Hi Mom,
Our week went well and we are getting excited for Christmas. It doesn’t feel like Christmas here; however, last night we watched the church movie, “Joy to the World” with a recent convert family. They have 3 little kids. It was so fun to see Temple Square in the movie and tell the family about it. We sat by their little Christmas tree with its flashing lights and talked about the gospel. It was a wonderful night. This week we have our church Christmas party and we are going to bring a couple who we are teaching (they are waiting to be married before the baptism).
The work is going well and I am trying so hard to concentrate although I am so excited to see you guys. I don’t know where we are going to meet up? Did dad plan that with Elder Wimmer or President Leal? I don’t know what time I will have my interview with the President or what will happen Dec. 26. The address that you have to write letters to me is the mission office and the President lives pretty close. We will probably eat lunch with his family or something like that. I have no clue. I will try to organize things for the three days that we are in Londrina.
I won’t be living with Sister Lesueur anymore at BYU because her sister is getting married and she has to buy her sister’s contract and stay there for the winter. Hmmmm. I have no idea what I will do. I can probably stay at home and look for a place when I get back. I was sad but I am sure I will be able to figure out something.
I have one favor. There is a family that wants a snow globe with the temple inside. I know you weren’t able to find anything but it is possible to buy something similar I am sure they would love a little snow globe. I want to visit them with you guys.
I love you and hope you have a great week.
Love Sister Davis
12.18.2008
12.08.2008
December 8, 2008
Hi Mom,
I wasn’t transferred and will finish my mission in Maringá with Sister Grover. I am sure she would love something for Christmas from the states. I know she likes chocolate.
This week went well and we are working with a few families. We marked someone to be baptized on Dec. 27, so if she is prepared in time, we will be able to watch her baptism together. I hope everything turns out well.
I don’t know if I will live with my comp from the CTM. She wrote me a letter but I haven’t read it yet. I will let you know. Also, thanks for talking to Kena for me. I will need to arrange an internship and she will be of great help. And about Magleby’s. . . I don’t know where I will work. I am trying not to think about it because I don’t want to get trunky but I probably should start planning.
You asked about the poverty. I am in a wealthy area and there isn’t a lot of poverty. Or, I got used to it. Usually, the church has a storage with a ton of clothes, and when the members really need a skirt or a coat or something, they can work through the bishop. So, I don’t know if it would be that beneficial to bring skirts. I don’t really know. I think it would be cute to bring little Victoria’s Secret lotions for some of the girls. I don’t know if that would be super expensive but it is something that they would like. Or other cute presents like cds with music or church dvds in Portuguese. Or church material from Deseret book that they don’t have here. Whatever you think is best.
Anyway, I love you and hope you have a wonderful week. I didn’t write much about our week, sorry, I didn’t have a lot of time.
tchau,
Sister Davis,
ps. I hope you are studying up on the Portuguese.
I wasn’t transferred and will finish my mission in Maringá with Sister Grover. I am sure she would love something for Christmas from the states. I know she likes chocolate.
This week went well and we are working with a few families. We marked someone to be baptized on Dec. 27, so if she is prepared in time, we will be able to watch her baptism together. I hope everything turns out well.
I don’t know if I will live with my comp from the CTM. She wrote me a letter but I haven’t read it yet. I will let you know. Also, thanks for talking to Kena for me. I will need to arrange an internship and she will be of great help. And about Magleby’s. . . I don’t know where I will work. I am trying not to think about it because I don’t want to get trunky but I probably should start planning.
You asked about the poverty. I am in a wealthy area and there isn’t a lot of poverty. Or, I got used to it. Usually, the church has a storage with a ton of clothes, and when the members really need a skirt or a coat or something, they can work through the bishop. So, I don’t know if it would be that beneficial to bring skirts. I don’t really know. I think it would be cute to bring little Victoria’s Secret lotions for some of the girls. I don’t know if that would be super expensive but it is something that they would like. Or other cute presents like cds with music or church dvds in Portuguese. Or church material from Deseret book that they don’t have here. Whatever you think is best.
Anyway, I love you and hope you have a wonderful week. I didn’t write much about our week, sorry, I didn’t have a lot of time.
tchau,
Sister Davis,
ps. I hope you are studying up on the Portuguese.
12.03.2008
December 1, 2008
Hi Mom,
So, this is transfers and we don’t know what will happen yet. Sister Nascimento is going to Londrina to pick up her companion but I won’t know what will happen with me and Sister Grover until tomorrow. I am pretty sure we will stay in Maringá.
I don’t think I told you but Alice taught with us last Saturday. Remember her? It was so fun to see her and hear about my old area. I also saw a few other members from Sarandi these past couple of weeks.
Tell Michelle and Jake congrats on blessing their baby. I am so excited to see him. I can’t believe I have a nephew. Also, tell the cousins hello from me. Also, tell Ryan and Jenny congrats on the wedding.
This week was great and we found a lot of new investigators. We are teaching a really cute family and this week they made us Brazilian food that I will make for you guys. They have a huge garden/yard with banana trees, mango trees, tomatoes, all sorts of fruits and plants. They sent us home with a bunch of exotic foods. They really want to meet you guys. Do you think there will be enough time to visit Maringá or only Londrina? Tell Dad that I don’t know what to do in Sao Paulo. I sent a bunch of ideas several months ago but the rest is up to him to plan. Anyway, I have a funny story to tell you about one of our investigators Robson. You will have to remind me and I will tell you all about it.
Anyway, things are going well. I am starting to feel really nervous about going home. I will miss the mission so much. I have loved serving here and have had amazing experiences.
President Leal wanted me to ask you guys to do a favor. He wants all of the parents to send a picture of the family and a brief testimony about how the Book of Mormon changed your lives. You can send the picture and the testimony to my email address. He said our families would be blessed for doing this.
I love so much and miss you. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. (We didn’t do anything. In fact, we ate pizza and ice cream for lunch, roasted in the sun and then fasted for the rest of the day--nothing like your average Thanksgiving) but it was one of the best Thanksgivings because we found an awesome family that day. But I love you hope all is well.
Tchau! Love Sister Davis
So, this is transfers and we don’t know what will happen yet. Sister Nascimento is going to Londrina to pick up her companion but I won’t know what will happen with me and Sister Grover until tomorrow. I am pretty sure we will stay in Maringá.
I don’t think I told you but Alice taught with us last Saturday. Remember her? It was so fun to see her and hear about my old area. I also saw a few other members from Sarandi these past couple of weeks.
Tell Michelle and Jake congrats on blessing their baby. I am so excited to see him. I can’t believe I have a nephew. Also, tell the cousins hello from me. Also, tell Ryan and Jenny congrats on the wedding.
This week was great and we found a lot of new investigators. We are teaching a really cute family and this week they made us Brazilian food that I will make for you guys. They have a huge garden/yard with banana trees, mango trees, tomatoes, all sorts of fruits and plants. They sent us home with a bunch of exotic foods. They really want to meet you guys. Do you think there will be enough time to visit Maringá or only Londrina? Tell Dad that I don’t know what to do in Sao Paulo. I sent a bunch of ideas several months ago but the rest is up to him to plan. Anyway, I have a funny story to tell you about one of our investigators Robson. You will have to remind me and I will tell you all about it.
Anyway, things are going well. I am starting to feel really nervous about going home. I will miss the mission so much. I have loved serving here and have had amazing experiences.
President Leal wanted me to ask you guys to do a favor. He wants all of the parents to send a picture of the family and a brief testimony about how the Book of Mormon changed your lives. You can send the picture and the testimony to my email address. He said our families would be blessed for doing this.
I love so much and miss you. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. (We didn’t do anything. In fact, we ate pizza and ice cream for lunch, roasted in the sun and then fasted for the rest of the day--nothing like your average Thanksgiving) but it was one of the best Thanksgivings because we found an awesome family that day. But I love you hope all is well.
Tchau! Love Sister Davis
11.27.2008
November 24, 2008
Hi Mom,
This week was wonderful! Faustina and Everton were baptized Saturday and we had some investigators there to watch. Faustina was scared and two days before the baptism decided not to do it. When she arrived to the baptism, she arrived with the intention to watch Everton. Our ward mission leader, Nephi, served a mission in Paraguay, where Faustina is from, and pulled her into the office to talk to her. He spoke with her in Spanish and responded to her doubts and fears. She was able to talk to him freely. She felt the spirit and began to cry. She agreed to being baptized and was so excited. Faustina had been studying Portuguese for about a year and there are still some concepts and words that she didn’t understand. Nephi said that he was able to talk to her in Spanish and she was able to express herself. It was a miracle that he was able to testify to her in the language that she felt most comfortable with. He planned a trip to Curitiba that weekend but the spirit told him to stay and go to the baptism. What a miracle that he stayed and was able to help Faustina be baptized. It was pretty incredible and the baptism was beautiful.
We are teaching a few families that are interested in the church and are getting excited to find out what will happen with transfers. I will let you know what happens. Transfers are Tuesday.
I sent you some pictures last week but received a message that they were sent back. Did you get them? I will try to send a cd home with pictures this week.
I love you so much and hope you have a great Thanksgiving.
Love Sister Davis
This week was wonderful! Faustina and Everton were baptized Saturday and we had some investigators there to watch. Faustina was scared and two days before the baptism decided not to do it. When she arrived to the baptism, she arrived with the intention to watch Everton. Our ward mission leader, Nephi, served a mission in Paraguay, where Faustina is from, and pulled her into the office to talk to her. He spoke with her in Spanish and responded to her doubts and fears. She was able to talk to him freely. She felt the spirit and began to cry. She agreed to being baptized and was so excited. Faustina had been studying Portuguese for about a year and there are still some concepts and words that she didn’t understand. Nephi said that he was able to talk to her in Spanish and she was able to express herself. It was a miracle that he was able to testify to her in the language that she felt most comfortable with. He planned a trip to Curitiba that weekend but the spirit told him to stay and go to the baptism. What a miracle that he stayed and was able to help Faustina be baptized. It was pretty incredible and the baptism was beautiful.
We are teaching a few families that are interested in the church and are getting excited to find out what will happen with transfers. I will let you know what happens. Transfers are Tuesday.
I sent you some pictures last week but received a message that they were sent back. Did you get them? I will try to send a cd home with pictures this week.
I love you so much and hope you have a great Thanksgiving.
Love Sister Davis
11.18.2008
November 16, 2008
November 16, 2008
Hi Mom,
Thanks for the recipes. Hopefully I will make the treats if I have time.
I sent you some pictures of our last p-day. We went to a famous cathedral with the Elders in our zone and took a ton of pictures. After, we watched “Surfs Up”. President Leal let us have the activity because our zone had a lot of success that week.
Things are going well here although last week my companion found out that her grandma died. This week was really hard for her and we both of did a lot of crying. Her parents were able to call her a few days ago and it helped her a lot to be able to talk with her family. She is doing a lot better and is able to focus on the work. We are preparing Everton and Flaustina to be baptized on Saturday. They are a young couple and she is pregnant (I probably have already talked about them). They are a darling couple and I am so excited for them. Everton is really interested in the priesthood and that he will be able to give blessings to his wife and baby. When we taught him about the word of wisdom, he decided in that moment to stop drinking and smoking and he hasn’t touched any of it since. He said he wants to have a happy marriage and will never go back to his old habits. I love them so much.
We had more people in our sacrament meeting than I have ever seen on my mission, 16 people and the majority were families. The other sisters are teaching some families and so are we. It was a wonderful Sunday.
Anyway, I hope everything is going well with you. I love you and miss you.
Love Sister Davis
Hi Mom,
Thanks for the recipes. Hopefully I will make the treats if I have time.
I sent you some pictures of our last p-day. We went to a famous cathedral with the Elders in our zone and took a ton of pictures. After, we watched “Surfs Up”. President Leal let us have the activity because our zone had a lot of success that week.
Things are going well here although last week my companion found out that her grandma died. This week was really hard for her and we both of did a lot of crying. Her parents were able to call her a few days ago and it helped her a lot to be able to talk with her family. She is doing a lot better and is able to focus on the work. We are preparing Everton and Flaustina to be baptized on Saturday. They are a young couple and she is pregnant (I probably have already talked about them). They are a darling couple and I am so excited for them. Everton is really interested in the priesthood and that he will be able to give blessings to his wife and baby. When we taught him about the word of wisdom, he decided in that moment to stop drinking and smoking and he hasn’t touched any of it since. He said he wants to have a happy marriage and will never go back to his old habits. I love them so much.
We had more people in our sacrament meeting than I have ever seen on my mission, 16 people and the majority were families. The other sisters are teaching some families and so are we. It was a wonderful Sunday.
Anyway, I hope everything is going well with you. I love you and miss you.
Love Sister Davis
11.11.2008
November 10, 2008
Mom,
Olá!
I loved your email and had a good laugh.
We heard about the elections and everyone here is excited. It is interesting how the United States is always in the spot light and everyone knows what is going on there. A lot of people have asked my companion and I what we think. I always change the subject.
So things are going well here. We are teaching a cute couple and the wife is about 5 months along with their first baby. They are preparing to be baptized and are loving the church. The husband’s parents are members and we are working on reactivating his parents and baptizing him and his wife. We are working and praying hard so that everything will work out. Another couple is waiting on marriage (which always takes awhile). They brought two friends to church with them and their friends were so impressed with the members, the things they learned and the spirit they felt. Unfortunately they don’t live in Maringá. Sister Nascimento (my comp in Londrina) and I spoke in church about Missionary work and Sister Nascimento, Sister Castro and I sang a few hymns while Sister Grover played the piano. It turned out to be a great program and hopefully it made the members excited to do missionary work.
So to answer your questions. . . . Our apartment is beautiful but sure has a lot of bugs. There are always coach roaches and red ants. I am used to it and didn’t even think it was strange until you asked. We found a weird looking bug that looked like a bat in the shower. I took a picture he he. My area reminds me a ton of Italy. Maringá looks more like Italy than my other areas. However, there are a ton of differences. You guys are going to love it.
Anyway, I am so happy to be able to teach the gospel and help the people here learn about the restoration. I am having such wonderful experiences and am learning so much.
I love you and hope you have a wonderful week.
Love Sister Davis
Olá!
I loved your email and had a good laugh.
We heard about the elections and everyone here is excited. It is interesting how the United States is always in the spot light and everyone knows what is going on there. A lot of people have asked my companion and I what we think. I always change the subject.
So things are going well here. We are teaching a cute couple and the wife is about 5 months along with their first baby. They are preparing to be baptized and are loving the church. The husband’s parents are members and we are working on reactivating his parents and baptizing him and his wife. We are working and praying hard so that everything will work out. Another couple is waiting on marriage (which always takes awhile). They brought two friends to church with them and their friends were so impressed with the members, the things they learned and the spirit they felt. Unfortunately they don’t live in Maringá. Sister Nascimento (my comp in Londrina) and I spoke in church about Missionary work and Sister Nascimento, Sister Castro and I sang a few hymns while Sister Grover played the piano. It turned out to be a great program and hopefully it made the members excited to do missionary work.
So to answer your questions. . . . Our apartment is beautiful but sure has a lot of bugs. There are always coach roaches and red ants. I am used to it and didn’t even think it was strange until you asked. We found a weird looking bug that looked like a bat in the shower. I took a picture he he. My area reminds me a ton of Italy. Maringá looks more like Italy than my other areas. However, there are a ton of differences. You guys are going to love it.
Anyway, I am so happy to be able to teach the gospel and help the people here learn about the restoration. I am having such wonderful experiences and am learning so much.
I love you and hope you have a wonderful week.
Love Sister Davis
11.05.2008
11.03.2008
November 3, 2008
Hi Mom,
This week was awesome. We marked baptism with a family that we are teaching. Four people accepted. After, we talked to a neighbor and she said she thinks the road they live on is in the neighboring ward. The bishop told us to continue teaching them anyway. They are a really cute family. Also, we are reactivating a family and teaching their non member kids. Their sons are in their 20’s and we are teaching them and their wives. Last night we watched the Testaments with them and they all we amazed at how strong the spirit was. They felt the spirit and the love of the Lord stronger than they have ever felt it before. They are preparing to be baptized as well.
Our church reminds me a little of the church we went to in Italy. It is an apartment building (an office building) with a small chapel that hardly has enough room to fit everyone. The ward is growing and they are going to start building a church building soon. It will be beautiful. I miss my old ward but I am liking Maringá. We live in a beautiful apartment with 4 girls.
On Friday we celebrated Halloween. My comp and I bought a pumpkin and taught the Brazilian girls how to carve it. Also, we made apple cider and took a bunch of pics. We brought candy to a recent convert’s house and taught their kids how to say “trick or treat”. We ate a bunch of cookies and candy and had a blast.
Things are going great and I am learning so much. This area is a little more challenging than the others but I am growing and becoming stronger. We are being so blessed by the Lord and are working hard.
I am so glad that everything worked out with my school schedule. Thanks again for preparing everything for me. I will also be needing a dentist appointment…he he. It has been awhile. Could you schedule a dentist appointment for me?
I love you and I hope you had a wonderful week and a wonderful Halloween. Thanks for the picture. P.S. don’t ever let Alex dress up like a girl again.
Tchau, até mais
Love Sister Davis
This week was awesome. We marked baptism with a family that we are teaching. Four people accepted. After, we talked to a neighbor and she said she thinks the road they live on is in the neighboring ward. The bishop told us to continue teaching them anyway. They are a really cute family. Also, we are reactivating a family and teaching their non member kids. Their sons are in their 20’s and we are teaching them and their wives. Last night we watched the Testaments with them and they all we amazed at how strong the spirit was. They felt the spirit and the love of the Lord stronger than they have ever felt it before. They are preparing to be baptized as well.
Our church reminds me a little of the church we went to in Italy. It is an apartment building (an office building) with a small chapel that hardly has enough room to fit everyone. The ward is growing and they are going to start building a church building soon. It will be beautiful. I miss my old ward but I am liking Maringá. We live in a beautiful apartment with 4 girls.
On Friday we celebrated Halloween. My comp and I bought a pumpkin and taught the Brazilian girls how to carve it. Also, we made apple cider and took a bunch of pics. We brought candy to a recent convert’s house and taught their kids how to say “trick or treat”. We ate a bunch of cookies and candy and had a blast.
Things are going great and I am learning so much. This area is a little more challenging than the others but I am growing and becoming stronger. We are being so blessed by the Lord and are working hard.
I am so glad that everything worked out with my school schedule. Thanks again for preparing everything for me. I will also be needing a dentist appointment…he he. It has been awhile. Could you schedule a dentist appointment for me?
I love you and I hope you had a wonderful week and a wonderful Halloween. Thanks for the picture. P.S. don’t ever let Alex dress up like a girl again.
Tchau, até mais
Love Sister Davis
10.27.2008
October 27, 2008
Hello,
I was a little surprised when my zone leader said I would be transferred to Maringá. On the bus ride to Maringá, we passed in front of Sarandi and it was really cool to be back. I am living in an apartment with 3 other sisters: My companion, Sister Grover, Sister Nascimento-my companion in Londrina, and Sister Castro. My companion is from Logan and is new on the mission. She is definitely experiencing culture shock. Oh, yes, I remember. But things are going great and I love my area. Yesterday was my first time at church. A few people recognized me from when I was in Sarandi last year and I remembered some of them. It is pretty funny that I have stayed in Paraná my whole mission.
We started to teach a family that is inactive and are teaching the son who was not baptized. He and his wife have a desire to be baptized and are interested in going to church. He was living in another state when his family was baptized and is really curious to learn more about Christ’s church. We are also teaching another family who have accepted to be baptized and are waiting on the marriage thing. They are reading the Book of Mormon together and have already gone to church several times.
Things are going well and I am glad to be in a new area (it is sort of refreshing although I really miss the members and the investigators). I hope all is well with you guys. I will send another email responding to your questions about school. I will also send pics. Can you save them? They are on my companion’s camera.
I love you! Tchau
Love Sister Davis
I was a little surprised when my zone leader said I would be transferred to Maringá. On the bus ride to Maringá, we passed in front of Sarandi and it was really cool to be back. I am living in an apartment with 3 other sisters: My companion, Sister Grover, Sister Nascimento-my companion in Londrina, and Sister Castro. My companion is from Logan and is new on the mission. She is definitely experiencing culture shock. Oh, yes, I remember. But things are going great and I love my area. Yesterday was my first time at church. A few people recognized me from when I was in Sarandi last year and I remembered some of them. It is pretty funny that I have stayed in Paraná my whole mission.
We started to teach a family that is inactive and are teaching the son who was not baptized. He and his wife have a desire to be baptized and are interested in going to church. He was living in another state when his family was baptized and is really curious to learn more about Christ’s church. We are also teaching another family who have accepted to be baptized and are waiting on the marriage thing. They are reading the Book of Mormon together and have already gone to church several times.
Things are going well and I am glad to be in a new area (it is sort of refreshing although I really miss the members and the investigators). I hope all is well with you guys. I will send another email responding to your questions about school. I will also send pics. Can you save them? They are on my companion’s camera.
I love you! Tchau
Love Sister Davis
10.22.2008
10.20.2008
October 20, 2008
Hi Mom,
This week was one of the best weeks and was the last of the transfer. Luis and Hilda were baptized and it was absolutely beautiful. They are a married couple and Luis has some mental problems but was able to be baptized. Hilda went in the water with him and helped him be baptized. I thought it was so cute how much she loves him. She has to change his clothes, feed him and do practically everything for him. She wants to be sealed in the temple and was willing to do anything to help him be baptized. She cried and cried as we sang the closing song and gave all the members a hug. She felt the spirit so strong and was so happy with her decision. The members threw a party for them afterwards. I love this ward and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve here.
Tonight we will find out about transfers and I will know if I will finish my mission here or pass in one more area. I am so excited for you to come pick me up!!! The members are so excited to meet you guys but said you need to study a few things in Portuguese so they can communicate with you all. I know you will love it here. Things are going well and I have loved this past transfer.
My companion is doing well and it is fun to speak English again. It is a good thing that I was able to practice with her (the first day was pretty rocky, hehe). Anyway, I love you all.
Tell Alex congratulations and that I am so proud of him. He will be a great deacon and he is such a great kid. I hope he got the birthday card I sent. I love you so much! I will let you know how transfers go.. . .
Love Sister Davis
This week was one of the best weeks and was the last of the transfer. Luis and Hilda were baptized and it was absolutely beautiful. They are a married couple and Luis has some mental problems but was able to be baptized. Hilda went in the water with him and helped him be baptized. I thought it was so cute how much she loves him. She has to change his clothes, feed him and do practically everything for him. She wants to be sealed in the temple and was willing to do anything to help him be baptized. She cried and cried as we sang the closing song and gave all the members a hug. She felt the spirit so strong and was so happy with her decision. The members threw a party for them afterwards. I love this ward and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve here.
Tonight we will find out about transfers and I will know if I will finish my mission here or pass in one more area. I am so excited for you to come pick me up!!! The members are so excited to meet you guys but said you need to study a few things in Portuguese so they can communicate with you all. I know you will love it here. Things are going well and I have loved this past transfer.
My companion is doing well and it is fun to speak English again. It is a good thing that I was able to practice with her (the first day was pretty rocky, hehe). Anyway, I love you all.
Tell Alex congratulations and that I am so proud of him. He will be a great deacon and he is such a great kid. I hope he got the birthday card I sent. I love you so much! I will let you know how transfers go.. . .
Love Sister Davis
10.13.2008
October 13, 2008
Hi Mom,
This week we are preparing a woman to be baptized. She is telling all her neighbors about the church and always tells us about blessings that she has received since she has come to know the gospel. How amazing the gospel is. I have seen so many miracles and so many changes.
Yesterday, Antoniel (recent convert) bore his testimony in sacrament meeting. He told how his life has completely changed. I sort of felt like a proud mother sitting there listening to him. I am so amazed at how happy he is. The first day we talked to him on the street, he was absolutely miserable but all that has changed. Church was wonderful yesterday.
We are teaching some new families and are excited. I know the Lord is preparing many people here. We have transfers at the end of the week and I am sort of nervous. I have been in this area for awhile so I am not sure if I will stay.
Tell Jace thanks for the email. I will write him back. Did you know that Alex got married? Wow, how cool.
Things are going well and I am so glad I have the opportunity to teach the gospel. I will talk to the President and figure out the best option (for a release date). I will let you know asap.
Love ya, Sister Davis
(Later in the day)
Hi Mom,
I talked to President Leal and we decided December 26. He needs to interview me and the 20th, 21st, 22nd will be a little crazy for him so we decided Dec. 26. I will be able to go to the Christmas conference. I don’t know how that will effect your traveling--on Christmas day. But I hope everything will be all right. It will be a Christmas different from the others but it will be a blast. I hope this works out and that everything will go well. I prayed about it and I am feeling at peace. Let me know what you think.
I will live with my comp from the CTM. If you know of any apartments or houses with openings, let me know. I think she will try to find something. Thanks for sending the stuff. I will be looking for it. You can register me for Winter semester--try not to make my schedule too hard. And if it is possible, I want to go to the gym in the morning. But whatever you decide, I trust you. Thank you for arranging all of this for me and taking care of it. I am very grateful that you are willing to do all this.
I love you.
Love Sister Davis
This week we are preparing a woman to be baptized. She is telling all her neighbors about the church and always tells us about blessings that she has received since she has come to know the gospel. How amazing the gospel is. I have seen so many miracles and so many changes.
Yesterday, Antoniel (recent convert) bore his testimony in sacrament meeting. He told how his life has completely changed. I sort of felt like a proud mother sitting there listening to him. I am so amazed at how happy he is. The first day we talked to him on the street, he was absolutely miserable but all that has changed. Church was wonderful yesterday.
We are teaching some new families and are excited. I know the Lord is preparing many people here. We have transfers at the end of the week and I am sort of nervous. I have been in this area for awhile so I am not sure if I will stay.
Tell Jace thanks for the email. I will write him back. Did you know that Alex got married? Wow, how cool.
Things are going well and I am so glad I have the opportunity to teach the gospel. I will talk to the President and figure out the best option (for a release date). I will let you know asap.
Love ya, Sister Davis
(Later in the day)
Hi Mom,
I talked to President Leal and we decided December 26. He needs to interview me and the 20th, 21st, 22nd will be a little crazy for him so we decided Dec. 26. I will be able to go to the Christmas conference. I don’t know how that will effect your traveling--on Christmas day. But I hope everything will be all right. It will be a Christmas different from the others but it will be a blast. I hope this works out and that everything will go well. I prayed about it and I am feeling at peace. Let me know what you think.
I will live with my comp from the CTM. If you know of any apartments or houses with openings, let me know. I think she will try to find something. Thanks for sending the stuff. I will be looking for it. You can register me for Winter semester--try not to make my schedule too hard. And if it is possible, I want to go to the gym in the morning. But whatever you decide, I trust you. Thank you for arranging all of this for me and taking care of it. I am very grateful that you are willing to do all this.
I love you.
Love Sister Davis
9.29.2008
September 29, 2008
Hi Mom,
Wow, Michelle had her baby. She is already a mother of 2. I am so excited to see the babies when I came home. Tell her congratulations. Dad sent me a few pictures of the baby and Alex's birthday. I sent Alex a birthday card awhile ago so be looking for it.
This week was wonderful. Gisela was baptized and confirmed a member of the church. She is a young mother of 4 but doesnt have a husband. Some members in the ward are old friends of hers and she has two neighbors who are members so I think she is feeling support and is feeling good about being a member of the ward. The meeting was beautiful. I will send you some pics next week.
We found a really special family this week that live at the very farthest part of our area in the very last house. A member gave us this reference and we would have never found them without some help. They accepted to be baptized and are looking forward to going to general conference with us next week. We are also teaching a young couple that want to be baptized but need to be married first. The bishop got the young guy a job and they starting working together today. The bishop is also going to help a little with the wedding.
Everything is going well and I love my area. Today we are going downtown to bowl with Sister Bezerra, her companion and our friend Barbara who will be leaving next month to serve in the Provo mission. She has been teaching with and helping us this week. Also. my friend Ana (who is in all of my pictures since February) decided to go on a mission. I think it is so great that so many girls are leaving to serve missions.
So how is everything going? How was the week? It sounds like you guys are keeping busy and things are well. I cant write much because we have to go soon but I will write more next week. I love you and miss you. I know that this is the best thing I have done and I know it is the work of the Lord.
Tchau.. . .Love Sister Barbie
Wow, Michelle had her baby. She is already a mother of 2. I am so excited to see the babies when I came home. Tell her congratulations. Dad sent me a few pictures of the baby and Alex's birthday. I sent Alex a birthday card awhile ago so be looking for it.
This week was wonderful. Gisela was baptized and confirmed a member of the church. She is a young mother of 4 but doesnt have a husband. Some members in the ward are old friends of hers and she has two neighbors who are members so I think she is feeling support and is feeling good about being a member of the ward. The meeting was beautiful. I will send you some pics next week.
We found a really special family this week that live at the very farthest part of our area in the very last house. A member gave us this reference and we would have never found them without some help. They accepted to be baptized and are looking forward to going to general conference with us next week. We are also teaching a young couple that want to be baptized but need to be married first. The bishop got the young guy a job and they starting working together today. The bishop is also going to help a little with the wedding.
Everything is going well and I love my area. Today we are going downtown to bowl with Sister Bezerra, her companion and our friend Barbara who will be leaving next month to serve in the Provo mission. She has been teaching with and helping us this week. Also. my friend Ana (who is in all of my pictures since February) decided to go on a mission. I think it is so great that so many girls are leaving to serve missions.
So how is everything going? How was the week? It sounds like you guys are keeping busy and things are well. I cant write much because we have to go soon but I will write more next week. I love you and miss you. I know that this is the best thing I have done and I know it is the work of the Lord.
Tchau.. . .Love Sister Barbie
9.22.2008
September 22, 2008
Hi Mom,
This week was wonderful. It poured and poured all week long. We had so much help from the members and were able to teach a bunch of new families. We are preparing a young mother, Gisela, to be baptized on Saturday. She is the one with the little girls who started calling me Barbie. She loves the church and has made some good friends already. Our ward mission leader and his wife are friends with her family and are already planning a bunch of activities with her family to try to get the rest of the family excited about the church. Also, her nephew was baptized in the ward a few months ago (remember Lilton, the 18-year-old who I told you about who was baptized.) He is preparing to serve a mission. WOW. Also, we were knocking doors on Gisela’s road and the first door we knocked at, a woman came to the door and said, “I was so happy to see you girls”. She said she saw us and thought, the sisters came to help me return to church. She fell away from the church about 13 years ago and has been wanting to return. She went to church with us on Sunday and almost cried when she said how great it was to be back.
We also had a fun activity with our ward and the other ward that shares our building. We planted trees in an area that was needing some grooming. And the scouts cleaned up the trash by the river. It poured rain and we were covered in mud but we had a blast.
You asked about the conference. . . It was everyone in Paraná, our 4 zones.
Things are going well and we are working hard. My comp is still in culture shock but she is glad she can talk to me in English I can explain things to her. We get along great.
I am glad you got the pictures. Everything I send you, you need to save because sometimes I don’t have a copy of the pictures. My memory card is having problems and is not working. Could you send me another? I will make a cd of the pics from my comps camera but I want to be able to take pictures too. I noticed that too about the parties and food. They love to cook here and our lunches are always a special occasion.
I love you so much and hope all is well.
Love Sister Barbie
This week was wonderful. It poured and poured all week long. We had so much help from the members and were able to teach a bunch of new families. We are preparing a young mother, Gisela, to be baptized on Saturday. She is the one with the little girls who started calling me Barbie. She loves the church and has made some good friends already. Our ward mission leader and his wife are friends with her family and are already planning a bunch of activities with her family to try to get the rest of the family excited about the church. Also, her nephew was baptized in the ward a few months ago (remember Lilton, the 18-year-old who I told you about who was baptized.) He is preparing to serve a mission. WOW. Also, we were knocking doors on Gisela’s road and the first door we knocked at, a woman came to the door and said, “I was so happy to see you girls”. She said she saw us and thought, the sisters came to help me return to church. She fell away from the church about 13 years ago and has been wanting to return. She went to church with us on Sunday and almost cried when she said how great it was to be back.
We also had a fun activity with our ward and the other ward that shares our building. We planted trees in an area that was needing some grooming. And the scouts cleaned up the trash by the river. It poured rain and we were covered in mud but we had a blast.
You asked about the conference. . . It was everyone in Paraná, our 4 zones.
Things are going well and we are working hard. My comp is still in culture shock but she is glad she can talk to me in English I can explain things to her. We get along great.
I am glad you got the pictures. Everything I send you, you need to save because sometimes I don’t have a copy of the pictures. My memory card is having problems and is not working. Could you send me another? I will make a cd of the pics from my comps camera but I want to be able to take pictures too. I noticed that too about the parties and food. They love to cook here and our lunches are always a special occasion.
I love you so much and hope all is well.
Love Sister Barbie
9.19.2008
September 15, 2008
Hi Mom,
Our p-day was moved to Monday so I will be sending emails Monday.
This week we had our conference with all the missionaries in Paraná. I got to see all my old companions. Sister Bezerra said she got the birthday present and loved it. She sent me a Brazil football jersey for my birthday. The conference was awesome. I translated the conference for the Americans and it was actually pretty funny because I was forgetting words in English and I had that funny accent when I asked questions. he he. But at least they were able to understand. We talked about how important the Book of Mormon is and that we need to use it a lot more in our work.
My first week with my new companion was great. We are preparing a few people for baptism and it is so exciting. One of our investigators has a banana tree and a bunch of other fruit trees and always sends us home with food. We are teaching another woman who has 4 little kids. She went to church for the first time on Sunday and saw a family that she has known for many years. She was so excited to have friends already and she loved the church. She said she felt so good there and she wants to be baptized. She has had a really rough life and is looking for a place where she can find peace and comfort. Her little girls were begging me to say me first name so I told them. They starting calling me Barbie and every time we show up, they call me Barbie, play with my hair and do my makeup. It is so cute but I always say, “no, my real name is Sister.” They just laugh. The theme of our sacrament meeting was. . . missionary work. Once a month we are going to have a sacrament meeting on missionary work. I gave a talk with our ward mission leader and some people bore their testimonies about missionary work.
So our first week together brought back a lot of memories. Sister Gonzales is trying to get used to the culture and the language. I forgot how different it is here and I am starting to remember. Because she doesn’t understand anything yet, I have to do all the talking. I was a little nervous at first but I am used to it now. So things are great and I am loving this transfer. I am in the same area and I am so glad I was able to stay. This will be my third transfer here.
I wrote a letter to President Leal about you guys coming to pick me up and I am waiting for an answer. I will let you know when he responds.
I love and miss you. I hope you had a fun time in Lake Powell and that you have a great week.
Tchau! Love Barbie
Our p-day was moved to Monday so I will be sending emails Monday.
This week we had our conference with all the missionaries in Paraná. I got to see all my old companions. Sister Bezerra said she got the birthday present and loved it. She sent me a Brazil football jersey for my birthday. The conference was awesome. I translated the conference for the Americans and it was actually pretty funny because I was forgetting words in English and I had that funny accent when I asked questions. he he. But at least they were able to understand. We talked about how important the Book of Mormon is and that we need to use it a lot more in our work.
My first week with my new companion was great. We are preparing a few people for baptism and it is so exciting. One of our investigators has a banana tree and a bunch of other fruit trees and always sends us home with food. We are teaching another woman who has 4 little kids. She went to church for the first time on Sunday and saw a family that she has known for many years. She was so excited to have friends already and she loved the church. She said she felt so good there and she wants to be baptized. She has had a really rough life and is looking for a place where she can find peace and comfort. Her little girls were begging me to say me first name so I told them. They starting calling me Barbie and every time we show up, they call me Barbie, play with my hair and do my makeup. It is so cute but I always say, “no, my real name is Sister.” They just laugh. The theme of our sacrament meeting was. . . missionary work. Once a month we are going to have a sacrament meeting on missionary work. I gave a talk with our ward mission leader and some people bore their testimonies about missionary work.
So our first week together brought back a lot of memories. Sister Gonzales is trying to get used to the culture and the language. I forgot how different it is here and I am starting to remember. Because she doesn’t understand anything yet, I have to do all the talking. I was a little nervous at first but I am used to it now. So things are great and I am loving this transfer. I am in the same area and I am so glad I was able to stay. This will be my third transfer here.
I wrote a letter to President Leal about you guys coming to pick me up and I am waiting for an answer. I will let you know when he responds.
I love and miss you. I hope you had a fun time in Lake Powell and that you have a great week.
Tchau! Love Barbie
9.14.2008
September 9, 2008
Hello Mommy dear,
So, we found out about transfers. . . In about 2 hours we are going to the bus station to drop off my companion Sister Nascimento, and pick up my new comp. She is new on the mission and I am pretty excited to meet her. I will be staying here in Londrina.
Lucas was baptized Saturday and it was so beautiful. The primary prepared a musical number and the talks and testimonies were given by the primary. He felt so welcome and such a great experience. I felt so proud of him. Also, his uncle Antoniel, who was baptized 3 weeks ago, was able to baptize Lucas. He said the prayer perfect the first time. It was a little cold and rainy that day but turned out beautiful. My camera is having some problems so I don’t have pictures. I will try to get them from my companion.
I will come back in a few hours and write more (after I pick up my comp).
Love you, tchau
Love Barbie
Hi Mom,
So, I picked up my new companion. She is American and this is her first area. She is from Poway, California (she doesn’t know Alex). I am actually really excited about it because this is the first American companion that I have had. She was studying elementary ed. at BYU.
Did you get the pictures I sent earlier today? One is of me and an old lady. She served a mission about 50 years ago. The other is a picture of the baptism. Lucas is the little boy who was baptized and the others are members of the ward.
I sent you a cd of pictures and I think you will get it in about 10 days. Let me know if it has pictures on it.
The plans sound good for Christmas. I would love to spend Christmas here, and if everything works out and I can be released before Christmas, I can arrange to spend Christmas with some members. I don’t know exactly what to do about the whole release date things. I don’t really want to worry about it because I don’t want to get `trunky`. Lets spend Christmas here (if I can) and celebrate with the whole family after.
Anyway, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here. It is so wonderful to see the blessings of the Lord in our daily work. I know the Lord is leading his church and I am so glad to be apart of it. I love you and miss you. Hope everything is going well. Tchau!
Love Barbie
So, we found out about transfers. . . In about 2 hours we are going to the bus station to drop off my companion Sister Nascimento, and pick up my new comp. She is new on the mission and I am pretty excited to meet her. I will be staying here in Londrina.
Lucas was baptized Saturday and it was so beautiful. The primary prepared a musical number and the talks and testimonies were given by the primary. He felt so welcome and such a great experience. I felt so proud of him. Also, his uncle Antoniel, who was baptized 3 weeks ago, was able to baptize Lucas. He said the prayer perfect the first time. It was a little cold and rainy that day but turned out beautiful. My camera is having some problems so I don’t have pictures. I will try to get them from my companion.
I will come back in a few hours and write more (after I pick up my comp).
Love you, tchau
Love Barbie
Hi Mom,
So, I picked up my new companion. She is American and this is her first area. She is from Poway, California (she doesn’t know Alex). I am actually really excited about it because this is the first American companion that I have had. She was studying elementary ed. at BYU.
Did you get the pictures I sent earlier today? One is of me and an old lady. She served a mission about 50 years ago. The other is a picture of the baptism. Lucas is the little boy who was baptized and the others are members of the ward.
I sent you a cd of pictures and I think you will get it in about 10 days. Let me know if it has pictures on it.
The plans sound good for Christmas. I would love to spend Christmas here, and if everything works out and I can be released before Christmas, I can arrange to spend Christmas with some members. I don’t know exactly what to do about the whole release date things. I don’t really want to worry about it because I don’t want to get `trunky`. Lets spend Christmas here (if I can) and celebrate with the whole family after.
Anyway, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here. It is so wonderful to see the blessings of the Lord in our daily work. I know the Lord is leading his church and I am so glad to be apart of it. I love you and miss you. Hope everything is going well. Tchau!
Love Barbie
9.06.2008
September 3, 2008
Hi Mom,
This past week we had our culture festival at the Stake Center, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday night, the stake youth did a presentation with music and sort of theater. A boy in the Londrina Stake (the other stake) played the piano and a ballet company with some young girls performed. After the performance, everyone gathered on the basketball court and they had big drums and everyone did a dance (like the Springville Folkfest in the parking lot). Saturday, the church was open all day. Each room had a display to show the investigators a little about the organization. Also, on the basketball court, some people from the circus brought equipment and taught the primary kids some stunts and cool things. They tumbled, juggled fire and knives and some other interesting things. In the parking lot, a funk teacher was teaching the youth some dances and in the cultural hall was a lecture about conserving food and soy. That evening was a presentation that turned out really beautiful. Some of the elders in our mission did a program with music and a slide show with pictures of Christ, some clips and a narrator. It was really beautiful. An elder in my district recorded it and I will try to send it too. Sunday night, President and Sister Leal gave a fireside and talked about missionary work. The festival was a blast and the investigators were very impressed with the church so it was a good experience for everyone.
This Saturday, Lucas will be baptized. He is Antoniel’s nephew (the one who was recently baptized). He turned 8 on Monday and we threw him a little party and the primary president brought her kids along. I love the members here because everyone is willing to help out with the investigators. This is also our last week of the transfer. I think Tuesday we will find out who will be transferred. I think I will stay because my comp has been here for more time. Hopefully I will be able to email next week. I will let you know.
Thanks for the football update. I am sad I won't be able to watch Alex play ball. There is an elder in my zone that always wants to talk to me about football. I don’t really miss sports though.
I don’t know when my release date will be and need to work it out with our President. I would rather have you guys come December 21st and go home the 27th, however, we would be spending Christmas here and I don’t know if it would weird. I would love to spend Christmas with you guys and some members here. But the other date would be fine too because you guys could spend Christmas with Alex and I could stay more time on the mission. I will have to sort it out with the President and I don’t know when I will have an opportunity to talk to him about it. Sorry, I know you want to buy tickets soon. I will see what I can do.
I didn’t know Meghan Fullmer is getting married. . . Tell her congrats and that I love her.
Anyway, I love you and hope everything is going well.
Love Barbie
This past week we had our culture festival at the Stake Center, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday night, the stake youth did a presentation with music and sort of theater. A boy in the Londrina Stake (the other stake) played the piano and a ballet company with some young girls performed. After the performance, everyone gathered on the basketball court and they had big drums and everyone did a dance (like the Springville Folkfest in the parking lot). Saturday, the church was open all day. Each room had a display to show the investigators a little about the organization. Also, on the basketball court, some people from the circus brought equipment and taught the primary kids some stunts and cool things. They tumbled, juggled fire and knives and some other interesting things. In the parking lot, a funk teacher was teaching the youth some dances and in the cultural hall was a lecture about conserving food and soy. That evening was a presentation that turned out really beautiful. Some of the elders in our mission did a program with music and a slide show with pictures of Christ, some clips and a narrator. It was really beautiful. An elder in my district recorded it and I will try to send it too. Sunday night, President and Sister Leal gave a fireside and talked about missionary work. The festival was a blast and the investigators were very impressed with the church so it was a good experience for everyone.
This Saturday, Lucas will be baptized. He is Antoniel’s nephew (the one who was recently baptized). He turned 8 on Monday and we threw him a little party and the primary president brought her kids along. I love the members here because everyone is willing to help out with the investigators. This is also our last week of the transfer. I think Tuesday we will find out who will be transferred. I think I will stay because my comp has been here for more time. Hopefully I will be able to email next week. I will let you know.
Thanks for the football update. I am sad I won't be able to watch Alex play ball. There is an elder in my zone that always wants to talk to me about football. I don’t really miss sports though.
I don’t know when my release date will be and need to work it out with our President. I would rather have you guys come December 21st and go home the 27th, however, we would be spending Christmas here and I don’t know if it would weird. I would love to spend Christmas with you guys and some members here. But the other date would be fine too because you guys could spend Christmas with Alex and I could stay more time on the mission. I will have to sort it out with the President and I don’t know when I will have an opportunity to talk to him about it. Sorry, I know you want to buy tickets soon. I will see what I can do.
I didn’t know Meghan Fullmer is getting married. . . Tell her congrats and that I love her.
Anyway, I love you and hope everything is going well.
Love Barbie
8.29.2008
August 27, 2008
Hi Mom,
This Sunday, Antoniel was confirmed in sacrament meeting but unfortunatly we weren’t able to be there because we went to the Londrina Stake conference. The conference was excellent. President and Sister Leal, President Isaias (the stake pres.), the assistant to the President and I spoke. The choir sang a few songs and the conference turned out beautiful. It was one of the best days of the mission because I was able to see everyone from Ibiporã. I haven’t seen a bunch of the recent converts since their baptisms and I almost cried when I saw them. A family that was baptized. . . remember Neusa. . . was there. The little kids wrote me notes and it was so cute. I am so glad you guys are going to come to Brazil so you can meet all these people. Study up your Portuguese because they will want to talk. he he.
This week we went downtown to the mission home to renew my visa. I can’t believe I have been in the country for 1 year. I talked to the secretaries about my release date and they said I could choose. . huh. So when I talk with President Leal, I will let you know. On the way home, my friend Barbara saw us on the street and gave us a ride to the bus stop. She received her mission call to . . . Provo. How cool. However, I think she will stay in St. George at the temple. I was pretty excited for her.
Anyway, this week was great. This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, our stake is having a culture festival at the stake center. We will bring investigators each day with us and spend the day there. It should be really fun and I am excited.
So, how is Amy? Did she recover?
You asked about the old guy who we are teaching. He works Sunday selling land and lots and hasn’t been able to get to church. He needs to make a sacrifice and stop working if he wants to be baptized. We will see what he decides.
How is everything else going? Are there any new weddings I should know about?
Well, I love you and hope everything is going well. Hope you have a great week. Tchau.
Love Barbie
P.S. This is the plan…My release date is January 14th, however, I can request to go home early because of school. I can go home within 30 days of my release date. So from December 17 until January 14th I can be released. It looks like we will be spending Christmas in Brazil. wha hoo. I want to stay on the mission the full time but I don’t know what to do about school. When will BYU start winter semester? Can you find out?
This Sunday, Antoniel was confirmed in sacrament meeting but unfortunatly we weren’t able to be there because we went to the Londrina Stake conference. The conference was excellent. President and Sister Leal, President Isaias (the stake pres.), the assistant to the President and I spoke. The choir sang a few songs and the conference turned out beautiful. It was one of the best days of the mission because I was able to see everyone from Ibiporã. I haven’t seen a bunch of the recent converts since their baptisms and I almost cried when I saw them. A family that was baptized. . . remember Neusa. . . was there. The little kids wrote me notes and it was so cute. I am so glad you guys are going to come to Brazil so you can meet all these people. Study up your Portuguese because they will want to talk. he he.
This week we went downtown to the mission home to renew my visa. I can’t believe I have been in the country for 1 year. I talked to the secretaries about my release date and they said I could choose. . huh. So when I talk with President Leal, I will let you know. On the way home, my friend Barbara saw us on the street and gave us a ride to the bus stop. She received her mission call to . . . Provo. How cool. However, I think she will stay in St. George at the temple. I was pretty excited for her.
Anyway, this week was great. This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, our stake is having a culture festival at the stake center. We will bring investigators each day with us and spend the day there. It should be really fun and I am excited.
So, how is Amy? Did she recover?
You asked about the old guy who we are teaching. He works Sunday selling land and lots and hasn’t been able to get to church. He needs to make a sacrifice and stop working if he wants to be baptized. We will see what he decides.
How is everything else going? Are there any new weddings I should know about?
Well, I love you and hope everything is going well. Hope you have a great week. Tchau.
Love Barbie
P.S. This is the plan…My release date is January 14th, however, I can request to go home early because of school. I can go home within 30 days of my release date. So from December 17 until January 14th I can be released. It looks like we will be spending Christmas in Brazil. wha hoo. I want to stay on the mission the full time but I don’t know what to do about school. When will BYU start winter semester? Can you find out?
August 20, 2008
Hi Mom,
The baptism was great. One of Antoniel’s friends from the ward baptized him and it was his first time to baptize anyone. He had to do it 4 times before he got it right. he he. But it was a beautiful meeting and a lot of the members were there. We have been teaching a girl who fell away from the church and she came to church on Sunday as well as the baptism so it was a really great day. Monday night, we had family night at a member’s house with Antoniel and his nephew. We watched “The Testament” and ate treats. He loved it and is making friends so fast. His nephew will turn 8 years old in a few weeks and wants to be baptized too. Yeah. My companion will send you pictures of the baptism so be looking for the email. Let me know if you get them.
I can’t believe school started yesterday. At our district meeting, one of the elders commented that football season is starting and that he is dying. He has been in the field for only a couple of months. . . he will forget all about it soon. How is Amy liking Timpview? It sounds like she is liking work.
Kirsten sent me some pictures of the sealing. Wow. They turned out beautiful. Michelle looks like she is ready to have her baby. I am so excited for her. I sent her a letter to our house, so be looking for it in the mail. I also sent some pictures of my past transfer. I think you guys should be getting them soon.
A guy in my ward wants to know if the stores where we live have those globes where you shake them and it looks like it is snowing (I forgot what they are called). Anyway, he wants to know if we have them with the Salt Lake Temple inside. Do you know? I told him I think so. He is dying to have one.
I am getting over my cold and flu and the weather is really warming up. It is super hot and I think will only get hotter from here on out. So, things are going great and we are half-way through this transfer. It is flying by fast. I really like the ward and the bishops family (he reminds me a little of Karl Malone). The members are great and we are teaching some great people. I love you so much and miss you. You guys are always in my prayers. Thanks for everything.
Love Sister Davis
The baptism was great. One of Antoniel’s friends from the ward baptized him and it was his first time to baptize anyone. He had to do it 4 times before he got it right. he he. But it was a beautiful meeting and a lot of the members were there. We have been teaching a girl who fell away from the church and she came to church on Sunday as well as the baptism so it was a really great day. Monday night, we had family night at a member’s house with Antoniel and his nephew. We watched “The Testament” and ate treats. He loved it and is making friends so fast. His nephew will turn 8 years old in a few weeks and wants to be baptized too. Yeah. My companion will send you pictures of the baptism so be looking for the email. Let me know if you get them.
I can’t believe school started yesterday. At our district meeting, one of the elders commented that football season is starting and that he is dying. He has been in the field for only a couple of months. . . he will forget all about it soon. How is Amy liking Timpview? It sounds like she is liking work.
Kirsten sent me some pictures of the sealing. Wow. They turned out beautiful. Michelle looks like she is ready to have her baby. I am so excited for her. I sent her a letter to our house, so be looking for it in the mail. I also sent some pictures of my past transfer. I think you guys should be getting them soon.
A guy in my ward wants to know if the stores where we live have those globes where you shake them and it looks like it is snowing (I forgot what they are called). Anyway, he wants to know if we have them with the Salt Lake Temple inside. Do you know? I told him I think so. He is dying to have one.
I am getting over my cold and flu and the weather is really warming up. It is super hot and I think will only get hotter from here on out. So, things are going great and we are half-way through this transfer. It is flying by fast. I really like the ward and the bishops family (he reminds me a little of Karl Malone). The members are great and we are teaching some great people. I love you so much and miss you. You guys are always in my prayers. Thanks for everything.
Love Sister Davis
8.13.2008
August 13, 2008
Hi Mom,
I got the birthday package on Thursday. I was so happy. I loved the pictures. I didn’t even recognize Sadie. She is so big and she has hair. I think the two little girls will look so different when I come home. It was so great to get the package! Thank you so much. Chris and Leslie sent a huge package with a bunch of stuff including a Barbie doll that was dressed in missionary clothes, with a miniature “Preach my Gospel” and “Book of Mormon”. They changed the cover and included a bunch of cute stuff. Me and my comp took a bunch of pictures and got a kick out of it. What a cute idea.
About the release date. I will complete 1 year and 6 months, the transfer in January. However, school starts in January and I won’t make it in time. Sometimes people go home a few weeks early because of school so I think that is an option for me. I could go home on the transfer before or I could go home in the middle of the transfer. I asked President Leal about it awhile ago and he doesn’t deal with the scheduling. It is the secretaries who schedule the planes. I have no idea when I will be released and neither does anyone else. It is hard for Sisters because there are few sisters so I don’t know. I wish I could tell you but it depends on how many sisters are in the mission the last transfer. Also, I am not sure when I will find out. Sorry. I want you guys to come so bad and would love to show my areas. I have only been in a few cities that are all within one hour of each other, he he.
This week was a great week although it rained and rained. It is tough working in the rain because no one is on the street and no one wants to let us in. But we were able to find some new investigators. We have baptism marked for Sunday and I am really excited. I will let you know how it goes.
So you guys bought a scooter. Wow. It is great in the summer but awful in the winter. But you will save a ton of money in the summer. Is everyone excited for school to start? I can’t believe that Amy is already on her second year at Timpview. . . right? he he.
I didn’t know that Ritchie was working at a casino. It seems like there are so many jobs in Vegas. How are they liking living there. I haven’t ever visited them and their new house. How was the weekend at the condo? The last time we went with Bonnie, it was a blast.
How is everything in the ward? Did you already speak? How did it go? The stake President, President Isa’as invited me to speak at the stake conference in Londrina (a different stake than what I am in now). Ibiporã is in that stake and I will be able to see everyone from the ward again. I am so excited and feel so privileged that he asked me to speak
Anyway, I love you and miss you. Sorry I don’t have an answer about my release date. I will let you know when I find out more. I love you and have a great week.
Love Sister Davis
I got the birthday package on Thursday. I was so happy. I loved the pictures. I didn’t even recognize Sadie. She is so big and she has hair. I think the two little girls will look so different when I come home. It was so great to get the package! Thank you so much. Chris and Leslie sent a huge package with a bunch of stuff including a Barbie doll that was dressed in missionary clothes, with a miniature “Preach my Gospel” and “Book of Mormon”. They changed the cover and included a bunch of cute stuff. Me and my comp took a bunch of pictures and got a kick out of it. What a cute idea.
About the release date. I will complete 1 year and 6 months, the transfer in January. However, school starts in January and I won’t make it in time. Sometimes people go home a few weeks early because of school so I think that is an option for me. I could go home on the transfer before or I could go home in the middle of the transfer. I asked President Leal about it awhile ago and he doesn’t deal with the scheduling. It is the secretaries who schedule the planes. I have no idea when I will be released and neither does anyone else. It is hard for Sisters because there are few sisters so I don’t know. I wish I could tell you but it depends on how many sisters are in the mission the last transfer. Also, I am not sure when I will find out. Sorry. I want you guys to come so bad and would love to show my areas. I have only been in a few cities that are all within one hour of each other, he he.
This week was a great week although it rained and rained. It is tough working in the rain because no one is on the street and no one wants to let us in. But we were able to find some new investigators. We have baptism marked for Sunday and I am really excited. I will let you know how it goes.
So you guys bought a scooter. Wow. It is great in the summer but awful in the winter. But you will save a ton of money in the summer. Is everyone excited for school to start? I can’t believe that Amy is already on her second year at Timpview. . . right? he he.
I didn’t know that Ritchie was working at a casino. It seems like there are so many jobs in Vegas. How are they liking living there. I haven’t ever visited them and their new house. How was the weekend at the condo? The last time we went with Bonnie, it was a blast.
How is everything in the ward? Did you already speak? How did it go? The stake President, President Isa’as invited me to speak at the stake conference in Londrina (a different stake than what I am in now). Ibiporã is in that stake and I will be able to see everyone from the ward again. I am so excited and feel so privileged that he asked me to speak
Anyway, I love you and miss you. Sorry I don’t have an answer about my release date. I will let you know when I find out more. I love you and have a great week.
Love Sister Davis
August 6, 2008
Hi Mom,
My week was great. We found some new families and are teaching a bunch of great people.
We had lunch with an 80-year-old lady in the ward this week. She said she served a mission in Brazil and was one of the first missionaries. She said in that time, the missionaries wore those hats (from the 40’s) and carried umbrellas. She told us a bunch of cool stories about her mission. All of her children have served missions and they are all strong in the church. It was so inspiring to hear her story.
We have been teaching a women and her little girls. I sent you a pic and she has a daughter named Barbara. This week we finally were able to teach her husband. He didn’t want to hear our message before, but agreed this week and the lesson was wonderful. The next day we brought the Bishop and his counselors to meet him. He excited about the church and really opened his heart.
I am sad I missed the sealing but am so happy for Michelle. Tell her to write me because it has been a year since I have heard from her. Are all the cousins gone? Tell everyone hello from me.
Good luck with your talk. I have to speak soon too. I will let you know how it goes. Good luck on the new (old) house. I would love to help when I get back. Remember when we hung dry wall with Habitat for Humanity. he he. It was pretty fun. Anyway, I love you. I will try to send a cd with pictures soon.
Tchau, have a great week.
Love Sister Barbie
My week was great. We found some new families and are teaching a bunch of great people.
We had lunch with an 80-year-old lady in the ward this week. She said she served a mission in Brazil and was one of the first missionaries. She said in that time, the missionaries wore those hats (from the 40’s) and carried umbrellas. She told us a bunch of cool stories about her mission. All of her children have served missions and they are all strong in the church. It was so inspiring to hear her story.
We have been teaching a women and her little girls. I sent you a pic and she has a daughter named Barbara. This week we finally were able to teach her husband. He didn’t want to hear our message before, but agreed this week and the lesson was wonderful. The next day we brought the Bishop and his counselors to meet him. He excited about the church and really opened his heart.
I am sad I missed the sealing but am so happy for Michelle. Tell her to write me because it has been a year since I have heard from her. Are all the cousins gone? Tell everyone hello from me.
Good luck with your talk. I have to speak soon too. I will let you know how it goes. Good luck on the new (old) house. I would love to help when I get back. Remember when we hung dry wall with Habitat for Humanity. he he. It was pretty fun. Anyway, I love you. I will try to send a cd with pictures soon.
Tchau, have a great week.
Love Sister Barbie
July 30, 2008
Hi Mom,
This week we had transfers and I will be staying in my area with Sister Nascimento. There were not a whole lot of changes in our mission because only 2 elders arrived. It has been several months since a Sister missionary arrived.
Things are going really well. We have been teaching a guy who is about 30 years old and he has loved learning about the gospel. Every visit he asks about a million questions and always asks us to sing hymns and explain the Book of Mormon stories. He accepted to be baptized and we are going to have a family night with him and his mom tonight at a member’s house. We are going to watch The Testaments. This Sunday, we arrived at church and his mom was sitting in the relief society room ready for the meeting to start. I was shocked because we invited her a few weeks ago but she never said anything about going. Her son was working and she walked all the way to the chapel alone. At the end of the meetings she took us aside and started to cry. I began to worry a little until, through her tears, she said that their lives are changing because of the gospel. She said that her son had been dealing with drugs and had all sorts of debts and problems but since they have started learning about the gospel, he has stopped all drugs and paid all his debts. She said she has never been so happy in her whole life and never has felt the love of the Lord so strong. It was such a great experience to see how much the gospel has changed her life. She said she needs a little more time before she commits to being baptized. I have no doubts that in a week or two she will decide to be baptized with her son.
Things are going well in Londrina and it is starting to really heat up. I can’t believe that July is over. My mission is going by so fast. It sounds like a lot has changed since I have been gone.
Tell Michelle congrats on going through the temple and being sealed. I am so happy for her and Jake and am so proud of them. Tell them I love them. I am so sad I am not able to be there for the sealing but I will be thinking of them.
Amy said she is working at Magleby’s. How funny. I have some great memories there and I loved it. I am sure she will like it too. Are the same people working there still?
What else is new? Has school started for the kids yet? How is everything in the ward? I miss you and love you so much. Thanks again for the letters and the support. Have a great week and you are in my prayers.
Love Barbie
This week we had transfers and I will be staying in my area with Sister Nascimento. There were not a whole lot of changes in our mission because only 2 elders arrived. It has been several months since a Sister missionary arrived.
Things are going really well. We have been teaching a guy who is about 30 years old and he has loved learning about the gospel. Every visit he asks about a million questions and always asks us to sing hymns and explain the Book of Mormon stories. He accepted to be baptized and we are going to have a family night with him and his mom tonight at a member’s house. We are going to watch The Testaments. This Sunday, we arrived at church and his mom was sitting in the relief society room ready for the meeting to start. I was shocked because we invited her a few weeks ago but she never said anything about going. Her son was working and she walked all the way to the chapel alone. At the end of the meetings she took us aside and started to cry. I began to worry a little until, through her tears, she said that their lives are changing because of the gospel. She said that her son had been dealing with drugs and had all sorts of debts and problems but since they have started learning about the gospel, he has stopped all drugs and paid all his debts. She said she has never been so happy in her whole life and never has felt the love of the Lord so strong. It was such a great experience to see how much the gospel has changed her life. She said she needs a little more time before she commits to being baptized. I have no doubts that in a week or two she will decide to be baptized with her son.
Things are going well in Londrina and it is starting to really heat up. I can’t believe that July is over. My mission is going by so fast. It sounds like a lot has changed since I have been gone.
Tell Michelle congrats on going through the temple and being sealed. I am so happy for her and Jake and am so proud of them. Tell them I love them. I am so sad I am not able to be there for the sealing but I will be thinking of them.
Amy said she is working at Magleby’s. How funny. I have some great memories there and I loved it. I am sure she will like it too. Are the same people working there still?
What else is new? Has school started for the kids yet? How is everything in the ward? I miss you and love you so much. Thanks again for the letters and the support. Have a great week and you are in my prayers.
Love Barbie
7.23.2008
July 23, 2008
Hello Mom,
How was your week. (I cant find the punctuation marks on this keyboard.) This was a wonderful week for me. On Saturday, Lilton was baptized. He is an 18-year-old boy who has been taking the lessons since I got here. He has changed about 100 percent from what he was about a year ago. He said he has never been so happy and so blessed. They other day, he began to ask about missions and what he would need to do to be able to serve. We gave him an Ensign (the missionary edition) and have been teaching him about preparing to serve a mission. I am so proud of him and would love to see him serve. His baptism was beautiful and there were a ton of members. My comp and I sang a musical number and the Bishop gave a talk. After, we had an activity with a bunch of members and investigators. The activity was a success and the elders in the other ward (we share a church building) helped out and brought investigators. After the activity, they brought out a cake that one of my friends from the ward made and everyone sang happy birthday to me and the other elder who had is birthday on Monday.
Sunday, Lilton was confirmed and was the best birthday present ever. He also received the priesthood. That day, we went on splits (I think that is how you say it in English, he he). I taught with one of my best friends from Londrina, Ana. I met her about 6 months ago and she used to always teach with me in Ibiporá. I sent you some pictures of us together. She came out for my birthday. We had a blast and found some interesting investigators. We taught a man who reminded me of Papa Grow. He was super friendly. I began to teach about when Jesus appeared in the Americas and he said, “I know”. I asked how he knew and he said he had dreamed about it several years ago as well as the Book of Mormon. He said he has also had other inspired dreams. I invited him to be baptized and he accepted. Wow. Ana and I were pretty shocked. His family lives on the other side of town (in the elders area) and he works in our area (where we are teaching him) so I think he will be baptized in the other ward. He is already in Alma and said he would finish the Book of Mormon in about 15 days. At the end of the lesson, he mentioned that it was his birthday. I told him it was my birthday too. He rose from his seat and gave me a huge hug. Ana and I couldn’t help but laugh as I tried to tell him, “I can’t, I am a missionary.” He gave me another hug as we left. It was pretty funny.
That night, Tania, a member, said she was planning family night and had some neighbors who wanted to hear the lessons. We showed up and the ward members were there with some investigators. Tania and some other ladies in the ward made a birthday cake for me and some other treats and they all sang happy birthday. I was shocked. It was such a great day and a birthday I will never forget. I love the people here and am so glad I have a chance to be here on a mission.
So that was my week. We have found some new investigators who we are preparing to be baptized. Remember that family with 9 kids. . . The oldest, Jessica, was baptized last week. She is 16 and the rest of the kids are pretty young. I think, however, that when they get older they will be baptized too.
How is everything with you guys. . . What is new. . . how is Michelle and the baby. . . please send me pictures of you guys. Things are going well here and I am amazed at the miracles that are happening. I know that this is the Lord’s work. I miss you all and hope you have a great week.
Love Barbie
How was your week. (I cant find the punctuation marks on this keyboard.) This was a wonderful week for me. On Saturday, Lilton was baptized. He is an 18-year-old boy who has been taking the lessons since I got here. He has changed about 100 percent from what he was about a year ago. He said he has never been so happy and so blessed. They other day, he began to ask about missions and what he would need to do to be able to serve. We gave him an Ensign (the missionary edition) and have been teaching him about preparing to serve a mission. I am so proud of him and would love to see him serve. His baptism was beautiful and there were a ton of members. My comp and I sang a musical number and the Bishop gave a talk. After, we had an activity with a bunch of members and investigators. The activity was a success and the elders in the other ward (we share a church building) helped out and brought investigators. After the activity, they brought out a cake that one of my friends from the ward made and everyone sang happy birthday to me and the other elder who had is birthday on Monday.
Sunday, Lilton was confirmed and was the best birthday present ever. He also received the priesthood. That day, we went on splits (I think that is how you say it in English, he he). I taught with one of my best friends from Londrina, Ana. I met her about 6 months ago and she used to always teach with me in Ibiporá. I sent you some pictures of us together. She came out for my birthday. We had a blast and found some interesting investigators. We taught a man who reminded me of Papa Grow. He was super friendly. I began to teach about when Jesus appeared in the Americas and he said, “I know”. I asked how he knew and he said he had dreamed about it several years ago as well as the Book of Mormon. He said he has also had other inspired dreams. I invited him to be baptized and he accepted. Wow. Ana and I were pretty shocked. His family lives on the other side of town (in the elders area) and he works in our area (where we are teaching him) so I think he will be baptized in the other ward. He is already in Alma and said he would finish the Book of Mormon in about 15 days. At the end of the lesson, he mentioned that it was his birthday. I told him it was my birthday too. He rose from his seat and gave me a huge hug. Ana and I couldn’t help but laugh as I tried to tell him, “I can’t, I am a missionary.” He gave me another hug as we left. It was pretty funny.
That night, Tania, a member, said she was planning family night and had some neighbors who wanted to hear the lessons. We showed up and the ward members were there with some investigators. Tania and some other ladies in the ward made a birthday cake for me and some other treats and they all sang happy birthday. I was shocked. It was such a great day and a birthday I will never forget. I love the people here and am so glad I have a chance to be here on a mission.
So that was my week. We have found some new investigators who we are preparing to be baptized. Remember that family with 9 kids. . . The oldest, Jessica, was baptized last week. She is 16 and the rest of the kids are pretty young. I think, however, that when they get older they will be baptized too.
How is everything with you guys. . . What is new. . . how is Michelle and the baby. . . please send me pictures of you guys. Things are going well here and I am amazed at the miracles that are happening. I know that this is the Lord’s work. I miss you all and hope you have a great week.
Love Barbie
7.21.2008
July 16, 2008
Hi Mom,
This week was great. We are preparing two boys to be baptized on Saturday. One is Amys age and the other Michelle’s.
On Sunday we had a special program about missionary work. Some elders in Londrina sang a few musical numbers, I spoke as well as the 1st counselor. It was a beautiful program and after, a bunch of members asked if they could teach with us or help.
I don’t have much time because I had to update a bunch of records on the mission site but I will write more next week. Thanks for the update on my friends and for sending the email from Brandon. It is nice to know what is going on.
I hope you are having a wonderful week. I love you so much. Thanks for everything
Love, Barbie
This week was great. We are preparing two boys to be baptized on Saturday. One is Amys age and the other Michelle’s.
On Sunday we had a special program about missionary work. Some elders in Londrina sang a few musical numbers, I spoke as well as the 1st counselor. It was a beautiful program and after, a bunch of members asked if they could teach with us or help.
I don’t have much time because I had to update a bunch of records on the mission site but I will write more next week. Thanks for the update on my friends and for sending the email from Brandon. It is nice to know what is going on.
I hope you are having a wonderful week. I love you so much. Thanks for everything
Love, Barbie
7.09.2008
July 9, 2008
Hello Mom,
This week was wonderful. We are teaching some really great families. We are teaching two boys, brothers. One is 13 and the other is 18. They have already accepted baptism and went to church for the first time on Sunday. They were amazed how different it was from the other churches. They felt the spirit and when they left, the little brother said to the older, “Can we come back every week from now on?” They are also getting involved in some of the activities in the young men’s and elder quorum. We are also teaching a couple who were married a few months ago and Ana Paula, the wife, just had a baby last week. She is 20 and they are a young couple. She was born into the church but her family fell away several years ago. She said she wants to raise her family in the church because she has always missed it and wanted to return. When these members are strong in the church they have a light in their eyes and happiness. After several years they become lost and want to return. Her husband Jackson reminds me a little of Mike Davis (besides the blond hair--this guy has black hair and dark skin). He accepted our invite to be baptized and will start preparing. We are trying to reactivate their whole family right now.
Our mission is focusing a lot on reactivation because there are numerous inactive members. We are also teaching a few other awesome families who are progressing really well. At first, I really missed my other area but now I know the investigators and the members and I am so excited to spend this transfer here.
I really like my companion. She was really quiet at first but has opened up a lot and we get along well. We are about 40 minutes (on the bus) from the mission home. We had our district meeting and President Leal was there. In my district, my companion is the only Brazilian, which is really strange because only a few times I have had one or two Americans in my district. One of the elders brought starbursts. I think I have forgotten what candy in America tastes like. he he.
How is everything going? It sounds like the 4th of July was awesome. I sort of forgot about it until I looked at my planner on July 5th and noticed I had been out a year and the 4th was the day before. I have no concept of time here.
Thanks again for the package. I really appreciate the letters, packages and emails. On the mission, it really means a lot to get stuff from home. Things are going well and I am so happy to be serving the Lord. I have grown so much since I have been here and I feel so grateful to be learning so much. Thanks for everything. I love you.
Love Barbie
This week was wonderful. We are teaching some really great families. We are teaching two boys, brothers. One is 13 and the other is 18. They have already accepted baptism and went to church for the first time on Sunday. They were amazed how different it was from the other churches. They felt the spirit and when they left, the little brother said to the older, “Can we come back every week from now on?” They are also getting involved in some of the activities in the young men’s and elder quorum. We are also teaching a couple who were married a few months ago and Ana Paula, the wife, just had a baby last week. She is 20 and they are a young couple. She was born into the church but her family fell away several years ago. She said she wants to raise her family in the church because she has always missed it and wanted to return. When these members are strong in the church they have a light in their eyes and happiness. After several years they become lost and want to return. Her husband Jackson reminds me a little of Mike Davis (besides the blond hair--this guy has black hair and dark skin). He accepted our invite to be baptized and will start preparing. We are trying to reactivate their whole family right now.
Our mission is focusing a lot on reactivation because there are numerous inactive members. We are also teaching a few other awesome families who are progressing really well. At first, I really missed my other area but now I know the investigators and the members and I am so excited to spend this transfer here.
I really like my companion. She was really quiet at first but has opened up a lot and we get along well. We are about 40 minutes (on the bus) from the mission home. We had our district meeting and President Leal was there. In my district, my companion is the only Brazilian, which is really strange because only a few times I have had one or two Americans in my district. One of the elders brought starbursts. I think I have forgotten what candy in America tastes like. he he.
How is everything going? It sounds like the 4th of July was awesome. I sort of forgot about it until I looked at my planner on July 5th and noticed I had been out a year and the 4th was the day before. I have no concept of time here.
Thanks again for the package. I really appreciate the letters, packages and emails. On the mission, it really means a lot to get stuff from home. Things are going well and I am so happy to be serving the Lord. I have grown so much since I have been here and I feel so grateful to be learning so much. Thanks for everything. I love you.
Love Barbie
7.02.2008
July 2, 2008
Hi Mãe,
I got the birthday stuff you sent me-the socks. Thanks so much. I am glad you got the pictures. When I come home I will tell you about what was happening. Usually it is pretty hot here but every now and then a storm blows in and it gets cold for a few days, but it always heats up. The last week of the pictures on the cd, it was super cold. None of our clothes would dry and we had to use tons of blankets. There is a picture of all our blankets. We made a fort in our bedroom. I loved my comp and we had a blast. Her birthday is the same week as mine and I wanted to give her a birthday gift-the hymn book. You can still send it and take the money out of my account. Send the hymn book to the mission office with her name on it and she will get it. Her name is Sister Bezerra
Sister Bezerra
Ave. Higienopolis 1100, sala 61 centro
Londrina-PR
86020-911
Brasil
If it is not too much trouble. . .
So this was my first week in Londrina. I was a little overwhelmed at the records in our area book because there were none. We didn’t have progress records of our investigators. I found a bunch of old references from the elders and we have a lot of work to do because we have to contact all of them. It will be a challenge but it will force us to work hard. My companion is Sister Nascimento from Fortaleza (or a city known for its beautiful beaches in the Northern part of Brazil. My comp from the CTM, is serving a mission there in Fortaleza. She is teeny tiny and super quiet. This is her second transfer in Londrina. I really like the area. At first, I was really missing Ibiporã. I was so sad that I missed the 3 baptisms and the wedding but I my former companion showed me pictures and gave me some letters that the investigators sent. We are teaching a few really great families. Two of them are not married but surprisingly, 2 of the families are legally married. Yeah. They are progressing and accepted baptism.
We live in an apartment complex with a small apartment. It reminds me of the place in Lignano. We are about 20 minutes from the mission home.
This week we had our zone conference with two zones---Londrina and Tiradentes. I spoke at the conference along with the assistants, President Leal and Sister Leal. It was a great conference. I was able to see my old companions and I left with more energy and dedication to work hard.
So, it sounds like camp was a blast. I can’t believe it has been almost 6 years since I have been to camp. Have you seen the Owen’s yet. I can’t believe they are already home. It seems like they just left. How is Sara Jane? Are they still living in the ward? How was the Stadium of Fire?
Thanks for the update on the latest that is happening in America. It is good to get some news once in awhile.
Things are going well and I am excited to work in my new area. I love the bishop’s family and the members and I think I will really like it here.
Thanks for the picture. . . I love getting pics.
Love you and miss you. Tchau
Love Barbie
I got the birthday stuff you sent me-the socks. Thanks so much. I am glad you got the pictures. When I come home I will tell you about what was happening. Usually it is pretty hot here but every now and then a storm blows in and it gets cold for a few days, but it always heats up. The last week of the pictures on the cd, it was super cold. None of our clothes would dry and we had to use tons of blankets. There is a picture of all our blankets. We made a fort in our bedroom. I loved my comp and we had a blast. Her birthday is the same week as mine and I wanted to give her a birthday gift-the hymn book. You can still send it and take the money out of my account. Send the hymn book to the mission office with her name on it and she will get it. Her name is Sister Bezerra
Sister Bezerra
Ave. Higienopolis 1100, sala 61 centro
Londrina-PR
86020-911
Brasil
If it is not too much trouble. . .
So this was my first week in Londrina. I was a little overwhelmed at the records in our area book because there were none. We didn’t have progress records of our investigators. I found a bunch of old references from the elders and we have a lot of work to do because we have to contact all of them. It will be a challenge but it will force us to work hard. My companion is Sister Nascimento from Fortaleza (or a city known for its beautiful beaches in the Northern part of Brazil. My comp from the CTM, is serving a mission there in Fortaleza. She is teeny tiny and super quiet. This is her second transfer in Londrina. I really like the area. At first, I was really missing Ibiporã. I was so sad that I missed the 3 baptisms and the wedding but I my former companion showed me pictures and gave me some letters that the investigators sent. We are teaching a few really great families. Two of them are not married but surprisingly, 2 of the families are legally married. Yeah. They are progressing and accepted baptism.
We live in an apartment complex with a small apartment. It reminds me of the place in Lignano. We are about 20 minutes from the mission home.
This week we had our zone conference with two zones---Londrina and Tiradentes. I spoke at the conference along with the assistants, President Leal and Sister Leal. It was a great conference. I was able to see my old companions and I left with more energy and dedication to work hard.
So, it sounds like camp was a blast. I can’t believe it has been almost 6 years since I have been to camp. Have you seen the Owen’s yet. I can’t believe they are already home. It seems like they just left. How is Sara Jane? Are they still living in the ward? How was the Stadium of Fire?
Thanks for the update on the latest that is happening in America. It is good to get some news once in awhile.
Things are going well and I am excited to work in my new area. I love the bishop’s family and the members and I think I will really like it here.
Thanks for the picture. . . I love getting pics.
Love you and miss you. Tchau
Love Barbie
7.01.2008
June 25, 2008
Hi Mom,
So, this week we found out about transfers.. . I will be transferred. But the funny thing is that I will be transferred to Londrina which is about 15 minutes away. I will be in a different stake so I won’t be able to see the people in this branch. This Saturday Neusa will get married and baptized. Also, her daughter Hidimari and her friend Jenifer--3 baptisms and marriage and I will miss it all.
Last night I visited Neusa and told her the news. I tried not to cry but couldn’t help it. I know my work here in this area is done but I wanted so badly to see her get baptized and the little girls. She made us dinner and cake and we had a lot of fun until I had to say goodbye. It was so hard and I don’t know if I can handle more transfers.
Also, we had our last lunch at Luzia’s house. She is the Relief Society President and is like a mom to me. We left a message with her, we cried together and said goodbye. We had family night with her family a few nights ago and brought one of our investigators, Jessica. She is 16 and has the family of 10 kids. She loved family night. We watched a short movie about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. When the movie was over we bore testimony and she asked if she could say a few words. She said in her whole life she has never felt such peace and happiness. We had to really pull her ears to get her to go to church on Sunday (most of the churches here are really scary and the majority of the people have had really horrible experiences). She was really nervous but loved church. She also told us as she held back the tears that she knows the feelings she has felt are feelings from God. It was really great to hear that her prayers had been answered. She said the feelings were so wonderful that her heart was on fire. It was also edifying for the 3 daughters who were there (they are all about my age). Anyway, we are still teaching her and she said she will prepare to be baptized. We cried a little yesterday when I had to say goodbye to her. We are her best friends (she moved here recently and only knows us and Luzia’s family) and I will really miss her.
I am excited for the transfer but will really miss the area. I told everyone that I would return in December so I hope you guys are still planning on picking me up. We are heading to Londrina at about 1 o’clock today. A bunch of members are coming with us to say goodbye.
It sounds like your birthday was really fun. And I am glad you remembered me at Tucanos. Did they sing `Parabens pra voca´
How is everything going in the ward? Are there a lot of changes? How was girls’ camp? Did Amy like it? Also, thank you so much for the recipes. I will give them to my comp. Her birthday is the same week as mine and I wanted to make her the cookies for her birthday but since I will be transferred I will give her the recipe and she and Sister Portes (my second comp) can make them.
Thanks for all the love, support and email. I love hearing from you and love seeing pictures. Thanks for everything and have a wonderful week.
Tchau, eu te amo.
Love Barbie
So, this week we found out about transfers.. . I will be transferred. But the funny thing is that I will be transferred to Londrina which is about 15 minutes away. I will be in a different stake so I won’t be able to see the people in this branch. This Saturday Neusa will get married and baptized. Also, her daughter Hidimari and her friend Jenifer--3 baptisms and marriage and I will miss it all.
Last night I visited Neusa and told her the news. I tried not to cry but couldn’t help it. I know my work here in this area is done but I wanted so badly to see her get baptized and the little girls. She made us dinner and cake and we had a lot of fun until I had to say goodbye. It was so hard and I don’t know if I can handle more transfers.
Also, we had our last lunch at Luzia’s house. She is the Relief Society President and is like a mom to me. We left a message with her, we cried together and said goodbye. We had family night with her family a few nights ago and brought one of our investigators, Jessica. She is 16 and has the family of 10 kids. She loved family night. We watched a short movie about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. When the movie was over we bore testimony and she asked if she could say a few words. She said in her whole life she has never felt such peace and happiness. We had to really pull her ears to get her to go to church on Sunday (most of the churches here are really scary and the majority of the people have had really horrible experiences). She was really nervous but loved church. She also told us as she held back the tears that she knows the feelings she has felt are feelings from God. It was really great to hear that her prayers had been answered. She said the feelings were so wonderful that her heart was on fire. It was also edifying for the 3 daughters who were there (they are all about my age). Anyway, we are still teaching her and she said she will prepare to be baptized. We cried a little yesterday when I had to say goodbye to her. We are her best friends (she moved here recently and only knows us and Luzia’s family) and I will really miss her.
I am excited for the transfer but will really miss the area. I told everyone that I would return in December so I hope you guys are still planning on picking me up. We are heading to Londrina at about 1 o’clock today. A bunch of members are coming with us to say goodbye.
It sounds like your birthday was really fun. And I am glad you remembered me at Tucanos. Did they sing `Parabens pra voca´
How is everything going in the ward? Are there a lot of changes? How was girls’ camp? Did Amy like it? Also, thank you so much for the recipes. I will give them to my comp. Her birthday is the same week as mine and I wanted to make her the cookies for her birthday but since I will be transferred I will give her the recipe and she and Sister Portes (my second comp) can make them.
Thanks for all the love, support and email. I love hearing from you and love seeing pictures. Thanks for everything and have a wonderful week.
Tchau, eu te amo.
Love Barbie
June 18, 2008
Hi mom,
How was your b-day. Did you get the b-day card that I sent you?
Things are going really well here. This week was Samira’s baptism. It was actually pretty stressful because 7 o’clock Saturday night (night of the baptism) rolled around and she was nowhere to be seen. Everyone waited for about 30 minutes but nothing. Sister Bezerra and I went to her house looking for her. She was there with her member friend but she said her mom hadn’t come home yet and hadn’t signed the papers. Her mom called and we talked with her. She said that Samira’s dad didn’t want her to be baptized (they are divorced). We told this to Samira and she started to cry and said it was all a lie. I have never been so disappointed and I felt terrible for her. We waited at a neighbor’s house until her mom came home. She cried to her mom and told her how important this was to her. Her mom admitted that it wasn’t her dad that didn’t want her to be baptized, it was Renata (her mom). She and Samira went to the church where everyone had been waiting for an hour and talked with President Manganaro (branch pres). After the interview, Renata consented and we had a beautiful meeting. Renata and Samira cried during the baptism and although it was really hectic, it turned our fine.
This next week, Neusa will get married and she will be baptized the following Saturday with her 8-year-old daughter. We are helping her plan the wedding and it has been really exciting. Transfers are this Wednesday and I am hoping to stay so I can see her wedding and baptism. I don’t know if I will be able to email next week but I will keep you updated.
We also found a really great family with 10 kids under the age of 16. . . wow. They have a two bedroom house and the kids sleep on mattresses in the kitchen and the living room. We took 3 of the kids with us to church. I sat with them and 3 other kids (families who we are teaching). I was helping them listen and be quiet and I felt like that story Elder Ballard told in General Conference about the time he had to take care of his kids during sacrament meeting. It was a pretty chaotic sacrament meeting but I love those kids and it was pretty funny. This is good training for me for when I have a bunch of kids, he he.
Oh, the recipes that I wanted. . . gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies. My comp is dying to learn how to make gingerbread cookies. She has only seen them in the movies.
Things are going well and I love my mission. I hope you have a wonderful week. I love you and miss you.
Love Barbie
How was your b-day. Did you get the b-day card that I sent you?
Things are going really well here. This week was Samira’s baptism. It was actually pretty stressful because 7 o’clock Saturday night (night of the baptism) rolled around and she was nowhere to be seen. Everyone waited for about 30 minutes but nothing. Sister Bezerra and I went to her house looking for her. She was there with her member friend but she said her mom hadn’t come home yet and hadn’t signed the papers. Her mom called and we talked with her. She said that Samira’s dad didn’t want her to be baptized (they are divorced). We told this to Samira and she started to cry and said it was all a lie. I have never been so disappointed and I felt terrible for her. We waited at a neighbor’s house until her mom came home. She cried to her mom and told her how important this was to her. Her mom admitted that it wasn’t her dad that didn’t want her to be baptized, it was Renata (her mom). She and Samira went to the church where everyone had been waiting for an hour and talked with President Manganaro (branch pres). After the interview, Renata consented and we had a beautiful meeting. Renata and Samira cried during the baptism and although it was really hectic, it turned our fine.
This next week, Neusa will get married and she will be baptized the following Saturday with her 8-year-old daughter. We are helping her plan the wedding and it has been really exciting. Transfers are this Wednesday and I am hoping to stay so I can see her wedding and baptism. I don’t know if I will be able to email next week but I will keep you updated.
We also found a really great family with 10 kids under the age of 16. . . wow. They have a two bedroom house and the kids sleep on mattresses in the kitchen and the living room. We took 3 of the kids with us to church. I sat with them and 3 other kids (families who we are teaching). I was helping them listen and be quiet and I felt like that story Elder Ballard told in General Conference about the time he had to take care of his kids during sacrament meeting. It was a pretty chaotic sacrament meeting but I love those kids and it was pretty funny. This is good training for me for when I have a bunch of kids, he he.
Oh, the recipes that I wanted. . . gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies. My comp is dying to learn how to make gingerbread cookies. She has only seen them in the movies.
Things are going well and I love my mission. I hope you have a wonderful week. I love you and miss you.
Love Barbie
6.16.2008
June 11, 2008
Hi Mom,
The message from Jace didn’t work. You will have to send it again.
This week was great. That family who we have been teaching will be married on June 24 and we will have their baptisms that Saturday. It is the week of transfers and I am nervous I will be transferred and miss the wedding and the baptisms. President Manganaro (the branch pres.) asked President Leal if he could keep me here for one more transfer but I don’t know if this is President Leal’s plan or the Lord’s plan. I have been in this same area for along time but I love it and don’t want to leave. I get along great with my companion and this transfer has been really great. I will send a few pics.
I got the pics from dad in London. Wow, it brings back memories.
This Saturday will be a young girl’s baptism. She is only 11 years old but her best friend, grandpa and neighbors are members. She loves the church and is really excited. I will let you know how it goes. Her mom is also listening to the lessons and is trying to stop smoking.
We met a ton of new people this week and a really great family. They have never heard of the church and moved here about 2 months ago. They are really interested. Our relief society president lives on the same street and she is helping us teach them.
Things are going well. Hope you have a great week. Hope you have a Happy Birthday, too. I sent a card and I hope it gets there in time.
Love you. ...
Love Barbie
The message from Jace didn’t work. You will have to send it again.
This week was great. That family who we have been teaching will be married on June 24 and we will have their baptisms that Saturday. It is the week of transfers and I am nervous I will be transferred and miss the wedding and the baptisms. President Manganaro (the branch pres.) asked President Leal if he could keep me here for one more transfer but I don’t know if this is President Leal’s plan or the Lord’s plan. I have been in this same area for along time but I love it and don’t want to leave. I get along great with my companion and this transfer has been really great. I will send a few pics.
I got the pics from dad in London. Wow, it brings back memories.
This Saturday will be a young girl’s baptism. She is only 11 years old but her best friend, grandpa and neighbors are members. She loves the church and is really excited. I will let you know how it goes. Her mom is also listening to the lessons and is trying to stop smoking.
We met a ton of new people this week and a really great family. They have never heard of the church and moved here about 2 months ago. They are really interested. Our relief society president lives on the same street and she is helping us teach them.
Things are going well. Hope you have a great week. Hope you have a Happy Birthday, too. I sent a card and I hope it gets there in time.
Love you. ...
Love Barbie
6.08.2008
June 4,2008
Hi Mom,
Saturday we had a baptism in our branch. The girls name is Grascielle. She is my age. The baptism went really well and there were more investigators there than members. Two girls were supposed to be baptized but the other didn’t feel fully prepared to make this covenant. She is nervous about a few things but I think when she saw the baptism she felt a little sad that she wasn’t part of it. We will work with her a little more a try to resolve her concerns.
This Sunday was the Curitiba temple dedication. We were able to go to Londrina and watch the transmission in the stake center. Only those with temple recommends were allowed to watch it because it was being filmed from inside the temple. President Monson and Elder Nelson spoke along with the Brazil Presidency. President Leal was in Curitiba and met with them to talk about the missionary work. He sent us an email of council that the prophet gave to us as missionaries. It was great to see the transmission. The prophet and some of the speakers spoke in English and someone was there translating. It was good to hear English again. It was also great to see the prophet. I felt closer to the Savior and left with a stronger desire to get people to the temple.
So how is everyone doing at home? How was the trip to Disneyland and England and camp? It sounds like everyone is really busy. I had forgotten that it is summer there and everyone is out of school. It has been pretty cold here the last couple of days. We have been wearing coats and socks. I think it will probably stay like this for a few more months.
Our investigators are doing well and we are expecting a few more baptisms this month. The little girls who I am teaching English to, really like the church and one of the girls brought her whole family. They all loved it and are excited to come back. They live in the Elder’s area so they Elders will probably teach that family. Also, Neusa marked her wedding day and our Branch Pres. is going to pay for it. We are planning a big party and she and her daughter will be baptized after she gets married.
Things are great with my companion and we get along great. I will try to send some pics of her. I hope everything is going well and I love you all. Have a wonderful week (and don’t forget again to write me this week he, he, )
tchau! Love Barbie
Saturday we had a baptism in our branch. The girls name is Grascielle. She is my age. The baptism went really well and there were more investigators there than members. Two girls were supposed to be baptized but the other didn’t feel fully prepared to make this covenant. She is nervous about a few things but I think when she saw the baptism she felt a little sad that she wasn’t part of it. We will work with her a little more a try to resolve her concerns.
This Sunday was the Curitiba temple dedication. We were able to go to Londrina and watch the transmission in the stake center. Only those with temple recommends were allowed to watch it because it was being filmed from inside the temple. President Monson and Elder Nelson spoke along with the Brazil Presidency. President Leal was in Curitiba and met with them to talk about the missionary work. He sent us an email of council that the prophet gave to us as missionaries. It was great to see the transmission. The prophet and some of the speakers spoke in English and someone was there translating. It was good to hear English again. It was also great to see the prophet. I felt closer to the Savior and left with a stronger desire to get people to the temple.
So how is everyone doing at home? How was the trip to Disneyland and England and camp? It sounds like everyone is really busy. I had forgotten that it is summer there and everyone is out of school. It has been pretty cold here the last couple of days. We have been wearing coats and socks. I think it will probably stay like this for a few more months.
Our investigators are doing well and we are expecting a few more baptisms this month. The little girls who I am teaching English to, really like the church and one of the girls brought her whole family. They all loved it and are excited to come back. They live in the Elder’s area so they Elders will probably teach that family. Also, Neusa marked her wedding day and our Branch Pres. is going to pay for it. We are planning a big party and she and her daughter will be baptized after she gets married.
Things are great with my companion and we get along great. I will try to send some pics of her. I hope everything is going well and I love you all. Have a wonderful week (and don’t forget again to write me this week he, he, )
tchau! Love Barbie
May 28, 2008
Wow, Tell Michelle congrats. I am so excited. I was wanting her to have a boy. I am so excited to see him when I come home.
So about the “casamento” issue, it means marriage in Portuguese. . . how embarrassing. I cannot speak normal in English or write. I told my comp what I did and she thought it was pretty funny.
So this Saturday, two girls will be baptized. I am so excited and can’t wait to tell you about it. We also started teaching a young girl and her mom and the girl said she wants to be baptized. She has been to church a few times and is really excited.
Sunday at church, a van pulled up to the church filled with about 25 people from Jataizinho (the neighboring city). My companion and I stood in the doorway with our mouths dropped open. I couldn’t believe it. A member in our ward went there to pick up a bunch of our investigators’ friends and some of our investigators who live there. We had our branch conference and it was wonderful. Our branch choir (4 people) sang and the sacrament room was decorated with flowers. There were so many people there that they had to bring in chairs from the class room. I have never seen anything like it. All of our investigators loved the meeting and want to return next week. The elders told us that they think Jataizinho is too “dangerous” so they think they should work there. hmm, very interesting. But we will see what we decide.
My time is short so I have to go. But I love you and hope you have a great week. If I didn’t respond to some of your questions, I will next week.
Also, could you send me an English hymn book for my companion. She is the first that has studied English and wants to learn more. I sent Kirsten a few pics of the kids I am teaching English. They are darling and one of the girls will be baptized this month.
I love you! Tchau
Love, Barbie
So about the “casamento” issue, it means marriage in Portuguese. . . how embarrassing. I cannot speak normal in English or write. I told my comp what I did and she thought it was pretty funny.
So this Saturday, two girls will be baptized. I am so excited and can’t wait to tell you about it. We also started teaching a young girl and her mom and the girl said she wants to be baptized. She has been to church a few times and is really excited.
Sunday at church, a van pulled up to the church filled with about 25 people from Jataizinho (the neighboring city). My companion and I stood in the doorway with our mouths dropped open. I couldn’t believe it. A member in our ward went there to pick up a bunch of our investigators’ friends and some of our investigators who live there. We had our branch conference and it was wonderful. Our branch choir (4 people) sang and the sacrament room was decorated with flowers. There were so many people there that they had to bring in chairs from the class room. I have never seen anything like it. All of our investigators loved the meeting and want to return next week. The elders told us that they think Jataizinho is too “dangerous” so they think they should work there. hmm, very interesting. But we will see what we decide.
My time is short so I have to go. But I love you and hope you have a great week. If I didn’t respond to some of your questions, I will next week.
Also, could you send me an English hymn book for my companion. She is the first that has studied English and wants to learn more. I sent Kirsten a few pics of the kids I am teaching English. They are darling and one of the girls will be baptized this month.
I love you! Tchau
Love, Barbie
5.30.2008
The Friend
Barbie and her comp have been teaching a bunch of kids the basics of English. They decided to give them all "the Friend". The kids loved that they took pictures.
5.21.2008
May 21, 2008
HI mom,
I sent you an email last week and I don’t know if you got it. It might have been deleted.
So, my new companion is great. Her name is Sister Bezerra and she is new to the mission. She is from São Paulo and lives close to the São Paulo temple. She studied business at her college and wants to open an lds store here in Brazil because there are not a whole lot of church materials here. We get along great and I am feeling really lucky to have a companion who I really like.
This past week, the ward took a travel bus to Curitiba because the temple there was finished and this month there is an open house. We had a lot of investigators go and everyone loved it. They said that it was like Heaven on earth. I miss the temple so much but it was fun to talk to them and hear about the experience. Two investigators-girls my age, went and talked a lot about the brides room and the celestial room. They talked about how they want to married in the temple. They are planning on being baptized on May 31st. Also, Neusa and her family went. We want to baptize the whole family but the parents are waiting on the casament issue. One of the daughters will be baptized on May 31st also.
Last week, Sister Ferreira (my old comp) and I went to Jataizinho, a small town next to our city. I was worried that it was a waist of time but we had a family from there at church last Sunday. Some members went there and picked up the family. A young married couple in the family went to the Temple and loved it. They talked about how Jataizinho needs a branch there, and we are working with our Branch President to get something going. We will be going there a lot more often these next couple of weeks.
This week was a great week and I am really excited for this transfer.
You said you will start growing pumpkins. I got some good Brazilian recipes for pumpkins. They make sweets with pumpkins and also other ways.
Tell Matt congrats on the wedding and all the cousins who are getting married. Have you met any of their spouses? Oh. . . and Kayla Rawle is darling and I laughed when you told me what she said.
Good luck on the house flipping. It sounds like you are keeping busy. Thanks for the picture--I didn’t even recognize Sadie. She is so big and has long hair. They both will be so big when I come home. Send more pics of the family.
I love you so much, and thanks for the letters and the support. Hope you have a great week!
Love Barbie
I sent you an email last week and I don’t know if you got it. It might have been deleted.
So, my new companion is great. Her name is Sister Bezerra and she is new to the mission. She is from São Paulo and lives close to the São Paulo temple. She studied business at her college and wants to open an lds store here in Brazil because there are not a whole lot of church materials here. We get along great and I am feeling really lucky to have a companion who I really like.
This past week, the ward took a travel bus to Curitiba because the temple there was finished and this month there is an open house. We had a lot of investigators go and everyone loved it. They said that it was like Heaven on earth. I miss the temple so much but it was fun to talk to them and hear about the experience. Two investigators-girls my age, went and talked a lot about the brides room and the celestial room. They talked about how they want to married in the temple. They are planning on being baptized on May 31st. Also, Neusa and her family went. We want to baptize the whole family but the parents are waiting on the casament issue. One of the daughters will be baptized on May 31st also.
Last week, Sister Ferreira (my old comp) and I went to Jataizinho, a small town next to our city. I was worried that it was a waist of time but we had a family from there at church last Sunday. Some members went there and picked up the family. A young married couple in the family went to the Temple and loved it. They talked about how Jataizinho needs a branch there, and we are working with our Branch President to get something going. We will be going there a lot more often these next couple of weeks.
This week was a great week and I am really excited for this transfer.
You said you will start growing pumpkins. I got some good Brazilian recipes for pumpkins. They make sweets with pumpkins and also other ways.
Tell Matt congrats on the wedding and all the cousins who are getting married. Have you met any of their spouses? Oh. . . and Kayla Rawle is darling and I laughed when you told me what she said.
Good luck on the house flipping. It sounds like you are keeping busy. Thanks for the picture--I didn’t even recognize Sadie. She is so big and has long hair. They both will be so big when I come home. Send more pics of the family.
I love you so much, and thanks for the letters and the support. Hope you have a great week!
Love Barbie
5.15.2008
May 15, 2008
Hi Mom!
Mother’s Day was so great. It was so great to talk to everyone. It made me feel so close to home. I think the phone card ran out which was probably a good thing because I was struggling to say goodbye.
I sent a few pictures to Kirsten’s email address. She tried to call but it was past our curfew and we had already gone home. It was funny to hear the two guys tell the story the next day, that no one was understanding anyone. They think English is really cool and want to learn English.
Tell David Driggs congrats and I sent an email to Gloria saying congrats to Jon and Heidi. I am so excited to see all the new spouses and babies when I come home.
So, we had transfers this week and I picked up my new companion. She is also from São Paulo (3 of my four companions are from São Paulo). She is new in the mission. I am really excited and I really like her. I am with her and Sister Ferreira now. Sister Ferreira will be transferred to Maringã later today. She will be companions with my old comp, Sister Portes. I am really excited about this upcoming transfer.
This Saturday the ward members are going to the open house of the Curitiba temple. We have about 7 investigators going. One family is preparing to be baptized but is waiting on the marriage stuff. They are going to the temple and I am really excited to hear how everything goes.
The baptism was great. I also sent a picture to Kirsten and she will forward it to you.
I am out of time. We have to take Sister Ferreira to the bus station. But I love you so much and will write you next week.
Thanks for the Easter package. The candy arrived in normal condition. There isn’t anything specific that I am craving but I will let you know. I sent you a cd with my pictures so be looking for it. Also, with Amy’s birthday card, I sent two other cards. Can you send them for me? Thank you so much.
I love you and have a great week.
Love Barbie
Mother’s Day was so great. It was so great to talk to everyone. It made me feel so close to home. I think the phone card ran out which was probably a good thing because I was struggling to say goodbye.
I sent a few pictures to Kirsten’s email address. She tried to call but it was past our curfew and we had already gone home. It was funny to hear the two guys tell the story the next day, that no one was understanding anyone. They think English is really cool and want to learn English.
Tell David Driggs congrats and I sent an email to Gloria saying congrats to Jon and Heidi. I am so excited to see all the new spouses and babies when I come home.
So, we had transfers this week and I picked up my new companion. She is also from São Paulo (3 of my four companions are from São Paulo). She is new in the mission. I am really excited and I really like her. I am with her and Sister Ferreira now. Sister Ferreira will be transferred to Maringã later today. She will be companions with my old comp, Sister Portes. I am really excited about this upcoming transfer.
This Saturday the ward members are going to the open house of the Curitiba temple. We have about 7 investigators going. One family is preparing to be baptized but is waiting on the marriage stuff. They are going to the temple and I am really excited to hear how everything goes.
The baptism was great. I also sent a picture to Kirsten and she will forward it to you.
I am out of time. We have to take Sister Ferreira to the bus station. But I love you so much and will write you next week.
Thanks for the Easter package. The candy arrived in normal condition. There isn’t anything specific that I am craving but I will let you know. I sent you a cd with my pictures so be looking for it. Also, with Amy’s birthday card, I sent two other cards. Can you send them for me? Thank you so much.
I love you and have a great week.
Love Barbie
5.07.2008
May 7, 2008
Olã Mãe,
So, Mother’s Day is coming up and I will be calling on Saturday probably between 11-2pm. I will call to plan when a good time will be to call on Sunday.
I sent you a long email but I don’t think it was sent. I think it was deleted. I will rewrite briefly what I sent.
Saturday night two girls, Lucineia and Rose will get baptized. Yay! We are so excited. The other email that I sent has more details about them.
Also, Neuza, our investigator has been coming to church every week and brings about 7 primary-age kids with her. She has two kids and babysits a bunch of others. This week I taught some of the kids English. They have started to learn English in school and needed some help. It was really fun and they loved learning. We will continue to teach them the discussions and a little English.
We have been teaching a man the lessons and his 18-year-old daughter has been listening in. She became really interested and came to church with us on Sunday. She asked a bunch of questions about baptism and loved church. She also went to institute last night and really liked it.
The conference in Londrina was excellent. We have been going on splits with President Leal’s daughter and her friend Bãrbara and they were at the conference. They told us that they decided to put in their mission papers. I hope they serve in the Provo mission (he he). They are really excited. The speaker at the conference was the mission doctor. He and his wife were in the CTM with me and was good to see them again. We used to eat lunch with them in the CTM. Also, the wife doesn’t speak Portuguese and I think she was glad to be able to speak English with me. They talked about how we need to take better care of our bodies-do exercises and eat healthy foods. President and Sister Leal gave great talks as well.
Yesterday we went to a small town on the outskirts of Ibiporã. We had to take a bus to get there and were able to talk with a lot of people about the church on the bus. The town was in the middle of no where and had a bunch of farms and deserted places. We arrived downtown and got some papers from the office that had small maps of the areas. We made a map and were able to find all the houses. We delivered some dvd’s and copies of the Book of Mormon to those who requested them through the pass along cards. It was a really fun experience and we met a lot of interesting people. . .
I will talk to you Saturday afternoon. I love you and hope everything is going well. Tchau.
Love Sister Barbie Davis
So, Mother’s Day is coming up and I will be calling on Saturday probably between 11-2pm. I will call to plan when a good time will be to call on Sunday.
I sent you a long email but I don’t think it was sent. I think it was deleted. I will rewrite briefly what I sent.
Saturday night two girls, Lucineia and Rose will get baptized. Yay! We are so excited. The other email that I sent has more details about them.
Also, Neuza, our investigator has been coming to church every week and brings about 7 primary-age kids with her. She has two kids and babysits a bunch of others. This week I taught some of the kids English. They have started to learn English in school and needed some help. It was really fun and they loved learning. We will continue to teach them the discussions and a little English.
We have been teaching a man the lessons and his 18-year-old daughter has been listening in. She became really interested and came to church with us on Sunday. She asked a bunch of questions about baptism and loved church. She also went to institute last night and really liked it.
The conference in Londrina was excellent. We have been going on splits with President Leal’s daughter and her friend Bãrbara and they were at the conference. They told us that they decided to put in their mission papers. I hope they serve in the Provo mission (he he). They are really excited. The speaker at the conference was the mission doctor. He and his wife were in the CTM with me and was good to see them again. We used to eat lunch with them in the CTM. Also, the wife doesn’t speak Portuguese and I think she was glad to be able to speak English with me. They talked about how we need to take better care of our bodies-do exercises and eat healthy foods. President and Sister Leal gave great talks as well.
Yesterday we went to a small town on the outskirts of Ibiporã. We had to take a bus to get there and were able to talk with a lot of people about the church on the bus. The town was in the middle of no where and had a bunch of farms and deserted places. We arrived downtown and got some papers from the office that had small maps of the areas. We made a map and were able to find all the houses. We delivered some dvd’s and copies of the Book of Mormon to those who requested them through the pass along cards. It was a really fun experience and we met a lot of interesting people. . .
I will talk to you Saturday afternoon. I love you and hope everything is going well. Tchau.
Love Sister Barbie Davis
April 29, 2008
Olã
Thank you so much for the pictures from the cruise. I love getting pictures. Amy looks like she is changing a bunch (Alex looks the same). It is really good to see every doing well.
I am emailing today because P-day was moved this week. We have our zone conference tomorrow with the Londrina zone and Tiradentes zone. It will be in downtown Londrina. So today we had lunch with a member and are emailing. It is pouring rain outside and the streets are filled with water.
Tell Barb congratulations and I am so excited to see her baby when I get home. How is Michelle doing? Is she starting to show? When will she find out if it is a boy or a girl?
Also, tell Susan and Maryanne Tanner that I say hi and love them. I haven’t meet Maryanne’s husband yet. Did you go to her wedding?
That is really exciting about the town home-parabã©ns (congratulations). Do you think you will buy and sell more or was it just a project you picked up?
Well, this week has been great. We have been teaching a family (Bruna’s friends) and they are really interested. They come to all the church activities and last night we did a family night with them and they really liked it. They still need to get married so they won’t be getting baptized anytime soon but they are progressing.
A member in the ward gave us a reference-his sister. We have been teaching her and she is really interested. We taught her the Plan of Salvation a few days ago and she was amazed. She asked us all sorts of questions about the millennium and the kingdoms of glory and glorified bodies and the battle in Heaven. We talked with her in her little wooden house for a long time and she was amazed at the things she learned. She has studied a lot of other religions but never found answers to this question. Pastors here make up all sorts of things to deceive people but she said she always doubted what they taught. She has been coming to church every week and reading the Book of Mormon (she also needs to get married before she is baptized).
We had been teaching a catholic family awhile back and the 10-year-old son has been going to scouts and coming to church for the last few weeks. We are really happy with him. His mom doesn’t want him to be baptized but I think with time he will be baptized. We have met a lot of other great investigators and also a few of the inactive families we have been teaching have returned to church. It was a really great week.
I am getting anxious to call home. I haven’t thought about but lately everyone is talking about Mother’s Day. I am really excited to get to talk to everyone. It makes me feel like I am not so far from home. We will have transfers that same week so by then I will know where I will be for the next transfer.
Well, thanks again for the pics. I loved them. Also, thank you so much for the emails and the support. I love hearing from you, love you and miss you. Good luck with everything. . . until next week.
Love Barbie
Thank you so much for the pictures from the cruise. I love getting pictures. Amy looks like she is changing a bunch (Alex looks the same). It is really good to see every doing well.
I am emailing today because P-day was moved this week. We have our zone conference tomorrow with the Londrina zone and Tiradentes zone. It will be in downtown Londrina. So today we had lunch with a member and are emailing. It is pouring rain outside and the streets are filled with water.
Tell Barb congratulations and I am so excited to see her baby when I get home. How is Michelle doing? Is she starting to show? When will she find out if it is a boy or a girl?
Also, tell Susan and Maryanne Tanner that I say hi and love them. I haven’t meet Maryanne’s husband yet. Did you go to her wedding?
That is really exciting about the town home-parabã©ns (congratulations). Do you think you will buy and sell more or was it just a project you picked up?
Well, this week has been great. We have been teaching a family (Bruna’s friends) and they are really interested. They come to all the church activities and last night we did a family night with them and they really liked it. They still need to get married so they won’t be getting baptized anytime soon but they are progressing.
A member in the ward gave us a reference-his sister. We have been teaching her and she is really interested. We taught her the Plan of Salvation a few days ago and she was amazed. She asked us all sorts of questions about the millennium and the kingdoms of glory and glorified bodies and the battle in Heaven. We talked with her in her little wooden house for a long time and she was amazed at the things she learned. She has studied a lot of other religions but never found answers to this question. Pastors here make up all sorts of things to deceive people but she said she always doubted what they taught. She has been coming to church every week and reading the Book of Mormon (she also needs to get married before she is baptized).
We had been teaching a catholic family awhile back and the 10-year-old son has been going to scouts and coming to church for the last few weeks. We are really happy with him. His mom doesn’t want him to be baptized but I think with time he will be baptized. We have met a lot of other great investigators and also a few of the inactive families we have been teaching have returned to church. It was a really great week.
I am getting anxious to call home. I haven’t thought about but lately everyone is talking about Mother’s Day. I am really excited to get to talk to everyone. It makes me feel like I am not so far from home. We will have transfers that same week so by then I will know where I will be for the next transfer.
Well, thanks again for the pics. I loved them. Also, thank you so much for the emails and the support. I love hearing from you, love you and miss you. Good luck with everything. . . until next week.
Love Barbie
4.23.2008
April 23, 2008
Hi Mom,
Thanks for the peach cobbler recipe. I told my roommate I would make a pioneer dessert for her.
It sounds like everyone loved the cruise.
The other day we went looking for Bruna to teach her and she was at a friend’s house, straightening her hair for church the next day. She was there with two families and we ended up teaching the first lesson. The families really liked the message and asked us a ton of questions about the church. They said they heard Mormons wore all black and sacrificed animals. Also, the news passed a program about the guy who started a religion called mormon and he has about 8 wives. Everyone thinks that he belongs to our church and we have to clear this up with people (I think this guy lives in Utah, but I don’t know the details.) Anyway, the next day the family showed up for church. It was pretty funny because the dad (who is pretty young and a little rough looking) showed up to church with a New York Yankees hat and a 50 cent shirt. He said next Sunday he will wear a dress shirt. he he. The couple is not married and we have a lot of work to do with word of wisdom issues but they are willing to change and are really excited about the church. They loved church.
You asked about her husband. . . he always comes to the activities that we have in the church and he likes the meetings on Sunday but he doesn’t want to be baptized. I think it will just take a little time for him to develop a testimony. Our branch president said it took ten years for him to gain a testimony. His wife was a member and took the kids to church for ten years before he began to go to church with her.
We have also been working on a few families to reactivate. One 23-year-old girl has fallen away from the church but showed up on Sunday at sacrament meeting. We were so happy to see her. She will bring her dad and sister next week (who are not members). Also, she has started going to institute with some of the others from the branch. We are teaching a few other families; however, none are married and we are teaching them while they wait on the paper work to be married.
We are still teaching Edinea English and the lessons. She says she wants to be baptized and she has never been so happy in her life. But something is holding her back and she is nervous. We are helping her prepare and praying that we can help resolve her concerns.
The elders have been teaching a family (who Sister Isabel started teaching awhile back). This family comes to church every Sunday and we are waiting to mark a date for them to be baptized. The elders are passing this family over to us because they can’t teach inside because there isn’t an adult male in the house. So this week we are having a family night with them and will begin teaching them. The mom always makes treats and cake for us.
This week is our zone conference and we will be going to Londrina on Wednesday. I will let you know how it goes. I always look forward to conferences. But thinks are going well and we are super busy. I love teaching the gospel. I have been in this city for 3 transfers (which is a long time) but I am not sick of it. I love the branch and the members.
I will send you a few pics in the next email. I love you so much. Thank you for everything. I miss you all and wish you a great week.
Love Barbie
Thanks for the peach cobbler recipe. I told my roommate I would make a pioneer dessert for her.
It sounds like everyone loved the cruise.
The other day we went looking for Bruna to teach her and she was at a friend’s house, straightening her hair for church the next day. She was there with two families and we ended up teaching the first lesson. The families really liked the message and asked us a ton of questions about the church. They said they heard Mormons wore all black and sacrificed animals. Also, the news passed a program about the guy who started a religion called mormon and he has about 8 wives. Everyone thinks that he belongs to our church and we have to clear this up with people (I think this guy lives in Utah, but I don’t know the details.) Anyway, the next day the family showed up for church. It was pretty funny because the dad (who is pretty young and a little rough looking) showed up to church with a New York Yankees hat and a 50 cent shirt. He said next Sunday he will wear a dress shirt. he he. The couple is not married and we have a lot of work to do with word of wisdom issues but they are willing to change and are really excited about the church. They loved church.
You asked about her husband. . . he always comes to the activities that we have in the church and he likes the meetings on Sunday but he doesn’t want to be baptized. I think it will just take a little time for him to develop a testimony. Our branch president said it took ten years for him to gain a testimony. His wife was a member and took the kids to church for ten years before he began to go to church with her.
We have also been working on a few families to reactivate. One 23-year-old girl has fallen away from the church but showed up on Sunday at sacrament meeting. We were so happy to see her. She will bring her dad and sister next week (who are not members). Also, she has started going to institute with some of the others from the branch. We are teaching a few other families; however, none are married and we are teaching them while they wait on the paper work to be married.
We are still teaching Edinea English and the lessons. She says she wants to be baptized and she has never been so happy in her life. But something is holding her back and she is nervous. We are helping her prepare and praying that we can help resolve her concerns.
The elders have been teaching a family (who Sister Isabel started teaching awhile back). This family comes to church every Sunday and we are waiting to mark a date for them to be baptized. The elders are passing this family over to us because they can’t teach inside because there isn’t an adult male in the house. So this week we are having a family night with them and will begin teaching them. The mom always makes treats and cake for us.
This week is our zone conference and we will be going to Londrina on Wednesday. I will let you know how it goes. I always look forward to conferences. But thinks are going well and we are super busy. I love teaching the gospel. I have been in this city for 3 transfers (which is a long time) but I am not sick of it. I love the branch and the members.
I will send you a few pics in the next email. I love you so much. Thank you for everything. I miss you all and wish you a great week.
Love Barbie
April 16, 2008
Hi Mom,
I am excited to hear how the cruise was. Did everyone like it? How was Vegas with Kirsten and Ritchie?
That is really cool that the lady in testimony meeting got to hear about those she taught on her mission. Last week I got a letter from a woman in my ward in Sarandi telling me about a few people Sister Portes and I taught who were baptized. I was so happy for them. Also, remember the pictures I sent of that family with 3 little kids, I think they got married this month and are getting baptized. I am still waiting to hear the details. I was so glad to hear that things finally worked out for them.
You asked about the elders in our branch. . . they are from São Paulo along with my companion. One lives in the same stake as my trainer and the other in the same stake as Sister Isabel (the girl who teaches English). They always tell me all about São Paulo (I only know Avenida Paulista and the temple).
Did you ever get the cd I sent you with the pictures and Michelle’s birthday card. Let me know because if you did not get it, I will send you a new one before I delete the pics.
Anyway, This week was great. Friday, we went on splits (I think this is the right word in English) with some girls from Londrina. One was President Leal’s daughter and the other was her friend Barbara. They are both thinking about going on missions. My only advice to them was, “this is a thing you have to get personal revelation for.” I remember how hard it was to decide to go on a mission or stay at home. But I think they will go. We were able to teach a lot of people that day because I worked on one side of the city and the other two girls worked on the other. The following day we did the same thing with Barbara and a girl in our ward.
Yesterday we had a zone conference in Londrina with President Leal. I like being close to Londrina because we are close to the mission home. The conference was excellent. We talked about new ways to plan our weeks, set goals and teach. Also, he told us we need to work harder and where we are is not good enough. We are going to change a lot of things and work harder.
We are still teaching some of the same families and helping them get married and others we are helping to stop smoking. Bruna stopped smoking in two weeks but others are taking a lot longer. Our work with the inactive members is coming along. The majority of the people we visit want to come back and we are helping them resolve their concerns or their addictions. At times it is really hard for me to see these people who were once so happy but after they fell away from the church became so miserable. But we are doing our best to help them.
This week a storm blew in and it has been really cold. It has been pouring rain, and we have been sleeping with socks, sweatshirts and blankets. I am actually really glad it cooled off a little. It is probably warming up a little there.
Well, I hope you had a great spring break. I am excited to hear about it. I love you so much. Thank you for the letters, emails and support. Tchau! Amo você!
Love Barbie
I am excited to hear how the cruise was. Did everyone like it? How was Vegas with Kirsten and Ritchie?
That is really cool that the lady in testimony meeting got to hear about those she taught on her mission. Last week I got a letter from a woman in my ward in Sarandi telling me about a few people Sister Portes and I taught who were baptized. I was so happy for them. Also, remember the pictures I sent of that family with 3 little kids, I think they got married this month and are getting baptized. I am still waiting to hear the details. I was so glad to hear that things finally worked out for them.
You asked about the elders in our branch. . . they are from São Paulo along with my companion. One lives in the same stake as my trainer and the other in the same stake as Sister Isabel (the girl who teaches English). They always tell me all about São Paulo (I only know Avenida Paulista and the temple).
Did you ever get the cd I sent you with the pictures and Michelle’s birthday card. Let me know because if you did not get it, I will send you a new one before I delete the pics.
Anyway, This week was great. Friday, we went on splits (I think this is the right word in English) with some girls from Londrina. One was President Leal’s daughter and the other was her friend Barbara. They are both thinking about going on missions. My only advice to them was, “this is a thing you have to get personal revelation for.” I remember how hard it was to decide to go on a mission or stay at home. But I think they will go. We were able to teach a lot of people that day because I worked on one side of the city and the other two girls worked on the other. The following day we did the same thing with Barbara and a girl in our ward.
Yesterday we had a zone conference in Londrina with President Leal. I like being close to Londrina because we are close to the mission home. The conference was excellent. We talked about new ways to plan our weeks, set goals and teach. Also, he told us we need to work harder and where we are is not good enough. We are going to change a lot of things and work harder.
We are still teaching some of the same families and helping them get married and others we are helping to stop smoking. Bruna stopped smoking in two weeks but others are taking a lot longer. Our work with the inactive members is coming along. The majority of the people we visit want to come back and we are helping them resolve their concerns or their addictions. At times it is really hard for me to see these people who were once so happy but after they fell away from the church became so miserable. But we are doing our best to help them.
This week a storm blew in and it has been really cold. It has been pouring rain, and we have been sleeping with socks, sweatshirts and blankets. I am actually really glad it cooled off a little. It is probably warming up a little there.
Well, I hope you had a great spring break. I am excited to hear about it. I love you so much. Thank you for the letters, emails and support. Tchau! Amo você!
Love Barbie
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