My companion is Sister Bee. She is from Arizona, and it is absolutely AMAZING how much we have in common. Maybe not personality wise, but as far as the mission goes. We are the same age, both graduated, both had the same struggles with putting in our papers, and getting here to the MTC. We both want to be very obedient and do the extra work to be the best we can be. She is fluent in Spanish, so she understands Portuguese, but is struggling with pronounciation. I can pronounciate things (Rosetta Stone did help A LOT) but I have no idea what I'm saying. So we're a good partnership.
There are sooooo many people waiting for Visas. We can pretty much count on me not going to the Brazil MTC and not getting out of Provo until January 11th. Happy Birthday to me. But that's okay!! I love my teachers, they are so awesome.
Our district is really cool. Some moments, I think Wow, these boys are only 19? Its amazing what the power of being a missionary does to someone. Then there are other moments where I think, um, yea. These boys are straight out of high school Emma, be patient. But I love them all, especially our district leader Elder Brown. He is also going to Salvador which makes me so happy, because he is so amazing. 3 Elders and me are going to Salvador. I can never remember the name of Sister Bee's mission, let alone write it, or even pronounce it. But it is on the north east coast too. (By the way, the final number is 27 Brazil missions).
Our Branch President is Native Brazilian from Recife. (Hay-see-fee). He is really funny, but has extra strict rules for us. I really like them, they are the kind that keep us in line and guide is a good way. People say he is very Brazilian. Each sunday we all need to have a 5 minute talke prepared, in Portuguese, and he will call us by inspiration to come up and speak in Sacrament meeting. This week, we are allowed to speak English, but not next week!!
So, the honest truth, I don't know if it will change after I am here for a few weeks, but as of right now, I really love the MTC. But being able to sit in a classroom and learn things I am thirsting to learn is absolute bliss for me. In fact, all this learning has made me realize how much I don't know, making me more nervous to be out on the streets of Brazil. Sometimes I am incredibly overwhelmed, but I have to remember that I can do it. I can see where you call this place a prison though, the scheduling thing is a nightmare. I have to plan a schedule, but with my companion, but with my district, oh yea and my Branch, and my teachers, don't forget that your schedule is basically planned for you. Don't go there wearing those clothes, but go there wearing only these clothes...and so one. Lots and lots and lots of rules. But Sister Bee and I want to keep them all, and do it with a good attitude. I can't even tell you how amazing it is that we are companions. Ah!
As far as language study goes, I have learned to pray, introduce myself as a missionary, share a message of the gospel and make a contact, and bear my testimony. All after 2 days!! CRAZY, huh?!? I love love love Portuguese. I'm often overwhelmed, but still know I can learn it. I love the spirit here, all these missionaries, it is amazing.
We are learning it is all about the pesquiadores (investigators). Even with the pretend "investigators" teaching the character, I have such a love and want to just dump all my knowledge of the gospel into their brain so they can be happy.
We have been getting up earlier to exercise so we have more time, and today I was extra excited to sleep in until 6:30. On a Saturday. Never in my life did I think that would happen. I'll teach you my favorite thing to say so far Parabens!! It means AWESOME! YAY! (pa-da-bangs) I say it too much. We can't give Elders high fives, so we throw up our hands and yell PARABENS!!
I can only e-mail family members. HAND WRITE ME!!! I'll be here a while
Sister Pratt (seest-her Pratt)
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