December 26th! (An unexpected surprise!!)

 Family,

I got my 7 days of Christmas and it was perfect. You are so thoughtful and perfect. Mom. I love you! But this week really has been great. I have made such good friends with everyone already. My companion is from England and she is really great. She has been here for two weeks now but she really struggles with the language so I have been able to help her a lot. I am actually really grateful for that because I am learning better by teaching and I love being able to serve her in some way. She hated her last companion and I was terrified of being with some weirdo so we express gratitude to eachother all the time.

My district is great too. A really great balance. Our district leader is named Elder Lene and he is sort of a clown. In fact, until he got his call he did not even know the meaning of the word study. However as soon as he got his calling he got a sudden rush of male dominence and tried to be incredibly bossy. However my companion and I kindly explained that he was merely to guide us if we needed direction. He apologized and his future wife with thank us I am sure.

Sundays are really great here! This sunday I got called to be the sister leader of all the sisters in my branch! That will be exciting. I want to welcome them in some cute way so I am trying to brainstorm. But Im honored to have that opportunity. I also got called to give am impromptu talk but I think it went alright! I can now pray and give my testimony in Portuguese and we have already taught lots of fake invstigators in Portuguese so that is pretty cool. Our lessons are sort of shaky but I am sure they will get better with time.

Last night Elder Bednar put on an INCREDIBLE devotional. It was interesting, he sent cell phones to the crowd and had everyone text him questions and then he answered them on the spot. I took copius notes but everything he said was very profound. In particular, he talked about the best kinds of missionaries he has every associated with. He said they all have one important quality, they are selfless. He said those who put aside their own wants or discomforts and focus on serving are the most successful. It is a good reminder that we only have a limited amount of time as designated missionaries and to make it count.

We get gym time every day and the Brazillians are fascinated by my work out routine. They occassionally borrow my jump rope and they think push ups and sit ups are comical. That book and my bands are great. Mom, it has been wonderful unpacking this week and finding how entirely prepared I am. I have everything I could need. In fact I made a list, the other day of all the things I need to buy on P day and when I oppened my presents you had gotten me everything already! So on top of it!.

But I am glad the fossils are back on their stomping ground and I am happy you guys had a good Christmas. My day was very different but also very special.

I love you guys very much!

Sister Lauren 

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Week #1,

Hi family!

 I have exactly 15 minutes to write today so I hope I can get to your emails but it may not happen today. I will get to email again sometime this week though so it is okay. But MERRY CHRISTMAS or as we say here FELIZ NATAL I hope you have an incredible day. My day has definitely been different than anything I am used to but I have really loved it. Actually the whole week has been pretty good. I will tell you more about it later but I really like it here and I am learning a lot. I was actually way more prepared in every respect from the language to the discussions. I did not realize how good college would be for me but my mission prep classes and Portuguese classes have served me well and I don't feel inadequate in any way at the moment.

Anyway thank you so so so much for all the thought you put in to make my first week special. Mom, you never cease to amaze me. The tree hangs with pride in my room, I slept in my cozy pjs last night and my companion and I adored our gifts this morning. It is beautiful and wonderful here. I could definitely get used to stringing lights on palm trees. And everyone has really gone out of their way to make this holiday special for us. A few highlights include the big Christmas program we put on for the neighborhood on Sunday. Everyone from the community gathered around to listen to us sing. Let me emphasize that the Brazillians are TERRIBLE at singing. And the Americans are really bad at pronouncing Portuguese words. So I thought it was an interesting performance but our audience ate it up and the missionaries in the area got lots of referrals and the community responded really well.

Another highlight was an incredible Christmas devotional we had last night. The president and his wife put it on and it was very special. In particular his wife, Sister Degn gave a talk that I don't intend on forgetting anytime soon. She showed the video of Christ's birth from Mary's perspective and went on to tell of Mary's complete faith in her Heavenly Father and the plan regarding her precious son. She told about a time when she and her sons went to see Christ while he was teaching in the synagouges. Someone informed Him that his family was there to see him and he told his congregation something to the effect of ... right now you are my family. This touched me a lot as I thought of how much faith Mary exerted as she completed her earthly mission. She raised her little baby teaching Him all she deemed necessary and then let him go do the things he needed to do. She completed her mission with honor. Christ completed his mission with honor. And now I want to do the same. The mission is not always easy but I love the things I am learning here. And I am grateful that I am able to be a part of such an important work.

Love you guys. I will try to email soon.

Tchau,
Sister Lauren

MY FIRST MISSIONARY LETTER!!!

Hi forward this to the family.

I have like 10 minutes. But I got to the CTM safe and sound. Of course, Paulinho was waiting with a guarana and pao de quejos. He's the best. Being here is slightly exciting, slightly terrifying. But I am actually way more prepared than I thought, language wise and at least for now I seem to be ahead of the game. I know it is not a competition and I know it won't last but I understand a lot so that is good. People keep asking me where I learned Portuguese and how long I have been here.

But I love you guys a lot. This is probably going to be one of the more difficult experiences. As expected it is sort of lock down around here. Lots and lots of rules. Such as cameras are NOT allowed except on P days in the building so don't expect any neat pictures for a while. (sorry mom)

I will write more next time.

Lauren


Oh and my P days are on Wednesday. And my campanion is from London and she seems pretty great! We are the only two in our room so that's good. The dude acclamating us to the MTC seemed incredibly intimidating at first. He first told me I would be going by Sister Neeleman and then he informed me that his wife packed less than I did when moving to Brazil so I felt like a total Barbie. But by the middle of the day I realized he is rude and sarcastic so he made a little more sense.

Until next week, Tchau

Boa Dia! Good Morning Brazil!

I woke up to this  email from Paulinio;

To see that she made it to Brazil safely and was smiling was a huge blessing to a mom that spent the entire day bursting into tears over anything and everything. Today is going to be a better day.

Later in the day I received this from the CTM President;

Dear Parents,

We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC.  What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.

They now have companions and are settled into their rooms.  They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study.  The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting.  These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.

The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs.  He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.

Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple.  This will be either Wednesday or Friday, depending on individual assignments.

Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others.  We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “ There is no mortal man that is as interested in the success of an elder when he is preaching the Gospel as is the Lord who sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord's children".

Please accept our love,



President Ralph Degn and Sister Mary Ann Degn

            Lauren's pass along cards for her companions and people she teaches in Brazil!

GOOD BYE for 18 months!

Why are Good Bye's so hard!

Today started out bright and early at our home. Lauren will be away from the home she grew up in for the next 18 months. Why does that seem so long! We ate breakfast together; creamed eggs, a family favorite. Of course Lauren's food was served on the "You are Special Today" plate as we always do on a special day in our home. Traditions are big in the Neeleman home.

This morning was a little exciting, scary and very stressful.  As we were walking out the door for the airport Lauren couldn't find her new Cole Han/Nike Air mission shoes.  I researched the types of shoes that are the best for comfort and durability, these were the best. I sucked it up, paid the price and bought them. She has worn them the last couple of weeks and agreed these were amazing. Unfortunately, they never turned up! Hopefully they will! At this point we just had to leave for the airport! Let's face it she has some other shoes in her bag, just not the BEST ones. She may roll into the MTC and be mistaken by Imilda Marcos as it is!!

We drove to the SLC airport everyone with a lump in our throats! We tried to offer any words of encouragement, but we all were feeling like we could burst into tears at any point!

 Rachel went online and ordered these "Eternity Bands" for all the sisters to wear to remind them of each other while Lauren is gone! She is so thoughtful.

Good Bye Lauren! Brazil is lucky to have you! But they don't get you for 1 minute longer than 18 months! We love you, we will miss you and we will always pray for you; for your safety, success and hour happiness!

THE BEST PART OF TODAY!!!!
Last night in the middle of the night I woke Steve up and told him to go to Walmart and buy a phone card to send Lauren with. He thought I was crazy but said he would do it in the morning. When Lauren got to Atlanta I received a call from a random Atlanta phone number! It was "Sister Lauren"!

She said, "mom, I just had the best flight of my life! I sat next to a lady from Hong Kong." Lauren and a lot of things to talk about and in common with this lady since Lauren had been to Hong Kong. The lady said to Lauren, You look so happy, you are just glowing. Where are you going and why? How long? This opened a whole conversation about the church and why she would leave her family she loved and not even be home for Christmas. The lady was shocked. She said to Lauren, "I need to hear more about your Church. How can that happen." Lauren reached into her bag and pulled out a pass-a-long card that I threw in there at the last minute. She circled the phone number on the card and handed the card to the lady. She told her that they would send her a FREE book of Mormon and a Video and someone would come to her house to teach her! The lady was thrilled and told her she was going to add Lauren to facebook. Her parting words as she got off the flight was, "I have a layover here in Atlanta and I am going to go call this number."

LET THE MISSION WORK BEGIN!!!!

OFF TO BRAZIL….

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission

Sister Lauren Neeleman,

Dear Sister Neeleman;

You are hereby called to serve in as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Brazil Sao Paulo West Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period f 18 months.

You should report to the Brazil Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, December 18, 2013.

Everyone guessing where Lauren will serve before her announcement and opening of the call!

Lauren opened her mission call with our little family before opening for the big crowd at the large announcement party. This was so amazing. I liked being able to focus on Lauren and looking at the papers in her call together and playing hostess to the party after I was able to talk with Lauren. There were about 75-100 people at the house and Grandparents and family on the phone conference call.

Many of the people here commented that they didn't know Lauren was thinking of going on a mission. She started thinking about this months ago and for some reason suddenly stopped her papers because something didn't feel right. Lauren kept going with life, school and the business program. She applied to BYU Finance program in early June. Right after she was excepted she felt like she should go in a mission. Lauren does really well when she has a path and direction in her life. This works amazingly, she will return in June and start the Finance program in August!

August 7th, at 6:30 am the American Fork called to say its here!

Congratulations!

You have been called on a mission.

 December 15, 2013

Lauren's Mission Farewell

Lauren's Farewell Talk

Good Morning! I cannot believe this day is actually here! I am having flash backs to about seven years ago when I stood here reporting my experience participating in a mini mission program that has become a tradition for our ward. As we studied from Preach My Gospel, knocked on a few doors, and taught a lesson to a family in our ward I remember thinking for the first time that I could actually see myself serving a mission someday. Further, as we taught the lesson and I testified of the first vision and the Plan of Salvation I remember feeling a distinct, powerful reassurance that the things I taught were both true and very important. I am excited to be able to have a similar experience but on a much larger scale starting in a few short days.

I am so excited to talk today about service, a topic I love very much. My parents have raised me on the simple paradox that the people who are the happiest are the ones who spend the most time making other people happy. I have always been amazed at the way they consistently strive to go about doing good. However lately, as I have prepared to serve a mission, I have been especially humbled by the way they each came to my aid in their own special way.

My mom could win an award for the best missionary mom and I have not even left yet! We started shopping for shoes and skirts before I even opened my call. She did a lot of research and found stackable suitcases and towels the thickness of a quarter for easy drying and packing. She even bought and wrapped a gift for my mission presidents’ wife. Additionally, she drove down to Provo to meet me for a Portuguese class every day for months and labeled all the basic items in our house to give me a little bit of a foundation on the language. She also joined a group of missionary moms with children serving in Brazil, specifically Sao Paulo and she converses with them regularly to find out all she can about my mission. The list could go on and on, but basically she has worked tirelessly for months to make sure I am comfortable and happy in the mission field and I will be eternally grateful for her loving support in all my endeavors.

A few months ago I had an incredible opportunity to visit Brazil with my grandparents and sort of explore the country and meet some of the people I would be serving for the next 18 months. I came back really excited but also a little nervous. My dad sensed that and immediately looked for ways to reassure me that everything would work out. He started writing me a weekly email telling me stories about his mission or ways he believed a mission would enrich my life and the lives of those I served. These letters have brought us closer as I got to learn why his mission was so valuable to him and what to look forward to. He also worked with me to create a bucket list of experiences to complete before leaving. This list included sailing, riding bikes along the beach, skiing, a lot of Thai and Vietnamese food, a Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert. He worked hard to make these last few months memorable and exciting. More than anything though, he made sure I knew that I could always turn to him for advice or guidance and that he would put aside anything to help me.

I chose to share these particular examples only because they are recent and especially close to my heart with my departure date rapidly approaching, but the list of charitable acts I have seen my parents perform over my lifetime could go on for a really long time. I am immensely grateful that my parents have taught me, by example, the importance of selfless acts of service to loved ones, neighbors, and even occasionally perfect strangers.

 A long-time favorite scripture of mine has been Doctrine and Covenants 18:10: “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;”

However, I did not grasp the full meaning of this verse or realize why I loved it so much until I traveled to India. As sixteen-year-old girls, my cousin and I decided to get involved with an organization and fly across the world to India merely to serve those afflicted with leprosy. I am embarrassed to admit that up until then, I did not even realize that leprosy even existed passed bible times. However, I soon learned that I was very wrong as I saw the horrific effects this disease still has on victims. I met people who had lost their eyesight or fingers and

toes. Our job was to make sure they were as comfortable as can be given the circumstances. There was one particular man who had lost some of his fingers and his hands looked pretty mangled. It was impossible for him to handle nail clippers or a scrub brush on his own so I cut his nails and washed his wounds. As I finished up he grasped my hands and whispered, “Thank you my child. God bless you.” 

I then felt a special sort of spirit, the one I only feel when I am serving others, testifying that this man was a son of the same Heavenly Father who cared about him very much. Indeed, even the soul of this tired, struggling man was very great in the sight of God and I felt honored and humbled that I had the opportunity to help him in some small way.

Many of us will remember the poignant talk Elder Holland gave in October 2012 about Peter but I love it and I think we should study stories directly involving Christ whenever possible. After Christ rose from the tomb he came back to check up on his apostles where he found them fishing.  He approached Peter and asked three times “Peter, do you love me.” When Peter answered, “Yea Lord I do love you, Christ responded, “then feed my sheep.”

Elder Holland elaborated a little as follows: 

 “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me.”

Likewise, I can testify first hand that it can be hard to leave our nets. Especially lately, I occasionally ask myself why I am willing to my family and friends, my education, and really most aspects of the life I love here so much. However, I take comfort from this story knowing that my Savior has offered me an invitation to serve him and his people similar to the one he offered to Peter and to all of us. He needs disciples. I am just honored to be able to serve him full-time for 18 months.

As many of you know, my grandpa recently experienced a stroke and I am so excited he is here today. He has been an inspiration to me as almost 60 years ago he left his nets, my wonderful grandma among other things, and got on a boat headed for Brazil for his mission. He then served his beloved people of Brazil for three years and has continued to serve them since then. He created a tradition of valiant missionary service for our family and has since instilled a passion for Brazil in us as well. I am excited and honored to be able to follow in his footsteps.

In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who committed the greatest act of service imaginable when He took upon the sins of all mankind. He went about doing good throughout his mortal life, leaving us a perfect pattern for a righteous fulfilling life. Then at the capstone of his life he suffered immensely for the sins of all who would ever live on this earth. He suffered emotional agony and bled from every pore in the garden of Gethsemane. He was brutally scourged and shamelessly mocked. Nails were driven into his hands and feet. And then, he hung on the cross trembling until his last breath. Although he was perfect, he went through this pain for us. I am honored that come Tuesday I will wear His name next to mine on my badge and represent his church as I try to go about doing good in Brazil. I love this gospel and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

" - The largest city in Brazil  - The world's sixth's largest city by population. - Strong regional influence in commerce, finance, arts and entertainment and a strong international influence. - It is home to several important monuments, parksand museums. - The city holds high profile events. - It is home to the São Paulo Stock Exchange. - São Paulo is also home to several of the tallest buildings in Brazil. - Colloquially known as ""Sampa"" or ""Cidade da Garoa"" (city of drizzle). - Mindset Institute says: Happy Anniversary São Paulo for your 460 years of hard work, sheltering,progress and pride!!!"