Miracles!

Hi!!!!!

Ummmm....so don't be mad. But I have 15 minutes left. And a really, truly, incredible week, so I'm just going to give you some bullet points and then fill it in as I can! 

• We went to pick up the families we had marked to come to church with us, and they all fell through. A little discouraged, but determined, we decided to say a prayer and ask the Lord for His help. When we got to the church, we had 8 investigators there!!
• We both felt strongly that we should contact a referral from the Elders in our zone, that was in a new part of the city reeeeeally far away. It wasn't even on the map, so we stopped at a house to ask for directions. We ended up talking to that woman about the gospel as well, and when she saw our name tags she started joyfully laughing. "I can't believe! I just drove past that church 2 days ago, and I had never seen it before. I told my daughter I wanted to find out what hours church was at so we could go there...and now you two are standing at my door!" Definitely a miracle, and such a cool way of seeing how the Lord had led us there!
• I really needed to go to the bathroom (TMI? Sorry) and decided to take advantage of that...much to the shame of my companion. So this really nice family let us in, we used the bathroom and then to "thank them" for their kindness, we shared the Restoration message with them. The mom wasn't home, and came in when we were singing. She told us she had been feeling so stressed out and abandoned by God, and had prayed for Him to show her in some way if He really loved her. She told us that we were like angels to her, and that our visit was her answer to prayer! 
• We visited a man who hasn't been to church in years. We really prepared what we'd share with him, and testified of Heavenly Father's love for him....and in that moment we could really feel it! And then...HE CAME TO CHURCH!
• We received a referral from a man last week that just pulled over and said, "Sisters! I'm from Campinas, but I was working here today. I have a referral for you!" We were so excited to visit this family. We decided that we should fast for them, that they would feel the spirit and act on it. We had a very short visit with them, and just invited them to pray to know if we really were sent from God, and if the message we would share with them was true. (There's another king lamoni´s father moment for ya!) We went back last night, and they were anxiously waiting for us. We went inside, sat down....and first thing. "Last time, you invited us to pray. I did, and God showed me that I should believe in whatever you tell me." He had this dream...that's way cool, but I don't have time to explain. But the whole family really felt the spirit. We taught them the Restoration, and they all accepted to get baptized! By the way, this man is 65 years old. They have a church that they go to. They have a ton of children, and grandchildren....and this family has been prepared for this moment in SO MANY WAYS!
• We're teaching another family that I LOVE. Juliana and Rodrigo, who have a 2 year old named Mateus. They were another referral. (Are you noticing a trend??) Our ward mission leader had seen them walking up a long hill on a really hot day, and he and his wife offered them a ride. Then they passed their address to us! What's awesome as that they've been to every lesson with us, and now they really are friends! But they came to church and LOVED it. (All on their own!) Everyone was talking to them. I was so happy :) 
• There were 2 recent converts from a near by city that were visiting their cousin, and they took her to church here! Her name is Rafaela. We taught her after church....SO receptive! She also accepted to get baptized! 
• We found a woman who ended up being so, so receptive. She came to church and loooooved every second. She was taking notes! She says she's never felt anything like that before, and knows it has to be the true church of Christ. She wants to be baptized as well! 

Aaaaand I'm out of time. But that's actually a pretty good summary. But anyway---I love the Lord, I love the work, and I love you all!!!! I hope you're doing great!!!!

Sister Fuller

Mountains To Climb

Dear Everyone, 

First, go read that talk (Mountains to Climb, by Elder Eyring). It's reaaaaaally good. 

Ok. So this week was just a roller coaster! Sister Christoffersen is such an incredible missionary, and I love serving with her. No Dad, she doesn't have an accent. I think that may be West Virginia...but who knows! (Certainly not me. Geography=not my strong point). She's just really determined to do all she can to share the gospel with everyone. She knows who she is, and why she's here (I meant that as in her purpose as a missionary...but it works for life too!), and she wants all the other people to know just how special they are as well! We've talked a lot this week about what standards we're going to set for ourselves for the rest of our lifes---our "promises to me". I love it. I love, love, love it! I know the mission will pass by so fast, so it's important to know how I want to change because of it. I try to treasure every moment here...literally, we are called by God to serve Him and His children. There is no greater calling than this! 

We were blessed with a ton of new investigators this week! We've had some days of flat out miracles, as we do everything we know how, and then watch the Lord do His work. For example, recently we were walking to our next appointment, and started talking to a woman that was going for a walk. We talked a while (it was an appointment a little far away!) about the gospel, about her family, etc...and all the way, testifying of how the gospel will bless her. She was so receptive, and moved here just 3 months ago. Just before she turned to go a different direction than us, she stopped and looked me in the eyes. "I'm a widow," she told me, and tears immediately filled her eyes. The way she said it, I felt as if it may have been one of the first times she's said that, or really admitted it. I made the connections--her and her four children moved here from Sergipe (no where close) just 3 months ago. She doesn't know anyone here. Literally, I think he passed away recently and that she's really struggling. She had commented that she goes on long (reeeally long) walks every day now...I can just see how all of it just shows that she's suffering, and needs to know about the Plan of Salvation. She needs to feel the love of our Savior. And we felt so, so amazed that Heavenly Father had sent us to walk over there, and so grateful that we had opened our mouths to speak. 

A lot of our investigators we found WERE miracles! Once we were walking, "Hey, Sisters!"--there was a woman who moved here that studied with the missionaries in her old city. Another was a family that was a referral from a man that doesn't even live in Salto! He lives in Campinas but was working here that day, and talked about the gospel with a family that lived in the house he was installing a fridge in or something. So he asked if they'd like to learn about the church, wrote down their address, and then saw us on the street! One was just kind of fun--it was about to rain, and I didn't want my stuff to get all wet, so I asked for a garbage sack from a family sitting in front of their house. Then suuuuper obviously, "oh, I don't want to get my Bible wet! Or my Book of Mormon!" as I cheerfully placed the Book of Mormons (Books of Mormon? haha) in the sack. And the man asked, "What's the Book of Mormon?" Pahahahaha. I LOVED IT. We left them with a teaser and asked if they wanted to learn more. "Oh yeah, definitely!" Wooohoo!!!!

The really sad part of this week was that Roberto did not get baptized. We had some incredibly powerful and spiritual lessons with him, and he shared his testimony with us. It all started with him knowing that the Book of Mormon is true, and then his faith grew to the point that he told us he knows the Church is true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that he needs to get baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ. Really, that testimony is so important. We're not here just to tell people about a "cool message" that will make them happier and deal with stress and learn how to be a better person. Will all that come? Absolutely. But we're here to testify--we have a loving Heavenly Father. His PERFECT plan for us is that we learn to exercise our faith in Him, and change. That we need to make the covenant of baptism and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! And that's the only way we can have eternal happiness, and live with our families forever. There is no other way--only through Christ. And that's what Roberto understood. Just that...the fight is real. And Satan worked really hard on him, and Saturday, he didn't show up to the baptism. We did everything we could, but didn't get in touch with him. Finally, Saturday night he sent us a text message explaining that he had invited his brothers to come to his baptism, and they started talking anti, and telling him it was the wrong choice to make. They didn't want to have any more to do with him. He started doubting his own ability to follow with faith, and he just got scared....it was really sad. But we talked to him, and he still really wants to get baptized. So we're praying a lot that he'll be able to feel the Spirit helping him to make this next decision. 

More then anything, what I know is that the gospel is true. Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. He wants us to be happy, and He's given us the gospel to help us reach our full potential--to become like Him! I know that our Savior loves every one of us. He is the Good Shepherd, and he knows His sheep. He'll take care of them all. So....you know how I love "We are all Enlisted"? So true. But the words are different in Portuguese. Roughly translated, "We are the soldiers who battle against evil. Let's march!" Adding that extra layer onto the song....I am enlisted. I am a soldier in God's army. We are here to fight against evil, against darkness, against sadness and sorrow. And we are happy! Because we have the light of the gospel, truth is our helmet, buckler, and shield....

Just go sing. Keep on singing. It's all true.

I hope you all have a great week. Do something to share your testimony every day!

Love you, 

Sister Fuller

"The grass is greener on the other side" ...literally!

A rainy night, waaaaaay far away from home...waiting for the bus!

The view from our bedroom window. 

There is Sunshine in my Soul Today!!

And all around me too. Cause it's dang hot. I have a hard time comprehending what it means that you guys are feeling cold...

So this week was great! Well, really eventful. No, it was great. Haha. So Tuesday was a good work day, and literally all of our appointments fell through...but ALL of their neighbors were home! It was really cool. I loved it. Then Wednesday, we had Multi-Zone Conference in Sorocaba. It was fun to see Sister Vaughn for the first time in 6 months, and it was so wonderful to feel the Spirit that's there when it's so many missionaries together. I love our conferences! It did last ridiculously long though, and by the time we made it back to Salto, we only had time for one appointment before going home and collapsing into bed...only to be woken up a few hours later. Yup. I got sick. Haha so I got the flu, and spent all night and Thursday in the bathroom. And then Sister Cristoffersen got it! Aaaah! Horrible. I need to learn not to shareeverything with my companion. But it was kind of hilarious, and good bonding time. But that lasted until Friday night, so we lost quite a bit of time this week. :( But the Lord understood, and He really blessed us! Saturday and Sunday were full of appointments, and we had several miracles that lead us to finding new people to teach! Just little things, guiding us, and thoughts of where to go...and getting there, and finding a person that maybe we weren't expecting that's totally prepared to receive the gospel! So very special! So Saturday was busy and happy, and lots and lots of sitting down and teaching (which is what our bodies needed). One investigator even gave us bus passes, so we ended up barely walking at all! And Saturday night, we passed by the church really quick for Thiago's wedding reception! Yeah, Thiago and Leide got married!!!! Ahhh!!!! I'm so happy for them. And they already are saying they're going to get sealed Dec 28, 2014. (one year exactly after his baptism). In their wedding slideshow, it had all pictures of his baptism...really, I'm so happy for them. Soooo happy. 

Sunday was also great! I love working with Sister Cristoffersen, because she also really just loves to work. So we work hard, and we try to talk with everyone, and never waste a second. I know this time is so special, and that it'll pass by so fast. I'm determined  to make every moment count! 

Fun detail. We saw capiveras (no idea how to spell it. Crazy pig looking animal that eat dogs and cats and stuff!) swimming across the river! They're the kind of animal I kind of picture Ammon herding...I don't really know why. But it was COOL!

I love you all, and hope you have a great week! 

Sister Fuller

My brother's going on a mission!!!!!!

Family, 

Aaaaaaah!!!! I'm SOOO ridiculously excited! I don't think I even thought about Russia...but soo, so perfect, right? Ah!!!! My little Russian brother...haha Ster, make sure you guys do that one dance on Just Dance. Ra Ra...something. I don't know, Babylon thoughts, I don't remember that stuff.

So, yes. World: Devin Fuller has been called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!! He's been called to serve in the Russia St. Petersburg mission!!!!!! Russia's going to catch on fire. :) 

Dev, I'm so ridiculously happy for you. So, ridiculously happy for your decision, and knowing what effect it'll have in the lives of so many! I love you bunches and bunches!! 

So, my life isn't as exciting as all of this...but I'll try to give you a quick update! :) 

Transfers were this week! I'm staying in Mont Serrat, and everyone else left. haha. But it's SO GOOD!!!! My new companion is Sister Cristoffersen, from Williamsburg Virginia. I'm "training" an american! No, I'm not really training her, because she knows everything and is incredible. :) She was waiting 7 months for her visa in the Orgeon Eugene mission and now she's here with me!!!!! She was in the same MTC district as Elder Larson! I'm sooo excited to serve with her this transfer. She has such a natural ability to teach and talk with people, and I know I'm going to learn a lot from her! (Interesting tidbit---I'm seeing that I really am starting to forget english, because sometimes I can't remember the words to translate for Sister Cristoffersen! CRAZY)

Guess what else! Both of the Sisters from the Salto ward were transfered, which means I have 3 new people to live with! Guess what else!!!!!! ONE OF THEM'S SISTER DUTRA!!!! Aaaaaah!!!!!! So much happiness. I love my life right now. So much. The other Sister is Sister Nascimento, who was Sister Garner's trainer!! We're all one big happy family :) I'M SO HAPPY!!!! 

So, life is really good. We're teaching a couple of incredible people, and I'm so grateful for every investigator that the Lord has entrusted to us. Roberto is really showing progress, and is slowly but surely becoming converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Anyone that looks, will find! He had some doubts about what happens after death, because his church taught that after we die, we won't remember who we are, but will all be brothers just worshiping and singing praises to God 24 hours a day. (His words, not mine!) I'm not really sure why someone would want to believe that...I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, whose plan is perfect! As we prepared to teach him, I found myself focusing more on the beginning of this great plan of happiness--who is God, what is our relationship with him, and where we lived before we were born. As we opened the scriptures to explain this to him, and then to explain our purpose in coming to earth, when we got to the part of what happens after death we didn't barely have to explain anything to him to show why we'll be the same people, and recognize our loved ones. He asked lots of great questions, and we studied together--it really was an experience where both were edified! And then at the end, he had a complete change of heart. I'm so grateful for the scriptures, to explain the gospel so clearly. I'm grateful for the a living prophet, to help us to understand God's will for us, and to help us to understand what we need to do to live with our families forever. If there's anyone that's reading this that hasn't yet had the chance to talk to missionaries like me that live in your city, please do. I know these things are true. I know that they'll change your life forever! (you can visit www.mormon.org to learn more as well) 

We had interviews with President Martins this week, and it was really good. Poor Sister Cristoffersen, she had just talked to him 2 days ago! But I always love talking to President Martins. I'm soooo grateful for him!!! 

Well, I'm just about out of time. Dev, love your so much! Big hug!!! (Wow, how many hours are we going to be apart from one another??)

Sending love and well wishes!!

Sister Fuller

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!