Happy Monday!
Started the week with our zone on Monday, our pday. It was a last minute get-together and we debated going because we were both feeling sick but ended up going and telling ourselves we would take it easy there. But... the elders started a game of soccer and how can I say no to that: BAD idea. I was finally recovering but we played for about an hour and it did me in. Spent Tuesday and Wednesday feeling pretty sick again buut by Thursday I was almost back to normal. Still a little tired, but feeling much better now, thank goodness.
Didnt get the chance to teach Eduardo and his family this week because they are remodeling their house but we called them a few times this week and they are still so excited for the baptism. We are trying to plan a family night with them and another family here in the ward.
Jailton came to church yesterday! He seemed a bit apathetic but he came so we will follow up tomorrow when we visit him. Still confused with him, but we will see what happens.
Olivia is reading the Book of Mormon and she tried to come to church but her husband made it a little bit difficult. He spends pretty much every night at the bar drinking, and when he comes home, it is just to sleep on the couch. It makes me so sad to see the influence he has on their 12 year old son and 8 year old daughter with down syndrome. Olivia is thinking about moving and as missionaries, we cant get involved in situations like that but I am silently praying that she finds an opportunity to leave. We love her.
Joiro and Neide still havent come to church because of their jobs... but he is still reading the Book of Mormon and they took up ourr challenge to pray together as a family every night. They invited us to celebrate their 3 year olds sons birthday this week and sent us home with about 1/4 of the cake. If we can just get them to church...
Through tender mercies, we were able to find a member that hasnt been to church in over 30 years. Other missionaries have tried to contact him but they never really succeeded so it is a tiny miracle that we were able to visit them this week. We spent almost an hour just getting to know him and his wife, Irene. He started talking about times that he has been guided by 'the voice of God', and we read a few scriptures with him, explaining that it was the Spirit. Him and his wife also both work Sundays, but when we invited them to church with us they paused and seemed to really consider it. I think they will eventually, and we are going to do everything we can to help make it happen!
Other than that, not much too exciting has happened here... my filha is doing great and I am so proud of her efforts to continually improve. We have an hour of training every day and it is usually practicing how to teach more effectively and by the Spirit. Practicing teaching over and over can be frustrating but she is doing awesome. She is still tired all the time but I have been trying to find little opportunities to let her rest every once in a while. She is a lot like I was when I arrived- quiet, shy, hesitant to talk to people, but that will change :)
We have gotten sick and rejected and sometimes(most of the time) we are exhausted but I am so happy and so grateful to be here. We are so busy that the weeks are flying by and today marks 5 months since I left home. It feels like so long ago but has also gone so fast and I never would have thought I could learn as much as I have in 5 months. I know it will only go faster and I will learn more and more throughout my mission so I am determined to make the most of it. Sometimes we are walking in the street and it still seems surreal to me that I am serving a mission in another country, in another language, with people I didnt know 5 months ago. I know without a doubt that God has a plan for every single one of us and this is a part of mine. I love Him and Brasil!!
Love,
Sister Lauren Mather
PS. Only 42 days until Christmas(yes of course I am counting) and it would make me SO happy to get your guys' Christmas cards. I know it is a little more expensive to send letters here but one of my favorite parts of December is getting all the cards from people I love. It would be so so appreciated!!
Address:
Av Santa Rita de Cassia, 287
Farol, Maceio - AL
57051-600
Brasil
Photos
our hippie friend i mentioned a few weeks back
yearly christmas countdown chain
birthday celebration with joiro and neide and family
the decorating has begun...
the district
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