Sure, We Can Buy You Some Tweezers...

There really never is a dull moment here in the mission. As we were walking to one of our visits, a lady stopped us outside her house and asked us if we could go to the market on the next street and buy her some tweezers because she didnt want to leave her sick dad home alone. We ended up going to 3 different markets because the firs 2 didnt have tweezers but we eventually got some for her. In brasil, there is a little mini store on every street. But anyways, we were eventually able to get her some tweezers and she wasnt too interested in the gospel but we gave her an invite to church and went on our way.

As far as people we are teaching, this week was a slower one again. We 'cut', or stopped teaching, a lot of people this week. One of my least favorite parts of the mission, but it is necessary because our time here is so short and if they dont act and do their part, we cant do much. I am especially sad to stop visiting Eduardo, Jacira, and their family. Everything seemed to fall so perfectly into place and when they made a goal to be baptized I thought for sure that it would happen. But for whatever reason, they stopped coming to church and have been politely avoiding our visits. It really is a little heartbreaking because my hoped were so high for them but I have faith that they will find their way back someday. They are such a good family.

Stopped teaching a lot of people this week but we had a miracle!! I mentioned last week the couple that came to church and when we visited them this week we were blown away! Paolo, thee husband, worked for the church years ago building chapels and temples in Afrrica and Portugal. He has such a strong testimony and a ton of knowledge about all aspects of the church. Him and his wife, Betania, have a goal to be sealed in the temple! She wants to be baptized this month and we are meeting with them today to work out which day. We taught them about the Book of Mormon and Paolo talked about the first time he read it which brought the Spirit so strong. They own an ice cream shop so we are going to visit them there today for our pday! Miracles. I am so excited for them.

Other highlights of the week:
Christmas activity with the women in our ward. Love my temporary family here.

Divisions with the sister training leaders! FOrgot to take a picture but got to spend the day with Sister Dailey which is always so fun.

Edilson, our crazy friend, showed up to church again...no clapping this time but he is a little creepy so we kindly sat him with another man in our ward.

Lunch with Ione! Every month, she invites all the single girls in the ward over for lunch. Yesterday she surprised us all with little christmas gifts as well. We love her.

That about wraps up the week and I am so glad to be here. We had interviews with president this week and he told me it is almost guaranteed that I will leave this area in January so I am trying to make the most of the time I have left. Grateful to be spending Christmas here- only 14 days!! Listen to some Michael Buble and watch plenty of Christmas movies for me :) Love you all!!

Love,
Sister Lauren Mather

Photos:
chocolates from Betania
lunch with the girls and the feast that Ione made
the zone
decorations at the centro