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