Loving Mamanguape

Loving Mamanguape. The only problem: the mosquitoes do too.... So my legs look like I have the chicken pox- all the time hahaha oh the joys of living in a jungle. 

We had a baptism yesterday- Izac. It was really cool. Other cool news: Maria´s (recent convert) daughter, Tieli was baptized yesterday!!! She is a girl I was teaching when I left. YES!

Bad news: I don't know what is wrong with my camera cord... I cant seem to upload pics anymore. I am trying to work something out but I think I am just going to have to buy an card adapter to just upload directly from the memory card instead of using the cord. We will see. But, that means, no pictures, again. Not my best news either because I have some pretty great pics I am dying to send home. 

This was a great week. We worked HARD! We had a leadership training Friday and I was feeling really stressed about that- but I know Heavenly Father fits us to every calling to which He calls us. We are never left in our own strength while in the Lord´s service. 

I love my companion. She is super chic! She is from Chile, and is 19. Shes an only child- her parents both served missions and we get along really well. This transfer is just going to be great, I can tell. As for my area, its basically Guarabira, but without hills. Score. I am liking my new branch too- everyone here is really nice. 

I got 2 packages this week. HUGE SHOUT OUT TO MOM AND KIM! Thank you. I also got some pretty great letters. Thank you so much. In one of Kim´s letters, she shared a scripture that I LOVED and wanted to share with you all today. Isaiah 25:8-9 : “He will swallow up death in victory and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all the faces and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; and we have waited for him and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Waiting is a really interesting idea- one we as members of the church have a greater understanding of that than the rest of the world. That is a privilege. May we not forget that waiting and patience do not mean giving up on the righteous desires of your heart; it only means working with all your might, and accepting not only the Lords will, but His timing.  That is the way the Lord works miracles- through our faith, patience, prayers, and diligence.

I read a quote this morning by Neil L. Andersen, “Miracles are not always so immediate. At times, we thoughtfully wonder why the miracle we have so earnestly prayed for does not happen here and now. But as we trust in the savior, promised miracles will occur. Whether in this life or the next, all will be made right. The savior declares: ``Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” “In the world ye shall have much tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world`` (John 16:33). I testify that as you love Him, trust Him, believe Him, and follow Him, you will feel His love and approval. As you ask, “What Christ thinks of me?” you will know that you are His disciple, you are His friend. By His grace He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. 

“In a future day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is the Christ. On that day, our concern will not be, `Do others consider me Christian?’ At that time our eyes will be fixed on Him, and our souls will be riveted on the question, ‘What Christ thinks of me?’”

Perhaps the greatest miracle of my week was an idea that my district leader shared with us on Thursday. It is a 40-day fast. Obviously not of food and water.... but of behaviors. My invitation to each of you is that you participate, because I can already see a difference in my life and in my work. If you would like to participate, here is what you do:

You start with a regular fast (the 24 hour without food) asking during those 24 hours that Heavenly Father shows you 10 things you need to change to become more Christ-like, It could be things you do, things you don't, fears you have... etc. After your fast, you make a covenant with Heavenly father that you are going to change, according to these 10 ``commandments`` He gave you. You begin your 40-day fast by saying this prayer, making this covenant, and in return, you ask for NOTHING. Don't ask for special blessings or more success... etc. Just ask for the strength to change according to His will. This is your purification/ sanctification process. 

I absolutely loved the idea. I don't know if I explained it well enough, but I hope it made sense. It is only an invitation, and if you decide to do so, I would love to know! I promise you that you will see miracles- ones you weren't expecting or asking for but ones Heavenly Father wants to give you. Good luck. 

That's about it for today... I love you all so much, thank you for your support. Be safe, have a wonderful week! :)

This week was NUTS!

Wow. Yep, thats where we are going to start today. This week was NUTS. First of all, it was SO GREAT to talk to you all on Mother´s day, and I hope it was fabulous for all you rockstar moms out there! Birthday shout out to my beautiful mom and my darling cousin Lauren! Growing up so fast, my friend. Thanks for driving down Kim, and of course I was SO thrilled to talk to my sweet grandparents. I have the cutest family...
 

So this week we had a wedding- it was an investigator and recent convert of our district leader. The sisters decorated the whole event and made cakes. It was really fun. Best part of the evening: the bouquet toss. I caught it! No... I am joking. BUT! My investigator, Carol, did! Which is hilarious, because we are working with her right now to get married this month or the next. AWESOME! She was so excited. I am definitely taking it as a sign. :)

Miracle of the week- Marinezio and Iranette. Maurinezio was a street contact 2 weeks ago. We were looking for a less-active and saw M working out front. I wasn’t even going to talk to him... he looked like the type that didnt want ``commitment to religion``... the type that will say they will go to church but will hide behind the couch when you show up at the door to take them Sunday morning (yes, I have seen a LOT of that... haha). Anyways, I dont remember what I said in that moment, but he did! On our way to church with him Sunday morning, he told me that since that day he hasnt smoked or gotten drunk. (uhhhh miracle). I asked him why and he said, ``Because you told me not to,`` he then told us the story of that morning. That only minutes before he found us that day, he had been talking to a neighbor that told him to quit smoking and join a church. He said within minutes I stopped him to invite him to ours and he took that as a sign that this is “his path”. It was AWESOME. Even cooler might be his sister.... that Saturday before church we showed to remind him what time we would be passing by. Maurinezio and his sister were there, so we taught the first vision on the spot and invited them to pray about our message. His sister said, `´Oh, I already know your church is true``... I asked how and she said she has ALREADY prayed about it and received her answer. And since that day has decided to stop smoking. MY MIND WAS BLOWN. It was a miracle. Anyways, she is going to church Sunday, too. To have someone pray before they are asked or invited was one of the coolest experiences of my mission so far. I still dont know if I believe it. 

But...nonetheless I was transferred.  Thats right! I am as surprised as you are. But, I am in the same zone/stake. My new area is Mamanguape and I am with Sister Chaparro (my first hispanic companion- whoot!!!) I already love her and I am excited to work here! 

Other news... I was called to be a Sister Training Leader. Hope you know what that is? So I get to take care of all the sisters in my zone now! COOL, right? I am so blessed to have this opportunity and hope to fulfill my calling to the best of my ability. I am so excited for this transfer! Its going to be AWESOME!!!!! 

It was sad to let Guarabira go- it went by so fast, but I am so grateful for every lesson I learn here and know there is much to be learned in Mamanguape. I know for sure this is where I am supposed to be and I cant wait to figure out why! 

Anyways, thats about it. This week was stellar, hope yours was too. LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO SO much! I have pics, but this computer isnt uploading them, so until next week I guess.

Love, 

Sister M. Seal

Miracle of Member Reactivation

This was a good week! I saw the miracle of member reactivation and the fulfillment of the promise that Claudio Costa made us last August that every time we reactivate a family in the church, we will baptize. We found a family this week, a really special one, too. 2 sisters and all of their kids, which is a lot. *SIDE NOTE: The sisters remind me a lot of Katie and I, they even have only 1 year difference in ages. Maybe I really can live with Katie for the rest of my life???

Anyways, their names are Cleide and Neide and they were baptized a few years ago, but we quickly learned that only one of the kids was baptized with them, and that the rest of the kids very much wanted to be! So.... we have been working with them, and Saturday told them that we would swing by 8:30 Sunday morning to take them to church. Tudo bem. Problem: Sunday morning we show up (late) and they are gone, everything is shut up, locked up, and now we are praying someone shows up. We began to pray and then a neighbor walked out next door and said, Cleide left! We asked if she knew where she went and she said, “I dont know... she was saying she was going to baptize her sons.” I cannot begin to describe the gratitude I felt in that moment. I immediately called a friend of mine at church to see if indeed the family was there. And sure enough, this family is AMAZING! They went to church alone. And, just FYI, that never happens here- sometimes we have to pass by the houses of members to remind them to come to church... So Eduardo and Duvan were baptized! It was really cool!

Cute story this week comes from Nadja, a 4-year-old doll face that I would adopt if she didnt have a mother. She is Maria´s (recent convert) niece, and she comes to church with us every Sunday. Someone was trying to get my attention, and she put her arm around me and said, “NO. This is MY Sister (Missionary)”. Its so cute the way they say ``sister`` they dont know what it means, but its cute that they try anyway. Love that girl.

That just about sums up this week. The next week is looking great! I am stoked to talk to y’all on Sunday. And then.... its transfers already. (This was a 5-week transfer). So I will be emailing again next Wednesday. 

So, this morning I have been thinking about a phrase I heard the other day, “Faith is more than a belief, and charity is more than a feeling.” Think about that. One thing I understood was that faith is not merely believing,for when we truly believe, we ACT. Likewise, charity is not merely loving, for when we truly love, we ACT. We serve, we´re humble, we FORGIVE. 

Lately, I have been doing a lot of study on leadership. Whoever we are, wherever we are and whatever do, leadership is always your example- not your calling or position. James E. Faust defines a leader as someone who “must cause things to happen and lives to be affected. Something should move and change. He must see that those under him do not fail. But it should be done in the Lord´s way. He should be the instrument in the hands of the almighty for changing lives. He needs to know where he is now, where he is going, and how he is going to get there.” 

If you think about it, as members of the church, we are all leaders- and our call is to ``lead, guide and direct” the rest of God´s children back to Him. The task may not be easy, but there isnt anything more important. 

Yesterday, we went to a devotional to commemorate 3 years of having a chapel here in Guarabira. The district president shared an interesting story. He said on his mission, he and his companions, along with a few members, took a bus one day to get to the church. As they approached the chapel, it was time to hit the button or pull the cord overhead to inform the bus driver that they wanted to get off/ stop the bus. For whatever reason, one elder thought, “I dont need to do it, because surely my companion will”.... He didnt realize that his companion was thinking the same thing! And all the members sat to, perhaps thinking the elders would tell the driver, “Someone else will do it, it doesnt have to be me...” Well, no one informed the driver, and they missed the stop and consequently had to backtrack nearly 2 miles when they could have arrived at the front gate of the church. He likened the idea to missionary work. And as Elder Holland would say, This story really isnt any more about bus passengers and the bystander effect than any of the other parables are about sheeps are goats...This is real.  We as members oftentimes think, “No, no, I dont have to be a missionary- the missionaries will do that!” Or bishop will do it! Or, of course the elders quorum president will do it or Brother and Sister Smith... or someone. Surely SOMEONE will do it- it doesnt have to be me. It is disheartening to think that many of us have though this way from time to time in relation to the work of salvation. When we do this, we forget whose team we are on. 

We are not a ``starters and benchwarmers`` team. Lets leave basketball on the sidelines. This is God´s team, and on the Lord´s team, everyone pitches in. 

We all have work to do- lets be leaders in this work through example and effort. Do what you can... and then do a little more and wait and see how the Lord is anxiously willing to bless you.

Just before the devotional, we went to a less- actives house to give them food. C. was doing laundry when we showed up and my companion and I quickly went to work to help her out. After opening a few cupboards and seeing a few shelves, I quickly realized they have nothing. Their kitchen is full of empty glasses... the broken sink was full of dishes. In the panty they have bags and bags of powder to make cuzcuz (ground up dry corn almost that people eat with beans and rice). But thats all they have... they dont have food. I was grateful that we were able to bring them food yesterday because I had NO idea how badly they needed it or how little they had. They use newspaper and notebook paper instead of toilet paper and sleep 7 people to 2 beds. I cried as I mopped the cement floors in the house they call a home....

And the greatest part... they are happy. They smile, they laugh, they dont complain, and they eat the food they have. I wept as I thought of how ungrateful I am.... and I wept as I realized, once again, how much I have been given. 

Truly even in the bitterest and bleakest of circumstances, we still have so very much to be grateful for...

Anyways, I love my mission. I see so many miracles here every single day and my mission is changing my life in every way- its like they say, ``The best 1.5 years`` some say ``OF my life`` others say ```FOR my life``. I say BOTH. 

I love you all and am excited to see you Sunday afternoon. Until then, have a great week. 

Love, Sister M. Seal

Photos: baptism

Lots of Pictures!

passion fruit cake I made for the baptism 

Cute Brazillian Boys

Glasses?

Maria (recent convert) and her Daughter-in-law

Our Church is BEAUTIFUL!

My district and the girls I live with

Peanut Butter Goes So Fast

Happiness

Happy May, folks. (Yes, that means Mother´s Day. YES!)

This was a good week. In February, we baptized Maria and yesterday her husband was FINALLY baptized! We found them in January, and are super happy that he finally decided to take this important step. It was a miracle. 

Really don’t have much news for now... this transfer is flying. The area is great. We are working hard. 

Easter has come and gone, but it’s a message we always hold in our hearts. As such, I found a really beautiful story, a glue-in in my scriptures from seminary.

``It was obvious that 8-year-old Stephen´s mental retardation was becoming even more severe. His Sunday school teacher did her best to include Stephen in the classroom activities and to avoid situations which might prompt his classmates to make fun of him. In April, she gave each of the 8 children in the class an empty L´eggs pantyhose container (plastic egg) and instructed them to place inside the container an object that represented new life in spring. Fearing that Stephen might not have caught on, and not wanting to embarrass him, the teacher had the children place all the containers on the desk so that she could open them. The first had a tiny flower in it. “What a lovely sign of new life,” the teacher said. One of the students couldn’t help but erupt, ``I brought that one!” 

“Next, came a rock. The teacher assumed this must be Stephen´s, since rocks don’t symbolize new life. But Billy shouted that his rock had moss on it, and moss represented new life. ``Very good, Billy,” agreed the teacher. A butterfly flew from the third container and another child bragged that her choice was the best of all. The fourth container was empty. This must be Stephen´s, thought the teacher, quickly reaching for a different one. ``Teacher, please don’t skip mine,`` interrupted Stephen. ``But its empty, Stephen,” said the teacher gently. “That’s right,`` said Stephen. ```The tomb was empty, and that represents new life for everyone.”

“Later that summer, Stephen´s condition worsened and he died. At his funeral on his casket, mourners found 8 L´eggs pantyhose containers- one from each of his classmates- and all of them empty.”

I love little Stephen´s perspective. The Savior provided the path for “new life” for each of us. He made it possible for us to really live, this life and in the next. We have hope in the life to come, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't have hope and joy and love and laughter in the life we live in now. As 2 Nephi 2:25 reads, ``men are that they might have joy``. Christ made it possible for us to be happy. I want you to ask yourself this question, ``Am I happy?” And if you are, good! You are an example to us all- keep on keeping strong, and do your best to help those of us who haven’t quite made it there yet, or just aren't feeling so bright and cheery today. And if you can’t say ``yes`` to my question, a second one follows: ``Why not?``

I’m going to be very honest with you and I don’t want anyone overreacting. I hit a rough few months. The lowest I’ve ever been in my life. The words of Jeffrey R. Holland in his talk, ``Like a Broken Vessel`` became very alarmingly real to me. I had never been so afraid or hopeless or apathetic in my life... These are not numbered among my characteristics- virtues or vices, it was never me. Regretfully I tell you that I thought I´d nearly forgotten what it meant to be happy and thought I´d never make it there again. But God sent me an angel. (I have many in my life, you know :) ) A member took us into a small shop on the street corner and had my companion and I each choose a bracelet- a small gift. My companion immediately selected the red on with the word, ``LOVE`` lettered in cursive across the band. I chose a bracelet not paying much attention to color or wording. The member told me he didn’t like my choice and said, ``Pick the pink one (with the word ``happiness``). I don’t know what motivated his decision, but it was an answer to prayer. I looked at the word ``happiness`` and felt something spark in my mind and my heart. I slipped the band on my wrist and we went back to work. 

A bracelet is a silly thing, really, and this is a silly story... but I learned something, and I think that’s always what counts. I learned that the choice to be happy is as easy as the choice to slip a simple band on your wrist. The keyword here is ``choice``. So every morning when I put the band on, I make the choice that today I AM going to be happy. President Uchtdorf teaches this principle in his talk, “Of Resolutions and Regrets” in the section, “I wish I’d let myself be happier.”

He said, “So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial. The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness. You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness... sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey... doesn't it seem foolish to spoil sweet and joyful experiences because we are constantly anticipating the moment when they will end?... We shouldn't wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was available all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. ``This is the day the Lord hath made…” the psalmist wrote. “Rejoice and be glad in it”... No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges and trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish... Let us resolve to be happy, regardless of our circumstances.``

AMEN. I testify that we can be happy. We can be grateful, hopeful, joyful,  patient, merciful, selfless and giving, meek, and even understanding.  We can be better listeners, quick to forgive and slow to anger. We can be examples, better Christians, better neighbors, and better friends. I’m not saying it’s easy, but the phrase, ``attitude is everything`` isn't a joke, and not much of an exaggeration either. 

I LOVE you guys, and as such, my heart breaks for you in your heartache and rejoices with you in your success. My invitation to each of you this day and always is that you make the choice. Make the choice each day- no matter how difficult each coming day may seem.  And if you establish this goal with Christ as your center, focus, foundation, and inspiration, I promise you that no force in earth or hell with have power to knock you down. Christ always wins. That means that we get to win, too.

With this in mind, may we always remember the words of David O. McKay, “Mans greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others.”

I love you all. Be good. Be safe. Be happy. SMILE! You all have beautiful smiles :)


PHOTOS
Milton´s baptism! 

Clau- a friend of mine. 

Who says you can’t be a missionary AND a rockstar? Fun fact: my nickname here is Miley Cyrus. People here think I look like her.

April is flying...

April 21

Hey everyone! Happy Easter! Happy Birthday Kasidy. 

It was a great week. Leandro was baptized. He is from Rio, which makes him SUUUUUUUPPPERRRRR cool. Always wanted to be carioca. Já era. Anyways, we found him tracting. (So thank you President for the request!)

This week was interviews with President and Sister Nogueira- it went very, very well. Sending mom some details ;)

April is flying, right? Can’t believe I will be talking to you guys in a few weeks! Stoked! Anyways, we are all doing well here, just loving Guarabira. 

2 funny stories. 1) Almost weekly, someone tells me I look like an actress from a Mexican soap opera. Hysterical. Don’t know what I think about that. 

2) I have a new investigator that is calling me her `nora` - daughter-in-law. O my goodness... Jacqueline #2.... if only she could be Jacqueline for real? I really miss her....; /

One thought I had today- inspired by my Katie and her thoughts on happiness.. I have been thinking a lot about happiness lately (thanks for the letters, Kate) and came across this quote: ``You know you sometimes think yourself into unhappiness and depression. But did you know, you could also think yourself into happiness? By positive thinking, you will be well, you will prosper, and your prayers will be answered. Become the master of your thoughts. Stop thinking about how tough life is. Stop thinking about the future and the past, think of God´s riches and love and express these thoughts daily. You will become what you think.`` Albert E Cliffe. 

Obviously this is much easier to hear and say than to do, isn’t it, so for those of you discouraged, President Uchtorf always seems to help, ``My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking…in righteousness is simply to try…We must try to believe. Try to learn of God, read the scriptures, study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the father, and do the things he asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible- and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.``

You can do it!!! We can! Smile about that! Yesterday we celebrated the greatest act of all- what made it all possible!

So the pictures are better than the message this week. Sorry.... I am already out of time. But I love you so much! Have a great week. Michael, stop breaking so many hearts ;)

PHOTOS:

My delicious lunch after district meeting. 

My district

Our baptism- Leandro

Easter Message

It was a good week and really, it hasn't been too long since I last emailed (Wednesday). All is well here in Guarabira and the work is moving forward. 

I wish I had more news or something excited to say... but I don’t. We do have a lot of investigators that are progressing right now, and that is a huge blessing!

Really, all my thoughts this week are turned to next Sunday, Easter. What an amazing day it is to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. In that spirit, I had to quotes I wanted to share today. 

 Jeffrey R. Holland gave a few things to remember during sacrament meeting and I found one idea particularly interesting. He said, ``On some days we will ahve cause to remember the unkind treatment He received, the rejection he experienced, and the injustice- oh the injustice He endured. When we, too, then face some of that in life, we can remember that Christ was also troubled on every side, but not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down but ´dot destroyed´(2 Cor 4:8-9). 

``When those difficult times come to us we can remember that Jesus had to descend below all things before he could ascend above them, and that He suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind that He might be filled with mercy and know how to succor His people in their infirmities (Alma 7:11-12). 

``To those who stagger or stumble, he is there to steady and strengthen us. In the end he is there to save us, and for all this He gave His life. However dim our days may seem, they have been darker for the savior of the world... in fact, in a resurrected otherwise perfected body, our Lord of this sacrament table has chosen to retain for the benefit of his disciples the wounds in his hands and his feet and his side- signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and perfect. Signs, if you will, that pain in this world is NOT evidence that God doesn’t love you. It is the wounded Christ who is the captain of our soul- he who yet bears the scars of sacrifice, the lesions of love and humility and forgiveness.``

I think the message of the resurrection is the most beautiful that there is... and the same hope comes from Joseph B. Wirthlin´s message, Sunday Will Come. He said, ``I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world´s history, that Friday when the Savior was crucified was the darkest. But the doom of that day did not endure. The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind. And in an instant, the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, stood before them as the first fruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence... Because of the life and eternal sacrifice of the Savior of the world, we will be reunited with those we have cherished.``

I love my Savior. The words of the hymn, ``I stand all amazed`` come to mind as I think of all He did for each and every one of us. He loves us. My prayer is that this Easter Sunday and always, we remember His loving sacrifice that made everything possible. 

I love you all. I am grateful to have the greatest family to have ever lived. We are not a perfect family, are we? But we are together to teach each other all we need to know that one day will may be perfected in Christ. 

Have a wonderful day, week, whatever. Be safe. I love you. May God be with you until we meet again.

Sister Seal