tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6769888185863577492024-03-05T19:23:48.579-08:00Sister Kieren Hadley SmithMy experiences as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Porto Alegre, Brazilkierenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157044822204571137noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-32802828987758916082015-03-20T07:34:00.002-07:002015-03-20T07:34:09.594-07:00Kieren's Last Post!!!! 11 March 2015 <br />
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This week was amazing. <div>
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Marcos, with whom we have been working, praying, and setting goals for quite a while now, finally was able to stop smoking in enough time to be baptized and confirmed last Saturday and Sunday. It was an amazing blessing and miracle to have at the end of my mission. </div>
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We have also been working with a really special family that has 6 kids! This Sunday, one of our dear members went to their house to pick them up and the mom and one of her kids went to church for the first time! The daughter, who during the lessons said that she probably wouldn´t come, loved church so much that she told us she will for sure be coming back! </div>
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One of the other members in our ward gave us a referall of their next door neighbor. After just a quick conversation with her at the gate, she said she would go to church, and she did! The members gave her and her little daughter a ride and sat with her. </div>
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The members really make a difference. I love this ward. </div>
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I think a scripture that really sums up my mission is Mosiah 5:2. I thank Heavenly Father so much for molding me into who I am now and showing me that I can become even more. </div>
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We got to go to the temple yesterday which was one of the moments of greatest happiness that I have ever experienced in my life. </div>
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My time is short here, but know I love being a missionary. I love my Savior and I am so grateful for everything he has done for me. </div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-26997897010783304172015-03-03T11:15:00.001-08:002015-03-03T11:15:02.035-08:00Baptism Day!<img alt="Displaying IMG_0615.JPG" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=17abd1eb8f&view=fimg&th=14bdbc9ae7bcab75&attid=0.2&disp=inline&realattid=f_i6s7l1av3&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9CrYwrjh2ndealUSr6XXAg-slMXIxa1850MBh68D8oAq6GtvdSRRPDbq_lMxG-XkXGbG-64070r8GrkkhUZdALFf4410-MZjNEd8EOH9SQjfwuQQ471TtuKss&ats=1425401252100&rm=14bdbc9ae7bcab75&zw&sz=w1329-h462" />smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-32848331740596440162015-03-03T11:14:00.001-08:002015-03-03T11:14:30.018-08:00The beautiful Bride<img alt="Displaying IMG_0649.JPG" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=17abd1eb8f&view=fimg&th=14bdbc76f4ab40a2&attid=0.2&disp=inline&realattid=f_i6s78o4f1&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ8Gk4eEuvEJezjx201GRp1mpxRW-hgm3xqZXUZQbgTPRnsBCM1iGAkWdNDK63RtXrloVK05BsfROwgHVo8sHyc72mnDWcEdZMEtlKNnEdLyQ1j17HLgNRSTnsg&ats=1425401252096&rm=14bdbc76f4ab40a2&zw&sz=w1329-h462" />smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-82543352525604869742015-03-03T11:13:00.002-08:002015-03-03T11:13:44.778-08:00At the Wedding <img alt="Displaying IMG_0601.JPG" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=17abd1eb8f&view=fimg&th=14bdbc76f4ab40a2&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_i6s787jm0&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-HzFli8yhJk3QSWjUelsjWbncFb2SetwfKBld4uxQYbVwNWEquYunBLnHngfb6BflRp4d1DR9KKLmE9ac772xdFAsK8wqmBglgTgWrGplD4K6l5IscAHLtBwo&ats=1425401252096&rm=14bdbc76f4ab40a2&zw&sz=w1329-h462" />smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-65007808459043401762015-03-03T11:12:00.001-08:002015-03-03T11:12:59.337-08:002 March 2015<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
5 years ago, two sisters knocked on the door of Fernanda and Eduardo. They accepted to hear a message and liked it. They went to church, learned about the gospel, but somehow things just didn´t fall into place and after the missionaries changed, the visits stopped and they stopped going to church. Three months ago, as we were looking through the Area Book, the name of this family stood out. We wrote it down and sent a couple of sisters to go knock on their door (everyone in the district was working in our area). They came back with an excited report "You HAVE to visit this family. They are really special." They truly are.<br /><br />They accepted the gospel so willingly and have an amazing faith. We were finally able to help them see it through and get married and then baptized by the authority of God, starting their new journey as a family, united in the discipleship of Jesus Christ. <br /></div>
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I have really developed a great love for this family. Yesterday, when we visited them for the first time after baptism, we read parts of 2 Ne 31. Fernanda, who when we started barely knew how to read, was so proud to be able to be "reading without stops" and when we asked them what the next step is after baptism and confirmation, they responded "endure to the end" how? they stopped and thought. "keep going to church, learning, studying, pay tithing, and obey all the commandments." Yes! They are amazing. I hope to see them be sealed and become an eternal family!<br /></div>
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2 Nephi 31:19-21<br />"And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14bdbc76f4ab40a2_20"> </a>Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14bdbc76f4ab40a2_21"> </a>And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."<br />
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Love you!<br />
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-58878701190459038402015-02-25T08:22:00.001-08:002015-02-25T08:22:37.988-08:0025 February 2015<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Each moment becomes more and more precious as it goes by faster and faster. We did an activity with all the sisters here in Pelótas so we had to split our email time, that´s why the letter is late....<div>
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We were sad. We had done everything we could but they ended up not coming to church. However, the Lord had different plans for us. At church, Fernanda and Eduardo brought not only Andressa and Anderson, their two little kids, but also Gustavo and Allison, two other kids that had gotten back from their month long vacation with relatives during school break. It was amazing to see such an adorable family all sitting together and was the answer to our prayers. We want to see families joining the church, and this family is preparing to make that step. </div>
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The Lord also worked another miracle in our ward. Ever since Julia´s baptism, the young women have been getting really excited about missionary work. They all went together (including Elizabeth!) to make visits to less active young women and resolve differences that have been between them for years. That takes a lot of courage. The result? A group of young women that had two sometimes three members has now almost quadrupled in size. There was hardly enough space in the young women´s room. Young women that had not been to church in years were there <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1303573860" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>, listening attently and preparing for the upcoming youth conference. </div>
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One special miracle was Cristian´s framily. We visited them <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1303573861" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span>. He has not been to church in years, but has such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith. He faces a lot of opposition but knows what he needs to do. We challenged him act on the precious gift of his testimony. His home teachers have never stopped visiting and the young women went and visited his daughter as well <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1303573862" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span>. We challenged his 9 year old son to wake up early and jump on his dad until he comes to church. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1303573863" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> morning we arrive and as we enter the gates, we see a car pull up. Out steps Cristian and João (son). His daughter had already gotten a ride with the young women. We gave João a high five and asked if he jumped on his dad. He smiled and said " I didn´t even need to!" Cristian was met with hugs, smiles, and old friends nearly in tears. It was a beautiful moment to see the whole ward rejoicing in the return of the one. We all rejoiced knowin that the small efforts of everyone combined had brought to pass this wonderful event. </div>
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Marcos also came to church again! He is working hard to stop smoking and is so willing to accept challenges and make changes. The Lord´s hand is at work here. </div>
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In Helaman 14 we read about the reason we are here. We want everyon to know this good news. The joy that can come when we repent, when we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and gain the hope of eternal life. </div>
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11 And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I comeup upon the walls of this city, that ye might hear and know ofthe judgments of God which do await you because of youriniquities, and also that ye might know the conditions ofrepentance;<br /><br /> 12 And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ,the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creatorof all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of thesigns of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on hisname.<br /><br /> 13 And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins,that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits.<div>
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I am so grateful to be a missionary. So grateful to have the chance to wear the name of the Savior Jesus Christ. </div>
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Love,</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-57349653034353213132015-02-18T04:14:00.001-08:002015-02-18T04:14:46.702-08:0018 February 2015<br />
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What a wonderful week! </div>
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The Lord blessed us with some great progress this week. </div>
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Elizabeth is so awesome. She bought modest dress to use at the dance at Youth Conference was really excited to go. Her family is slowly warming up to the message of the Restored Gospel. </div>
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Marcos also came to church! He is working hard to stop drinking and smoking and is keeping up with his goals!</div>
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Fernanda found her stroller, so instead of using the bike, she brought the kids to church in the stroller :) The ward is being so awesome in helping plan the wedding :) :)</div>
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Also, Happy Valentine´s Day! I found out that in Peru, Ecuador, the U.S., and most other countries in North, South and Central America (don´t know about the rest of the world) celebrate Valentine´s day. Except Brasil. They celebrate it <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1798672900" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">June 12th</span></span>. But it was still fun! I was on a division, and Sister Diaz from Peru said Happy Valentine´s day. That was about it for the celebration. <div>
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Yesterday we went to a neighborhood called Passo do Salso, which is basically a giant endless sandy dirt road with some little sideroads with cute colorful houses. We talked to people along the way, including Claudette, a super sweet gypsy woman that we marked to visit next week. We had forgotten our water bottles and were really thirsty. I felt sand clinging to my teeth and a dry throat. We arrived at the less-active member´s house that we were going to visit, but they weren´t home. So we decided to contact the neighbors, invite them to church, and ask for much needed water. </div>
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The first house we came to had a giant fence but it was open. We clapped and a man came out. Before we could even speak he said "Are you from a church?" Yes, we are missionaries of..... "I don´t want to hear it. The weeked is my only chance to rest and you people come by every weekend to bother us. Don´t you have laundry to do? Leave me alone and don´t bother my neighbors either." And then he turned and went into his house. Rejection is nothing new, but this was a little harsh. </div>
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Part of me wanted to just be done, head back to the other neighborhood where we have nice investigators, do a bit of walking, but we are representatives of Jesus Christ. He wouldn´t desist after one setback. So we went to a nearby house with an open window. A really nice girl attended and called her dad. They were in the middle of a project but were super nice and accepted a return visit. They brought us a cold water and we drank. We thanked them and went on our way. </div>
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Turning the corner, we saw Claudette, who we had talked to earlier. We stopped and talked to her and her husband and they gave us more water! As we talked, Claudette told us that she had been praying to find a religion to follow. And then we talked to her. And here we were again! The Lord truly puts the elect in our path when we continue working and never give up. </div>
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John 4:14-15 "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.<br />The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw"</div>
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Love you!!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-69827751005580613322015-02-16T04:52:00.000-08:002015-02-16T04:52:03.961-08:009 February 2015<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">My dear ones, </span><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
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Sorry about not writing last week- Pday was a National Holiday for some saint of some sort and all the internet cafès were closed. And the rest of the week we just didn´t have a spare minute! Which is a good thing. Man, it´s awesome being a missionary. </div>
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So, if you remember Julia´s baptism, she brought a friend, Elizabeth. Now Elizabeth has been coming to church and want´s to get baptized too! But she wants her dad, Jorge, to get to know the church too (he said he would next week!) and hopefully he will accompany her and they can be an even happier family! So on Wednesday we taught her with Julia in the chapel- and apparently I left my wallet there, but didn´t realize it. It was only the next night that I saw that it was missing. I looked EVERYWHERE but didn´t find it. I talked to a lady in the ward and it wasn´t at her house. So I prayed. And I remembered the chapel! Yesterday I picked it up at church. I cannot count the number of times I have lost something and God has helped me remember exactly where I left it. He is very patient. </div>
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We also had a fun experience with ties. So it was Irmão Aldo´s birthday and we had lunch with them, so we bought a tie for him (In the picture, it is the one I am using). He really liked it. We left and made our visits, and later in the day, we stopped by another member´s house to pick up Sister Narváez´s backpack that she left there. Who did we see at the window? Irmão Aldo. He was asking the other Irmão how to tie the tie because he never learned, being a recent convert to the church. Unfortunately, the other Irmão also did not know how. They have all their ties pre tied, and just loosen them to take them off and then tighten them to go to church the next week. No one knew how. Dad, this will make you proud- I remembered wayy back inmy childhood, I don´t even remember when, when Dad and Gav and Ty taught us how to tie ties. I could only remember the single windsor (I think?) but we formed a circle and I taught everyone how to tie a tie. I was happy to have that skill come to my remembrance. </div>
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This week has been truly filled with miracles. But as in Ether 12:6, the witness comes only after the trial of our faith. For example, after going to a return appointment where the investigator returned the Book of Mormon and refused to hear more because of what a pastor said to her, we did not let that get us down, we went to see if any of the neighbors would hear our message! We ended up finding some great new investigators on that street and some very special families with great potential. I know that the Lord accompanies us in this work. He participates not only in our moments of triumph, but also during our trials. He lifts us up and helps us move forward when we exercise our faith in Him and let Him help us. I know that Christ is our Savior and that he walked the hardest path so that it would be possible for us to come to Him, walk with Him, and help others come along the way.</div>
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Love,</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-66568246361125203702015-01-28T12:42:00.002-08:002015-01-28T12:42:41.104-08:0028 January 2015 - Kieren gets burned in an explosion....<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So... It´s been a pretty eventful week and I will try to share it all with you..</span><br />
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Everything is going well with Fernanda and Eduardo´s wedding plans. Will keep you updated. We had three companionship exchanges this week which was fun. Lots of new investigators and good lessons. </div>
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This week we opened the chapel and talked to people on the streets, inviting them to come in and see what it is like inside. It was a smashing success! Lots of people came to our chapel tour and we got to teach about the sacrament by the sacrament table and baptism by the baptismal font and lots of the people were willing to receive the lessons! Unfortunately, the chapel is not in our area so the majority of the people we will not visit, but it was still an amazing experience and we are definitely going to do it again!</div>
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So there are some people that say don´t tell your family any of the hard things that happen, but i think you guys can handle it and I wan´t to keep you informed, so get ready for an adventure...<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_638506262" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> morming after we had gone running I went to make pão de queijo for breakfast, and our oven went out and when I went to relight it (mistake) it exploded and I got burned pretty bad. (Side note: I AM FINE! Don´t freak out). We called a member and they came super fast and took me to the hospital´s pronto socorro where I was attended within 1 minute, which was good because it was hurting pretty bad. My only second degree burns were on the hand so the rest of me is fine. (Face just a little burned, eylashes just singed, arm hair burnt to a stubble (literally haha) and they gave me pain meds so it didn´t even hurt after that). It´s funny to say but this has been one of the best things that has happened to me on my mission. I will send pics later, maybe after I get home beause it is kind of ugly. </div>
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But anyway I have seen such amazing examples of service and felt the love of the Savior so close to me this week that I don´t even know where to start. </div>
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First, my companion was there the whole time (obviousy) but more than just being there, she is so ready to offer help when needed. She even washed my hair in the sink yesterday since I can´t do that.</div>
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Then there´s Irmã Juliana and Irmão Rudnei. They were the ones that ran us to the hospital and then after that basically everywhere we needed to go (the farmacy, to lunch and back, stake conference, etc)</div>
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Then there´s Irmã Rosângela, who is a nurse. She helps people all day long and I can tell it is super tiring, but she insists on coming to my apartment twice a day to change the gauze and curative cream on my hands and make sure it is healing well. Today she came during her lunch break and had to walk miles to get there and miles to get back to work. She is amazing. P.S. She says I am curing great :)</div>
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Then there´s Irmã Sandra, who is with me today. Sister Kirk is finishing her mission so she had to go to Porto Alegre today. I was originally going to go with her, but I have to take it easy today, so we arranged for her to come stay with me. She has already cleaned our whole house to get ready for my new companion (Sister Narvaez- hispanic not sure which country yet), made lunch, and did companionship and personal study with me. She is excited to be a missionary for a Pday :)</div>
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Then of course, there is President and Sister Castro. Since God knew this was going to happen, he already sent President and Sister Castro here to Pelótas for Stake Conference, so they were super close by already when it happened (even though they live in Porto Alegre 4 hours away). They came <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_638506263" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> afternoon to our house, bringing sacks of groceries with some of my favorite delicious things- peach nectar, frosted flakes, bananas) and then they sat and talked with us. Presidente Castro gave me a beautiful blessing and I am feeling so great already! They had to rearrange their whole schedule to be with me, but they did it, which made me feel so loved and taken care of. </div>
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There are countless other examples, like our district leader giving us a box of chocolate, all the Irmãs concern at church and calling, and really just feeling encircled with love. It´s been hard not being able to do everything I normally do- like I have to ask someone to put my hair in a ponytail everytime I want my hair out of my face, and simple things like asking to put the cap on the toothpaste. But I have been blessed with amazing friends. </div>
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One of the first things I asked the doctors at the ER was how long before I would be able to play piano. You will all be pleased to know that I still played in Stake Conference- just with an arrangement I made on the spot for left hand only. It wasn´t too bad :) I also sang a duet with Sister Kirk so that was fun.</div>
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Also, one of the investigators we had planned to visit was at the hospital too because she had cut her foot! So, good that we got to see her, bad that she cut her foot :(</div>
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There is another lady in our ward who has a salon and offered to cut all the burnt crisps out of my hair and hydrate it. :) Oficially the best ward ever!!!</div>
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Also I am getting super good at writing with my left hand :) </div>
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So many blessing this week!!! It´s been amazing. </div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-47977294908414369832015-01-19T09:51:00.001-08:002015-01-19T09:51:40.011-08:0012 and 19 of January 2015<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
January 12, 2015</div>
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This week I had a first- I got to be a witness in marking a wedding:) Here the weddings have to be planned with the Cartório way in advance, so we went with Eduardo and Fernanda to start the process for theirs. I brought all my documents and they let me be a witness! Now at the end of February they can be married! It has seriously been amazing seeing this process. Five years ago, Fernanda and Eduardo started investigating with sisters. When it switched to Elders, the process stopped and they went 5 years without coming to church. Now, they are back in the groove and enthusiastic and we saw the Lord guiding this process. For example, we had to get their birth certificates from the cartório where they were registered, which could be one of many in Pelótas, but the first one we tried, was right! And the other birth certificate was in a distant city, but we called the elders there, they picked it up, and they happened to be in the city the very day that we needed to mark the wedding. Thanks Elders!</div>
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Eduardo and Fernanda were so cute when they came to church yesterday. We passed by their house to see if they needed anything and we walked with them to church. They have two little kids (three but one is traveling) and their stroller is with another friend, so they put one on the back of a bike and the other in a little basked seat in the front and walked alongside the bike to get to church. </div>
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So Friday was exciting. We were just about to start a service project helping to build a house, but suddenly I stepped on a board with a rusty nail sticking up and got blood all over my heart sock that mom gave me and all over my converse. But lest anyone be worried, Irmã Michele took me straight to "Pronto Socorro" and they gave me a tetanus shot and sent me on my merry way. The nail didn´t go in too deep and I was able to get right back to work the next day with only a slight limp! </div>
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And it was good that we were able to make visits on Saturday because it was one of the best days ever! We taught a man named Marcos for the first time and he said he would come to church. And guess what? He came to church! I gave Gospel Principles class and we were talking about how we, as children of God, have divine attributes, and we shared a bit about how we have some attributes of our parents. I showed my family photo (everyone is always very impressed with dad´s height) and Marcos happened to have a photo of his dad in his wallet. He said "I get my mustache from my dad..." His dad has one of the biggest caterpillar mustaches I have ever seen. The funny part is, Marcos...doesn´t have a mustache. But anyway it was a good lesson. </div>
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It was cool because Marcos always sits with some friends on a street that we always walk down and I have to admit I never would have guesed that he would come to church, but we always made a point to be friendly and say hi to everyone in the group. I think we talked to some of them a few months agod but no one showed real interest. But the other day, we were walking by and said hi and then one lady said "hey! What church are you from? I want to hear your message." So we marked a day and taught them (saturday). What a great lesson. I learned that if we are friendly and exude the light of Christ, people will notice and have a desire to learn more. Also, never judge beforehand because ALL children of God have immense potential. </div>
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We seriously saw so many miracles this week. It has been a week of many answered prayers and I am very grateful. D&C 78:18-19!!</div>
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Love you guys!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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Hello!! <div>
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Shoutout to the most wonderful little sister in the world! Happy Birthday (17th) Lysie!!!!!!!!!! Love you.</div>
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Julia got baptized! It was wonderful! She brought her friend and her mom and they both came to church the next day for the confirmation! Woohoo!!!</div>
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This week we taught her the life after death part of the Plan of Salvation and we talked about the judgment. When I asked her how she felt about the judgment day, she stopped and thought, and then said something that I think we all should strive to be able to say at all points in our life. She looked up and with a little smile said, "If I keep going with what I am doing now, I don´t think I have any reason to be worried."</div>
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Marcos also came to church again! After church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_279144112" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>, he even came and joined the chimarrão group in front of Irmã Lu´s house, which is a big deal- integration with the members!</div>
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It was a super crazy week with three companionship exchanges, including traveling to Camaquã but it was fun! </div>
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We had lots of miracles, lots of new people to teach. We also had a zone meeting with training by the assistants about how to broaden our vision. How sometimes when we have super high goals and hopes, others think that we are crazy, but it is not the first time that that has happened. They talked about Nephi´s example, how Laman and Lemuel called him crazy for following the counsel of their father. They tell him, "thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolishimaginations of his heart..." (1 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_279144113" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">17:20</span></span>) which is meant to be an insult, but can really be taken as a compliment. Nephi is like his father, both heeding the counsel of the Lord, no matter how others might view it. But how great it would be if we could be told the same thing, that we are like our Father in Heaven and that we have the same vision as he does- to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men" (Moses <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_279144114" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:39</span></span>) Not just some people, not just half of mankind, or a couple thousand, but all of us. He wants to save all of us and our vision should be the same.</div>
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I am so grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and all that he has done for us. I know that He lives and that he leads and guides this church today. </div>
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Thanks for all your love and prayers!</div>
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Sister Smith </div>
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</span><span class="aZo N5jrZb a5r" download_url="image/jpeg:DSCN8440.JPG:https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=17abd1eb8f&view=att&th=14b02ea25cb32e88&attid=0.2&disp=safe&realattid=f_i540t1c41&zw" draggable="true" style="display: block; float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0px 0px 16px 16px; position: relative; width: 180px;"><a class="aQy e aZI aZr" data-tooltip-align="t,c" data-tooltip-class="a1V" href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=17abd1eb8f&view=att&th=14b02ea25cb32e88&attid=0.2&disp=safe&realattid=f_i540t1c41&zw" id=":1i2" role="link" style="color: #222222; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 120px; outline: none; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap; width: 180px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span class="a3I" id=":1hu" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: -10000px; width: 1px;">Preview attachment DSCN8440.JPG</span><div aria-hidden="true">
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-49879392213570669712015-01-05T18:34:00.002-08:002015-01-05T18:34:32.192-08:005 Janeiro 2015<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">
Happy 2015!!!!!!</div>
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So an experience that mom shared with me reminded me of our interesting FHE this week. So we had this great FHE planned with one of our investigator families. We were going to watch the Restoration DVD and have cookies and everything. It was going to be at Irmã Lú´s house and when we arrive at the investigator´s house they are all ready to go! However, they say that Lú had just called them and said that her daughter in law was going to have her baby. So we are like ´don´t worry! We will find another house! Just hold on 10 minutes.' So we leave and run toward our Ward Mission Leader´s house (another story of WML to the rescue. They are just so great). He is home! He said we can do the FHE there! The cookies are already made so there really is no turning back. So we run back to the family´s house and share the good news. However, in those 10 minutes the mom decided to make bread. So she has to finish kneading it. But that is quick. We thought they would be all ready to go after that but no, we have to bring in the laundry from the clotheslines! Then she takes a shower! Then he takes a shower! Then all the kids take showers! Pretty soon everyone is smelling great and ready to go. But then we have to find the keys. And gather the children. And put snacks in the bag, complete with mini waterbottles of juice for each child. (I´m not sure what they were expecting from the FHE, but they were prepared for even the most rigorous wilderness survival FHE. It would make a boy scout proud). And then we set off! It turned out to be a great experience and we had to leave early because of the time, but we knew we could trust our WML to finish off. </div>
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My comp was a little sick this week so I read a lot! But everyone is all better now. </div>
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Spiritual Thought for the week: Mosiah <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_79288099" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:12</span></span>- what does it mean to have Christ´s name written on our hearts? How can we do that?</div>
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Love you guys!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">Pictures (from the cell again so I can´t guarantee quality sorry friends)</span><br />
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Sharing the gospel with every creature<div>
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Maria Nilza from the Ward Party. Are all our investigators/members that short or am I just that tall? Answer: yes. </div>
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Me with a swan boat! Don´t worry we can´t actually ride them. I just thought it was elegant. </div>
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Christmas tree in the city</div>
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Birthday party! Sorry its blurry</div>
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New friends (family of members) that are visiting from Rio</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-46538915050838281112015-01-04T08:34:00.000-08:002015-01-04T08:34:03.617-08:0029 Dez 2014<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">
Merry Christmas! Full of Miracles. Like we got the Skype to work after Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C fell through! </div>
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Also it was amazing to see how the member were even more willing than usual to help us out (and they already do a lot!). We had many referalls and many lessons with them. </div>
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We went Caroling with Jorge and he took us to a bunch of his neighbors´ houses and we sang silent night to all of them. I think I might almost have it memorized. </div>
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This week another wonderful Christmas present- Fernanda came to church! After we called her <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1780350578" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> morning, she walked all the way to our street and then we walked together to church, which is like a half-hour walk! She and her family are so dear and special. We are helping them to plan their wedding woohoo! In the closing prayer the other day, Eduardo, the husband, prayed that they would be finally able to "realize their dream of matrimony." The lesson in Gospel Principles was about temples and it was perfect! I drew a bunch of happy families and temples on the board and I think she got pretty excited. We have been praying to be able to help more people get to church, and Fernanda and her sacrifice were and answer to our prayers</div>
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Pres Castro gave some council about how prayer, fasting, patience, and courage will help us to be happy and fulfill our potential. Courage is something that I think we overlook sometimes, but we need it in missionary work, and in standing strong in what we know, which is basically missionary work. Remember Esther´s story- what an example of courage. By living what she knew and standing up for her beliefs, she was both a missionary and a means to saving her people. </div>
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Love you guys!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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Pics</div>
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Christmas Dinner with Jorge (WML), Rose, and Julia<br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">Christmas feast!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ug6WHTqDxmMzrMH4jlXBYfepwY-8tej4qmeeXmHB8xmZifFML0rLOr2w6E3bkM5YPvYmrjlOXMPbPw2_tOcFMEy_VCOtBx_mCLkpfZIXrLgTxYC90SgJ2SW7RSv7HXRMsjVfom8gP0jT/s1600/DSCN8428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">Lots of presents! It´s not about presents, but it was nice to see that lots of people were thinking of us :)</span></a></div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-16027691366844173922014-12-28T16:25:00.002-08:002014-12-28T16:25:16.876-08:0022 Dezembro 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">First of all, shoutout to Mr. Elder Daniel Gavin Smith the best Mexican brother ever! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!</span><br />
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This week was super louco crazy. </div>
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Monday: Singing in the city center! It was a miracle. We got together in the downtown chapel and worked the hymns. We hadn´t been able to get ahold of the city events coordinator the whole week so we went on faith. We got to this great frountain in the middle of the Praça Osório which had dancing water and lights show and we thought, hey this is a great place! Lots of people, great local, let´s get started. Just as we were getting organized Bam! LA DA DA DA DINGA DONG WHOOSH BANG! The loudspeakers all over the plaza started blasting exciting orchestral christmas music and the fountain water danced along.</div>
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Oookay. We aren´t really equipped to compete with that....But we had said lots of prayers that this would go well, so we started brainstorming. Pres. Juliano (our awesome stake presidente that is SUPER involved in the missionary work in the stake) and one of our Zone leaders went over to a glass booth and found the sound guy. They asked if he could turn off the music for like 15 minutes for us to sing and... miracle! He said yes! So on his signal, the music went off and we sang. Wow. It was a lovely moment. Afterward we handed out those new "Ele é o presente" pass along cards and a bunch of people loved it! </div>
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We figured out that in the front of our house there is a lovely track and nice foresty park area. I don´t know how we missed it because it basically goes along the entire avenue, but we decided to start using it for exercise! So Pelótas is a pretty big city but we live in a part that has a very small town feel, evidenced by the fact that after the first day we went running, everyone in the ward knew about it by the time evening fell. A brother in the ward passed by us on his bike on the way to work and a sister in the ward saw us from her bus stop. We feel very important or at least interesting because we always make the ward gossip circle even with the simplest things. </div>
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Oh, and I had a wonderful birthday! It was funny because when we went to visit one of our investigators, she had a bunch of people over, and we found out it was her birthday party! So we sang a hymn for her. We didn´t mention it was my birthday but I kind of felt like it was my party too. Just pretend. But we didn´t stay long and made some other visits and then all of a sudden the Ward Mission Leader called and asked if we could stop by before our stake mission meeting. We were like sure, and when we got there, SURPRISE! It was a party. There was a giant chocolate cake and homemade bread and juice. Heaven. Then suddenly, the doorbuzzer rang. Surprise! Another cake! This was was round and had two layers! Then suddenly there is a knock on the door. Surprise! Another cake! This was was an orange cake, hot and fresh from the oven. Then suddenly someone just walked in. Surprise! Another cake! Well, this was was more like a breakfast casserole type thing. Then suddenly another family came in. Suprise! Another cake! This one was a yellow cake with chocolate sprinkles. She also brought a cuca goiabada (bread with doce de goiaba and crumbly sugar stuff on top). We had to leave for a meeting but we found out today that another irmã brought... surprise! Another cake! Chocolate. I love this ward. I was struggling there at the end but I ate at least a little bit of everything. </div>
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To top it all off, at our stake missionary meeting there was ice cream! And they sent me home with an extra tub! </div>
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So, dear friends and family, if you were wondering, I was very well cared for on this my special day. </div>
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Random fun fact. Pres. Juliano, who is a member of our ward, is like this super inpiring, energetic, motivating leader. We had lunch with him and his wife, Michele, and kids, Sophia and Rafaella when suddenly his phone, which is normally on silent, rang. 50 points to guess the ringtone.</div>
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Imagine helium-style high pitched voice and funky high pitched percussion"she´s got the applebottom jeans and the boots with the fur, with the furr..." haha I think I have decided my future ringtone.</div>
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Friday we made the cookies for the ward party for a Young Women´s activity. SO. Many. sugarcookies. And one of the Young Women brought her friend who is starting to investigate the church! </div>
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On a serious note, the councilor to our mission presidency, Pres. Ricardo Alves, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning. We were able to go to his viewing. It was a very solemn experience for all involved and if you guys could pray for his family they are having a really hard time. He has a lovely wife, daughter, and two young sons. </div>
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Due to the occurence, our ward activity was cancelled on Saturday, so we were stuck with enough cookies to feed the ward. We had the idea to decorate a bunch superfast and then we delivered them to less active and investigator families. It actually went pretty well! Even though it decided to rain, the cookies were double-plated--that old crafty trick where you put one upside down plate on top of the other. The contents were all protected. Win. </div>
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Pres. Juliano shared a talk at ward conference. He talked about how a while back the ward was going to the temple. There were several people driving, and one had to lead. One of the brothers in the ward volunteered to take the lead. Unfortunately, they ended up getting super lost and stuck in a super sketchy part of Porto Alegre. However, they ended up eventually making it. The next time there was to be a temple trip, they were again deciding who would take the lead. This same brother raised his hand and said, I will! He said, you? No, Irmão, remember what happened? But the brother insisted and said. "President, this time I am prepared." He led the way confidently and safely to the temple. He related this to repentance. Even if the people around you don´t believe that you can change, even if they base the opinion of you on the past, it is up to you, using faith, diligence, and careful attention (1 Ne <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_252617889" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">16:28</span></span>-Liahona) to follow the way outlined by the scriptures that you can change, be better, and lead the way to the temple. Let us listen to the voice of the prophets, both in past times and in our days, and be able to say, like th people of King Benjamin, "we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." Mosiah 5:2</div>
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Love you guys!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-53325202649788441762014-12-21T16:12:00.000-08:002014-12-21T16:12:10.680-08:0015 Dezembro 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Lord looks out for each of His missionaries. This week we traveled A LOT. We went to Arroio Grande on tuesday, Camaquã Thursday and Friday, and Canguçu on Saturday. Google maps them if you want to see where they are. I am not even sure, I just get on the bus that has the right name on it. </span><br />
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But anyway, on the way back from Camaquã, we were sitting on the last row of the greyhound style bus, in front of the washcloset. After a while through the journey, I leaned back my chair. Seconds later the bus suddenly slowed to a stop. We heard a skid and then BAM!! and felt the impact of a truck running into our bus. No one on the bus suffered injuries, and the most I felt was a little headache that didn´t even last a day. I think the truck driver is okay too, but the truck suffered the worst- the glass on thie windshield was all shattered. </div>
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We didn´t think it was that rough of a crash until we saw the truck. To me that goes to show how much the Lord was protecting us. We were the closest to the impact, yet nothing happened. We didn´t feel afraid or anything.</div>
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We had a ward activity on Saturday in Canguçu! We spent most of the time talking to a young woman named Camilla and her nonmember grandma, Maria, who is super wonderful and really likes the church. The only problem is that she thinks it is a sin to go to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1205285894" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> meetings in another church that is not the one you are baptized in. We talked to her about family history the other day and she got really interested, which is a good start. </div>
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We are also teaching an amazing couple, Gabriel and Josiele. They have a great religious background with lots of knowledge already. We were teaching the Pan of Salvatioun and talked about the flal. We asked Josiele what she understands about the fall and she was like, "I don´t know if this is right, but in my opinion..." and then went on to perfectly explain the fall, how the Bible neve says it´s an apple, but just a fruit and various doctrines and principles of the fall and it´s place in God´s Plan. She is reading the Book of Mormon but hasn´t prayed yet, because she says she doesn´t yet have real intent. I love that she understands that. </div>
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We feel really blessed and protected this week. </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Proverbs 30:4-5 "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what ishis name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."</span><br />
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We felt that promise being fulfilled this week. He can do anything and takes care of everything when we put our trust in Him. </div>
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Love,</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-12391957839212010142014-12-09T07:30:00.001-08:002014-12-09T07:30:44.651-08:007 December 2014<div>
Okay friends. This month we have been passing through a pioneer experience. In reality, I think some missions have to do this all the time, but I count my blessings that it has only been for a bit. When we arrived in this area, we received many surprises. One of which is that the washing machine was broken. A replacement was supposed to be sent in days but so far...nothing. So we have been learning how to wash clothes by hand. However, our house is not equipped for this, thus we have been using pails and containters. I have attached pictures. Washing by hand was made even harder when the water shut off. Twice. Somehow we managed not to be stinky using perfume and rationing the water we had in our various water bottles to wash our faces, etc. It was really fun and I felt pioneery. And it´s not even July.</div>
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Also! The busses went on strike, so when we want to get somewhere far, we have to take combes, which are basically little retired bus vans that once functioned daily but now only come out of the shadows during the strike. Our only other option is sketchy cars with bearded men and handwritten papers taped to the windshield "Centro- R$6,00".... We went with the combe. </div>
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Fun facts about our new place. The neighbors, normally around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_528430870" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:25</span></span>, start to blast the SAME PLAYLIST EVERY DAY, including the Party Rock anthem. twice. We Found Love in a Hopeless Place, a Brazilian Samba, and a music that says Blah Blah Blah probably more than 140 times. Is that a new top 10, or is it just something here? Really, people, I hope that someone has made something high quality while I have been here because if I get back and it is just stuff like this on the top 10 I will have to become a pop star. </div>
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The other day we saw a cat on our neighbor´s roof in the scorching heat. He was belly up with his arms open and one leg sticking up in the air. We thought he was dead. When we looked the next day, he was gone. But the next day was back. I decided he has a day on/day off tanning schedule. I attached pictures of the roof he tans on ( I think it was his day off when I took the pic, so he is absent, sorry). The roof is at the end of the line of clothes and to the left. BTW The backyard in the pictues is not ours, nor is the trampoline if anyone was wondering. </div>
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So yesterday we had the best meeting ever with our bishop. It was the activity planning meetine where we got our activities approved. So for Christmas we are wanting to have an integration activity where we decorate sugar cookies and make paper snowflakes. I didn´t know it would be so hard to explain that yes, the ratio of butter to flour is correct. It would have helped if I knew the word for stick of butter. I ended up calling them something like poles of butter because people here use exclusively margarine in tubs, so up to this point in the mission I haven´t ever had to talk about real butter. </div>
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No one was really getting the paper snowflakes idea either so I grabbed a paper, asked for scissors, and made a simple, but lovely snowflake. When the paper unfolded, it was like Christmas had already arrived.</div>
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"Whoooa! did you mean to put hearts in it?" Yes, yes I did</div>
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"So, you want to make, like...a HUNDRED of these?" Yes, it´s easier than it looks. And all the people can make their own. I will teach them. </div>
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"This must be an American thing" Yeah, I have studied snowflakes since childhood. It´s an integral part of the education system. </div>
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Bishop wanted me to name the snowflake.... so I came up with the name flaming starfire of love. We decided that snowflakes express personalities, kind of like Rorschach blotch tests. Sister Kirk and then the Elder´s quorum president each made a snowflake and then held them up for people to see their personalities. The snowlake activity got approved. Win.</div>
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This week we also had some awesome inspiring experiences. For example, one day on the bus I decided to talk to the lady by my side. Her name is Mara. She had on a kind of grumpy face, so I started chatting and asked her about Pelótas, what she likes about here, etc. Whenever the conversation died, I pumped it back up again and eventually it natulrally led to a gospel conversation and I gave her not one, but two pamphlets, because she said she likes to read. I didn´t think much of the conversation, but when I had to descend the bus, I gave her a hug (normal here) and she said, "you don´t know the good that you did for me today" and I felt so happy! Even not realizing it we can make a difference in people´s lives. I felt a re-kindling of that missionary fire. We can keep it burning constantly if we look outside ourselvess.</div>
<br />Also, we had kind of a miracle. In Doctrine and Convenants 75:27 it says "Let them ask and they shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto them, and be made known from on high, even by theComforter, whither they shall go." As I mentioned, I have been praying for guidance in the area. One day, we were walking along and talking about some investigators. We started to talk about Nestor, a referall that our WML had taken us to a few days earlier. Unfortunatly, both of us forgot to write down his address and telephone #! Don´t do that at home, kids. But we felt like we should pass by and talk to him. But how? We kept walking toward where we were going originally but for some reason we took a different route that we had never taken before. Suddenly, the road ended and when we looked up, BAM! There was Nestor´s Hap Ki Do studio!!!! (Side note: Hap Ki Do is one of the most complete forms of martial arts, teaching not only physical, but mental-emotional and spiritual harmony and control, according to Nestor) we were able to chat with him and even though he was unable to come to church this week, we conversed about future lessons, etc, and, most importatnly, wrote down his address and phone #.<br />
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2 Ne <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_528430871" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2:16</span></span> Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.<div>
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Satan and his followers are working 24/7 to entice to do wrong, so to give people their full agency, we have to at least equal that effort. Invite! Entice to do good! Doing good is fun! It´s what all the cool people do! It´s how you get eternal happiness!</div>
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Invite someone to do good today. Love you guys!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-71749491314157904492014-12-01T08:42:00.002-08:002014-12-01T08:42:22.699-08:001 December 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">Helloooo!!!!!!</span><br />
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It has been a crazy awesome productive week. I am not sure whether to be happy or overwhelmed. I think I will choose happy. Because people. I have never received SO MANY REFERALLS! Yesterday we had a ward council meeting where the ward members basically started fighting over when they can make visits with us. We have to travel A LOT to be able to visit 7 companionships of sisters within this 5 week transfer so it´s pretty busy. But in a good way. </div>
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We also had a visit from Elder Morôni Torgan who had some great thoughts, as well as some great thoughts by Pres. and Sister Castro. One thing that stood out to me was not necessarily what was said but how it was said. Whenever Elder Torgan or Presidente Castro went to speak, they would just cite scriptures off the top of their head basically every other sentence! And it wasn´t like oh, look how many scriptures I know, but it was really natural and brought the spirit, as well as authority and truth to their messages, and reminded me of the scripture in D&C 84:85 <span style="color: #486fae; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">"</span></span>Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; buttreasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man."</div>
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So Basically the theme of this week is "Ask and you shall recieve" (See Matthew 7:7-11, Enos <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_947893005" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:15</span></span> "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it.") We have received more blessings than we know how to count. </div>
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Opening an area is fun, but very different from what I would have thought. For example, I thought it would be hard to find people to teach, but we are actually basically overwhelmed with the number of people we have, the difficulty now will be accompanying the people sufficiently. For example, we had a distrito amigo and asked everyone to find at least one new family to teach and everyone came back with the page full of people! We have been asking the Lord for guidance in our area and I know for a certaintly He has been helping. For example, we often have to ask the name of a road, so we were one this dirt road that basically had no people just floating around, but on a side road, I saw a couple of people sitting on chairs. We went to talk to them, and they not only accepted to hear a message but accepted basically everything we had to say and wanted us to come back the next day! And they told us the name of the road. </div>
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So now what we are asking for is discernment and capability to keep up with all the people. </div>
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Also Irmã Michele gave us a little Christmas tree :) </div>
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Love you guys!!!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-72557884507254243092014-11-25T19:27:00.001-08:002014-11-25T19:27:04.592-08:0025 November 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ARGH!! It happened again. Messed up the date for Thanksgiving. We celebrated a week early, which is better than forgetting (last year) and found out yesterday that Thanksgiving is coming up, not passed. This week I will be traveling to Porto Alegre (woot! Love the city) on Thanksgiving for a meeting so that will be a joyous celebration. </span><br />
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So...Thanksgiving was (will be?) good. This week after district meeting in Arroio Grande (the cutest and flattest (in all respects) little city in existence. Google Maps it) we made a feast. By feast I mean a pot of noodles and Calabresa the size of two of those baby bathtub basin things. Except something went wrong with the noodles and it turned out more like a playdough with bits of sausage and green pepper. There were leftovers. BUT! We counted our blessings during the meal. I was grateful for you guys. And music. <div>
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Irmão Juan is the Quorum President and told us he has a great referall for us- a lady that cuts his hair. So we marked to go with him to his haircut haha. Celí cuts hair in her house so we went one night and as Juan and his son, Bryan, are getting hair cuts, we chat about the gospel. It was great because Juan just starts talking to Celí about the Plan of Salvation and how he brought us to meet her to make a difference in her life. It´s amazing how spiritually sensitive people are here. And so open, especially when someone they know and trust presents them with the gospel. Celí said she would love to learn more and come to church, but she would really like her husband Joaquim to participate, who is pretty closed to religion. As he passed by the door, we called him to come sit with us. He said no thanks, and Celí made a face like "I knew it. There is just no way." But for some reason Joaquim stayed at the door. We engaged him in the conversation and he got kind of excited and then we were like, come! Sit in this nice white plastic chair! And he sat. We chatted for a while and after he left, Celí said that was a miracle because lately he has been turning his back whenever anything about religion is mentioned. She was super happy, as were we. We will be visiting them <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_947892763" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span> :)</div>
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So this week we have been walking quite a bit, because being new in the area, when we don´t have referalls or old investigators from the area book to visit, we knock on doors. But yesterday we had a little miracle! After a wonderful meeting with the ward missionaries where we trained the first discussion with them, an irmão said that he had a referall. Him, his wife and daugher, and we loaded into his car. When the referall couldn´t attend, he didn´t just leave us on the side of the road, he said "where to next, sisters?" So we shared our next plan. She wasn´t home, but the irmão said, "where to next, sisters?" So were were like whoa! First time ever! Proselyting by car. I´m digging it. So we finally found a family home- an irmã, Marcela, who hasn´t been going for a while, and her mom, Ilma, and son, David, who aren´t members. They are so awesome! Marcela said she was having a hard time getting David (8 years old) motivated for church. We kept on chatting and soon David entered. While everyone were talking, I summoned David over. I asked him, whispering as if it were a grand secret, "Hey, do you wan´t to come to church <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_947892764" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">next Sunday</span></span>?" After thinking, he nodded yes. I said "Go ask your mom if she will take you" And he went and whispered in her ear and she said "Yes! Of course!" and became so happy and planted a giant kiss on his cheek. Sometimes we just have to make people feel special and make them feel like they have a part in the decision. I can see them being such a happy family at church. I´m excited.</div>
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I was reading about the Holy Ghost and have been trying to deepen my understanding. If you have any good articles about Him, I would love to give them a read. </div>
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Remember to be grateful! The thing I am most grateful for is that my loving Father in Heaven sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone and die for me (John 3:16-17) so that I can be happy and clean and know what I am doing here and where I am going. He is my Savior and King and I received this testimony through the Holy Ghost, our friend and Comforter (John <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_947892765" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">14:26</span></span>)</div>
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Love</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-62363604289439688062014-11-17T18:28:00.001-08:002014-11-17T18:28:44.358-08:0017 November 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wow. So I kind of feel like I was on the first week of my mission again because everything was new. So I told you all I was getting transferred to Pelótas, which I knew, but what I didn´t say (because I didn´t find out until I was practically going there) was that I would be opening an area. I don´t know how to say that in missionary english- basically there is a ward here in Pelótas where it has been elders basically since the beginning of time and last week President Castro took them out and decided to put in Sisters (where we come into the story). So. My area is named Gotuzzo. Which is the best kept secret of the mission. No one has ever heard of this area but secretly it is the BEST AREA IN THE WHOLE MISSION! In my opinion. Let me share some examples:</span><br />
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We get here late <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1653809492" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span> night after traveling the whole day. A brigade of strong brothers from the ward awaits us at the bus station and takes our suitcases as we ride with the stake president and his wife to our new house. They carry up all our suitcases. I don´t even have to sweat. </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1653809493" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> morning we have district meeting and afterward aren´t sure if we have lunch. We start heading home when we get a text that says "I need to talk to you. Call me." I call. On the other end of the line is Tia Lú, a sister in the ward that says she has lunch ready for us and will wait at the bus stop so we know where to get off. After lunch she takes us to the house of our Ward Mission Leader, Irmão Jorge. He is super excited to get working and we make plans. That night, he and his wife drive us to the house of Gilsiane and Alexandre, a couple that started investigating the church about 7 years ago who Jorge thinks is ready to be invited to baptism. Gilsiane recently, after practiacally her whole life of smoking, succeeded in quitting. They are super receptive and we had a very beautiful and spiritual lesson. </div>
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The ward was really excited to have sisters. We are their missionary princesses. We spoke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1653809494" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span> and after us spoke the Stake President. I spoke about how I love music and played in an orchestra and how in an orchestra everyone plays an importants role and each has a capacity to contribute, but not everone plays the same role. I read Ephesians 4:11-14 about our different callings and various scriptures from the gospels about Christ inviting us to follow him, like when in Matthew he invites him to leave his work (he is working at his tax desk I think) and follow him. And he follows without delay. Even though we are all different, we are following the same person. He is the conductor of the symphony and when we follow him exactly, each person´s different contribution will synchronize and become part of the beautiful symphony that Christ has in mind for us. </div>
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Yesterday night we had a huge stake mission meeting (all the missionaries, bishops, WMLs and High Counselor over missionary work). It was legendarily inspiring. Everyone is so pumped up to do missionary work. The high counselor, Irmão Nico, is from our ward and he is a recent return missionary from Manaus and is super enthusiastic. One thing he did that was kind of cool was pass the numbers from the last trimester for us to see from all the wards/branches and then made huge circles around the numbers that were high/ideal from all the wards. For example, one of the wards had a lot of convert baptisms, and another ward had a really high retention percentage, and another ward had great success in ordaining the masculine converts, etc. The great thing was, all the wards had different strengths. Irmão Nico invited each ward representative individually up to the front to teach the rest of the wards how they were able to have success in that strong point, and each was able to see how to turn a weak point strong through the example of others and each was able to have hope in their progress, focusing on what they had done well. </div>
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EVERYONE gives us referrals. We have not walked out of a members house yet without them giving us someone to visit. If that is not the Lord pouring out blessings, I am not a missionary princess.<br /><div>
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Some other adventures in opening an area: The apartment was uninhabitable, to be generous. I found a dried butterfly though. That was a bright moment.</div>
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I am becoming really really good at reading maps. I was already good but now I´m like the cake boss of maps. The map is my new best friend apart from real people.</div>
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My mouth is dry from talking to SO MANY PEOPLE! But here in the interior (like suburbs kind of but not exactly) people are quite receptive. </div>
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The first or second day here I saw a sheep on a leash. Since then there have been various sightings of horses, cows, chickens, dogs, and cocroaches, both domestic and wild (the cocroaches are all wild, except Felix, one the size of my upper thumb joint that we found behind the sink today and domesticated but ultimately decided to spray and throw out) But what made me smile the most was the sheep. I thought it was a cute pet. Up until the stake president called the morning we were to have lunch at his house and asked one simple question "Do you eat lamb?" "Yes......" We replied "Okay, thanks. Bye"</div>
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You will not be surprised to hear what we had for lunch. Roasted lamb, Churrasco style. Don´t worry, this was not the same lamb that I saw the other day because this lamb was from Pinheiro Machado, a neighboring town, said President Julian. </div>
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So. This is Pelótas. I admit I wasn´t 100% enthusiastic about coming here but even after this little time, I can already see why I came. The Lord is always so much smarter than us. It´s embarrassing some times. It always brings me back to yet another scripture mastery scripture, Isaiah 55:8-9. </div>
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Love you guys. </div>
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Sister Smith</div>
smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-37255463578540297312014-11-14T06:24:00.001-08:002014-11-14T06:24:45.491-08:0010 November 2014<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.7272720336914px;">So it seems like just yesterday that I got transferred here, but.....I´m leaving :( :( </span><br />
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I will miss good old Glória (used to be Alameda) I included some reminiscent photos. </div>
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I don´t think I have ever been so sad to leave a people. I keep thinking of all the people I am leaving behind- a recent convert, a new investigator, a dear member, my comp and dear friend Sister Gurrieri. I will be going to Pelótas, way far away , close to where I started my mission. I know it will be great and I will love it. </div>
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This week was full of beautiful moments. We have been helping Mary, a recent convert of almost a year (who is starting to prepare to go to the temple!!!!!), quite a bit with some difficulties she was having, and she was so grateful, that when she went to the market, she bought a giant bag of biscoitos (little cracker cookies) for us. We asked her to put just a few in a little containter for us because she needs the food more than we do, but we couldn´t turn down such genuine generosity and love. She is in two of the photos I included. </div>
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Yesterday we had an investigator that said they would go to church, but she lived REALLY far away and didn´t know how to get to the church, so we had to arrange a ride, which is a super hard thing here because very few ward members here have cars. But someone said that a young couple in the ward that lives our apartment complex has a car. It was <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_473061863" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span>when the investigator said they could go, so we had very little time to get everything together. We called the couple using the interphone at doorman´s office <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_473061864" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">saturday</span></span> night, and they said sure! they could go with us. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_473061865" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> morning, right on time, we walked out of the apartment and Giselle, the wife, was already in the car waiting. It turns out she is the one that has the driver´s licence, but she has only had it for a year. We could tell that se was SUPER nervous and eventually she confessed that she had only driven with her husband in the car. It was touching to see how willing she was to go way out of her comfort zone to help someone she doesn´t even know, who didn´t even end up going to church, but she didn´t complain, just smiled and served. </div>
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I learned something interesting in gospel principles class yesterday. We were talking about prayer and how the Lord´s prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13 is given as a pattern of prayer, but that we do not repeat prayers, but they are like conversations with God. However, there are prayers that are the same, like the sacramental prayer. Why? It is a contract with God. The terms of the contract do not change with time, location, or circumstance. That is why the sacramental prayers, baptismal prayer, and other written words used repeatedly are the same always. Because God created the contract and offers the same to all of His children. Personal prayers, however, allow us to align our will with God´s, taking into consideration all of the specific and individual circumstances of our lives. </div>
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Pray more and pray harder. </div>
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Love</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-59186449503478140142014-10-29T09:01:00.001-07:002014-10-29T09:04:08.729-07:0029 October 2014- Picture worth 1000 words<img alt="Displaying PA221261.JPG" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=17abd1eb8f&view=fimg&th=14957b60bec62942&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_i1s7ykc10&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-rxJ-PGoCL2haZi4yRHp814lCzhWQ87RmTHCesiFdRtRvKYn3n6uu6qqz0HJjllWigAboi7yIlRkSziuLTlK6nPUHhu3ZyTnAfgqBdT_tOx9EZraf-PKaWGdc&ats=1414515803648&rm=14957b60bec62942&zw&sz=w1342-h523" />smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-26049573417594315432014-10-21T04:37:00.001-07:002014-10-21T04:37:31.080-07:0020 October 2014<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Zone conference this week!!! It was awesome! We had some great messages, then went out for lunch. As we were walking back to the chapel, it started to rain. It was raining we we left, but super lightly, but suddenly it started to pour. Since it was sunny in the morning, no one had umbrellas. We went as fast as we could, but ended up getting soaked all the way through. But it was definitely a miracle that after the conference I was going to go do companion exchanges in Ipanema, and I had brought my backpack with a change of clothes and everything!! Yay! And the other sisters were able to find dry clothes in Sister Castro´s office since our conference was at the mission office chapel. </div>
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At the conference, Pres. Castro gave a message about rudders, based on one of Pres. Monson´s messages about the Bismark. How as missionaries (or members) if we do not have our purpose in mind, we are like a boat without a rudder. That got me thinking about what are the ways that we can remember our purpose. First we must have our thoughts and hearts centered on the Lord and our investigators (Mosiah<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1776159217" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4:30</span></span>). We must pray for them always. We must demonstrate our faith, acting in a way that will help them (visiting, preparing to teach, etc). Thus, our thoughts, words, and deeds will be centered on others and we will lose, and thus find, ourselves. </div>
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Also, Claudio Augusto got baptized!!!! Álvaro was so excited to be able to do the baptism. It was really a great moment for their family. We had kind of a miracle at the baptism too. It was announced <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1776159218" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> and we asked someone to put the event on fb, but apparently no one was paying attention, because at 15 minutes before <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1776159219" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:00</span></span> (when the baptism was to start), the only people there were us, and our Ward Mission Leader and his wife. We not only needed priesthood holders to be witnesses, but we also needed Álvaro and Claudio and everyone! So we ran to a member´s house that is super close to the church, but there were no priesthood holders home. We called a ward member who lives SUPER far away, but has a car and he said he could come but would be a bit late. We didn´t really know what else to do. Pres Grimaldi, who is acting as our Bishop for the time being, arrived and brought pop and refreshments, which was super great, but we still needed a bunch of people, especially Álvaro and Claudio.So Sister Gurrieri and I went into the restroom and knelt down and prayed. It was almost <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1776159220" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:00</span></span> and we had done all we could think of to do, and we asked Heavenly Father to help us because we weren´t enough alone. As we stepped outside the door, we heard a commotion at the entrance. A taxi pulled up, bringing Álvaro, Maria Helena, and Claudio Augusto, who were late because they had been buying new clothes for Claudio :) Then another car pulled up with a family of members who are coworkers of Álvaro, and thus it went until we had a bunch of people and a bunch of refreshments, which is always a good thing. It was amazing how immediate the response was to our prayer. It was like Heavenly Father was saying "Finally! I was just waiting for you to rely on me to make everything work out." It was a lovely service and everyone was very happy. In the picture, Álvaro and Claudio aren´t smiling, but it´s kind of a thing here for men not to smile in pictures. They are happy. Trust me. </div>
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Anyways, it was a great week and I am so grateful to be a missionary. Also, I get to go to the temple <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1776159221" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span>!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best place ever. </div>
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Love,</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-65550981610420513312014-10-21T04:36:00.001-07:002014-10-21T04:38:19.794-07:0013 October 2014<div class="h7 " style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; max-width: 100000px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px;" tabindex="-1">
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Highlights from this week:<br />
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Claudio Augusto (Álvaro´s 13 year old son) is progressing really well. He always asks us to sing 4 or 5 hymns before we start the lesson because he likes to laugh at our accents, but at church this Sunday he told us that he learned two hymns to sing for us next time we visit. I am looking forward to it. </div>
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Álvaro also came with us to visit Marco, who is as enthusiastic as ever. Still quite the talker, but he is super willing to agree to live the commandments and said that he already basically lives all the commandments. The Lord truly prepares people. </div>
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As we left Marco´s house, there was a tall, thin wall with a door in it that I had never noticed before and a lady standing in the doorframe. We went up and talked to her and she said something no one understood and turned around and calmly went into the door, which led to her front patio and her house. We looked at each other, confused, and then she came back and said, "aren´t you going to come in?" Pleasantly surprised, we agreed and entered and taught her (Teresa) and her husband, Dolmar. It was a very agreeable experience. </div>
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So I guess one word to describe this week is pleasant. Which is funny because usually the weeks are crazy or difficult or shocking, but this week was just plain pleasant. Looking back, I can´t remember anything really disagreeable. Oh, yeah yesterday we talked to a guy who went kind of crazy talking endlessly but he had two empty bottles of alcoholic substance on his person. Reason 10 for living the Word of Wisdom. </div>
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Jessica is still waiting to hear about when she will be able to do her surgery. she has been waiting for this for years and she and her mom think it should be soon. I sure hope so too. </div>
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This week in my personal study I read this really cool scripture about how we can be full of light:</div>
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"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shallbe filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and thatbody which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.<br />
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Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become singleto God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he willunveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in hisown way, and according to his own will." (D&C 88:67-68)<br />
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It depends on us to first, be focused on the glory of God, or in other words, always remember who He is and who we are as children of God. We all have divine purposes and missions and it is only when we forget this that we fall. And second, to sanctify ourselves. This comes from daily repentance. This week I thought a lot about the word <b>remember</b>, see Helaman 5:5-14) What are the things that we should always remember? How does taking the sacrament help us to have our "eye...single to [His] glory" and to "sanctify [our]selves"? What do we need to remember during the week to prepare for that sanctification?<br />
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Love you guys and hope everything is going well!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-73888972585772861932014-09-30T08:20:00.001-07:002014-09-30T08:26:19.271-07:0029 September 2014<div class="h7 " style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; max-width: 100000px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px;" tabindex="-1">
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">Lots of changes! Sisters Silva, Melo, and Hodnik, all former companons, all</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">went home this week ahh!!! craziness. My new companion is Sister Gurrieri,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">from Argentina! We were in the MTC at the same time, and she is just</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">wonderful! I have never had a Hispanic companion yet so maybe I will</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">dust off my español :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">We had stake con ference yesterday and the ward boundaries changed. One</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">ward was split and divided into two wards, including ours, but now the name</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">of our ward is the name of the ward that split, Glória. So I changed areas</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">but not really. Now we split the ward with Elders. oh. And bothe the bishop</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">of our ward and the bishop of Glória moved to the other wrd (Ala 2) and the</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">new bishop has not yet been approved so we are now bishpless. Stake</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">leadership has been assigned to preside over our ward for the time being.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">But this is definitely a first for me. It is strange and sad being</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">bishopless.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;" />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">So I have a bunch of great stories and spiritual thoughts but this</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">computer stopped working and ate up all my time waiting to load stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">So, sorry for the dry letter but I love you all and I will write cool</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">stuff next week. I am alive.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;" />
<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">1. New comp Sister Gurrieri! In front of the chapel</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.3333339691162px;">2. On a hill, squinting in the sun.</span></div>
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smithdandvhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12074905506812549727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-39824364183194665052014-09-24T09:48:00.003-07:002014-09-24T09:48:48.664-07:0022 September 2014<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I have to be quick today because my companion (Síster Silva) is headed home so we have a LOT to do. Síster Melo´s mom and sister also came to pick her up so things are kinda crazy.</div>
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I will share the highlights of the week:</div>
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Karina got baptized!!! Woohoo!!! The pictures turned out kind of blurry, but if you don´t remember, she is Eliza´s daughter. It was another wonderful experience and another reminder of the joys and importance of families. Letícia shared her testimony again and it was so great to see her joy in seeing one more member of her Family join the church. Waltair and Eliza made a giant churrasco party for us afterward :) So many giant spears of meat. Wow.</div>
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This week Rio Grande do Sul commemorated semana Farroupilha, which is where they celebrate gaúcho stuff and a war that they lost.</div>
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Álvaro memorized the sacramental prayer and blessed the sacrament! He is so eager to continue his gospel learning and progression. He has already memorized the baptismal ordinance because he really wants to be able to baptize his son.</div>
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We also had a churrasco yesterday with Eva, Priscila, Camila, and Ravel Paim for lunch. Priscila made cheesecake. Basically I was in heaven! After lunch we shared a message:</div>
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Watch "Because of Him" vídeo on <a href="http://lds.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">lds.org</a> <a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/youth/<wbr></wbr>video/because-of-him?lang=eng</a></div>
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Read Moses <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1329279791" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1:39</span></span></div>
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Think of the difference between immortality and eternal life. They are both gifts, one that is automatic but the other we have to accept. It is available to all but depends on our desire and how we show that desire. What is left for you to do to receive the second gift?</div>
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Love you all!!!!</div>
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Sister Smith</div>
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1. Baptism</div>
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2. Baptism</div>
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3. Rock- beira de Rio Guaíba</div>
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4. Giant Chimarrão @ Parque Harmonía (Semana Farroupilha)</div>
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skjelsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534846525128836965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676988818586357749.post-68712566124843070972014-09-24T09:47:00.002-07:002014-09-24T09:47:28.184-07:0015 September 2014<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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My dear ones,<br /></div>
This was one of the best weeks ever! It was crazy because basically nothing went as planned. It all went better. (Isaiah 55:8-9)<br /></div>
So at the end of the week we were a little short of meeting our goals, but we were determined to do it. It was Sunday night (the last day of our week) and we needed two new investigators. We started knocking on doors and miracle! someone let us in! It was a nice old lady, Magdalena, who listened to a message but when we asked if we could mark a day to come back, she was like no, it was super crazy that you found me at home because I am never at home. It will be a miracle if you find me again. Good thing we believe in miracles. But anyway she didn´t really express interest so we were still in the search!<br /></div>
We visited Álvaro, who got baptized three weeks ago, and met his father-in-law! He was super cool- a little set in his ways (spent 10-15 minutes straight explaining his moral philosophy that he has developed his whole life) but agreed to listen and to read and pray. As we were leaving, we asked Álvaro if he had anyone he could present us to. He said yes! And brought us to meet his neighbor, Carlos, who readily accepted the message and our invitations to read and pray. He said he want´s to see a lot of changes in his life as a result of the gospel. Álvaro was great, explaining everything and bearing his testimony about how his life was changed. He even wrote down the steps of prayer so Carlos would be able to remember. So basically the Lord put people into our path. He´s amazing like that.<br /><br />Highlight of the week- Eliza´s baptism! She is amazing!!!!! So this week she got struck with a terrible cold and unexpected pains and lots of crazy stuff- had to go to the hospital for exams, etc. Friday night she was worse than ever but said that she still wanted to go through with it. She had prayed and said that she received her answer, that she truly felt that this is what she wants and what God wants for her and her family. Saturday night, still with a crazy cold and even though the water was cold (the gas ran out at the chapel! ahh!!!) she came through and was baptized! Carina, her daughter (purple shirt in the photo) wants to get baptized too and even though she works most Sundays she has already committed to come every Sunday she has off and try to find another job that lets her get Sundays off. Eliza wore a new skirt that she bought to church on Sunday and it was great to see her and Waltair together at church!! I just love that family! </div>
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Letícia, a member of the ward, is Eliza´s niece. She is the first member of her family to be baptized and she shared her testimony at the baptism and through tears expressed her happiness to see the first member of her family, other than herself, be baptized. It was a beautiful moment for everyone. Families! Ahh!!!<br /></div>
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Other miracle of the week was Marco. I was on a division with Sister Seely and we talked to a couple in the street. We marked to go back, and yesterday we visited with Marco on his front patio. The Lord is truly preparing people. When we got there, he said that his work friend, Bispo Teixeira (from another stake) had already introduced him a while ago to a lot of stuff, given him a huge stack of Liahona´s and stuff. AND! That he had already researched the church on <a href="http://mormon.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mormon.org</a> AND that he had already downloaded the Book of Mormon in PDF and liked what he had read so far. He said he is a big fan of the church but has never had the opportunity to receive missionaries before. We are the lucky firsts! He is super smart and already knows about a whole bunch of stuff. He knew about President Hinckley, and we were pleased to inform him that it´s now President Monson that came after him and basically, it was just a delight to teach him.<br /><br /> Theme of the week, Alma <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1329279782" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">13:24</span></span> "For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for thepurpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory."<br /></div>
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I testify that that is true.<br />And not just here! The Lord and His angels work everywhere, preparing people to receive the restored gospel and to receive hope and light in their lives. It´s funny because, like with Carlos, it is usualy the last door, the last idea, the last hope, that comes through. It is usually after much rejection that comes reception. The Lord has prepared successes, but first we pass through tribulations and tests of our faith. But the gospel is true and we have everey reason to rejoice! Woohoo!!<br /><br />Love you guys,<br /><br />Sister Smith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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skjelsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00534846525128836965noreply@blogger.com0