Week 38 July 18, 2016 "Slow Week, but New Goals."

So, this week has been a little slow, and not much has happened. We visited with our investigator family, but they still won´t go to church.... We have some new plans for how we can help them, but if the don´t progress, we will have to drop them :( We found a less active family who were baptized five years ago, and that practically everyone forgot. We have a fhe with them today, and the bishop´s family will join us, so it should be good :) I got sick onFriday, and to stay in house for two days, but I am back to healthy normal again! <y companion and I had clear impressions Friday night to clean out our area books (we have five) and found a lot of old investigators|!! We have plans to visit them all in the next two to three weeks! I am so excited! Well, not much to say about this week! Até mais!

Week 37 July 11, 2016

Eu não tem muito tempo esta semana, mas Eu tenho muitos fotos!!!! Enjoy!!! :)

She writes that she doesn't have much time this week, but enjoy the pictures!

(She sent a lot of pictures, unfortunately I couldn't open any of them from her google drive.)

Week 36 July 4, 2016 "I Love Training"

Nossa!!!! I love training!! My new companion is Sister de Lima! She is from Natal, and is 27 years old. She is the only member in her family, and her desire to serve the Lord is incredible. She is such a good example, and I am so blessed to have her as my companion (e filha :) Our investigator family (Willian, Ramona, and their two little children) is progressing a little (except for the fact that they were not ib church Sunday :( We will visit them on Tuesday. They accepted our invitation for baptism, if they recieve an answer to their prayers. I know that they will, because on our third lesson with them, we asked Ramona if she had prayed, and she told us that she had, and with her whole heart. She then told us that there was a presence really strong, and that it was good, but that she was a little scared. Ww have many plans for them this week. My ward is so wonderful, and I feel so blessed to serve here. The members are maravilhoso!! I don´t have much more to share, but I love you all!!! Have a wonderful 4th of July!!!! I will celebrate Brasilian style (....) 

Até mais!! Tchau!

-Sister Randall

Week 35 June 27, 2016

Message body

Hi mom :) This week has been interesting in it´s own ways. Emergency transfer means that the mission president need me in an other area before transfers were done. I have been with Sister Jennifer for the past week, and it has been wonderful. We found a new family to teach, but they were not at church on Sunday, which was sad. I and my new, new companion will visit them again this week. Oh yes!! Prepare for the news.......... I WILL TRAIN!!!!! I will stay in the area I am in, and will train a new missionary :) I am a little nervous because this area is HUGE, and I have only been here a week!! President Oliveira says that he trusts me, so with the Lord on my side, I hope to perform miricles  in this area :)  there are still days when my foot hurts so bad that my companion and I had to return home early because I just couldn´t stand to walk. i want to ask for a priesthood blessing because I feel that my foot won´t heal without much time to rest, and not walk a lot. I can´t do that. So I will ask for one this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!! i LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!! I am glad to hear that your birthdays were wonderful :) 

Oh yes, mom, I will look into doing the thing that relieves stress, I think i need it. I love hearing what is going on at home, and am happy to hear about your experiences :) How is Alyssa by the way? She has never responded to my emails.... :( I want to hear how she is doing. So I´m guessing that Sister Jones is now in the mission field ;) This time in my life is so cool!!

Last week i discovered something that i knew before, but that I didn´t really apply in my life before. With great pain in my foot, and the long distance, sometimes thoughts of returning home, home penetrates my mind; just a little bit. But I don´t want to, and I can´t. With new and scary things, and can´t help but cry just a little. Sharing the gospel with the people hear brings me such happiness that I cannot explain, but at the same time I fill pain when they do not accept, and with feeling pains in my body, life is difficult. During my personal study this week, I thought about the Saviors great atoning sacrifice, and how he asked the Father to take away the cup, but then after he said this, He said "Not my will, but Thine be done." I am carrying my cross, and with this pain and joy that I have felt the past four weeks, I reali]zed that this is what My Savior felt, and His was a great deal more than what I feel. He completed His mission, and so will I!!! 

I love you all soooooo much :) Até mais!!! Tchau!

P.S. I will explain more about my new companion next time because I still have yet to learn her name!!

Week 34 June 20, 2016 "Feliz Aniversário Mãe!!!!!!"

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!! I love you so much, and I hope that you are well!! I don´t have much time today, but I was transferred....Surprise!! It was an emergency transfer, so I am now in Matto Grosso do Sul, Mante Libano. My new companion´s name is Sister Jennifer,and she is Brazilian. I will be finishing her training for two weeks. I will send you fotos next week, the computer that I am using is having trouble reading my sd card. My foot is feeling better, still hurts a little, but is getting better :) I am so excited to see the new floors, they will be beautiful in the house!! I love you so much mom!!! Have a wonderful day and week!!! Tchau :)

Week 33 June 13, 2016 "I Love You!"

I am feeling much better, and after spending five days doing nothing but sitting, I am pumped to get back to work!! I went to another hospital Saturday night, and they told me that the medecin I was taking was weak (the other hospital practically told me nothing.....) So they told me I can walk, but I still have to use the boot for t another week. I am so grateful for this trail. and what I learned. I love this work, and i am so happy to be apart of it!! I love you mom!! Tell the family that I love them very much too|!! Transfers are next week, so wish me luck ;) Até mais!!

P.S.

do you have the pattern to make that fabric cooker thing that Sister Frandsen made for you? I have a sister in my ward who is so interested in doing these things

Week 32 June 6, 2016 " More Hospital Time & Member Blessings"

Hey mom, so not much happened this week because I twisted my foot last Sunday, and it is gradually not getting better. My companion also had to go to the hospital again because she wasn´t better. The past four weeks have been so interesting. We have been trying to do the work, but we can´t right now. After visiting the hospital Saturday night from 6:30 pm until 2:30 am, I was told that I shouldn´t be walking for 5 to six days, and to continue wearing the boot that I have been using. Sister Bogado is getting a little better, but still needs to use specific medications to help her get better. From this whole experience, I have been learning valuable lessons that I never want to forget. I I remember calling the Bishop Saturday night (because it´s hard to ask people to help us because of work, or their phones are disconnected), and he and his wife were right there to take us to the hospital and wait for us until we were done. He also picked us up for church, and a little bit later everyone knew of our situation and were ready to help. Honestly, I haven´t cried in church since my last Sunday in Texas. I cried like a baby sharing my testimony, and expressing my gratitude for the members during this physically hard time for us, and that missionary work is literally impossible without the members. I am SO grateful for this experience because I want to continue to change and work hard. I will be staying in the house of one Sister in the ward for 5 days, while Sister Bogado is on splits with other sisters in the ward. 

I love you Mom, thank you for your emails, and prayers. No need to be worried, I am well taken care of here :)

-With love from your missionary, SIster Randall

Week 31 May 30, 2015 "Good and Bad All In One Week"

So this past week was good (except for the fact that everyone got sick, especially my companion), but things are really looking up!

Segunda-Feira: We had our last p-day as a zone (because of Transfers), and Sister Spindler and Sister Hitchcock joined us as we played games, and ate cookies! It was really fun :)

Terça-Feira: Today was a miracle!!! After Almoço, we decided to visit Agatha, a young woman recent convert. We ended up talking for a long time with her and Railson (one of the young men in our ward). Sister Bogado and I kept looking at each other that we needed to leave, but we also felt calm about staying. After Sister Bogado shared a message from Jacó 5, and about how they are also missionaries in their ward, we left. We bumped into one of the brothers from our ward, and he had a member number for us to pass (that we needed), and right after we realized that we were in the front of the house of our less active sisters. We decided to walk with her to pick up her grandson from a daycare, and while she went in to get her grandson I saw a woman that Sister Spindler and I found on my first transfer here. We talked a little bit, and she gave us her address, and phone number (WHOO HOO) After, we went home with our less active sister, and talked to her about coming back to church again, and started watching the General women's session with her. Afterward, we went to the house of our investigators, Hilda and Dorval, and we taught Dorval the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He had many questions about the priesthood. After we explained the whole history of the priesd=thood, and why we have and need it, we had to go home. He told me that he finally understands and that he felt really good :) This day was just a blessing!!

Quarta-Feira: Conferência de Zona!!!!!!! Foi muito legal!!! And it´s official that we will be wearing pants...I´m still not used to it...

Quinta-Feira: We had a great lesson with our investigator, Wesley, about the plan of salvation!! Not much else happened because my companion was really sick.

Sexta-Feira: I had therapy for my knees for two hours in Cuiabá. We had an English class (really good.....but I am forgetting how to speak English) From 9 until midnight my companion and I was at the hospital because she was starting to have influenza....But we both made really good contacts talking to the doctors, and nurses! :)

Sábado: Lessons fell, and we were asked to helçp out in a baby shower for a recent convert. It was fun because many members of the ward were there, and most of her family who aren´t members. 

Domingo: We had a really good training today about ward missionary work!!! We will have a lot of lessons with members this week!!!! I think I´m starting to get sick....

So we haven't  moved into our new house yet, but we are hoping that we can this week!!

-Sister Randall

Week 30 May 22, 2016

so, it will be really weird if I can wear pants on my mission.....doesn´t seem right, but if it will help with the mosquitos, I will be happy. So, transfers happened, and I WILL STAY WITH SISTER BOGADO!!!!! WOOHOO!!!! We will also be moving into a new house this week! It is in the backyard of one of the sisters in our ward. It is beautiful, and will give us the ability to sleep during the night, haha. I can´t talk about much this week, but to tell you that I am excited for you guys right now and that I am doing well also :) I love you all!!!! Beijos! Até mais
-Sister Randall

Week 29 May 16, 2916 "Tough Week"

So this week went a little differently than normal...we have no power in our little house. That has made things difficult for us since the weather is so hot. Also, our apartment area has a garage, and it is right outside our windows....so for four nights we haven't been able to sleep due to our college age neighbors partying until 4 or 5 in the morning. BUT, even with all this happening, we have been able to find good experiences! 

Hilda is so excited to get married so that she can be baptized and enter into the temple to do work for her son who passed away a year ago. I love her so much!!! She is my other mom, and she is always happy to have us over :)

After a long day in Cuiabá for therapy for my knees, my companion and I had a cool experience on the bus, talking to a woman about the Book of Mormon. She had never heard about the church before and said that she wanted to visit. She also said that she wanted to read the Book of Moron, and she looked very happy :) 

Transfers are coming up, and I think that I will be staying in my area, but it isn´t certain. 

I´m excited for this week, and for the opportunities that await!!!

Week 28 May 9, 2016

I loved talking with you all yesterday, it made my day, and will for this week! I love you all so much, and I am glad that life is so happy for you!! Honestly, I was really nervous and excited to talk with you all, I was sweating the whole time :p And part of that was because of the heat, but I am so grateful that I had that time with you :) Happy Mothers day for the best mother in the world!!! I love you so much!!! Tell the family that I think of you all, and that I love you all from now to eternity!! May the Lord continue to bless our family, I sure count that blessing of having you all as my family every day!! Take care, Até mais!!

-SISter Randall

Week 27 May 2, 2016 "Dia Das Maes"

My week was fantastic!! It was also really great that it got cold (I am so grateful that I still have my clothes for the cold!) Normal work has been a little slow, but we now have been working a lot with the Bishop, and the other leaders of our ward to do missionary work! It is so wonderful how the members are starting to help us in missionary work! We also have a list of names and numbers from members, so we will be using them for splits this week :)

I love my companion, we definitely knew each other in the pre-existence, she is so amazing!!

Valdorizon had his interview for the priesthood last week with the Bishop, and will be talking to the Stake President this Wednesday!! 

Hilda is progressing and has started the papers for getting married. Her boyfriend came to church for the first time yesterday (WooHOO) and he too wants the lessons! He has had a little of the Book of Mormon, and likes it a lot!! Great things are in store for them :)

So, Mothers day is next Sunday (YAYYYYY!!!) I get to talk to you guys for 2 HOURS!!!!!!!! I which skype account will you use? I can´t call you guys, so that is a little hard. It will probably be around 1-3 in the afternoon when I will call, so make sure that you are ready!!! :D I´m so excited (I have been having dreams about you guys for two weeks already) 

I love my mission right now, I have been so happy!!! I love this work so much :D I have however started to have pain in both of my knees (just my luck, right?) and because last week was so different, I didn´t have time to do my exercises....so pain is my world right now, but I will be going to a medical place for a check up about these things (no cost, tudo bem :) and hopefully with this week I can get back on schedule again :)

I love you guys so much, and am looking forward to Sunday!!!!!!

At´e mais!!! Tchau!

Week 26 April 25, 2016 "Thank you Google Translator!"

Sorry. I don´t have any time to write this week, but this is what I wrote to my president, and I didn´t have time to write it in English, so I used Google translator.... I hope you understand...                                             I do not know how I can explain this heavy week. except that it was difficult; but Sister Bogado and I found two mulheris they want! Diana, a Baptist, listen to our message, and she said that we can go back and share more! She said she like, and it felt good. We are excited to our next visit! Yesterday night, Bogado Sister and I were doing contacts, and we find a girl waiting on the bus. After inviting her to know the Church, we invite her to visit the ward English. She said she wants to visit the Church because she needs more. Then she said it was a long time since she was attending to any religion, and opened us that a year ago his brother has died. We have a lesson with her on Tuesday. Before we left, she had tears in her eyes to remember her brother, and with a smile on his face, she said until Tuesday!These experiences made my week!

Week 25 April 18, 2016 "Nova Comanheira"

So this past week has been absolutely amazing! My new companion is Sister Bogado! I love her so much! She is 21 years old and is Paraguay. She was Sister Spindler's first companion in the MTC, and this is where it gets funny.....Sister Spindler is with my first companion in the MTC, Sister Hitchcock, and they are not very far from our area.  I am still in the same area. Hilda, our current progressing investigator, had May 7th as her date for baptism, but will no longer be baptized on this date because she needs to get married. We hope that she will get married soon because she wants to be baptized, and go to the temple to do the work for her deceased son who passed away 11 moths ago. She loves going to church, and she loves the Gospel. She really is another mother to me, and I love her so much.  Our other investigator, Marcio, has a baptism date for May 14!!!! He is so excited, and our last lesson with him was so wonderful, we could really feel the spirit, and so could he. He continued to say thank you because he wants this in his life. His younger Sister, Agatha, is the only member of their family and has only been a member since last August. Because her family is from Japan, they don´t believe in the same things that she now believes; but Marcio is now ready, and she too is really excited. So I will be teaching me first English class this Friday, teaching members and anyone who wants to learn (and basically everyone we talk to on the street wants to lear. I´m a little nervous, but also excited!!  Thank you for the support, I really appreciate it!!  Até próxima semana, Tchau! -Sister Randall          ActionsMark as UnreadMark as ReadMark as SpamStarClear StarInbox215 cedar ridgeACNAlex, letters fromcub scout stuffdish networkdoterradrop boxeducational informat...Elder Randallfamily fotosfamilyfunny favoritesgardeningGreen Smoothie Girlhealthline infoHow to mentor semina...hungery for changeLifelockMarjorie Wildcraftmisc.NotesOleson geneologypflugerville houseraw divasraw recipesrecipesRoss EnergiseRS newsletter messag...TJEd Muse  Previous Next

Week 24 April 11, 2016 "Transfers"

So I don´t have a lot of time this week, but transfers!!!

I will be getting Sister Spindler´s MTC companion, and she will be getting mine (Sister Hitchcock :)

I don´t know a lot about her yet, but I will write more next week! I love you all so very much, and can´t wait to tell you about of my experiences!!!! 

I LOVE YOU GUYS SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!

Até mais :)

Sister Randall

Baptism day for Valdorizon!

Week 23 April 4, 2016

Oi Mãe!!!!

Av. Dom Orlando Chaves, 2320-2472 - Cristo Rei, Várzea Grande - MT <- This is my address! I live in the green apartment building!

My week was wonderful! VALDORIZON WAS BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!! It was so cool!!! Sometimes it´s ridículas how easy it is for me to get emotional, but after his baptism, I couldn´t help but cry tears of joy. It has been an amazing experience watching him grow, and then be baptized with a testimony of this church! 

General conference was good, but it was a bit difficult to understand. Today I am downloading conference in English so that I can listen to it!

So it is really hot here in Motto Grosso... I used my card again because I needed to buy a few more shirts that I am now so grateful for! Sadly, I don´t use most of the shirts that I purchased before the mission because of the heat here, and they are now only for special occasions for when I am in air conditioning most of the day (like yesterday)

This is probably my last week serving with Sister Spindler as my companion, and I kind of sad. She is so amazing, and I love her so much! I am excited though to see what will happen!

If there is anything I learned, during this transfer it is how dear the Atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ is to me. The other day I was listening to "Garden Walls" by Mindy Gledhill...how could I have not known that it was about the atonement of Jesus Christ before now?? It is my favorite song to listen to right now :) I am so grateful for my Savior, and that I can strive each day to be a better person, and also how I can be with our family forever :) I love sharing these, my testimony with our investigators, and I am continually finding joy!

I love you so much mom! Thank you for everything that you do for me!!

In all the business, remember how important family prayer and scripture reading is, for every day! Until next week :)

-Sister Randall

Week 22 March 27, 2016 "Bençõas da Páscoa!!"

Whoa, this week has been interesting, butin a good way!! 

Sister Spindler and I have been working hard to "fazer contatos." Our goal this week was to get 280 contacts, but we found 286 contact!!!! that was pretty cool! Especially talking to people about the importance of Easter :) 

Almost everyone took Good Friday off from work, and so it was a little hard to work that day. Also, basically, everyone was eating fish because of the Catholic traditions. I never quite understood specific traditions around Easter time for many religions, but I understand a little more now. Even though it was a bit difficult that day, we were, however, able to talk to Valdorizon a little bit more, and what would happen during his interview Saturday, and about his baptism Sunday!

And now for the really cool Pascoa experience......

I thought a lot about Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Easter Morning, and remembered that it rained a lot on Friday, Saturday was cloudy and cool, and Sunday morning was bright with Sunshine! What a perfect reminder for me about our Savior.

WE HAD 8 INVESTIGATORS COME TO CHURCH!!!! Miracles!!!!! 

Our new Investigator, Hilda, who we have only had two lessons with is so excited to learn more! She stayed for the whole three hours! 

Another investigator, Jefferson, also stayed the whole time! We are hoping that he will continue to prepare for his baptism on the 3rd of April!!!

Remember when I talked about a man that we started teaching who was Athiest? He told us a while back that he didn´t want to continue.....HE TOO CAME TO CHURCH!!!! That was so cool!!! He told us that he had been thinking about everything, and decided to come to church, and to surprise us! He only stayed for the first hour, but he told us that he liked it! We plan on visiting him this week :D

One young women in our ward brought 3 of her non-member friends!!!! I heard from my companion that they liked it, so we will be talking to her later this week about getting in contact with them!

Valdorizon came, but he didn´t stay....Sister Spindler and I were upset that he wasn´t baptized. His sister is against it, and wants him to be baptized in her church; this makes things hard for him. Later in the day, Sister Spindler felt impressed to call him, but brushed that thought away saying that we would call, and visit him on Tuesday. For a second time she felt the impression to call him a biy stronger, and so she did. He was on the bus, and it was hard to understand, but plans were made to meat in front of Subway to talk. He told her that he was on his way, and that he now had a sure belief that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was true. What?!!

He said that after he left the meeting, he thought a lot about the church, his sister, and other things. He said that he offered a silent prayer while thinking, "if the church is really true, The Sisters will call me today, I won´t accept any other day." And what do you know, Sister Spindler was impressed and did so. He now has a firm testimony, and plans are now made for his baptism to be on Friday, Sister Spindlers Birthday!!!! I am so excited!!!! 

Transfers are on the 10th of April...We´re sad :( We love our companionship so much, but I know that the Lord has other plans, and so we will obey and be happy! :)

I love you all so much, take care!

Boa semana, até mais! Tchau!!

Week 21 March 21, 2016

This week was tough for Sister Spindler and me as it was very hat, and we both felt exhausted and tired. Right now I don´t feel as intimidated by the language, but I do struggle with finding words to say. I wasn´t shy before the mission, but I also didn´t care to say much of anything at times; because I don´t have anything to say. This has been hard for me to find the words to say for casual conversation as well as during the lessons sometimes. I had my interview with My Mission President this past week, and I explained my troubles to him. He told me that I don´t have to be concerned because that´s my personality, but that I can continue to work hard so as to talk a little more :) I have confidence for this week!! 

My spine was in a lot of pain this week, and so I got a blessing from a member in our ward. I was told that I have an angel taking care of my pain, the pain in my back and that it would be alright :) This was pretty special for me to hear, and I am so grateful. 

There was a cool experience this past week!!! Wednesday was hard for us because of no one to teach. After a prayer, we began to talk about people we could visit. I then remembered one woman that we taught the first lesson to, and thought, it´s been a long time since we visited with her. So we went to her house. She told us that a little earlier in the afternoon she was thinking about me (and this was about the same time that I was thinking about her)!!!! Oh, the workings of the Holy Ghost! We then invited her to Church!

Valdorizon is going to be baptized this Sunday!!!!! From the end of January until last week, he went from 40 cigarettes a day to 0!!!! We are so excited for him, and he is ready :) He loves the Church, and he came yesterday!

That´s all I have for now due to the short time. I love you very much!!

Boa semana para vocês!!! Até mias! Tchau!

P.S. I got a haircut!!!

Sister Spindler gave Jessica this little sea turtle! Jessica loves turtles.

Week 20 March 14, 2016 "Baptisms"

Jessica didn't really send an email this week. I just pieced together the back and forth conversation that we had through email. She did however send a lot of pictures!

 We had a baptism yesturday!!!! he is 9 years old, and his mother is not a member; but he was really excited to become a member :) The mosquito bites have stopped for now, but it is only a matter of time until they start again.... They don´t stop me from the work! :)

I feel more accustomed to the heat, and after about three days, the bites look worse than they feel. Don´t worry! My companion and I also made a plan to eat more healthy! We are only buying fruits :) There are so many different kinds of fruit here, it´s been an exciting experience! some of my new favorites are Açaí, guavas, and maracujá (or passionfruit) also Atemoia.

Week 19 March 7, 2016 "Woohoo! Investigators on Date"

This week was so great!!! We worked really hard to find new investigators, and our investigator pool has grown. We now have four investigators on date for baptism, and I am so excited for them!! 

Valdorizon has grown a lot, and actually came to Stake Conference with us! He told us after that it was a really good experience for him, and he wants to completely stop smoking and drinking coffe! 

One of our new investigators, Marli, is very excited for baptism, and she and her boyfriend are prepared to get married so that she can be baptised! She has been going to church every week, and loves the Book of Mormon! She is so prepared. 

I really didn´t now what I was getting myself into when it comes to mosquitos.... a lot of the investigators and members are surprised at how many bites I have. I have repellant for them,   even the stuff that I brought from home doesn´t work, ahhgggg, I being attacked!!! But, they will not keep me from the work!!!

I love my mission president ad his wife, they are so wonderful and funny! They really treat us as if we were their children, and they really love us; I´m so thankful. 

For a little message, fasting and prayer really work!! Sister Spindler and I fast a lot, and that has helped us tremendously (I don´t remember how to spell this word, but I want to use it, haha) 

I love you all, até mais!

Tchau!