"Families Can Be Together Forever"

Dear Family, 

Guess what! I'm staying in Cerquilho! WOOHOO! 

This week, Mara and Edson's family got baptized! Ok, so I've told you a little about their family...in summary, this was a miracle. We had met a woman on the street that seemed really interested, and so we had set up a time to visit her later that week. We were running a little late, so we gave a quick "Oi, todo bem?" to two women talking to eachother on the sidewalk but didn't stop to say more. When we got to the house of the original contact, no one was there. Sister Dutra and I both felt impressed to go back down the street in the direction we had come from, and talk to those two women. So we did, and did a basic street contact. These women were Tamires and Amanda, friends who lived next door to each other. We wrote down their adresses, and went off to our next appointment. 

Tamires went inside that day, and told her mother-in-law, Mara, that she had spoken with us. Mara recognized that we were missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--the same church that she had joined almost 40 years ago. She had fallen away from the church because she moved to a city that hadn't had the church, and because her husband at the time wasn't supportive of her. As a result, she hadn't spoken to anyone from the church in 30 years. She hadn't even known the church was here in Cerquilho! But recognizing the opportunity that God was giving her, she gathered her little daughters and prayed that Sister Dutra and I would return.

The family is Mara and Edson, who have a son that's 20 years old (Junior, Tamires's husband), and four adopted children; Gabriela, Gean, Ana Beatryz, and Kamilly. (sorry I spell the names different every time...but this time it's correct!) Tamires and Junior have a little 3 month old baby, Anzel. 

We returned, and like I already told you, were graciously welcomed. We started immediately to teach them, and they just soaked it all in! In some families, the kids will be playing the whole time, or making a bunch of noise. Here, when we teach every eye is on us. Everyone is partipating, and every one learns...including Sister Dutra and I. I LOVE teaching this family! They love the hymns. After their first Sunday at Church I started teaching the girls primary songs, and they think it's the most wonderful thing in the world! Literally, I brought my song book with me to the next leson, and when I pulled it out of my bag the joy in their eyes was like I had just given them the world's best Christmas present. (Tidbit--their absolute favorite song to sing is "Follow the Prophet") 

One of the greatest sources of joy in all of this is Edson. He was part of a church prior to this that is very, very strong here in Brazil, and very unaccepting of other religions. Usually, these people won't even talk to us. But Edson listened. He studied. He asks questions, he prays. He has unbelievable faith--enough to stop smoking and drinking coffee in these short 2 weeks, and to carry his family through this time that's difficult financially. If they don't find enough money before...today, they'll lose their house. And one night he told us, "I know I'm doing all I can--and on the 27th, I'll be making a covenant with God. He will bless us. Everything will work out." His faith astounds me. And he has gained a love for the Book of Mormon, and for this gospel! My nerdy side comes out when I talk to Edson, and somehow, despite the fact that my language is weak, we have the best theological discussions. He wants to know everything, and he's just more and more filled with light every time we meet with them. He's going to love General Conference this weekend! 

The baptism was beautiful. Perfect! The kids sang, "I like to look for Rainbows" and it was sooo sweet. The spirit was just so strong the whole evening. And the closing song was "Families can be together Forever"....and their was not a dry eye to be seen. 

I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the light we can recieve through the restored gospel is the only way to have "peace in this life, and eternal life in the world to come". I love being a missionary, and sharing this with others!

I love you all! 

Sister Fuller

Transfer Week...

Oi, Família! 

We find out tonight what my next 6 weeks are going to look like. But I'm honest and truly fine with whatever happens--if I get to stay in Cerquilho, I'll be ridiculously happy. But if the Lord needs someone else here...then I know that'll be what these people need. So--now we wait!

This week was CRAZY. We have so much work to do, it's wonderful. I've decided I'm going to have to write an entire letter about Mara and her family one day (I mentioned finding them last week), because these people are AMAZING! It is a complete miracle that we stumbled upon their family, and even more so that they've all just grasped onto the gospel like this. There's Edson and Mara, and four adopted kids--Gabi, Jean, Ana Beatriz, e Camily. And then there's Tamires, who's their daughter-in-law. We haven't taught her husband yet, but he's supportive of all of this. Every time we visit them, they have a whole list of questions about what they've studied or (for the girls) what kind of things that "mormons" can do, like what to wear, etc. Edson is reading the Book of Mormon and UNDERSTANDING EVERYTHING! The other day in a lesson he and a member we brought with us started getting into a pretty deep analysis of the first few chapters in 1 Nephi--comparing Lehi to Noah, and talking about the pattern that God calls prophets in every dispensation. And he's trying to stop drinking coffee, and read 1 Nephi 3:7 and applied it to his own life! He's amazing. Yesterday they all walked to church (except for Mara, because she physically can't...someone picked her up) in the RAIN for 45 minutes, and once they got there they all participated...we don't have a Gospel Principles class, and so they were in Gospel Doctrines studying D&C, and Edson still commented! This family is incredible. :) 

I have absolutely loooooved the last couple of weeks. Sister Dutra and I super different, but we have the same work ethic and desire, so everything works out really well. We don't stop teaching/talking to people/planning for our investigators...almost ever! We study, leave the house on schedule, and don't stop to eat or come back until 9:30 most days. (The latest we can stay out--because we almost always have someone to teach in the last slot!) It's an incredible experience, and more than ever I'm learning what it means to be a part of the Lord's army--here to serve Him with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. And I know that I have a long way to go, but I know we're on track. And we're being so blessed for it! We keep having people placed in our path that need to hear our message, or are looking for us. In the last two weeks, we've found 5 less active members that didn't have records here in Cerquilho just by talking to people on the street. Oh, one of them--we wanted to visit a less active member, and knew the name of the street but not the number. We were close to the street, so decided to try asking people if they knew where he lived. When we turned the corner, we saw a woman standing in a windowsill on the second story of a house, so went over to talk to her. As we were talking with her, the window from the first story house opened, and a woman stuck her head out. "You're missionaries? Come in, come in!" This was Edna...she moved here from Northern Brazil 5 months ago, and both her and her husband are members! The woman upstairs was her sister, and we started teaching her and her family as well. Oh, haha--and it turned out that we had already talked to her sons one Sunday morning and invited them to church! They had work then...but they're all receptive, so who knows what'll come of this! 

Ok, time's out. I love you all, and it means sooo much to me that you all take the time to write to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Have a great week!

Sister Fuller

And the tan lines begin!!

Yikes Yikes Yikes. No time. 

So, everyone says that summer doesn't start until October. But I'm here to tell you...it's coming. Haha next week I need to send a picture I took of my feet yesterday--hilarious. I have some rocking tan lines :)

My wonderful, wonderful family! You would not believe how much I love this area. Cerquilho is the best area in the mission. If it was up to me, I think I'd stay here for the next year! 

We are seeing MIRACLES here in Cerquilho! We are working so, so hard and we're being immensely blessed for it. We had 16 people we taught this week come to Church! 11 investigators, and 5 less active members. MILAGRES. Before coming to Brazil, I prayed that my companion would be obedient, and confident in what we needed to do. That would be Sister Dutra. :) She is sooo amazing, and I'm learning so much from her. We had Zone Conference this week in Sorocaba, and I basically just heard President say everything that Sister Dutra's been quoting from him the last 4 weeks. So cool! (Side note: Before the second half of the conference, President walked by me and said "Sister Fuller, how about a number?" Which I interpreted as a number that all of us can sing...as in choose the hymn. Nope. It meant, "Sister Fuller, you're going to do a solo. Right now. For all of these missionaries, in Portuguese. Yiiiiiikes.   Hopefully no one will remember the next time they see me!)

One of the things that I've seen this week is that if I exercise the faith to talk to people, the Lord will put people in my path that are prepared to accept the gospel. The most notable example of this is the family of Irmã Mara. 

We talked to Thamires on the street, and she said we could visit her another day. When we returned we were warmly welcomed, and out came Mara..."Sisters! So good to see you!"

It turns out Mara (mother in law to Thamires) is a member, and hasn't had any contact with the church in over 30 years. Her records aren't in Cerquilho or anything, but when Thamires told her about talking to us she recognized that we were from the Church and gathered her three little daughters (8, 12, and 15) and they prayed that we would return. There are 9 people living in the house, all living according to the standards necessary to be prepared for baptism. We've been teaching them, and her husband read the Book of Mormon, and she said, "I think this is it. This is the time for my whole family to come back to the church." Her and the girls came to church yesterday and it was soooo wonderful. She needs this, and so does the branch! They're just a special, special family. Camile, who's eight years old, decided that she likes me yesterday. Haha. She was my little shadow, and kept hugging me! It's kind of adorable. And Mara calls us her angels. :)

Well, I'm out of time. I'll write more later...but I love you all! Stay strong!

Sister Fuller

 

"Scatter Sunshine, all along the way...."

Oi, Família! Todo bem?!

This week was awesome. Most notably, my portuguese is improving!! Haha. There's still a loooong way to go, but I've been able to express myself a lot better this week. Jeissy said, "Wow Sister, you're speaking a lot!" after one of our lessons and it totally made my night---she's one of the people that had a hard time understanding me at the beginning. :) 

Buuuut...honest and truly, this is the work of the Lord. This week was wonderful :) I had my first "Thisbee moment"--my great, great, great, great grandma, right? There's the story when they were traveling to Utah and they were pushing the handcart downhill, and her sister said to their mother, "wouldn't it be wonderful if we could go downhill all the way to Zion and you could ride on the cart like a queen?" (or something like that) And with the wisdom that only mother's have, Elizabeth taught her girls about how the hard times in our life teach us to appreciate the good. Opposition in all things, all that jazz :) Well, Tuesday was our mountain, and Wednesday was the most glorious "ride downhill" ever! 

Wednesday, nearly all of our appointments went as scheduled, and we taught more lessons than we ever have in Cerquilho. What's more, each of these lessons were just charged with the Spirit, and we could see the difference that the gospel was making in the lives of our investigators! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! 

Lucia, who came to church last week, was really worried about how her "husband" (no one's actually married here...yet!) would respond to her interest. And on Wednesday, we were finally able to sit down and talk to him! We taught the whole family the Restoration again, and it was so cool--almost like having a lesson with a member. Lucia and Thassiane were there saying, "Yes, I believe that this the true church of Jesus Christ" and "I believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God" and all sorts of wonderful comments. BEAUTIFUL! And José looooved it. He accepted the invitation to be baptized, and Lucia leaned over and playfully shook him saying, "but first we need to get married!" Ahahaha. Looove this family. What's more, for whatever reason he likes my accent! "I like it when she talks. I think it sounds beautiful when she talks." Whaaat? I'll take it :) And every time we visit them (we've been back since) he'll say at least twice that he likes us, and is glad that we're teaching his family. 

THIS IS A MIRACLE!! 

So their family is amazing...but they didn't come to church on Sunday. We'll find out why tomorrow, but I'm not too worried. They're doing so great!

Also, Jeissy really progressed this week! We have a baptismal date with her and she's really starting to want it for herself. Her prayers are the sweetest things ever, and she's so sincere in her desire to find the truth. She told us, "I don't know why I feel so much more open with you! I feel like I can tell you Sisters anything, you know? I'm not like this with other people. But you're really helping, so thank you." She is SOOO sweet. Love, love, love her! Also, random tidbit--after our first lesson with her I told Sister Dutra I knew she'd get baptized...because she's my 15 year old girl here in Cerquilho. And apparently, I always have baptisms for 15 year old girls :) Haha

Whew, no time. But I'm doing wonderfully...I love this area, it's beautiful. I realized on Sunday that I know the names of all the members in the branch--perks of having less people! But I really feel like I'm starting to settle into being a real missionary here in Cerquilho, and not just the american/quiet companion. It's really good. I've also just learned a ton this week, and have had really great studies. The scriptures have all the answers that we need--how grateful I am to have the opportunity to learn from them each day!! The Lord has given us everything we need to be successful--I know that He sent us here to this life to succeed, not to fail. He loves us, He has a plan for us.  :) And I love you all!!! 

Até mais!

Sister Fuller

From Brazil

Hi :) 

There's music blasting in the lan house (where we email) and it's ridiculously difficult to concentrate right now. I kind of want to go poke someone in the eye. :) 

Sooo another week here in Cerquilho! I've decided that Cerquilho is probably the prettiest city in the mission. I love all of the flowers here, and being able to just see green hills and trees and such. I'm definitely not in the big city! It's a weird location geographically, because it's kind of in the corner of three different missions. We're in the Campinas temple district, and pretty disconnected from the rest of São Paulo. We keep having problems of finding people to teach that live in other missions, but they don't have missionaries there and it's close to us. Weird problems, right? 

Guess what!!! Lucia came to church!! She's one of the first people we taught here in Cerquilho, and I can't understand a word she says. It's glorious. But from what Sister Dutra's told me, she was going to another church and they gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon (how bizarre is that?!). When we came and started teaching her, she pulled it out to read again and loooved it. But she's had some health problems, so didn't come last week. But she came!! And liked it, and her daughter's going to come next week! Thassiane, I can understand. She's the best. "How did you feel when you prayed?" "Foi maravilhosa!!" But....neither of them are legally married, so they can't get baptized yet. 

Another investigator that we didn't really think had a lot of potential progressed a TON this week! We had tried to stop by without any success, but then one day he called US to set up an appointment! The next day we were following up on what he read, and he had not only read what we had left him, but the first part through the testimony of Joseph Smith. "Wow, Joseph Smith had to wait 4 years to get the plates!" Uhh....yeah, he did! So he's reading and understanding, and feels good about everything. He smokes, but is going to stop so he can get baptized :) We had a wonderful lesson with him, and then he brought out a bunch of food for us. Apparently they do that in Brazil to show that they're grateful...that's what Sister Dutra said, anyway. So sweet! He didn't come to church, but called us to apologize and felt awful--he had to take his grandfather to the hospital in São Paulo, so a good excuse. Yay yay yay for Ricardo!!! 

We've been teaching Ivani since day one here in Cerquilho. She's the wife of the ward mission leader, and has met manymanymany sets of missionaries. She's having a hard time recognizing answers to her prayers, so we've been helping her a lot, and reteaching some basic principles. But she likes us!! It's really kind of a neat situation, because Irmão Celio can give us feedback on what she's thinking. So we know she has a desire to know, and that she really likes us! It was so sweet. The other night we were leaving, and she chased us out the door saying, "Wait! I'm not going to let you walk home, let me give you a ride!" My blisters were pretty bad, so that was nothing short of a miracle. Another cool feedback thing from Irmão Celio is that he can tell us how he feels--it's a pretty unique opportunity. But he always talks about how there's a really strong spirit when we're in their home, and he knows she feels it. That's so sweet, and such a treasure to hear! 

On Saturday that was a lunch for the branch and training on misisonary work! How cool is that, right?! The branch is so good. They all want to help, and I've really been able to feel like I've gotten closer to the ward even in the last couple of days. Testimony meeting was really sweet. Pretty much every person in the branch bore their testimony, which is really special. This branch is really close, and you can tell they love one another. And they were soooo good and welcoming Lucia!!

Well, I'm officially out of time if I'm going to try to send pictures. Love you so much! Thank you for your prayers and your love, and all of your wonderful examples. Ate segunda! 

Sister Fuller

PARABÉNS PARA MINHA MÃE!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!! I love you!!!!

Dear everyone, 

Hello! Sorry, I don't have much time to write today. This week was crazy...again. Haha. It amazes me how similar the experience of working in Cerquilho is to Coffeyville. The process of getting started is the same (and different) wherever you are. Without an established teaching pool, a lot of what we're doing is searching for those who are prepared to accept the gospel. Casting our nets for all of the fish, and having to throw back the ones that aren't ready (yet!). We just have to have the faith that as we talk to everyone we can, we'll find those the Lord needs us to. I know that all of the people here are beloved sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father--and He wants to give them all of the blessings of the gospel. He'll labor with us and we do all we can! It's comforting to think of that, and know that my limited language abilities won't hinder anyone from accepting the gospel so long as I can teach by and with the Spirit. It makes it so important to always strive to be worthy of it! Anyway, we've taught a lot of Restoration lessons, so I'm getting better at explaining it...which is perfect, because that's what this week's training application is for! I'm getting the slightest bit better at street contacts, and I even talked on the phone yesterday. (gulp) It was TERRIFYING. Haha Sister Dutra was in the bathroom...thankfully, it was Jeissy (a 15 year old girl we're teaching) and she already knows me so she knew she had to speak slower :)

We had our first district meeting this week! And guess what--my District Leader is the brother of one of my friends from BYU, from Heber UT!! Cool, huh? (Mom, Lizzy's brother. She was the 1st counselor in the RS, so we worked a lot together. She's on her mission in the North Adriatic right now) 

That day after district meeting we had interviews with President Martins, and then I had to drive down to São Paulo with him and Sister Martins to go to the Federal Police thingy. Something about my visa...making sure I had permission to stay in the country now that I'm here. Bah. But it was really fun! I got to spend even more time with them (seriously, I'm so spoiled!) and it was so fun to talk to and spend time with other missionaries. 

Out of time--random things I've learned:

There is a right way and a wrong way to eat an orange. Americans do it wrong....and if you try to peel it and eat it by slices, you will be laughed at!

Brazilians think American accents are hilarious :)

There are 2 unplanned key changes in every hymn. Also, don't sing the harmony or everyone will stare at you! (But boy do Brazilians love to sing! Loudly, without holding anything back. It's awesome)

I love you!!!!! 

Sister Fuller

Sempre uma "fresquinha"

Oi!

Eu chegei! Which you already know...but I can't remember what I told you before. At least that much :)

We arrived in Sao Paulo Tuesday morning, and then traveled to the mission home to meet President and Sister Martins. The drive was about an hour long, and the ENTIRE TIME we were stayed in the city, completely surrounded by huge buildings. Later that day we had interviews with President, and then found out where and with who we were going. There were 11 sisters and 4 elders in the group that "arrived" with me--myself, Sister Garner, and Elder Kelley from my MTC district, one Sister and one Elder straight from the Provo MTC, and then the rest from the Sao Paulo MTC, including one american Sister.
On Wednesday we did NOTHING, which was just a little weird, actually. Haha. Sister Dutra and I were assigned to open Cerquilho--cutest little city ever. Dad, you're right--it's nicer than Ava! Anyway, President likes to accompany the missionaries that are opening an area to help us with our house, keys to the church, etc. Since there was a big departing group the same day of transfers, he couldn't take us until Thursday...so Wednesday I got to know Sister Dutra (who speaks no English) and tried my best to learn some Portuguese. We just sat in the office all day, and then went back to the mission home to sleep.

Thursday we arrived, took care of all the necessary things, and then got to know Cerquilho a little. I feel a little spoiled for having the opportunity to spend more time with President and Sister Martins than the other arriving missionaries! They kept taking us out to eat, and they speak English...which was nice for when I was really lost! Sister Martins bought us my first pastel. Yum :) It's a...eu nao sei. Meat and cheese and fried stuff. Haha.

Then we were on our own! We visited the branch president and the mission leader, visited people listed in the area book, and started teaching anyone that would listen. Which is A LOT. Sister Dutra's so good--we'll be walking and she just says, "Hi! Nice to meet you, I'm Sister Dutra, and we're messengers of Jesus Christ. We help people know how to come closer to Christ, and be with their families forever. Could we pass by your house some other day and share some of these truths with you and your family? Yes? Ok, can I write down your address?" Actually, she says more than that. That's just what she taught me to say, so that's all I remember!

It's a little nerve wrecking to start talking to people, knowing fully that if they say too much in response, I won't have a clue what to say next. Haha. And funny that I really can't say all that much. But I can say a little! I can stumble through it, and people are nice about it...hahaha. I just feel bad for the people that talk with me. I know what I need to do as a missionary, and I know the responsibility I hold. So I just have to do my best to forget myself and put my pride on the altar and trust that the Spirit will tell them what they need to know. After all, the language of the Spirit is universal! I honestly don't really know how the language is going. I think I'm being blessed more than I deserve, because even though I have to concentrate a lot on what they're saying, I can usually figure out what's going on. Unless they're from way northern Brasil or something. Haha here's a gem--one lady from there said, "So it's difficult for you to speak, and difficult for us to understand." Yup. Sorry. I'm working on it. Anyway, my theory is that it's like wearing glasses. Anyone that knows me knows how stubborn I am about wearing them--so I'll walk around blind if my contacts won't go in! But I can usually figure out what signs and things say because I can make out the general shape and use deductive reasoning to piece the rest together. So I think I'm understanding small bits and pieces, and then my brain goes on overdrive to make the rest mean something!

Sister Dutra's fun. We actually recieved our mission calls the same day, but she left January 10th and I left April 10th. Dang visa :) She's from southern Brasil, so talks a little differently than people here...I'm going to sound so funny! But we sing at every lesson again!

I'm doing really well. I know I'm being watched over and helped along with every step I take, and I'm so grateful for that. Yesterday in Church (which is wonderful...we have a branch of about 40 and our meetinghouse is a little space above a pharmacy. You should see the baptismal font!) we sang "Contas Bençãos" (count your blessings) which is one of my favorite hymns in Portuguese, and the only one I have memorized, and then Come, Come Ye Saints as the closing hymn. TENDER MERCY. I think that "Come, Come Ye Saints" and "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" are going to be my songs of my mission. I love how the Lord can speak to me through hymns, and I can both learn and recieve comfort from them.

Well, we're going to try to figure out how to send photos, so I've got to go. Love you all so much! I'm taking Sister Larson's idea of taking pictures of your emails to read later, so hopefully that works. Thank you for everything!

Sister Fuller