May 26, 2014- Rotten eggs and no police-less for a day. Welcome to São Paulo!

The week was great! It went by so quickly! Speaking of quickly... this transfer is already! It was such a great transfer here in Vila Sonia and I leaned so much!! And big news... I am going to be a TRAINER!! President called yesterday and all I could say was ``pobrezinha! ´´ I still have so much to learn! But I guess we will just have to learn together! You best believe I read my two ``open when´´ letters from mom and dad and I loved the advice. Thanks for thinking ahead!

So remember last week and the patience I am learning with Brazil? Yup the struggle is not over.  First and foremost.. No copious notes from Elder Nelson because our devotional with an apostle was canceled. We fasted to prepare and everything. But the buses and the police decided to stop functioning for the day. (I did not know that was possible). So the missionaries from the different parts of Brazil could not arrive. And without police officers in the streets President was worried about our safety so we had to spend our whole P-day in our apartment. I cooked a big meal for the other girls and napped for basically the first time on my mission because there was not much to do. I am worried for the chaos that world cup will bring to this already louco city. 

Then... I was making omelettes one morning. I had sautéed some vegetables, cracked the first egg. Then the second... Yeah totally, completely rotten. There are not words to describe how awful it smelled. I vowed that I will not eat Brazillian eggs again and the other sisters laughed and laughed. Apparently this is normal? Yeah had no idea.

I am learning that Vilia Sonia is a totally different from Campo Limpo. The work here is not easy and our investigators are having a difficult time keeping their commitments (scriptures, church, prayers). It is a shame, really, because this process is so simple and fail-proof. When the people we teach take the time to read the Book of Mormon with real intent and pray about the things they are reading and come to church they recieve the confirmation that we promise. When they are slackers they can´t expect to have the same results. 

For example: this week we taught the boyfriend of a 16-year-old member in our ward. I guess they have been dating quite some time, secretly, but the parents finally discovered. I am not exactly sure the details, but I am thinking that the parents are heavily involved with his new-found interest to hear our message. After our lesson I can see why. Talk about public display of affection. yuckk  During our lesson, I asked the girl, Gabi, to talk a little about the Book of Mormon and what it means to her. She starred blankly, and finally told us that while her family reads the scriptures every day they have no significe in her life. We asked... ``have you taken the time to read and pray for yourself?´´ Yeah, as we thought, she had not. I am learning that conversion is a process that each person needs to go through on their own. Faith is precious and needs to be feed and cared for. And though we are all different, Moroni´s promise stands firm. We can know these things for ourselves. 

We gave the talks in sacrament meeting and as always I was pretty nervous. We each took a lesson and I talked about the first vision. I had written and rewritten my talk exactly how I wanted it. But when I started I realized that I did not need my papers! I was able to speak from my heart, in Portuguese. I guess I do it many times every day in lessons but in front of my big chic ward is a little different. But I think it went really well! I have always admired the people who can give talks and that was one of my goals for the mission so I am happy that I am making progress!

This week we had an incredible ward activity!! (things people never say) The elders from our district planned it and we brought our recent converts and investigators. It was a pizza night complete with music (the kind on the radio!)  and dancing and lots and lots of pizza. President gave a great talk about missionary work and related well with all the visitors. He told the story about how he found the chruch. A friend invited him to a Valentine´s dance. After he asked his friend, ``Ì really like this church and I would like to visit, but how much do I have to pay?´´ Little did he know missionaries practically beg to have visitors! It was so great to see the members,  less actives and investigators having a great time together! Ward activities are essential here! All the members brought a different Italian masterpiece to share and our recent convert, Dos Anjos, won the award for the most creative--- pumpkin and meat. It was actually incredible. 

All in all, a really great week. We knocked a lot of doors and got yelled at a little but we laughed so so much. At one door we explained that we had a message and a gift about Jesus Christ. He responded, rudely I might add, ``I am Christian. Not interested.´´ As we walked away Sister Dantas whispered...```exactly. A DVD about Christ. Clean. Your. Ears.´´ I laughed and laughed. I plan to use that expression always. 

I am happy and well! Love you! 

Sister Lauren

p.s. Looks like you are busy. But thank you for your letter! and the beauty package. I am using the shirt today. And the necklace is so chic. I love the salmon skirt but I am not sure I can wear it here. So beautiful but a little short and tight for a missionary! We will see. But I love you so much. Thank you for everything! 

I will probably get it tomorrow when I get my new companion. Thanks! I have so many pictures to send but the new place we go to is really terrible for pictures. So I will probably send them the old fasioned way. in the mail. 

Tchau!

Facebook Mission photos posted!

I love it when I check the Mission Facebook pages and see photos of my daughter! Here are a couple of the most recent posted photos!

Lauren and Sister Dante 

Her 2nd companion in the field!

May 19, 2014

It was a great and oh so fast week! And and at times, pretty difficult. Here are a few of the highlights...

This week we got an interesting phone call from a woman named Renata. She asked if we remembered her and at first Sister Dantas had no clue. But turns out three months ago the sisters were walking and my companion had a distinct feeling that she needed to stop at a random door so she did. This is a little unusual because we only ever knock on doors if we are contacting a reference because we don´t want to look like Jehovah´s witnesses. But anyway, they explained ´´hello, we are missionaries and we have come to share a message about Christ. A message of peace and hope that will bless your lives.´´ And the woman said ``my life is complicated enough.´´ No thank you and all but slammed the door. Quickly, they whipped out a pamphlet about the plan of salvation, wrote their names and number on the back and told her that in the future, if she needed anything we were only a phone call away. 

Renata then explained that the last three months had been really difficult for her and her family. She only recently managed to find a job but until she recieved her first paycheck she had nothing. No food in their pantry and not even milk for her baby and that they needed our help. My companion got off the phone and explained the situation and I am embarrassed to say that at first I thought, ``what nerve!´´ I could not believe that after the rude way she treated us she expected us to bring her groceries. But we called the bishop and explained the situation anyway. He simply said ``I will call the relief socieity president and let you know when we are ready.´´

That night we delivered not only milk but also bread, noodles, flour, sugar and lots of other neccessities. I have thought a lot about this experience and I have come to a few conclusions. First, that the promptings of the spirit are precious. Second, that I am so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful organization: the Church of JESUS CHRIST. There were no ifs or buts associated with the delivery. We did not even ask for an apology for the rude way she treated us. We simply helped a family that was struggling. Similiarly, Christ went about doing good at all times. He healed and helped and even suffered and died for people that would never accept his atoning sacrifice. And as members of His church, we have the obligation and opportunity to do the same thing. It is not always easy, but it definitely should be our goal. 

This week we walked so so much. We had so many appointments but the majoirity fell through so we ended up doing quite a bit of service! We helped some members set up for a darling baby shower and filled so many balloons. Like hundreds. We helped an investigator make a diper cake for another baby shower. (moms staple!) We did lots of laundry and cleaned a garage. Annddd I helped our recent convert, Dos Anjos, prepare for some job interviews! She quit her job so that she could come to church so I want her to find something better so badly! But you best believe that I used all the tactics I learned in junior miss..  We spruced up her resume and added some `sparke´ to her responses.I felt like I was sitting with Tewa again! But this time I was doing the polishing!!

A few Brazil experiences that at the time were quite annoying but a little bit funny: As we were walking, out of no where, we began to get pelted by hale. So we huddled under a door frame waiting for it to pass. As an attempt to literally sing in the rang, we belted our favorite efy songs. We probably looked ridiculous. But I guess it did not matter much because we were the only people physco enough to be outdoors.  Finally a member came to our rescue. But where else in the world does it go from sun to hale in 5 short minutes!? Then, one morning we woke up to find that we had completely lost water in our apartment. No showers, washing machines, and and clean hands for us! The next morning we found that we had no power. The Brasileiros in my apartment informed me that this is normal here. Yeah I will sing praises for America for as long as I live. 

All in all, we had a great week. I learned a lot. We had some rough moments too but I guess that is life right? Love you all! This week we have 2 apostles coming to speak on Wednesday so stay tuned for some copious notes! 

Love you! 

Sister Lauren

p.s. Your ideas are perfect! Thank you so much! The lady who takes care of us is named Sueli. 

I think that it may be better with just you guys too. I dont know if the kiddies will appreciate it and it may be a little much. Or maybe the older kids? But Victoria said that see had such an incredible time winding through all the favela type areas with Hilary. I am not sure about the release date but probably not for a long time. And you dont need to sign up for school until probably around december. 

NO letter this week- but we did get these notes from people who saw Lauren!

She looks great, so happy and she and Sister O'Brien were ecstatic!

São Paulo temple yesterday.

Another note today!!!

Christine,

I don't know if you remember me, but I took Portuguese 101 (with Taylor Larsen) fall semester and you and Lauren audited the class. I just wanted to let you know that I am in São Paulo for the month, and I randomly ran into Lauren today at the street market near her apartment. She looks happy and healthy!

We're down here because my husband is doing an internship with the Area Legal Counsel of the Church, and I just came along for the ride :) My Portuguese is terrible, haha. I wish I remembered more, or took another class. Oh well, I'm still having a great experience here!

Anyway, I was at the market this morning with a senior missionary couple (the Wilkins) who have taken us under their wing, and they pointed out where the sister missionaries live, and that they often come get their groceries at the market. Then we saw the sisters there and they introduced me, and I thought, "wait a second...I know you." It was pretty crazy! I forgot she was going to São Paulo. 

I'm glad I tracked you down to tell you! 

Hope you're well,

Ashlie 

May 12, 2014

We got to talk to Lauren yesterday for Mother's Day! It was the best thing ever! I think since we talked to her  yesterday she only sent a short note-not a formal letter! She did say she had another Baptism this last week. She said she is able to play the piano a lot for Baptisms and Zone and Mission Conferences. She is having a Zone Conference with multi missions and Elder Neilsen will be the speaker.

I am so glad you are having fun! I got lots and lots of letters from you this week. Thank you for your support and your love. You are so wonderful and the best misisonary mom on the planet. I try so hard to eat healthy but it is difficult because people give us food all the time and they get so offended when we dont eat it. I am so jealous you can eat lots of salads and healthy recipes all the time. I am excited to recieve my Somae cookbook.

But talking with you yesterday was so great! Everyone thinks you are so beautiful! Have a great rest of your vacation!

Sister Lauren

Mother's Day Week! (20 Weeks-5 months!)

Hello Family!!! 

And Happy week of Mothers Day! This holiday takes on a whole new meaning for a missionary and I am really hoping I can talk with my Europers. If not, Rach, John, Jess and I will have a party all on our own. 

But all is well in Vilia Sonia! I am happy and my companion is great! I thought Sister Valente was a hard worker... turns out she learned everything from my current companion, Sister Dantas because they were companions in Campo Limpo before I arrived. She is unstopable and we work so hard. My body seriously aches every night but we are having a lot of success, especially relative to the area. Turns out zone Sao Paulo is the most dificult in our mission because everyone that stops to hear our message doesnt live in our area. But we are seeming to find some solid ones regardless! We are currently having family home evening with different families most nights of the week and it is so neat for our investigators and members to see how happy a family can be with the gospel in their lives. Sometimes we forget just what a blessing the influence of Christ is in our lives until we spend some time observing the ´real world.´

I met one of the most incredible women this week named Sueli. She is actually a member and I am absolutely inspired by her. She is about 45 and she is completely alone. She served a mission and lived in the states for a long time so she speaks Portuguese, English, and Italian. She is smart and wonderful but for whatever reason she never got married! I seriously can not figure it out. Ironically, she works in the call center at Azul! But she loves missionaries with all her heart and she would seriously do anything for us. She does not have a lot of money and lives in a teeny little house but when we visit her she opens her fridge and generously offers us anything and everything that she has. 

This week she signed up to feed us. She did not have time to make something so she took us to the mall and insisted that we get whatever our hearts desired. She kept piling things on to our plates and was so sad when we did not want a second plate. Then, to our surprise, that night she showed up at our apartment with bags and bags full of all the necessities including fruit, milk, cereal, cake, pasta, sauce and so much more. We dont have to buy groceries for the rest of the transfer! And so we stopped by and shared a message and sang for her. 

She told us that she loves to associate with the missionaries because ´´there is no one else that radiates the same spirit of God´´ as us. She told us that her, who she used to spend all of her extra time and money serving, recently passed away and she feels a void in her life from lack of service. She thanked us for the opportunity to let her serve to heal her broken heart. Wow! What an amazing women! 

I am so grateful for the wonderful people who work so hard to make us feel at home here and help us with our efforts to share the gospel. I love all the wonderful people I meet here who almost fill the void of my incredible family back home. But only almost. 

But family, I miss you so much and no one could completely take your places. This week I am especially thinking a lot about you, mom. During one of my first few weeks of the CTM I was reading about Helaman´s strippling warriors and I got to the part about those brave little boys taking comfort in the things their mothers had taught them. I did everything I could to keep from sobbing on the spot. But since then I have thought a lot about the things I never doubted because my mother taught me. Here are a few:

1. A little creativity goes a long way. 

2. It is essential that you show the people you love that you love them. Frequently

3. Everyday may not be good but there is something good in every day. 

4. Looking your best is the first step to feeling your best. 

5. Kindness begins with me. (Katie and I had to sing this primary song a lot growing up. But I guess it helped because we are great friends now!)

6. Our best is enough. 

Prayers do work. Sometimes we just have to wait a little while to reconize our answers. 

7. If you are prepared, you will not fear. 

8. Our family is a gift from heaven. How we treat our family is our gift to heaven. 

9. Where much is given, much is expected. 

The list could go on and on. But in conclusion, mom I am so very grateful for you in my life. I am honored to be your first born and the reason you became a mom. Thank you for your love and support for the last 21 years. As Abraham Lincoln said, ´´I owe everything I am or hope to be to the example and teachings of my mother.´´ 

Happy travels and boa semana!

Sister Lauren