So.....wow, a lot has happened this week. Transfers, first of all.
Right after I sent my email to you guys last week, we received a phone
call from Sister Gomes and Sister Bullen... (they had gone to Londrina
for the day so we weren't together like usual)
... and Sister Bullen had been transferred! That was a HUGE surprise
for everyone, because she only had ONE transfer here in Ibipora, and
Sister Gomes had three. Everybody
thought that Sister Gomes would be the one transferred....but nope,
President Tavares decided to mix things up and send Sister Bullen first.
She was transferred to Maringa, and Sister Ramirez arrived to take her
place as Sister Gomes' new companion. Remember
Sister Ramirez? We lived in the same apartment for my last transfer in
Maringa, so I already know her pretty well. It's been good to have her
here with us. :)
We also had an interesting change in our district. Our district
leaders worked in an area called Cornelio, but this transfer the area
was closed and our district leader was transferred to a different
district... so NOW, we get to go to Londrina every
week for our district meeting with our NEW district leaders....the
office elders! Haha, it's different, and bem legal. They are hilarious
and a lot of fun, AND, bonus points, we get to pick up our letters
there every week instead of having to wait for transfers.
SWEET! :) It's been pretty awesome so far... the escritório is
basically the coolest place in the mission, but you can only go there
with permission from the president....so having our meeting there is
quite the privilege. ;) Hearing all the mission
gossip, getting letters, Liahonas, packages, seeing all the other
missionaries in Londrina....pretty legal. :)
We also had the Branch Christmas Party last Friday, which turned
out to be a pretty big deal. CHURRASCO! Okay, so I know that's not SO
exciting for you Porto Alegre people, but it doesn't happen that often
here in Parana, okay? haha :) But it was cool.
The chapel was ALL decorated for Christmas, FULL of people and FULL of
FOOD. Before the eating started, the Primary kids sang Away In A
Manger (Jesus Num Presepio), and I played the piano. Afterwards, the
four of us sisters ended up eating behind the curtain
on the pulpit, because all of the tables were full....it was actually
really funny, kind of like a VIP area, or at least that's how I like to
think of it. ;) Churrasco, rice and beans, salad (with TONS of
tomatoes and onions chopped courtesy of yours truly),
potato salad, and guarana. mmmmm.... :) and afterwards, ICE CREAM for
dessert. It was pretty great to have the whole branch gathered
together to celebrate this wonderful holiday, in a wonderfully Brazilian
way. :)
As far as pesquisadores, I don't have TOO many updates - just one.
Igor told us yesterday that he's decided to be baptized!!! That was SO
exciting to hear. We knew that he had a testimony and really had a
strong desire to be baptized, but it looked
like a lot of the problems he was facing were going to hold him back...
but he said that he's decided for sure to make the changes in his life
that he needs to be able to follow this path. We set his baptism for
two weeks from yesterday, and will be working
with him to make it happen. It isn't going to be easy, but keep him in
your prayers and I know everything will work out! :)
Well, family, I am SO excited to be able to talk to you tomorrow.
I am SO excited for Christmas, for this special day to remember our
Savior and His birth. I am so grateful for Him, for His life and His
example. I know that He lives and loves us, and
I KNOW that this is His Church and His work. I am so so grateful to be
one of His representatives and for the opportunity to share this
testimony with you as well as with the people here in Brazil.
Merry Christmas!! I hope it's a wonderful day for all of you!
Talk to you soon..
Love,
Sister Gee
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