Wednesday, July 11, 2012

New district, new companions; TIRO - TIme is Running Out

Querida Familia,
I'm guessing that Jared probably told you why I didn't email yesterday....I've been moved to a new district, and I have TWO new companheiras!!!!!  I'm SO excited about it, even though it's kind of sad to not be with Jared all the time.  We're even on different meal schedules now, so I usually only see him at devotionals or at lanche, the snack we have right before bed.  But it is sooo good to be with sisters, and I'm already beginning to feel like part of the group.  There are eight people in this district, four elders and four sisters, so now that I'm here we've got them outnumbered!  ;)  My companions are Sister Brundage and Sister Butterfield.  They are both so incredibly sweet and I feel like we have a lot in common.  We've had some very enthusiastic conversations about musicals, Jane Austen novels, opera .... yep, I think we're going to get along.  :) 
We've taught three lessons as a companionship already, and I've only been with them since Saturday.  Crazy!  They are both awesome teachers, and I feel like I'm learning so much.  It's VERY different from teaching with elders...haha :)  I'm really loving it so far.  They have been here one week longer that me, so I'm a little bit behind in the language, but I think I'll be able to keep up.  I'm not sure how long I'm going to be with them, since I'll probably go back to my original district once my companion in Provo gets her visa.  (Her name is Sister Young, by the way.  I don't think I mentioned that before.)  :)
I also have new teachers now, Irmão Mauricio and Irmã Pozete.  They are both REALLY great, and they speak Portuguese pretty much the entire class...which is hard, since my previous teachers mostly spoke English, but I know it's going to be so good for me.  I think understanding other people is the HARDEST part about the language so far.  I can read it, and I can speak it pretty well, but the understanding is not coming as easily.  They talk so fast!  :P  But I can tell that it's getting easier.  I'm trying to take more opportunities to talk to Brazilians here, which is really fun.  Even though I always have to ask them to repeat themselves two or three times before I understand, they're really patient and helpful and friendly.  :) 
The district motto is "TIRO", or Time Is Running Out ... a really good reminder that we only have so much time here at the CTM to prepare to be the kind of missionary the Lord needs us to be.  It's funny how it feels like we're going to be here FOREVER...but then I remember that there IS life after the CTM, and we need to be ready for it!  I'm so excited.  One of my original roommates left the CTM for Londrina on Tuesday, and she's going to write and tell me all about it, which will be so awesome. 
I love you guys so much, and pray for you every day!  It sounds like things are going really well back home.  Tell Kyle to write and tell me all about EFY!!  I LOVED EFY...we listen to a lot of the EFY music here at the CTM and it makes me remember how awesome it was.  :)  And I'm super jealous of your awesome vacation, Mom and Dad!  It sounds like you're having a blast.  :) 
Well, keep writing!  I love hearing about what's going on in your lives!  I'm so grateful for all the love and support I feel every time I read your emails.  Thanks for everything. 
Until next week :)
Sister Gee

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