Getting right to work

           So this week I experienced the full roller coaster range of missionary emotions . We had a referral from a ward member for Cristiane, a mother of a family of three teenage boys. We went to teach her and she was seriously the golden investigator. She ate up everything we said and was so ready for and open to the gospel! It was amazing. Just as I introduced our message and told her what our purpose was as missionaries in that first lesson she teared up. It feels so good in those moments to have the spirit work through you and the message come across thro ugh my simple português. We met with her several times throughout the week. Each time she had read her assignment in the book of Mormon had had really good thoughtful questions for us. We taught her about the Word of Wisdom and she immediately agreed to give up coffee. She drinks it all the time, but wanted to give it up completely right then because what was what the Lord wanted- no slow transition or anything. So Sunday morning we called her before church to just make sure she was coming and that's when everything started to fall apart. Her husband decided that he didn't like her learning about the church and didn't want her to go. He didn't want her to meet with us anymore or have anything to do with the church. It is absolutely heart wrenching. I  had to hold back tears when Sister Malta relayed the message to me. I know that she knows the church is true! She has felt the spirit and is so ready for this gospel, but now she is being held back! So I went from sky high excitement to the slums. We were able to set up an appointment this week to try and meet with her and her husband. I am really hoping that he will listen. That he will let the spirit in and understand the blessings that the gospel will bring. If not for himself, then at least for his wife and children! We are trying to get one of the men from the ward to come with us too. I think that will help him feel a better connection and maybe be more  open. We have already been fasting and praying for her and her family. It is so hard to just have to realize that people have agency and leave it in the hands of the Lord after you do all that you can. Haha, I don't think shaking them and trying to knock some sense into their heads would be very helpful here. So as frustrating as it is, all we can do is love them. Offer them everything we can, and then let them choose.  

           We had our branch Christmas dinner this week here. It was a BBQ... haha, yes a BBQ for Christmas. It was a little strange, I am not going to lie. But when Christmas is in the summer it makes sense. The Brazilians really do know how to have a good BBQ too. It is totally different from American BBQs, but it is really good. Oh, you know that saying that "knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing it doesn't go in a fruit salad"? Haha, well, that saying doesn't apply here. I guess Brazilian wisdom is a little different. They make this "tropical fruit salad" here  where hey lay out lettuce on a plate and then put mango, kiwi, pineapple, beets, tomato and cucumber on top of the lettuce. It is really pretty and really yummy. You don't really mix the fruit together, but I just think it is funny that they call it a fruit "salad" and it has tomatoes in it. I had to tell you guys because my Brazilian companion didn't understand why it was so funny... Haha, sometimes the cultural difference makes it hard to tell jokes  :) I am grateful that it is hot here and sunny though. It doesn't really feel like Christmas. I think that is a good thing. If it was snowy and cold I would probably think of Christmas more and miss you guys. So it is a blessing to be in the heat of summer. It makes it easy to lose myself in the work  and not get homesick.

           I feel like I have already grown so much here. This has truly been a humbling and amazing experience. The language is coming  along well. I understand most everything now. I still get lost in some non-gospel related topics, when people talk fast or when a big group is having a conversation. We had lunch with a big family in our branch this week and they reminded me so much of our family. They were all joking around and teasing each other and just enjoying life to the fullest. It was so fun! But let me tell you, it is really hard to focus and follow all that conversation and teasing with so many people talking! I also squish ants with my fingers now- you were right Jono! We just have so many and in our house that I have quickly overcome that fear. Anything bigger than the tiny ants is still outside my comfort zone though... I eat meat off the bone- people here don't believe in boneless, skinless chicken breasts like you do Mom ;) And I have some killer tan lines already. Haha, I am going to have to wear a watch and these shoes for the rest of my life! 

I love you all so much!  And remember, the best gift that you can give this year is the gift of the gospel! 

 

Love,

Sister Emma Maxwell

 



Brazil is so green! It makes me happy!!!

Preaching to the herds....



.... better luck next time Sister Maxwell