Christmas came and went as if it was a pretty normal day. I was a little disappointed because I thought it would be a bigger deal here. Here in Brasil, everyone stays up until midnight on xmas eve and at midnight, everyone has a big dinner all together. They eat and drink and dance until 3 or 4 in the morning, and then sleep through most of Christmas day.
We spent xmas eve with the rest of the missionaries in our zone which was really fun. We had a BBQ, played games, exchanged secret santa gifts, and just hung out. On Christmas day, we made a LOT of cookies and spent all day delivering them to people here. It was so sweet to see how excited some people got when we remembered them, and sure beat spending the whole day at home with nothing to do. We had lunch with Melissas family and later that night, after delivering everything, called our families. Christmas seemed so far in the future when I got here and the fact that it already passed blows my mind.
The rest of the week was great, and every single day this week we saw little miracles. Taught lots of people but getting them to wake up early on Sunday morning is a challenge.
Paolo and Betania are our ray of hope. During our visit this week, they finally told us the whole story of why they showed up to church a random Sunday in November. Betania takes care of her brother, who had an accident and is in critical condition. She is basically taking care of him until he passes away because they cant operate or help him anymore. She got to a point that she was so tired and depressed that it was affecting her physical and mental health. One day, she expressed the severity of how she was feeling to Paolo, and that next Sunday they were at church. He never lost his testimony and said that he knew the gospel could help her more than anything else. And it is so true- in the past month, she has become so much happier and it is so humbling to see what people meant when they said they saw lives change during their mission. I know that they are part of the reason I am here, and that I stayed so long in this area. Love them.
This is probably my last week in this area and I feel a little like I am leaving home again. I have grown and learned SO much here. Last night we had a little farewell dinner for Melissa, who leaves Tuesday for her mission. Never thought I would make friends my age during my mission and I am grateful to have them here. I will find out Sunday where I will be transferred next…
Grateful for the chance to spend Christmas here and I know that no matter where, the Spirit is always the same. Because of that day, we have a Savior who I have come to know so much better in the past 6 months. I know that when we let him, he guides us to people and experiences that help us learn and grow to become more like him. I know that he literally changes lives, and that it is only through the Atonement, his sacrifice for us, that those changes are possible. I love him for that.
Wishing you all a very feliz ano novo!
Muito amor,
Sister Lauren Mather
Pics and videos:
christmas festivities and people we visited
skype with the fam and a family selfie
presents from Jivaldo, a cute little old man we are teaching
melissas farewell
dinner with melissa and the rest of our friends
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