Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Half way?!?!; Pioneer Day in Brazil :-)

Hello again from the CTM!
 
It's been another great week, and time is seriously flying.  Someone pointed out yesterday that in TWO weeks we'll be going out proselyting in São Paulo for our first time, and then the NEXT Tuesday we'll be on our way to the field!  Isn't that crazy?  It feels like yesterday that I was saying goodbye to all of you at the Salt Lake Airport... :) 
Besides all the normal classes and studying and teaching, we've had some pretty cool experiences this week.  On Friday we had TRC again, only this time was a little bit different....we got to be investigators!  They usually only have the oldest districts do that, so we were kind of surprised when they told us it was our turn.  I loved being an investigator.  It's definitely a lot less stressful than trying to have to teach a lesson and find out what the investigator needs you to help them understand...  An elder in my district was the main investigator, and I was there as his "sister".  The missionaries teaching us were there for their very first time at TRC, and they did such a good job!  It reminded me of the first time I had TRC, struggling to express the principles of the gospel in the little Portuguese I knew...not that I don't do that anymore, just....not quite as much.   :)  It made me laugh because the lesson actually started out the exact same way as my first TRC:  (Awkward silence.....)  "Trabalho?"  hahaha...good times. 
On Sunday we had our half-way interviews with our branch presidency!  HALF. WAY.  Sheesh. So weird.  :)  It was super awesome, especially because I got a new branch when I switched districts so I hadn't been interviewed by this president yet.  It was fun to get to meet him and talk with him a little bit about my experience at the CTM so far.  Before we started the interview he had me pray in Portuguese, so I did, and afterwards he looked up and said, "Where did you learn Portuguese??"  I wasn't sure if that was a trick question or not, so I hesitated for a second and then answered "Uhm.....here?"  :)  He looked surprised and told me how good my Portuguese was, especially for being a week behind my district.  It was SO good to hear that.  Definitely a confidence boost.  :) 
Yesterday was PIONEER DAY!!  We had a special fireside in the evening with a lot of pioneer stories and songs.  It was really great, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have realized that it was Pioneer Day otherwise.  :)  But it was a really fun night, and a great celebration of the holiday.  It was so cool to hear so many stories of sacrifice and complete commitment to the gospel...I'm so grateful for the examples of the pioneers!  There are so many that literally gave their lives for this gospel, so really, it's the least I can do to give 18 months.  :)  It sounds like you guys had a lot of fun celebrating back in Utah too!  I miss that!  When I realized what day it was I immediately thought of Mom in her pioneer outfit, leading a parade of Primary children around the block... :) 
Thanks so much for sending all those pictures, I LOVED it!!!  It looks like you had so much fun at the reunion, I wish I could have been there!  Jamie and Megan both have SUPER cute outfits.... ;)  And Megan as Maleficent!!!  Aaaahh.  So awesome.  The costume is perfect, if only I could hear the cackle that goes with it!  ;)
Well, I'm out of time once again.  I love you all so much!  I sent a postcard today, so keep an eye out for it! 
 
Love,
 
Sister Melissa Gee

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