Boa tarde! This week was adventure-filled and I loved it. But first I want to thank everyone who thought of me this week and sent me e-mails. I adored reading them all and felt so much love. I hope with the coming Christmas season, we can all feel and participate in sharing the love of Christ more.
Now, my week. First, all week we were preparing to close the area. We found out that Sister Leopoldes and I would be staying together and opening a new area in Arcoverde. Bom Conselho became an area for Elders so we were trying to correct addresses, get phone numbers, and warn all the people we’re teaching about the change. The ward there was very sweet and threw us a little farewell party with Brazilian Barbeque, Ping Pong, and card games. I taught everyone how to play Slap Jack and then destroyed them all, it was fun.
Friday was transfer day. We woke up at 3:30 am and were supposed to catch a van, then catch a bus, then catch another bus, to end up in Arcoverde at 4 pm. Unfortunately, all of the buses broke down and after a day of prolonged panic and stress, we arrived in Arcoverde at 11 pm. What has added to the fun is that our new phone number hasn’t been set up yet and our area book hasn’t been updated. All of this means that we don’t know where we are, where we are going, who we are teaching, or who to reach out to for help. Luckily there is another set of sisters working here in Arcoverde too, and we were able to follow them around all of Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, we met one family in the ward and they were so welcoming and already had several references for us. The people here are so eager to help the missionaries and expand their ward family. One of the members of this family was an exciting 5-year-old who did not want to learn our names. The first thing she said to all of us was that she was going to give us all new names. Sister Brewer is now Sister Barbie, Sister Fuller is Sister Elsa, Sister Leopoldes is Sister Rapunzel, and I am Sister Cinderella. I don’t know if those names are based on personality, physical resemblance, or the colors of our dresses but whatever the reason, it’s still very sweet.
On Sunday, we all ate lunch at a member’s house. With 4 missionaries it was a tight fit and half the family had to eat on the couch but it was a fun chaos. Since 3 of the 4 sisters here are new they were asking us lots of questions. Sister Brewer, Sister Fuller, and I are all from the United States. But apparently, compared to the other two, I don’t look American. At least according to this family. When I said “Sou dos Estados Unidos” they looked at me and said you don’t have the face of an American, you look like a Viking. Now I’m officially Sister Viking in the eyes of 4 people here in Arcoverde which is honestly pretty great.
I love getting new titles and learning how other people see me. I also love creating and learning new names for other people too. One of the best people with the best names is Jesus Christ. I love that he has so many titles. It shows that he is everything for everyone because he did everything for everyone. This coming month is one especially focused on Him and we have this opportunity to learn about Him and try to become a little bit more like Him too.
2 Nephi 19:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
I hope you all cherish this coming Christmas and remember to give yourself the best gift of all: the gift of coming to know Christ.
That’s all folks, Tchau tchau for now!
Com amor,
Sister Alyssa Grace
Arcoverde, Brasil
