December 13, 2013

Week 18 (9 December 2013)

Segunda- It was one of my favorite p-days so far.  I am usually super stressed-out on p-days, but today was different.  Oh, and I got a package!  From my family!  Y'all are the best and let's just say that Swedish Fish never tasted so good.  You know me too well Mom. :)

Terca- We had our district meeting in Cruz Alta this morning as usual, but we missed our bus home.  It was a blessing in disguise because we were stuck in Cruz Alta (where they have a mall and cheap clothes) for three hours.  So we went and bought some well deserved and much needed skirts.  I got two new ones that are super comfy and were quite cheap.  It was great!

Quarta- Sister C~ and I went to visit a recent convert that just moved here and it was kind of awkward.  She has health issues.  After our visit I realized that I had not been treating her as I should have been.  It can be hard sometimes even as a missionary to not judge and to see the good in people, but the President reminded me today of how the Savior treated everyone.

Quinta- It rained all morning, but then we went to pick up R~ for his baptismal interview and there was sunshine in our souls today.  Every day I can see him glowing with the light of the Gospel a little bit more, I literally can see it.  When I mentioned that to him he said that he sees it too, and he feels it as well. :)

Sexta- We found out about transfers today... (Drum roll please!)  I will be staying in Panambi but I am getting a new companion.  Sister P~ is her name and apparently she is the bomb.com and is one of the best of the best in Santa Maria.  I am really excited!!  I will miss Sister C~ and am a little nervous about the change, but God know what I need and what I can handle, so I am ready.

Sabado- BAPTISM!!  R~ was baptized today.  I felt the Spirit more during the baptismal service than any other time so far on my mission.  It was great.  He was baptized by a recent convert who just received the Priesthood last Sunday so it took a little time to get him under the water, but it was great.  Afterwards the Sisters and I sang "I Am a Child of God" in English (because he loves English and is one of our best students).  It was great.  He is such an amazing youth and has so much potential!

Domingo- R~ received the gift of the Holy Ghost and was very involved in our lesson in Sunday School along with some other investigators of the other sisters who were visiting.  I love Gospel Principles!

I can't wait to talk to y'all on Christmas!  Have a great week!

Love,
Sister Phelps

Week 17 (2 December 2013)

Tender Mercies:

Segunda- We had THANKSGIVING today and it was great!  I mean they don't have some ingredients here that we wanted, but tudo bem.  We ended up having rolls, chicken, sweet potato casserole (we think, it was some type of vegetable...), stuffing, apple juice, mashed potatoes, and gravy. It turned out great and I am proud of us.  Pode casar... (haha).  People in Brasil say this when someone cooks well. :) I also made an apple turkey and he turned out quite handsome.  I will send you a pic.


Terca- I have been reading the New Testament recently and have been able to rediscover stories about the life of Jesus Christ that have really touched me and inspired me to be better.  I am so grateful for personal revelation and the scriptures!

Quarta- So my knee has been bothering me off and on for the past few weeks and I have been praying really hard lately that I can have days without pain.  Today was one of those days.  We walked to and from our lunch appointment that is about 45 minutes away and I felt no pain.  It was such a great blessing.  (I haven't really had pain since...) :)

Quinta- We are teaching a young man right now who has a great testimony and even shares the gospel with his friends and invites them to activities and church.  Today we challenged him to pray about a certain date for baptism and his heart was changed and he realized that he really does want to be baptized.  I am so grateful for youth, and the potential and power that they have.

Sexta- We did splits and Sister G~ and I were set free in Brasil.  We were able to teach a lesson (with the help of a member) and invite tons of people to our branch activity Sabado, and they understood us! Overall it was a good day, and boosted my confidence in my Portuguese. :)

Sabado- Our activity was a success!  We had 61 people there which means that we overreached our goal!  We played games, shared a message, sang a hymn, and then ate churrasco.  It was wonderful, it was one of the first times that I felt like I was in a ward again.  We really need to help this branch grow so that every Sunday and activity can feel like this.

Domingo- The President of the Branch here is really getting into this missionary thing.  I am so grateful for his support.  Seriously, the help of the Presidente and the members is crucial and the support is growing here in Panambi; I couldn't ask for anything more.

Overall it was a good week.  The work has been slowing down in some aspects, but picking up in others.  I am so grateful to be a missionary and to be serving the people here in Panambi!  Keep up the good work in your own ward too!  Be best friends with the missionaries and ask what you can do to help them reach their weekly goals!

Love y'all! (Amo voces)!
-Sister Phelps


Henry the Apple Turkey