I can´t believe I have two weeks left. Part of me is so excited to be teaching real people but the other part of me is terrified to be responsible of all these souls trying to get back to Heavenly Father. I feel like a need to read the complete works, and memorize preach my gospel, and cram as much portuguese into my brain as I can. It's a little overwhelming at times. I just have to remember is to have confidence that God will help me if I do my best. And I can only study effectively one thing at a time, instead of everything at once. Still can't believe I'll be gone in two weeks. Crazy!!! I'll get my reassignment next wednesday too and get to call home for 5 minutes. So I'll let you know more about that.
Sister Hall recieved her visa and is leaving for Brazil tomorrow morning. Sister Connell and I are so sad to see her go. But we are so happy too. We are starting to realize how much she did for our companionship. She was the organized one that wrote everything down. She also was by far the best at portuguese and would pick up where we left off during lessons. So that will be hard and I'll be speaking a lot more in lessons. But this is actually better. I need the practice. Visas are starting to pick up and I guess something like 84 came in last week and more are coming in this week. Who knows, maybe I'll get shipped out too? Doubt it. But I am kind of excited to get a reassignment. It's like getting a mission call all over again. I'm banking on somehwere in the South. Or at least somewhere warm.
Highlights of this week:
Sis. Connell ordered t-shirts for our district they say Com fe! Our little district motto and they are bright green with a little penguin on the front pocket because our elders walk around like penguins all the time (yes these are the missionaries the Lord is sending to convert the world) They keep us laughing.
On wednesday we go to a workshop and we practice teaching. I taught a little sister from China who will be serving in SLC. I was sharing the scripture in matt 11 about how christ's burden is light so take his yoke upon you...etc. I had to explain to her burden, yoke, etc. It was great I was just short of getting on my hands and knees and acting like a ox with a yoke on. We then switched and she taught me about the word of wisdom and it was a testimony to me that I could understand the gist of what she was saying but more importantly I could feel her spirit. Gives me hope that when I start blabbering in portuguese people can sort of understand what I'm saying and hopefully feel the spirit. Also on Wednesday I do the TRC where members come to volunteer and we teach them. There we met an RM and he told us how he was in the mission field when they were making the transition to the new fundamentals of teaching. "The fundamentals" are apparently fairly new and what we are being taught. He said he started out teaching 45 min. long lessons trying to cram information that the member needed to understand. Then the fundamentals came out and he started giving 15 min. lessons. He said it is not so important that the investigator understands and knows everything it is more important for them to feel the spirit. And to gain a testimony through the spirit that will lead them and carry them after baptism to learn and understand all they need to know. It was a great reminder to focus on the spirit and keep things simple.
The MTC is close to overflowing. Everyone is getting three bunk beds to a room instead of two. We have been lucky thus far to have three of us only in a room but after Sister Hall leaves we will most likely be getting 4 new roommates. I've handled 6 in an apartment I don't know how 6 in one room will be. We will have to do some squishing.
My first week here we met a sister who was eating ice cream bars smooshed in a roll. We thought it was a little strange and she explained it was because you eventually just get sick of the food. our whole district is starting to understand. We've been eating the strangest things because we are all sick of the frozen products they mass produce. Frozen processed meats (all have weird texture), frozen veggies, fake mashed potatoes, french fires etc. We get creative. I haven't had ice cream bars and rolls yet but I'm almost to the point.
Our Sunday Devotional was table manners!!!! I was thrilled. Some of these elders need it so badly. We had a demonstration and everything.
Also this sunday we watched a rebroadcast of a devo that elder bednard gave about "becoming missionaries" he said once we understand that we are children of God and that we are of the seed of Abraham we will become missionaries. He also said that this mission was just the beginning of our lifelong mission in fulfilling the responsibilites of the Abrahamic Covenant. We will all eventaully come home but we do not leave the mission field. It was a very good devotional makes me want to work even harder than I am.
Also this past tuesday (sorry this is all really random) we had a devotional by some guy don't remember who - some general authority and he promised us over the pulpit that we have people from the other side that are helping us and they are at our sides every day. And the thought came to my head that I've got two grandmas that are watching out for me. Maybe they've been reassigned temporarily from the work in the spirit world to be my guardian angels.
Love you and pray for you all!!
Sister P
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