July 15, 2013

Hello! Hello!

Crazy, crazy, crazy that this month I will hit my year mark. Luckily this week was super amazing with a record 12 investigators at church so I feel like I still have a wonderful 6 months ahead. We got a reference for a family and the dad of the family invited all 3 of his adult brothers and their wives to hear our message too, and they all went to church with their kids and loved it. Seriously, references are powerful. It's SO good to be a missionary when we teach people who legitimately want to learn. The Spirit was super strong in the lesson and I already have a vision of them being sealed in the temple for eternity!! I'm loving Sister Cabral more than ever. She is such a great companion. Seriously, it's like being with my best friend 24/7. I don't even ever get sick of her. 

It's been raining a lot here too. It is really awful to be a missionary in the rain because everyone runs for cover and there is no one to talk to on the street also because it isn't very great to show up at someones house drenched and expect them to let you in. The people will because they are nice and they will even offer a shower and a change of clothes, but I feel awkward and embarrassed showing up soaking wet at someones house.

So my new mission president is great. I really really like him. His training was super powerful. He is way humble and all about the importance of bearing our testimonies. He has a super great vision of missionary work here and is trying to do everything according to what the Lord wants done. It will be perfect to end my mission with him. My interview with him was really good. I even got tears in my eyes, which never happened with Pres. Hall. They are very different. Pres. and Sis. Soares are originally from Recife, but lived in São Paulo the past 5 years. His wife is wonderful as well. I liked her a ton. She is a psychologist. Also, she has a good sense of humor. The Natal Mission is going to be great. Following is a picture of Sister Soares and the sister missionaries in my zone.

That's all I've got for this week, but I love you all. I am super excited to hear where Chad will serve and when he will leave! Do you think he will leave before I get home?? I'm praying that he gets called to Brazil because he will LOVE it here. Anywhere he goes he will love though. That's how things are when they are done by prayer and revelation.

Love, Sister Udy

Here is a photo of our baptism this week which was on a Tuesday night after I had been walking around sweating all day so I look horrible.