Busy Week

It was a crazy day (Christmas) though, I took a bus to get home, we got permission to stay at a member’s house because for the Portuguese Pai Natal comes at midnight and that’s when they open their presents and is the big time of Christmas, I like our way much better. Anywho so we took a bus to get back home then, we had to catch a train to get to a members house and there we watched Mr. Kruger’s Christmas and some musician with bad hair but was very good on the violin and his orchestra was pretty spiffy too. It really wasn’t that fun being at some one’s house where it’s like I don’t know you, but the food was good and they were kind. Like I said though, it was really good to ponder on what Christmas is about this year, and focus on trying to serve people and the Lord really comforted me. Not being able to sufficiently talk to every member of my family was the only depressing thing, oh well its part of the rules and I do want to be obedient. It was sooo good to hear from everyone though. So sheesh I really didn’t get to tell you about my week, it was one for the records. First off it started out by us locking ourselves out of our house, it cost me thirty euros for not listening to the spirit, so let that be a lesson to you. So that ate up our P-day I think I told you that. Then travelling to zone conference it was in Maia and I’ve only been there by car, anywho we watched our train leave, so we had a get a later one which made us late anyway and then when we got there we had no idea where to go and no one was answering there phone. Well I finally got a hold of my zone leader and he said that we needed to catch the 205 bus after we got off at the last stop of the metro(and then we’d see the chapel)-well we caught it, just caught it going the wrong way) so it took us an hour, we ended up being 2 hours late to zone conference >_> I was so tired and befuzzeled and of course everyone has to mention that you got lost SIGH oh well that’s life. So I. Svedin wasn’t the warmest to me that was sad because I was excited to see her, same with the other people in my old district, which was kind of a let down, oh well. It was good though, I had fun and like always it’s nice to be with the other missionaries. We ended up getting home when we should have gone to sleep >_> Then district meeting the next day was really good the spirit was strong and all and later that night we found a couple through carolling door to door, they were the only ones who would listen to us, they live next door to a member so this could be good. Then we celebrated Christmas with Brazilians which was great because even though I don’t know them they’re Brazilians and very open and friendly and loving and they sure do love to party. So that was good we watched the work and the G –you know how much I adore that. So all and all it was a really good, crazy, tiring, stressful week, but I’m happy and I still love my comp even though it’s not the easiest to communicate, it’s good, I’m glad for this situation now, oh what a difference 8 months makes. Oh man though mom there were so many things I wanted to talk to you about like Sister Merrill, some one needs to give Molly a hug for me. Also to tell Trevor Feliz Natal for me. I totally wouldn’t have cried but I didn’t have time enough to talk to you. It was just so good to hear everyone and talk to them—I was so sleep deprived though. I do love you mamma and I was glad I was able to say that even though the call didn’t go the way that I wanted. Oh yeah we also had a baptism and it ran smoothly I am so grateful to the Lord for that, we were blessed and that sweet sweet spirit was present when he got baptized I love it, that’s why need to baptize more people-yes-oh it’s crazy to do a baptism for someone you just met, it will be great though, and good for that family, they were less active so he didn’t get baptized at age 8 and then they became reactivated and my comp brought up baptism with him and he got really excited but that family will now be able to have the priesthood in there home, when he receives it. It’s a poor little Cabo Verdian family a mom 2 girls and him Tiago. They wonderful though. So yeah that’s about it for my week.

This and That

I hope you had a wonderful Chirstmas and a better time talking with Trevor. I love you and can’t wait to talk to you again. Have a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY and Irmã Polito wishes you a happy birthday too. Oh tell Liam happy birthday for me too on Wednesday wow another 2 year old in the family. Why would I not like my presents I love all of them I'm so grateful that I even got them, and both my comps too, I gave Irmã Becketts stocking stuff to Irmã Polito because she only got a card from her family. Oh and my toothpaste I have my crest again I'm so happy! You rock mom you did a great job^!~

Christmas Gift

Carmal Corn, drool....anywho the Lord is kind and gave me a Christmas gift, I love Coimbra, I love my comp she's was cool and I can feel the spirit and the love and the warmth from the ward here. I know things aren't going to be perfect but it's nice to be in a new area, although it is tough being away from the people I created bonds with to replace the people I love back at home---oh well so I've been given a time and I do believe that I will call you I've been given 5:10pm which is like 10:05am your time December the 25th-get that day right too, hopefully that doesn't mess up anything. We have our zone conference Christmas party tomorrow so that's exciting. Um other news it took me 8 months in the mission but we got locked out of our house, YAY that ate up our P-day >_> Wow Christmas already, that was 7 months ago--that's less than my time on the mission---

I've Been Transfered! :)

Well it only took 30 weeks but I’m finally leaving my beloved G-Town, so a new companion, new district, ward, investigators and área for Christmas yay…don’t miss my marked enthusiasm in what’s about to transpire, actually I’m the saddest about not going to the Marinhos for Christmas Eve, they invited us and well that’s that. It will be good, I’m very excited for a change; it’s so unreal to think that I’ll be leaving Guimarães, there aren’t even words to describe what I learned and have gone through here. So you’re all probably dying to find out where I’m going, you ready you ready, Coimbra-yay-the city with the first university in Portugal, a lot of students live there and get this they have 2 WARDS I know unheard of. So I’m back with a brazilara who I think she understands but doesn’t speak so well which is perfect for me because I’m still prideful and I don’t speak it a lot and you know me I’m not going to ask someone to slow down or say it again, I don’t like to allow people to have patience with me, I know it’s horrible. I’m glad to be able to switch companions it’s been a rough 2 transfers, I love her and all, and sometimes I liked her but let’s just say finally. It’s so funny here, it’s nice not to have to worry about the Christmas play anymore, these Ramo members are so funny, because they like to complicate things, and then argue with one another and it’s like hello remember the purpose of this and our message. It was good though, and it’s over, and I played the piano, I do want to learn how to play it better when I get back.Investigator news, Leonilde is still completely difficult she was reading the Book of Mormon; she has been coming to church though, so that’s progress, she loves to learn and read and participate, but still so prideful and not completely willing to let go of her JW ways. She came to our play and was a part of it. She’s cute though a very spunky person but kind of borders on bipolar, she lets you know when she’s up and down. Then finally we marked Christina, YAY also we’ve had I. Alberta going with us to her house and it’s been fun to see the changes the family is making. The mother said she didn’t believe in Christ before she believed that God didn’t help the poor but when I. Alberta called them to repentance and was like I WILL buy the bus ticket (for her brother to go back to Romania) that renewed her faith in God and she’s been listening and learning to although it’s really hard because she doesn’t really speak Portuguese and can’t read. Oh well it will be interesting to see what conspires, I can’t believe I’m leaving. It’s been wonderful to be on a mission and really ponder about life, about the Gospel and about our Savior. Also principals such as faith, hope, prayer, charity and all that other good stuff. I have such a grand testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth, that God again has called a prophet to restore His church and that Joseph Smith was that prophet. I am so grateful to have been blessed with you all in my life, such grand examples of faith and courage. I love you all so much, and miss you I can’t even begin to describe how much, but I know why I’m here and my message is so very important. I love you all thanks for everything have a grand week.

Mothers

I've been thinking about mothers a lot as of late. We went to Claudia's house to talk with her mom, she's not a member it's tragic she broke her leg and she just misses her so much and doesn't completely understand, it made me think of you, but I know who I'm serving right now and that makes it all okay. We almost got Christina to church, we had a ride for her and everything but she slept in and then felt bad and called when sacramemt was starting, so no one could go get her, but Lionilde came and Antonio Lobo a less active came so it was good plus it was a good fast in testimony meeting, my 8th one in Guimarães only seven left till I come home-wow

Aubrey Plays the Piano

Well what’s there to say about this week except that I have empathy pains for all those missionaries who have had sick companions. That’s what I did for part of the week, my companion couldn’t keep anything down, so we got to stay in and I sure don’t recommend it. So I’ve basically forgotten everything I wanted to talk about not much to report. We’re doing a Christmas program, us missionaries are in charge which is sad because we don’t have time and so we’ve done things but it’s not organized out to how it should be, anywho we had that practice yesterday and I just sat back and laughed, that’s all you have to do when things aren’t going well, find the humor and joy in things, that’s what I’m learning. Also you know it’s pretty sad when they have me playing the piano for them, that’s the great thing about the mission you get to use your sad little talents that are not developed and develop them more.

Sad Little Letter

This is a sad little letter this week I’m sorry but with my companion being out I didn’t get around to much. One of our investigators came to church, she’s the JW, she had so much pride, I’m thinking she knows it’s true but doesn’t want to admit it, because that would make her wrong for all that long time and well I understand I’m prideful like her, but we’ll keep working with her. It’s so very pretty here, I’ll try to show some of my pictures if I have time. I love you all have a grand week! Oh we finally got the Conference talks and oh how wonderful they are, I love being a member of the only true church on the earth. Also reading Jesus the Christ that book is amazing and wonderful and all those other great coiases.

A Funny Story

Oh I do have a funny story we went to visit I. Julieta and who knew an 81 year old Portuguese woman loved the President of California so much, she kept trying to make us watch it (Terminator 3), and we’re like Irmã can we sing a hymn and she’s like yeah yeah wait, Irmã! She’s hilarious, she’s upset with her kids, she one of those blunt little old ladies, anywho she said she’s going to stay in bed and fast on Christmas…we’ll see. Wow I have no idea where I’ll be for Christmas. I love you all this Gospel is true, I know Christ is my Lord and my Savior I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve Him. You all know the reason for the season, have a great one. Love and miss you all!

My Testimony

So this church is so true and I love my Savior and everything that he has done for me. I know He loves us and He has suffered everything for us truly the principals of the Gospel will make us happy and guide us through, Faith in Him and in His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. Ha we just watched Legacy for P-day because my comps never seen it and wanted to watch it in English. The pioneers are so my hero, their faith and dedication will forever astound me. So this week, was well interesting.

Thanksgiving in Braga

Monday went to Braga, I already went on about that. Thanksgiving was pretty fun, we went to Braga Wednesday night and then went to the church right away and started cooking the turkey. We had two turkeys the Elders deep fried one, the size of a small child. There was a lot of food too-so it was a perfect Thanksgiving Day feast. They were able to play football, which I had to stay in and be with the Irmãs >_> we watched The Best Two Years, which means so much more now, and also played Taboo in Portuguese, I wasn’t digging on that. So yay Thanksgiving down, and I will see all of you next year. It was fun with the Braga sisters. Oh I was able to celebrate with Elder Johnson, Sister Matthews’s grandson.

Testimony of Prayer

So I received a testimony of prayer this week, truly the Lord answers our prayers, when we pray in faith and with real intent. I’m really learning about that and re-learning. Things are kind of on the down right now. We really need to find some new investigators. Oh well I have faith that they’ll want to start progressing. We went to Vizela and it wasn’t sad. We caught Gracielle at home but she told us to come back later, so we did, and then she’s like oh sorry I’m not going to be home SIGH. It’s good though, we’re helping the ward with the Christmas play and a lot of other things. It’s so stinking cold here too cold for penguins; seriously I don’t like the cold! Oh well 5 more months right. It doesn’t help with contacting.

What an Experience!

The best experience of the whole week had to be last night. We got a ride from one of the members Irmã Alberta, she’s the one that is the girlfriend of Domingos, anywho she was going to drop us off at an investigators house, Christina, the Romanian. Well she gets out of the car when we get there (she’s a little fire cracker of a woman, not afraid to speak her mind) Anywho my comp was freaking out but I was like just have faith, honestly I’m learning so much to just put it in the Lords hands, and not worry. Well we’ve had it tough with her because her family has no money and sick people back in Romania and they can’t get a job and the list goes on and on. So when we would call and he found out that we can’t give him money and our friend could (our mission pres) he would hang up and tell us she wasn’t there. So I. Alberta goes in there and bam all of a sudden is like “Vocês têm fé!” Do you have faith, Do you believe, then she’s all you need to pray and obey the commandments (there’s no way I can give this justice) Then she went on to teach and promise and was like I have no money but I will buy you a bus ticket. Then she got on the mom and was like you need to obey the word of wisdom and on she’s like do you love your children, and then you will stop smoking and on. No not always the best way to go about it, but in this situation it was needed. The part that made me the happiest was Domingos, he was teaching them about prayer and the word of wisdom ^^ yay for my recent convert, he’s getting it.I hope everyone is doing well, and keeping the faith, what a word, it’s amazing the depth of the Gospel, and it’s so true. I honestly urge you all too yes read The Book of Mormon, and read Jesus the Christ, such a rad book. I’m excited for this time of year to focus more on Christ. What better thing to be doing then constantly testifying of him. I love you all so much, have a great week.