Life is good here in the new area. I would be lying if I said I did not miss Vila Sonia. a lot. The members were just so incredible and they took care of us so well. So many nights we got phone calls saying ``Sisters! It is a little bit chilly out so we made you a soup! Come by after your appointments tonight!´´ One night a family dropped off an entire chicken! And we passed the temple almost every day. And our lunches with members were so incredible. Like seriously, you would think they were dining with the king of England or something.
But it is all good. Life goes on. I talked to Sister Farfal this week at a conference we had for all the sisters of the mission and I was flatered. She said that every morning she wakes up and sees my bed and just wants to sob. She said that every one of her phrases started with ´´Sister Lauren...´´ Finally her new companion said ``I don´t really want to hear a play by play of your time with Sister Lauren.´´ hahaha And Wendy and family have not completely forgotten about me yet! The little one, Aya, prays every night that her mom will get baptized so that I can come back for the special day. so sweet! ANDDD remember Miguel?! the Bolivian we were teaching sometime back who dropped us out of the blue? Well, the Saturday before I got transfered he called and said that he made a terrible mistake and wants to be baptized now. Turns out we (and more importantly our message) were unforgetable! yayyy I feel like a pround mama!
This mission thing is somewhat strange. Because we go from spending every waking and sleeping moment with someone. Seriously, the good moments and the times when we have a strong desire to pull our hair out. We fast, pray, cry, laugh, study... and then, out of now where everything changes in a blink of an eye. Sucks. I am living vicariously through her still. Really, living in the past.
But, my new companion is good. Very very patient and constant. I was not quite sure if she had a personality or not until we taught a lesson in English the other day. And yes, she is actually rather funny. The problem is she is still stuck in robot mode when she speaks Potuguese. Normal. But she is super smart and learning fast.
Ohhh funny story.. the other day we attempted to make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with the supplies mom sent. Only problem is... a can opener is something that Brazil does not know very much about yet. Sooo we used a butter knife. After about 50 gashes and only a small battle wound we finally pried the can open. But the cookies were totally worth it. A taste of a magical Utahn fall. mmm
The work here is coming along. We are teaching a few families that seem to have potential. One, we found as we were totally lost and asking everyone and their dog for help. Usually we offer to serve people as a way to make a contact, but turns out asking for help can work wonders too! haha.
We are also teaching a man named Edmilson. Actually we met his friend in the streets and marked a visit with her. But, she totally forgot and when we showed up they were having somewhat of a party. We began to teach this woman and I had a feeling that I should invite her two friends to listen. Edmilson was drinking and smoking, and the other friend was flaming gay so they did not seem (at least initially) to have a lot of promise. But when we began to teach, Edmilson began to cry. He told us that he has been wanting to make a change for quite sometime but he just did not have the tools to do it alone. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted right away. We invited him to church the next day and he went! He went with us to a family home evening at a members house, and yesterday he went to church again! He has stopped drinking coffee and alcohol and we are working with him on the cigarrettes. It is a process for sure, but he is willing to change and it is exciting to see his process. His pure desire to be a good example to his two married children is inspiring!
So, I am happy and well. Love you all and have a great week!
Sister Lauren
p.s. Sister Farfal absolutely lovedddd her packages. She actually calls you tia Christine now. And truly mom, she needed that. She said she opened the package and just cried. So thank you, thank you! President asked for your email to write you a thank you note but they loved the painting too!! My companion is good. A little quite but nice. She is 20 and studied for one year in Colorado before the mission. We life in a little house with two other great sisters and it is very fun! Today we are going to a zoo on P day. Have a great week! Love you!
An email from a family in Villa Sonia;
Oi minha querida e amada!!!
Amei receber seu email e seu cartão! Muitíssimo obrigada! Você é muito gentil e amorosa! uma filha muito amada do Pai Celestial e tenho certeza que Ele está muito feliz com seu trabalho e dedicação. Amo seu sorriso e a alegria que você sempre demonstra!
Claro que seremos amigas para sempre. Quando seus pais vierem buscá-la, quero muito conhecê-los. Vocês estão convidados para vir na minha e comer conosco. Será uma honra e privilégio! E se depois que você terminar a missão quiser passear aqui, as portas estarão abertas para você. Falo muito para minhas filhas que são casadas e que moram no Rio e Porto Alegre que você é um verdadeiro anjo. Ontem uma delas disse: Como está o seu anjo? Agora que tenho seu endereço, vou lá nos Estados Unidos visitá-la. Hahaha
Você é um grande exemplo para todos que convivem com você! Parabéns!!! Você me inspira a ser uma pessoa melhor. Muito obrigada!
Nós temos muita saudades, mas estamos felizes que você pode abençoar a vida destas outras pessoas que estão na sua nova Ala.
Parabéns!!! Seu português é perfeito! Nunca vi nenhum missionário americano escrever com tanta perfeição. Fiquei muito impressionada!
Uma excelente semana! Que o Pai Celestial guie os seus passos e de sua companheira e que os anjos estejam ao seu redor. Que vocês sejam conduzidas aos eleitos. Oramos sempre por vocês!
Com todo o meu amor, MEU ANJO!!! Tem algo que posso fazer para ajudá-la?
Beijinhos
Zuleika
Translation;
To my dear beloved,
I loved receiving your email and your card. Thank you so very much. You are very kind and loving! A loved daughter of our Heavenly Father and I am certain that Heavenly Father is very pleased with your hard word and dedication. I love your beautiful smile and happy disposition, which you alway demonstrate.
For certain, we will be friends forever. When your parents come bring them here as I would like very much to know them. You are invited to come to our home for dinner. It will be an honor and a privilege for us. If after your mission you want to come here and visit the doors will always be open for you. I have told my married daughters that live in Rio and Porto Alegre that you are truly an angel. Now that I have your address, I will go to the United States to visit you-- hahahha.
You are an excellent example for everyone around you. Congratulations. You inspire me to be a better person. Thank you so much!
We miss you very much, but we are also pleased that you are able to bless the lives of the people in your new ward.
Congratulations, your Portuguese is perfect. I have never seen a missionary write Portuguese as well as you do. I am very impressed.
Congratulations, your Portuguese is perfect. I have never seen a missionary write Portuguese as well as you do. I am very impressed.
Have a very good week and I pray that our Heavenly Father will guide your steps, and those of your companion that the angels will surround you and that you will be guided to the elite. We pray always for you.
With all my love, my angel. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Kisses,
Zuleika
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