Yep.
I like to cut to the chase. I was transferred. Can you believe it? 7 months in
Prossind, the land I love, but I am now in Guarabira. That's about a 2 hour bus
ride west (yes, far from the beach). Its all farmland and hills and BEAUTIFUL.
I will be working right in the heart of the city and I couldn't be more excited.
We are ready to work com força!
But...I guess I
shouldn't get ahead of myself. Wrapping things up in Prossind: Sister Moore was
sick all week. I don't have my camera but next week I will send the pics of us
in the hospital- twice. CRAZY. And we still don't really know what she had.
Thankfully, she is better now, but it was a week of trouble work-wise. However,
we still had our miracle baptism. Why was it a miracle? This was a street
contact my trainer did on our first day in my Prossind. He was one of our first
investigators. He was walking home and smoking and she crossed the road to talk
to him. He accepted baptism and we taught him a few times. But.... his brother-in-law freaked out. Called us a cult- threw the Book of Mormon to us
and told us never to come back. So, during these 6 months, I have seen Antonio
a lot. He always passed by saying, ``Hi, Irmã``. Then one day I invited him to
church again, asking permission of his lovely brother, and everything went very
well. We started teaching him again and he was baptized- just like that. It was
so amazing to have my last baptism in Prossind be my first real investigator
that I taught there. It was really surreal, and something I will never forget.
It makes me so happy to see how much he wants to change his life. He quit
drinking in one day and quit smoking in 2 and is now teaching himself to read.
Miracle. I am so grateful. It was really an amazing exit- out of the area I
love.
The hard part was
Jaqueline. She did not take the news too well... and I really miss her already.
I really love that girl, and she will always hold a piece of my heart--someone
I will never forget. She is the angel God sent me- the greatest blessing and
miracle I have seen on my mission so far. But, I am not afraid. I know it is
not goodbye forever- she will be a friend forever- for all eternity. The prayer
in my heart is that she continues strong and faithful, and that God keeps her
on the earth to continue His work despite all of her illness and cancer.
I am going to keep my
head up and start the work here head-on sprinting. I am so ready for this area!
I am so excited for all the possibilities here and I couldn't be happier. I know
God knows perfectly where each of His children need to be and at each specific
moment that they need to be there. I am ready to find who God is preparing here
in Guarabira.
Fun facts about
Guarabira: Its a branch, not a ward yet. (YET) There are 3 companionships- 4
sisters and 2 elders- so its just our district and we will be eating together
every day and working as a really close-knit team. Stoked. I am living with 2 Americans and a Brazilian. I already was living with Willette in Prossind and the other american, Mingledorf is my companion. She is so sweet! I love her
already. I am so stoked! The Brazilian is from São Paulo. My DL is also from
Sao Paulo. Our stake/zone is pretty small. Just a few elders that are working
in Mamanguape and Sister Woodland from my MTC district. Cool, right? Even
cooler: My LZ played lacrosse for BYU. Yes. Our zone is going to be
unstoppable. So thrilled. Sister Moore stayed in Prossind and will be taking
care of our investigators. I am really happy about that- she is going to work
miracles there and I will definitely miss her, but I know we are called to do
different things right now. I am grateful for all that she taught me, along
with all of the companions I have had until this point. God has blessed me so
much. I don't deserve all He has given me.
Sorry- no pics right
now. My camera is still packed away in my bag. Lots to do today- going to be
crazy unpacking and adjusting to a new area- but I am happy. Good news! There
is a post office here... meaning... I may be a better missionary and actually
send letters more frequently? I make no promise- but...it's better than
nothing.
OK. I have taken enough
of your time. Really, thanks for everything. Keep pressing forward- you're doing
great at what you do. I love you all and wish the greatest of blessings for
each of you and for your loved ones. Have a wonderful week. Be safe. I will
write again Monday will all the details of my area- you cant get mad yet, Kim,
because I haven't met anyone yet. But... my companion says we should have 4
baptisms today. WHAT????? That's all I know. We will see how that goes
down.
Love,
Sister Seal
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