82 Degrees vs. 30 Degrees

Hello Family!

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. Ha! I saw a billboard for the second movie here in Manaus. Cool stuff.

As for chilly, I am contemplating on the funny aspect that I will return in the middle of winter after living in this incredible heat for a year and a  half. It is ironic that it is always hotter than hot after a good rain here. 

Transfers are the end of this week. If I am getting transfered to another state, I will find out on Saturday. If I am staying here or moving to somewhere relatively close I will find out on Sunday. It is exciting to think about... 

These past few weeks have been slow, but things are looking up now. We had a baptism scheduled for last Saturday, but when we went to pick up our investigator his dad and grandma  had changed their minds and are not allowing him to go to church or be baptized anymore. Its difficult, but I look to the future with high hopes. Our investigator is 17, so he only has to wait a year. One thing I have learned is that the Lord has a hand in every part of this work. Because of this, I dont worry when things like this happen. I just continue to do what I can. As it says in Isiah, the Lords ways are not our ways. 

I wrote Ryan a letter this week and included a present I made for him! I will be sending it today! I am so so so excited for him to be serving a mission. 

My present is covers to a planner. Everyone decorates their planners here and I was given some good contact paper this week. I used it to make special covers for Ryans first planner! Really I am so super excited!! I wish I could be there to watch him open it!

Say hello to the family this week!! Give everyone giant hugs from Brasil! Make sure and take pictures too! I love seeing them! I still think it is funny that our huge dogs think that they are lap dogs. They are too cute not to let them sit on you. Colorado, Family, I will be so happy to see and visit with all of them in a year! Make sure and eat extra for me at the stuff your stomach feast!

Our Heavenly Father Blesses us every day! This I know. I am glad that He is blessing my family so much. Drive safe this week! And enjoy the cold air and the snow and everything else that is a lovely part of this earth!

Love love love love you! 

Sister Chatwin

It's a Beautiful Monday!

Email to Shannon:

We had a baptism yesterday, Fernando. We met him last Sat. taught him all the lessons and he was baptized yesterday. We have several others that we want to be baptized, but are just waiting for them to make the time or go to church. 

I am glad that you have invited someone to take the lessons, the principles in the gospel can truly change the life of a person.  :) I hope that she stays well. Of course you will have fun, you love helping people! 

Transfers are the first of December. I believe that the Sisters are in all four states of our mission. There are two different states that the transfers are by plane. Presidente Klein is money concious and so most of the transfers are by bus. Things might change when we get a new mission president next july, but you never know. It is a good thing to be saving a lot of money. :) I want to serve in the area of tefe, but right now it looks like only Elders serve there. 

Yes, we have food in our house! Mission office last week, didnt have internet so we didnt recieve our money until a few days ago. But I always have extra money in the house incase things like this happen. :) You should never have to worry about me!

I am excited for Christmas. Many people here already have their christmas trees up. We sing christmas songs, and our last few family home evenings have had a christmas theme. I made a christmas tree for our house using the mormon ads in the liahona magazines. :) I love looking at it every day, it is huge! I can't wait to send you all my pictures! :) :) Its good to know that nothing is wrapped, now I will have to wait if it arrives early. I doubt it will too, but hey, you never know! 

Give my love to the family this thanksgiving, and make sure to eat a lot at the stretch your stomach feast! :)

Email to Kevin/Family:

I am doing well today! :) I think that I have that same picture here with me in Brasil! I keep a picture of warren's wedding on my desk and one of you and mom in your tye dye shirts. :) :) I love seeing your smiling faces every day! :) It is week 5 in transfers and only one more week to go. I am excited to see what will happen!! Long story short, at the end of my first transfer here Sister Klein went to a doctors appointment for Sister Freitas with us. She asked me there if I thought I was ready to teach the language. Of course I said no, because my grammer is still awful, but she said that she thought I was ready. SO... whatever happens next transfer I am ready for it. I have trust and faith in the Lord. That is one thing that Ryan will learn on his mission. You will have many oppourtunities to do new things. All you need is confidence in yourself and in the Lord. He will have many oppourtunities to learn new things and strengthen his faith. I was listening to a talk last night, the speaker was talking somewhere along the lines that we all desire for our faith to grow and to increase, but that cannot happen until we decrease the fear we have. I know this is true. Learn to fully trust in the Lord. Don't fear your trials, but welcome them as new challenges to help you gain the desired increase of faith. :) :)

I love you lots! Yesterday we had a baptism!  We met him last saturday, and taught him all the lessons this past week. The work is fast here. Sister Freitas and I have several other investigators that we would like to be baptized, but are just waiting to make the decision or find the time to come to church. It is very important in this work that you remember what you are teaching and you live what you teach too. This is the Lord's work, not ours. 

Funny story: This week we had some visitors at our house. Unwelcome visitors. HUGE SPIDERS. I'm not joking, they are huge here. The first one was the biggest, I wish I had gotten a picture of him, but alas that was impossible. He was waiting for us outside our door. I proceeded to try and scare it away, because my companion was panicking. Bad idea. He ran onto our door and hid in the crevice of the window. Sister Freitas was royaly mad with me then. I went to get the broom to scare it out of hiding, but I was denied that privelige by Sister Freitas. She was afraid that it would crawl through the crevase in the door and then hide somewhere in our house. ( Please know that this was a big spider and even a small spider couln't crawl through this crack) Anyways, respect your companions. She proceeded to call a member and ask her what to do, then started to cry because of the anxiety. Meanwhile I stood and waited while she decided to get the man who lives beneath us to come up and scare it away. The next night we had a slightly smaller spider inside our house. This time I took a picture first and then let her call the man to come and kill it for us.  :)

Saturday we got to eat at the pexaria do juvenal. I was in heaven eating fish. :) Tambaqui, is an especially yummy fish. :) If you have the chance to visit after the mission we will have to eat some fish! :) 

I am looking forward to the package that mom sent! I am anxious to see what is inside! :) 

Sounds like mom had another fun weekend with the kids. :) I sure do miss doing these fun things.

I am sending some letters today! One for the family, Sarah Hatch, and Auntie Beth. The one for Beth has letters for heather, laurel and bruce inside. I figured I would just send them all in one envelope. They were written with the intent of arriving for before thankgiving, but I don't think that they will get there in time. Oh well. 

This past week the mission office didn't have internet, henceforth we didn't have anymoney. We learned the importance of always having an emergency fund for when things like this happen. I related our experience to the parable of the Ten Virgins. I   have had an emergency fund since day one here, buy my companion does not. It is an important lesson we can apply to our lives. There will always be those who are unprepared or who find themselves in need. Henceforth, it is important to be in a position where you can supply for your needs and then spare a little to help others who are in need of help. 

:) :) :) :) :) :) : ) :)  Again I am forever greatful for the oppourtunity that we had to visit wonderful Nauvoo. So many special feelings about this vacation! I love the pictures that I have and the many examples of  sacrifice for the knowledge of the gospel. Which reminds me, mom, Shonnie is availiable to "talk" family history anytime you want! 

:) I love you all so much and I am very excited to talk with you all during christmas! :) :) 

Ciao, 

Sister Chatwin

It's Way Too Early Monday Morning (~4:15 AM)

Hello loving family! 

First off, we got rain rain and more rain this week. Sister Freitas and I always have a fun time when we get caught in the middle of a rainstorm. :) It always happens that she forgets her umbrella too! We try and share, but inevitalbly get soaked. It rains like nobody´s business here. The thunder is earth shaking and I just love the storms. :) :) 

Ha, that is funny. I think you changed the phone number just a few days before I left. I have it written down now. :) Transfers will be the first of December. So there is a possibility that I will be in a new area for Christmas. We had splits this week with the sister training leader for our area, she thinks that I will be training this next transfer. Every one is really impressed with my portuguese and thinks that I am ready to teach it. Personally I think I could use more time to learn more of the grammatical parts of the language, but all in all it is in the Lord´s hands. :) 

It was funny this week talking with Irma Tareza. We had stopped by her house to drop off one of our bags, so everything we had didnt get soaked, and stayed to have a little snack. Turns out the power was out and we ended up staying there for a few hours, because our next appointment was a family home evening and they didnt have power either. It was dark outside and its not safe to be walking through the streets in the middle of a black out. Anyways, Irma Tareza was saying that I am different than all of the other American missionaries. I like all of the different foods and eat everything they give me. It´s true. Sincerely I don´t think that I have eaten one thing I dont like here. Yes we eat a lot of beef and chicken and hardly eat any fruit, but its all good. Beef and Chicken still arn´t my favorite, but its the main thing people eat here. I´m trying not to eat as much meat as I have been, because we do eat a lot. 

COOL THING. So after Ryan recieved his call we were visiting in the house of a member and I was telling them where he was going. Another man in our stake just recieved his call too, Ryan will be serving with someone from the Rio Negro stake in Brasil. His first name is David and he reports to the Provo, MTC the 21 of January. It would be neat for Ryan to learn a few phrases in portuguese, because David is going to have a really hard time in the MTC. He will speak only portuguese, classes will be only in Japanese, and a majority of the people will only speak English. Anyways, the family we were visiting showed us the video of him opening his mission call. So I got to watch someone open their call going to the same mission as my brother, but not the video of my brother opening his call. 

Yesterday was Veronica´s last Sunday. :) She gave a beautiful talk! It is very hard for her to finally leave for her mission this week. Her sister is going into surgery today and her mom is also stressed out because of all the things she has to so. She is always serving and helping. I know that our families recieve blessings when we are in the service of the Lord. 

I was listening to a talk yesterday, on my new speaker :), by L. Tom Perry about the Book of Mormon. I realized that this book was written by our family to help us continue in the ways of the Lord because they knew that we would struggle with certain things. I thought a lot about how we write letters or send text messages when we know that someone is going through a hard time. And to think that our family loved us so much to ingrave these writings on plates of brass with the faith and trust in the Lord that they would be preserved for our day. It´s an incredible thought, and it created a greater desire in me to read and learn of what the Book of Mormon has to offer. :) 

I love my family so much. The Lord is so kind and forgiving. He truly loves us, each and every one of us! I know this. If we are willing to keep the commandments and do our best to follow the Saviour´s example we will be in the places we need to be when we need to be and with the people we need. :) This I know for certain. I am so super excited for Ryan and the crazy snowstorms he will encounter! I am excited to hear all of the stories!!!

I love you all so much and will continue to stay online if you want to talk, I have some other things to do today as well. 

LAST REQUEST. 

In behalf of Elder Zonts. I command Ryan that he send him an email TODAY. :) And also that he write me, his beloved sister, while he is on his mission. Only this. :) :)

Have a wonderful day all of my brothers, daddie, and mommie!! I love you so so so so much!

-Sister Chatwin

The Return to Central Standard Time

:( Sadly I don't have acess to google drive. So I wasn't able to watch the video. But........... WAY COOL!!! I AM SO PROUD AND HAPPY FOR RYAN! Seriously, I broke down in tears when I got to read where he was going!!  I am so so so so happy for him and for the learning and growth that he will have during his mission!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Seriously. Bem legal. He'll be able to talk with Sanshiroh too. I miss that kid. Tell him hi for me! ! Even cooler. AHHH. SO HAPPY!

As for Brasil, I don't think we switch time zones. I haven't heard anything of the sort here. It's kind of nice not to worry about that here. :)

I am glad that you all had a good band season! I miss you so much, but I am so so so happy to be seeing all these blessings in your lives! :)

Saturday was a holiday here. Our stake had an activity in the Taruma Cemetary. We handed out mountains of pass along cards to almost every one we saw. Seriously. I bet most of Manaus was in that cemetary on Saturday. My companion and I arrived at 8 and we didn't find the other enterance until 9. That place is immense. The people of Brasil have an immense love for their family. It is a beautiful place, its a more rural cemetary, kind of like the family cemetary in Taos, but a lot bigger. And completely surrounded by forest. Beautiful amazon forest with clear blue skys. I wish I had had my camera. :) I took lots of pictures in my mind before all the people arrived and we were put to work. 

Our area is big, we have the area by our house and then a street that connects to the other part of our area. We work a lot in the other part of the area, because we have more sucess there. Its a 40-60 walk from where we live. We walk there almost every day now. My legs are getting quite strong, and also quite sore. I wake up with charlie horses most days, but you don't need to worry. :) Scuba diving taught me how to quickly get rid of them. I need to find some better streches for my legs though, any ideas?

We are super busy here, with all this walking and teaching. Its ironic because Sister Freitas and I haven't had time to buy groceries for quite some time. :) But you all have no need to worry, the scripture in D&C 88 is true. Missionaries never have to worry where thier next meal will come from. We don't have any food in the house, but our members are super great and are always feeding us. We always have a lot to eat, yes sometimes we are hungry, but it never lasts long. :) We are deffinitely blessed. Sister Freitas and I were joking that as long as we are in this area we will only have to buy food for breakfast. Which ironically we ran out of this week. :) :) Alas, all is well. We have money to buy food, we just don't have time to go to the super market.

I love my mission, and my companion!! We are getting to be such good friends! I am so excited for all the things Ryan will learn. Ryan, make sure you take my address with you. I want you to write me letters and brag about all the good Japanese food you will be eating. FOR SURE I WANT YOUR ADDRESS TOO. I'll send you pretty letters with princess stickers and princess paper.  

As I was telling mom, I am going to try and buy a speaker today in the center of town. So if you guys want you can send a USB for Christmas with music or recorded messages from you guys. Be creative! I love you all so much and I wish that you could be here with me learning all of these things!

Yesterday I was thinking of the concept of how as missionaries, we aren't here to try and convince people to change religions, but to invite you to change your way of life. To allow you more happiness and more freedom, to help for find the joy that I have. That every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has. Our religion is a way of life, not a Sunday only activity. I love all of the oppourtunities I have to help people here. I have seen lives change and we get to share this with our investigators. We get to see the joy this gospel brings into the live of many people. I love this calling and I am learning so much about the simple truths.

Funny thought, many people think that I am brasilian. I look like a brasilian! The only way they find out that I am not a brasilian is when I speak, but I can fix that! Hehe, by the end of my mission no one will know that I am American. I am getting so tan. My chacos tan is the bomb, some of the members think that it is really cool. I even have a tan from the heel strap.  I joke with my companion that after 1 1/2 years in this sun, no one will recognize me. I use my sunscreen every day, yet I still get tanner.

Anywhos I love you all so so much! I think I won't get to talk with mom today. I think because of the time change you all had that she will have to start looking for my emails at a different time, because the time didn't change here in Brazil. 

Again sending my love!!!! I want to write you all another letter, and I will when I have time! 

A scripture that I have written in my planner to share is Jacob 4: 3-4, I don't quite remember what it says, but I think that it talks about the strength of these words written in my weakness. Anyways, ponder on it. Ponder on the words you write in your weaknesses. Our thoughts have such a great power and strength, always.

My thoughts are a little scattered today, I have been really busy this week and I woke up this morning thinking what can I tell my family? Just know that I always love you. I am doing super dooper, making new friends and loving my companion. :) I will sure be sad when this transefer is over. Usually after the 12 weeks of training you get a new companion, but I am super excited to meet new people. AND especially excited for the next transfer because that means...... Ryan's last birthday in the states for two years annnnd CHRISTMAS! :D :D :D I get to talk with you all again! I am getting excited! Veronica's family is putting up Christmas trees and decorations in their house right now to celebrate before she leaves in 2 weeks. :) It was fun to watch them set up the beautiful trees and decorations last night when we stopped by to say goodnight. 

I serioulsly have so much love in my heart today, and I am so so so so happy for Ryan! GO JAPAN! Every mission has a song here, I am excited to hear what Ryan's mission song is, I am excited to get to hear him speak Japanese too!! :) :P 

I pray for you all daily!! 

With love, 

Sister Chatwin

Mailboxes, Parties, and Pending Mission Calls

[Random bits of conversation between Sister Chatwin and her mom; her regular email begins at the fourth paragraph]

We have been working a lot in the bairro de Santa Cruz. It is about an hour walk from where we live in Alvorada. We have been having a lot more sucess there! We are teaching Cristiane and Elane. They are angels! They are reading their Livro de Mormons and praying. Its difficult for them to come to church, but we have rides arranged every week for them from a member that lives just up the street, but they still havent come. We are focusing on different ways to get our investigators to come to church. Its hard because they cant be baptized until they come to church. A miracle happend yesterday. One of our investigators that is very busy, but sincerely wants the gospel came to church when he had told us earlier that week that he couldnt. He stayed for two of the meetings, but didnt feel prepared for this week and left. We are trying to work with him more this week. His name is Hilton.

Today for p-day Veronica is taking Sister Freitas and I too see some of the sight s of Manaus. I am sure she will take some pictures to send to you!! :) :) I love the pictures you guys send me, I especially loved reading Ivy's stories! Elder Zonts wants Ryan to email him or write him back!!!! Just so you know!!! Love you!

Something neat this week. On my flight back from visiting Heather and family before I left for Brazil, I was talking with a lady,Becky, on the plane about missionary work and so on. We have been emailing back and forth periodically. :) It is fun to talk about the gospel with her, she doesnt get on the computer very much but I love when I get email from her and how she tells me she is helping with the work of the Lord! 

My family I love so much!! :)

I love hearing from you every week!  I love hearing how well you all are doing and how the Lord is blessing your lives! :)

I am glad that Shelby is doing well in her mission! I love Remmington too, and just so he knows, it is always hot here. Next month starts the rainy season here, rain rain rain rain and more rain. :) I am excited to see just how much it rains. :) I love the rain storms here!

Goofy goofy daddy! I love that joke, I just wished it translated the same way to portuguese! LOL. Still sleeping on the couch, even when he has his own room?? I think that kid will always sleep on a couch. :) The Work is a good CD to fall alseep too. I miss falling asleep to it, but its okay :) I walk so much it is super easy to fall asleep at night. :)

Yay Sam's club! Eat some pizza and ice-cream for me! :P yum yum. It sounds like the ward social was a lot of fun! The Westerfield's have a great yard for parties. I sure to miss having FHE over at their house! They are a wonderful family and I have a lot of good memories with them! Tell them hi for me! :)

Yesterday at church we had a man visit who runs and english school here with his wife. He is from America, but his wife is brasilian. He doesnt speak very much portuguese, so I got to translate for him while he was trying to communicate with one of the members in the hall. :) It was difficult not to answer him in portuguese. I had to mentally switch to speak in English with him to figure out what he wanted to say to this Sister. I still think in English a lot, and write lots of letters in English, but it sure was different speaking in English. :) I am excited for what it will be like during Christmas!! lol

I cant wait to see where Ryan will be serving the Lord! I really and so super excited for him! One of my old roomates leaves for the MTC this week, I am so super excited for her! I can't wait for Ryan to experiance the same things and for the many oppourtunities he will have to grow!!!!! :) SO exciting. 

Haha, Tiberius got skunked. That is a funny, does Sterling still want to sleep with him? lol How will you get rid of the smell??

I am glad that Ainsley is doing well. :) I would sure come to class if I got a strippling warrior headband! I am glad that you enjoy primary mom! It reminds me of a talk I read this morning. The Words We Speak, Rosemary M Wixon, I like this quote a lot, "May the words we speak and write to our children reflect the love our Heavenly Father has for His Son, Jesus Christ and for us. And then may we pause to listen, for a child is most capable of speaking great and marvelous things in return..." I love you mom!! Thank you mom and dad for your ever-loving example! :) :)

Some scripture that I liked this week, 2 Nephi 32:8-9 ; 33:3-4 :) The Holy Ghost is key in doing the work of the Lord. Each missionary has angles to help in the work of the Lord. When we speak with the Holy Ghost we speak the language of angels. This is such a powerful example as I think of the family members helping me and the strength of their testimonies. If I speak with the Holy Ghost than they are able to speak the things that our investigators need to hear. This amazes me everytime I think of it. :) 

Again I though of Nauvoo this week. Such a special place for so many people. The missionaries there are amazing. They allow so many people to learn and grow in many different ways. I love the feeling of peace as I remember and ponder on my experiences in Nauvoo. :)

I have so much more I want to say to you all, but I am running out of time! :) Just know that I will always love you and will have so many things to talk about during christmas and when I return home! I am excited for the joys in your lives and the experiences that you have each and every week! This life is amazing and we have so many oppourtunities that we are blessed with! Let us help our brothers and sister come to know the  light and joy that they can find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Read The Hope of God's Light by President Ucthdorf, share something you learned from it with someone you know this week. Remember every member a missionary! We are all missionaries and we share the Gospel every day by our examples and the words we speak. Also, you should read Your Holy Places, by Ann M Dibbs. :) :)

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!

Ciao, 

Sister Chatwin

Return from St. Louis

Hello Dear Family!! 

I am doing well! As for transfers, Sister Freitas and I are staying in Flores! My friend Sister Morales will be arriving tomorrow, I hope I get to see her before she leaves for her new area! She is the one that I met on facebook who lives in Peru. She entered the CTM the day after I left. We always seem to miss eachother, but I hope that I will have the chance to see her this time!! I hope this because we live right by the office where all the new missionarys go when they first arrive.

Im not really sure what other oppourtunities are out there for me. I know that our mission consists of four different states. I really want to serve in the area of Tefe, but I am pretty sure only Elders and Senior couples serve there. :)

The cake was  Sister Freitas idea. I didnt even think about it, and it was funny because when we were making it Irma Tareza was making a fuss of how we didnt need to make a cake every time someone was baptized. She is right, but when Sister Freitas wants to do something, we do it. She is very stiff in the head, but I love her and our Heavenly Father is helping me to understand just how much he loves her too!

I am glad that Owasso did well this year! It sounds like a fun show and I wish I could see it! :) Oklahoma is always represented well! Very good marching bands! It sound like you all had a really fun time in St. Louis! I want to hear all about it.

Veronica is very sweet! She tells us that the rainy season starts in November here. I am excited because when it rains, it rains. :) I love the storms here, but my companion doesnt. It is funny to see her jump every time there is a loud crack of thunder. :) We were doing a service project this week and Irma Susanna put a fake spider in Sister Freitas hands. I never heard her scream so loud, it made me think of all the funny jokes that mom pulls on people. Susannah is a vet, and right now her house has a tick infestation. I sat and killed ticks with the cap on my highlighter for three hours. They are everywhere.

Parabens for Ryan! (quick insert, I love the happy birthday song here. We sang it so loud in the CTM cafeteria for my birthday!) I am so happy for him and super glad that he found another job! Such a blessing. I am still on pins and needles waiting to hear where he will be serving!!! I CANT WAIT MUCH LONGER. 

What a goof he and Remmi are! I think that we should all go to the zoo as soon as I get back! It sounds like a good idea. ....hmmmm I wonder if I should take Remmington with me. Brincando. :) Of course Remmi will come, I also want to go to an aquarium and visit tons of Musuems.  :) 

Love you love you love you and I pray for you all every day! I hope Mommy feels better soon!! :):)

This week I met a Sister that served in your mission dad! She served in 86&87. She doesnt recognize your name, but she was so happy when I told her that you served there! She has so much love for her mission! Her presidents were kennedy and neelman. Sister Varela is here name... Just something cool!

-Quick sidenote

Christmas

You can post on Facebook and my blog that what I want most is letters from friends that tell me of the blessings they have in their lives. :) You can post this on my wall too! I love this Gospel and I want to hear how it has blessed your life!

And for mom, a small sewing kit would be nice. But she can look at her school emails and put together a list for those who are asking. 

Annnd I would like the address of Sister Johnnelin Pearcy

We were in a hurry today, or in other words Sister Freitas was impatient and I forogt to bring the Liahona with me that had the articles and notes that I wanted to share with you all. Next week I will remember them! I promise!! There were some really good articles and of course I dont remember what they are called or which Liahona they are found in.  Alas lds.org is a life saver. June 2013. First off, I love love love the first presidency message, walking in circles. I engouage you to follow the links online and look at the graphs and statistics. Very interesting. Worship the True and living God by Spencer W. Kimball was my favorite. It is a very good talk and I learned a lot from it. Feb 2013 The talk on integrity is  another good one.  I wish I had them with me so I could share some of the quotes and notes that I liked. 

I heard form Elder Zonts today! It is so nice to talk with my friends! It deffinitely brings a huge smile to my face when I hear from them! This is why I would like letters for Christmas, sol isso. :) Letters and reading the blessings of the Gospel. Its perfect.

I hope all stays well with you!! I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO MUCH! I cant wait to see you again!

Ciao, 

Sister Chatwin

Only 17 More Shopping Days Till Halloween!

Yay! I am so glad that you got the letters!! :) 

Im anxious to find out who the new Stake President is! I hope Ryans call comes soon!! I am really happy that he found a job! :) Did you guys like the little card I made for him? I though it was so funny and perfect for him! :) 

As for Veronica, I love her family! They are so kind to us, and I am for sure writing their addresses in my notebook incase I get transfered this transfer.  

WOO HOO! Owasso band is the best! Best of luck to you all this coming week! :)

Remmi and I will go to the zoo when I get back. lol :) FOR SURE.  There isnt much to do here in Flores for p-day. We usually clean the house, do our laundry. We have a washing machine, but it takes a really long time to wash clothes. We have a park nearby and one week Sister Freitas and I sat and read conference talks.  In some areas I bet people still do their laundry by hand! The Brasil Manaus Mission contains four different states, and I am sure not all the areas are as well off as Flores is.

I love my scriptures and I am glad that Sister Tillery enjoyed the letter!! It makes me super happy that you all got them. 

As for sending pictures.. I have given up trying on these computers. I have two SD cards with me and I think I will send one when the other is full. Just like warren did when he was on his mission. 

Ivy! Wow. I want to see pictures. :) I bet she is as pretty as a princess!

I dont know about Halloween here, but we did have Dia das Criancas a few days ago. We had a festival at the church for the children, and Sister Freitas brought one of our investigators sons to it. They had a good time. Later that night (Saturday) we had the baptism of Israel. We got to bring the other son of the same investigator this time. 

I agree with you Dad and Susie, its amazing how the gospel changes people. At the same time I marvel at how little of an influence I am in this work. This is the work of the Lord, not of me. The Holy Ghost is the most important part of this work. 

The ward in Flores is mainly a retention ward. We have a lot of inactives, so we have been going through our ward list and knocking on doors and trying to find these people. Usually the person we are trying to find no longer lives there, or the address doesnt exist. But last week we had a sucess! We got to talk to Andre and invited him to come back to church, and he actually came yesterday! He told us that he has been a member for almost a year. It is amazing the infuence missionaries have in the lives of people. I dont notice the influence I have until something like this happens. I merely go throughout my day trying to do the work. Working with our fear or harsh feelings. This work is voluntary and I volunteered to talk with many people who are not interested in this message. When we plan for our days we choose a number that is double the number of investigators we want at the end of the day. For example, if we talk to 8 people, than at least 4 should accept our message... You have to talk with a lot of people if you want the few successes that are out there. 

These past few weeks I got to try some new fruits! 

Jaca - honestly it looks like banana slugs and it just as slimey as them too. It is very sweet, but you really have to get used to the slimeyness.

Bananas galore! You can buy them right of the stock here. I do love my bananas.

Irma Tareza ( mother of Veronica) makes some delicious din din, and juices a lot of mangos and other fruits. YUM.

Also she made some delicious mingau this past week. I want to learn how to make it. 

Almost every kind of soda here is some kind of guarana. They are all good, but I prefer guarana bare and guarana antartica. I am excited to go to the temple when I get back and visit cafe do brasil!! :) 

Yup, lots of yummy food here in Brasil, and the members always tell me to eat more. I am eternally not hungry. Which is a good thing. lol

I love you all so so so so much! :) :)

Remeber to re-read or re-watch conferance talks when you can!! They are so inspiring and I love going over my notes at night and reading new things. 

Last night I read the story of Ruth. I sure do love that story. She is such and example and service and loyalty. I want to be like her! 

One thing that I like in my notes was this, from the talk by Richard G. Scott

 Sincere thourough and clear repentance

 Make convenants and recieve for yourself

 Then for your ancestors

 Share the gospel

 Serve faithfully in all church callings, especially in VT and HT. Be a real friend.

 Serve the members of your own family

 Make the spiritual fortification of you spouse and children a high priority.

 Fill your life with service to others.

 Keep the commandments.

Yup. Conference is great. 

I love my family so my family so much! I bought some fun stickers from a members little shop they have in their home. Madagascar, snow white, and tweety bird. They dont have a lot of stickers here, but I like using them to make my letters to you all more fun! Right now I am using the stickers that came with my notebooks. I have one that I got while I was in the CTM and I bought another one here to write vocab in. It has a bunch of Disney princess stickers in it. 

:) :) :) 

Anywhos, I have 30 minutes left. I will write my letter to Presidente Klein and then if I think of anything else to send I will. :) If I stay in Flores I will buy more time on the computers next week.

:) Ciao, 

Sister Chatwin