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

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

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