you would have loved to see this sight. It was incredible. Every song we sang, it didn't matter which, as I looked at the group, into every missionary, I felt their love of the Savior through their singing. The spirit was so strong as I listened and heard 180 missionaries sing about the Spirit of God, or about Joseph Smith's First prayer...or even when they sang Nearer my God to Thee. It definitely was one of my highlights of the morning. After, we stopped because we had word that Elder Anderson had arrived. As missionaries, we planned a special surprise that as he entered the church, we would be singing our Mission Hymn. It is a Brazilian hymn, but it talks about bringing the world the gospel. So as he entered, the Brasilia Mission was singing "Ide por Todo Mundo".And when he entered the gym, with President and Sister Gaertner, and the millions of security, it felt as if Christ had actually just walked into the room, and was listening to us sing. It was INCREDIBLE. Holy cow!! I can't name one Sister that wasn't crying... And even some Elders. 

So we took our picture, and after we had the chance to shake the hand of Elder Anderson and his adorable wife. Which was awesome...just leave it at that. 

Then began the talks. First our President and his wife bore their testimony...and then 2 more people, I think of the area of the 70, bore theirs. And then the choir sang Called to Serve...and it was really good... And then Sister Anderson!!! Ahh, it was amazing. Elder and Sister Anderson speak Portuguese, but it is broken, and has the biggest accent. But it was adorable!!! Anyways, she only spoke a little in Portuguese. They both had translators. She talked about how we need to listen up. Haha, she talked about the 12 apostles and the Prophet, and how even though she is married to Elder Anderson, she still takes notes on his talks, because he still is a Servant of the Lord, and his words are truly inspired words of God. 

And now--- ELDER ANDERSON!!!!!

Okay, so to start off, being in the choir, we had the privilege of sitting in the FIRST row. To be able to describe what happened feels impossible, so I am just going to do my best. Elder Anderson talked about the Atonement of Christ, and as missionary this is our focus. This is biggest claim a person can gain a testimony of. Once they gain this testimony, and have felt of the sacrifice made for them personally, in their life, everything else just makes sense. The cool thing that happened, was he didn't stay standing in the pulpit, which even if he did, I was right there, and he smiled and made eye contact with me multiple times (I am famous.) But the fact that he got down from the pulpit and walked around, and included our thoughts and opinions was even better. We talked a lot about the scriptural reference of the Atonement and if we haven't studied each and every single chapter that talks about the atonement, then we have a new goal this week. As he closed his talk, he was standing right in front of me. Bearing his testimony of the Savior, of the Restoration, and as he spoke the words that our heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us, he looked me straight into the eye. And in that moment, I really truly felt the Love that God had for me. Because I know of a surety that in that moment...the penetrating look I received from Elder Anderson, wasn't Elder Anderson. It was the comfort and love I was receiving from my Heavenly Father, through his Servant. He wasn't looking at me, to look somewhere. He was really truly looking at me, as a Sister in Christ. As a daughter of God. And in that moment, my Testimony that the Lord lives and loves, but also he loves us so much that he has called 12 apostles, a living prophet, to guide this world. 

And so, to end this monstrous story, I know that this weekend was a once in a lifetime opportunity. But for me, it was last. My testimony of the Savior is this-- He died for us. He paid the price for us. He did everything, perfectly to fulfill the plan. And through this price, we have a great opportunity. Joseph Smith restored this Gospel. He translated the Book of Mormon, and I believe it is a testament of Christ. 

I know God lives. He loves us.

I love you guys. I feel of your love daily. Seriously, there are moments that I sit down, and know in that moment, I have an eternal family that loves me. And I love them. 

Praying for you.

Also, Elder Anderson said he likes 2 Nephi 9:41 a lot. Probably one of his Favorites.

Sister Craig :)

.......errr now what? - May 19, 2014

Hey Family!! 

Gotta a lot to say for you guys! 

This week started off...well sad. Tuesday we went to lunch at an Irma's house. She has one daughter who lives with her and her husband. And her daughter has a son. So it is the Irma and Daughter who are members of the church. And Sister Melo and Sister M. Silva have been trying to teach the husband...actually a ton of missionaries have tried helping him. So we were at lunch, and he was there...and he always makes funny comments about how I am an American. Anyways, he was there, joking with us, talking....everything. Everything was normal. We leave and everything is normal. We return to our house at 9:15, and receive a text message. That he died an hour after we left. He had a left to go buy something...and had a heart attack in the middle of the street. And so this week we spent time with this family. Trying to help in whatever way we could. It was hard to watch them go through this. But each and every day they are showing improvement. 

This week was also a week of a TON of challenges/goals. The assistants sent out one goal for how many new investigators, and then the president wanted everyone to try for the "Padrão de Silencia." In english thats like...the standards. So my companion and I, took the challenges. And every day we were working our little tails off to do this. We were half way through the week, and we had half the goal....and we were sitting there...planning, we both looked at what we had. And we decided that the last half of the goals were going to be in the hands of the Lord. So we knelt down in prayer and asked the for the next people we find, talk to, to be people that are actually looking, that have a true desire.

Surely enough, that night, we decided to visit ex-investigators, that we had to cut my first transfer. And they all showed a better interest. And told us they had one. Wahooo!! But just wait, after that...we were walking to meet the other Sisters. When a lady stopped us, having a beer in her hand, and asked if we were of the church. And we said yes, started talking...and she just starts spilling out everything. How she had been praying to God to find the right church. She has had 2 different boyfriends that she lived with, and has one now....but they were having problems. My companion starts explaining the pamphlet we ended up giving her...and when it was my turn to talk...I started talking about how she was a daughter of God, and that in this moment...He wants her to know that He loves her. And in this moment, I started crying. Haha, cause I am a baby! No...but really because...I could feel the words coming from Heaven. It wasn't me talking. I wasn't planning on saying anything of that. And we sat there, and she said to us, I know what you guys are doing is the truth. I can feel it. I really truly can. Anyways we marked a day to visit her, but really...she marked it with us. Haha. And as she walked away, she poured out the entire can of beer that was in her hand. When we visited her, there was some other missionary of another church there, and her boyfriend. She ended up canceling the lesson...but as she walked us to the door she said, "Look, I am moving out. This isn't right. I know it. I want you guys to visit me in my new house. So I am going to call you Monday night with my address. Please come visit me." And she apologized for the situation....but hey, she marked another date. And she read the pamphlet...;)

Here comes Sunday...the day where you always see the true desires of your investigators. They either come or they don't. Prayers were answered....Antonio, and his daughter (who loved the church, and is accepting missionaries in her house now). Amanda...Arleisa...our Gospel Principles class was FULL of investigators. Yet, what was missing was an Instructor!!! Haha, luckily our Ward Mission Leader stepped up and taught. But it was an incredible class. The spirit was there... and everybody recognized it. 

This week, I am exhausted. Yes. I worked from 10 in the morning until 9 at night...every day. We did everything we could, and the Lord blessed us. I know that every day he is blessing me. Every day he is showing me that through obedience, through the power of prayer...we will witness miracles. We will witness the changes in peoples lives. I love this work. I love how God shows his hand every single day. I can promise you that if we take the time to acknowledge, we will see. You don't have to be serving a missionary to witness these miracles. You just have to look. And this week was a true testament for me in that. 

LOVE YOU GUYS! Continue look for God's hand. 

MISS YOU ALL!!!!

Sister Craig!

Hi....Again - May 12, 2014

So here we are again. The day after mothers day. It was great talking to my siblings, and of course my parents. Sorry it was so short, and cut short with out goodbyes. As bad as it seems...I am a little bit grateful because I didn't want to cry!!! I love you all!!!! It was a real booster to talk to you guys yesterday!!

As for this email...I don't have too much to say. Last night after the call, we received a call from one of the assistants. Asking if Sister M. Silva and I could sing in the choir for when the apostle is here. So this morning, we had to go to Asa Sul and we had choir practice! It was way fun! There are about 15 missionaries in the choir (Its a select group... :) I am totally kidding, I don't know how they picked.) But they are all really good at singing, and really fun people. So it was a good morning practice! We are singing Called to Serve....cliche but it still gives me chills to sing that as a missionary. Clearly.

This week seemed empty. It was my first week with my new companion and we worked as hard as we could...but everyone seemed to be traveling for mothers day or something. It was a hard one, but we managed. 

Saturday two of the sisters in our area got sick, my companion and Sister Melo. So Sister M. Silva and I went on a division. Worked with some of their investigators, and with some of ours. It was cool because I was senior for a day. I had a day of learning what its like...even though it was basically the same with Sister M. Silva. It didn't matter who was senior for us. It was fun to work with her, and learn from her. We made a contact with one lady and she asked us to share a message with her right then. So we did. And the spirit was there...and before I knew it, Sister M. Silva was inviting her to be baptized. And.... she doesn't even live in our area!!! So that was a fun reference to pass on to the Elders. 

I don't have too much to say. This week we had exchanges with the Sister Trainers. I was with Sister Barbosa. She is awesome!! This is her first transfer as Sister Trainer, but she is amazing. We had a lot of fun together. This week I pushed my 4 month mountain! Wahooo! 4 months on the mission! Sister Barbosa, Sister Melo, and Sister M. Silva ordered a pizza and had it delivered while I was in the shower.... yes I was surprised. Hahaha. It was way nice of them. 

That is pretty much it. I feel like you guys all heard this yesterday...so I am sorry. It wasn't too much of an exciting week! Just plain ole.... joe. 

Maybe this week will bring something new to the table for me. 

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Praying for you all every day.... every prayer.... 

Miss you lots!

Sister Craig!

Icky Sticky

Hi family! 

Lots to cover this week-- yay! 

I just got back from transfers! Yup, they were today!! And my companion was ripped from my heart! Haha, I'm being dramatic. But my companion was transferred. She is 3 hours away in some weird small town that has 3 families as firm members. And she is training again!!! Congrats to S. Tanaka. My new companion is Sister Rodriguez. She was the companion to Sister Tanaka the transfer before I came. Yes, she returned to the same area. Haha, she had one transfer here, and then left when I arrived. So that's good, she knows the area....and some of the investigators. Haha.

This week the 4 of us missionaries put together a talent show in our ward! It was really fun! Its hard to get our ward to participate, or even show up. But it was a good turn out, and people showed their talents. As sisters, we did that arm routine....where your arms are another person. We acted out, Explaining how to do make up to an american who doesn't speak Portuguese. It was great....the crowed loved it. My face was a wreck after. The bishops daughters, twins, asked me to sing the cup song with them. For those that don't remember, Its that cup song I sang...on Facebook. Yup, same thing. We had a family sing and play guitar. We had the seminary dancing, some ballerinas....had a bunch of different acts. It was great!

This week was also one for miracles! This week my companion and I had goals to only focus on investigators that were going to progress. The hardest thing for our investigators is for them to show their faith. If that means going to church, or telling their spouse they want to be baptized. But this week was proven that showing our faith really can move mountains. 

Remember Julianne? My first baptism who has 2 daughters, works, and still has almost nothing? We found the male version of her. His name is Franco, he has 2 sons. His wife left him because she didn't want anything anymore, and he is working a lot. He is incredible, and his two sons are ADORABLE!!!!! They have these huge dark eyes, but just love everybody. Anyways, he is super sincere with us. When we talk about baptism, we don't even finish the invite and he is saying I am definitely going to pray about this. Because he really wants what is best for these 2 kids. And this week he came to church. He was participating in Gospel Principles...he just shows a real interest. And he wants to be baptized this Sunday....so pray for us!! Hopefully we will have happy news on our Mothers Day Call :)

Also, we have other recent converts. Millena has 10 years (but is incredibly smart, and looks to be 15) and we have Bea, 13 years (smart and looks older too!) They were baptized a year ago, but their parents weren't. The Mom, Domingas, has been coming to church recently. But we haven't been teaching her. Her entire family is LDS, but not her. We stopped teaching her because she didn't want it, wasn't progressing...multiple reasons. But this week during second hour, I got this overwhelming feeling to go to her house and just invite her to be baptized. And I told my companion this, and she looked at me like...you nuts woman? But she said lets go. But the spirit doesn't wait for church to get out, did you guys know that? Haha... after second hour, Domingas just started talking. She asked if she could keep the gospel principles book, asked about relief society...and then all of a sudden she said, " I am going to prepare to become a part of this church. I love this church." And before I know it, my companion and I had set a baptismal date for her. UHHHH WHAT? She just began talking about how her two children are examples for her. And it was incredible...it was an incredibly whole new Domingas talking to us. And after, in Relief Society, they were asking if a member could help with Julianne. Because she needs a driver this Sunday, and Domingas volunteered. Uhhhhh WHAT? Hahaha. She is incredible! Again, pray for us. Vamos la.

This week we started teaching a family, who is very catholic, but still want the messages....they are really nice people! Always make us food, always asking questions...it will be interesting to see what happens. 

Finally, the zone leaders came and installed a new shower for us. I dont know if I said anything about this. But we have 2 showers in our apartment, which is perfect for 4 sisters who only have 40 minutes to get ready...haha. But one of our showers was only ice cold water.... and we waited the ENTIRE transfer for it to be fixed. And Elder Chaves, and Elder Gil fixed it and installed a new one. They about died, because they forgot to turn off the electricity...but hey...they are still living. Thank you Elders. 

This week it got just a TITCH bit chillier (still hot, still sweating everywhere I go) but the change in temp freaked my body out and I am coming down with a cold. BUT, continue working. People need me!! Haha. Freaking body wimps out when the weather changes. 

As for MOTHERS DAY-- I am going to be calling sometime after 5 my time...which is 2 your time.... I know its very vague...but...its the best I can do. Have a skype account ready and signed on, and also your face time, and maybe your gmails. We are going to be calling from Irmao Chequino (that always sends photos), and I don't know what we will be using of theirs. They have a lot of apple products...but still.... have a skype account ready. Sorry its so vague...but...this is what I got.  

And....what else... maybe I am forgetting something.... But this month we are preparing for the Apostle!!! wahooo!!!! I bought a dress for 5 reals. Which is 2.50 cents in america. And it is cute!!! 

Thats my week! I love you all! Can not even wait for Sunday! For many reasons, but talking to y'all is one of them. LOVE YOU!!!!!

Now go read your scriptures!!! And pray!