The Country is Where I Belong

So we had transfer calls and I got moved back to Sorocaba where it all started. I am in Jardim Simus with Sister Armstrong you think that she is American with that last name but she is Brasilian. It`s funny what she has on the mission is how much time I have to go home. For those that have lost count 4 months. But anyway she is cool we were in the same zone two times together so I know her pretty well. This area is cool it`s small. And I opened an area again that had Elders. The house was once again a disaster. But the rule in the mission is this know if you find the house a wreck you get to call a maid and the money that get`s paid to the maid get taken out of your "allowance". It is a good plan so we called and she came and did wonder on this house it looks like a completely house. So happy. Our area is small and the ward needs a lot of building up so we will be working a lot but I`m excited. The members here are so so amazing. I just love them. They are all so sweet and love Sisters it`s so nice to return to that. I love country folk. Today was crazy. We got to Sorocaba on Wednesday. Friday we get a call that we need to be in the city São Paulo Sunday night because Monday way early I needed to go to the police station to renew my passport can`t be going and being an illegal alien and all. So that was bananas. But I was so happy all my girls are in the city so I was super happy. But the journey was going to have to be without the mission`s help. So that was way fun. We left after lunch on Sunday. Members gave us a ride to the bus station here and then we took a bus to the city which was about two hours then we took two metros then a bus to the sisters house. Had a fat eating, and laughing party. Slept and then went the police station at 7 but got up at 530. Way fun to get up before the sun by the way. Then after we went to the heart of São Paulo and meet up with our girls and ate at this awesome place. I get to see and talk and laugh and cry and hug it up all afternoon with S.O. that girl is my better half it was a much needed moment. Then we had to make the big journey back to the countryside. Where life is a little slower and a little more simpler but oh so good. Boa semana gente!

Sister White

The Icing on the Cake

Well this week has been one heck of a ride. Tuesday we had interviews with President. Which was good. I needed a good talk with him. I was down and out and he helped me out. President isn't the type that will cry with you or give a lollipop but he is hard and builds you up. And that is exactly what I needed. It was really good. Things in the area aren't going to well. The members are still favoring the Elders over us and no one no one wants to follow Christ. But hey that's the mission. You have to take it's ups and downs. Thursday we went to lunch at a members restaurant which was really really cool. We went back to our house after lunch. S.O. tried opening the door but the key wasn't working. Then I was like let me try. We were in the front of the door for about ten minutes trying to figure it out. Then we noticed that the lock had a screw missing. S.O. pushed down on the handle and the door opened. On our table there was a blanket and Bernard (my brand new guitar) was missing. We were like hmm maybe the Elders that take care of the houses came in and needed something. We walked more into the house and we had been robbed. Our room was a disaster clothes all over the place. They took everything. All that we had left was our clothes and each other. It was really really crazy and sad and scary. Then it was a circus afterwards. The bishop and his wife came, then we had to go the police station and fill out a report. Then President came and we had like this family meeting. He and Sister Martins sat on our couch and me and S.O. sat in the chairs and they gave us this pep talk. So we slept with them again and then the locks got changed and then we are staying in our house until the transfers Wednesday because President asked us to which is fine. We are pretty sure who did it and we know that they aren't going to come back. We are all packed and ready to be transferred. The good thing is that we weren't harmed and didn't have to go through some kind of horror experience. We were the lucky ones. So President gave us permission to go the Temple and do work and fill uplifted in the things of the Lord. One day as we were walking leaving the Temple this lady stopped us and she was a member and she was like I served a mission three years ago I love Sisters can I buy you guys Mcdonalds? We were like ya you can. And Mcdonalds here is super expensive. Every meal is almost $20 so we were like ya girl. So we talked with her and had like this therapy session she helped out a lot. And today we are with a member who loves us a lot and she gave us both flat irons and jewelry and took us to the store and bought us both branding spanking new tennis shoes. And made us lunch. We have about five families who are gold to us in the ward that exactly care about us so we were super excited and super grateful. The moral of the story is. "Why do bad things happen to good people?" So we can learn and grow. Every experience good and bad the Lord wants us to learn one thing from it. And it's better to learn that one thing now and with grace then kicking and screaming because he see that we still haven't learned what we needed to learn. I love my mission there are days were I'm like what am I doing here but then I think real quick about our Savior and all that he did for me and how easy I have it and my mouth shuts real quick. Is it easy? Heck no!!! But it's not suppose to be. 

SISTER WHITE

City Folk...eh!

So city folk are super funny. They are very direct. This less active was at church last Sunday and was like come to my house and teach my woman (yes he said this) and so we went. Let me describe this man. His name is Gino and he looks like he works for the mob. He has a black leather jacket and this crazy accent and talks to the side of his mouth and is filthy rich. He lived in Chicago for a long time and then returned to Brasil but didn`t give a real explaniton to as why he returned. I think it was because something went down in the mob and he had to bounce. So his lady name is Flora. She is this tall woman and is super classy. She sat down with us and was like look what I bought at the Temple store today. She had bought all these books and what not from the Temple store. We were like oh here we go she is ready. She was all I love these books tal tal tal. Then we were like this is good. Then she was like but I don`t need to follow any kind of religion I just like to study about all types of religion and live my life. I was like ummm.  Then she was like who wants to eat. So she was like I am going to make us dinner. But me and S.O. weren`t hungry but what can you do. So the first cousre was bread. Then it was this soup with like chunks of pumkin and rice and cheese I was confused. S.O. almost barfed in her bowl. Then they made omlets. But what was in the omelet? Good question it was brown and stringy. This time I almost barfed in my plate. I couldn`t even finish it. So we ran and S.O. barfed in the street. I didn`t but I wanted to. It was intresting. Flora was like come back anyime but not to talk about the church but everything else we can talk about. I was like umm. Oh the sacrifces of the mission. City folk are funny. They will tell you right away if they want to follow Christ or not. Out in the country people will have you going to there house for almost one month and then say no I don`t want anymore. It is very intresting. I don`t know what to do with it. I think I like it more because it is more upfront. But it is still hard to take when people are so frank. But what can you do. We had a baptism Saturday. Her name is Rita and she is perfect. She is super cool. She is the most perfect investiagtor. Never caused any type of problems she is so good and awesome I just love her to death. And she is super sweet. And we all sang When I Am Baptized I think that`s what it`s called. But the week was good. Full of funny and intresting moments as always. I have been reading in The New Testament and I am infacutated with Paul. He is amazing. His grace and love for the Lord is amazing. His patience as well. I love his example and want to try and be like him. He was just an honest man who saw and worked side by side with Jesus Christ and wanted all to follow in his example. What could be anymore noteworthy and lovely. Have an awesome week gente and remember that is was through him that we are here and can return again. 

Now I can officially say I will be home for Christmas!

This week has been intresting. Slow everyone is one vacation. Everyone in this area is super rich and just bounces to Austraila and the US so it is a little quiet on the streets. But we are still going strong. It has been raining like crazy. It is summer time but I think summertime here means rain and random hot hot sun out of nowhere. This week has a little on the blue side. Being away from home on the Holidays isn`t easy but it`s all good I have my BBF. We still aren`t having a  lot of luck as to find people to teach. As of now we are blessed with two awesome investigators. Carol and Rita. They are really fun and way fun to teach. At least we have them. Sister Oliveria and I are trying to think of new ways to stop people in the street. You can`t really hit doors here it dosesn`t work to well. But anyway. The other day we were walking in the street and this woman out of left field was like do you know where a certain street is. I put my arm around her and we walked with her to the street. Two things that were amazing. One we were walking in that direction so it all worked out. Two she was super amazing and let us teach her. But the sad part is she doesn`t live in our area. Which always happens hahahaha. But at least we found someone that is ready to here the good news and ready to follow Christ, at least we made the day of some other missionaries. This work is hard, but I always have to remember that this is the work of the Lord and that I am never alone. I hope everyone`s week is great and remember to praise him, it`s the least you can do. Look at what he did for each and everyone of us.