This week marks 9 months!!!! D8

WELL!!!

I think it sufficient to say... that if you want to know how my week went... let's start with Tuesday Morning. when the electric box on the top of our light post exploded-- fell to the ground like Lucifer fell from the heavens, and a giant shower of elecricity showered to the earth like all of Lucifer's little followers.

It had rained sooo hard all night long that right at 6:30 and a little it made a huge BANG and crashed to the earth and we lost all energy in our house. (house? ... fourth of a chapel living place?) Hahahaha it was so loud it scared my companion clear to death. She screamed like there was a man with a knife. (it cracked me up because she was still in the middle of her morning prayers. ...yes... she takes forever to pray. hahahaha)

So!! all day Tuesday we didn't have any energy. And the night before I didn't charge the cell phone. ... so about 8:00that night our telephone died... and we didn't have anything to charge it!!

But our branch president came over and did a few things and the community workers came and replaced the box thing and... now we have energy in half of our house. The Kitchen, the two bathrooms, and the hallway. (but the one bathroom's light doesn't work so... it's always dark anyways. But we use the washing machine with that bathroom's energy.) So.... the room where we hang up our laundry, our bedrooms, and our study room have no energy. :( And we all cry great big tears for studying in the dark. hahahaha but all is well. I do believe the branch president with help us out with the other half of our house/dwelling location this coming week.

This week I am determined to work more with the members in the branch!! Because the people that are going through the new experience such as being introduced to the restored church of Jesus Christ --- You know... like learning a new language, ("mormon terms" that everyone uses without thinking) learning a new culture, (we all know that members of the church have a certain culture) wearing different clothes, and learning how to recognize promptings of the spirit, and opening up your heart to a vulnerable state to experience godly sorrow to know true joy of repentance --- is kind of a huge process!!! And these people need to have friends to help them along.

This week on Wednesday I reach my 9 months mark!!! And then on Thursday and Friday we'll be finding out who my next companion will be!!! (Because Sister Costa has already been in São Borja for 6 months... it's time for her to find her dying place in another city of Rio Grande do Sul.)

LOVE YOU ALL I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW FAST TIME FLIES.

love,


Sister Hennefer

So... of course I picked the computer that doesn't have a USB connection thing

woooooowwww..... So I can't send pictures (again) this week. BUT!!! I started doing what I did in the MTC and wrote some things to write to you all!!! Don't wanna forget the awesome things that happen in one week holy moly!!! 

SO! in our District meeting on Tuesday Sister Aparecida Costa (I live with her in the old church and we divide a branch together) shared a spiritual experience. And she told about how she and her sister were the only ones who got baptized in her family. And then it was just her and her sister who served missions. But then she got news that her sister gave up on the mission and came back home because she ... well she got engaged to another Elder.... so yeah she got sent home. 

This was super hard for Sister Aparecida Costa. And then that same week she got an email from her Mom telling her that she's wasting her time. And shouse come back home. 

But the courage and the strength that this young woman has (20 years old) is incredible. And I am inspired by so many similar stories from the brazilian missionaries who seriously have no other resource for comfort (or letters) than the atonement of our savior. And they are actually grateful for these trials... because now they can stand up and say they know their father in heaven. 

I love that... and I hope to know my savior and stay strong like they do. 

Another cool thing about Sister Aparecida Costa!!! Her very first P-Day on the mission she ate lunch with the Sister Missionary who baptized her! (not actually baptized... that would by apostasy) She's FROM Santa Maria!! how AAAAWWWWESOMELY SPECIAL!!!  And the American Sister Missionary who taught Sister Aparecida Costa was her host when she went through the temple for the first time!!! 

gaaahhhhhhhhhh how flipping perfect!!! My heart was filled with so much hope and excitement for the people that we are teaching and helping... that maybe one day they can share with me through a message on facebook or something... that they are taking the steps to make more covanents with the Lord. WOOT.

aaand... everyone should read 3Nephi 28 because it is SUPER COOL!!! 

aaaaand... This sunday was super hard. ...because sometimes you do everything that you can to just GET PEOPLE TO GO TO CHURCH. ...and they don't come. And then Sister Costa and I didn't get to take the sacrament this week... And I will testify to you all... that is seriously makes a diference. Holy cow. And I sit here in this internet house writing to my dear family and friends. 

Please. Please do something this week to help (in a small way) in something for your local missionaires. Be the answer to their prayers. And please please please... just sit next to someone who sits alone at church. And rejoice with us as you recognize just how many blessings will pour as you fulful this small duty. 

I love you all. Have a baita semanaaaaaaaa 

love,

Sister Hennefer

yeeeppp... still in that whole repentance process.

SO!!! It is FINALLY getting chilly here in São Borja! you know.... with 20 degrees celsius. ( i do believe that is around 65 degrees.) 

So I'm just really glad that the hot Brazilian Sun is not battling with my cancer-sensitive skin any longer. :) whooopeeee american missionaries.

Being a foreigner is seriously one of the strangest things. One day my companion and I were walking past a park and I heard a great gasp and a girl cry out, 

"Oh! Uma americana!!"

woooowww... there is seriously no hiding this yellow hair, these blue eyes, and this ever reddening pale skin. hahaha (but it's really not my skin that is super different. Because they have TONS of different colored skin here in brazil. ...just a complete lack of blondes.)

OH! One thing before I forget. What is my parent's new address?? I need to write to my mission president that they moved. O.o I completely forgot until I read it in the Missionary Manual. (aha!! It DOES have a purpose to read 3 pages every single day of our lives! ;D)

So this transfer Sister Costa and I have a goal to develop the Christlike atribute of... HOPE. whoooooot. 

So, of course, to answer our prayers God sent us one of the crappiest weeks I've ever had. But we are determined to make note of the daily miracles!!! 

And that was when Michelli seriously...wow. If anyone needed a testimony to see if really, truly, the atonement of Christ is real and we can truly be clean again--you need to meet Michelli. 

She is 13 years old and had problems smoking, drinking coffee, and hanging out with all kind of bad people. Her Dad recently was baptized but he recently had a fall out and Michelli's condition kind of worsened. 

But then one day we had a Youth Conference and Michelli, in response to our prayers, went!! And LOVED it. And she stayed ALL DAY LONG. She played hard, danced hard, and made a ton of friends. And from that day on she started going to seminary every single day.

She participates AND enjoys mutual. And I can honestly say I witnessed Christ's light enter her soul again. Her eyes literally have a different and better light. She openly is a "church goer" and she has made so many changes in her life for the better. We are stoked for her baptism that will happen either this Saturday.. or Friday the 26th. 

Michelli is going to be a powerful example of the believers. And whenever I am stressed out or feeling like my temptations are too hard to bear--I will remember Michelli's strength. 

Another girl in our branch that I totally admire is Geovana. 

Geovana is 13 years old and is the only active member in her family. alright... that isn't so rare. But when you stop and think about how it is to be at the sensitive age of 13, to be super involved with theater, band, and studies... and then to have to walk 15 to 20 minutes every day (for church and seminary and mutual) without the support of her mom or crazy aunt or Grandma.... 

And to be one of the only people who is a member at her school.... 

yeah Geovana is a winner. 

Everyone needs to look up a ttalk by Elder Holland!!! hahahah unfortunately I do not remember what it's called. But I know it's addressed to a group of mission presidents... and he talks about missionary service. Some of the key phrases you can look up is

"why is this so hard, president?" "Because salvation is not a cheap experience." aaand... yeah we have a recording of this talk on our phone (I do not know why it's in English but it rocks my little socks) and every time I get emotional. And every time I gain the courage and the forces that I need to really accomplish the things that I need to accomplish!!!! It's incredible. And I can sincerly say that I know that my salvador knows me. 

One day we were showing the 20 minute film, The Restoration, to a recent convert. Super simple. I've watched it a million and a half times. ....But I cannot deny that something touched me deep in my heart when I watch that 14 year old boy kneel on the ground and offer up one of the most innocent and sincere prayers. Hot tears strolled down my face this week in gratitude that God gave to me, once again, a strong witness of the truth. that Joseph Smith truly and really was. A living profet of God.

I hope you all have great weeks! And forgive me for the lack of pictures.... I think this computer has a virus. 

LOVE YOU BYE

sister Hennefer

Aaaaaaand SHE'S BACK!!!

Wow... so I made it to 8 months in the mission. I cannot believe that I have less than a year to continue working. That is THE CRAZIEST THING EVER. 

First of all... want to apologize for the brief period in which I ceased to send you all pictures and news. 

I am currently in the repentance process. 

Secondly... I'm totally LOVING São Borja and if any of you are wanting to send me and my fantastic little companion something... well than here you go! (please send SannaLee or I an email to get her address if you'd like to send a package!)

Aaaaand Aunt Julie... I totally loved that white scarf that you gave me in my christmas "package" ... and frankly so did everyone else! hahaha so I made a trade with another Sister and won a super awesome skirt (which has made it's way through 4 sisters. Oh yeah, baby. This skirt has pockets and it matches whatever plain shirt you can think of.) So... there goes my white scarf.

And then the PERFECT awesome plain black scarf that I had fell somewhere on the road and is lost forever. D8 

so yeah if ya'll wanna send me a plain white and a plain black scarf that would make my little heart sing. :)

And now a picture of four Sisters who live in an old church. WOOT!

HAVE GREAT WEEKS!

Sister Hennefer

New companion Sister Costa

Fotos do Tour de Missão

Segue em anexo.

We had a zone conference!! Our mission is so big we have to do two... it just would not work if we gathered everyone in our entire mission every 3 months... uggh. 

It was awesome! And here are some pictures. :)

Well! I recieved some relatively exciting news!!! From Sanna soo.... I didn't get a whole lot of time to load pictures!

-we informed her that Sanna was engaged to be married in August!- 

and now it's a race with the computers!

Super fast: Sister Brito got transferred and is now a Sister Training Leader in Cruz Alta. (That means that all of my companions have turned Sister Training Leader... does that mean I'm a "dificult" companion or super special awesome? hmmmmm....)

And I'm staying here for another 6 weeks! Uruguaiana better watch out! We've got another month and a half to battle! wooo hooo!!! 

Love you all! Thank you for letters, emails, and prayers!! Go ahead and keep sending stuff to this Uruguaianan address. :) 

TCHAU

sISTER HENNEFER

pictures SOOO super fast before the computer kicks me off!

Sister Brito was losing her mind of boredom at the wedding hahaha but look at that!! I'm playing the Ukelele! whaaaaaaaaaat

and the second photo... it was very late and we all wanted to go home. But... we hadn't even cut the cake yet!! gaaahhhh barbaridade ....

aaand us four in our apartment before leaving for conference!

This week was super hot. Everyone said, "oh, wow so much better now, right? A little bit friskier?"

If you mean 90 degrees is less hot than 110 degrees I think you

-the email ended there-

woops!! Darn Portuguese keyboards!!! Anywho...

oh yeah. 90 degrees is less hot than 110 degrees. Technically yeah you're right.... but "frisky"? 

I'm thinking imma just continue sweating lakes while I'm here in Brazil. haahahaha

Darn portuguese keyboards!

You know you've lost a reasonable amount of weight when... you're just standing in the kitchen washing the dishes and your skirt falls to the floor...

But we don't want to walk all the way to Down Town.... so we'll do that next P-Day hahaha today will be about sleeping and eating some MAC N' CHEESE. 

Sister Tenorio and I are the only americans in our apartment (this is the first time I've lived with someone who speaks English in.... 3 months!!!) And we are gonna BLOW THE MINDS of our Brazilian companions with some good ol' Mac N' Cheese. It's gonna be great. 

It's gonna be filling. 

And it's gonna be different from rice and beans every day of our lives. 

This week I sang with Elders Hintze and Souza da Silva in ...... *drum roll please* A WEDDING BAND. That's right folks, I totally learned four cords on a Ukelele and sang at a wedding!! AAAAND it was totally a DOUBLE wedding!!! The brides are twins!! And one of the couples is getting baptized this next week. Yaaay!! How exciting!!! 

It's secretly the desire of everyone's hearts to hold a wedding on the mission for a couple that will be baptized and get sealed in one year's time. So... I got to sing their first dance song... sooo... close enough. 

It was super fun and super presh. And... I have pictures and videos to send BUT.. Elder Hintze is currently using my camera to do that and I only have a few minutes left... so hopefuly I'll get to send what I can. 

Oh. And after the song ended ...everyone shouted, "mais um! Mais um!" So... Elder Hintze and I busted out into some Deathcab for Cutie and sang "Follow you into the Dark". 

It was a wedding of some slackerness.... but the couples were so happy and I felt super legit playing the ukelele. It just goes to show that God let's us bless others with our talents without even looking to show them off!! 

thanks bye!

In our house it's against the rules to speak English... unless you're quoting Olan Rogers... then it's hilarious for the two people who actually speak English.

"It's a Monday...."

You know... sometimes you want to take your bright red umbrella and whack your companion in the head with it. And other days.... you're super grateful that your companion did not whack YOU in the head. 

And usually in that same day you witness the Holy Spirit testify through the words of your companion in a manner so strong... you admire her even more. And you remember that you actually are really good friends and we will all laugh in the end. 

Anywho!! I only have 5 minutes before the computer kicks me off sooo... I'll just write my address and hopelly send the pictures!! wooooooooot PICTURES! :D

Sister Hennefer

Caixa Postal 179

Uruguaiana -- RS

97501-970

Brasil

And remember that transfers are in three weeks! So.... this address will probably be changing pretty soon. *aahhhh que medo!*

So... I suck at titles. Just move on!

No time for pictures this week. But for sure I want to just say some things about Grandpa Hennefer. 

But I need to be a little careful because I know that this email will not help with his giant ego. So Sanna and Grandma Hennefer, you have a task this week--keep that pride in check, tá? ;) hahahaha Anyways:

I admire the work he does. He helps people for a living. And I know that he got that inspiration from the mission that he served. 

It's a lot of work... to wake up early and go to bed late. But no matter what (even he had to skip lunch that day to have an apointment with someone) he sits down with Grandma. And he actualizes his "Area Book". He writes about and prays about and discusses all of his patients.

I kind of just got used to that rutine of his.

Until I was a missionary. And now I respect that... to love and remember and pray for so many people, families, and loved ones. It's exhausting. But we do it. Because it's worth it. 

Love you, Pop. Obrigada mesmo.

HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK, EVERYONE TCHAU.

Sister Hennefer