Brazil

Queridos famíliares e amigos, a vida é tão boa.
We had General Conference this weekend! It was so so good and so increidble to hear the words and receive the counsel of the living prophets and leaders of the church. We watched it at the chapel and it was all translated into poruguese. I definitely missed hearing the actual voices of the prophet and apostles, but it was still so so good. So good. 
 
They seemed to talk a lot about trials and tribulations. Wonderful to hear, because as wonderful as it is being a missionary, the mission definitely comes with a few trials. But we really can’t grow without challenges and tribulations. Heavenly Father often gives us aflicitions to bless us. He loves us and just wants us to grow closer to him. And everything has a purpose. 

It was also said a couple times how are prayers are often answered through others. We are the answers to peoples prayers, even to our own prayers. We’ve just got to be humble, be like a child. 

And I loved how President Henry B. Eyring quoted the hymn “Have I Done Any Good.” Because so often we can’t see the fruits of our labors, and we wonder if we’re doing good. But we are dong good.

1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

[Chorus]
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

2. There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Text and music: Will L. Thompson, 1847–1909, alt.

And…. transfers tomorrow. Sadly, I’m leaving this wonderful area of Jardim da Penha with these wonderful people. No idea where I’ll be going or who I’ll be with. I’ll find out tomorrow! But I know it will be so so good, tis just so sad to leave, and I don’t want to pack. And good news, I’ll get to eat some of Sister Pickett’s cookies at transfer meeting. 
And more good news!! Sister Powell (who I was at the MTC with) got her visa finally and will be here tomorrow! Sister Morales will be training her. Yahoo!

Sister Morales and I were talking about some of the highlights of the last three months we had in this area together. Oh my goodness there are sooo many. So may funny moments, sad moments, spiritual moments. It’s like an emotional roller coaster out here some days. :)

But the best part of the mission so far is Alderina. She is elect. She was baptized March 26th. She is soooo hilarious and loves the gospel soooo much. Oh I just love her so much. Yesterday she said that imagine if we hadn’t found her. Imagine. How many people are out there searching for the peace the gospel brings, but they don’t know where to find it. That’s why we’ve got to share this joy! Okey dokey, I better go get to work! :)

Hooray for batismos e confirmações!
The mission is so wonderful. Learning so many things, and learning how many things I still need to learn! It just never ends, which is fantastico!
There are ups and downs all through out the week, and the ups are definitely when we’re working harder. The harder you work, the better you feel (so let’s have beans for every meal)! 
Beans are still so delicious. And it’s like avocado season too, which means avocado smoothies! Whiich may sound not fantastico, but they’re pretty good. Açaí bowls are good too. I think I have a habit of talking about food a lot in every email, porbably because I email right before lunch. :) Oh blessed lunch. It’s like a sacred hour here. 

I just want to say a little bit about JOY. Because 2 Néfi 2:25, “men are that they might have joy.” 
Joy is our purpose. Nothing better than that! 
And I got some supercalifragilisticexpialidocious mail this week, and oh my goodness, mail=joy. Muito muito obrigada to the Cottams and Sashie and Stephen and Holly and Stacy! Oh happy day, I love mail! And I love you all too. 
Something else that brings lots of joy… Sister Pickett’s cookies. They are heavenly. She is the mission president’s wife. That Picketts are soooo good. So are cookies. I miss cookies from home, but at transfers and conferences, Sister Pickett always brings cookies. Yay! 
And more joy… baptisms! People who are fully converted and will stay strong in the restored gospel for ever! 

Só alegria!