December 23, 2009

Well before I forget here´s the info in calling me Christmas Day!! Number: 0011-55-11-4812-6200 It´s going to be a 40 minute phone call this time. I want to talk to everyone but the president of the mission said to talk mostly to my parents. So I will be waiting by the phone at 7 pm for your phone call. I forget the time difference. So hope you can figure it out there. I know I am going to cry a lot when I hear your voices so warning ahead of time to prepare you.So thanks for the money. Yesterday was the Christmas conference of the mission. I realized how many friends I have made here on the mission and how many people love me. A recent convert and some members of my old ward in Campinas came to visit and say hi to me it was great seeing them again. Ying!! Sister Santos was there and we had a conversation that I needed a lot. My mission has changed my life forever. I am more determined to do what´s right and to fight for it too. I am so grateful for my mission. My Presidente is really inspiring and is a man of God. It is always amazing to hear his inspiring words and feel the love he has for us.I am surviving here and I have some great news, I will be coming home the beginning of March. So 2 more months practically. AHHHH!!! Thanks for all of your prayers and support, I love you Mom and Dad and miss you guys a ton!!Love you all and have a very Merry Christmas!!HUGS and Kisses!!!Rachel

December 16, 2009

Hey Mom, It´s good hearing from you. I feel like I neglected some of your questions in the last email about christmas in Brasil. It´s not so big as it is in the US but it´s good. It´s very humble. No one has a real chrsitmas tree. Some houses string up lights and here they don´t have christmas carols. Santa Clause is the same fat old man here. They have a tradition here to spend christmas eve cooking all day a huge feast and when it hits midnight-- they eat and give out presents. It´s cool. Everything is about eating here. Our investigators are progressing towards baptism. One family that is really special to me that has two set of boy twins, one set 11 years old and the other 4. We are planning to take them to the temple and hope they will recongnize an answer to their doubts and be baptized I know they will. We are teaching a couple that are baptists, its´always a long visit with them as the bad talk from their pastor but they are interested in finding the truth. I know they will be baptized too. We are working and sweating a lot. Next week is our Mission Christmas Conference. I can´t wait for packages and cards!! It´ll be great!! My compaion is Brasilian. She is from the northeast like all of my other companions a state called Paraíba. I love you all!!Rachel

December 9, 2009

My dear family, I am doing great here on the mission. It was a suprise transfer last week and fortunately me and my companion weren´t transfered--we stayed put. We have a good group of investigators we are teaching right now and we are fighting with them to stop smoking and drinking coffee and getting married. It´s a stressful job to help people keep the commandments. I really feel like I am in a time warp here on the mission--I don´t remember when it all started and when it is all going to end. It´s hard to remember life before the mission and it´s hard remember all of you. I am in another world, really it is strange. A mission has really helped me see the bigger picture! I understand now what life is all about. I know better than ever before the plan of happiness and the purpose of the atonement--how enormous God´s love is!! Eu sei que Jesus é o Cristo que Ele vive. Ele foi enviado aqui na terra para nos salvar das mortes. Ele tomou sobre si todos os pecados do mundo e Ele ressucitou. Eu sei que é só por causa dele que nós temos esperança para viver de novo com um corpo perfeito sem dores e doenças. Eu sei que Ele nos da a esperança para voltaremos na presença de Deus. Eu sei que Jesus Cristo é o fundamento de nossa vida. Ele é a luz do mundo, nosso Salvador, Redentor, Ele é o Filho de Deus o unico que pode nos regatar. Ele é tudo e poucos sabem isso. Ele cumpriu sua missão para completar o Plano de nosso pai celestial. Sou grata por este conhcecimento. Sou grata pelo grande amor de Deus. This love of God is what brings me here on the mission. The mission really opens our eyes and our ears and gets you on a spiritual level. It puts life in perspective. It´s the little things that matters most. Eternal families, God´s commandments, loving, laughing, living, learning, working, eating beans and rice, doing our part so the Lord can do His. We have the keys, our eternal well-being depends on how we spend our time here on Earth. I want to be better. It´s getting really hard to remember ingles I have to say. It will be really funny trying to talk to all of you at Christmas. Love you all Beijos e abraços!Rachel

December 2, 2009

It´s great to be on the mission. It´s super hot and it´s really sweaty but life could be worse. It´s going to be sweet coming home tan while everyone else is pasty white. Hahaha. So I am pretty much loving the mission right now. The language is getting better and better and I am loving serving here in Campo Limpo. We are teaching some pretty special people right now. I just want them to be baptized. Why people are so scared I do not know. We invited a young guy to be baptized this Sunday and his eyes sparkled as he accepted--it was neat; it´s everything this kid wants. He´s 18 years old and has been through a lot already in his life. His sister will be baptized with him too.It will be a very speical day.Is everyone just counting down the weeks before I am home or what? My companions call me Brasilian that I was born in the wrong country it´s funny. I can´t beleive it´s December already !! Why does the time seem to escape me now that I am on the final lap? Love you tons and tons--I want a hug. OOOOOOORachel

November 18, 2009

So we are running after people to help them keep the commandments and be baptized. I am the tannest I have ever been in my life but doesn’t seem like it because I am always around someone darker. I think I’ll be able to see the difference when I come home. I hope dad’s recuperation is going good. Give him a hug for me. I love you guys. I miss being a part of my family. I know this is where I am supposed to be and that a lot of people depend on me. I am seeing a lot of miracles and blessings that a mission has brought me in my life, family, and my friends and ward family. I am so happy to be able to serve the Lord. I am learning a ton. We had an ex-mission president talk to us that a mission is preparing us to be better husbands and wives and fathers and mothers. It´s all centered on family so we can have an eternal marriage and help to raise children to obtain the same. We learn what the word sacrifice means and God’s plan for us, His children. I am so grateful to be serving a mission. It has definitely helped me put my life in perspective. A life of service is a life fulfilled. Jesus Christ really was the perfect example in all things. He showed us how to obtain true happiness by putting our lives aside to help another. People get so distracted with a fancy car and house, graduating from a fancy university with a fancy degree and having a fancy job. But all this won’t matter in the end. It’s who you help, its how you keep the commandments, it is how you raise your family, and help make a difference in the lives of others. It’s how you magnify your church callings and help others grow in testimony and stay strong and presevering in the way of the Lord. Love, Rachel

November 11, 2009

So this place, Campo Limpo, english Lean Field... haha. The place reminds me kind of home. It´s the greenest place I´ve yet to see here on the mission. I feel like I am back into the Amazon Jungle in Ecuador but of course it´s a lot more modernized. So it is SUPER HOT!! Here it´s a tropical paradise. And it´s all uphill. I feel like a BIG city girl entering the country. It´s funny feeling. The church has a place rented here close to our house. It´s different. The Church has already bought land to start building the chapel, they already have a picture of what it´s going to look like but they are waiting for the ward to have more firmness in members attending church. We found a family really cool last week, Jucilene is her name and she is a woman of power. She has 2 sets of twin boys, one set is 11 years old and the other 4. She has been praying for God to show her the truth and that's when we popped up. She doesn´t have a baptism date yet but I have lots of faith she will soon. The members are cool. A lot of them are great examples of service and dedication to convenants they´ve made in the temple. I am shocked to say I have found someone, the only person I have yet to meet in my life that reminds me of dad, Brother Marcelo. He is an amazing person. He is our leader here in the ward, ward mission leader. So he is fatter than dad. He is really creative and we had our first meeting with him yesterday at his house. We are in charge of a christmas activity we are planning here Dec. 20 in the vacant spot where the chapel will be built. It is going to be Great. I remember an activity similar where dad was a wise man. But this ward mission leader is the faithfulest member I have yet to meet in my life. He has four daughters. 2 have special needs and 2 are healthy. The oldest with special needs died. Which makes Marclo fight to keep his convenants of the temple to be sealed to his family and to see his daughter again. If every member had as much determination to serve and magnify their calling like Bro. Marcel the church would be much bigger!! His family reminds me of ours. Always have a billion things to do and he is always putting the things of the Lord in first place. It´s amazing to see. I already love this place and the people that help us in the Lord´s work. It´s amazing to be a part of a ward family; I am loving my time here as a missionary. There are a ton of people that are waiting for us to hear about the Church. LOVE You all,Rachel

November 4, 2009

HI everyone.So SUPRISE I was transfered. I am now in Judiai, Campo Limpo. A small city. It´s my first day in the area so I am not sure what I think of it. My Companion seems cool, Sister Lira. She has 6 months on the mission and from the Northeast. We are pretty far from the mission office now. So it’s a lot of catching buses and stuff. We arrived in the area yesterday and a Relief society sister picked us up and took us home to feed us. It was a miracle and huge blessing because I have never felt so much hunger in my life!! There´s nothing like a big plate of beans and rice to fill the belly. I am going to miss Sister Santos. And my old area but I felt like it was time. My area is pretty big now and we don´t even have a chapel. The church here is in the starts still in many areas. A HUGE part of the church here in Brasil are converts.. I received a package of cookies and chocolates from home last week, and a package from Bekah too!!! I cried my eyes out when I read my first letter from Nate on the mission. I couldn´t believe it he remembers he has 2 sisters. Hahaha. It´s so cool he´s getting married. I wrote back already.The letter is on it´s way.So I went to the temple today and had a really sacred experience there. It´s so amazing how the temple is a piece of Heaven where we can feel in the presence of God. I Was sitting there in the Celestial room crying because I have never had such a strong desire and determination to want to return to God’s presence. I was thinking about the Fall of Adam and Eve and how they must have felt so alone and lost as they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. I think a mission is very much symbolical of life and God´s Plan. Expelled from home and wandering in Brasil searching for my purpose here. I found my purpose here and am so grateful to be apart of the Lord´s work. Being a missionary is really lonely at times so I have to be worthy of the spirit´s company. Because through him I feel consolo e comfort. I love you all and miss you a ton. Rachel

October 28, 2009

Hello family
This week was great we had a baptism of our shingy-lingy, Ying!! Our 19 year old Chinese investigator. I doubted a little about her but in two weeks the Spirit worked through us with spiritual experiences and she was baptized. My companion was a nervous angry wreck sunday because Ying didn´t like going to Relief Society so she was assisting young women and the Relief society president got really mad at us and sent her 2nd counselor to chew us out. I couldn´t believe it when I was standing there in front of this old lady yelling at us how we didn´t warn her about Ying etc.etc. I just walked away in the middle of her rage... I laugh now but geez working with people is not easy. So we are going to a conference tommorrow Elder Jenson is here to talk to us... dundundun. So i am still serving stong here on the mission. We have become really good friends with our Zone leaders One is going home Monday, so wierd!! He is making everyone trunking because everyone will miss him he´s a clown. They had to check out of our apartment and they took my stuffed animal dolpin and hung him from the ceiling by our cell phone charger with a note that said he can't take Sister Davidson anymore Good Bye cruel world. it was hilarious!! So this was my week. There are a ton of miracles that happen everyday and the Lord is leading us. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and I know that he lives. His mercy is great and love is abounding. I love serving a mission because it´s the opportunity to walk with Him and learn of Him. It´s going to be sad leaving the mission.The transfer is coming up Monday!! We are hoping to stay together. I only have 2 more transfers after this one it´s crazy!! Love you all Beijos and Abraços!!Rachel

October 21, 2009

I got the flu. My zone leaders gave me a blessing and they´re taking good care of me and Sister Santos also. We are here at the chapel waiting for the elders to arrive we are going to play frisbee and volleyball here in the court they have behind the chapel. I am trying to take advantage of my time here as a missionary. I hold a special and unique power to call people to repentance and invite them to be baptized. I am reading the New Testament and can relate more to the apostles of Christ sharing the same teaching power. It´s amazing, the power of missionaries, and we are all so young and silly and yet God trusts us to do His work. We had a wonderful experience at the temple with an investigator last week. we are teaching Ying a 19 year old chinese girl Taylor would love to imitate!! She didn´t believe in God and so we brought her to the temple and in the visitor´s room we bore testimony that this is God's house and we can feel his presence here and she started crying and she received her answer God exsists!! It was a wonderful experience teaching her and helping her recognize the spirit and god´s hand in everything.She will be baptized this Sunday. Well got to go,Love you all and have a wonderful week. I miss you a ton and give Bekah the biggest hug for me when you see her again!!Rachel

October 14, 2009

Our week was a week of miracles. We had a wedding and three baptisms this Saturday. A family. It was amazing to see the change in their lives and their humility to follow Jesus Christ. The man will be bishop someday he is poderoso. We are teaching a chinese young woman who doesn´t know who Jesus Chrsit is. It is challenging. I am still here with Sister Santos. We have passed a lot of time together. I think this next transfer in November we´ll be transferred. I have passed a lot of time here in this Area. My mission has been here--the ward members and recent converts have become my family.I am having a hard time staying focused here on the mission. I really liked what you were talking about free agency dad. it´s the constant fight against the natural Man and the spirit. Why is it so much easier to do wrong than to do good?? There´s a scripture that talks about this, How quick we are to do iniquity and how slow we are to do good. Every choice we make we are showing who we choose to serve. it all starts with waking up on time and deciding to knee and pray or not. I love you all and hope you are all well and healthy. LoveRachel

October 7, 2009--One Year Mark

We went to the temple today it was great Portugues has become my first language now, I understood everything!! It was amazing and funny too because during one part a sister fell asleep and srarted snoring; sister santos and I tried hard not to laugh... We busted up after. This flu is serious business BE CAREFUL!!!! it hit here during the winter and killed a lot of people but now the heat has killed the virus. It is so HOT!!! I am a constantly sweaty!! It´s good to hear you liked conference I love Elder Holland's talks he knows Jesus Christ and has such an intimate relationship with him. Conference I can´t but feel Grateful to have living apostles and prophet guiding us. Imagine how horrible it must have been to live in the epoch of the great apostasy. I am learning and growing like wildfire here on the mission. Studying and running after people to teach them about the truth!!! It´s an exhausting job but someone´s got to do it!!I can´t beleive it one year is arriving on the mission it doesn´t seem possible I am practically home. A mission is the hardest thing I have done in my life so far it will be the biggest accomplishment too!!! I love you and tips on the meal stuff, get a pressure cooker!! It cooks beans in no time and here in Brasil they eat the basics, beans and rice. Make a lot for lunch and dinner and cook chicken or beef or something with it. I hope I can keep up the eating in the tradition of Brasil. Love you tons and tons,Rachel

September 30, 2009

Hi family!!So this week was great we had a baptism and everyone in the ward is loving us! I am so grateful for the Lord helping us in this work, it´s all about faith. With a little bit of faith, believing it´s possible, anything is possible. Blessings are pouring down upon us. It´s funny because my bishop here of the ward is going to conference also there in SLC!! He has a son that lives there. Haha. If you see any brasilians, Bryce, it´s my bishop and his wife. Hahaha. Give them candy corn to bring to me--I am missing all the Halloween goods! So, we are good, I don´t know what else to share this week, we are surviving. It´s official, I hate my clothes and I hate wearing skirts all the time. It´s the little things in life we take for granted like Jeans!!! Hahaha. We are teaching some amazing people and are planning to do a tour tonight with some pesquisadores at the temple. It´s such a blessing to have a temple in the mission. It´s our zone's turn to go through the temple next p-day!!!Hurrah!! I am glad to hear life is good at home. And boring and tranquil. Hey do you know if BYU-Hawaii has master programs and portugues classes?? I want to study there with Bryce!!We´ll be going to the stake center to watch conference with our investigators and ward--it´ll be great!!I love you all!!Rachel

September 23, 2009

The mission is good. I wasn´t transfered. Sister Santos and I are still together in this place... We are the first missionaries to acheive baptisms in this city. It´s crazy... The Lord has really blessed us. We found a family and taught them Monday. The mom cried as I taught about Joseph Smith and they accepted to be baptized. They´re catholic so it´s going to take some time to change. The family is beautiful, the mom is an english teacher. It´s really neat. During the lesson Sister Santos was astounded I didn´t make any mistakes in speaking portugues. It´s such a crazy feeling how the Spirit uses you as a tool. It´s like you´re out of your body and you just talk... words are placed in your mouth. It´s definitely the missionary mantel and power that we are ordained with. So the Spirit can convert people to the gospel. That´s why it´s so important to obey all the rules and live a higher law to be worthy of the Spirit. 6 more weeks in this place. I can´t believe the more part of my mission has been here in Campinas. We are helping another couple get married to be baptized. They marked the wedding already October 10th!! The guy is already a member and ready to be bishop. He comes to church in a white shirt and tie already. It´s really cool to see how he has changed so fast, it was a night-to-day change. The Lord prepares people for us to find. It´s like a giant easter egg hunt except we´re hunting for the Elected people. It´s great to be part of the Lord´s work. I love being a missionary. It´s all about loving to sacrifice everything to deserve the Lord´s blessings. Serving a mision is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I love you thanks for always writting!!love Rachel

September 16, 2009

I have totally changed, Mom. I feel like I can finally say I know Jesus Christ. I know Him and love Him. He is my light and life. With Him all things are possible. I look at portraits of Him differently I feel His love and his spirit with me. We need to learn to confide in Him more. To be more humble and realize we are totally dependent on Him. I have always fought for independence in my life, you know that. And I have always wanted the pride of being self suffcient. But I know it will never happen. I will always be dependent upon someone because I am imperfect and make mistakes. I understand more with clarity why, it´s to make us humble. It´s amazing... I stand in ah a lot of time at how simple and wonderful the truth is. I love searching for truth and teaching it to others. Everyday is a battle to do what is right and it all depends on our descions. We are here on earth to be happy and to prepare to meet God. Our daily descions on how we choose to spend our time should reflect on these purposes. The mission is great I am learning a ton and can´t wait to see you all again. To hug you and cry of happiness because God is merciful and sent me to a wonderful family, an eternal family. Love, Rache

September 2, 2009

Hello minha família, So I found a man on the street this week who dosen´t speak portugues, he´s from Florida and I kept on tripping over my words and wanting to speak portugues and it was embarrassing as I couldn´t speak English directly. Two more baptisms this week the Lord has really blessed us. And we continue to fight for this great cause. If people could just understand there is something greater than life and there is something that will help us all with our problems and difficulties and that´s the Gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ. We humans can be so blind to the bigger picture, eternal life. Every day I feel dumbfounded at the simplicity of the truth. People are looking for answers, searching for angels to appear, the earth to quake, a huge explosion to yell this is the TRUTH. They want it to be harder to achieve eternal life. But when it all comes down to the truth it´s faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring until the end. The way is clear, easy to understand, possible and simple and it´s unique that it manifests through the quiet whisperings of the Spirit. A mission changes a person. Here´s a description of the change… People ask at times what you would do if Jesus Christ was in front of you? Before the mission I said I would give him a hug and now on the mission I would fall to my knees crying in gratitude. This is how the mission is changing me. In the beginning of the mission I felt there is something bigger than me. There is something more than life, than school, than possessions, than anything. And it´s true there is something more, I have finally placed my finger on it and found it; something that is greater than life itself and encompasses everyone is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It´s Him and the life he gave for us all that is worth giving everything for. I love you all!!Rachel

August 26, 2009

Hello My Family,
My Birthday week was great we had a party at Francyne´s house with a delisious cake I will send a picture. Neide our recent convert made us lunch with filet mignon, the really good steak… brasil definitely knows about the good food and the meat, YUM< And we also had a little party with the Zone yesterday, the Elders all made fun of us sisters being a little older than they. I am so loved here in the ward. We are having some success with two baptisms last week and 5 possibles for this week we are running after the goals of the mission. I feel really happy and reaping the blessings right now. After much tribulation and trial and test of faith comes the blessings of the Lord. It´s amazing seeing and learning how the Lord works with us and uses us to do his work. I am loving the mission and Brasil. I am finally well adjusted to the customs and language and can´t imagine leaving this place. I am thinking about living here after the mission or studying here or something. Brasil is an amazing and diverse place. You guys would love it!
We are laughing a lot more these days. Sister Santos always is laughing at my portugues and my airheadedness, spaciness. Time is flying when you learn to have fun and enjoy the moments. The baptism Sunday was a behind-the-scene disaster. As the Baptismal font overflowed into the girls bathroom and the members were being unsupportive. The Ward mission leader never works with us and on the day of the baptism he took control of everything and we planned a special musical number and His comment was, ís the musical number planned because the last sisters did a horrible job singing.´ I just looked at him like you´ve got to be kidding me, how rude! And we when we were done singing the musical number and everyone was crying he came up to us at the end to apologize, yea that´s right! Hahaha… So many things happened that day I will never forget. We are making some crazy memories as we have been heating pots of water on the stove to take a shower because our shower head is electric and was burning up the wires… We fixed it today as we asked several elders and men to help but they never came through. So us girls just took it into our own hands and turned off the power to the apartment cut the wire and taped them up. And the shower is as good as new now. Hahaha… Well I love you all and have a huge sad achy part of my heart longing to see all of you again. Love you!!!Rachel

August 19, 2009

Hi everyone!! Thanks for all of your emails. Goodness beginning with this week everyone is giving us cake!! And it´s not like they know it´s my b-day week!! It hasn´t failed this week visiting a member or non member they all offer cake!! Hahahaha It´s Ironic. So Elder Ellis of the second quorum of elders is visiting with his wife! She is really good friends with Brother Raspians wife there in Grants Pass. She gave a talk about enjoying the journey. They have 9 children all served missions if that ´s not cool. They are visiting our houses and apartments, I can´t wait till they see ours maybe our living situation will improve. So Life is good here. I find the mission gets harder the longer you stay. Is it symbolical to life? I am excited for this week we have batismos marked for Sunday and I hope they come through. We are going to the temple tonight to do a tour with them. It´s great having the temple so close. I just want to baptize people, it´s a weird desire huh? But it´s my job here on the mission. Find people and invite them to be baptized. My companion Sister Santos she is fisty. She lives to make fun and laugh at me. We get along really well and are working well and being a support for each other. Francyne is a member here who loves us sisters and wants to celebrate my birthday. She came to us on Sunday asking what our plans are and it was funny because I didn´t even realize that the day she was referring to was my birthday. She is amazing and hilarious. Hope you get some photos we´re trying to send to our families today! Love,Rachel

August 12, 2009

So after the trials come the blessings. I passed through the trunky, unexcited, depressing slum part of the mission. This huge city has a lot of problems,I look at our group of investigators and see druggies, a prostitute, drug traffiker, a gay man, tatoo artist, ex-nun, and I think where are the Elects?? I get really irritated with the harrassment I get as an American and as a tall white beautiful woman with blue eyes. I am sick of the guys, the liars, the drunks, and the perverts. I can only find consolo in Jesus Christ and thinking how he passed through so much worse. I am happy and growing more spiritual as the days go by as God is teaching me and molding me into a person I want to be. I have a huge testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know the Church of Jesus Christ was restored once again here on earth through a prophet Joseph Smith, the only that has authority of God the Preisthood power to baptize the people and seal families together. I know God is my Father of my spirit and that he loves me and knows me by name, I know Jesus Chrsit is my Savior and Redeemer of the World. I know that He lives and that He is helping me and that the trials and challenges I face are for my good and growing experiences. I know and have felt the love of God swelling in my heart many times throughout my life because He is merciful and forgiving and He loves me so much that he has blessed me with a family sealed in the temple, he has blessed me with this opprotunity to serve a mission to help my testimony grow to such a degree I am willing to give my life. I love you guys and hope you are well and recieving wonderous blessings and that you are learning and growing from your experiences and challenges that come on a daily basis. How blessed are we to have the truth in our lives, to be a part of an eternal family to have our luxuries and necessities and especially to have a temple close. With such blessings come responsibilities to share and bring others to the truth which is a commandment and always live worthy of such blessings. This I leave with you in the sacred name of Jesus Chrsit Amen.

August 5, 2009

The mission is going along. I hit some pretty low points this week but trying each day to become better. I am trying to enjoy every minute of the mission. It's hard sometimes because we work with numbers each week and each day, how many lessons com membro, how many in the sacrament meetings, how many new investigators, etc.. And I am horrible with numbers... I try each day to acheive and when we don´t reach the goal I feel like a slacker, it´s discouraging at times And it´s annoying working with 19 year old boys too. I am letting go and just focusing on the people God has placed in our paths and loving them. I am loving living in the huge city and in our tiny apartment and thinking when in my life will I ever be living in these cirsumstances, never! Brasil is amazing it´s becoming a huge part of me and I am loving it. I don´t remember what the US is like anymore. People ask what are the differences and I can´t think of anything. I love Brasil and love their culture and love living in the middle of it. This transfer the Elder forgot to pay our light bill and we were without electricity for three nights and the flashlight grandma gave me came in handy. A life as a missionary is rough. Chrst is on my side and helping me do his work. I am loving reading the bible in Portugues it so much clearer. Love to all, Rachel

July 29, 2009

So our miracle this week. Each Sunday we are always desperate for investigators so we walked outside in front of the gate and found a man to invite in to watch the sacrament meeting. He accepted and the next day when we invited him to be baptized this sunday he accepted. So great. The Lord is helping us out and putting miracles in out paths. It´s such a privlege to help someone get to know the Gospel. I love my mission and it´s true the members are always strengthened by having missionaries. It´s truly a privlege to belong to a ward that has missionaries. So I am giving the english class here and realizing I am forgetting and teaching english wrong. It´s a stress I signed up for. I won´t do it again. There is so much to improve on but so little time. I am loving this time with the Lord and learning so much and growing. So that´s that for the week until next time!! I love you ALL!! Missionary work is such a blessing!!! I miss you all like crazy and can´t wait for christmas!! rachel

July 22, 2009

Mom and family, I feel like Iam out of this world sometiumes like the things I am experiencing here on the mission sound crazy to people who aren´t on the same level. I will try to express what´s going on keep an open mind. I know my mission call is sacred. I know it was pre-ordained before I was born. I know I was born for a special purpose to learn and grow and serve. I am so grateful for my mission. Last night was amazing. We found a man who was walking in front of the chapel and we were desperate for investigators to attend so we invited this man in. He accepted and really liked the sacrament meeting and we took his name and number to visit him and his spouse. It was last night I met is wife who is an ex-nun, they have saints in every place in their house it was obvious strong catholics. As we greeted each other as a custom here to kiss the cheek and shake hands she said I know you from somewhere. I couldn´t think of where. they´ve lived here for only a small amount of time I don´t know if I have already talked to her on the street or not when I was here before.... It was weird as she confessed she felt like she has known me for a long time. the lesson we taught was every word directed by the spirit, Sister Santos admitted after, Sister Davidson you spoke portugues perfeito, perfect without accent it seemed like you were Brasilian. it was an amazing lesson. they are an elderly couple. At the end we asked if the wife would say the last prayer and she said the prayer and poured out her heart of how grateful she was for having apostles de Cristo in her house teaching things she has never heard before she talked about a peace that she was feeling and how cristo felt like he was in the room. It was a marvilous experiences. All the sacrifices are worth it when we find people like this. Now the process of them being baptised!! I just am overwhelmed. The spirit works in wonders and miracles. It´s amazing how someone can change when they feel the spirit. A mission is going and we are working hard to find families to teach. I am forgetting myself, it´s real I am not remembering my life before the mission. Love you all so much!!Rachel

July 15, 2009

So the mission is good. I ve been transfered again and returned to Campinas and Ponte in the small apartment. 3rd time. I past 4 dias in trio and now I am back with a new heathly companion. I am trying my best to help these wards, it´s a constant talking to people and animating the members, exhausting work. the time is going to fly, I hope to stay here to baptize some people this time. We went to the temple today it feels like forever and I had a nice experience there. I am understanding more and more and gaining a greater love for Christ in my life. I am 100% religious it´s crazy, I can´t remeber who I was before what I did before. People ask what´s the food like in the US and I can't remeber. All I remember is Brasil and the mission and don´t ever want it to change. I am loving serving the people here the language is always a challenge but it´s getting easier. I have a hard time rembering words. thanks for all your emails this week it was great to read them to see what´s up at home. I love you all!! do you have a good activity for 2 wards to help them get excited and work with the missioniaries?? Love rachel

July 8, 2009

Dear Family, so I am typing on a ghetto computer, the keyboard is so old the letters are all faded so I am trying my best here to type. hahaha. So you´ll never guess but I am transfered again. I passed 3 weeks there in campinas with sister pedroso. I was really excited and starting an english class and everything. Suddenly a new sister fresh from the MTC got sick and Sis Pedroso was transfered and I was with a sick companion. in and out of the hospital for two days, she was sososo nervous everything she was eating she was throwing up 7 kilos lost and she was barely able to walk. I have been through a tornado of emotions and just wanted to give up and come home. It´s rough being transfered all the time, but this last time was my first time crying because I have such a strong love for Campinas, it´s probably the hardest area to work in because it´s all apartment buildings and hard hearted people. but I love the challenge!!! My last lesson there was teaching a young guy whose gay but accepted to be baptized... So I had some really spiritual experiences and presidente sent my sick companion home. now I am in Roslene with sister hunter from New Mexico, Albequerque and sister freitas from fortaleza, brasil. I told sister hunter about my experience there in NM... hahaha baseball game and hot air balloons. I am celebrating my half way mark today!! can you believe it??! how many more months to go? Well I miss you all Love Rachel

July 1, 2009

Hello my family!! It´s crazy because the economy is really bad here too. Lots of people are losing jobs here in Campinas. Inside our chapel we have a Job search and employment help the church offers and we are finding people to teach through the program which is cool. I am starting an english class this week to also help find people to teach too. Wish me luck I have never taught english before in my life!! But Portugues is like second nature now. I was talking to someone yesterday and he was talking in english and I was responding the whole time in portugues, crazy!! It takes a lot more focus now to speak english. I am happy to be back in my old wards. It´s really hard here in the big city caring for two wards, Sister Pedroso and I contacted 172 people this week in the street and they all just work here and live in other areas or they don´t even give us time to speak, hard-hearted!! But we will survive and are having fun talking to people. We are going to the Bosque today, it´s like a park zoo place here in Campinas, we´re taking a picnic. it´s the first pday having fun and doing something different for once. Being in the center we have a lot of old cathedrals and stuff. It´s great. it´s a constant communicating job, this past Sunday I had the biggest headache after assisting two sacrament meetings and greeting and talking to the members. A mission is a constant run!!! love you !!Rachel

June 24, 2009

Hey people guess what, TRANSFERED AGAIN, and you´ll never guess where I am at, yup, returned to my old area Campinas!!! It is so rare for a missionary to return to an old area, but Sister Souza returned home Monday and I was transfer in her spot. The members are all excited to see me again and we're working hard and centering everything in Christ every thiought and action, it´s cool. I am loving it. I don´t know how or why but I have always had a HUGE love for this place ever since my first day here in December. It´s crazy comparing my love for my other areas, paulina and rio claro, I love campinas more!!! hahaha. So I am a little stressed it´s rough without sister souza and everythinb reminds me of her, I have returned to the tiny apartment and lost the wonderful privilege of having my clothes washed for me. Goodness, I still can´t believe I am back!! WOW!! SHOCK!! I felt like I wouild return but never believed it, crazy. I am learning a lot. I am here with my new companion Sister Pedroso from Rio de Janeiro. She´s been out for 3 months and is wonderful to work with, helping me with portugues and stuff. LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Rachel

June 17, 2009

SO PRESIDENTE CASTRO DEUS IS BECOMING ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS. HE APPEARED IN OUR DISTRIVCT MEETING THIS WEEK AND HE´S TEACHIUNG US A LOT ABOUT SEARCHING FOR TRUTH AND LIGHT AND CHRIST. I AM LEARNING A TON ABOUT REVELATION. WE ARE NOT LIMITED TO WHAT IS WRITTEN IN OUR PATRIARCHAL BLESSINGS BUT CAN DISCOVER MORE THROUGH RELVELATION STUDYING HOW NEPHI RECEIVED REVALTION IN 1 NEPHI 11. DESIRE, FAITH, PONDERING IN HIS HEART… IT´S FASCINATING. WE CAN RECEIVE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS, WHAT TYPE OF SPIRIT WAS I IN THE PRE-EXSISTENCE? WHY WAS I RESERVED TO COME TO EARTH IN THIS TIME WHEN THE GOSPEL IS ON THE EARTH? WHAT ARE MY TALENTS? IT´S AMAZING EVERY DAY IS A SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND LIGHT WHICH IS ONLY FOUND IN CHRIST. I AM GROWING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO MY SAVIOR EACH DAY AND WANT TO BE LIKE HIM. WE SEARCH FOR HIM THROUGH SERVING OTHERS AND STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES. I LOVE THE SCRIPTURES AND RECEIVE SO MUCH STRENGTH FROM THEM EACH DAY. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS TIME I HAVE TO FOCUS ON MY SPIRITUALITY. I AM HERE IN CAMPINAS TODAY SPENDING THE LAST PDAY WITH SISTER SOUZA AND ATE LUNCH WITH A RECENT CONVERT. IT GOOD. I AM GOING TO MISS SISTER SOUZA LIKE NONE OTHER!! SHE´S LEAVING MONDAY. CAN´T BELIEVE THE TIME THAT HAS PAST. THE BISPO TOOK ON GOOGLE EARTH DURING LUNCH AT HIS HOUSE AND I SAW HOME AND EVERYTHING. SO FUNNY BRYCE FORGOT HIS TALK, FATHER LIKE SON. I MISS YOU GUYS LIKE CRAZY. WELL I WANT PICTURES!! CONGRATS ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR DOWN… ENJOY THE WARM SUN FOR ME!! I CAN´T BELIEVE HOW COLD IT GETS HERE IN BRASIL, FOOLED ME!! HAHAHAI LOVE YOU ALL AND TAKE CARE OF GRANDMA & GRANDPA. LOVE,RACHEL

Winter in Brazil--June 10, 2009

Continuing strong on the mission--I made 8 months yesterday here in Brasil. I am pretty proud of myself for serving this long!! Hahaha. I love being a missionary. The experience is so great. I am talking to a ton of people in the streets. I found a warm coat and am all good to go with everything for the rest of my mission I feel. Just waiting for the chacos… I got a package from Bekah this week and hear there´s one waiting for me in the mission office. It was good hearing from Bekah it´s been a way long time. I can´t believe she´s graduating and Bryce graduated. Things are going to be interesting when I come home. It´s like entering the world again. Sister Souza and Kirk are going home in 2 weeks, that´s so crazy!! I am going to cry my eyes out. But what is cool is that Sister Souza is coming back to visit in December so I´ll see her again. She has made a huge impact in my life and mission. A person I will never forget. I want to come back to Brasil after the mission because my visa will still be good for another 6 months. Anyways the companion I have now is great she has Indian anscestory. A true Lamanite!

June 3, 2009

Sister Gomes and I are staying positive and trying to get the missionary work here movin´..Our bishop is a young guy who is really animated and excited about church stuff. He is cool. Something about the church in Brasil is that everyone has the same last name so we call them sister or brother with their first name, Sister Ann and Brother Chris, haha. Well I am getting adjusted here in Paulinia. I eat lunch everyday at the members house minus P-day and I am slowly getting to know the members. The ward is huge here just a lot of inactive members, like everywhere. I ve learned that if you don´t have a firm foundation in Christ and confide in him and love him and understand his role in our life we´ll fall. I am finding a strong love for the commandments and hope you guys are too. If you have a hard time understanding why just keep the commandment diligently and you´ll learn about it from the blessings that come from keeping it. God´s love is infinite and I am so greatful to be on a mission putting my life on hold to learn about god´s love and purpose.

May 27, 2009

It´s interesting as a missionary I enter in a million different types of houses. I ate lunch at a members house that looked like they took the house out of a magazine, they keep their dining room table set!! Really fancy and then I´ve been in homes that have been put together with scraps of wood and nails and rope that don´t have running water or electricity and it´s interesting because it doesn´t matter what your home looks like it´s the manner you treat the people that enter your home and the spirit that radiates from it. It´s what is being taught in your home and how you treat one another that is important. Interesting… Anyways one of my many obervants here on the mission. I am doing well. Sister Gomes and I live in a garage room at a members house who does our laundry!! I am loving the mission being a representative of our Savior and trying to teach people about him and the restored gospel. I see miracles everyday and am loving it. It´s hard work but rewarding. Just obey and try your best and the Lord blesses us. Every day my testimony grows about prayer, fasting, keeping the commandments, studying the scriptures everyday, tithing, trusting in God, etc. We have no reason to fear or worry when we have a true testimony that we are in God´s hands and whatever happens it happens for a reason. We have so much to learn here in this life, this time is precious. I am seeing the line more clearly what is of the world and what is of God.

May 20, 2009

Well you´ll never believed what happened, yep transfered again!! To a City really close to Campinas called Paulinha. I have a new Brasilian companion and once again missing English. It´s hard changing all the time. I loved those people in Rio Claro and sister martin!! I saw Sister Souza yesterday during the transfer she is going home in 5 weeks and is doing well it was great seeing her and we are in the same zona so ill be seeing her every week at district meetings. So I got the package from Grandma. I won´t be needing anymore facewashes again while on my mission. Thanks Grandma!!! We had one baptism in Rio Claro a Senhora about 53 years old who is involved in the government stuff here in brasil it was cool talking to her. I need to learn the vocabulary of govt stuff in Portugues. I am here my first day in Paulinha I hear it´s a great area. We live with a member who washes our clothes so that´s cool. I feel spoiled! The area is huge and I hear the ward is huge too!! So I am excited to find families to teach! I love you all rachel

May 13, 2009

Hello Family!! It was great talking to all of you Sunday. Today It seems like that was so long ago… Anyways, the mission is going along. It´s weird the people I meet here, members and investigators I feel like Ive seen them all before they seem so familiar to me. As we were teaching an investigator the first lesson she said she had a dream with me in it if that´s not cool. On the mission heaven seems so close and the pre-existence wasn’t that long ago. Yea dad it´s a constant fight with people, Ive helped a couple living together marry in Campinas and we are teaching two more families that need to be married too. Serving a mission in today´s world is rough. Everyone just lives together, no one is married so it takes a lot longer to baptize people. We have a baptism this weekend a 52 year old lady, she´s really cool and involved in the school systems and political system here in Brasil. She has run for mayor and stuff. So I am going to go home and learn all the political terms in Portugues today to better understand her and Brasil!! I am going to try to find a book for little kids about Brasil. There´s a used book store close by. So far my mission I have baptized 3 people all the age of 50 or there abouts. I am really trying hard to find families!!! I am hoping for this one family, I talked to the dad on the street the other day, he´s married with four kids all the age of baptism, I really want to teach them but it´s so hard finding everyone in casa. You know how it is having teenage kids and how life is already on the run. Imagine the mom is taking a class at the college and working full time. Crazy lifestyle, we´ve already invited her to be baptized and she agreed. So it´s a slow process definitely. Anyways, Hope you all are doing great and enjoying life. The days are long and really hot in Brasil but somehow I am surviving. Focusing on Christ´s life really helps, thinking about how hard it must have been for him, it gets me through the tough times. But thanks for all the support you give me and love. Miss you guys and love you too!!Rachel

May 6, 2009

Hey Family,This week was the Best week so far on the mission. I am so excited to be a missionary, I finally have found confidence and strong desire to share the gospel. It was a process of gaining a testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ. We found a really cool family to teach this week. I found this black man on the corner of a road and walked up to him and said hi I am a missionary of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints what´s your name and he said Jefferson. I asked if he attended any church and he said no and I said I have a meesage that will change your life that we would like to share with you and your family. I then got his address and found out he´s married and has two daughters ready to be in YW and We are going to teach them Friday the first lesson. We found a family of 4 girls, 12,13,14,and 15 years old who we´re going to go back and teach too. The night we found them they followed us home to see where we lived. We went home to grab some cake to take to them and as we were going back out there all 4 of them standing outside the gate to our apartment smiling and yelling at us. Its cool they are all giggly girls, they couldn´t stop laughing as I was talking to them because of my accent, hahaha… they are a ton of fun. We are filling up the YW organization in our ward, 7 new yw, get out!!! It´s crazy. We had 10 investigators at church and found a family of 8 people, 6 kids and parents!! Crazy… I am on fire look out!! Hahaha, no, the Lord is really blessing us, it´s all about obedience and fasting and praying and talking to everyone in the street. I am loving the mission!! We had a crazy down pour of rain and the weather is getting really cold. I saw my breath for the first time in a long time yesterday morning as sis martin and I were waiting for the bus to go to our district meeting!! Crazy!! I Love you, Rachel

April 29, 2009

Yeah everyone wrote me!!! I feel so loved! It´s so great hearing from all of you. thanks emily for the picture of cinder Ive been dying here because I forgot to bring a picture of her here on the mission. Dad I did respond to your email and like you I lost it and was too mad to rewrite it. the disease!!! I am learning a lot of diligence on the mission something I have alwayed lacked in my life, a routined schedule but it the healthy way to live that´s for sure. missionary work has definitely evolved into much much more than just one thing! But it is great I am loving it.We had a multi zone conference yesterday and we all got yelled at to repent. My mission is the most rigorous mission with the most rules in all the world I think. It´s interesting, and i am learning to love rules and the commandments that keep us safe from the traps of satan. We learned a lot on how to simplify our teaching and our purpose is to baptise. our goal this month of may is to have 300 baptisms in total. I am learning so much that the mission is setting the tone for the rest of my life. It is the time I have to draw close to the Lord to find my strength and confidence in the Atonement, to take everyday as an opprotunity to be better. oh and yesterday I bought a big mac meal from mcdonalds with my card it was good and American. I love you ALL!!!!Rachel

April 22, 2009

So I am glad you emailed me, this was the only email I recieved today. I hope you got my last email?? Anyways it is awesome having an american companion it´s cool learning the language with her she has a way bigger vocabulary because she´s been here for over a year and will be going home this August! We are having a ton of fun. The members love us and are feeding us like crazy, I gave a talk last sunday about missionary work and I talked in portugues for 15 strait minutes, I wasn~t paying attention to the time and didn´t leave any time for the closing speaker that was embarassing!! I felt like the spirit was just talking through me you know, I didn´t really prepare I have a list of scriptures and a quote from Pres Hinkley, it all came together at the pulpit. So missionary work is getting easier I read the talk from the last conference about enjoying the journey by Pres. Monson and so I am enjoying the journey of being a missionary, learning portugues, talking to crazy people and finding those that have truly been prepared to be baptised. this week we recieved a referal from the elders. a woman entered into a chapel talked to a bishop that was there and asked to be baptised! She lives in our area and passed by her house a number of times but never found her home. finally one day it was a Holiday called Tira da dentista and we found her home. We arrived in the first lesson at the part where we talk about Joesph Smith and invite her to be baptised (yes we drop the baptisim invite every first lesson) and I was teaching, everytime I began to talk to say Jospeh´s name someone was at the door yelling her name, this happened 3 times and during the quote of the first vission Í saw a pillar of light...´and so Satan was definatly trying to distract her. We invited her to be baptised this Sunday, way soon, huh? But she accepted the invite and now going to her house every morning sacrificing our study time and of course her house is in no man´s zone of our area, but BAPTISM! She´s entering into the kingdom. anyways sister martins and I are having way too much fun, we picked tangerines off a tree in the street yesterday and I guess in December the streets are just filled with mangos. I found a fruit called caqui that I love and Maracujá is to die for.

April 15, 2009

Sister Martin and I are doing great we are finding familes to teach! It´´s great. This palce Rio Claro is the most religous place I have ever been in. Churches at every corner and on weekends we pass and listen to them screaming yelling playing loud gospel music. Still frusterated and at a loss of words. I am always feelng unqualified for this work I dont have a cool conversion story or experiences to share attending other churches I am just boring Sister Davidson carrying a heavy load of responsiblity to share my testimony. I found this boy miguel this week who is 18 smokes 10 packs of cigarettes a day and for some reason I have hope that he´ll serve a mission some day. We are going back to teach him Saturday. Everyone is catholic or Evangelist so it´s rough teaching people and correcting all the wrong doctrine they´ve been fed all their life. But it´s been interesting us two americans in Brasil; I am so scared for the next transfer they want me to be qualified to be a senior companion, I ám, not ready for that!!! I am constantly bearing my testimony in sacrament meeting and giving talks trying to gain the confidence of members so they´ll give us references. I am sick Beans and rice and roast and potatoes and just want like a salad or something, (nacho libre).

April 8, 2009

Well thanks for all your prayers I feel like they´re being answered. You´ll never guess what happened this transfer... I am with an American companion, Sister Martin from Texas and we are in a small town called Rio Claro. It is a huge blessing! I am really excited to work with her and to learn and teach from her. She has 3 more transfer left and will be going home in August. Today marks 6 months on the mission for me can you believe it?? Time is passing, 12 more to go. I am learning how to have fun here on the mission, joking in Portugues and feeling more comfortable being an american missionary in brasil. A mission has definitely gotten better. Well I got to watch all of conference it´s in the white hand book that we need to watch all sessions of conference, cool, huh? I absolutley loved the talk of the Atonement by Jeffery R Holland, I think?? But it was so powerful. it´s so interesting this conference lots of talk about the temple and being excited and enthusiastic. I also liked the talk about fear and faith. lots of wonderful words and counsel we need to take and apply in our lives and we will be blessed and cared for. Oh and also the talk that talked about members need to be involved in the missionary work. really good stuff... I really excited to be here with Sister Martins and hope we have really good success here in helping this ward to grow. Everything seems better here, the apartment, the people, the culture, finally out of the big city. the church is true, Jesus is the Christ, we have the blessing of this knowledge and hapiness in our lives and it is our responsibility to share it with others. we need not fear for the Lord is on our side and will be there to touch the hearts of those we share our testimony with. Love,Rachel

April 1, 2009

I am so grateful for the members who help us out. It makes all the differnce in our success. So last week here, I am feeling I am going to be staying again here with sister souza, wouldn´t that be great, she has become my best friend and are planning to meet up after the mission because she´ll be going to BYU afterwards, in 2010, when I´ll be home. this week am marveling at all the programs the church has to offer. the YW program for example and just everything, such blessings and makes a huge difference in family life. hey Being a missionsary is such a sacrifice, I don´t have a life it´s all about serving the Lord, everything I do has to do with missionary work, I can´t escape it, it controls me, but it´s all good. . It´s really interesting everything, living here, speaking the language, being Brasilian for 18 months, such a wonderful opportunity and privilege. Read preach my gospel and you´ll understand more about my call as a missionary, what I am doing everyday, what challenges I face on a daily basis, etc... I love you!!!rachel

March 25, 2009

I recieved my package yesterday it felt like christmas, Tell grandma thank you thank you. It felt so incrediably good to get stuff from home. it was a happy moment. the shoes are perfect I haven´t tried on the shirt yet but it looks like it´ll work out great. I have enough chap stick and sun screen to last me all my mission i think and beyond. Bekah sent me some chap stick and sun screan too! funny. So I have learned about living in big cities from my time here in the center of campinas. No thank you! It´s crazy, lots of homosexuals, prostitutes, you name it it´s here. Thank goodness for mission rules, home by 9:30 at the lastest. So the work is really slow here. the apartment buildings are numberless and we can´t knock on doors there so we´re stuck talking to people in the street and everyone just works here and lives in the area of other missionaries. Great huh. This week was a lot more fun because my attitude is changing. I just smile and try to speak portugues. the ELDERS are all worried about sister souza and I. It´s strange, they called us yesterday to talk to us about how we´re doing. I learned there are three types of missionaries, ones who work hard and change and become better, ones who stay the same and fight all their mission to never change, and ones who become worse, slack off the whole time and fall away from the church. It´s interesting the life of a missionary.

March 18, 2009

It´s really hard here in the big city everyone lives in apartments. But the wards are good and the members are cool. We had my second baptism on Sunday a man named Jackson we've been teaching. I couldn´t stop smiling the whole time at the baptismal service. It was great we sang a primary hymn in Portuigues and english. it was cool. it´s really crazy on the mission. We are literally battling satan, he is in our way, he is in the hearts of some people he is waiting to laugh at us when we fall. He is annoying! I am happy to hear you guys are receiving blessings. here on the mission we teach families who have a huge list of problems... And they make my problems seem like nothing. I am trying really hard to be a stronger me, it´s a constant search and study. Its true I just want to have fun, I just want my life back, with so many rules on the mission I often feel like a robot. I need to learn to have fun with portugues, being the only one learning the language it´s boring not having others around to play with the language. I am trying to learn to how to have fun on the mission without breaking the rules.

March 11, 2009

This past week was cool. Jinilson and Liliane are getting married so they can be baptized!! I went to the temple today and did a session of endowments. I have never felt so exhausted in my life and some how I keep walking, I know Christ is carrying me. I am so weak and so imperfect and yet the love is so enormous. I am trying and keep on trying and yet I can never grasp it near accomplish my goals. It´s so hard and frustrating at times. I really felt the weight of my calling as a missionary today in the temple, the responsibility is huge and impossible without the Spirit. Mom I taught the first vision and invited a young single lady to be baptized this week, Renata. As Sister Souza and Sister Rocha were teaching their parts I was praying and repenting and begging for the Spirit. As I quoted Jospeh Smith --I saw a pillar of light directly above my head, brighter than the sun that gradually descended before me...--vi um pilar de luz acima de minha cabeça. mais brilhante que o sol que decsia gradualmente sobre mim...the Spirit was so strong, I can feel it now as I am recounting the experience. As I testified of it´s truthfulness and asked her to be baptized she accepted without hesitation. Mom it was a miracle. A true conversion through a true testimony. WOW, wish you could of been there. My I have a strong spirit and testimony, I have lived my who life doubting and not confident, wasted time. oh well. Having two brasilians around is rough but I am trying to look at the bright side, I can learn two times as fast how to speak portugues.. haha.

March 4, 2009

The Portugues is taking over my brain!! It´s happening with a little, faith, a ton of confidence, and hope that anything is possible. I have had a change of heart this transfer, I am feeling more and more at peace at the work I am trying to accomplish here. My goal is to love more, I need more love for everything. if I just let go and love it makes all the problems go away. Every day is a constant day fighting for what is right. I wish Satan never exsisted at all, he makes everything so much harder. My testimony was on the brink of ruin last week as trial after trial overwhelmed me with frustration and discouragement. This transfer everything is the same but we have an additional Companion, Sister Rocha (another Brasilian compaion, she talks really fast and it´s hard to get a word in but I love her) and another area to care for. A mission is so hard I want to wear pants, I want to listen to my music, I want cinder, I want, I want... all these sacrifices are good for me, starving, sweating, speaking portugues, some days are just too overwhelming. it´s like I can handle it for so long and then I expolde and want to give up. I am learning persistence, diligence, patience and the people, loving the people and forgetting about all my wants helps. Missionaries are angels. I am an angel gathering the saints.

February 25, 2009

A mission is so hard... I am discovering all my weaknesses and all my rebelliousness. It´s not too fun, I am trying to change and serve the people here the best I can but sometimes feel unqualified for the job. Another transfer is coming up on the 3rd of March I might be moving again and this time maybe companions too... I won't know until the night before. so blah... I am keeping positive with the little impovements everyday and am finally seeing some movement and change. I am in shock to discover the person I am helping most is myself here on the mission I thought it would be the other way around. Well we´re teaching 2 really cool guys hoping they´ll be baptized this Sunday, we´ll just have to wait to find out. Well this is my frustrated email for this week looking foward to a better one next week. loveRachel

February 18, 2009

I am so happy to serve a mission in Brasil where the culture here embraces life and it´s problems and it´s normal. It´s normal to have problems, to be working on our problems, to believe in God and confide in Him for everything. I love Brasil and how they are so loving and welcoming and accepting. I dont´feel awkward or embarrassed about who I am, what I believe, etc... I was definitely meant to serve a mission here and I am learning so much about myself and the world we live in and about people.. So many different types of people. It´s really wierd to speak english I can write in english and think in english but I always respond in Portugues or a mix form when I speak to those who speak english and portugues, mostly american elders.Yeah the living arrangement is fun, when will I ever been living like this again?? or maybe it´s preparing me for what is to come in my life?? poverty!! haha I love the people here. they make everything good. Smoking is a huge prblem here for most people, it´s such a work of satan, I have never been around so much cigarette smoke in my life and am paranoid of dying from second hand smoke!! haha. It´s really sad. we are visiting an older lady who has heart problems from drinking coffee, cancer from smoking all her life and a type of blood disease. to think this pain and suffereing if she just never smoked or drank coffee in her life. I am learning so much about commandments and how everything has a purpose, sometimes when a new rule is made of commandment is given we don´t understand the purpose but there always is. A purpose of protection, health, recieve blessings. I have a new take on sacrifices. instead of complaining and not wanting to do things I don´t want to do I am looking for things that I don´t want to do and doing them, to sacrifice and recive the blessings from sacrifcing. Life is all about sacrificing and I am learning to put people first, putting others first in an important concept. well It´s a wonderful plan here on earth. And what is most wonderful of all is that we have the knowlegde of this plan. How merciful is our god to bless us with a prophet, scriptures, a working mind to learn His will and return back to live with God. He is literally our father. My relationship with god has grown tremendously. Till next time! Love, Rachel

February 11, 2009

The mission is great we are teaching a family. I am finding new joy in life as I try to help people understand the commandments of God and how to have an eternal family. Being sealed in the temple is the only way to go, you know? Happy Valentines Day to all!! spread the love aka the gospel. I am learning how much missionary work is at the heart of the church, I think we don´t put enough emphasis on missionary work in Grants Pass. The church is so different in Brasil, so new and growing like crazy. People are so accepting and everyone believes in God, it´s not common to find atheists nor agnostists here. Cool. On all the buses they have a sign that says ´Deus é Fiel´ God is Faithful,... and many cars have a sticker that says ém na maos de Deus´In the hands of God... Anyways Brasil is way cool... the fruit here is to die for everything has such rich flavor. One fruit called Maracujá is so gostoso... So many different flavors, at first it´s wierd but then it´s delicious. I love beans and rice I think sometimes more than the average Brasilian, this is good right? I hope to come home with all kinds of new ideas and make you guys a Brasilian feast. It´s kind of strange, for food they have various main courses. a typical Brasilian lunch is spaghetti, type of meat (beef, chicken), beans, rice, juice, salad/vegtable, and potatoes lots of carbs and protien. OH and lets not forget Guarnana aquela soda irmão pratt brought over my last night. Tell him hi for me and that there´s thousands of types of Guarnana here... yikes!! Love you beijos e abraços! (hugs and kissses/ besitos y abrasos). I am focusing on loving the people, loving my companion, loving my mission president and his wife, and loving nosso Salvador! I think the love will help me along in learning the language faster and the gospel. I have such a hard time memorizing scriptures and thinking where to find a particular scripture in the time I need it. It´s really challenging teaching the gospel I guess it makes it twice as hard in another language too. But all is well I am learning confidence. I am almost 1/3 the way home. WOW love you guys, take care, good luck with school and give grandma and grandpa a hug and kiss for me. love, Rachel

February 4, 2009

Portugues is killing my patience. I have been transfered with Sister Souza and opening another area AGAIN!!! frustrating. We now live in the tiniest apartment ever on the 7th floor in the center of campinas!! The City is huge and there´s always people, tons of people. thank goodness for elevadors! I am starting to be a small town fan. It´s like living the middle of New York or San Fransisco just Brasilian. I have found the best ice cream and Pão de Queso something never found in the US. How I long for english, for my bedroom, for my life, to be able to express myself, for people to listen to me. Every time this week I went to speak I was interrupted everytime, I wanted to scream . . . .I have given up, I don´t want to talk anymore--But a mission isn´t about me is it? i guess I have a lot to learn. I do love the people here because I can feel the love God has for them, I am so selfish. Why am I not willing to give everything like Christ, curse my imperfections.

January 28, 2009

This week was great--I love the people here. I have found a lady Luciana... an interesting story she is... We were passing by a street we normally don´t take and this was one of my first days on the mission. I let go of all my securities, let go and let the spirit guide. Luciana was my very first contact on the mission, I got her address and permission to pass by and I gave her a card to call and recieve a dvd. Well we planned the next day to pass but it never happened the next day passed too and the next. I went with a member yesterday to deliver a dvd and give the 1 lesson. Well everyone we planned for wasn´t home so I decided to pass by this one house. It was really far far away and I felt someone important was behind this address and sure enough it was Luciana. She made cake for us and was waiting for us the day we never showed up, so sad and bad/121 = so anyways she was really forgiving and I am so excited to continue teaching her and inviting her to be baptized! She´s one of the Elite ones. It´s a promisse found in preach my gospel if we are doing everything possible to find people to teach the gospel Heavenly Father will guide us to find those that are ready to recieve the gospel.

January 21, 2009

It´s such a blessing to be here by the mission home, I get to check the mail every week sometimes more, unlike other missionaries who have to wait 6 weeks until the next transfer, yikes!! 6 more weeks with sista souza, I am praying for another transfer with her. I love her. She takes care of me. She´ll be going home in May. She is so concerned for others and I am scared of the other sister missionaries. I just want to be companions with sister souza my whole mission!!!
I´ve received letters from all my friends in Rexburg, Lindsey, Alana, Britney, Janna Nelson, Rebecca. It was fun hearing from them. It is so easy to get lost here and loose all contact with everyone including family. Because time is so short and there´s always a million things I could be doing they had to actually make it a rule in the White Handbook to write your family once a week. A mission is such a wonderful experience. Everyone should serve a mission. I love serving a mission. It is so hard but so good for me. Something that was right for me to do. The baptism was really good. Norma is such a woman of faith! She doesn't even know how to read! She learned so fast and is so intune with the spirit and feelings of truth. We taught her only 3 times and sometimes she was the one teaching us. There are so many people ready to hear the Gospel. Prepared and ready!! God´s Elite. Love, Rachel

January 14, 2009

I am dying of heat so I am basically buying new clothes! It's not fun, I hate clothes shopping! My companion is sure taking good care of me. Her mom is a professional seamstress and made all her clothes so I am going to see if I can have her make me some too and mail them to me! It is soso hot!! Ouch!! This week was really cool, our first official baptism is this Saturday. Norma, she calls us her angels. She can´t read but feels the spirit so strong! She is a miracle! We had family night last night at her house and it was so edifying and uplifting. It's amazing everything especially gifts of the spirit, the gift of tongues. I speak portugues and don´t even understand what I AM saying but they understand it´s weird!! People are everything, family especially, and only a small amount of time we are together. Here on the mission I meet people introduce them into the gospel and then I am transferred, only 6 weeks together, no time at all. Luckily I am not being transferred this time so I am blessed with more time here in Prgresso. I am really learning from the culture here, I love it, family is so central and it´s a huge city like San Fransisco, they take time out, everyone, for family and friends. New years everything was closed and everyone was home spending time together. So I think that´s all for now back to thinking in portugues! Hahahalove \rachel

January 7, 2009

I had a wonderful experience last week. I have finally grasped the mission concept and would not want to be anywhere else in the world. A mission is truly a sacred experience an opportunity of a life time. I am so honored. Everything is finally so clear. The spirit is so strong I can see so clearly the Plan of Salvation. Childern are truly sensitive to the spirit. The spirit led us to a really special family. My first encounter with them was me and a member of the church, Raquel, my companion was sick, my first day alone, and as we approached the gate of this family the 4 year old boy with I think a mental disability pointed at me and said luz luz, olhe!! light light look! with an astounding facial expression. This young boy saw the mantel, the mantel and power of a missionary that I carry. This power I am learning is real and miracles are happening because of it. The power of a missionary is better than anything like harry potter. It´s a light and love and strength I can´t really describe with words. It´s so crazy and freaks me out a little. But strengthens my testimony. I am learning about the power of testimony, prayer and faith we individually have as well. These are powers... anyways--It was truly a spiritual experience finding this family and I will never forget it--Sacred... Thank you for everything you're doing for me!! It´s always fun hearing from home. Change change change. The time we have as a family is precious huh? Family is so sacred too a piece of heaven. I love you all!!!

December 31, 2008

So congrats Bryce, loved the photo make a copy and mail it so I can put it on my wall of photos please!! So this week was good. Our work seems to be paying off we are teaching a lot of people and hoping they´ll attend church with us this week. Missionary work is a never ending work of miracles If only I could qualify to be a missionary here in brasil? I love you all I am slavin´away in the hot sun but it´s a miracle because as we were walking I was praying for a gust of wind and it happened. I can control the weather!! hahaha, a blessing. I love you all Rachel

December 24, 2008

My area is next to the mission office and yes I go there once a week to get mail and stuff. I got the package, it was great! I miss peanut butter I can't find it anywhere here, okay that´s a lie I found a little jar for like $7. well the pj´s were great! And my skirt yeah! I miss the simple stuff from home you know, like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chocolate, face wipes, clothes, my music, etc… and the silly thing is when I return home it will be switched, missing things from Brasil. Oh life…So I am the only one from my MTC district in Campinas the rest are serving in different areas so I didn´t see them at the conference and will never see them. My health is excellent my chacos are doing great for walking!! No one gets any sleep on the mission, there´s just not enough time for everything! The mission conference was fun! Love you all!

Oi!!! Dec 17, 2008

Hey my pdays are on Wednesday and we go to a public computer and have to pay to use for however long... aye! So everything is going good here the first week down, I love my companion she´s like my mom out here. W e went to church and all the members are helping us along. feeding us and giving us rides when its pouring down rain. Blessing after blesing and now its Pday finally it was a long week. Sis Souza and I are on our own and our district is awesome. They are all so far away though. We meet once a week on tuesdays for a district meeting which is cool we catch a bus and go into the big city of campinas kind of like San Fran... The city is huge and I love it it's so beautiful. We live kind of on the outskirts known as Progresso. I make the pun of Progresso is Progressing!! haha so many people to teach and help. Brasil is an amazing place if only I could speak português. Thats the challenge of my life right now. I am really loving the work it has it´s ups and downs but it's such an experience. It´s especially hard with the holidays coming but you know how it goes. We are all excited for the mission conference on the 23rd where all the missionaries come together from the whole entire mission it'll be grand!! Well today is Sis. Souza´s birthday she´s 23 and I made her some brownies a recipe I got from an Elder Harmon in the CTM. and we´re going to McDonalds the first time here in Brasil. The people here are so warm and welcoming to me and my companion. I try so hard to communicate and sometimes I feel like I am not getting anywhere. but whatever... I feel so blessed and humbled to have such an opportunity as this one and am trying to grasp it. Everything is really new to me still. Oh you know Jon Hopkins the guy who gave me a ride home for thanksgiving from Roseburg. Well I found him in a photo at a members house here. he served here in Campinas.. I remember him telling me but had forgotten,. small world. we have had our encounters of cockroaches but last night was the first time in our house. it flew in from the open window, YES they FLY. and we screamed and grabbed the broom and this bugger was huge!!I went into my first Favela last week. Not as scary as I thought it would be. the people respect the missionaries and I think are watching our backs in a way. We found a family there really interested in the gosel. Christmas is definitely helping the work along, lucky for me. Love you always, Rachel