Warning, warning! - March 23, 2015

OH family! I can't believe we are entering into the last week of March. Sometimes I am just like....this isn't possible.

Okay. Where to start.

Gorette-- She spilled the beans! She finally started to open up about what she was feeling about the church. The only thing to know is that we moved to give a lesson about Temple Work and Family History....and it was the COOLEST lesson of my life.  I finally was able to teach in full everything I know about Family History work. Normally, we give the lesson and the people just accept it, and move on. But this lesson, was incredible. We were actually conversing talking about EVERYTHING. And at the end, she said, "Sister, I am not going to baptize this Sunday (22nd) because I still have to stop with Coffee. But Sunday (29th), I am going to be baptized." I kind of just sat there, like..... after 4 visits of Sister Craig thinking "Cut her, she isn't progressing. Why are you returning?!", the anwser finally came out. Sometimes....I need to remember that the Lord's timing is different. We just need to follow the spirit, in everything we do.

Eliane and Raylan-- We went there with a member, Irma Marli, we talked about the Restoration. Irma Marli, bore her testimony of how much the Gospel blesses the lives of her family, and her two little boys. Which was incredible, because Eliane worries alot about her kids. It was awesome, and she accepted to be baptized April 5th! Conference weekend!

This week, we started a "Read your Scrips, with your Sisters" Calendar. We gave up our Sundays, which are pretty much useless, and are dedicating it to members. So they sign up what hour they want, and we go to their house and read the scriptures with them. We started realizing the ward was getting a little weak, so we decided to start helping them focus on the things most important. They got excited about it, and so did we. Plus it will be good to get to know more members.

Today was a Zone Activity. We had bbq, brazilian style. Ice cream. Laughs. I painted the Elders nails. haha, cant believe it! They fought like Bryce, but lost like Jeff. Haha.

This week we are helping a less actives daughter get baptized. Lara, she is so super cute and so super ready. Afterwards, its Gorettes baptism!!! Lets goo!!!!

Love you all!!! Time flies, and today was short, because...we entered late!!!

Beijos. 

Sister Craig

Easter in Palmas Tocantins!

Rita!! Future Sister Oliveira!

Me, S. Aparicio, Rita, Sister Mercer

My beautiful companion, Sister Aparicio!!! Love her!!!

​Zone Activity!

Ana Vitoria and Irma Adjania!

Sister Miranda. Long time best friends :)

Porter! I am painting your nail!!!!!!

Happy Camper for a free manicure!

Do I really have to take it off?

Your lovely sisters here in Palmas 1!

Pass it on. March 16, 2015

No literally. There are days where I feel like I could strike a match, start a bonfire, and it would be the same heat we are suffering in Palmas. I walked 2 minutes to get to this internet house, and I am sweating. Gross. Haha.

Okay, so. This week. My companion got a stone in her gallbladder. So we spent some days in the hospital. The PUBLIC hospital. That the mission does NOT use. But, here in tocantins, our insurance doesn't cover any of the hospitals. So public/free is where we go here. And it was horrible. You know those scenes in a movie when there is a war going on, and suddenly they enter into the hospital, and its so full of people that they have people in the halls, on the ground, crying, screaming...yeah...I felt like I was in the middle of that. It was horrible. But good news is, all is well with my sweet companion. 

Outside of that...this week....I don't know if I have talked about Aldaci and Ilton. They are our ward missions leader's parents. They aren't members, and we joke that they are "eternal investigators". This transfer we made a goal to get them married, and baptized. A couple of weeks ago, we set a date for them to be married April 4, and baptized April 5. They accepted. But then, wednesday, we showed up....and they told us they would be travelling, and would be getting married in this State, because it's where they are from. And that when they get back, they will be baptized. I just about collapsed of happiness. Our Ward Mission leader, is a recent convert....I think about 1 year. And we all just screamed of happiness. Obviously we are going to give them a little party in the church, with cake. Lots of delicious cake. 

This week, Raylan and Eliane.... Eliane is Raylan's mom, got sick with a cold and it was a bit harder to teach them. But, don't you worry, this week, we are all over that. 

Last night, we had a cool experience that led me to think about some of the things in my life. We were visiting a member, who is passing through problems. She has a 3 year old, that constantly disobeys her, and pushes the limits. And when we were there she started screaming with him. We all awkwardly just sat there, and then after she asked us for help. So obviously, I sit there like "We aren't moms, we don't know!!!" But then I started thinking about...my examples. My parents, my brothers and sisters who are parents. And long story short, we invited her to call him over and just give him a hug and tell him that she loves him. And she did, and literally all 5 of us were bawling. It was touching. In the moments where we are ticked, mad, about to explode..... do the opposite. Give the person a hug. Tell them, sincerely, that you love them. It was a touching moment for all of us. But I can honestly say that it is one that the more we do it, the more the kids will recognize it, and pass it on. So....my invite for all y'all with little ones, or y'all who might be angry. Just go over, and give someone a hug and say, " I love you". The three hardest words to say when Satan has put a bad feeling in our head, but the three strongest words, we can say to lift someone up, and take out any bad feeling we may have. 

I testify, that the Saviors love is a constant need in these days. We, as members of the church, need to continue showing/being examples of HIS atoning love. Pass it on.

Love you all! Miss you like crazy too.

Sister Craig. 

This lake came from all the rain we received this week. Crazy. And yes, tempting to take a dip. 

Making lunch! Thats right.....No, I am kidding, they only trust me to stir the rice. And I managed to screw that up. 

I don't know if I sent this, but its a fruit that literally comes from a FLOWER!!!! It doesn't have any taste. 

Its pretty much just tasteless calories. Like wholegrain crackers

What we have to do to get out of the heat. Thank goodness for pamphlets!

March Madness - March 9, 2015

Oh family,  can't believe I am already writing another letter. Man alive! Where is this time going?!

I don't know if I have told you about Raylan's mom. But she really started progressing this week, taking everything super serious and is LOVING the church! This week she went and she just started participating out of no where, making comments. She taught one of our other investigators. And we just got super happy. We will be marking a baptismal date with Eliane, this week :)

This transfer, we decided to focus on the investigators who have the problem that they aren't married. SO first we have Aldaci and Ilton, their son just got baptized recently. Aldaci's family has been a member for a while. And this week, we gave a super sweet lesson with Alma 7:14-17 mixed with Commandments with Law of Chastity, and marked a wedding date and a baptismal date! It will all be done Conference weekened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love love love this family. Aldaci and Ilton have 22 years living together, and Ilton is just a little stubborn, but he really opened up to us, and we nailed it. Oh wait, the Lord used us, and they are planning their wedding :) Their son, is 19 years old, he is our Ward Mission Leader with less than a year as a member, and he is so excited! Fun fact, in this super awesome lesson, Bishop actually went with us, and when we invited them to be married, Bishop testified, and offered to give them a church wedding too!!!!! It was awesome.

We also have Giann who is a returned missionary. She is married, and has 2 kids, and they are all SUPER firm in the church. And her husband is Catholic, but..... believes in the church, just wants to "feel it", and last night we went there, because he was on his farm get milk and meat, and we gave Giann and her son a lesson on Preach My Gospel, we are starting to read it with him every week, and this week we read chapter 4 which is recognize the spirit....and who showed up in the middle of the lesson? Her husband!!!!!!!! And we talked about how the spirit talks to us in different ways. And in the end, invited them to decide in the moment, how the spirit talks to them, and then that same night, say a prayer asking if the church is true, and look for the feeling they said the spirit uses. AND he said he would!!!!!!! And then he gave me straight from the cow, milk! Which is awesome, because I completely stopped drinking milk here, because what we buy here is like water....and disgusting. But this milk is SOOOOOO Delicious, and he gave me some :) Its like normal milk in the US! And they say here on the mission that the "prepared investigators" always give food :)

Okay, I just am super happy with that! We are all just super happy. The ward is getting super excited. And I am just grateful that my personal goal of helping people not only get baptized, but GO TO THE TEMPLE, is coming true. I loveeee seeing people make goals and enter on the path that leads to the temple. It makes me so happy!

Love you all! Miss you!!

Sister  Craig

March? Already? - March 2, 2015

Can't even believe its already March. I did not allow this to happen!!!! Time is sure just flying by. This week will mark my 1 year and 2 months. 

This week was awesome! Here in Palmas, we are literally dying of heat!!!!!! We cannot just catch a break. Its been forever since I have felt chills from coldness. haha. This week we also moved, FOR THE LAST TIME. We finally were able to get the house we wanted, and contract was closed......took forever, but we got there. And we are exhausted. 

This week, we worked a lot with Isabel and Rafael. Isabel is that little old lady...and Rafael is her grandson. They are really progressing, that maybe they will want to be baptized this week. They are loving the messages, and have a real desire to be baptized. 

Raylan, he bore his testimony this week!!!! He was sitting next to me, and he looked up at me, and said, "Sister, Can I bear my testimony?" And I about died, and then he did what they always do... "Okay, I am going to bear my testimony, lets go. You and I....." I just laughed....Raylan, I don't need to bear my testimony....but then I was like....yes I do. So we walked up there. And after that cute little 11 year old boy, I bore my testimony.

Yesterday in church was a cool experience. There to confirmations during the sacrament. And in the first one, it was raining, super strong. And all of a sudden, Irmao Fred started the blessing, and the power went out, he kept going and in the moment he said, "Recieve the Holy Ghost" the power turned back on. Needless to say, we all said Amen with our jaws in the ground. It was cool moment. 

This week was normal, we are working hard. We have a lot of families who need to get married in order to get baptized, and they have a lot of time studying with the missionaries. That it is our goal for us 4 this transfer, try and help these families get married and get baptized. 

I don't know about you guys, but every day......there is this deep feeling that...Jesus Christ is arriving. We don't have much time. And every moment that I feel this feeling, I just feel the desire and start to make a contact. The work is going faster and faster. We all need to bear our testimony more and more every day, for someone who may not know. We are need to help those who it has been a while since have visited the church. WE, as members of HIS church, need to put it into gear and help those lost sheep. 

1 corinthians 12: 11-14.....thats what I studied this week. We, as members, make the body of Christ. Everyone of us plays a role in His work. WE are important. I know that the work is hastening, and there are reasons. Study your scriptures, study the latest talks of our Living prophet and apostles, and follow their counsel. Let us all press on, in the work of the Lord.

Love you guys.

Sister Craig

Just hanging with the kiddos.

Baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Palmas doesn't go half way on anything. 

Dropping off our companions for them to be transferred in Brasilia. :(

The worlds cutest little guy!

I made pão de queijo. And it was delicious!

Saudades - February 23, 2015

Hi Family, 

So, I think this week....its better that I just say I love you all. And let you know that my prayers are there, daily. 

I want to bear my testimony, that I know God's plan. I know that our Heavenly Father is taking care of our sweet Barbara, and that His blessings are with Grandpa. I have no doubt, that Families are ETERNAL. I have never felt so confident in my knowledge that we will all be together and that this is just a "See you Later". I am so grateful to have this knowledge. I am so grateful that Jesus Christ completed this plan, with His sacrifice. He made it possible to live with our Heavenly Father. It was that humble example, that he left for us to follow. And I am so grateful to be here, helping others, follow this example. 

This week, we don't have much to report. My companion left Saturday, and we are in the waiting for our new companions. They arrive tomorrow.My companion is Sister Aparicio (didn't spell that right at all!), and she is from Argentina. She is super duper cutsie. And really good, I have already worked with her 1 day, and we loved it.

This week there were 2 baptisms. Wellington, and Andrea. They are awesome, and we are super happy for them. Andrea and Rodrigo are already planning the wedding in the Salt Lake City Temple. Rodrigo got baptized 2 months ago, and his wife, yesterday. It was a great day for them. 

This ward is awesome. I love it. There is so much to do here. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed. But it just pushes me to do better. 

I think thats about all. 

Love you guys, and know that this week my thoughts and prayers are with you in the States. 

......At least its Monday. - February 16, 2015

Well family, as everything is okay. I am sad to say....that the Baptism of Matheus....did not happen. Its the worlds longest story....and not really interesting. But, as always, the work continues on. And this week is Raylan! We are super excited for him, and his eager eager decision to move his date to this coming Sunday, instead of next Sunday. He just "couldn't wait any longer".

Raylan is 12 years old, and has been visiting the church for quite some time. His mom visits with him sometimes, but every week, without doubt, he is there with his Book of Mormon. I thought he was a member, until 2 weeks ago. And I started reading his sheet that talks about him....he was never even invited to be baptized! I almost cried. We invited him to be baptized, and he accepted. And the following Sunday, in church, (yesterday) asked us to show him the font, and wanted to know EVERYTHING to there was to know about his baptism. And then he asked if it could be earlier...and we accepted....he has already had all the lessons, loves church, has a testimony. And I just started crying. I pictured Joseph Smith, interested in knowing the truth. And the excitement he must have had when he received his answer. We are super excited for him, and the family that introduced him to the church is also excited!

Also, this week....we started teaching this little old lady, Isablie. She is going to get baptized the 28th. We arrived at her house to give her a ride Sunday morning, and out walkes her, her 2 grandsons....and I am like....there isn't room in the car...what are we going to do.....and still have 1 more to pick up. It all worked out...and her grandson, Rafael LOVED the church. This week is a youth camping trip, and he signed up to go, and is there.....met everyone yesterday. But he was begging his grandma to return to church. And the leaders who were with him said he was participating in the class, and loved it. We got super happy with all of this.

Its amazing, how happy the people get when they enter in to the Lord's house. I am so grateful that every week, I have the opportunity to take time out of life....and, honestly relax. Church just gives me so much peace, I finally feel comfortable 100%.

FOR EVERYBODY TO MARK IN THEIR CALENDARS NOW!!!!!!!

JUNE 19TH, 2015 I will be boarding the airplane here in Brasilia. And Saturday, June 20th, 2015...I will be arriving in Denver International Airport. 

Our mission does it different, we leave the Friday before transfers.JUNE 20TH I WILL BE ARRIVING (AKA LANDING IN D.I.A)!!!

All are invited to be present in the airport, and at my homecoming talk that is TBD. 

Love you all. But you all now can stop asking when is my official date to come home. This girl is getting trunky.

96 days. 

But who is counting?!

Love you all. Praying for ya daily. BEIJOOOOOS.

Sister Craig

Sister Miranda, Me, Elder G. Santos.

Simario, an investigator who found us taking a little swing..... 

Last Monday, we ate the worlds healthiest lunch. Cheese bread and a milkshake. Nobody would ever believe me if I said my dad was a nutritionist. Hahaha.

My companion and I on Tuesday, at our Zone conference with President.

Sister Miranda, Sister Craig, Sister Soares, Sister Hill. I live with these goons. 

Just to show you missionary life isn't always a glam scene. 

Matheus Franco - February 9, 2015

Okay, so today we have interviews with President, and we just had a training with the Sisters....and tomorrow is a Zone Conference with Assitants, so....today is going to be fast, yet again. Sorry, but this week...I have the worlds coolest story.

LAST Sunday night, my companion and I were making goals for the week, and we started to joke around about how baptisms we would have, this week, we didn't have any marked. But....all of sudden we got serious, and decided to have a baptism. We didn't know who, or how...or what to do....but we wanted to help someone be baptized. So we put it as our goal. Then after we started planning for our Monday night after Pday. We looked through our Area book, and found a bunch of ex-investigators that had already been to church a bunch, had received a good portion of the lessons...and planned to visit them. We had planned from the top of Palmas, until the bottom. Full of plans, with alternatives after alternatives. After pday ended, we were on the road and out the door. Ready to go. We visited the first, determined and ready to find the star of our week, the child of God that would be baptized on Sunday. The first one, was a 14 year old who has been meeting with sisters for quite some time, and visiting the church for 3 months.....but when we arrived there, he was leaving and not able to sit down. And when we were leaving, a member who lives across the street, started calling us and asking us to come in. And I just heard myself accepting to go visit this member. And as we were walking, I was just thinking...wait.... I need to work! If someone is going to be baptized, we have to find them TODAY! And then I enterned in the house, and I sat down. Thinking, " WHY DID I SIT DOWN!! GO TO WORK SISTER!!!" And then, out of no where. And investigator who we had been trying to teach walked into this house. (The investigator and member are good friends). And I just got sad, because he promised he would go to church, and he didn't....but we decided to give him a lesson and take advantage of him being there. We taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in the end, invited him to be baptized for Feb. 22. He accepted. Then the member started joking, ahh, he could be baptized tomorrow. He is a member without the water. 

Okay, his name is Matheus. Other sisters had been trying to teach him, but he is super busy and hard to find in his house. Oh better, he WAS super hard to find. What ended up happening is they started to joke around with Matheus, and I don't know why, asked him how many times he had been to church. He said, 4/5 times.... And it hit me and my companion. HE IS YOUR ANWSER. INVITE HIM TO BE BAPTIZED, SUNDAY!!!! So we did, and he accepted. 

This entire week, we were just running from place to place teaching him all of the lessons, hearing of his cool responses. So you all are probably wondering if he was baptized, right? Well, saturday, we marked his interview with Elder, and he PASSED! He was excited...and everything was going good...when he said, Sister.... I want my parents to be there. So we naturally responded, INVITE THEM. Please, the more the merrier. And with a serious face, "Sister, can I be baptized on a Saturday? This upcoming Saturday? Because my parents, out of nowhere, traveled, and aren't here until Tuesday. But I want them there." Obviously we were a little sad...we prayed, fasted, worked, to have him baptized on this Sunday. But in the moment, I heard the spirit whisper, "Eternal Families". Remembering, that families are one of the central points in this gospel. And who am I to not respect that this 19 year old is wanting his parents see him take the best step of his life. We agreed.  Saturday at 6 o'clock, will be his baptism. 

I am SO grateful, for the reminder of how important family is. Being away from home for 1 year and 1 month, you can't just help but forget that families are forever, and important here on the earth. And Matheus helped me put value where I needed to put more. I know, that families are forever, and that when we do things as a family, we grow as one. And we will have Celestial Glory as one. I am so grateful for this. 

This week, everyone pray for Matheus. I didn't even tell you half the work that came with him. He is one ordinary boy. The Lord has a lot in store for him. 

I love you all! Yesterday was my 1 year and 1 month. CAN  YOU BELIEVE IT? Even President is getting trunky. In my email today said that my time is short. WHAAAA? Thats a lie! 4 months is a long time. I can do lots of stuff!! Haha.

LOVE YOU GOOBS!