I’m in Brazil! It”s so crazy I’m here! I cant believe I got my visa and that I’ve been in Brazil for almost a week.
It took over 24 hours from when I left my apartment in Pennsylvania to when I got to the airport here in Vitoria. Traveling is exhausting. And then my two companions picked me up at the airport with one of the ward members and we went to our apartment, dropped off my bags, and went straight to work. Wowza. I did have time to change my clothes when I dropped off my giantesque bags but that was it.
But on my flight I flew down with Elder Lund, my mtc companion’s brother, who has been waiting on his visa and serving in Pennsylvania the last two months.
There was also one other elder who had been waiting for three months that was on the flight. I didn’t even have to wait two weeks! Craaaaaazy. And I ran into the girlfriend of one of my mtc elders on the plane too! Exciting looooong flight.
Tis crazy being here. It is so wicked hot and humid. I’m dying. And there is no escaping the heat except in a cold shower. I’m just sticky with sweat all day long. Last week I was in chilly winter and now I’m the hottest I’ve ever been.
The bugs aren’1t too bad here. Although the other morning I did wake up with like 10 mosquito bites. And the past 6 days we’ve had 3 cockroaches in our house. Thank goodness one of my companions is a fearless cockroach killer. I woke up in the middle of the night last night to go to the bathroom and there was a cockroach on the bathrrom floor. I sort of tried to step on it and it ran out into the kitchen. I sort of tried to step on it again and it moved away. So then I threw a shoe at it hoping I had squished it, but figuring I hadn’t. And then I just tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t because I thought I kept seeing and feeling the cockroach. Crazy head. :) But one of my companions found it this morning and it’s gone now.
It’s so different being here. The people are fantastic. Really wonderful and friendly. If only I could understand what they’1re saying! That’s been the hardest thing. Both of my companions are American so they translate things for me, but it’s so hard not really having any idea what’s going on around me. But the missionaries here and the mission president and his wife so my Portuguese is great for just getting here and that I’m pretty far along with it. That’s good, but it’s hard being patient and not being able to speak very wel
When people are talking I just stare so intently and get all of the words I can understand, but have no idea what the main story is. And then if they ask me a question I realize I had no real idea what they were talking about and then my companions will do a little translating for me. :) When people talk I do a lot of smiling and nodding and saying “sim!” and “obrigada!”. I’m excited to be able to tell people what I want and express myself, but just trying to enjoy this time now where I look like a foooool. :) The people here are wonderful though. And I’ve learned so much this past week.
And missions aren’t supposed to be easy. I’m not out here for a vacation. I’m out here to work. These people need the gospel. Everyone does. So all day everyday we do our best to share it.
With only being here for six days and just trying to get used to things and understand people, its hard to see the fruits of my labors. But I know this is where I’m supposed to be right now and I’m doing exactly what I need to be doing.
We taught tons of lessons last week, especially on Christmas eve. Our mission president said if we completed our weekly goals before Christmas, we could sleep in on Christmas day and have more free time, and by free, I mean time to study ! :) Which is fantastic. I just really don’t get enough study time everyday. Weird how that’s happened.
So Christmas eve was a complete down pour. So much rain. And we’re just walking around trying to finish up our lessons and contacts. Twas lovely. And we got all our goals done and slept in until 8 on Christmas ! Yippee skippee! And then we stayed home until about 1 and just studied and stuff. It was so excellente.
This was the weirdest Christmas ever. But it was still good. But of course I missed home and snow and more Christmas decoration and musica and of course my family! But I got to skype with my fam bam on Christmas and it was like the best 45 minutes ever! It was sooooo good to seee their lovely faces and hear their wonderful voices. And I’m sure my call on Mothers Day will come soon soon. :)
All day on Christmas we spent at this member family’s house. We ate and listened to Christmas music and played uno and of course watched some sweet church videos. :)
The members of the ward here are so hospitable and wonderful. We go to a member’s house every day for lunch and they just prepare a feast for us every day, with rice and beans of course at every meal. But after being super ful lwith luch (since lunch is their big meal here and not dinner), its hard to go back out and work in the hot sun when you just want to tak ea nap. But I’m onlly her efor so long and you have to take advantage of every hour.
Well familia and amigos, I miss you all and hope life is grand! Life is grand here for me of course, because there’s nothing better than being a missionary and immersing your self in the gospel and studying and praying for than ever before!
NEW ADDRESS:
Sister Chelsea Rae Owens
Missão Brasil Vitória
Avenida João Batista Parr, 633 Sala 1501
Praia do Suá
Vitória-ES 29052-123 BRASIL
Ola ola ola!!
I am in Pittsburgh right now! It’s like a full on blizzard outside and chillllly willy! My sandals and mosquito net that I packed to take to Brazil are completely useless. But by wearing socks and multiple pairs of tights and many layers I’m mananging to stay warm. :)
It’s been so totally different out here in the mission field of Pittsburgh, PA, but it is so lovely. I definitely am not a huge fan of the transition periods of leaving old places and people and getting used to new ones, but it is going rather swimmingly here.
Leaving the mtc and saying goodbye to my wonderful companion and my ten favorite elders in the world was not fun. It was like cry fest 2010. So sad saying goodbye to such wonderful friends who you haev shared everything with all day everyday for the past 9 weeks. But I’m so excited to get to Brazil someday (maybe a couple months) and I’ll get to see one of the elders in my district!
Flying over here was weird. It was so weird to be out in “Babylon,” to see people in regular clothes, without nametags, and just to be back in the world. I got here to PA Wednesday night and went out to eat with one of the senior missionary couples and two sisters. Then I stayed with those two sisters and the next day we had a Mission Tour.
For mission tour one of the members of the seventy came and checked things out and spoke with us. It was fantastico of course! My favorite part was that Elder Gavarett who came… spoke PORTUGUESE! YAY! I loooove Portuguese! And I really really miss speaking it, but I do get an hour of language study in each day, where I Portugues it up a storm. I am searching for Brasileiros here in PA but haven’t found any yet. I also got to meet the mission president and his wife and yes, of course they are fantastic too!
Then… to PITTSBURGH! This past week I’ve been right here in the wonderful city of Pittsburgh with two other sisters. I was just here for this week though. But I loooove this city a lot. There is so much cool architecture and so much art all over the walls and so mannnny dinosaurs. Weird. And awesome.
It’s fun doing real missionary work, talking, meeting, and teaching real people, and inviting people to come unto Christ. It’s so excellent coming into the field at Christmas time because there is so much mroe of a focus on Christ. That’s what it’s all about amigos.
We do a lot of street contacting, handing out pass along cards, sharing quick simple lessons, just trying to get them to understand that they have a heavenly father who loves them, who they can and should always pray to, and that they have a savior Jesus Christ, and through his gospel they will find peace and happiness in this life and the next.
The other two sisters and I have a lovely time. I’m trying to do better to always be speaking with someone. But it’s hard. But I’ll get better because even though I know these people seem like they don’t want to hear what I say, they neeeed the gospel. Everyone does. It only blesses your life!
Well it has been an exciting week. Tomorrow I’m leaving the wonderful city of Pittsburgh and heading to my area of Lititz, which is near Lancaster which is near the Amish people. We don’t proselyte to the Amish, but I’m just excited for a new area and getting settled and learning and teaching! I’ll be there for at least 6 weeks and with one other sister and it will be excellent! Hopefully it’s not a snow storm there like it is here!
Merry Christmas and Feliz Natal familia e amigos! Espero que suas vidas sejao muito bom!
Ola ola ola!!! And Feliz Natal!!! I am so happy it’s Christmas time!
Sooooo my time here in Provo at the MTC is drawing to an end. I leave here on Wednesday, but not to Brazil. No visa yet unfortunately. So we all got reassigned and received those new calls yesterday! So exciting! Out of the 12 missionaries in my district, 7 are going to California, 2 to Montana, 1 to Texas, and my companion is going to Colorado. Guess where I’m going…… PENNSYLVANIA PITTSBURGH!!!
When they read it I was so surpised and a bit sad that I’m on the complete opposite side of the country as all of my district. But I am so so excited for Pennsylvania! To experience it, to love it, to learn and teach. So much good ahead! And I know that’s where I’m needed! The Lord needs me there and I am so excited and can’t believe I’m going to Pennsylvania! I’m just get more excited every day, but anxious and a bit nervous too. But I’m pretty sure I’m prepared hopefully! :D
And Woo hoo Pennsylvania is right next to New Jersery, where my brother is! Ah I love everything!
And I have zero idea how long I’ll be in PA for. Who knows when I’ll get a visa! No idea! But again, it’s all in the Lord’s hands.
While I’m excited for the field, I’m a bit sad to leave the MTC because I’ve had the most wonderful experience here. I’ve heard from apostles glaore and multiple general authorities. It’s fantastic. And I have sesriously had the greatest district in the world. I love my companion and our ten elders so so much! So blessed. I’ll be crying saying goodbye to them, but most fortunately my favorite elder is in my mission in Brazil! :D
I’ve learned so much here. I love all of the study time and being immersed in the scriptures. I’ve learned so much about faith too. As missionaries, we’re are inviting people unto Christ and helping them develop faith in Christ. Faith is a principle of action. There is a big difference between having faith in Christ and being faithful to Christ. We need so much more than just a knowledge of him an of what he has done for us. Because the devils know that. The devils know that Christ is the Son of God and that he has atoned for all of our sins. We need this knowledge and we need to have that knowledge lead to action, by following Christ. Learning of him by studying his words and keeping his commandments as well as living a life of service.
I’m so excited for Pennsylvania. But will definitely be sad saying goodbye to all the wonderful people and things and spirit ehre at the MTC. But I know there is soooo much more good ahead. Can’t wait to experience these next 14 months!
Thank you/obrigada to you all for the wonderful letters and packages of fun and love and goodness! I miss you all very much and think and pray for you often! Thank you for being wonderful!
PS I LOVE PORTUGUESE AND BRAZIL and am so excited to serve a mission there (and in Pennsylvania)!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Remember the reason for the season amigos!
NEW ADDRESS!!!!
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission
2589 Washinton Rd Ste 410
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!
