Sister Sarah Elizabeth Crofts: OI! Tudo Bem? Imbituba, Week 8

OI! Tudo Bem?

This week has been a good one! I remember my sister saying that once she wrote her day down in her journal it went out of her brain... I definitely feel like that!
But this week was a good one, here is what happened:

-Went to Floripa and got our Visa paper work done, and got to get awesome Acai, then walked forever to a chic mall that was way to chic for us haha!

-We taught Braulio this week, who is pretty much the sweetest old man you ever did see. I love him, and love trying to communicate and bear testimony to him! We teach lots of lessons--I think we got to over 30 this week!! It's crazy, we have probably about 60 investigators, but our progressing investigators are few.

-The church branch is good, probably about 50 members come on a good day! We usually have about 5 to 7 investigators come which is good! It is a small two story branch building! Super close to our apartment. Which is great!

-Had English class this week! We held one and went to an English school as guests for them to practice conversing with!

-RAIN! I have never seen it rain so much as it has my first few weeks here... seriously cats and dogs people. Thunder, lighting, and wind! And we still go out and knock doors, rain or shine, the message of the gospel can't be stopped!

-At the English class we went to, this Brazilian lady was saying she loved IHOP. And we were like cool, we do too. And then she said she would love to study there. And we were like okay... I guess you can study how to make pancakes? Then she kept talking about how much she wants to go and experience it and study, and I was thinking, "Okay, we are not on the same page" and so finally we said, you want to study at the INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES? And she was like NO, "INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER!" we all died.

-SONHOS. These dreamy (Sonho means dream) donut things that are filled with dulce de leche. Literally a life changer, my comps can attest, I died. I ate that thing in probs 5 seconds. I love the little bakeries here, but gosh, I'm going to become gordinha! HA!

-We teach a lot of strange people. I love them all, but in the small city of Imbituba, there are lots of crazy stories, and people! BUTTT Everyone needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We teach all from prostitutes, people on probation from selling drugs, etc. Everyone has a secret, and EVERYONE has a strange story. It definitely makes things interesting. But I love them all, and we are definitely kept on our toes.

-Our area is seriously probably one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. I am constantly in awe. Heavenly father blessed me with Imbituba, the rolling hills, ocean always close by in sight, and beautiful lakes and villages. I love it. And the people make the place all the more beautiful.

-This week I have learned a lot. I learned to be bold and not beat around the bush. I learned that Heavenly Father can give us a special love, charity, for those around us. I learned to try every food, and to not step on the little frogs that are all over the side walk when it rains.

-One of my favorite things to talk about/share is my testimony of my purpose as a missionary. I'm not just in Brazil learning Portuguese, and walking miles on end for nothing. I am here because I love my Savior. I love his gospel, and gosh darn it, I am going to work my hardest to help others to come unto Christ, and this Gospel. That is why I am learning Portuguese, that is what brings me so much JOY! I challenge you to ponder and think about your purpose in the things you do. Do you have one? Is it a good, Christ centered one? If not, change it.

Also... Gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, read Mosiah 10:4-5. Pray and follow his invitation!

Love you all!
Send letters/emails!!

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Sister Sarah Crofts
Brazil Florianópolis Mission