Never too old to make blanket forts!!!
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
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