Started the week on Tuesday with divisions, where we switch companions for a day. I stayed in my area this time with Sister Martins and I am so glad I did! I was very nervous because I feel like I don’t know the area still but it turns out I know more than I thought and was able to navigate to all of our visits scheduled that day. Sister Martins is amazing and I’m sad that she is leaving next month because it means we can’t be companions.
Also had our zone conference this week, where we gather with our President, his wife, and all the missionaries here in the state of Sergipe! Received a surprise letter from the Smiths and Ashtons, which made my day- thank you guys!! Anyways, a lot of the trainings were about working with the members in our wards. Our mission president’s wife gave a talk about finding joy in the journey and it stuck with me. She talked about enjoying every day and not thinking about how much time you have spent, or will spend here. I have a tendency to look ahead and miss what is happening in the present so I really loved what she said. I love her and our mission president so much. Last week, we had a church leader visit our mission and our president told us that he said he has never seen a mission with so much love. Love that the mission president and his wife have for us, love we have for them, and that the missionaries all have for each other. It is very true- I wasn’t expecting the friends I am making here. All of the missionaries are all friends and whenever we all get together there is such a happy spirit. Everyone here calls it the best mission in the world and I definitely agree!!
Sister Cruz and I are still getting along great. I think she has been a little discouraged at our lack of people that are progressing as far as learning about the church and gospel. We haven’t given up on Elenilton and Marcel yet…we were going to but we visited them again this week and had a great conversation about who God and Christ are and how they show that they care about us in the small details of our lives. The Spirit was definitely there and even though I still think they like us more than the gospel, there might be something there and maybe we just need to have patience. Like I said last week, could go either way. We are just taking it week by week at this point.
Other than them, we do not have many people progressing, which basically means making an effort to learn more and become involved in the church. It is frustrating because we teach and visit people every day but not many people we have found so far have a genuine interest or desire to draw closer to Christ. We set up 18 visits this week with new people and I am praying at least one is needing what we have to bring.
Still visiting Junior and Alexandre and they are both doing great. I love my ward and planned a ward activity with Vania for tonight which I am excited about. We are going to have a family night about friendship and there should be a lot of people there which will be fun. Grateful for my temporary family here.
Portuguese is still challenging but I feel like I am finally really getting it. I pretty much never speak English since my American friends left our zone and when I try now, sometimes I use Portuguese words without realizing it. I have noticed that I can understand with a little less effort and it is so rewarding to see progress. Like I said, still working on it, but I LOVE this language.
And love Brasil, as far as that goes. Love this country and these people more than I thought I could.
Wishing you all a happy week! Love you all.
Muito amor,
Sister Lauren Mather
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