Hello!

Aaah! 

No time! My computor froze and shut down today, so I'm basically already out of time. But I really don't have much to say anyway! I promise I'll write another letter for you all today. 

We had Sisters Conference, which was great! It was sooo fun to see all of the Sisters and learn from them. It was wonderful to catch up with Sister Garner and hear about how all the people I love are doing in Cerquilho! (They're all doing great, btw) 

We have transfers this week. I think I'll stay here, but you never know. I really love this ward, so I kind of hope so! Either way, it should be good. 

Mom, nothing with the bus driver yet, sorry. He's only at home crazy hours of the day, which makes it hard to visit him. But it'll be good! We did teach Roberto a bunch this week, and he's now come to church the last three weeks. So has Adriana...this is really, really cool. I will never take for granted having investigators in the chapel after having served in Cerquilho! 

I was thinking about how it would be fair to compare the early church to a small branch (such as Cerquilho)...and really, what a miracle it is that this small group, barely knowing what they were doing, has grown into the world wide church that it is today. It truly is the kingdom of God, reestablished here on the earth! It's evidence to me that the Lord's hand is in this work, and it's empowering to think about it. 

I love you all, and hope you're doing great!

Sister Fuller

Count Your Blessings!

Dear everyone,

How's it going? So good to hear from so many of you. I treasure every email/letter/whatever it is that allows you to communicate with me! 

Things are chuggin´ along here, just like always...life is really, really good, and we're being so blessed. I'm getting to know more of the members in the ward, which is great. I love this ward. So much. :) Oh, here's an interesting tidbit--missionaries are almost always the backup speakers when people don't show up to church. So normal...and happily, I'm getting used to speaking on a moments notice! But yesterday, the Bishop came up to me and asked me to speak 5 minutes before church started. Sure, no problem...only to walk in and realize that both the stake president and a member of the 70 were sitting on the stand. Bahaha. I was a little nervous, I'll confess. But it went well! Lots of prayer, and a little inspiration during the sacrament, and I decided to stick with the basics and talk about the importance of covenants/obedience.  I'm grateful for the moments I have that show me that really and truly, the Lord is on my side. I may not be as qualified as other people to do everything I need to as a missionary, but when I trust in the Lord, he accepts my small offering, and consecrates it for His purposes. 

Do you remember our miracle of the bus driver who gave us a ride last Sunday? We had left him a pass along card with a short testimony and an invitation to learn about the gospel...and he called us!!! (This never happens.) "Hello? Is this the blond missionary or the brunette?" (I'm blond now. Blegh) hahaha. It was really exciting. 

This week I was the tiniest bit unwell the first couple days (not sick. Don't freak out) and it made it a little harder to keep going at certain moments. But I prayed to recognize opportunities to serve others, and I was really blessed! We ate lunch with a woman from the ward, and I felt that maybe she was a little overwhelmed or sad or something. So for our thought, I changed what we had planned and shared a scripture I had read that morning--I think D&C 64:33? But she started crying, and opened up to what was bothering her, and just using the scriptures I'd studied the day before, we were able to help her to feel the love of the Lord, and know how she should continue through her struggles. I really do have a testimony that when I am struggling, there will always be someone who I can help. Sometimes, it's because of our trials that we're able to be there for others, and really sympathize with them. I'm grateful for all I'm learning on my mission. It's not easy, and many times I feel stretched farther than I've ever been before...and then comes the moment where I exercise my faith, and see the hand of the Lord set things right. We're not alone, not ever. And as we participate together in this great work,with all of our diligence and faith, we will have the help of the "Lord of the vineyard" at our side (Jacob 5). I'm grateful for my Savior, and for His great love for us. 

I hope you all have a great week!

Sister Fuller

Changes!

Guess what!!!

New mission office! The new address is 

Missão Brasil São Paulo Norte

Avenida Nova Cantareira, 1146  fundos
Tucuruvi
São Paulo - SP - 02330-001

Effective immediately!!

Guess what--WE KNOW WHO'LL BE THE NEXT MISSION PRESIDENT!! And he's american!! Whaaat? 

President Timothy Farnes and Linsey Farnes. They're from Bountiful. But I'll only be with him one, maybe two transfers before I go home. Interesting, right? 

Anyway, this week was good. I'm loving, loving, loving seeing the change in Thiago, and in Sonia's family. Thiago is just doing so, so great! He's giving rides to our investigators to come to church, participating in all the classes, and introducing people to other members. Haha it was awesome. He was talking to a visitor and then turned and saw an Irmã--"Oh, Irmã Fatima! This is Alex! He's visiting from Itu!" "I know, he's my son!" Hahahaha. I love it so much. Thiago went to the temple in Campinas this week with the ward! He said he just loved it, and has never felt that way before. I wish all of you could see Thiago's "thinking face". It's my favorite thing--he just listens, entirely captivated and wide eyed, as if trying to absorb everything he can. He is so, so happy and just trying to learn it all! I don't know if I mentioned it last week...he got up and bore his testimony! 

Sonia told us she no longer has any desire to smoke or drink coffee! Miracle! Her husband was telling us about all the changes they've seen in this week after her baptism, and just about cried he was so emotional. He said they've never had this kind of peace in their home, in all their years of marriage. The spirit is there. Everyone has more respect, and patience for one another. They really are so, so happy! 

This week I've been thinking about the importance of really consecrating this time that I have to serve as a full time missionary. I'm so grateful to be here. I'm so grateful for all the Lord has done for me, and I want to remember that throughout every moment of the day. I want to dedicate this time to him, once more...I was thinking about the story President Gordon B. Hinkley shared about after he recieved the letter from his dad telling him to "forget yourself and go to work". He kneeled down and prayed, and re-committed his service to the Lord. And that day made all the difference in his life. 

One of my favorite scriptures is Alma 37:6-7. "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass...and the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." Looking at the time I've had so far as a missionary, and the time I still have, I know that this really is true. It's the smallest of choices that I'll make every day that'll make the difference in the end. I know that dedicated service is key to receiving the Spirit, to teaching with the power and authority that comes with my calling. So I'm trying to remember to be happy--joyfully share the gospel with all people! It is a message of good news! The best news, if we think about Elder Oak's talk from a few years ago. I'm here to serve as a disciple of Christ.

We've really had a great week--we've found almost a record number of new people to teach, and are seeing changes in the lives of so many. All coming from this simple things....to read the Book of Mormon, pray, go to Church...the primary answers because they really are the things that make all the difference! In our lives, and in the lives of our investigators. 

I hope you're all doing great!!! I love you sooooo much!
Sister Fuller

Crazy fruit--Jacá. Yiiish!

Rainstorm...already on our way home. Perfect :)

batismo :)

The giant saint we visited in our city

how a random man understands my name when it's said over the telephone...hahahaha. Especially because "sugar" doesn't mean anything in portuguese

Only because it looks cool. I still don't like coconut, I promise. But sometimes it is better here!

Haaaaappy New Year! (again)

Dear Family, 

We had another great week here in Salto! The Mont Serrat ward is INCREDIBLE and I'm in love.... :) This week was the baptism of Irmã Sonia!!!! Remember I told you about her last week? It's been so great, because her whole family is coming back to the church because of her decision to follow the Savior, and be baptized. It was really, really special. What's ever neater is that it was our very own Thiago that performed the ordinance! After his baptism last Saturday, he was interviewed by the Bishopric and that Sunday, he recieved the Preisthood. And on Saturday, exactly one week after his own baptism, he baptized Irmã Sonia. And it was perfect!!! We all felt the spirit so strongly. Leide, Thiago´s girlfriend/fiancee (I'm pretty sure it's not official yet, but they're planning on getting married), was so touched by it all. You can see it in her eyes--all of this is an answer to her prayers, and seeing Thiago just loving everything about the gospel like he is really is a miracle. He also blessed the Sacrament on Sunday, so that was special. :) 

Yesterday was ridiculously awesome. They were a couple of things that I've been praying about all week that I just received answers to, plainly and clearly, as if Heavenly Father just handed them to me. It was really special. One of them was a "small" thing, about the logistics of our day. Earlier that week, Sister Pereira had mistakenly told me that the couple we'd eat lunch with on Sunday lived close to the Chapel, so we marked our appointments around that. ButSaturday night, she remembered that she was thinking of a different family, and that where we'd actually go was on the other side of the city-- 1 1/2--2 hours walking from all of our appointments. Clearly, that wouldn't be the best way to use our time that is so precious. So I prayed and I prayed and I prayed...I really, really hate to waste time, so this really was something more important to me. I started thinking of what we could do--maybe rearrange a couple of visits, maybe ask a member for a ride, etc. And so we planned, and went at it. We were on our way walking to a house of a member after lunch when I wasn't paying attention and almost walked into a bus that was driving by...but it caught the drivers attention, and he waved at us. We waved back (we had already talked to him before a little, too) and he started motioning to us. "Do you want to get in?" "No, we don't have money" (true, and easier to say than we don't spend money on Sundays) "Come, get in!" 

Soooo...we got a ride for free from a BUS. This doesn't happen, just so you know! But we talked to the driver and invited him to church, etc...and hopefully the spirit will help him to decide to visit next week! But it was neat. I know that Heavenly Father hears, and answers our prayers. And I know that the miracles come after the trial of our faith--when we've done all we know how. 

Well, I'm out of time. And this computer can't send pictures...so another week to wait! Sorry! Love you all so much!

Sister Fuller

Feliz Ano Novo!

Dear Family, 

It was sooo good to talk to you on Wednesday! We had a great Christmas, very non traditional. Lots of talking to people, and sharing the story of Christ's birth as told in the Book of Mormon. Oh, haha--we did end up singing on the bus. Sister Pereira kind of wanted to die, but it was just too perfect! The didn't have the radio on, everyone was just sitting there looking all...christmas-y, and I just wanted to sing. So we asked the bus driver for permission, stood at the front, and I just anounced who we are, etc and a little bit about the doctrine of Christ. And we told them we were going to sing. So we "went caroling" (as close as I'm going to get to it in Brazil) and sang hymns, and then invited them all to learn more and gave them passalong cards with the address to the church on them. Some people were legitimately interested! Others just thought we were nuts. But it was fun :) 

This week was Thiago's baptism! I can't send photos today because of the computers we're using, but I'll try next week. Stinkin´obnoxious, all the places are closed because of New Year´s. 

Thiago is INCREDIBLE. His girlfriend is a member in a nearby ward, and had told him a little about the church. She gave him a Book of Mormon (in English, cause it was all she had) and he started reading, and asking questions. One day, he just showed up at Church here in Salto, all by himself! He had thought he knew where it was, and the day before had driven by to check. Without saying anything to Leide, he just went to church. The Sisters talked to him, and they taught him about the Restoration that Tuesday. The next day, I arrived and we started teaching him! He didn't have one single problem, and his testimony is incredible. Incredible, I've never seen anything like it. He believes in the restored gospel, and will defend it to everyone! His baptism was really, really special, especially because it was so special to him. What's more, Thiago and Leide are just so happy that now they're going to prepare to get married in the temple! 

Another investigator that I've quickly fallen in love with is Sonia. She's the wife of a man who's coming back to church. We started teaching her my first full day here, and she told us that in the last couple weeks, she started reading the Book of Mormon on her own! She has a testimony of it, which is sooo important. Her situation is a little difficult because she takes care of her 88+ year old dad, and can't leave him alone to go to church...and it's been ridiculously difficult to find permanent solutions. But she wants to get baptized, and she wants to see her whole family together at Church--and together for all eternity. :) 

I loooove you all!! So much!! Have a great couple of days--and a happy new year!

Sister Fuller

Feliz Natal!

Family!!!

It's Christmas week!! How are you all doing? How's the SNOW? The sun's just lovely, thanks. :) I showed a picture to my companion from last December, and she freaked out about how much darker my hair was before. hahaha. Much has changed :) 

So this week was transfer week....and I left Cerquilho. :( I had the most wonderful time serving there, and I learned so much! But Sister Garner and I were both pretty sure I'd leave, so I didn't cry or anything. Ok, lies. I cried saying goodbye to people. I think change will always be that way...but my point is, it's a healthy change. So Sister Garner is now training a Brazilian Sister lá em Cerquiho, and I'm serving in the Mont Serrat area! (Pronounced Mon-chee Say-ha) My new companion is Sister Pereira from the Matto Grosso do sul. She just finished training, so I'll be senior companion again. And unfortunately, she doesn't really know our area yet. Or fortunately, because asking for directions is the easiest way for me to do contacts! But she's really super cute and excited to work! It'll be a good transfer. 

The ward is INCREDIBLE here!! The difference is incredible. I went from a branch above a pharmacy with 20 people every week to a huge, beautiful chapel with "only 100 or so, because almost everyone has callings in the Stake and never are here". There's an Elder from the 70 that lives in our ward--we're going to eat lunch with them tomorow. Really, the ward is just the same as the ward I grew up in. We had the Christmas activityFriday night, and they went all out--it was really fun. The Bishop is so good, and our ward mission leader is a rockstar! Last night, I asked him to come with us to visit someone, and he ended up staying with us almost 2 hours visiting people and doing contacts. Really, he  was doing contacts too! So cool. He got back from his mission a little over 3 years ago, and is super excited right now. 

We have one superstar investigator--his girlfriend is a member, and he just showed up at church last week. The Sisters taught him one time before I got here, and he accepted a baptism date for the 28th! He thought it was early, but then a member bore his testimony and Thiago (the investigator) decided that the best way to start the new year would be to make this sacred covenant now. So we're teaching him, and he's so incredible! He participates in Gospel Principles (cause we have a gospel principles class now. Fancy!) and wants to pay tithing already, and invited his whole family to come to the lessons with us. I'm so excited for him to receive all the blessings of the gospel. :) 

And of course, this week is Christmas....já??? It's easy to forget. I don't know how many times I tried to mark visits with people on "wednesday" and they just looked at me like I was crazy. "Oh right, Christmas is on Wednesday! Sorry! How about Thursday?" But I know it's the Christmas season, so no worries! President Martins gave us a special lesson to share with people about the birth/coming/purpose of Christ using the Book of Mormon, and I'm really excited to start using it more this week. I love Christmas :) 

Well, that's all I've got time for right now--until next Monday! (And family, I'm super excited to talk to you on Wednesday!) Love you all!

Sister Fuller

After the "trial of your faith"

Dear family, 

As I write this, Taylor Swift's "We are Never Getting Back Together" isblaring in the background. Sister Garner and I just about died laughing! What is this....

Anyway, we have had such a great week in Cerquilho! It feels like it's been a month with all that's happened...but tudo bem. Mission time is a strange thing! 

This week, both Angelica and Fabio got baptized! I know I haven't said anything about Fabio--sorry about that. There's just never enough time to write about everything I want to! But Fabio is a rockstar. He's so cool. You know those stories that you read about in the Ensign and think, "wow, do these things really happen?" Yes. They do! They happen to Fabio! 

There's a 17 year old young woman in our branch named Tamires. She's super sweet, and I love her to death! She's just really pretty inside and out, and such a good example to me of being pure and always worthy to have the Spirit. Tamires and Fabio study in the same class. They were friendly, but never really close. One day, Fabio came up to Tamires and started talking to her. He asked her what it was that made her different than everyone else! She explained that it was because she had the gospel in her life, and it helped her to be strong. She quickly told him that if he wanted to learn more, she could give him a Book of Mormon and explained just a little bit about what it was. Fabio later told us that he really had been looking for something more, and that her offering the Book of Mormon was an answer to prayers. He accepted, and later that week she gave a copy to him with the last two paragraphs in the Introduction marked, inviting "all men everywhere" to read the Book of Mormon, ponder the message that it contains, and then ask God if it is true. He read a part, and in his words "I just thought it was a little strange". Haha. But he prayed about it (he hasso much faith) and decided he should read it more carefully. So he did, and then asked God if it really was true. He felt the Spirit testifying that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and his testimony of that just keeps growing! He went to church the next Sunday, where we met him and set up a time to teach him. Then we just started helping him to learn everything he needed to be prepared to get baptized. He is so full of faith, and despite receiving a ton of opposition from his family and friends, he told us that he knows it's true, and he needs to obey. Modern day Nephi. :)

I'm out of time, and I've already written a ton about Anglica...but she'sincredible and her baptism was such a special experience! She was so happy, and she's going to be such a strength to the branch! She is such an incredible example of how the Lord is in the details of our lives. 

I love you all!

Sister Fuller