What a Weekend!
12 Novembro 2012 letter
Mommy!
Oh NO! I FORGOT to mention Brennan and Tegan’s birthdays! Sean and Lauren are going to the same mission? I think Kyle Brown went to France and should be back home soon if Sean has any questions. Thanks for all the updates on my missionary/Davi friends. I wonder what she thinks about the age change. Dalton’s going to Peru? Parker went there if he has questions. The song of the day this morning (very appropriate) was “cuz I gotta have faith, OOooh I gotta have fa-aaith.” I can’t believe I’m training! It actually feels just right, to be honest. Sister Diller, the sweetie that she is, is very good at doing things her way; I can’t complain because I couldn’t do a better job. However, it didn’t help me learn/practice and make mistakes. She was more of an example than a trainer to me, ya know? I guess I’ll just have to do my best remembering and copying. The ward really liked Sister Diller. I don’t blame them. She was the one who opened the area, and they didn’t much like the elders before… still not sure what exactly happened. This past week was the wedding week, right? Big deal, make sure all is in order, help the bride with the massive amounts of food she wants to cook, right? |
Thursday, for 3 hours, Sister Diller and I helped Vangela prep the doces (grape-sized balls of doce de leite/fruit) and wash dishes. Who was there to help? Emanueli, her sick 7-year-old, who was home from school, and her 3-year-old, Isaque. Friday, we were planned to give her a lesson. When we called, she asked AGAIN if we could help her. Her parents live too far away, her brother’s on a mission, her sister was supposed to arrive Friday night, and Jackson’s mom and sister wouldn’t get in for another hour or two. This was exactly what President was talking about. We shouldn’t take the place of the responsibilities that priesthood or RS can do. We decided to make contacts close to Vangela’s house, go to our actually marked appointment; and if that fell through, then go to Vangela’s. Problem is, we waited an hour for the bus; but, of course, we made contacts while waiting. The family we marked with was not home, =( which was super sad because they’re a referral from a counselor of the bishopric. They’re a GREAT family—Cida e Riquelmo with a 5-month-old boy. Anyway, we went over to Vangela’s and immediately got to work super-gluing froilies and foofie things and rolling doces in sprinkles. Her sister finally arrived and work stopped for a snack. Really? Is this a Brazilian thing or what? FORGET food! Eat as you work! We’ve got a wedding to prepare for! Sit down and do something. I’m so glad that I come from the Dalton gang who usually know the drill: work for the party, party for the work. We worked another hour and a half. We left Vangela’s house at 7:30 PM, and she still had to do a whole wedding cake, 2 types of food, and something else.
Saturday morning, we headed to the church early because we left some food in there from our Friday district party—I mean—meeting (we made tacos). When we walked in, Bishop, his wife, his kids, and one other lady of the ward were there prepping the reception room. Bishop was the one who went to Rio for the flowers (they’re way cheaper there, apparently) and now here he is with his wife and one other woman, working. The wedding was scheduled for 6:30… didn’t start until 8. I guess I still have a lot of repenting to do for going late to things. This is my punishment. When the bride arrived, there were 4 different people snapping pictures of her, unprofessionally, there in the church corridor because outside was windy and a bit rainy. I wanted so badly to professionally position her for just a few shots, but she was already an hour and a HALF late; and they were already shooing her into the reception room, so they could open the doors into the chapel as the big presentation. |
The baptism after church went well. They had the two sit in front, facing everyone. Emanueli gave the opening prayer, who got help from Daddy. No one could understand her; but when Vangela said, “Amen,” everyone else followed suit. Elizabeth sang “I Am a Child of God,” which got a surprising amount of people crying. It was touching and invited a sweet spirit, which is what matters most, right? And it’s rare to find a Brazilian who can sing so well. Sydney played the “baseball organ”-toned chords in the background. Vangela cried. Jackson held Emanueli in his lap and listened.
I will never forget Jackson’s face as he came down the steps. He stopped at the water’s edge, not sure if he should get in first. He hiked up the jumpsuit, which untucked the rolls someone made in the pant legs at the bottom, which made him giggle and smile embarrassedly, still not sure what to do. He went back up and had José Batista get in first, who almost went in with his white flip flops, haha. Jackson acts difficult and uninterested; but, deep down inside, I know he’s just a softie. I loved also how he quietly, reverently, and patiently stood on the other steps to watch his now legally-married wife get baptized. He looked up at me while we were waiting for Vangela; and I gave him the biggest smile, expressing just how happy, excited, and proud I was of him and his family. He grinned back and looked back down. Oh, the perks of being baptism photographer. Oh, the perks of being a MISSIONARY. I get to take part of the most intimate moments God can have with one of His children here on Earth. I get to be a motivational teacher, a spiritual encourager, an LDS cheerleader. “Snaps for Jesus!” Haha, that makes me miss Natalie Meany. I think my life motto is “Make room… for JESUS!” We all need to make room, set aside time, allow spur-of-the-spiritual-moments to occur. The stake president came and spoke last Sunday because they called a new 1st counselor in the bishopric—Mauricio Faro, RS president’s husband. The stake president talked about how we need to search out spiritual experiences. Turn off our cell phones and turn on Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Before we hit the sack, we should hit the books—the scriptures. This life is short, folks. We need to realize what we’re doing with our time. We should be proving our worthiness instead of approving what someone wrote on our friend’s wall. I know I have a lot of wasted hours to account for before God. I’m going to always remember the sacred time I dedicated to the Lord here on my mission and choose now to “seek out of the best of books and media, yea, seek wisdom, even by prayer and also by faith.” “There is so much good in the world, if only we can see it.” I would like to 1-up my Anne of the Island quote and say, “There is so much good in the world, if only we would do it.” |
We’re passing over Rio waters right now. It’s a bit scary. Just drops off from where I’m sitting. Oh, Cristo Redentor, stalwart and brave He stands. As an ensign to the nations. My role is to invite all to come unto Him. My life, my invites, my lessons, my light must point to Him. Super cool that Sister Diller is going there tomorrow. I count myself worthy to have been her companion. She gave me confidence and helped me find myself, the Me that is a missionary and ever will be. |
13 Novembro 2012
How convenient! I am wanting to write in my journal, and I might as well write it here! It has been a wonderland gathering here with my past roomies, my past area, my past companions. This is exactly what I have been needing; I have been able to see just how much I truly have changed. I worry more about the needs of others; I DO love people more deeply.
Morning practice/study/etc. was wonderful!! It made me miss Sister Soneghet so much AND reminded me of the MTC and CTM experiences. We did practices where Sister Soneghet acted as their investigator, who doesn’t like to read or pray in public. We “taught the 3rd lesson,” and I started the wrap-up. It was super awkward. I was doing what I usually did—play it safe and talk about junk—GOOD junk, ya know, about faith, but junk nonetheless because it wasn’t inviting “the investigator” to come unto Christ. It wasn’t addressing his personal necessities, and I had no clue how to easily flow into our commitment we were to give him to pray or read. I quit trying to speak; and Sister Cellurales jumped in because I looked at her face for inspiration, which was Sister Soneghet’s indicator for ME to speak. She said some fluff. Then I tried to stop thinking and really listen to the investigator as well as the Spirit. It turned over to me; and I asked some inspired questions that was going somewhere but not going somewhere fast. Then, I asked in the middle of a sentence, actually, “How do you pray?” I continued to ask if he prayed out loud, etc. I told him I don’t like praying, especially in Portuguese AND especially out loud. However, I told him I pray out loud sometimes because I know God likes to hear my voice just like we like to hear peoples’ voices on the phone if they live far away. I told him also that the manner we pray is to show humility and that we honestly do love Him and that we worry more about developing a good relationship with Him than worrying about what others think. Reading scriptures out loud also shows we’re eager to learn and are meek and submissive to do what His messengers and ordained teachers ask us to do. So, then, I asked him, “Will you read this passage?”
Sister Soneghet evaluated us and noted that I opened his heart and the “fluff” she said before the inspirational and loving invitation was what needed to go next. Sister Cellurales did a darn good job at being firm with the invite and promising blessings. I opened him up and taught the principle. THIS is why we have companions. Also, Sister Soneghet said, as she was playing the investigator, he felt ashamed that he couldn’t do what I do; and he already knows how to speak Portuguese. Wonderful.
Sister Soneghet and I also went out on the town after lunch because Sister Cellurales wasn’t feeling too good. The other two who would be training decided not to do anything and stayed home. No, thanks. Let’s go work in the rain. It wasn’t like I had more quality contacts (although, I DID make the first contact of the day and knocked them off at an even pace instead of all in one hour) or that I spoke up more. It wasn’t like I really missed Sister Soneghet, but the way we worked was like putting on my already-broken-in favorite pair of shoes. I realized just how much more comfortable I have become wearing this nametag. And, although I still don’t see that I’m really great at it, Sister Soneghet explained to her greenie that I have the strength to easily converse, love, and get people to open up and be comfortable being themselves. I did take note that I truly did love with more quality the people we contacted. I wanted so much to go work not to get numbers but to help Sister Soneghet get animated.
We had a pajama night, and Sister Sone and I talked for a long time. The funny thing is… it wasn’t about boys or school or what we want to do when we grow up. It was about the work. All of it. I asked about our past investigators and her present investigators. We talked through ideas about how to work with members and how I can possibly make this ward a stake, etc. THIS is the work of the Lord. Forget about yourself and GET TO WORK! You are so much responsible for your area and those within its bounds.
Much Love,
Wish I had a faster arm,
Sister Nelson
How convenient! I am wanting to write in my journal, and I might as well write it here! It has been a wonderland gathering here with my past roomies, my past area, my past companions. This is exactly what I have been needing; I have been able to see just how much I truly have changed. I worry more about the needs of others; I DO love people more deeply.
Morning practice/study/etc. was wonderful!! It made me miss Sister Soneghet so much AND reminded me of the MTC and CTM experiences. We did practices where Sister Soneghet acted as their investigator, who doesn’t like to read or pray in public. We “taught the 3rd lesson,” and I started the wrap-up. It was super awkward. I was doing what I usually did—play it safe and talk about junk—GOOD junk, ya know, about faith, but junk nonetheless because it wasn’t inviting “the investigator” to come unto Christ. It wasn’t addressing his personal necessities, and I had no clue how to easily flow into our commitment we were to give him to pray or read. I quit trying to speak; and Sister Cellurales jumped in because I looked at her face for inspiration, which was Sister Soneghet’s indicator for ME to speak. She said some fluff. Then I tried to stop thinking and really listen to the investigator as well as the Spirit. It turned over to me; and I asked some inspired questions that was going somewhere but not going somewhere fast. Then, I asked in the middle of a sentence, actually, “How do you pray?” I continued to ask if he prayed out loud, etc. I told him I don’t like praying, especially in Portuguese AND especially out loud. However, I told him I pray out loud sometimes because I know God likes to hear my voice just like we like to hear peoples’ voices on the phone if they live far away. I told him also that the manner we pray is to show humility and that we honestly do love Him and that we worry more about developing a good relationship with Him than worrying about what others think. Reading scriptures out loud also shows we’re eager to learn and are meek and submissive to do what His messengers and ordained teachers ask us to do. So, then, I asked him, “Will you read this passage?”
Sister Soneghet evaluated us and noted that I opened his heart and the “fluff” she said before the inspirational and loving invitation was what needed to go next. Sister Cellurales did a darn good job at being firm with the invite and promising blessings. I opened him up and taught the principle. THIS is why we have companions. Also, Sister Soneghet said, as she was playing the investigator, he felt ashamed that he couldn’t do what I do; and he already knows how to speak Portuguese. Wonderful.
Sister Soneghet and I also went out on the town after lunch because Sister Cellurales wasn’t feeling too good. The other two who would be training decided not to do anything and stayed home. No, thanks. Let’s go work in the rain. It wasn’t like I had more quality contacts (although, I DID make the first contact of the day and knocked them off at an even pace instead of all in one hour) or that I spoke up more. It wasn’t like I really missed Sister Soneghet, but the way we worked was like putting on my already-broken-in favorite pair of shoes. I realized just how much more comfortable I have become wearing this nametag. And, although I still don’t see that I’m really great at it, Sister Soneghet explained to her greenie that I have the strength to easily converse, love, and get people to open up and be comfortable being themselves. I did take note that I truly did love with more quality the people we contacted. I wanted so much to go work not to get numbers but to help Sister Soneghet get animated.
We had a pajama night, and Sister Sone and I talked for a long time. The funny thing is… it wasn’t about boys or school or what we want to do when we grow up. It was about the work. All of it. I asked about our past investigators and her present investigators. We talked through ideas about how to work with members and how I can possibly make this ward a stake, etc. THIS is the work of the Lord. Forget about yourself and GET TO WORK! You are so much responsible for your area and those within its bounds.
Much Love,
Wish I had a faster arm,
Sister Nelson