Week 60 -- messages of love from our Heavenly Father

Wow this week was just FILLED to the MAX gente (people)!!

MINHA FILHA É DA HORA. (MY DAUGHTER IS FROM THE HOUR.)

Sister Figueiredo

literalmente eu acho que vou aprender MUITO mais do que ensinar kkk (I literally think I will learn MUCH more from her than I will be teaching her). Her name is Sister Figueiredo and she's also from São Paulo (#fabrica) but instead of the capital like my last companion - she lives closer to the beach! It's still funny because she still hasn't passed the 1 MONTH mark and this morning she was like 'man, it's been a MONTH since I've listened to any music!!' 

and I'm just like.. honey. 

#quase14mesesaqui (#almost 14 months) #waityoumeanlikeNOTMoTab?? 

She's 22 and is insanely in tune with the spirit, when she teaches - she's really able to be able to say EXACTLY what God needs that person to hear and she has already inspired and blown me away with her testimony. #ItsOnlyBeenAWeek #mãeabençoada (#BlessedMother) #obrigadaPaiCelestial<3 (#ThankYouHeavenlyFather)

Elaine and her mãe (mom) when we had our last goodbye  #EveryoneCried <3

So this week was super blessed and also tough on the heart strings because we had to say goodbye to Elaine and her family. The moments that we've shared with them and the power of the spirit touching each and every one of our hearts will be something that none of us will ever forget. We passed by and shared our testimonies about how real it is that our families can be together forever and how much God loves and cherishes them. The gospel is so pure and amazing, that it will always be something that blesses their family even after we've left. Because I know that it's not the missionaries who have this light, but they simplesmente (simply) reflect and carry the light, love, and hope of our Savior. 

I heard once that missionaries are like cartas de amor de nosso Pai Celestial (messages of love from our Heavenly Father) for all the world and it really resonated in me. And I know that although I, Sister Staheli, won't be able to take care of them personally, that we were leaving them in pretty good hands. #HeavenlyFathersGotItCovered 

the district with 2 amigos adotados (adopted friends) - one who finished the mission and was waiting for his parents to come pick him up and the other mexicano from my group chilling with us for a week

 we walk close to the train tracks every day

jessie -  here on the mish - was the first person here in Natal more than a year ago #woahhhh 

me doing a fab job training my ridiculously awesome filha (daughter) by having her call all of our appointments hehe :) #powerpack 

Just wanted to talk quickly about NAYARA who the Lord has mercifully placed in our lives and how much I LOVE HER. The entire week before her baptism she was practically bouncing off the walls, unable to bear the long days leading up to her baptism. We would arrive and she would say - 'I'm going to say the first AND the last prayer today okay??' 

NAYARA <3

And when we asked about the Book of Mormon and if she was able to read, she said that she read just one scripture and started to feel something she had never felt before and started to cry. She made the most BEAUTIFUL chocolate cake I have ever seen in my life completely by herself (11 anos (years old)) complete with brigadeiro and sprinkles, and when I asked how she felt after being baptized, she was in the bathroom stall and didn't say anything (which is crazy because she's ALWAYS talking). She left and I asked again, thinking she hadn't heard and then I looked at her and she just was balling, her eyes completely filled with tears, the happiest I had ever seen anyone in my entire life. When she received the Holy Ghost, she said that she felt strange, like someone was literally hugging her in that moment, but hugging her in her heart. 

Man I can't even get over how much I love my Savior or how much I know how real His love is for us.

Be like a missionary and seja uma carta de amor do Senhor (be a messenger of love from Heavenly Father) for someone who really needs it!! 

LOVE YOU ALL, 

Sister Staheli <3

week 59 -- transfers

Transfers

This week was a whirlwind as my comp has been saying goodbyes and rushing to see everyone. Crazy to think that she's already headed out - really blessed for her love and pure empathy for the people here. Sooo we had transfers this week 

anndddddd

I'M GOING TO TRAIN AGAIN. #ThirdRoundLetsGoooo :)

I don't know anything besides the fact that she's brasileira but I'll be sure to let you know more and send more pics next week! 

We met this pretty interesting guy this week named Josafá, who literally is one of the most eccentric guys I have ever met nossa (wow). We were passing by him and we're like hey we're missionaries and he's like COME IN RIGHT NOW, also MY SON SPEAKS ENGLISH. vai lá - fala em ingles com ele (come in and speak English with him)!!! and it turns out that he's INSANELY well versed in the Bible and he's like that's ALL we do in this house is read this book and then whipped out all these crazy parabolas and personal opinions he has about the body of Moses and how Adam didn't like Eve right #ALittleCrazyButWeLoveHim. 

But we bore our testimonies about how God has reestablished His Church today and about the Book of Mormon, and how it was another testament of Jesus Christ. How it was written - like the Bible - by prophets called by God to help us really know our Savior, understand His plan of happiness for our family here on earth, and how because of Jesus Christ as a family, we can all return back to our heavenly home. We believe that with the Book of Mormon AND the Bible we have two unshakeable witnesses of how God has proven His love for ALL people in ALL parts of the world. It’s a proof that God in fact, has spoken and continues to speak way more than just during ONE point in time or for ONE group of people. 

2 Nephi 29:9 

“And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.”

The two books of scripture only differing in that one was written about God communicating and working miracles in the lives of people living in the Middle East, and the other in the Americas. And if I've used scriptures with names that maybe are a little different or that you don't recognize, they are probably scriptures from the Book of Mormon :) . 

But really what our invite and desire was for Josafá, was that he didn't need to believe US - but that he could ask GOD if it was really true, which really caught his attention. Because who are we - 2 moças (girls) with only 19/20 years under our belt, when we know that there's One who really knows the truth of all things right. #Ask&YeShallReceive 

This made me think about how ALL of us - doesn't matter what our religious beliefs are, whether we believe in God or go to church on a regular basis, whether we come from a family that struggles financially or argues here and then, whatever kind of circumstance our background or our families are, it doesn't matter. 

If you have felt something at all when reading these letters, something that has touched your heart, I wanted you to know that it has NOTHING to do with me and EVERYTHING to do with He who has sent me. That the Lord has touched your heart saying that it's true, reached out to you because He loves you and wants YOU, His beloved child to come back to His presence. 

So I'm making an invite and a challenge - that maybe if you've never been to church that THIS Sunday, you can find the closest Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and make a visit, that you can get a hold of a Book of Mormon and read a part of it to see what the fuss is all about, or for those who already know - that you can kneel down and pray, asking the Lord (maybe for the 20th time) that you can feel and know again in your heart if it really is true.  

And then to have the faith to change and act upon whatever feeling, whatever prompting, whichever direction you feel that God has lead you to. 

And I know with every fiber of my being that the Book of Mormon is true, that it is the sacred word of God just as much as the Bible is, and it has helped me to personally come to know my Savior as my infinitely loving and perfect older Brother.   

Mosiah 5:12

“I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.”

It is because of this book and it’s witness of Jesus Christ that I have chosen to give up 1.5 years of my life, and I know it has the power to change the life of any person who reads it too. 

Anne's district

Love you all!!

DONT FORGET MY CHALLENGE

 <3 Sister Staheli

Anne's district

Week 58 - Ether 12:12

OI AMIGOS. 

So the week was packed yet again with many different and interesting friends, many tender mercies and personal miracles that leave me dumbstruck at the goodness of our loving Father in Heaven, heartfelt prayers answered, and unexpected tchau's (goodbyes). 

3 flight plans pra São Paulo

#stillwaitingmine

For the past 6 months, we have had 2 sisters chilling in our mission waiting for their vistos (visas) for Portugal (their originally assigned mission) and this week they found out that everything was cleared and that they are finally on track to head out! It's been a flurry of emotions but I'm super stoked for them :) It's pretty funny because of the 4 sisters in our apartment, I'm the ONLY ONE that’s not currently with a flight plan for São Paulo posted on the bulletin board lol (companion goes home next week).

I found a scripture that has really marked the week for me:

Ether 12:12

For if there be no faith among the children of men, God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

ok now read it again. 

So while you are thinking a little about that, let me tell you a little about Elaine. 

Elaine is a 17 year old girl who comes from a ridiculously strong religious family that we met on the street and who we have had the amazing privilege of teaching for the past month. In the first lesson with her and her entire family (3 siblings, and both of her parents who are #marriedlegalmente #quebenção (married legally, what a blessing)) which was about the amazing and awe-striking plan of happiness our Father in Heaven has for us - she, her younger sister Yasmin, and her mom all ended up crying during the closing prayer.  The power of the spirit was just palpable in that small, crowded living room. It has been inspiring because every time we ask her how she felt after praying or reading the Book of Mormon, she just goes - it was amazing or I felt it in my heart. And I know that every time that she prays that she has a personal experience and knows that she is actually talking with her Father in Heaven. So she had received an answer.  She had felt in her heart MULTIPLE times that the Book of Mormon and everything that we had taught her is true, but she still didn't feel like she had received an answer to be baptized. She said if it was God's will, she would follow, but until now she really hadn't felt an answer. This comes also from the fact that when I say her family is pretty religious, I mean like they go MULTIPLE times a week, Yasmin and their younger brother are little helpers to the pastor, and they go like every Sunday to church. So this wouldn't just be a -let's-be-baptized, but an actual wow I will need to change an entire lifetime of habits and culture. #TougherRight?

The elders came with us and we had an opportunity to really, once again, bear our testimonies for them and share how we know… We KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt that this is Christ's church and that it's all super real, and how we knew and once again invited her whole family to come to church with us (only the two girls had already gone). Her mom still has a lot of doubts and started making excuses for why Sunday wouldn’t work for them. but Elaine (sitting behind me) just cuts her off and says "yeah but Yasmin and I will go". 

MAN YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HER MOM'S FACE. #uhhh #nowWhat

And I KNOW that could not have been easy for her to do. But she took a leap of faith, she stood up for what she had been feeling in her heart, and she put all of her fears behind her. 

She realmente mostrou sua fé (exercised her faith) in something that she maybe still didn't have complete confidence or knowledge in but felt it was right. During the last prayer, I hear her start to sniffle and shake and when we open our eyes, Elaine is just bawling her eyes out. She squeezes us tightly in the most heart-warming embrace and just whispers 'obrigada. obrigada.' (thanks, thanks)

And I knew that she had received her answer. 

Ether 12:12

For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

Put your faith in God and there's nothing that He is not able to do, no miracle that He is unable to accomplish. I know that God listens to our prayers and is willing to give us the answer, but He can't do it if we still haven't been able to prove just how much we want it or how much we are willing to trust in His timing. 

love you all folks

GOD IS STILL A GOD OF MIRACLES. 

just have a little faith. 

<3 Sister Staheli

Found out that things as basic as how we have always drawn houses or trees as kids is different here in Brasil!!

what they call Açai 'fitness' because it doesn't have even a BIT sweet and condensed milk, chocolate, or m&ms #theycallmelouca #granolabananaecastanha

Week 57 -- Feliz 4 de Julho agente atrasado!!

Feliz 4 de Julho agente atrasado!!  (Happy Late 4^th of July)

I and the other 2 American elders in my district celebrated in the only firework-banned-missionary way we could…waking up at 12:15AM and belting the Star-Spangled-Banner.  #OkaySoMaybeTheEldersForgot   #CarryTheDreamTeamStaheli

All the Brasileiros retaliated by proudly yelling their national anthem (which reminds me a lot of the queen of England for some reason – you have to march and pound your chest).  I tried to explain our insanely passionate national pride by giving a quick US history run down of every briga/querra dos Estados Unidos (United States war) for my companion, but may have just made her more confused.  #WaitWereYouFriendsWithTheIndians?  #HowDoYouDescribeHowRidiculousTheStampActWas?  #OrTheBrillianceOfChecks&Balances?

But for real, sometimes we forget to be grateful for how lucky we are and blessed that God played such a HUGE part in inspiring our founding fathers to establish such a strong and united and free nation.   #ILoveMyNation 

God, yet again managed to blow my mind this week with all of His tender mercies e pleno amor (and His love):

Nubia & Clayton

These past few weeks we have had the blessing of teaching Nubia and her son Clayton.  NOSSA (WOW) I love those two – never have I met people so prepared and spiritually in tune as these two.  Like the first time we gave them a Book of Mormon and talked about how God still speaks directly to us and guides us step by step today through a modern day prophet like He’s always done.  It just immediately clicked with them.  Clayton took the Book of Mormon, saying how anxious he was to read it and gives the book a little love tap (right?) and Nubia said that in that moment it was like she felt the impact pounding in her chest and she just says to Clayton, NAO TOQUE O LIVRO ASSIM E PODEROSAO CLAYTON. (Clayton do not touch that book so forcefully, be respectful). And there was this other time that we got to their house only to find that Clayton had barely left for the gym (he spends a ton of time there) and that we wouldn’t be able to see him, when 3 minutes later Clayton arrives back saying how at the gym he had the craziest buzzing noise in his ears and weird feeling in his chest like he needed to go back home only to find the sisters there waiting to teach him.  And one other time when Nubia goes “cem todo respeito,sua igreja e pura e vendodeira” (with all respect this church is pure) (after only attending 1 time) .  It’s been truly amazing to see how much they’ve grown and how much the Spirit has impacted their lives, how they have so much more purpose because they know they are cherished children of a loving Heavenly Father and that His greatest hope for us is to find true hope and happiness in life because of His Son, Jesus Christ, and that He has done and is doing everything He can to have us back with Him.  All we have to do is give a little back in return.  Man, it really changes a person when you come to first learn of these simple truths, and then feel them burning in your heart by the undeniable presence of the Holy Ghost.  It is real.  God gives us His spirit so that we can know it is true.

Hearing what Nubia said and how she felt after being baptized… “aliviada que tinha trevas onde agura tem luz”  (relief and gratitude that where there was once darkness, now there is light.)   #TrustInGod’sPromises

Nubia

Side note….had a pretty HILARIOUS moment this week.

Clayton

So every time someone is ready to be baptized, the Elders do a little interview and ask questions to see if this person is prepared or not to be baptized.  Ah, so usually it all works out great but the elders got confused with the address and ended up landing at a park that was a good 2 miles from Nubia and Clayton’s house.  Enter problema that Clayton had arranged to go to the gym at 7:30 and it was currently 7:15pm.  Yikes.  So after delicately telling the elders they had better book it to where we were waiting or they would not be able to interview Clayton and he wouldn’t be able to be baptized, we hung up the phone, and walked out to the street to wait for them.  I kid you not, 12 minutes later Sister Silva starts dying, laughing so hard because the elders were flat out sprinting, running like their lives depended upon it as fast as they could to get to where we were.  When they arrived, Elder Rich didn’t even have time to take a second breath and went directly into interviewing Clayton while the other 2 elders passed out on the chairs, panting, loosening their ties and sweating active droplets like nobody’s business.  Keep in mind that these guys are a long time at the mission office right now, so they aren’t getting a ton of time walking on a daily basis.  Oh my gosh, I didn’t think I’ve seen anything funnier in my entire life – it was PRICELESS.    #8MinMileInDressPantsShirt&Tie  #Dedication

Maick (12 anos)

I also had the most tender of miracles in being able to see Maick (that’s how they spell Mike in Portugues…sorry dad) be baptized also!!  He’s the funniest, quickest kid I’ve met and whose mom got baptized when she was 15 but had lost track of the church.  Being able to watch the strength of these youth is seriously life changing, especially seeing as they are often the only active members of their families, going faithfully to church week after week.  This kid is the best!

I really gained an appreciation for the Atonement this week on a whole different level.  Sometimes it seriously hurts to realize how many weaknesses and faults I have, things that I still need to change and learn even after over a year on the mission.  Everything I wish I could improve.  But this week, I really felt the power of the atonement and I’ve come to be grateful for the weaknesses God has given me.  It’s because of them that I have the relationship and dependence that I do with my loving Father in Heaven.  I daily feel how much I need Him, because I literally can’t do it on my own.

Never forget that you have a loving Father in heaven who guides us step-by-step, loves us more than we can imagine and has promised us the presence of His spirit and console (solace) if only we are willing to give a little in return.

Distrito Patriotico E Batizador  (Baptizing District and Patriotic)

AMO MUITO VCS  (I love you very much)
Sister Staheli

 Our first zone conference with Pres and Sister Miranda! Had a really powerful confirmation that he really was chosen by God for ME.

New Mission President -  Pres & Sis Miranda

Zone Conference

Did splits with SISTER MENDONÇA (my first filha that I trained!!!) 

Sis Mendonca

Week 56 - a week in pictures

Anne didn't have time to write a letter this week - so she sent pictures instead.....

Anne's district - they are sitting in order of how long they have served.  Sis Silva will go home next transfer so she is holding the flowers because she will (die) first.  

This is in Anne's apartment where they study.  Sis Colleoni painted the wall pink for them.

Jady - a recent convert

Marylicia - a local girl they worked with who just received a mission call to Sao Paulo, Brazil

 Sister Faria and Malgalaes - 2 sisters waiting for visas to go to Portugal, Sis Silva, Anne and Julianna at the corn festival

Sis Silva and Anne