August 18, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

What a week! It was a bit of a tough one, but we learned a lot. We were rejected a lot and honestly I had the opportunity to feel the sorrow our Heavenly Father feels when his children do not come unto him. My main purpose as a missionary and most important in my opinion is to invite others to come unto Christ through his restored gospel. It is a simple and yet complex purpose, but is so rewarding. This week was full of challenges and I won’t lie, I got a bit discouraged. I felt like I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose. We were rejected so much, our appts fell through all week, out scheduled baptism fell through 20 mins before it started and we were just not seeing the "fruits" of our labors. I came to a conclusion. A prayer filled answer really. We were inviting and doing everything we could (100% obedience has always been my goal), but we don’t have control of how others will react to our invite or if they accept it. Christ was not accepted by everyone he met. He was rejected day after day until his eternal sacrifice, why would I be exempt from being rejected as a representative of Christ? Rejection really means we are doing the Lords work. 

 

On Thursday we had a testimony building experience with this idea. We were searching for an address and stopped in front of a house. We clapped at the gate and a man came to the door. We asked for directions and he started yelling questions about what church we belonged to. We told him " A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Ùltimos dias". He replied "oh those Mormons!!" In that moment he started angrily screaming that Joseph Smith was not a prophet, the Book of Mormon condemned God, that we were part of a cult that didn’t believe in God, that only the bible was truly the word of God and he continued for a while screaming. He asked a few questions and really the spirit took over. my companion was a nervous wreck, staring at him (she even asked for a cup of water!! haha). Our convert Jamilli was with us and was shocked. I was surprised to find myself completely calm and answered every question with the Bible and the Book of Mormon. After answering a few questions he stopped looking at me in the eyes. He talked about a book he had that talked about other religions. I didn’t want to "Bible bash" or debate so I just testified. He didn’t stop screaming, but we calming testified of truth and said good afternoon. 

 

My testimony was strengthened during that 5-10 min conversation. Knowing that we stood our ground and defended the true gospel of Christ. I invited him to search for himself, to pray and ask God. We invited him unto Christ, he just chose not to accept our invite. I know that the Lord was guiding our words and thoughts that afternoon and that he knew the power 10 mins had to strengthen my testimony of this work and gospel. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He paid for every one of our sins, and that only through him we can one day return and live in the presence of our Father in heaven. I love my Savior and am so grateful for his example of truly enduring to the end.

 

Have a wonderful week!! 

 

com amor,

Sister Sender 

August 11, 2014

Dear Family and Friends, 

It was a great week! We walked, worked and taught a ton! Wednesday I had the opportunity to travel to Belém for another leadership training mtg which was wonderful. I learned a ton and really felt the love the Lord has for each of his missionaries. This week we also baptized two young men (Brothers) Welber and Walber. It was a very spiritual experience to see just how far they have come and to see the gospel blessing their family. We are currently processing the wedding documents for their parents and will shortly have another baptism for their parents. They are so excited and are making all of the changes necessary to one day be an eternal family. 

 

I know that families are ordained for God. He guides his families here on earth and wanted what is best for each of his children. If we use our agency correctly we will one day receive all of the promised blessing of the Lord. I know that Families can be together forever through all eternity. That is my desire and goal. To be worthy to spend eternity with my eternal family. I hope you each strive to have that very same goal. 

 

Have a wonderful week! 

 

Love always,

Sister Sender 

 

Cultural:

-They love perfume (men and women) 

- I have started to love cold showers. (after one year, I can jump in the cold water without reacting!!!) 

- We sleep with bug spray and 2 fans to blow the mosquitoes away.... sometimes you find them dead in your bed in the morning...

- I have recently started talking in my sleep and waking up at 1am to pray to then realize that it is 1 am! haha it is crazy :) 

- I love the people here and the generosity :) 

 

(I can’t speak/write in English anymore... it requires a lot of thinking) 

 

love you all!! 

August 4, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow another week!! Nossa!! This week was great :) My companion Sister Ribeiro and I went right to work and are trying to see the miracles happen. We saw a few and my testimony was once again strengthened. I wanted to share a story. 

 

Saturday night we were walking home after a few appts fell through. We started hearing a kitten crying. (Yes, I know I don’t like cats) I felt pity for this kitten and my comp picked it up. I started thinking and praying to know who would give this kitten a home. We started walking home and a name came to mind. (Evete). We walked the 30 mins to her house with the kitten crying super loud. We got there to find tem getting ready to leave for a b-day party. They gave the kitten a little bit of milk, talked to their neighbor who gladly took in the kitten. Evete quickly asked if I knew how to braid hair. I said yes and started braiding her hair. After about 30 seconds she softly said, "I will go to church tomorrow". I was shocked because she always had an excuse not to go. I was so excited! We chatted and she wanted to walk to the party which was in the same direction as our house, so we walked together. She started talking about how earlier that day she has asked a woman from her church to do her hair for the party and the woman replied that if she had time she would. At about 8pm Evete started praying to have someone to do her hair. She came to the conclusion that she was used to "leaving home ugly" and started to lose hope. At that very moment we knocked on her door and were able to help. She said "God sent two angels to my house tonight". The Lord put that kitten there with a purpose!!!! My aunt Saresa taught me how to French braid for a purpose too :) I know it sounds so silly to think that a kitten could make such a difference, but it was another testimony to me that the Lord guides his children to help one another. 

 

I am so grateful for this gospel and know that it is true. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored through a prophet of God. The gospel holds the answers to all of life’s deepest questions. I love this work! I love my Savior and know that he gave his life for each of us individually. He lives! 

 

I love this people and am honored to be here in Belém serving! 

 

Love always,

Sister Sender 

 

cultural: 

-we eat rice with spaghetti noodles and beans every day and they switch between chicken and beef. salad is lettuce and sliced cucumbers or tomatoes without dressing.  (sometimes they put sal or vinagre on it) 

 

- it is summer here too :) 95-115 everyday walking in the sun is a blast :) anything below 80 degrees is freezing!! 

 

love ya! 

July 28, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Another week and another transfer has come to a close.... nossa!! It passes by so fast!! I will be staying in Castanhal and will be serving with Sister Ribeiro :) My mini missionary finished her mission today (her b-day) and it was super special. It was fun but I am excited to see the miracles that await us! 

 

We had a wonderful work filled week. I went on splits with my district and it was a blast serving with Sister Neal for a little bit. She is a powerful missionary. As we taught Avilá we were touched by her excitement and joy. Avilá was a street contact that decided to visit the church one Sunday. We made our first visit in her home, and she was thrilled. She really has been prepared by the hand of God. She even took her sister with her to church yesterday :) The spirit really does touch the hearts of those that listen. 

 

My comp Sister G. Cardoso and I had a few miracles this week too. On Thursday we were walking down the street and I felt impressed to knock on a door. I didn’t listen... instantly, the thought came "remember what happened with Jamile... what if you refused to talk to her?" We back tracked and knocked on the door. We taught a very special family that night. We passed by their house Saturday to confirm that they would be going to church on Sunday. They were so excited. I will be honest and say I was nervous that they would actually go. We passed by on Sunday and all 6 of them and their two grandchildren were all ready for church. When we arrived at church everything worked out so smoothly. They were prepared. They already had quite a few member friends!! It was actually quite funny to see the 75 year old grandma basically yelling at her friend for not inviting her earlier! Even a few young men thanked us and apologized that they hadn’t thought to share the gospel with this family. It was a very humbling experience for us and also for many members. I know that the Lord is guiding my mission and his work. 

 

I started reflexing a ton after yesterday. I think there really were so many more people in my home town that I could have invited and just never did. This is something that every one of you can count on me changing after the mission. I will invite my friends to learn more. Why didn’t I do that earlier? Who was I to judge whether or not they would accept or were ready? I am so grateful for the power of repentance. 

 

I love my mission and this work is moving forward. After a great conversation with my mission president this morning, I am so excited to see what this transfer has in store :) 

 

I love you all! Keep the faith and share this powerful message!! 

 

have a fantastic week! 

 

Love Always,

Sister Sender  

 

cultural: 

- churrasco (grilled meat almost steak) is a typical food for parties and whenever you invite friends over 

- we clean the floor with powdered laundry soap and a broom 

-  the sun is always the strongest 12pm-3pm and people think we are crazy walking in the sun 

- there is currently a baby ant crawling on the computer screen.... totally normal... 

- my area has a lot of snakes that get run over by cars daily 

July 21, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

It was a week of serious hard work. We walked a ton, talked with so many people, fasted, and prayed to see the miracles that were waiting for us. A few we were privileged to witness and a few others we are still waiting. Patience is a virtue ;) 

 

It was wonderful walking to church yesterday with Caio (kyle) and to see the excitement on his face. He is making so many changes and really letting the gospel change his life. He has so many goals and dreams, and as he learns more about this perfect gospel, he is witnessing just how perfectly the gospel fits into his future goals. It has really strengthened my testimony watching him progress in the gospel. It was also wonderful seeing Jamili enter the church yesterday with a huge smile on her face. She is studying and learning, asking questions and even shared her conversion story with Caio. The spirit was incredible watching one recent convert teach an investigator and share the joy that this gospel brings. 

 

I know that our savior lives. He loves each of us and yearns to see us doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Our goal is to return to live with him for eternity. 

 

I love this work!! Have a wonderful week :)

 

Love Always,

Sister Sender 

 

ps: cultural

 

-a normal pet would be a dog, cat or parrot. There are tons of parrots here :)

- when you celebrate your birthday here, you eat and eat and eat and eat and they invite the entire family and blast music etc. 

- it is hard to think of cultural things because I am used to the culture now... everything is normal....