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
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