Sister Smith

Monday, June 13, 2016

Week 47!

Goodbye President & Sister Kuceki

Week 47—June 13, 2016

Okay, this week felt like a year because LOTS of things happened! First of all, I got a new companion and she ROCKS!! It was so cool because we met each other in the MTC in Sao Paulo and we were automatically best friends the first day, because we were both serving in the same mission. She was there the same amount of time as me because she is Hispanic and from Mexico and was also learning Portuguese!!! It’s awesome because we are already tight and best friends and have the same amount of time in the mission, and….we will hit our 1 year TOGETHER!!! We laugh so much together and she is such a good missionary, its going to be a good transfer, let me tell you right now(:

So this week we had a reunion with the entire mission to say bye to President and Sister Kuceki!! Sister Vital and I got to Goiania Monday night and we passed by Maura´s house (my Brazilian Mommy) she made yummy food for us! Sister Matos and Sister Kendel were also at Maura’s house. I WAS WITH ALL MY COMPANIONS!!! It was so special to be in Maura´s house with Sister Matos, it brought so many memories back teaching her and all the memories making cookies in her kitchen! I have pictures of us all. I will send them next week!! But then we spent the night in the apartment in Goiania with 36 other sisters....I slept on the hard tile floor, my collar bone was killing me and it was cold...yes Goiania is starting to be super freezing at night and I didn’t bring a blanket on the mission or warm pj´s...WHAT WAS I THINKING???!!! It was an interesting night! Then in the morning, I went with some other Sisters and Elders to get our Visa´s renewed and that took about 3 hours, and at 2pm we were starting the devotional and farewell for Pres. and Sister Kuceki! So, while we were waiting there for our Visas, one of the assistants called me and asked me if I could bare my testimony at the devotional...I was like WHAT??? ME??? Yes, of course I will.(: You don’t know how nervous I was! I felt so honored that they chose me to share at their last meeting with all the missionaries...but I was nervous. I was asking all the Sisters I know if they got asked to bare their testimony, and none of them had been asked. I said about 200 prayers and practiced what I was going to say in my head about 20 times hahaha (family you know me.) So, when we get there I notice the WHOLE mission is there, 140 missionaries, our President, and his family. He said we have 5 missionaries that will share their testimonies. Sister Terial the (Sister Training Leader) and Sister Smith and 3 other Elders (Zone Leaders). You guys, I can’t tell you how nervous I was, but I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to help me and give me confidence and the gift of tongues. I stood up there and it went so good! Heavenly Father never lets you down, he is so good!! It was a super big growing experience for me, and I felt so honored. I shared in my testimony about how grateful I am for President and his wife and how I know that he receives revelation from God for every area we are put in, and every companion we have. He sends us there because God told him to, and because God is preparing his elect children for us to teach and baptize. Then I talked about how God knows each one of us better than we know ourselves. He knows our potential and what we can do! It is us who have doubts and fears about ourselves. It went so well! When Sister Kuceki shared her talk with the whole mission, she talked about me and the lesson I gave in Caldas Novas last Sunday!!! People came up to me after and said “wow, your lesson must have been good.” I was at a loss for words but said that experience was super special, because it really was! (:

AHHH, yesterday I was giving a talk in Sacrament Meeting and a lizard fell from the ceiling, and everyone was screaming, and I didn’t know what was happening...I thought it was a rat, so I panicked…….it was so funny!!

We´ve got more baptisms coming up!!(: The people here are amazing and Heavenly Father is so good, I love him!!

Wellington’s baptism was so spiritual and special. He had to get dunked twice because Rodrigues said the words wrong (; it was cute because it was his first time baptizing someone!

It was a great week! I love you guys!! THE CHURCH IS TRUE!

I LOVE YOU!! XOXOX

-Sister Smithie

Cleaning the pool for Wellingtons baptism.

Lasagna for lunch and then more cleaning fun!

Eating the coconuts at the church soccer field..

....it was so fun and yummy!!

I Love these cute members!!

Look who baptized Wellington! Rodrigues was so honored and excited to baptize him!

Wellington got dunked twice!!(:

Wellington´s Baptism was AMAZING!!!!!((:

My new companion is Sister Mendez from Mexico! We were already close friends from the Sao Paulo, Brazil MTC.

A baptism isn't a baptism in Brazil without CAKE people!!

Monday, June 6, 2016

Week 46!

Surprises, Miracles, & Spiritual Gifts

Week 46--June 6, 2016

Okay, I don’t have words to describe this week. So much has happened and there have been nonstop miracles!! To start off, this was the last week before transfers. I honestly didn’t have any idea about what would happen, but I was positive that Sister Vital would stay here because Pres. always keeps people in this area for a long time. But as we know, Heavenly Father knows better than us!! We had a surprise call late Friday night, we´re talking 10pm (that’s late for missionaries.) The assistants called and said hello “Sister Smith! Are you liking the area?” I’m like yes!!! Then they asked to talk to Sister Vital....I’m in shock because they didn’t say I’d be transferred. But then they told Sister Vital she is being transferred!!!! She was crying and so sad because she literally has the biggest heart and is already attached to the people here. I kept telling her she would stay for another transfer and she thought I would train her again but NOPE!! They didn’t tell her where she´d be going or the name of our new companions because the whole mission is having a farewell for President and Sister Kuceki this week. They will surprise everyone and tell them who their new companion is and where they’ll be serving! (This is the 1st time they’ve done anything like this in the mission. I’m so excited!))

So before knowing about the transfer, things have been a little rough for Sister Vital and me. We have been teaching and finding LOTS of new people but unfortunately no one has been ready to accept the gospel. We have been being obedient, praying, fasting, having lots of faith, and have kept being our excited selves even through the dull times. The other week when I told about the miracles about the people we found, none of them have kept through. This has been my first time training and we haven’t had a baptism. In my first area my trainer and I had more than 1 baptism. (; I’ve felt super bad for Sister Vital because I wanted her to have the experience of finding amazing people and then having lots of baptisms. I have been super patience and I know that everything happens on the Lords time and that its not about the number but that these are real people with REAL problems and it takes time. But after we received the call that Sister Vital would be transferred I had a hard time.

Never in my mission have I thought I wasn’t doing enough or doubted if I was a good missionary. It’s been 2 months since my last baptism and the goal of the mission is to have at least 1 baptism every month. Caldas Novas isn’t an easy area and I have found the most INCREDIBLE people here like holy cow! Rodrigus, Cosme and Damian, Patrica and Caroline, Rafael & Fabiana, Wellington, and more, but most of them have to resolve problems, and need to get married and here in Brazil the process is super long. We have found amazing people but nothing has been happening.

I prayed to Heavenly Father that night and told him I’m sorry if I haven’t been a good trainer and that I’m sorry that I haven’t had any baptisms. I told him that I have been trying my hardest but to please help me know what I can do better or what I’m lacking.

The next day went to Rafael & Fabianas house for a dinner that they prepared because some of us would be leaving. Background; I talked to Rafael in the street and got his address and visited him with Sister Kendell 2 times then Sister Vital and I taught them and they all wanted to get baptized. But then they had some things they had to work on and they needed to decide if they really wanted to get married. That night they told us they had decided!! THEY ARE GETYING MARRIED AND BAPTIZED!!! The 3 of them!!! I WAS IN SHOCK AND SOOO HAPPY!!! Then we visited Wellington the next day and HE SAID HE WANTED TO BE BAPTIZED TO!!! Miracles from Heavenly Father people....I have no other words to say.

Then to top off the week we had a surprise visit from President and Sister Kuceki in our cute little ramo (smaller than a ward). Pres. Kuceki didn’t tell anyone he was coming, he just showed up. I was in shock and nervous because I was going to be teaching the lesson on Sunday and now Pres. and Sister Kuceki would be here to hear it! I was nervous but I had a prayer in my heart and you guys it was the most perfect lesson! We talked about gifts of the spirit. We talked about the gift of tongues, the gift to see angels, and the gift of revelation. I put them in 3 groups to read and talk about 4 spiritual gifts. President and Sister Kuceki were in the same group as Rafael and Fabiana and they were all talking and sharing experiences. Then after I had each group tell about a gift they studied. Sister Kuceki said to Rafael, share the one you talked about with everyone. He went on to tell that he has the gift to know that this gospel is true. He told about the first day I talked to him in the street and how we taught him in his home and how he knew it was true. I was crying and Sister Kuceki was crying too. It was the most special moment ever! It was special to hear him share this with everyone there. I felt so much happiness and joy and felt so humbled that Heavenly Father guided me to Rafael and that he is getting baptized! After, we bore our testimonies in sacrament meeting it was incredible!! I couldn’t stop crying then we sang “How Great Thou Art” one of my favorite hymns! It was so wonderful you guys I’m grateful Heavenly Father answered my prayers and confirmed to me that the works of my labors have paid off. I know now that He is pleased with me!

-Sister Smith

My favorite family Rafael & Fabiana, Rafael, & Junior!! They will be getting baptized in July!!!!! (:

Look at the cake they made us because

Sister Vital is leaving!!

Look what Fabiana and Rafael gave to me!! 3 new pairs of shoes they were't using! I looooove them and they are so comfortable!! They gave me a dress the other week too but it didn't fit!

Happy Sister Smith (((: I needed new shoes!!

Farewell party for me and Elder Alves but turned out to be for Sister Vital!!

Look at the food!!! It was to die for!! yum yum

My district during the surprise visit of President and Sister Kuceki, I love them!

I will miss them so much!!

This little member says "Sister,here is a present for you." So Sweet!

My favorite member family! The moms name is Jessica (we´re good friends)

Meet Wellington (he´ll be baptized this Saturday)

Eating dinner

Elder wanted my hymn book in english soooo bad! I told him if he bought me acai he could have it hehehe

(this was his last transfer and now he is headed home!)

Acai always keeps ya smiling!

Look what President Kuceki dropped off at church for us when he stopped by! 14 letters clear back from Feb. and a package from my Aunt Tiffany!! THANK YOU! (thank you grandma & grandpa Smith and Schauerhamer for the letters) I love you all!

ps Tiff I will make the dress work. I LOVE IT! THANK YOU!!!

Life is a Highway...

The saaaawwww and my arm eheh!

I'm going to miss Sister Vital, she is going to visit Utah after her mission and she´ll come to my wedding!!

Our last DISTRICT MEETING TOGETHER!!! I am going to miss Sister Vital! Elder Alves & Yanqui will stay another transfer with me!! ((:

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Week 45!

Happy Families

Week 45--May 30, 2016

This week we have been working a lot with families and holy cow can I just say, raising your family is the gospel is ESSENTIAL! I knew it before the mission (obviously) but in the mission yeahh it´s just soooo REAL guys. Sister Vital and I have been laughing a little because seriously everyone we are working with either has marriage problems or problems with union in the family. We have been teaching about how to have family nights and how the gospel of Jesus Christ can help a family that may been weak or passing through trials. We have been like, yep Heavenly Father is trying to teach us something here! Haha! Heavenly Father has made some things clear. Before you marry someone you pray first, you make sure you have a confirmation from the spirit and Heavenly Father that they are the right person. Fortunately or Unfortunately who you marry will not only affect you, but your kids. Also, when we are baptized and sealed in the temple with our family for eternity, it doesn’t end there, that´s just the start. Everyday you have to work, remember the covenants you have made, read the scriptures together, pray together, go to the temple together, and have family night. It breaks my heart to see families out of the gospel struggling but also people that have the gospel struggling. I am learning marriage isn’t easy...I’ve never been married but holy cow, its something hard for everyone, but if you are doing these basic things, those problems won’t be as hard and Heavenly Father will help you. You will see the hand of the Lord in your life, in your marriage and family everyday. Marriage is a triangle with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost at the top and you and your spouse on both sides.

This week Sister Vital and I have been seeing the need of education. Education is POWER. The more you know the more opportunities come your way. Like college is super duper ESSENTIAL too. Go there, study, get a good job, and also pray about what you should study. Your job can either help your family or be a burden for your family. So you better choose wisely!(; So many people here in Brazil didn’t finish high school, got pregnant at 15 and then married. Later got divorced and have kids and don’t have a job to buy food or to pay rent. This week we have been working with members and it has broken Sister Vital and my heart. One member doesn’t have a job, he is divorced and he stopped going to church because he is stressed and can’t figure out what to do. Another member is sad because he wants to get married but can’t find the right person and started drinking again. Another member can’t go to church because the only work they can find is on Sunday and is slowing making other wrong decisions. We have been teaching about the need to keep trying, keep pushing, don’t give up when trials come. You can choose to reach for the Saviors help or you can do the easy thing and fall and do what everyone else is doing. Drinking everyday, laughing, being merry because tomorrow we die. DONT DO IT! Keep the faith! Ask for help from Heavenly Father, ward members, the bishop, find help! Our sweet Saviors knows what we are going through when challenges come, he knows EXACTLY how you feel and what you need to do to overcome a bad habit or difficult situation. I am so grateful for the gospel. It has everything we need to be happy, be safe, and avoid the dark sorrows of the world. The gospel keeps us holding tight to the rod and far from the great and spacious building. THE CHURCH IS TRUE PEOPLE!!

Funny story I was walking super fast in the dark and didn’t see the sidewalk was a little higher than another part and BAM!! I stubbed my big toe!! (Guess the movie) I kept walking because we were late but I literally had to stop because I thought I broke it haha! The next day I could hardly walk, then 4 days later I stubbed the same big toe!! I’m like ouuuuuchh!! haha but luckily I didn’t brake it just sprained it hahah!!

I love you all! Thanks for all your love and support! Time is flying! Have an awesome week! Love ya´ll!!! Don’t forget to have family night and scripture study!! xoxoxox

-Sister Smith

p.s. if it's driving you crazy what movie she was talking about it's, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers