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!

Week 18 February 29, 2016

This week has been a good one :) Our Investigator Ariadne was baptized on Saturday, and she looked so happy afterwards :) She starting taking the lessons around the time I entered the MTC, and she is finally a member of the Church!!! She is such a sweet spirit :) 

We are teaching a man named Valdorizon, and is keeping the commitment of not gambling, and is working towards less and less of smoking and drinking coffee. He visited another ward on Sunday, but he still visited Church! We have hope for him :) 

Trand=sfers........ Same area with Sister Spindler, YAY!!! 

I don´t have a lot of time to write this week, but I will definately be thinking about our family tomorrow, I´m so excited!!!!! I can´t to receive the pictures after the sealing!! 

I will send pictures next week too :) 

Requist..
Could you buy the Nashville Tribute Album "Redeemer" and send me the music, please.... It is so beautiful!! 

I love you all, and I hope that the rest of your week is wonderful and memorable :)

-Sister Randall