Conference was AMAZING! "so grateful this weekend to be a member of this Church"

Ready for General Conference

Hello Family!  I'm here a little bit later than usual today...Sister Passos and I got up early today to go for a jog around the park by our house, which was an amazing way to start the morning...We watched the sun rising through the clouds and I just couldn't help but singing a bit of "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning" as we ran.  It was already in my head thanks to Conference yesterday, and it just seemed so appropriate at the moment!  :)  It was beautiful and refreshing and though I'm definitely not a runner, I loved it!  Now our P-Day time is running out fast, but hopefully we'll still have the time we need to get everything done today.  I was joking with Sister Passos earlier that missionaries have this idea of P-Day as a "day of rest" where you get to relax, nap a little, write letters, and basically do everything you want...when it really is just a "day of preparation", washing clothes, cleaning the house, grocery shopping... :P  There's really no resting involved at all!  But it's all good.  :)

 

First of all, YES, Conference was AMAZING!!!  I love love love love Conference.  :)  I always leave each session with a smile on my face, feeling a little bit lighter and closer to my Heavenly Father.  It's an amazing feeling, and I don't want to have to leave and go back to the daily routine.  I just felt so grateful this weekend to be a member of this Church, to have a prophet on the earth and to have the chance to hear their inspired counsels and guidance twice a year.  I was super nervous that I wouldn't be able to watch in English this time, because I'm the only American sister in the zone at the moment, meaning that I would have to leave my companion and watch alone with a bunch of elders. :P  But, I watched the first session in Portuguese with Sister Passos, and President Tavares gave me permission to watch the rest of the sessions in English.  What a blessing!  :)  I was surprised by how much easier it was to understand the talks in Portuguese after just 6 months since the last General Conference, but I was still so grateful to be able to watch in English.  Unfortunately, none of our investigators were able to make it...it was so sad, because I kept thinking "AHH, this talk is perfect for So-and-So..." but they weren't there to hear any of it.  :P  It was so sad to me that sometimes people don't realize what an amazing thing they're missing out on, and how much they could be blessed by attending Conference.  But I will definitely be putting the beautiful messages to use in my teaching over the next few weeks!  And Sister Passos and I kept the Priesthood Session tradition - stopping for ice cream!   :D

 

Ice cream during the priesthood session

 

Let's see, what else happened this week....our District Meeting was in Cornélio Procópio, a neighboring city where our leaders are working right now.  It was Sister Passos' and my first time visiting there, so it was a bit of an adventure.  :)  We got a little bit lost, but the loooong bus ride was a nice opportunity for a nap!  It was a really good meeting, and I am always so impressed by our leaders - Cornélio has a reputation in the mission as one of the hardest areas - an extremely small ward and A LOT of hills - but they don´t EVER complain, and they are working so hard and being blessed with success.  I really admire their example and I'm trying to put out the same dedication and faith here in Ibiporã!

Well, next week will be transfers once again....can you believe it?  Time is flying!  :D  I'll be sure to let you know all of the changes and news in my email next week.  I am so so grateful to be here serving a mission - I am learning SO much every single day, and I love being able to help people come unto Christ and learn of this amazing gospel.  :D

Love,

Sister Gee