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