Oi! Tudo Bem?!
What a week it has been. Last Sunday I was set apart as a full-time missionary and since then time has flown. My schedule each day this week was as follows:
6:30 am – Wake up and get ready for the day
8:00 am – MTC devotional with missionaries from the English, Portuguese, and Spanish districts
9:00 am – Hour break/second breakfast
10:00 am – District class with Irmã Mariolo
1:00 pm – Companion study
2:00 pm – Lunch
3:00 pm – District class with Irmão Proença
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Study time
9:30 pm – Family scripture study
10:30 pm – Bedtime
Needless to say, I feel a little wiped out and it only gets more exciting from here.
On Monday I got to meet my district and the learning quickly followed. Our first district class was led by Irmã Mariolo. She instructs us on all things doctrinal and missionary related. She taught us about sharing testimonies, the power of technology for good in the missionary field, the Doctrine of Christ, and how to adjust to Missionary life. Our second district class of the day was led by Irmão Proença who taught us all things Portuguese. It was pretty shocking that first day when he told us he would only speak Portuguese during our classes. I think more than a few in my district were completely taken aback by that. I did fine in most of those classes because I studied Portuguese in Pre-MTC, but only one other Elder in my district had done those so we carried everybody else those first few days. In the last Portuguese class we had on Friday we learned how to pray which is about as far as we got in the Pre-MTC classes so we’re all at the same point now.
My companion, Sister Fuller, is from Idaho. We’ve been able to work together all week during classes and in our companionship study. When I share my thoughts and feelings with her, I feel completely safe. Her testimony is so strong and I already look up to her so much. Luckily, she is close enough to Utah that she’ll be traveling from the SLC airport with me. I’ll meet her tomorrow morning at about 6 am and then for the next 5 weeks, I get to do everything with her by my side.
Today I had my farewell and I am so grateful to everyone who came to support me. I’m also thankful to all those who have shared advice and testimonies with me as I’ve been preparing to serve. Your example and light have strengthened me and given me the courage I needed to get to this point.
Tomorrow I say goodbye to my family and begin my 21-hour journey to São Paulo. It will be hard saying goodbye but I know they are in the best hands. A quote that has gotten me through this week is from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. It reads “I promise that because of your faithful response to the call to spread the gospel, he will bind up your broken hearts, dry your tears, and set you and your families free. That is my missionary promise to you and your missionary message to the world.” This just comforts all my fears about what may and may not happen while I’m gone and lets me know that God is aware of me and my concerns.
The Savior loves you, and I pray you will feel that love.
Love,
Sister Alyssa Grace
Pictures:
1&2: My District!
3: My family!!!
