Man what a week.
Sometimes I genuinely forget that I’m in Brasil so this week I took an
extra 10 seconds to appreciate just how beautiful it is here. I’m proud to say that I can officially differentiate
between a manga, (mango), acerola, caju (cashew) and a mamao (papaya) tree,
and a whole LOT MORE trees, just by looking at them.
We had a pretty uhm…different experience with a guy da
riva (from the shore) that came up to us
demanding a bottle of water and a bed sheet, which Caio, our recent convert
amigo, ran inside to grab. And you know
being the always engaging Sister Staheli (I’m already imagining my dad nodding
his head) that I am, I tried asking what his name is, which he just gruffly
shook his head and was like “nao quero conversar.” (I do not want to
talk.) And I’m like cool, but
then I tried inviting him casually to church if he wanted to, to which he just
gets super rude and when Caio gets back, he gulps down all of the water and
throws the bottle back at him demanding him to fill it again without even a ‘obrigado’.
(thank you) Then get this, he goes “ai galega,
quer casar comigo??” (Oh Galician, will you marry me??) And I’m like “oxee oshey (pshhh), voce
nem quis falar comigo e agira quer CASAR comigo??” (I
can’t believe my ears, you didn’t even want to talk to me and now you want to
marry me?) And he goes on to say he was the profeta but also ‘filho do
diablo’ (prophet but also the son of the devil) which
my cute filha just goes at it. (She
likes to speak her mind) and a long story short – I officially have a sweet gig
set up here on the streets de Alecrim if the whole BYU thing doesn’t work
out after my mission. #Don’tTemptMe. J
Once again, I’m blown away by how much I am coming to
know and love my Savior more and more every day through the people He chooses
to put in our path. What I love most
about the Lord is that He really doesn’t need us to be able to gather His lost
sheep, but He allows us the joy and blessing of being able to help HIM rescue
our lost brothers and sisters.
 |
| Cleaning the baptism font |
 |
| Cleaning the baptism font |
This week yet again, He allowed us to help nossus amados
irmaaos Alex e Edimar entrarem as aguas e serem perdoados e alinados dos seus
pecados. (our
beloved brothers Alex and Edimar enter the waters of baptism and be forgiven of
their sins.) What a tender mercy
it was too. Aah
 |
| Edimar |
 |
| when the only jumpsuit left was made to fit a 12 yr old boy who is also 6ft tall and o irmão da ala is exactly the right size |
Edimar is the brother of a member da ala, who really hasn’t
been going a ton on Sundays, but said his brother was currently without a job
and was super humbled and in need of a bit of heavenly “cartas de amado Senhor”. Being
able to see him progressing pouco as pouco (little by
little) and earnestly praying and reading the scriptures and all of our
pamphlets we had left him was amazing to recognize how the Atonement of Jesus Christ really healed his lonely and wounded
soul.
 |
| Edimar and Alex |
 |
| Alex |
The other is Alex.
Probably one of the most sweet, panda bear of a person you’ve ever
met. You know the type that you just go,
aah, this guy is just so humble and innocent and would never hurt a soul. So Alex had actually already met with the
sisters almost a year ago and you know who was one of them? My TOP companeira Sis Silva who just returned
home from her mission! Also he has had a
smoking problem that started when he was 12 years old. But unlike Diego (if you remember him), Alex really
actually relied more on “o braco de Deus” do que no “braco de carne” e
consequice parar de fumar um 7 DIAS. (arm of God instead of the arm of flesh and consequently quit
somking in 7 DAYS.) Just goes to
show that qualquer pessoa que realmente quiser, VAI conseguir mas nao sozinha. (anyone who really wants to quit will get help from God and
not have to do it alone.)
God didn’t create us to be independent of Him or give us
trials to see who of His children would be strong enough to overcome them, but
to see how much we would humble ourselves enough to rely on Him and His
strength to overcome them. It’s not easy
to admit we need help, but how can a child teach itself to walk or speak words
he’s never heard before?
If we never ask for help, we’ll just continue being the
same helpless child. I’m GRATEFUL for
the amazing people God places in my life and also for loving us enough to
sacrifice His most Beloved Son to rescue us from ourselves. Recognize something in your life in which you
can ask the Lord for help. (I know there’s
something) and then go out and act on whatever He gives you.
AMO MUITO VOCES GENTE (I love
you)
Sister Staheli
 |
| OUR RECENT CONVERT BESTIES #SunWasStrong #IPromiseTheyLikeUs |
 |
just to prove that its still me and Brasil may have changed
my hair and skin color (also my heart) but I've still got the wacky mike
staheli blood in my veins
#HAPPYBIRTHDAYDAD I LOVE YOU
|
 |
| 3 Sisters in Pink |
 |
| District |
