Can’t believe I’m saying this, but welcome to the last email from Sister Grace in Brasil. After neraly 18 months of being a representative of Jesus Christ as a missionary, I am going home and will continue to serve God with the rest of my days. 

I’m grateful to all of you for being on this journey with me. Even though we might be sent far away, God finds a way to bless the lives of those closest to His missionaries. This week I had the privilege to end my mission with the baptisms of two incredible young men who are actively striving to become disciples of Jesus Christ, which is all any of us should ever hope to be.

There is much to be said, but the things of most value to me are found in my testimony.

Testifico que Jesus Cristo é o nosso Salvador. Eu sei que Ele nos ama, nos salva, e nos conhece perfeitamente. O Pai Celestial quer o melhor pra cada um de nós, e por isso preparou a nossa salvação por meio do Filho Unigênito dele. Ao aproximarmos mas dele, sentiremos o seu amor em nossos corações, e receberemos as forças necessárias pra perseverar até o fim. 

Eu sei que O Livro De Mórmon é a palavra de Deus, que ele foi traduzido por Joseph Smith, o profeta, chamado e escolhido por Deus pra restaurar a sua Igreja. Prometo, com todos os santos profetas, que ao ler, orar, e perguntar, todos possam receber a mesma certeza que eu tenho da veracidade desse livro. Testifico que A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias é a Igreja viva do Salvador, Jesus Cristo. E ele convida a todos a vierem e conhecerem o seu pleno amor.

De tudo isso eu presto testemunho, em nome do Filho Amado, Jesus Cristo, Amém.

Jacob 7:26

“… wherefore, I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our [missions] passed away like as it were unto us a dream …”

I’ll be home for Christmas

Homecoming: December 15

Personal email for my mission pals still in the field

alyssakgrace@gmail.com

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Missão Brasil Recife Sul 2023-2024

Hey guys, how have y’all been. I hope everything and everyone is well and getting excited to finish out the year strong. Pretty exciting and nerve-wracking things coming up. But for now, here’s your regularly scheduled Sister Grace email.

This email is dedicated to last Thursday for being one of the funniest days of my life. It all started with lunch. 

We were eating with a super funny Irmã and laughing the whole time. When it came time to give a closing message my companion asked the Irmã to read a scripture in Alma 26:12, a wonderful scripture. However, because of the layout of the page, the Irmã stopped in the middle of the verse thinking it was the end. All she read was,

“Yea, I know that I am nothing”

I burst out laughing thinking that my companion just absolutely destroyed the Irmã with the verse which got everybody else laughing too. Needless to say we didn’t finish the message and barely made it out with a prayer.

Later we had a Family Night which was super cool because we had 4 visitors there all from our teaching pool. They all had a great time and most are progressing right now. The only difficulty was at the end, everybody and their neighbor wanted to talk to us and I was stuck in the middle of 7 conversations. I was hearing and saying everything from the USA retirement practices, to the best coxinha in Brasil, to the fact that my companion is The Rock’s niece. I had a blast but my head was spinning there for a minute. 

When we got home at night, our Brazilian roommate, Sister Alves decided she didn’t like the fact I look like I have no eyebrows and grabbed her makeup pencil. She did such a good job that the other 2 Sisteres screamed in fright and then we all died laughing. God knew what he was doing when he made me without eyebrows.

Finally, at 10:25 right as we were getting ready to turn off the lights, a mouse ran out from under Sister Motuga’s bed and hid under mine. Not willing to sleep on a mattress with a mouse in it, we got our weapons, brooms and mosquito repellent, and commenced a 30 minute full-out war. Beds were tossed, laundry bags were beaten to death, and next door neighbors were awoken, but I eventually trapped the mouse under the broom.

Not being willing to murder the poor guy, I told my companion to grab something we could hold him in. She runs back into the room 20 seconds later with the blender in her hands. After nearly passing out from laughing and letting the mouse escape again, we grabbed a plastic bag and grabbed him with that. 

We tied him up and then were faced with the question of what to do next. Someone suggested throwing the bag out the window. I, never being one to hesitate, opened the window and yeeted that mouse out of here. Unfortunately for me, I chose the window exactly above our neighbor’s balcony. We scrambled down the stairs and tried to find a way to sneak onto the balcony, grab the bag, and get back over without our neighbor alerting the police. Our planning was interrupted by our neighbor’s chihuahua barking and we hurriedly ran back to our apartment.

Luckily, no one was prosecuted, and the rest of the week was relatively normal. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. Don’t forget to laugh this week.

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Caruaru, Brasil

Another week, another email. The highlight of this week was Come, Follow Me. For whatever reason I was able to ponder 110% on the story of the Brother of Jared and used lots of my insights in lessons and studies this week. I love treasuring the scriptures, they make me feel complete.

This week we spent 2 days without power which normally would’ve been fine except that Brasil uses electrical wire to heat their water so I felt like I was doing the ice-bucket challenge every time I took a shower. Luckily, I didn’t have anything in the fridge, I was running low on funds last week and only bought a bag of popcorn kernels. The other sisters did though and all their perishables perished.

Another day we were walking down what seemed to be the 50th hill of the day and right as we reached the steepest part, a kind-looking, 5ft tall, Brazilian grandma threw a bucket of soapy mop water right at my feet and I slipped and landed all of my weight on my right elbow. Nothing broken, just bruised and ugly. The grandma was super nice though, she literally dead-lifted me off the ground and tried to put my shoulder back into its socket (even though it wasn’t out of socket.)

Finally, my last pair of American Sandals broke last night. I’ll have to swallow my pride and go and find a comfortable, Brazilian sandal that won’t mess up the last 16 months of tanlines I’ve been working on. 

I bet you’re wondering if I’m going to share all my insights now as my spiritual thoughts, and I’m not because they’re too intricate to explain in an email but here’s a scripture.

Ether 3:5: “Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.”

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Caruaru, Brasil

This week has been very long and very rewarding. We’ve got so many people we’re teaching and they are progressing steadily. The only drawback is that they all live super far from one another, like an hour walk between each house. It just means we’ve been catching a lot of Uber and buses to get there which has left me with a permanent nausea, but oh well. No pain, no gain.

We had a cool experience this week as we got to visit one of our friends in the hospital. He’s been learning about The Church from its social media accounts and asked us to come visit him. Hospitals in Brasil are quite different and honestly very horrific. They just throw all the gurneys and stretchers together in one room and along the walls in the hallway. People pass away in cramped, public conditions which is not a very comforting way to go, but which also leaves lasting impressions and fear in those who are still being treated.

We only got a few minutes to speak to him but he was so grateful for our visit and the fact that we brought 2 irmãos to give him a blessing. He felt so good he wants us to go visit all of his family and give them blessings too. He wants to be baptized but we’re not sure when it will happen as he has no projected date of leaving the hospital. We’ll keep visiting and calling him though so the minute he leaves, he’s ready.

Matthew 25:34-36: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Caruaru, Brasil

Feliz Novembro!!! Hope everyone’s got fun end of year plans. This week was pretty tiring, just lots of walking and lots of sun. 

Anyways, one story from this week. We live in an apartment of 4 sisteres: 

• Sister Alves (Brasileira)

• Sister Southam (Utahn)

• Sister Motuga (Samoan)

• Sister Grace (Utahn)

While walking to a meeting about 45 minutes away we were discussing all the great groups of 4 in history and deciding who we all were. The one that fit best were the Peguins of Madagascar. 

• Skipper: S. Alves

• Kawasaki: S. Southam

• Rikko: S. Motuga 

• Private: S. Grace 

Am I upset with the arrangement? Only slightly. My companion, Rikko, loves it though. All week when we lose energy or our contacts are down she goes “Rikko Mode” and just starts talking to everybody and everything. 

Here’s a quick scripture I liked: “And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.” (Mosiah 4: 11-12)

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Caruaru, Brasil

Well, I’m in Caruaru now. My body had gotten quite accustomed to flat Recife so now that I’m back in the interior hillside, my feet are a little sore. That’s ok though because I’ll just keep singing, “give me mountains to climb.”

We basically just cleaned and organized all week. We sorted out everything: our house, suitcases, new house, area book, and routine. This is the first time this area has had Sisteres in over 20 years, which means a lot of things have gone overlooked by the Elders. It’s been an adventure trying to figure everything out.

I wanted to share just a scripture I’ve been thinking about lately. It reminds me of how easy it is for us to lose focus and become overwhelmed in the millions of questions and doubts that are only meant to distract us from what really matters, our Savior Jesus Christ and His perfect love.

“But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble.” Jacob 4:14

Don’t take your eyes off the mark, Jesus Christ, for anything or anyone. Thinking Celestial is making sure your goals, desires, will, and actions align with this eternal focus. Don’t distance yourself from the church, scriptures, or prayers thinking it will widen your perspective. These tools are our glasses and leaving them behind will not help us see any farther. 

Keep looking to the skies and shooting for exaltation.

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Caruaru, Brasil

Last Monday I confidently stated to my family that this week would be pretty normal with no changes or large events. And I was mostly right, until Friday…

*Set the scene* Wednesday we were walking in the street (we do that a lot) when the Housing Secretaries called us. They told us that on Friday we would be moving apartments so we had to pack. The Elders unfortunately forgot to send us any details about the move, including the new address. We were quite literally lost. Luckily, with the help of some awesome members, we made it to our chic new apartment on the very, very far side of our area. I probably would’ve complained about the distance if it hadn’t been for Saturday…

*Background* Our President extended our last transfer so instead of being a normal 6 weeks it ended up being 10, making this next week’s transfer, a very anticipated change. Saturday President called a last minute meeting where he said almost every single missionary would move or receive a new companion. In my last interview, Pres. said I would finish my mission here in Candeias, but he must’ve received revelation because my transfer letter says me and Sister Motuga are being transferred to Caruaru this Wednesday! The distance to our new house doesn’t matter because I’ll only be here for 3 more days. That means I got to pack everything up again (this is the 9th time) on Tuesday. Why not today you ask? Because today…

*Reveal* Today is actually Sunday, but I’m not writing or packing on Monday because I’ll be at a Super P-day Halloween Party playing dodgeball dressed as the Angel Moroni. The things you do while doing the Lord’s work. Anyway, for these reasons the week was rather interesting and the email was hopefully slightly more dramatic than usual. 

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Candeias – Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Brasil

Things my companion has said this week that have stuck with me.

“I can’t be bothered … I’m unbothered … I’m unbotherable.”

“My dad is also good at maths” *she then had to spell it out cause I could not understand the word ‘maths’*

“Do yous have KFC over there? In America?”

“Do you know that one character in Harry Potter who looks like a witch?”

*after someone asks us not to come to their house again because their not interested* “Maybe they’re shy.”

“Você vai receber o Espírito Santos” = “You will receive the Holy Ghosts” *I still can’t work up the courage to tell her it’s just one Holy Ghost and not multiple*

“Let’s go knock at the blue house!”

Ok so that last one actually has a cool story with it. We had been knocking on doors for about 2 days straight and were having minimal success. We entered a street and knocked about 4 doors before I was ready to give up and head to the next street down. Sister Motuga goes over to said blue house and pronounces that she will knock. I, thoroughly not wanting to but also not having anything better to do, followed alongside her.

There we met Erika. She has recently been trying to come unto Christ by herself and with her husband and 3 kids. She’d been studying and reading a lot online and felt confused by the overwhelming doctrinal differences. She read about the Plan of Salvation and felt a deep desire to learn more about pre-mortal life and our mortal purpose. She prayed to have God send her a sign that she was looking on the right path. 

About 3 hours later, we knock on her door. Since then, we’ve gotten to know her whole family, and are working with them to help build their faith. They have so many sincere questions and bring powerful spiritual insights from their own studies. It is truly a delight to teach such elect children of God. We were all answers to one another’s prayers.

Thanks for your prayers, we feel them, and see Heavenly Father answering them!!

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Candeias – Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Brasil

Wow!! What a powerful weekend. In case you missed it, we had the marvelous opportunity to revive ourselves spiritually by listening to prophets, seers, and revelators. This was the first conference since April 2020 where I didn’t miss a single talk and it was truly a blessing. Due to what I’ll call, good planning, we managed to help several people watch Conference while also guaranteeing our own reverent time to enjoy Conference.

Everything else this week pales in comparison to this conference. I’m not really sure what we did every day other than talk about prophets and invite everybody to watch. My personal favorite talks were by Kristin M. Yee, who spoke about her experience with the painting, and Karl D. Hurst, he’s the one who talked about love (or luvf as said in his accent). 

If there was one thing I took away from Conference it was just this feeling of trust and confidence. I feel not only able to meet the upcoming challenges but excited for them. So many of the speakers spoke of repentance that I was filled with a strong desire and eagerness to repent and become better right here and right now. 

Sometimes we walk away feeling overwhelmed by the reminder of all the things there are to do and the little time we feel we have to do them. But the intent is to excite, heal, encourage, and advise. We are not called every 6 months to hear that the membership standard of excellence has been raised or receive nothing but chastisements for all our shortcomings. Just hearing these men and women who have spent months prayerfully considering the needs of us, the church, we feel the love of the Savior through them.

Please don’t wait until next conference to feel these feelings again, study and prayerfully consider the message of each talk and its application in your life. Remember, good times are coming!

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

What’s up Lehi!!! Hope everyone is good and ready for another week and new month. We’re entering the last lap of the year so let’s make sure we all start off strong by watching General Conference this weekend. This week for us was tough but this Sunday was incredible!!

First, we’ve had the opportunity to prepare two sisters for baptism and yesterday was such a blessed and happy day. They were baptized and their family, friends, and ward all came out to support them. They have my heart and I can’t wait to keep finding more miracles like them. 

Our zone decided to do a Book of Mormon photo contest where every companionship needed to re-enact a scripture scene, I’ll send some examples. Sister Motuga and I did Ammon teaching King Lamoni. We were quite busy all week and ended up submitting it Saturday night 5 minutes before the deadline. It was done late but it was done well as we ended up winning!!!

Finally, our mission broke two all-time mission records. Firstly, we baptized 85 people in one week, the previous record was 75. Then in the month of September, we reached 245 baptisms in a single month that had never been done before. We got a lot accomplished in September but I’m ready to rededicate myself to serving more like the Savior in these last few months of the year.

I close with the words of Ammon

Alma 26:11-12:

11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Gotta blast,

Tchau Tchauuu 

Com amor, 

Sister Alyssa Grace

Candeias – Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Brasil