Wow, this week has probably been one
of the longest weeks of my life!! It´s starting to get super hot here
and we walk SO MUCH, so my feet are always super swollen and it looks
like I don´t have ankles haha The bug bites help with that too :)
Speaking
of bugs, I saw my first cockroach this week. Two actually. One in our
couch and one in our bathroom...so the house is no longer safe. ;)
Despite
the heat and bugs and not being able to understand anything, there are
still good things happening here in Brazil. We had a baptism on Sunday
after church!! Julio was baptized and he looked so great in all white
:) He was the first investigator that I feel like I actually taught them
something and they understood and benefited from me being there, so I
feel really close to him. The baptism was super relaxed and Sister Bundy
and I sang "I like to look for rainbows" in English for everyone and
they loved it. We also sang some Christmas songs, because they love them
haha I´m suyper happy for Julio and I can tell what a difference the
Gospel has made and will continue to make in his life :) The Gospel is
awesome, people! Tell your friends :)
Other than that, things here have been pretty slow. On Thursday,
we took a bus and taxi to the Federal Police Station in Sao Paulo,
about two hours away, to get my papers all finished up. It was really
cool to be able to see other parts of the city and I got to talk to a
lot of missionaries there. I´m officially allowed to live in the country
now!
We´ve been staying inside a lot for
safety reasons, which is hard for me. But I know that safety is
important. Lots of crazy things happen here. We´ve had some pretty funny
experiences with drunk men on the street this week, so that has kept
our spirits up. I have also kept myself happy by reading past conference
talks. Seriously, we are so lucky to have modern-day prophets and
apostles and leaders to give us modern-day revelation. Take advantage of
that, because it is such a blessing!!
Also, I made my first contact by myself today!! I wanted us to talk to
the man sitting next to me on the bus, so Sister Bundy handed me a card
and said I should do it myself! Here is what went down...
Me: Hello! What is your name? (Says name) Nice to meet you! My name is Sister Doyle! (extend my hand for a handshake)
(The man proceeds to take my hand and start kissing it...)
Me (awkwardly pulling my hand away): So...we are missionaries for the church....etc.
Him: You are very beautiful....
Me: Thank you. Would you like our card with our information?: We´d love to teach you more about Jesus Christ and His Gospel...
(Smiles at me, takes the card, and starts talking about my skin...)
Needless
to say, we got a return appointment! Not sure if it is for all the
right reasons....but he did say he wants to come to church :)
Things I
love right now: The Book of Mormon, supportive family and friends, ice
cream, bread, chocolate, sleeping, food in general, rainy days, hymns,
bug spray, The Gospel, deoderant, chocolate, ice cream, itching cream,
showers, fruit, sunscreen, ice cream, writing in my journal, teaching
people, ironing, did I mention ice cream?
The Gospel is true and it changes lives. I know it.
That´s all I have for now!! Sorry if I didn´t answer one of your questions! Just let me know :)
All my love,
Sister Doyle
