Imbituba, Week 16

Ola Fam and Friends!

This week was CHRISTMAS! It was a busy couple of days, we spent Christmas Eve at our recent converts, then Christmas morning with AMERICANS! One of the members has American son in laws that came, so we had a HUGE American Christmas breakfast! Christmas was great here on the mission, definitely different than home.

Highlights

-GOT TO FACE TIME THE FAM! BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT.

-Luiz has the sweetest investigator prayers, this week he said a prayer that made Kener and I laugh, it went kind of like this, “Heavenly Father, I have a problem with smoking and with Café. Smoking is good, you know it! But its against your rules, so I am going to need your help! Coffee, also very good, it smells good, tastes good. You know its true. But it's also against your rule, so I am going to need a lot of help!” HA!

-Tried Cashew fruit juice=worst thing I have tried on my mission thus far.

-Kener and I had been eyeing this Burger place for forever, and as we were coming home decided to give it a try. Was so good! Def. a highlight.

-We were gifted a bottle of sparkling grape juice, and we couldn’t figure out how to open it! So Kener tried opening it with her mouth, and the cork launched and she almost died…. I was dying laughing.

-Our friend Jefferson is getting baptized this Saturday! So excited for him, we know that he has a strong testimony and will be in it for the long haul.

-Luiz is still having trouble quitting smoking, so he really needs your prayers!

Spiritual though:t This week was a hard one! Not many people were home or receptive during the holidays. But it was still a good week, because it is always good to be a missionary out serving the Lord. I was reading in the Bible yesterday, and I was reading my sister's favorite scripture in John 16:33 that says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

I love this scripture so much, because how comforting is it to know that when we are down, when we are experiencing trials, frustrations, disparities, Christ has overcome it. When we have temptation, pain, heartache--Christ has overcome it. He is waiting with his hand outstretched for us to come unto him and be alleviated from all of our tribulations. There truly is light, peace, and joy, through the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I love you all!   

Sister Sarah Crofts

The girls spent Christmas Eve at Thaina's.  They told them to lay down for a nap while they made dinner lol

Christmas Eve!  

Christmas Eve at Thaina's

The girls were SPOILED by members of their branch

Christmas morning!

Matching Christmas pajamas!

Week 15, Imbituba

Feliz Natal!

Can´t believe that tomorrow is Natal! It definitely feels like a different type of Christmas here. Not many decorations, HOT weather, and none of the other Christmasy things that I am used to. BUT the spirit of CHRISTmas is still strong, and it has been fun to share ways we can become closer to Christ during this time of year.

Highlights:

-We went to FLORIPA for Pday, got to shop, explore, eat Acai, and Mexican food!

-The next day we had Christmas conference with our whole mission! It was way fun to see everyone, and to celebrate Christ’s birth together as a mission.

-We have a wonderful investigator named Marlene . This week we were reading the Book of Mormon with her ans I felt the spirit so strong, she started crying and said, Î know this is true.” There are never sweeter words said.

-So summer here means hot and humid and wet during the day and huge summer storms with tons of lightning and thunder and pouring rain EVERY night.  I am getting used to being soaked at this point. We have had many a nights running with lighting flashing super close all around us. 

-We do have saving angels (random people) who every once and a while give us a ride when we are in desperate need during the storm.

-LUIZ! He is doing great, still getting over smoking, but we are still maybe on for the 29^th for his Baptism! He has such a good testimony of the gospel, and has been so prepared by God! I love how eager he is to read the scriptures and pray. Ah it is the best! Here are some funny Luiz quotes from this week:

                -“I like Americans, they are a simple people, going to the Walmart in Pajamas. Ha!”

-He always wants to give us rides, especially when it’s raining to help us. But we told him there has to be a women in the car, so he said, "So you are saying I need to find any woman, and tell her 'Shut up and get in the car, I’m trying to help my friends?!””

-Walks on the beach! Sometimes we take the few mins longer way to an appointment just to be able to walk on the beach!

-We taught a family for the third time on Friday, and it was such a golden lesson. We taught about the Book of Mormon, and I felt the spirit so strong, it was tangible, when we testified of the truthfulness. I know they were all touched, and they were eager to have us come back and teach more. Teaching prepared Families is the best!

-Getting caught again in the pouring rain, waiting it out in Lider (Brazilian Costco) and eating lots of cake samples.

-Sunday we had someone pick us up that we had met before and she fed us panitoni and orange juice and we snuck in a lesson, then she drove us all the way to the top of one of our hilliest areas! Tender mercies.

-We taught the daughter of our super Catholic friend Anselmo that used to investigate the church. He didn’t love it, but let us teach her!

-LUIZ ONLY SMOKED ONE TODAY! AND NO COFFEE! FASTING WORKS.

Spiritual Thought:

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear"Name that movie

I love this quote for many reasons, but especially recently I have realized the power of music! We have been sharing a lot of Christmas messages here, and always sing a Christmas song as part of it, because people here love it. But there really is a special spirit that good Christ centered music can bring, it lifts our spirits, and helps us to soften the hearts of those we are teaching so that they are more open to our message! Music has a lot of power, and especially this time of year we can get so caught up in the "Jingle Bell Rock"That we forget the," Ôh Holy Night."Take time to share, or listen to music about what this Holiday is really about, Christ and the Cheer he brings!

I would love to hear of the Christmas traditions you have, fun things you do this time of year!

Merry Christmas!

Love, 

Sister Sarah Crofts

Sister Crofts and Kener at Mission Conference

Add caption

Sister Mattos and Sister Crofts

More mission friends!

Bought some boys in the ward new white shirts

In heaven!

Imbituba, Week 14

Shorter email because I am in FLORIPA for Conferencia de Natal (zone conference). 

This week was a good one, here are some highlights:

-Pday we hiked an awesome hike with the branch pres and his wife,--it was the best!! Imbituba is BEAUTIFUL.

-Tuesday we had our first district meeting! We woke up early and took the onibus to Tubarao! It was so fun to see a new area. Sister K and I gave the training, then we got to explore a few areas! It was great!

-That same night we were walking home and we saw PAPAI Noel and accidentally ;) walked into a Christmas carnival, and like a child, I had to buy some cotton candy!

-We have a baptism date set for our investigator Luiz, for the 29th of December (NEED YOUR PRAYERS). He has a hard time with smoking and drinking coffee, so my comp and I took his cigarettes and wrote on each one a "motivational message" such as: this will kill you, god will help you, pray first, dia 29th, you want to be baptized. He thought it was the best, and is doing way good! 

-Yesterday we had lunch with a family that has their american family in town, soooo they had TONS of american candy! I went crazy and ate way to much. Was literally a kid in a candy store, miss those american goodies! 

-We were buying some pharmacy items and the worker asked questions about what we do, and we ended up teaching her a lesson and giving her a Book of Mormon! Was way cool. 

-We have an "investigator" who is staunch catholic, but he likes to argue with us/discuss things. Anyway at one point, they were talking about which church was true, and sister Kener said ours was.  Then she asked if he believed in the second coming, and he said" well, we will see when it comes!" It was way funny. 

Spiritual thought: 

Alma 37:41

By small and simple things do great things come to pass!

I have especially realized on my mission that small simple acts and habits make all the difference! Those small things like reading every day, prayer, acts of service, really help make a big difference in our lives over time. I know a lot of my mission is planting seeds, but I know that the lord truly works by small means, and through them he brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of man! Don't take for granted the small simple moments. 

Love,

Sister Sarah Crofts

Brazil Florianópolis Mission

Sisters K and C with Papai Noel!

Weekly lunch date at Thaina's

Stop Smoking!

At the Christmas Parade!

District Meeting

Sister Coxs and Sister Borrowman

Imbituba, Week 13

Ola Familia e Amigos!

If I had to sum up this week in one sentence it would be this quote from the Christmas Devotional:
"If you think you are too small to make a difference, then you have never spent the night with a mosquito."
This sums up my week for many reasons:

1. I am getting  eaten alive. Trust me, I know how much a difference a mosquito makes.
 2. Even in the hardest of days little small acts of kindness make ALL the difference.
3. Heavenly Father directs our paths, when we follow His will in the small and simple things, the small and simple things can have drastic consequences over time.

This week was a hard one! A lot of our appointments fell through, and things definitely didn't go our way, but it was still a good week to be a missionary!

Weekly update:

-Following promptings. I have learned this week to follow even the smallest of promptings. Even if I don't know where it is going to go, God does! It always ends up being great.

-I set up a little Christmas area in our apartment, I made a Christmas tree and fireplace out of cardboard!

-Our pesquisador, Luiz (who lived in Utah for 5 years) went to conference and didn't even know it at the time, AND saw president Hinkley. He thinks it is funny he saw the prophet and didn't even know it! He is golden, and we are working on the word of wisdom, to prep for baptism the 29th!

-Braulio is back! We aren't sure what changed, but Braulio wants us to start teaching him again! And he gave us funny dish cloths as lembrantes.

-Went to Wallace's Bday party (The whole Ramo was there) we had good ole Churrasco (Chu-ha-sco) which was delish!

-Right after that we taught Marcelo, who is great, but he is an analyzer! He made us a feedback list with pros and cons so far with his experience with the church and missionaries. It was quite entertaining!

-POPCORN FROM HEAVEN. We were starving, as missionaries are, and I was talking to Sister Kener about how much I wanted someone to drive by and give us money or food. We walked around Centro and this guy comes over, and hands me a GIANT grocery bag of popcorn (from the vender). After we go to thank him, and taught him the first lesson! Anyway, that was definitely a tender mercy, that I know was from God. It is the little miracles that make all the difference!

-Some of the guys here are CREEPS. We taught some of those this week. Also, I have never been stared at or honked at or catcalled this much in my life! All the sisters say it's normal, that's how Brazil is...

-Saturday we had a Branch activity where we fed lunch and gave presents to orphans in the area. It was so so sad. Hurt my heart to see these kids without parents to love them. But my comp and I want to do something nice for them this Christmas. Let me know if you have ideas!

-We have had so many experiences this week that were testimony builders that God's hand is guiding us through everything!

Spiritual thought:

Christ, the Prince of Peace, the Bread of Life, the Living Water, the Shepard, Redeemer, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Messiah, Only Begotten of the Father, Lamb of God, Savior of the World.

There are so many different names used to describe our Savior Jesus Christ. I encourage you during this Christmas season to think of 1 word that describes how you feel about Christ. Focus on Christ centering your CHRISTmas. Through service, kind words, making amends, reading the scriptures, etc. We can focus on the the reason behind the season. I love what President Nelson said at the Christmas Devotional, "The followers of Jesus Christ have the privilege of unspeakable Joy forever."
As you Christ center your Christmas, you won't only have more Joy and light in your Christmas, but in your life! Let us Christ center our Christmas, spread light, love, and peace in our homes and to others around us through exemplifying our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Much love to all,


Sister Sarah Crofts
Brazil Florianópolis Mission

Christmas Scene Sarah made

Christmas Branch Party

Pday hike with Bruno (Branch President) and his wife

Imbituba, Week 12

Oi All!

This has been a great/crazy week. I found out for my second transfer I am staying in Imbituba with Sister Kener! I am sooo happy, I love it here, and am excited to keep growing this area!

Highlights from the week:

-this week we I had a new companion for 5 days! Sister Mattos! President thought it would be good experience for me to have time with a Brazilian comp, and since sis M was temporarily without a comp, it was perfect! I love her, and learned so much from teaching with her!

-This week we taught a total of 55 lessons!

-We got a bag of free fruit from a pesquisador, and made fresh juice!

-Portuguese:Is coming along! I am understanding more and more, I am probably about at 75 percent with being able to understand everything. Speaking: obviously the hardest part, but I am improving!

-We have a golden pesquisador, Marlene, she has been looking for the truth for a long time, and when she read over the restoration pamphlet, she said she felt the spirit testify it is true! I love moments like this, when people have been prepared by the lord to hear our message.

-Some branch members Janaina and Wallace took us out for fancy pizza! The churro pizza was my favorite.

-We taught a family this week that was Awesome! A husband, wife and two kids. This week Sister Mattos and I taught them the restoration, and we felt the spirit so so strong testifying to them of the truth.

-More Sonhos! Chocolate and strawberry sonhos are the best! We ended up teaching a lesson in the cafe while we ate them!

-Humbling experiences: Brazilians are very bold, and will tell you what they think, so with Sister M, when I said something wrong, she told me. I have a lot of pride sometimes, and it can be hard to be humble and teachable. At first it was hard to be corrected all the time, but then I realized that I have so much to learn from her! When I realized that, It was the best 5 days!

-We walk by the ocean a lot, and Ijust feel so blessed to be serving in Paradise!

-Walking in the poring rain, it rains hard here at least once a week and I LOVE IT!

-We had 9 people come to church this Sunday!! So happy!

-Minha Mae Sister Gruwell left. I am so sad to see her go, and so grateful for the example she was to me of a hard working missionary! Imbitrio was the best. We were the gringas that made this area what it is now!!

-Singing! Sister Mattos had me say this when door knocking, "OI! I am american, and one thing we love to do is sing Christmas songs for people! Can we sing one for you?" They were always hesitant, but after always said we could come back any time!

Spiritual thought:
This Christmas season, we have the opportunity to light the world once again, to light the world with the light of Christ. Christ brings so much light into my life every single day, and I know he can with you too! I encourage you all to follow the light the world on Moromon.org/lds.org. I know that when we are serving others, we really never feel happier! And what better time than this Christmas season, remembering and reflecting on the most perfect man to walk the earth, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to really reflect on Who the Savior is to you, and share that with someone today! Always look for opportunities to exemplify him in your interactions with others. Serve, and love those around you! You'll never bee happier. I love you all!

I would love to hear from you, and your experiences lighting the world!

Love,

--
Sister Sarah Crofts
Brazil Florianópolis Mission

Delicious Acai!

Sister Mattos!

Soaked after a rain storm--and happy!

At a Christmas festival

Silly Sister Crofts helping sister Gruwell pack

Junior

Irmao Wallacey and Irma Jana

Saying goodbye to sister G

Imbituba, Week 11

Oi! Feliz Dia de Acoes de Gracas! (Happy Thanksgiving)

This has been one heck of a good week!

Here are some highlights:

-Pday! We taught some lessons in the morning (People that we could only teach then) then walked on the beach, ran errands, then our recent convert Thaina painted our nails, and our friend Bia did my makeup! Then we went to Dom Joao Pizza. OH. My. GOSH. I died. It was the best Pizza ever! Basically they go around with different pizzas every few minutes (sweet and savory) and they offer you a piece, you decide if you want it, then they dish it up. Then they have a plate in the middle to discard if you didn't like it or just wanted to try it. AMAZING. I honest to goodness probably ate over 18 pieces. 

-English class!Had two investigators come!

-Bug pasta: I bought a bag of pasta noodles to cook for lunch, and so Sister Kener and I cooked them, and while we cooked them we found little bugs floating around in the water. We checked the bag and there were bugs everywhere within. We were starving though...so Sis Kener said it was protein and we still ate the noodles. In my prayer blessing the food I said, "Please bless this food, that there won't be any bugs in it. If there are, please bless me not to see them." Heavenly Father answered my prayer! hee hee

-Thanksgiving! I wanted to do something semi special, so I moved part of my study desk to the kitchen, and set up a "fancy" table with name plates and everything for thanksgiving! Then we made mashed potatoes and broccoli, and for desert made homemade apple pie pastels! A real Brazilian thanksgiving. Then we went and knocked doors (found some great people!) then went to Florianopolis for Zone conference!

-We stayed the night, and the next day was so much fun! We got to be with over 100 other missionaries and hear some inspirational things from President, and eat great food! 

-We got packages and letters! I LOVE getting letters, and would love to hear from you guys through letter!!

-I met my sister! (My "mom" aka trainer trained her)

-After we got home from Floripa, we went to a member's wedding! It was so great and sweet, lots of good food, and we had investigators come which was great!

-Saturday we had soo many people to visit, we visited with two people that now have Batismal Dates!!!!!!! One is Luiz. He talks A LOT. usually I get really tired because it is Portuguese, and it takes brain power to listen to that much, but ever since our English class something has changed! He used to live in Utah, and so he usually talks about that the entire lesson, but this time he right away wanted to pray, discuss the scriptures, and hear our lesson! I just saw a change in his face, in his countenance. It was amazing the change. We set a date for him, the 22nd of December!I know God has prepared him for a long time for this. 

The other is Maycon, he is the 11 year old we teach, and he has a date should be this week or next week! Waiting on his mom. 

-Blessing: We have been receiving so much extra food from these events, which is a BLESSING because our lunches have fallen through pretty much every day for the last two weeks...Haha!

Spiritual experiences:

-I pray for the ability to testify with power, with the spirit! My Portuguese is definitely not clear sometimes, but the spirit testifies to and through our hearts. I have felt SO often this week the spirit powerfully testify of Joseph Smith, Jesus Christ, the truthfulness of this Gospel. One time this week we finished testifying, and the man said, "That feels right." I love when I see it click with people, when you can just feel with all your heart the spirit testify of verdade (truth).

[I am giving a talk on Christlike service in church in a couple weeks and asked Sarah to share with me an experience she has had with this.  This is what she shared:]  Brazilians here have a lot of pride.  They don't really want help with anything, even if they need it. We always ask and they never want it! On Saturday it was raining really hard. We had three umbrellas, and were still getting soaked.  We knocked at a door, and this old man we have taught before came out. We were talking through the fence, and started teaching him a lesson.  He was standing in the rain and I realized without asking it would be more important for him to be dry than for me and my bag to be, so I held the umbrella over his head the entire time. I was wet after, but realized that that is what the Savior would do, he would be the first to give us his coat, his umbrella, to put others before himself. We also need to be the kind of people to be humble enough to except help, to let others show their love, and express gratitude. So many people refused the savior, his love and care. When we are serving we are being representatives of Christ. When someone does something for you it is like Christ and God doing it for you. Accept it, be grateful and pass on the love! Simple, small acts of service make all the difference

Spiritual thought:

In the New Testament, after his Resurrection, Jesus is talking to Peter after he found him gone back to fishing. And he asks peter if he loves him. And peter says, "Yes, thou knowest that I love thee." and Christ says, "well then feed my sheep." This repeats 3 times to make it clear to Peter that as soon as he became a disciple, he couldn't go back to his old life anymore. The same goes for us, when we are baptized we become disciples of Jesus Christ, we promise to exemplify him in all we do. We promise to Feed his sheep. That is the ultimate way of showing our love for our savior, is helping, serving, uplifting others around you. Just as Christ did. Show your love for him, don't go back to the old life. Feed his sheep, exemplify Christ! You will never be happier. 

Love you all lots and lots! Send letters and emails! I pray for you all!

Love,

--

Sister Sarah Crofts

Brazil Florianópolis Mission

Zone Conference! And missionaries from the MTC

Companions with Sister Cox and Sister Amorim

Thanksgiving apple pastels!

Frozen treat! Chup Chup/Geladinho

Dessert pizza. SO good!

Rodizio!

Beautiful Imbituba