Mission Times

Dear Family and Friends,

Here’s my second attempt at a letter.  My first was eaten by the computer and even with my ninja like computer skills I’ve been unable to find it.

Time is flying by.  At this rate we’ll be home in no time at all.  Last week we had our Meet the Missionaries meetings.  What adorable, enthusiastic kids!  They’re all so anxious to help and to serve.  We felt like movie stars.  They all wanted pictures with us.

Dad gave a really inspiring message.  He definitely has the mantle.  I did the usual mission president’s wife stuff and told them to wear repellent and not drink from the faucet etc.  I also spent some time talking about the Adjusting to Missionary Life book.  They spent an entire day of training in the MTC on this so I figured I’d spend a little time on it.  After that meeting and using it a couple of times with the missionaries I decided to talk about it in our leadership counsel.  Now after a few more days and a few more opportunities to use it I’ve decided to address it more in zone conferences next week.  I believe it’s an inspired book.  I’ve used it myself.  This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but I have faith the Lord will help me figure things out.

For the next several Sundays Dad and I are speaking in various wards and in branch conferences.  I knew I wanted to address member-missionary work but didn’t know how to go about it.  I felt inspired to tell my mom’s conversion story since it’s all about a member who went out of her way to reach out to my family.  I’m feeling pretty good about speaking for the next few weeks.  I’ll let you know how it goes.

The last several days have been spent taking care of a sick sister missionary.  She was working way out in the boonies so we had her come in to the city with her comp to be treated.  After three days of going from hospitals to clinics and back again and only having the doctors treat the symptoms we were blessed with a doctor who wanted to get to the bottom of her condition.  Turns out she has gall stones.  I’m surprised and ashamed that I didn’t recognize the symptoms, having dealt with that myself.  Anyway at least we know what we’re dealing with.  We’ve sent her comp back to their area and will get her taken care of and send her back as soon as possible.

Her comp has been so kind and caring.  It’s been a sweet thing to witness.  I found out that she (Sister Adao, the comp) is a recent convert.  Her mother was a member but had left the church 20 years ago  and become bitter.  

Sister Adao was not allowed to attend church or have anything to do with it but her aunt and uncle snuck her to a few activities and just from that and their example she knew she wanted to be baptized.  She was baptized at 18 and a year later went on her mission.  When her mom heard she was going on a mission she told her not to bother coming home after.  She reported to the MTC not knowing if she’d see her family again.  Fortunately her first letter from home expressed how proud her mother was of her and everything seems to be okay.  It’s amazing though how many of our missionaries have comparable stories and what they’re willing to sacrifice for the gospel’s sake.  My little sacrifice pities by comparison.

I love you all and am grateful for your prayers.  We’ll continue to work hard and try to make you proud.

Love,

Mom/Lissa

Sunset over the Piracicaba River from our balcony

My first 5 miler in Brazil

A picture of Papa as requested by 2 year old Mae (granddaughter)

A chilly 49 degrees this morning for our exercise

First Days

Hi Family and Friends!

We're just coming to the end of our second day in the field.  On Monday we flew out of SLC.  On Tuesday we arrived in Sao Paulo, minus two bags, and spent the afternoon with the area presidency and the medical personnel for Brazil.  After flying all night I don't think I paid as much attention as I should have.  Just today I've received calls from a sister with dengue, an elder with a broken tooth, a sister with a rash, and three or four others.  So far I'm sending everyone to the doctor.  I'm sure that's not the best solution, but President Canuto said that if they're too sick to work they should go to the doctor.

Yesterday morning we were driven to Piracicaba and were warmly greeted by President and Sister Canuto.  We were shown around what will be our home for the next three years.  It will be great and we have extra beds and couches for lots of company.  After lunch with them we met the office elders.  They had made a big welcome sign for us and were all adorable.  After a little time there, we said good-bye to the Canutos (all too soon) and went back to the apartment to move in.  We spent the evening with the assistants getting a little more oriented and then home to finish unpacking.

This morning I found a park about a half a mile from the house that has a 1.25 mile trail around it.  I'm not super fond of running in circles but it seems safe with lots of walkers and runners and it had a bathroom so I guess I'm set.  It's really pretty, with a pond in the middle with swan boats, and these trees that look like Dr. Suess trees.  They have no leaves but these big white puffy "flowers" that look like dandylions.

This afternoon I got to go work with the sisters and Dad went out with the elders.  We tried to find many referrals but nothing panned out so we started "knocking" doors.  The second door we clapped at we ended up going in and teaching a lesson on the restoration.  The family had recently moved and the mother had been praying to find a church.  They marked another appointment for Saturday.  They seem prepared.  It was an awesome afternoon.

Tonight Dad is preparing for our Meet the President meetings tomorrow and Saturday.  After the meetings Dad and I will go out and work with missionaries again.  I won't have time to run tomorrow or Saturday because of these meetings and of course I won't run on Sunday.  I hope the Lord recognizes my sacrifice and I don't gain too much weight! :-)

That's all for now.  I figure I'd better write while I can and before I get too buried.

Love you all!!

Mom/Lissa

The view from our bedroom

MTC Week, Provo Utah

Hi Amy!

As I sit down to write Elder Holland just walked by.   It has been a crazy and amazing week.  I have missed having you here to join in our fun!

Monday and Tuesday we worked our brains out trying to get moved out and packed and get the house ready for Nick and Gina. Monday evening we were able to get together with President Pinegar and some Portuguese missionaries and on Tuesday evening Shelly Loong had an Open House in her yard for us. It was nice to have a chance to give our last hugs and say goodbye to everyone.

As far as saying good-bye, I still feel like I’m living in a dream and none of this is real.  I think the Lord is protecting me. Otherwise I’m afraid I’d be a puddle of tears al of the time.  I still feel like soon this experience will end and I’ll go home to my family, house, bed, friends. (Adam from new movie 1 just walked by)

This week we have heard from every one of the twelve this week, the Women’s Auxiliary Presidents, a member of the Bishopric, and many other members of the missionary committee.  We have eaten at the same table with Elder Andersen, Elder Christofferson, and many members of the Seventy (including the Keetchs).  We have been taught about The Book of Mormon, Adjusting to Missionary Life. Repentance, Measuring Success, Baptizing and Building the Kingdom among a few.  We’ve had the chance to teach missionaries here in the MTC.  We were assigned to a group who had Kaden Watts as their MTC teacher.  We truly have been drinking from a fire hydrant!  Many times we have been reassured that whom the Lord calls, He qualifies.   Probably the most comforting thing I‘ve heard was when Elder Bednar read D&C 31 to us.  He told us to substitute our names for Thomas Marsh’s and then said that that scripture had as much authority and power for us as it had for Thomas Marsh.  I am really unsure of my ability but have received much comfort and assurance while I’ve been here.

It certainly hasn’t been all work and no play.  Wednesday night Ashley and family came to the hotel and we played in the pool and got mango popcicles.  Friday night we added Nick’s family to that and Michael and Em.  We were in all of our glory and I’m sure we chased Sister Renlund and her family out of the pool.  Ashley brought popcorn and we had popcorn, watched the Olympic trials and played games. Saturday night we went to Midway to watch Madelyn’s dress rehearsal for The Wizard of Oz.  She was adorable!

Today we will have a testimony meeting with an Apostle and lunch.  Then we get to go home and have Sunday dinner with the family.  I’m so looking forward to that!  Tomorrow we’ll have the traditional IHop breakfast and off to the airport.  That is if I don’t wake up from this dream.

I love you and your family so much!  

Love, Mom