Before you freak mom, I am still able to walk okay and one
of the members looked at it last night and we don't think they are broken
#whoopwhoop #blessingsofbeingamissionary
This week was SO MUCH BETTER. I am actually starting to
actually understand a little better what people are saying instead of just
sitting there and smiling during lunch and hoping that whatever they just said
was not a question other than "De onde vocé é?" (Where are you from?) Okay here's the thing
that is so much harder about actually learning a language in real life than in
high school - I realized that I was totally approaching the language sometimes
like a multiple choice test right, like oh yeah conversaçáo = conversation I
can DO THIS. But then recognizing the word on paper and then actually needing
that word in your mind during a conversation apparently are COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT. The thing is though, this place is seriously so amazing and you are
motivated by the desire to make real connections with the people around you, to
understand a new culture and to appreciate the things they value and find
beautiful that it really isn't that hard to find the motivation to study or
always be learning.
---Also STILL BLOWN AWAY by how well children can pray.
Every time they open their mouths I just expect the same broken language and
grammar that I have, but BOY THEY ARE GOOD.
Also WOW certain foods here are either dirt cheap,or 10
MILLION reais!! And it's really funny to see what types of things that people
are willing to spend their money on. So at the grocery store, I saw some quinoa
and I was like whoop that looks great, but no price tag so I am a little
suspicious. By the time I get to the checkout, I forgot about it and then she
rings it up and its like 16 (!! which is a lot compared to the 1,50 can of peas
right) but it was way too big of a pain to correct her. So my companions are so
blown away by the fact I just bought that but then later that day, they were
raving about this entire body hair removal that costs $100 and they didn't even
bat an eye! Eu náo sei (I do not know) amigos.
Something I really love about being a missionary though is
the feeling and silence that exists as we are walking away from a really
powerful lesson. It's like we don't even have to say anything to know the power
of what just happened. That we just got to be instruments and conduits of the
pure love and spirit of Christ, if only for a few minutes. So much of each day
is just powerful and things like that don't need words to muddle things. The
"tongue of angels", the language of the spirit is something that can't
be stopped by anything because this is literally the most important mission
that God has on this Earth. It's why we are all here - to help and lift and
bless. But mostly to love.
Found a scripture that reminded me of my sister Rachel -
look it up for a little touch of love in your life! 1 John 4:7-9 (I think)
(7 Beloved, let
us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God
sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through
him.)
MUITO AMOR DE BRASIL
Sister Staheli
