This past week was awesome. For the first time I really just lost
myself in how FUN a mission is!
It occurred to one of the members this week (a 17-year-old named Bruno
who goes out with us at least once a week and who I'll have to tell you all more
about someday because he practically is what keeps the ward running here) that I
am funny. He looked at me as if for the first time and said, "Hey, you're
funny!" Why thank you. This is either because A. my Português has improved
enough that my humor is finally translating correctly, or B. I've really lost it
and my state of reckless abandon is hilarious when viewed by others. In any
case, another member (an adorable old man whose lack of teeth make it difficult
for even Sister Rosado to understand him) said he loves my laugh. Then he gave
me a granola bar and I decided he's my favorite person.
This week we also had the mission Christmas Conference, which was a
blast and a half. It was especially fun because I understood most of it! We ate
until we were ready to be rolled like the blueberry girl on Willy Wonka
(Christmas turkey, potatoes, rice, bread, juice, and some dessert that tried so
hard to be pumpkin pie), we played scripture-chase games (it reminded me of the
good ol' seminary days), won prizes, practiced inviting each other to be
baptized, and sang our missionary hearts out. My district was assigned to sing
"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" as part of Sister Andrezzo's program. Apparently
that song is not as well-known here as it is in the US, and Brasilians are
tone-deaf, so it was certainly an interesting performance, but by-golly were we
enthusiastic! We also made and gave each other Christmas cards and got to give
each other bags of goodies that Sister Andrezzo had put under the tree. It was
super fun and, what with the decorations and blasting A/C, it actually felt like
Christmas!
Another thing that happened this week was my first-ever division (when
missionaries trade companions for a day) and I was super nervous about it. I was
nervous about working with a different companion, because up to that point I
could only understand Sister Rosado, and I was nervous to be the one with more
knowledge of the area than my companion. But! I'm pleased to report that it
ended up being one of the best days on the mission thus far! I understood Sister
Cruz even better than I understand Sister Rosado, learned a TON from watching
her teach, and realized that I actually know my way around Mussurunga, the bus
routes, etc. Yippee! It was the perfect preparation for this transfer.
Now, you're probably wondering (as I was all day yesterday) how
transfers work here in Mussurunga. So here's how my experience went:
It started off with Sister Rosado and I going to chapel to watch the
First Presidency Christmas Devotional, which was dubbed over in Português (I
didn't understand a word, but Sister Santos was kind enough to explain it all
for me, in Português, during the English parts that she couldn't understand).
After the devotional, Sisters Cruz and Santos spent the night at our place and
we all recieved a phone call from the Zone Leaders to let us know our
fates.
I'm staying in Mussurunga (yippee!!!) and my new companion will be
Sister V. Silva.
I'll let you know how that goes next week.
For now, have a great week! Enjoy the cold of the season! And don't forget
to watch The Ghost of Darles Chickens, because that's a classic.
I love you all!!!
-Sister Railee
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