Joana is the woman who we met through her son, Anderson. Her 20 something year old daughter died a few years ago and she takes a lot of comfort from our message because of the promise for eternal families. Her baptism was scheduled for Saturday but the bishop could not be there because of work so he asked us to change it to Sunday. She came to church with a towel and all. I made cookies and we were all sorts of excited. Buttt her son Anderson did not make it back from the other side of town and it was super important to her that he was there so we are hoping all goes as planned for this Saturday. I am learning so much flexibility and patience here. But we got to go to the temple with her this week and we felt such a special spirit as we talked about the opportunity she will have to complete the work for her daughter after she is baptized. She is already so excited.
Marta and Marcos are the two 60 year-old newlyweds and they just can not seem to stop smoking. We have made calendars and they are making progress but it is just so sad to think that 1 or two measley daily cigarettes are keeping them from such great opportunities. I have such a testimony of the Word of Wisdom and it has actually become one of my favorite lessons to teach. It almost seems like a tradgedy that so many good people want to give up these habits but they just cant.
Their daughter Paloma, and her boyfriend Adilson are progressing. They are going to church and they are slowly but surely coming along. However, they dont feel ready and I cant really blame them. Baptism is a huge commitment to God and I have a lot of respect for people who put thought, study and prayer into this, and any other big decision in life.
This week I had a really incredible experience!! With the new traning program, sisters get an opportunity to go on splits with sister trainers and learn a little more from them. And lets just say... I did not know what I was missing out on. My trainer has a few qualities I want to emulate, but I have also learned many things to not do as a trainer or just a companion in general. The sister trainer, Sister Rodrigues has so many good qualities but one in particular that I admire so much is her ability to see things (and people) for their potential. Example: We were walking down the street and there was a man fixing the street lamps and he had a huge pile of colored wire. She kindly asked if she could take a few and when he said yes she proceeded to take a huge pile. I was thinking -- what in the world do you intend to do with this garbage-- but like any good companion would, I humored and grabbed a handful as well. She, indeed, turned it in to something beautiful! She formed it into my name and gave it to me with this darling note. And it made my week!
Later I was reading a conference talk by Elder Packer and he told a story that I think relates so well. He was stationed in Japan after World War 2. He described the city as rubble littered with blocks, debris and bomb craters. He them told about a little girl in a ragged colored kimono collecting yellow sycamore leaves into a boquet. She seemed completely oblivious to the world around her as she strived to find the last piece of beauty the remained in her shattered world.
While we are much better off here, I have to be completely honest and say that it is far from beautiful. And our days are not always perfect and the work is really hard at times. But there are some really incredible, beautiful experiences to be had here and I am grateful for this 18 month, positive-thinking exercise. As my mom told me before I left--- every day wont be good but there will be something good in every day. And if you cling to those things you will be okay. wise words from a wise woman.
ANNDDD as I have officially been here in Brazil for more than 3 months I thought it only would be appropriate to take a moment to jot down a few of the things I learned in this amazing but at times difficult time:
1. Learning a language is incredibly frusterating at times but it is so gratifying to think that I can comunicate with a whole country of people when it would have been impossible before.
2. In this -- não esquenta sua cabeça-- country I am living in, I am learning that patience and flexibility are 100% necessary.
3. The Holy Ghost is real and he does testify to those who ask sincere questions with a real intent to follow the promptings given.
3. Understanding a person who has no teeth is sufficiently more difficult in Portuguese.
4. I am convinced it is impossible to find a pair of shoes that is comfortable after walking for 9 hours straight. It is basically like picking my poison every day. (side note, I now have cold hard caluses where my blisters used to be and my feet don't hurt near as much.)
5. Reading the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, daily makes all the difference from the rest of my day. My scripture heroes have seriously become some of my best friends.
6. There is a sheer bliss that comes from a handwritten letter and packages that is undescribable.
7. I am so so so blessed. Country, family, gospel, friends. Basically in every aspect of life. I can not comprehend much less understand why I am so lucky.
8. Being with someone all day every day is rough. But it is a great opportunity to explore the human mind and practice a perfect kind of understanding.
9. We are all so much more capable than we give ourselves credit for. Life is hard, but we are never alone.
I am sure there are more but I am out of time and you are probably bored to tears. I love you all and I am already excited for next week!
Sister Lauren
p.s. Tell Jessica that I read and absolutely loved her letter. It was so thoughtful. Speaking of.... THANK YOU THANK YOU for the packages! I got lots this week!! I got the calendar, the clothes and the healthy package. But I loved your letters even more. Mom, seriously, you are the very best mom I could possibly have. I am so grateful for you and your thoughtfulness. I think about you every day. As you have always taught me, I thought it only proper to send a thank you note, but it probably wont get there for a month so don't get too excited. But I love knowing that you guys are still thinking about me. It makes home not feel so far away.
p.s.s. haha okay we will get pedicures next week. There are lots of places here but all seem a little sketchy. But lets be honest, a lot of things are kind of sketchy here in campo limpo. But they are really cheap!!
But Douglas is 21. He is really smart and is all excited about serving a mission of his own. He even broke up with his less active girl friend because she is not a good influence on him. Ironic that she introduced him to the church but good for him. He was actually my first lesson here! And he has been prepared since the beginning except for the law of chastity. This was a huge problem for him so we just let it be. He continued to come to church and read the Book of Mormon and in church two weeks ago he said, I have made the changes in my life and I am ready now! We were all stunned but it worked great!President and his wife even came to the baptism and it went so well. We get to plan the baptisms as missionaries so I brought my ipod and played some hymns before. (They dont have a piano in that room) and the bishop talked about his experience because he was baptized around the same age. And I made my cinnamon roll cake. It is a huge hit here.All in all a special day! But tell Jess that I hope to baptize a girl this week. Granted she is 60 but better than nothing. And telll her I get soooo many compliments on my bracelet she made me. I am waiting for special kids to give the others out to.
p.s.s.s. Oh and yes, I am with sister Valente for another 6 weeks. I have mixed feelings but I am learning lots so its okay. Love you! Dad, Have a great time with mom in New York. Let her know how wonderful I think she is. I am amazed daily at her support.
We had an activity with our zone because its the last day before transfers. It was really fun and much needed. the last few days have been a little rough.
We had an activity with our zone because its the last day before transfers. It was really fun and much needed. the last few days have been a little rough.
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