LIFE IN BRAZIL, NATAL: week 62 -- Feliz dia das Pais

Feliz dia das Pais (Happy Father’s Day)

This week just literally flew by. It was both Dia das Pais (Father’s day) in Brazil and my dad’s birthday this week and getting to talk with him was by far the highlight of the week. We have this ongoing joke about the French bread from King Sooper’s ever since I was in high school. I remember him calling every day to ask if there was anything he could grab from the grocery store on his way home from work AND ask what we would be having for dinner. #ClassicMike. But what was hilarious was that it didn’t matter what we had made for dinner, fajitas con guacamole, rice and stir fry, my dad always said “You know what would be perfect with that? – French bread.” Hence almost every day without fail, I could always count on my dad cutting a few slices from the middle of the loaf and slapping cold hard butter on top (don’t even think about using soft butter) and then throwing the rest away because “It’s only good the day it’s made.) #RepeatEveryDay360TimesAYear #WhoKnewEnchiladasAndFrenchBreadWouldBeSuchA PerfectCombo? I love my dad’s goofiness and all. Anyway, I couldn’t give him his cherished French bread as King Sooper’s doesn’t sell it anymore, yet we were able to reminisce and laugh about it. (Note to all: if necessary Mike Staheli also enjoys peanut M&M’s and tortilla chips.)

We met a super cool girl this week named Vitoria who’s around 22 years of age and who seriously blows me away with how much she prays and seeks to understand God’s will in her life. For example, the first day we stopped her on the street, she said she wasn’t going to let us come back because she already had a church she was strong in, but she prayed and asked why God had put these 3 girls in her path and decided to visit with us again. As a young girl, she always prayed and knew God would answer her prayers – ALWAYS. She said that one time as a menina (girl) she wrote a letter to God and went out and threw the letter into the air, as though she were sending it to the heavens, and even though it caught the wind and fell, she knew without the SLIGHTEST doubt that God was aware of her and had read it. Every time she has a duvida (doubt), she prays and asks for guidance with perfect faith that God will respond. So when we passed by and talked with her about a young man, earnest in his desire to know the truth, to know what was God’s will for him, and to find which of all the different and conflicting voices and opinions was true – it completely resonated with her. It’s amazing being able to have complete and unwavering confidence that God will lovingly guide and answer whichever question, doubt, or uncertainty that you have. Sometimes I think people regard this statement as being something super vague like “yeah, God listens to my prayers that’s great.” Type of thing, but how many actually trust in His promise that He will actually give you a response? God’s purpose is so much more than to just pick up the phone, listen to the complaints and problems of everyone in the whole world, and then hang up like “Wow, it’s good to know how they’re doing”. What would be the point of having difficulties or passing through trials if we just had to tough it out on our own? Lost, uncertain, frustrated, overwhelmed, lonely, confused: It’s normal guys, we’ve all felt that way. God’s wisdom is infinite and perfect, and is as easily accessible as just being willing to listen with an open and humble heart.

Jacob 4:10

Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.

He literally has the specific answer to whatever question we could ever have and is dying, waiting, and wishing that we’ll just ask for it. But don’t get discouraged if the answer doesn’t come right away. He also knows exactly which answer and which exact moment will do us the most good. TRUST HIM. Have faith like Vitoria.

I also learned a lot about what it means to really serve this week. What it truly means to serve as my Savior would serve and love as He would love. Which apparently was a lot different than I thought it would be.

LOVE YOU ALL,

<3 <3

Sister Staheli

CACAU TREE how they make chocolate!!

Little Selena who struts around in her mom's dress and never goes far without her lipstick

This is the second lunch we had on Sunday with this recent convert amigo Canindé who is the cutest grandpa who stopped smoking after 40 YEARS. He made us carne de sol e macaxeira (which is like a potato but SO MUCH BETTER and the starch that is their stable food here)

AND SOPA