Spish

[This week we also received a letter from Emily.  She sent one to everyone.  They were written the beginning of August.  There are a lot of cute stories that are so Emily that I want to share...Here is some of Sam's letter:]

Guess what Sam?  I killed my first cockroach yesterday!  It was huge and gross.  I hated it.  But I thought of my brave little brother and how he would probably think it's cool so I squished it with a shoe.  Its guts went everywhere and it was super gross!  Ugh.  I don't like them.  In Portuguese they are called a "Barata."  My companion always screams really loud when we see one.

We are teaching a little boy... [who] is 6 just like you!  Every time I come over he gives me a piece of bubble gum called "spish."  [Sam now walks around asking for spish.]

When I tell people here my brother's name is Sam they think it's awesome because no one here is named Sam!  I explain it's Samuel like in the Bible and they can understand better.

I love you Sam!  I miss you and I hope you have a great first week of school!  I  can't wait to hear all about it in your next letter!   Muito Saudades Sam the man!

Love, Sister Heyer

Staying in Valhinos

[Sorry this letter is out of order.  We received it on August 26...so the information in this post comes before the post Two Miracles.]

Hello!

This week was the longest week of my mission so far I am almost 100% positive.

 -_-

Tuesday we had a district meeting in Campinas at 8 am. Which meant we got up at 5 and left at 6 to make it there in time. Then when we got home we got a call saying that Sister B and Sister A need to go to Junjiai for a Divisao so we ate lunch, packed quickly, and hopped on the bus for an hour and a half for Junjiai. We worked with the sisters in that area for a little bit before curfew and then spent the night. It was FREEZING. They didn't have extra blankets. So we didn't sleep at all. The next morning we got up at 6 and packed up and grabbed a bus for the other part of Junjiai to visit the other sisters. (Junjiai is huge). We worked with them all day long and went to bed at 12 because they were telling us all the problems they have and all the things they need for 2 hours. We got up the next morning at 4 to get back and returned in time for lunch in a members home and try to make up for lost time in our area. Friday Sister B went through the temple with Presidente so she got up at 5 to leave and woke me up to do her hair. Then Saturday we got up earlier to go to the church and decorate the church for the wedding. Then all evening and night we had the wedding and baptism after. Sunday we had church early and spent all day saying goodbyes and visiting people. Then we stayed up til 12 helping Sister B pack and celebrating. And got up this morning at 4 to get ready and travel to Campinas to the mission office to drop off Sister B. :P Needless to say it was a rough week and I am super low on sleep and there is sooo much to do this week. BUT its okay. I can do this. I will go home now and sleep.....after we clean the whole house and organize all of our stuff..... -_-  Aye. 

Anyways sorry for the boring low down. The divisao was actually really cool because I was companions with a Sister who arrived the same day as me....but she doesn't speak ANY Portuguese.  So anyways it was kind of scary for me because I had to do EVERYTHING. I taught 5 lessons and made 25 contacts and talked with everyone and shared scriptures and got 2 new investigators for them and everything. It was hard but it was really cool because everyone just kept saying that I speak everything! It felt good to know I can do stuff on my own. It was good because today my "mom" left and I have to lead this area now with a new companion. I did feel a little bad though because the members that we visited kept asking when I got here and when I would tell them the same day as the other Sister they would say "how come you speak and she doesn't". I'd feel worse but I don't think she understood what they were saying so....it was better that she didn't know so she won't feel bad. It was a cool experience though.

Saturday was amazing. A and T were married in the church by the bishop and it was a beautiful simple ceremony. The members of the church did EVERYTHING. They made the cake and brought food and drinks and decorations and did her hair and makeup and everything to help. It was amazing. She was gorgeous and they were so happy. T cried like a baby. It was sweet. Then one hour later she changed out of her dress and him out of his tux and they were baptized! She got to leave her crown in from the wedding and she looked like a princess. It was amazing. They were confirmed on Sunday and I have never seen anyone so happy. They are completely changed and ready to be full time members of the church and prepare to be sealed in one year. I will be here. I hope I can go. Sister B said she would return and we can go together. :) It was awesome. 

So....I am STAYING HERE! :D Thank goodness. And so are Sisters A and G so not TOO much will change. I am ready to love [my new companion] and be very firm about our responsibilities here. This area is ZION. Seriously. And they deserve the best missionaries possible. We have a lot of work to do. And it will be good for me to get some experience taking charge here because... Sister P said to prepare to train next transfer.... (!!!!!!!! EEP CRAZY!!!!) Anyways I am ready.....but prayers are always welcome. <3 

I will evaluate this week if I think I can talk to the bishop about teaching English this transfer in the church.  I hope so but it depends on my companion.

I am glad to here that all is well with you guys. Busch Gardens sounds like it was hot....but its good to get one last vacation in! :)  I miss you like crazy. Good luck to the kids with starting school! WORK HARD KIDDOS! :D I love you all! <3 

Sister Heyer <3

Two Miracles

[Last week, a dear friend of ours, Dan Morgan, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  We had no way to tell Emily until her weekly email on Monday.]

Well this week of emailing has been one of many tears. I am shocked about Brother Morgan. I am touched by his generosity toward our family to the point that I cannot express it. I pretty much forgot everything I was going to email to you this week....I am so grateful for him. And how amazing that you were able to go and help their family and participate in his funeral. He was like you both said....a wonderful man. Besides Dad I don't think I know a man more generous, loving, and close to the Savior. I don't think that Brother Morgan died....I think with certainty he was translated. There is a special place in heaven for Brother Morgan. As a missionary teaching the plan of salvation I can say with all my heart that I know he will see his family again someday. As a friend I can say with all my heart that he is preparing a beautiful mansion for his Queen Shelley and is standing beside our Savior smiling down on his family with pride and joy.

I am so glad that you received my letter! And that everyone liked it. :) I cried even more when I read [Dorey and Lilly keep them] under their pillows. Oh how I love you guys. Oh how I miss you guys. Its a little tough having a birthday here because I know what I am missing at home. I almost wish I could skip tomorrow. But its okay...I know the missionaries in my district are preparing to sing to me in the district meeting tomorrow and Sister A already said we could go to McDonalds for dinner so I could have real American food. ;) Butttttt ohhhh how I miss my sweet Dorey Lilly Sam Mom and Dad. 

This week was a little crazy but I am back on my feet. My new companion is Sister M. She came ready to work. She is ready to work and baptize the whole world. And that is just what we are doing....almost. We have one marked baptism date and 20 new investigators that are all looking promising. We are remaining optimistic. 

The best part about this week though were two miracles that made it possible for us to find and help two new people. Thursday we were walking around the center trying to find people to talk to and trying to think of what to do because all of our appointments had fallen through but it was time to go back to the house to change for the church activity. We started to slowly walk back toward our house praying that we would find someone to at least give the address to the church. We saw a guy sitting on a bench who was about 26 or so, so we figured....eh he cant walk away so lets go talk to him... ;) We said our spiel about where the church is and when our meetings are and then asked if we could share a message about Jesus Christ with him another day and he surprised us both by saying we could teach him right now. So we sat on the bench with him in the park and taught him the first lesson. He said that he was baptized but was baptized by a girl and he knows that that's not the right authority. And then he said that he doesn't believe in baptizing as a baby because they haven't sinned. Then he said he is looking for the "right way to be baptized". Talk about an open window for us! We taught him everything and gave him a Book of Mormon and a pamphlet and asked if he wanted to go with us to the church activity that same night (in about 2 hours from then). He said sure and so two hours later we met him a little ways from the church. In 2 hours he had shaved his beard off, cut his hair, showered, read the pamphlet, read the chapter in the Book of Mormon we gave him, and wanted to learn more. It was crazy! He had some questions so we ended up teaching him in the church and ended the lesson with a date marked for baptism. He is still a little shy and a little nervous but he is anxious to learn more and we are VERY hopeful his desire continues. He was truly an example of what it talks about in Preach My Gospel about "the Lord prepares people". 

The second cool thing that happened this week is we were walking in street looking for the house of an inactive member of the church and when we found it I was shocked to see that the address was the same address as sweet Sister I in our ward! She is a little old lady who we have had lunch with. She lovesssss music. LOVES music. She loves to sing and play any instrument and watch musicals and she loves making little crafts too. I love her! But I don't really know much else about her. I was confused why her address was listed for this inactive man so we decided to see if she was home and at least sing her a hymn. She was very surprised to see us at her gate but she let us in of course and was very excited. We talked with her for a little while and she gave us strawberries and sweet cream (SO GOOD). As we were eating we told her who were looking for and asked if she knew him. Turns out it's her husband. She was slow to talk about him so we didn't push it. We sang lead kindly light with her and then offered a prayer. In the prayer Sister M prayed that her husband would find the desire to come back to church. We finished and with a trembling lip she thanked us for praying for her husband. She started to cry and cry and told us that her husband introduced the church to her, was the leader of the young mens, they are sealed in the temple, that she loves him, and knows he has a testimony....but he is an alcoholic. And about 20 years or more ago he started drinking again and now can't stop. She told us she had been so sad all day long and had been praying for some sort of help or comfort and then....we rang her doorbell. It was so touching and so amazing to see how we could come at just the right moment. I truly felt like the Lord's instrument in that moment. We will be returning to visit her and her husband Thursday. We are going to bring a friend of his in our ward to give him a priesthood blessing if he wants. Our goal is to help them be able to go back to the temple together. We know the time is now. I think the time is now because they are both really old. I think this is in some way...the Lord's way of saying "this is your last chance son". Pray for them .

Anyways I am continuing to work hard here! The work is blooming right now and I am seeing the Lord's hand in my life. I am especially thankful for your support and emails and love. It means more to me than I can express. I think about you guys all the time and everything I do I do first for the Lord, second for the investigator, and third for you all. I want to do things that you will be proud of me for. I wear the name of our family too. :) I love you all so much. A big hug and kiss for the kids as they start school. It sounds like their teachers will be amazing! Thank you for the pictures too. Wish I could have been there!!! I am very excited about all the fun things we will do together when I get home. :) But for now keep having fun without me. <3 I love you all again so very much. You are all in my prayers. 

Emily

fala TUDO!

This week FLEW by. Monday was Pday and we went to the home of a member in Campinas. He owns a school here called Wizard which teaches English and other languages but primarily English. Needless to say its very successful. We had fun eating tons of amazing food and cake and jumping on the trampoline and playing tennis and pool and sleeping and stuff. Then after we went to the park and played this really fun game involving hitting people with balls and lots of running. (I know that was so specific....sorry....hahaha). It was really fun. Pdays are never ever days to rest.....that's for sure...but they are always really fun.

Tuesday we had a divisão (split) with other sisters in a different area. It was interesting. They work hard but their area is a lot harder than ours is. Ward members aren't very helpful and people are always too busy to go to church. It was interesting and a little scary to see what lays ahead for me in other areas. :/ 

Wednesday we had our first interviews with President Perrotti. It was fine. I asked him some questions that I had and he asked if all was good with me and I said yes and then he said to keep up the good work basically and that was it. Then Sister B told me that in her interview the first thing that he said was "Sister Heyer fala TUDO! TUDO!" Aka....Sister Heyer speaks everything! He said he was very surprised by how much I know and how fast I talk and stuff after just one month. He said that out of all the Americans that arrived with me that I am speaking the most and very well so he was very relieved that there was at least one who is adjusting quickly. I was very surprised by this because I certainly don't feel I know everything or speak well but....I was very happy he thinks so. I think it's because my companion is so helpful and has really pushed me to talk and keep talking and has really prepared me for leading the way here with a new Sister. I am very grateful. Sometimes I still don't understand what people are saying but usually  I can understand everything. Which is such a relief. 

It was neat because after the meeting we had a de-stressing activity and threw water balloons yelling things that were hard and "throwing them away". It was actually hilarious. These are some things our zone yelled.

Sister B-I HATE THE DOGS ON THE MISSION

Sister G- I AM NOT AN AMERICAN (because she is really really pale and everyone always things she is American. Especially when she is with me. But she is from Curitiba Brazil)

Sister A- I DON'T LIKE MISSING MY HOME

Sister M- PEOPLE THAT DON'T GO TO CHURCH

Sister H- WHEN PEOPLE SAY "I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU"

Sister Heyer- WHEN I SAY "I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU"

Elder G- I AM NOT A DEACON! 

Elder D- I AM NOT JAPANESE (He is part Korean....but he is from Virginia...and all the Brazilians always ask seriously if he is Japanese and apologize that they don't have chopsticks for him and stuff...its hilarious)

Elder B- PEOPLE WHO ASK FOR CONFERENCES WITH PRESIDENTE! (he's the assistant president)

Sister Perrotti- DIRTY HOUSES (she had just checked the houses of some elders.....)

President Perrotti- MISSIONARIES WITH PROBLEMS

These were just a few but it was really funny. :) haha. 

As for the work this week.....it was awesome. :) We clapped at doors for a while the other day and we found one woman who was the sweetest thing ever. And she said she was looking for a church. She has been to many churches but something was always missing. But it is really important to her. She has amazing faith and loves photography and said she wants us to come back because she has tons of questions about life and God and hasn't been able to find anyone to answer her questions yet. We told her to write down all of her questions and we will find the answers together and answer as many as we can with her. I am very confident that we can answer her questions. In Preach my Gospel it says that the gospel has the answers to every question. She is what we call a golden investigator. She is prepared by the Lord. I am very excited to visit her this week. Pray for her and that we can help her find the answers she has been looking for. 

The same day we walked past a salon we pass everyday and a woman who owns it opened the door and stopped us. Turns out her daughter is learning English and wants to go the the US next summer but right now she really wants to practice conversing in English. So in two Saturdays I will go back and teach her English and help her practice....and afterwards she said we can share our message. And she also said she will give us free manicures and pedicures. Which is awesome but is a lost cause for me right now so I won't but it was very nice of her. Anyways I am really excited because I finally have a use for English and being American! Its actually useful right now. :) I am really excited for this opportunity to teach English but also an open door to teach the gospel too. :) 

Last but not least this weekend is our last weekend together before transfers and we get to finish it with amazing things!!! Our investigators A and T will be married on Saturday in the church by the bishop....and after the wedding....will be BAPTISED!!!!! :D Its AMAZING. They are amazingggg. I cant even begin to describe. They have endured many trials individually throughout life and about 8 months ago they found each other. They were living together when Sister B first found them about 2 months ago. She was baptized when she was 8 but was never confirmed (so because lots of time has passed she will be baptized again). Her sister is a member but she was never interested. He never had a solid religion and was really lost in drinking and bad relationships. They started taking the lessons and they went to church every week. They loved everything about it. A said it was exactly what she has been looking for. They flushed all their alcohol and coffee down the toilet the day we taught the commandments with them. They went to the court and got a marriage license and yesterday was their baptismal interview. They arranged everything about their wedding so they could be baptized the same day. Their wedding invitations also have an invitation to their baptism after. A doesn't even care that all her hair and makeup will get ruined right after the wedding or that they can't party all night. She is almost more excited for baptism than the wedding. He is too. They bare their testimonies with us every time we visit and they always pray. They even said yesterday that one day they want to serve a mission together! Right now they are only in their late 20s but they already are planning to serve when their last kid is on his/her mission! Kids they haven't even had yet! Its amazing. They are so ready and so excited and its all so beautiful. They asked us to sing at their wedding and their baptism. They invited any and all missionaries we know to come. They want everyone to come see their lives change for the better. It is a dream. That's what they both keep saying....its a dream. It really is. They are wonderful people and they are about to change the future of many generations with their example. They will be confirmed this Sunday as well. And they already set a date to be sealed next year in her planner. I will be here....and I hope that I can go and witness this. A said she is more excited to be sealed than to be married because they understand it means so much more. Pray for them that all will go smoothly. They already had their car stolen this week among other trials to work against them. But they are still standing firm. Pray that they will continue to carry on. <3 

Anways all is well here. I am sad that Sister B is leaving. I am grateful for everything she has taught me. I feel prepared to work and carry on because of her. <3 I am 98% sure I will continue on here in Valhinos but I will let you know next Monday! <3 Love you all! You are all in my prayers. <3 

Emily

Monkey sighting!

[This is being posted a week late because we were traveling last week.]

Well this week was crazy busy and I want to write it all so brace yourself for a long one and possibly very out of order email. Sorry. ;)

Okay this week I saw my first monkeys! Two! They were very timid and very little so it wasnt as exciting as I thought it would be butttt they were very cute and I got a crappy picture for proof for sam. I was mostly excited to tell the kids. :) 

Monday was p-day but sister a and b were in a meeting with president so sister g and I stayed here and relaxed and shopped for gifts for our "moms". Mine will be leaving in 2 weeks. Transfers in 2 weeks. Time is flying by. Anyways because sister a and sister b didn't get p-day Monday they had p-day Tuesday and we did a split. While sister G and I were working we encountered a man who was convinced that God and Jesus were one person and wanted to argue with us. He had scriptures and no matter what we said he argued or scoffed at. So finally we just invited him to church again and left. It was very frustrating that he was so cold hearted. But it made us look up more scriptures to use. And when we got back we prayed for him to learn the truth someday. It was interesting. 

We also taught two people who they have been teaching for weeks and won't be baptized unless the church gives them money.....it's ridiculous. We had to go teach them and basically Sister G said that if they don't go to church this weekend they won't continue to teach them. I bore my testimony and shared with them a scripture about faith and blessings but I don't know if it really did any good. It was a good learning experience for me though. 

We also taught one of their progressing investigators the plan of salvation and before we even started the lesson Sister G told them that I don't speak good Portuguese so she will teach the lesson. It was very very frustrating. I know a lot about the 2nd lesson and if anything I can share scriptures or bare testimony. But she just went on and on and on and then bore her testimony and ended and asked questions and then they started talking about other things. I was very upset. It was the first time that I questioned if I was truly a missionary here. I talked with Sister B for a long time and she was very kind. She reminded me that Sister G is very young and doesn't know anything about working with people who don't know Portuguese perfectly. She also reminded me that I know I'm a missionary and can teach and the Lord does too and the rest doesn't matter. She is of course right. 

Ran into a lady from our ward whose kids have chicken pox right now. And we rode with her kids in the car on Sunday..... -_- Please pray I don't get it. 

Sooo the next story might give mom a heart attack but please don't worry. We were tracking in a neighborhood and we were having a lot of success. We taught a lesson and found a whole family who wanted to hear the message and so we were feeling really confident. We saw a man standing in front of his house who was about 28 or so and Sister B wanted to talk to him. The minute we started talking to him this really dark and unsettling feeling washed over me. But the man was really nice and agreed to be taught and even said he wanted to be baptized Sunday "as soon as possible". Sister B was super excited and called Elder P about interviews and everything. I expressed to her that I didn't feel good about it and that something wasn't right with the man. But she told me that she didn't feel that way and everything was fine. She called him a golden investigator and that the Lord gives us people prepared....so I tried to listen and brush it off because....I mean what do I know? Anyways we returned the next day to teach him and we taught him the first lesson and the commandments. He talked with Elder P and everything was perfect. But I still didn't feel good. Then he told us that he helped with an abortion five years ago.We called President Perroti and he said that he could still be baptized but he would have to talk with the bishop first so the bishop can evaluate the situation and talk with president p. I still felt really uneasy but we continued. We walked with him to the church for an activity and to talk with the bishop and while we were walking he told us that he served time in prison for 2 years because he KILLED SOMEONE. Good grief. He wanted to be baptized because he felt extreme guilt for shooting someone. We introduced him to people and tried to act normal and then we asked the ward mission leader to drive him home with another man in our ward. We didn't have a chance to tell them that he killed someone and to be careful so we just prayed in the street after leaving they would be safe. When I got home I was very worried because despite all this and the fact he cannot be baptized (the bishop said straight up he can't for at least 5 years or so of repentance and then maybe he can) Sister B wanted to go back and continue to teach him and the rest of his family! I did not feel good about this at all. I prayed that an answer would come as to what to do. The next morning we got a phone call from Brother J (ward mission leader) and he said that the spirit testified to him that the man killed someone and to tell us we were not to go back. It was very clear and very strong. We will not go back. It is sad because he is truly repentant. And he wants to change. But killing is a sin that just can't be baptized and made whole again. We will continue to pray but we will never go back. I am very grateful for my spiritual promptings about safety. That is one thing I have REALLY noticed here is when we are in any danger I always get promptings of where to go or who not to talk to. The hard part is getting my companion to trust me. I hope that after this experience it will be easier for her to listen. She did talk to me in the kitchen that night and apologized because she realized that I was right. But I am very grateful that I get very clear promptings about our safety. You do not need to worry about us. The Lord is taking good care of us. And also I remember a lot about what you have taught me dad about safety. I even carry my heavy hard water bottle at night so I can smack someone if necessary and I never carry a lot of money. We also let men pass us if they are walking behind us and run through the tunnels if it's night. So far no problems. I can literally feel someone watching over us. I know we will be fine as long as we are obedient and follow spiritual promptings. 

My last story is that our ANCIENT investigators J and G (13 and 9) FINALLY got permission from their grandma to be baptized!!!!!!! It was AMAZING. Truly a miracle because honestly we never thought it would happen. We fasted Tuesday this week their grandma would have her heart softened and sign the papers. And then 3 days later she did. Not only that but she came! Her, their aunt, and 8 of their friends! It was a huge missionary opportunity and their grandma even cried. It was beautiful and truly a miracle. We were so excited. It was awesome. In my mind....their grandma is next. ;) I want to see her baptized before I leave this area in 6 weeks. Its my goal. Pray for her. She smokes 6 packs a day if not more. And drinks. And is Catholic. It won't be easy. 

Anyways sorry its so scattered.

I love you all! 

Emily

Brace for Grossness

Emily has blisters.  Big ones.  She named them Jeremy and Ricardo.

2 Month Mark

Well...today marks my TWO MONTH MARK ON THE MISSION! Man time flies. It doesn't feel like it has been two months. If it keeps passing this quickly I will be home any day now! Its crazy.

This week was pretty crazy but really good! Monday was P-day of course and went to the park with the Elders again. I played futibol americano with the elders and many were pretty impressed with my spiral (thank you Dad). They definitely don't love it as much as we do. They prefer soccer for sure. hahaha. But it was pretty fun. It would have been more fun if I hadn't been so sick. I had a raging head cold and I was advised to stay in bed all day....but....I didn't. I only get one day a week to get out and do fun things so I loaded my backpack with tissues and sniffled and wiped my eyes and died all day. It wasn't fun. Looking back I should've stayed in bed. The only reason I am better today is because I have wonderful family members and friends with lots of faith that prayed for me and Heavenly Father took pity on my stupidity. But I did get to try a new ice cream flavor. Since I don't know what any of the flavors mean I go alphabetically and get a new flavor every Monday. This week was Acashi or Acabai or something weird...found out the hard way that it is prunes. So I enjoyed (or rather...did NOT enjoy) dried prune ice cream. It was a costly (6 reais) mistake. hahaha. Today I hope my gamble is better. 

Tuesday and Wednesday we traveled with the mission president to Itatibia to go on splits with the sisters there. We did this because Sister B and Sister A are the sister trainer leaders so every week they go to a new area and work with the trainers in those areas. So yes....tomorrow we will go to a new place. I think Junjiea but I don't know....and neither do you so I guess it doesn't matter.... ;)  Anyways it was a very interesting experience. I learned a lot. The best thing was Sister B and I really bonded. And I also got caught up in my journal. The worst part was we had to take the bus back. And I didn't take Dramamine in time. I spent the whole 45 min on the bus breathing deeply and praying. It was the work car sickness I have ever experienced.  Next time I will take it earlier.

The rest of the week was pretty much gone by then but we were able to teach lots of lessons and ALMOST had two baptisms yesterday but L said she wanted to wait until next week because it was too fast. -_-. But they promised next week soooo.....we should have 2 baptisms. Our other investigators are getting married this week! :) So hopefully this weekend we will have 4. We shall see. 

Anyways sorry this isn't as detailed as it usually is. Letters are coming eventually and I will try to have a more exciting week this week. ;) lol.  

I love you so much and I hope your week is awesome! You are always in my prayers! <3 

Sister Heyer