And Lots and Lots of Love
June 10, 2013
Check out the video posted at the end. I LOVE IT!! Love From Home Yes, I got your care package, Mom; and the photo album (WOW that took forever to remember, photo album) is already on its way to Carla Fab. I was so touched with your Sister Missionary “spidey senses” and being able to think of others. I have been working on that; and that is why this Leaders’ Training Meeting, I gave all the Sister LZs a bow, gloating that my favorite sister MADE them and sent them to me. We wore them as a nametag in a picture I’ll send. THANKS, RACHEW! Rachel has been keeping me up on all the details with her weekly letters. She basically rocks. And, Mom, I’m still wayyyyyy proud of your computer nunchuck skills. Still can’t wait to geek out on all the things you did for my blog. And for the millionth time, I am REALLY happy and grateful to be your daughter. Love is In the Air or the Word or the Look. Which is it? Sad realization: Being sent into the field after Valentine’s Day was such a blessing to me because I wouldn’t have to spend TWO miserable Valentine’s Days in the mission field. Well, since God has a personality, He decided to send me to a country that has a Valentine’s Day that’s DIFFERENT! So, I get to spend 3 Valentine’s Days in the field. However, I’ve figured out what He wants me to learn. |
I’ve realized a lot of things about love on the mission. No, I’m not talking about chocolate-and-balloons, no-watch-eet kissy kind of love, but the Love of Christ. This p-day I’ve passed just talking with Sister Céspedes. Sister Nelson doesn’t do that! Sheesh! There are SO many things to do on p-day, no time to socialize. But I know she likes to talk, and it really doesn’t matter what we are doing… brushing teeth, eating, these things aren’t a barrier for her, haha. She will talk, and it doesn’t even bug her when it doesn’t appear that I’m listening. But I’ve decided to express my love more for her; and, boy, it was actually for MY benefit. What’s that all about? Well, my friends, it’s called Blessings of Charity. I can’t even profess to say Sister Céspedes is my favorite companion, but I’ve learned to love with her in a way that is more marking, more memorial than any other companionship. Why has it taken me so long to learn how to love?
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Another thing I think you’ve caught on to is I express my love by talking about that person. So, sometimes, those whom I love don’t know HOW MUCH I love them because they never talk to the people who have heard all about them. Does that make sense? So, I mean to explain to my loving father that this week I have been finding nuggets of gold to share with others that I’ve learned from him. The way I talk about him really shows that I love him a lot. And now, my comps not only know that my mom rocks because of her care packages and her unfailing faith and the way she taught me how to pray by example; but now they know that my dad is the Constant in my life who taught me to be a gentleman, haha, and serve as the Watchbird.
“Do you rememba the 21st night of September? Love was changin’ yo mind...” Did I mention that I LOVE this Lan House? Clean, well-lit, and a Free Sin: GREAT MUSIC! Ba-ba-baaaah! TANGENT!
I LOVE THIS WARD
Ronaldo is our “Osório” of Fonseca. He’s been frequenting the church for 20 years now but doesn’t want to get baptized because he thinks that these Mormons are really stupid with their rules and don’t know how to be perfect Christians. This Sunday, HE CAME FOR ALL 3 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaand when he went up to someone in the stake who was responsible for the organization of the teachers in the priesthood quorum in order to complain (let’s be honest, that’s what he was gonna do), Marcos Antônio said this:
“Hold right there. Before you say anything, it’s not my fault. It’s yours. Okay, you may speak.”
He was so thrown off that he reworded his complaint to a humble, “I just wanted to point out that there were a few teachers today who faulted.”
Marcos responded with, “See? It’s your fault. Yes, we are faulting teachers, but it’s because of people like you who already have a conscience of necessity and who have a lot to offer but don’t get baptized that we don’t have enough teachers.”
RIGHT THEN, our “instigator” came into the convo and said, “Yes, that’s right! So, you really should get baptized the 24th. Whaddayasay?”
He was shocked and smiling... “That´s my wife’s birthday.”
“Really!!!!!!” Feigned shocked face. “What a GREAT present you can give your wife!! This, my friend, is a brilliant idea!” Heehee, it was a great idea because it was OUR idea!
So, now, half the ward is walking by him, giving him a nudge and wink and whispering, “So, the 24th, eh?”
I LOVE THIS WARD.
More LOVE
The first baptism that happened with VERY few bumps happened so heavenly on the 9th of June. I’ll never forget it. I, as usual, spent the whole 3 hours planning for contingencies, etc. However, THIS is the miracle of a baptism of someone who has been prepared for 81 years to hear the gospel. The only sad face was that the water was STILL cold because the bishopric hasn’t fixed it yet. But that’s okay. I still really love them.
When Bishop was giving the welcoming to our lovely couple, I just smiled and loved him even more. Anyone could tell just how jolly he is to have a couple who is ready to receive callings and be members for eternity.
He even thanked us, the angels of the ward.
Take-home lesson: Perfect people aren’t as easy to love as imperfect people. Oh, how I love this ward. I don’t wanna come home.
Courrrrrage
I’m like the LION from the Wizard of Oz on the bus. There’s this great excuse called Free English Class that we have used very well and actually ANNOUNCE in the front of the bus! It has really helped me practice my personality. I don’t try to be professional. BORING! No, I show just how fun Americans are and—MORE importantly—just how normal Latter-day Saints are. (Here, instead of LDS, it’s called SUD... I figured that out only 2 months ago, I was like... Sud? Huh? It’s cool, though, because Sister Céspedes has had epiphany moments with me, too. “For this whole time, I’ve been using this word in Portuguese and didn’t even know what I was saying!” That’s why we work in twos.)
P.S. I’m gonna wake up and watch this movie EVERY DAY when I come home. |
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