Week 36 - Portuguese lesson on the First Vision

February 11, 2019
Anne sent a video of her teaching in Portuguese.

Week 34 -- Trust God and act

So this week was filled with lots of new people, new experiences, and new perspectives!

On P-day this last week, we were passing in the mission office and we get this frantic phone call from this guy in our ward bursting with excitement and energy and was like I HAVE TO TALK TO YOUR MISSION PRESIDENT AGORA. (NOW)

Apparently, he had been invited by a friend to participate in this huge religion forum that recognizes all these different religions from around the world, and everyone presents themselves and they were organizing this huge peace ceremony - like we're-all-BFFS-no-beef to honor all these different groups and cultures of people. And Emerson was frantic that he was the ONLY one there to represent the church and that he needed missionaries or a Book of Mormon or at LEAST a nice looking shirt - and thus President quickly cancelled any plans we had, and the trio missionaries of Natal was practically pushed out of the mission office and into an UBER to head to this event. 

 

IT WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER. They had Budhists, Catholics, people dressed in traditional Indian headgear, Baptists - around 23 different religious representatives - and each one took a turn standing and bearing a statement about their religion and presented an object to represent themselves. To see cute little Emerson stand alone, surrounded by all these educated and older men in fancy clothing, bearing simple yet firm testimony of Christ and His true living and restored Church on the earth (complete with an old youth camp tshirt e Livro de Mormon).. was pretty valiant stuff. 

And we met a lot of people which was really interesting to learn about their beliefs. We all have the same end goal, just different means of expressing and getting there. But the amazing thing is that sometimes we try to make things a whole lot more complicated than they need to be - religion and which church and money and logistics - we don't need to have 10/20/30 different paths, God already gave us THE ONLY path - our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Through Him and His guidance, we can't go wrong guys, we just can't. 

#IamtheLIGHTandtheLIFEoftheworld

This week I found out just how much God was willing to test me - where my heart was, my conversion, my reason for being on a mission, my dedication and patience, but most importantly my faith.  He really wanted to know if I actually believed everything that I had always cherished in my heart - if I actually trusted Him or if I only said that I did. 

So Saturday was a HUGE day that had a lot at stake, and I really didn't know what I was going to do or which words these people needed to hear or ANYTHING. But the amazing thing is that sometimes God throws us a huge challenge for which we feel unprepared. He tests us with things that make us feel overwhelmed or stressed or uncertain because He wants to know if we really trust in His ability to strengthen, alleviate, and empower us. Often our faith comes easily, we feel the burning and trust in our hearts because it's good and powerful, but there ALWAYS comes a moment that we are compelled to make a decision -

trust or don't trust, 

act or don't act.

What good is our faith if we aren't willing to act, really trust, and tackle something that scares us?

food for thought :)

also dying because my companion hates approaching guys on the street and meeting new people and so we did some practices that DEFINITELY included a lot of me pretending to be a boy #completewithgoateyesanddirtbeards #girlscampalloveragain

Sending my love!!

Sister Staheli

Week 33 -- Feeling the presence of my Savior ever at my side

Wow what a week of joys, heart aches, and lots and LOTS of tired legs. 

I think it's not that the TYPE of week or lessons or experiences change necessarily every week, but the PERSON that enters each week is a little different - a little more wise and aware, having a stronger capacity to love, but most importantly having just a slightly greater appreciation that my Savior is never that far away. 

Man I feel different. 

This week has been filled with lots of preparation for Neto's baptism - lessons and discussions that last over an hour (this guy REALLY thinks deeply about the gospel), lots of listening and singing along to the beautiful music of the violão (guitar), and lots of talk of which is the best salgado. But it's just the funniest thing - I think my favorite conversation up to date with Neto has been our talk about the commandments. 

So normally for those who don't know, we usually breeze rapidinho (quickly) through the 10 commandments, talk about their application in our lives, and talk about the prophets and modern revelation and how important they are - good basic stuff right? And with the 7th commandment, (Thou shalt not commit adultery) we talk a lot about the importance of family and how sacred and important this commandment is that God has given us. But the thing is with Neto, it's never just a simple discussion - HEY 10 MANDAMENTOS (10 Commandments). We were totally not expecting the conversation that followed the 7th with this really interesting conversation about marriage and Neto's life a little bit. He lives sozhinho (alone) but comes from a pretty broken family, which is pretty normal here, with a dad who had around 10 or more children but really never was around to care for them. And how Neto's grandpa was the EXACT same way - and Neto talked about the lasting impact of such examples and a lack of a strong patriarch to really take charge and take care of the family. That he really right now is having a hard time thinking about or getting into the idea of finding someone to marry because he really doesn't have that trust that it will work out. From what he's seen, there just doesn't exist such a thing in the world as a marriage that can last an entire lifetime, and the stress of finding someone that you love enough to struggle through it all. 

And we were like, marriage is not just for THIS life, but we know that our family can be together for MUCH more after this life. #feelinglessstressedNeto?? 

He was in such a soul searching state and he's looking to us to confirm how he's feeling and I'm just like, woah dude I don't have to worry dating for at LEAST another 10 months - and my companion is like I-have-2-months-on-the-mission-and-a-serious-boyfriend-that-i-already-know-Im-going-to-marry, so unfortunately I don't think we were much help. :3 #missionoopa

But this Sunday with Neto was just the coolest thing! We were really hoping to get the ward to fellowship him and that he would be able to meet some more good people (which is amazing because there's a family that lives in the same condiminio (condominium complex) as him #blessings) and he was totally embraced by everyone! 

We were trying to leave after church and all of a sudden everyone's running around and grabbing people to head to the chapel again and we are all like what is going on - but it turns out that there was a young girl in the ward that was opening her mission call!  (which is the moment that every missionary has when they find out where in the world, what language, and when they leave for their MISSION #thebestmomentEVER).  And everyone is together shouting out guesses of countries and there's just such a feeling of love and Neto is just sitting at my side in complete awe of everything. 

And he goes, "Never in my life did I expect to be in a place like this. I had no idea that this type of love or culture or people even existed." The girl opened her call (Porta Legre Sul, Brasil) and everyone's running and hugging and crying, and it really is just the sweetest of moments right? The family that lives in his condo goes hey Neto we're leaving, and he just goes no I don't want to go home right now. And says that instead he'd WALK (about 40/50 minutes), just so that he could stay longer to feel and experience more. 

Man there's just nothing so exhausting for a heart than a mission - it stretches and expands to fit more people to love, it breaks and aches for those who fall away, it longs to be with its family, it burns with a love for the Savior and the importance of the work.. it really is an amazing creation. 

Feeling the presence of my Savior ever at my side - He really is never far away folks. 

Also sorry if my letters are super long, don't feel obligated to read them all - I know you guys love me :)

Sending my love!!

Sister Staheli

jacka (or Jack fruit - that for some reason I remember that in the States people eat this instead of meat and I'm just like WHAT THIS IS LITERALLY COTTON CANDY)

familia Marilhosa that I love with all my heart

Week 32 -- Oh what a blessed week

   OH WHAT A BLESSED WEEK.

Ok so having a trio with companions from Peru, Brasil, and the US is crazy because we are always talking about our cultures and what types of foods we eat, and what holidays we celebrate and it's THE CRAZIEST THING -- Peru is WAY MORE SIMILAR to the US than Brasil. 

There are clearly a ton of differences but the one thing that absolutely blows my mind is that in Peru, no one has any idea of what a hammock is. Like they just straight up don't exist there - which becomes a slight problem when Sister Vasquez has found that she is physically UNABLE to sleep at night with any other type of bed and she has 4 weeks left before going home to Peru. 

#so.mom.itslikefabric..between.two.hooks..that..yousleepin...

#oopa

 

This week I really gave my all to talk to every person that I could on the street, which really lead to some amazing experiences (AND our trio having the most contacts of the whole mission #nbd #whoopwhoop) 

But the most tender of mercies came with this guy named Neto. 

So we were walking on the street and we had already passed a good number of people and I see this young 22ish yr old guy walking towards us and I feel the need to talk to him. But I spend too much time thinking about it and by the time I go to open my mouth, he's already behind us. Turning around, I call out to him to make a contact which turns into one of the most interesting conversations. 

Apparently, he's living alone here in Natal and was studying at college up in the north but kind of lost sight of who he was, dropped everything - all contact, cellphone, TUDO and was like how can I serve a mission like you guys? But I don't think he was getting the whole a “mission-isn't-tourism-where-you-go-to-any-country-you-want type of thing” and wasn't really expressing much potential, but I still felt prompted to ask if we could pass by his apartment that very day to share a message about Christ.

Us - "will you be at home?'

him - "I don't know.'

us - "..righttt okay. do you have a number we can call?'

him - 'no. I don't have a phone.'

us - '.rightttt okay we will pass by at 3:30 okay?'

him - '..okay..'

And my companions are just like what are you doing, this guy is clearly not interested. But I still left thinking about this guy and was a little perplexed the whole day. 

Then we had a few other lessons and left for a different neighborhood and we were about an HOUR LATE to visit him. But after letting us in, the guy at the condominio said that Neto had been expecting us for quite some time but that he wasn't answering his phone in the apartment. Undeterred, we entered to knock on his door.. only to be greeted by echoes. 

ahhh que droga right? We search around the inside of the condominio but don’t see him anywhere and my companion just goes, no I have this feeling that he's here. And runs around to a different window and shouts in, calling his name - to which he FINALLY appears and we are able to enter and teach him. 

We taught about the prophets in the bible and how God has always called prophets to help guide his people, and go on to talk about Joseph Smith, how he was called to be a prophet and how the Book of Mormon came to light, and we left a chapter for him to read with the invite to ask God if it was really all true or not like we always do. 

But in my mind, I was still doubting whether this guy was really interested or if he was just waiting for us to leave the whole time. 

FAST FORWARD to the next day and we pass by to see if he's read it or not, only to find that he hasn't read the part we had left about when Christ appeared to the people in the Americas.

Instead.. he's read the entire first 7 chapters of the first book of Nefi. 

And was still reading when we got there. 

Completely absorbed and intrigued with Nefi and his brothers and their little family, the faith they had, and the trust they had in the Lord. 

We asked him how he felt when he was reading and he turned to us with this really profound comparison of faith and trust.

He said that faith was when we simply believe something because other people say that it's true, that we rely on the belief that THEY have. (a little different I'll admit)

But trust is when we feel the truth of something because WE feel it deep within ourselves. That it has become a part of us and because of this - it's stronger and more resilient. 

He then goes on to say that 

'I don't have faith. 

I trust.' 

I was just so touched. 

He has TRUST that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. 

And because of this trust - he has come to know. 

AND THEN HE CAME TO CHURCH WITH US AND IT WAS THE GREATEST THING.

But he also has a million deep questions so let's see just how this goes, but really feeling blessed with how the Lord works in our lives and how important it is that we are always showing him how willing we are to be His hands. 

Like this guy at church said on Sunday

"We aren't earthly beings having a heavenly experience, we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience"

So embora folks - always remember who you are and your divine potential. 

TRUST that God has a plan for you, and not only TRUST - but use Him to help you know what it is.  

LOVE YOU ALL<3

Sister Staheli

Week 31 -- New Years

and soooo off starts a new year with a new transfer and a new me! #ohboy

Wow it's so funny how different things are on a mission. 

Metas? (goals)

- eat beans and rice every day 

- walk 9 hours in the burning sun with greater tan lines than grandpa 

- go to bed at 9:30 because of sheer exhaustion

- speak a different language more often

New Year's evening

#wowalreadydoingsuprisinglygood 

#niceplanningSisterStaheli

No but really guys I LOVE ANO NOVO (New Years) because you really have a moment to appreciate every amazing that has happened, and to appreciate more than before the bits of wisdom you've learned, and the type of person that you have grown to become. AND to reflect on things that you really want to be better with in the glorious and hopeful new year. 

Sister Staheli, Sister Mendonca, Sister Vasquez

IT’S JUST THE GREATEST THING. 

 

This week not only marked a New Year but alsooo... a new transfer! Meaning that you or your companion have the probability of being moved to a new area/city with a new companion. And in our case - both Sister Mendonça e eu (and I) stayed and BOOM - back to the trio life with our beautiful Peruvian Sister Vasquez (who is in the last 5 weeks of the mission). Which sister Mendonça minha filha was pretty happy about because she has this bucket list of a mission and with this transfer has accomplished 3 THINGS - companheira americana, (American companion) companheira hispanica,(Hispanic companion)  e (and) be a part of a TRIO. So you could say she was pretty excited. 

It has been a week of work and miracles. 

So in our ward, because we were the very first ward in all of Nordeste (northeast),  we have about 570 people on our list that were baptized but only have about 70/80 that go on a weekly basis. So we have been going around and visiting some of the people on the list to see if they've moved or why they haven't been coming to church. And low and behold we meet the amazing and maravilhosa familia (marvelous family) of Marines and João Maria. 

João Maria got baptized in the church when he has like 15 years old but because his mom belonged to this other church Assembleia de Deus, she never let him go and he lost track of the church. But when we stopped by their little home, sweet Marines was in front and when we asked about João she was like oh he works until 7 but please come back and we can all talk! Oh my have I just found my soulmate of a family. He was married before and has 6 CHILDREN and she was already married before and how many children does she have? 4 CHILDREN.

So my mathematical friends, how many kids do we have in total?

10 CRIANÇAS (children) AMIGOS. 

DEZ. (ten)

They have only known each other for about a year but they have been living together in this tiny home with about 6 of the 10 children, the oldest of them at home having 8 and 9 years. And they are just the sweetest of families, really embracing us and when we invited them all to church she just goes, oh claro EU VOU (I am definitely going to). You guys just really "ficaram com meu coração" (stayed with my heart), and so on Sunday, for the first time in about 4 weeks we were finally able to get not only a person in church with us - but an ENTIRE FAMILY CARAVAN WITH 6 CHILDREN. The only car that we had available had room for 5 but how many ´people did we fit into that car?

ONZE. (eleven)

Oh my goodness it was the best day of my life. 

And everyone bore their testimony about their family and how important it is to raise children in the gospel and with a love of Christ. Just how much that belief changes them and those memories stay, really affecting the way they treat others, and how much stronger their home is because of that love and focus. Our families are just the most precious gift our Heavenly Father has given us, and He has really shown time and time again just how important they are especially now. We NEED to have a priority in the home, there is such a strength and force there that can't be recreated in any other environment. Wow the love I have for my family is one of the strongest emotions I have, nothing greater or more important and only second to my love of the Savior. 

Last little thought:
Every Sunday for the past month we have been delivering the sacrament to homes of members who can't make it to church because of a family member that is seriously sick and whose ENTIRE family stays to care for. And when I say it's been a little bit of time, I really mean like 7 YEARS. So it's always one of my favorite parts of the week - these people really give everything they have for one another and the power and evident amor in those houses just doesn't have a rival. 

But we were in the last house for the night with Ana and her family, and their sick father João. And this man is really sickly and frail. He really is only eating porridge, puree of literally everything chicken/rice/potato, like he NEVER eats anything solid. So they have blessed the bread and are trying to put it in his mouth and João just literally cannot open his mouth. He struggles and struggles and finally they are able to slip the little piece of bread into the small opening. He holds that little piece of bread in his mouth but is unable to swallow, just holding the little piece in there and his family starts to get a little nervous. They all start saying oh no it was too big for him, here João spit it out here, it's okay João you have already taken the sacrament, it's okay to let it out. 

But still he REFUSED to let that little sacred bread leave his mouth.

That little piece that represented his Savior, and every sacrifice that He had ever given for us, and that represented how much love He has for us. 

Oh wow it was one of the most valiant things I have ever witnessed in my entire life. 

Our lives are SO AMAZING and I hope that this year we can all remember to prioritize those things that really matter - our family, our home and our SAVIOR.

LOVE YOU ALL,

<3 Sister Staheli

Week 30 -- FELIZ NATAL E ANO NOVO A GENTE

So wow. 

Sorry that's been a hot sec, SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS.  And I have a MOUNTAIN of pictures to show for it, so I think today I'll tell my week in pictures :)

- So this is the famous 'Arvore de Natal' (Christmas tree) that for so long I never understood why it was called that because almost every other day during the year, it's just this tall white post with cables strung about. It's super close to our capela (chapel) so we always mention it when we meet people on the street. *ta-daaaaaa*

- We have gotten into the seriously dangerous mission habit of splurging on pizza a few times every week. The pizza that's most common here they call 'frango com catipiry' which is shredded chicken with this squeezable white cheese with olives. OH MY GOSH I AM DEVELOPING A SERIOUS LOVE OF OLIVES. 

There are elders in our mission that literally order the same pizza EVERY NIGHT. Pulling a Mike Staheli with the same classic Subway special every day for the past 10 years. #whoopwhoop #abençoado (blessed)

- This is just one pic that shows just how flipping amazing everyone is at futebol (soccer) here - ITS LEGIT INSANE. They also play volleyball except it’s actually nothing like volleyball but entirely with their bodies and feet.

The fam is growing! The elder in the middle is from Paraguay and was my first LD and thus mey 'pae' Everyone else consists of the other fruits of his loins with brothers, cousins, filhos, literally it doesn't even make sense to me but he always gives me a "just roll with it" #familytree

 

OH MY GOSH OUR WARD SUPRISED US WITH THE BIGGEST CHRISTMAS BASKET I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE. 

Literally it was so big that it wasn’t able to be limited to a giant cardboard box that was just BURSTING with besteira - cookies, caju soda, crackers, 2 loaves of bread, 3 pantones (which are like these cake/breads with chocolate chips and dried fruits), 2 jugs of Bob Esponja (spongebob) chocolate milk and in one of the pictures, you are witnessing my reaction with the craziest thing of all - GRAPE JUICE FLAVORED SOY MILK. 

Made Christmas cookies for literally every less active, member, and people that we are teaching and it was the best. EVERYONE DIES OVER COOKIES.

The effects of the Brasilian sun on my physical body

My beautiful companion Sister Mendonça

And let's not forget the best part:

Oh my gosh it's ridiculous how hard it was to talk in English. My family was like um, what? It was like the first week that I arrived in the mission field and didn't know any portugues except WAY WORSE because I was like

"Wow. You.. guys.. all.. ate.. breakfast..?

It's... hot.. there?

Sim ahhhh Yes.. there.. is... a Winnie the pooh above... me.. e (I mean AND) umm.. want.. to.. look... outside?? 

Wow talk about the gift of paciencia (patience) hahaha 

Talking to my family was like the happiest and also one of the hardest things. It's like wait.. I have a family? Like so much of my time right now is spent serving and thinking about other people that you just don't have very much time to think about it. But this Christmas has really hit me with the realities and how much these people really feel and sacrifice for their families. There is a reason that there was only one thing that really every missionary looks forward to Christmas day and it's because we spend literally EVERY DAY teaching other people how important their family is, how much God has given us and how powerful our homes can be when they are created in a loving and accepting environment. Our family and homes on earth are just preparations for the types of relationships we will have after this earth and are opportunities to really learn how to love and treat others as our Savior did. There's just something so powerful and important about our family - we ARE SO BLESSED. 

I was really hit this Christmas with the question - if I have really taken upon myself the name of Christ?  If I really am doing everything I can to hear and recognize His voice, and if I am really trusting without holding anything back, letting Him carry me through the hardest of trials.

OH my I LOVE MY SAVIOR and MY FAM. 

(the aftermaths):

And thought you'd enjoy this last pic heh heh..

FELIZ NATAL, pumped for every New Year because we can make some serious rock stellar goals to become the best that we have to offer!!!!

MUITO AMOR<3

Sister Staheli 

Week 29 -- Feliz Natal

Anne's letter the day before Christmas....

I gave the last talk yesterday in church for our Christmas program - TALK ABOUT PRESSURE. 

But I think it went well, people congratulated me after which I don't know was like a wow, way to go you made it through or a wow I really enjoyed your talk, or a wow you are really-really american. Christmas really feels a lot different here and I can't believe that it's already Christmas Eve. But it is also really special and the only time in my entire life that it will be assim (like this) so I am so so grateful to be here, even with how much I miss you guys.   And how cool is it to be celebrating Christmas in the Natal (Christmas) ward, in the city of Natal (Christmas), in the Natal (Christmas) mission.  I love my Savior and am grateful to be here celebrating his birth and life.

Feliz Natal!!!

Sister Staheli

Week 28 - Carnatal & Christian's baptism

OIIII amigos :)

So this week was pretty hilarious for a variety of reasons:

1. It was CARNATAL which is exactly like Carnival (the crazy week where there's no bounds and everyone is on the streets drinking, partying, pick-pocketing, the whole shebang) which happens in February, but they love it so much, that they have a whole OTHER weekend just a week before Christmas. The center of all the commotion lies about 5 blocks from our apartment so it's been a pretty crazy weekend to say the least hehe.... and just a little challenging because every rock solid person we taught this week said thatttttt ... because of CARNATAL they would be unable to make it to church on Sunday because they had been out until the wee hours Saturday  :3 

#MUITOobrigadaCARNATAL (Thank you very much Carnatal)

2. We came home after a long and tiring day to find out that WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO POWER IN THE HOUSE. Turns out the sisters who had been living here before us had forgotten to pay the bill for the month of SEPTEMBER (although we had continued to pay the months after) and Cosern was a little miffed and decided to cut all power - enter the exact day that I had run out of fresh clothes... :3 So we are sitting there in the pitch black and just telling stories and laughing at the fact we live in the most expensive apartamento in the mission and here we are, eating crackers on the floor, washing clothes by hand, and reading scriptures by the light of a tiny flashlight. Ahhhh it was exactly like all those snow days at home when we lost power. 

Except with excessive heat instead of snow. 

And less food in the house #sothatswhywehavefoodstorage

Oh and instead of returning after 30 minutes, let's wait about 3 days.

Ok so maybe just a little different but an adventure all the same! 

BUT THE BEST PART OF THIS WEEK ALL LIES WITH A YOUGIN NAMED CHRISTIAN. 

Christian is a youth that is literally one of the greatest, most genuine people I have ever met. There is not a single person who meets him who doesn't automatically love him - he has this simple and humble nature that never calls attention to itself, but that draws people in because of how genuinely kind he is. Now this 16 year old kid has been going alone every Sunday, attending every activity and church camp, and learning about the gospel for about a year AND A HALF. and has been so integrated into the ward that literally everyone already thought he was baptized. The problem was his dad, and that he wanted Christian to really feel like this was real, that he would be willing to show that he really wanted the church and not because he had any other outside influences. And after literally 18 MONTHS (we are talking like my entire mission life agora) his dad finally signed his ficha for baptism and gave the go-ahead. 

Needless to say, Saturday morning in the smallest capela in Natal was found filled to the brim with loving friends and ward members, a beaming and inexplicably happy young lad finally able to continue on the path of life to live with his Father in Heaven again, 

annddddd

mom's good old chocolate chip cookies with every woman and child in the ward scrambling to grab the recipe. But I really think they tasted so good because of how happy every person in that room already was, and how powerfully the spirit touched each one of us after Christian bore his testimony. 

I really can't describe how happy that moment was. But there's something powerful about the moment when another one of God's children enters the gate to return home, both with people here on earth and with those celebrating and rejoicing in heaven. 

Can't believe I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to help make just a small part  of something so important and eternal. 

Sending my love and really feeling humbled by the power and hand of the Lord in our lives - we are just really blessed to have Christ. He literally is the cure for every deep ache, misunderstanding, and mistake. 

Who doesn't deserve the relief and happiness He brings?

#LOVECHRISTMAS

#LOVECHRISTIAN

#LOVECHRIST

Coincidence? I think NOT!!

<3 Sister Staheli

week 27 -- cotton candy saves souls

So this week consisted of many laughs, tears, foods that excited and disappointed, and a whole lot of oh-my-gosh-why-is-it-so-hot-Christmas-doesn't-belong-in-summer type of feeling so ...... vamo-lá! (let’s go)

Ok it really is a mean joke to have Christmas in the middle of summer, I don't know WHOSE idea that was but please let's make that stop. It's funny because everyone's been running around buying presents or putting up decorations and every missionary is like, wait I still have to work on Christmas day? and #wowIhopemypackageiscoming #canIactuallyspeakinenglishfor40minutes #havingseriousdoubts

This week we had splits with my old companion Sister Carvalho when I was in my trio which was great fun also super stressful because it was just her and my poor little filha Sister Mendonça wandering around aimlessly and hopelessly lost because in our area EVERYTHING looks exactly the same and she had only had 2 weeks in the area! I switched to Sister Carvalho’s area with her little filha which was really amazing because Sister Carvalho really is the definition of a consecrated missionary - works harder than anyone I've ever met, studies the scriptures with deliberate thought and intensity, and being in her area (which is a lot less complicated AND we had a map) I was able to see just how effective and healthy her area and people she is teaching were. So while I was like whoop whoop this is great, my poor filha was like "I don't know anything-why-are-there-7-parks-that-all-look-the-same" :´D 

But after our long day we decided that we were all in the mood for some pizza so we looked around and grabbed this number for Tibet's pizza that was on the refrigerator mixed in with ads for água e açai. Ok beleza. So we are calling this place and the ad says that for a grande, it costs $22 so we pool in and decide to grab one chicken (which is like the most common pizza here that everyone LOVES - shredded chicken with catupiry which is like this white squeezable cheese they put on tapioca and everything #SEMsauce) and one chocolate, and the person says hey we'll be there in 30 minutes and we get HYPED because we are seriously starving, slightly impressed with the speed, but mostly hyped right. The guy shows up about 30 minutes later and we go to pay for the pizza and he says that'll be $77. 

um.

que??

So come to find out that not only do they charge for the pizza (ok annoying but understandable), they charge for delivery (also annoying but understandable), for EACH card board box that holds the pizza, the speed of the delivery, the driver's healthy mustache, the discomfort of the motorcycle, and just about any other excuse under the Brasilian sun. Ok fine we each fork over $20 reais and grab the boxes of pizzas "grandes", which were so light we started to doubt that they actually had something inside. Long story short we opened the boxes to find that Tibet's pizza works with "massa FINA" , (thin crust) was not massa fina (thin crust) but rather massa de papel. (piece of paper thin).  Heated Sister Carvalho calls Tibet's and demands to know why there was paper inside of our $30 pizza box and we just can't hold it in and we are all dying laughing because it seriously was ridiculous. Needless to say we tore up that horrid little ad and swore that next time, we wouldn't be cheap and just go straight for the good stuff #reismagos #60reaiscadapizza. 

But it made for some good times and bonding experience so who's complaining? #mystomachbecausenowIdon'thavemoneyforaçai

But this week I have been really trying to help Sister Mendonça with her street contacts because she really REALLY hates them right. She has such a bright intellect and powerful testimony but she is a bit more reserved and absolutely gets way stubborn when it comes to approaching and talking to people on the street, never approaching people unless I prompt her and sometimes, quite literally PUSHING her towards them. There was one time this week when we were passing this trampolim (trampoline) with all these little kids and their parents on the side of the street (I don't know why but literally every party rents a trampoline and puts them in the middle of the square or sidewalk) and I nudged her to go over and talk to them. She quickly denied it and tried to keep on walking. I stopped and tugged her arm and we stood there for about a tense 5 seconds with me physically PUSHING her back towards the parents with her squirming and moving away. Which would have gone unnoticed because the parents and kids had their backs to us but the OTHER side of the street had all these tables filled with people that must have been quite the sight. While we are sitting there like 'go', 'NO', 'go', NO' a woman on the other side who had been seeing us comes over and mistook our hesitancy for nervousness to ask for the cotton candy that was sitting in front of the trampolim. So she says go ahead, take some! And we were like 'umm no that's alright' and with her insisting I finally asked, 'ok how much does it cost?' and she goes no it's my grandson's birthday, please just take some!

It was literally the most hilarious thing, all I could think about was me and Rachel with my Dad and how I had to bribe her to ask my dad if we could get Dippin' Dots. But with cotton candy in hand we managed to just talk to her about her family and eventually the church which made for some great conversations and discussions about the Book of Mormon. 

It blows me away how sometimes we just forget to be normal, that we are talking with real people and that it's so much easier to get to know them for who they are first than to just jump right in with talking about the gospel. I feel so much happier when I am just talking to them because I love this - making connections with people and helping them to find the way back to live with our Father in Heaven again. This week really hit me with the amount of love and urgency I feel to have these people become a part of the Lord's flock again, to be numbered as one who knows His voice and understands their purpose here on the earth. 

This work really demands all that I have to give physically, spiritually, and emotionally but yet I still feel there is more I can give. Sometimes we just demand, demand, demand things from God but are never willing to give anything back in return. 

Trying to really give more because there is nothing that I have that I didn't receive first from my Savior or loving Heavenly Father. 

EAT SOME COTTON CANDY FOLKS #savessouls

Muito amor <3

Sister Staheli

Week 26 -- wow being a mom is exhausting

Wow amigos. 

I think I am really just starting to appreciate just how physically, socially, and spiritually exhausted my body can get.  I've just never worked as hard in my life as I think than I am right now - giving every little energy you can muster every minute to bring light into these people's lives - teaching, serving, talking, ministering, contacting, calling, laughing, supporting, listening, bearing testimony, walking for hours, giving just a little bit more even when you really don't think you have more to give. 

It's exhausting yet ALSO STRANGELY EXILARATING (on the most irrational of levels). Loving being a missionary even if I all I want to do now when I get home is sleep @9/9:30 every night :)

The first update is that I officially think I have a pretty legit new scar on my chin. I was making crepes (which everyone here just calls a panceca and never is sweet - only savory with shredded chicken, peas, and corn) and cinnamon syrup for breakfast one morning for my new filha (daughter) (as any good mom should do) and what happens? I accidently drop my beautiful crepe on the floor. Ok, no problem silly but no harm done right. But as I am bending down to grab the crepe, I am still gripping the pan in my hand (WAY DUMB) and my chin does a little touchy touch on the edge of the steaming hot pan and boom - moon-shaped chin burn. #whoopwhoop

But this week was crazy filled with last minute preparations for this batismo (baptism) that was scheduled for this week but ended up getting pushed back until next week. It's actually kind of funny because with Erika is her name, we suggested she put her batismo right before the atividade das massas (pasta/lasagna/pizza) with the ward! It'll be perfect because everyone is already there and we can eat pizza after #whoopwhoop !! And she got all excited but apparently was just thinking about all the pizza she would eat and missed the whole 'getting baptized' part so when the elders arrived to have a baptismal interview.. needless to say things got a little complicated. But it's all good, we moved it back a week which I think is good because with Erika, we really have to teach her differently. Understanding comes bit by bit for her and so we have to be very clear and use pictures, otherwise it's a little hard for her to understand. But, when she finally gets it there's just this light that comes into her eyes and she goes "hey I think I'm starting to understand.." and all the patience is really worth it. Not to mention her adorable two little meninos (boys) that wreck the world with their giant dopey eyes and personalities. 

But there's one woman who really is one of my favorites to teach and visit, and her name is Socorro. So with Soccorro, the first person to really know the missionaries was her husband about 4 years ago, and with him she learned bit by bit and received a Book of Mormon and absolutely LOVED IT. Time passes and her husband passed away because of cancer and she lost contact with the missionaries and forgot about the Book she loved so much. But in enter the missionaries on the street and we have had the privilege of teaching her over the past month and a half. She just is riveted to everything we teach her, especially with the Book of Mormon (which in her own words is something that the more you start reading, the less you want to stop) but she has been having real difficultly reading on her own, saying prayers, or coming to church. She talks more than anyone I know (#lessons2hourslong) but is INCREDIBLY shy right and so to enter the church 'alone'  (but with us) is really scary and every time has an excuse ready for why she can't go. But one Saturday I really wanted her to remember the importance and power of it all and we finally were able to get ahold of an irmã (sister) in the ward to visit her with us and talk about the Restoration and Joseph Smith. 

So she meets beautiful Camila who is a godsend from heaven – perfect, loving and patient and willing to listen and make Socorro feel comfortable and has a real rock-solid testimony and spirit. It was perfect. And we watched the video about Joseph Smith and how he received the Book of Mormon (look it up on Youtube for those interested – Joseph Smith:  The Prophet of the Restoration) and the phone we watched it on had warbly sound and was hard to understand but the spirit was just like POW there right. And after, completely led by the spirit I opened the book of Mormon and we started to read the first chapter of Nephi all together taking turns. And at first I was stopping and describing what was happening but Socorro was like a puppy tugging on the leash, anxious and excited - finally reading the book again that brought her so much peace, and I couldn't bring myself to stop her. We testified of the truthfulness of it all - that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon really was translated by the power of God. It was such a powerful moment. 

And guess who came to church the next day, seating right next to her new best friend Camila? 

:)

The crazy thing about this week was that, that very lesson with Socorro, I had done with the Sisters who were serving in my ward when I was 17 years old. The same video, the same testimony, but this time - so much different. This time, I - SISTER Staheli was the missionary and it was one of those circular moments that happen in life when you really have perspective of it all and realize how far you've come but also that those same truths never change. 

I really know that this is the Lord's church and that He loves each one of us on such an individualistic level. He knew the needs of Soccorro and we were simply the means by which 

He was finally able to touch her heart.

Be the Lord's hands, because not only HE - but also our other brothers and sisters need us. 

Wow the power of the Book of Mormon really changes lives.

Feeling grateful to have the restored gospel be such a huge part of who I am. 

Sending love amigos <33

SISTER STAHELI