This past Sunday Greg was confirmed! Finally! He was baptized before I arrived here, so to say the least, its been a ridiculous amount of time. But after many visits and help of the branch another soul entered the kingdom of heaven.
I joked with Sister Silveira that after 7 months she can leave our area Itauna now that Greg is confirmed, and lo and behold the very next day we had a mini surprise transfer! Its still surprising, after 5 days. Transfers for the mission are the first of January, so things might even change more, but Sister Silveira is gone and I have a new companion! Okay, that sounded bad. I love Sister Silveira, we became great friends and I have learned so much from her. But my companion now is Sister Torrez! She is from Bolivia, but her ancestors are Korean. Just picture an asian and super white me speaking português to the people here. Yes, its rather funny.
But, she is the best companion I could ever ask for. Itauna actually was her first area, so she already knows the members and lots of streets and people here which is great, and has a unique opportunity to revisit her converts. She is super sweet, kind and spiritual. In the first lesson we taught together, I was taken aback by the spirit I felt. Teaching with her these last few days has given me a new excitement for the work! She really knows how to bear testimony, apply concepts specifically into the lives of people and invite the spirit rather than just merely teaching doctrine, which are techniques I am trying to develop. We already have almost every day this week planned with investigators to teach and a member to teach with us every day!
Tomorrow is our Christmas Conference which I am extremely excited for, and all the sisters are excited for an opportunity to do our hair and actually get ready and pretty for once! Getting to be one of the missionaries to perform is such a great opportunity! I cant believe Christmas is already here.
Well I am to the point where I can basically communicate everything I want to, and understand more or less everything people say. I am definitely not fluent but I am no longer a deer in headlights. Its been a very gradual progression, but looking back on the last four months, its amazing how much I have learned and how well I can speak! I know that the gift of tongues is real and that this is the Lords work-he is constantly giving us miracles.
Feliz Natal from the very hot Brasil!
Sister Holmes
I joked with Sister Silveira that after 7 months she can leave our area Itauna now that Greg is confirmed, and lo and behold the very next day we had a mini surprise transfer! Its still surprising, after 5 days. Transfers for the mission are the first of January, so things might even change more, but Sister Silveira is gone and I have a new companion! Okay, that sounded bad. I love Sister Silveira, we became great friends and I have learned so much from her. But my companion now is Sister Torrez! She is from Bolivia, but her ancestors are Korean. Just picture an asian and super white me speaking português to the people here. Yes, its rather funny.
But, she is the best companion I could ever ask for. Itauna actually was her first area, so she already knows the members and lots of streets and people here which is great, and has a unique opportunity to revisit her converts. She is super sweet, kind and spiritual. In the first lesson we taught together, I was taken aback by the spirit I felt. Teaching with her these last few days has given me a new excitement for the work! She really knows how to bear testimony, apply concepts specifically into the lives of people and invite the spirit rather than just merely teaching doctrine, which are techniques I am trying to develop. We already have almost every day this week planned with investigators to teach and a member to teach with us every day!
Tomorrow is our Christmas Conference which I am extremely excited for, and all the sisters are excited for an opportunity to do our hair and actually get ready and pretty for once! Getting to be one of the missionaries to perform is such a great opportunity! I cant believe Christmas is already here.
Well I am to the point where I can basically communicate everything I want to, and understand more or less everything people say. I am definitely not fluent but I am no longer a deer in headlights. Its been a very gradual progression, but looking back on the last four months, its amazing how much I have learned and how well I can speak! I know that the gift of tongues is real and that this is the Lords work-he is constantly giving us miracles.
Feliz Natal from the very hot Brasil!
Sister Holmes