April 2, 2008

Hi mom,

I wasn’t transferred and I will stay with my companion Sister Ferreira. This will be our third transfer together. The Branch president told us last week that he had asked our mission president to keep us in Ibiporã, we knew a few days in advance that we would stay here. I am really excited and I didn’t want to leave yet.

This week President and Sister Leal spoke in our branch. Sacrament meeting was amazing and all our investigators felt the spirit. We have been teaching Edinea English for several weeks and she finally decided to come to church last week. She had visited several churches in the past and really didn’t like them so she was very hesitant to go. She works with one of our friends in the ward, Nancy, and the 3 of us are teaching the lessons to her. She absolutely loved the church and said she felt like she was at home and the branch was like a family to her. She said she has never felt like that before. She is planning on going to Londrina with us for general conference.

Also, a family that we had been teaching for several weeks, finally came to church. They are strong Catholics and it was really difficult for them to make the effort to come to our church. They loved it too and were anxious to mark a day for us to return to teach them. They have two young boys and one is participating in scouts every week.

This past week we went to an area we have never been and found a few investigators who seem to have potential. We will see what happens this week. We also have been teaching two teenage girls and their families (they are cousins). They love reading the Book of Mormon and are praying about baptism. One of the girls little brother loves basketball and at our last visit, told me all about the NBA. It was pretty funny because although I am so far from home, there is still a huge American influence here.

We have found a lot of new investigators and are really excited to stay in this area for a few more weeks. My friend in the ward said he sent the pictures to your email address. I also sent a ton of pictures and a letter. I don’t know now how long it will take and hopefully it will arrive in about a week. Also, I sent a birthday card for Michelle. Tell her happy birthday.

This coming week we are going to spent Saturday and Sunday in Londrina, watching conference and I am so excited. Conference weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year. And it is a good thing they will have a room with conference in English, he he.

Hope you all are doing well. It seems so weird that there is snow there still. Oh, and spring break sounds like a blast. Amy and Alex will love a cruise.

Have a wonderful week and I love you so much! Thanks for all the prayers, love and support.

Love Sister Barb

p.s. Today, I cut my companions hair just below her chin. It turned out really cute. She also chopped my hair to my chin. Just kidding. She gave me just a trim. My hair is turning golden. I have blonde streaks the color of Sara Jane’s hair. The sun is super strong here. We use umbrellas with protector but the sun is still dying my hair.