Carnaval...

And it is quite the party here in Maceio. In my area, there aren’t too many of those crazy parties that you see in movies with Carnival, but EVERYTHING shuts down this week. Everyone either left town or spends the entire day drinking so it has been impossible to visit anyone. We are emailing from the church today because the entire centro is shut down and will stay that way along with the rest of the city until Thursday. Lets just say I am grateful I am only passing one Carnival in the mission. 

We had a crazy week but it I think that’s how it is going to be from now on. Tuesday we had our leadership council with all of the zone leaders and sister training leaders in the mission. It was a little overwhelming but all in all a good day. Wedesday, Thursday, and Friday, we were in divisions. I got to stay Thursday in the same area where I passed my first day in the mission before we traveled to Arajacu. As soon as we got there, all the memories and feelings from that day came back and I found myself wondering how the heck I am already halfway through the mission:! So much has happened that it feels like years ago but I also feel like I got here last week. 

Friday I stayed in my area with another Sister and my companion found out from the other that they are having issues with their companionship. So, we get to solve that problem this week. Wish us luck. 

Not much too exciting as far as people to teach… Saturday we literally visited every single contact we have and every single one fell through because of Carnival. So we will see how this week goes but hopefully Thursday things will pick up again. 

Still love my area, love my companion so much, and am so happy to be here. 

Love, 

Sister Lauren Mather

Photos and videos:
Acai on pday(of course)
Our cutest house
Djalma, our recent convert and pretty much my favorite person in Brasil
New area with a view of my old one in the back
Divisions with Sister Bonierski in Trapiche
View from her apartment where I stayed my first day in the mission
Division with Sister Hernandez
Valentines from the Christensens <3
leadership of the mission