December 3

I got the packages! Thank you so much! I got the one from mom, and also the one from Grandma with the nativity scene, its set up on our room.

This week I really learned the meaning of the refiners fire, and what missionaries meant when they told me a mission is hard but in a good and amazing way. They demand perfection here, so when you fail to be perfect, you take it hard. Well, at least, I do. We're enetering our 4th week. Thats when they say absolutley no more English! Of course, our teachers said our district is learning fast, so they made us start teaching only in Portuguse this past Monday. Sister Bee and I have taught 2 lessons in Portuguese. This week we need to be able to teach the first lesson in Portuguese. I'm a little nervous about it, and trying to balance everything they teach us, then throwing in a foreign language, tends to make my head spin a little. But I know I can do it. Well, thats what I'm told at least. It is truly amazing how much Portuguese I can speak already, only being here for a few weeks. Of course, I eat, breathe, and sleep Portuguses. Quite literally actually, the other night I dreamt in Protuguese. I'm not sure it was that peaceful of a sleep though, I still have to concentrate really hard. My brain says, "its time to switch languages" and out of my mouth comes German. Lately its been less and less though, sometimes I just throw in German words here and there. Its more effective for Sister Bee to throw in Spanish words, since 80% of the time she is right. Not so much with German! The other night, I was practicing contacting with me teacher. He told me to just do it in English the first time, so we could work on my approach. Without realizing it, I said Portuguses anyways. There is another district that got re-assigned this week because of lack of visas. I was talking to some of the sisters, and they said they were a little nervous, since they don't really know how to contact or teach in English anymore! Its weird to think I will be at that point sooner than I even realize. Can you believe its December already? Its crazy to me! Being here for the holidays is a lot easier than I thought it would be. Its probably because we are so secluded from the commerical Christmas world. All we have are a few lights here and there on the trees, and I think the health center has a Christmas tree. Other than that, I can't even convince the Elders in my district to sing more Christmas songs in class. Luckily I pick the music for Sacrament meeting, and you better believe its ALL Christmas. Funny story, All week, it was very cold and snowy here. Sister Bee is not used to it, since she's lived her whole life in Arizona. All week I was lecturing her on the different types of snow, the phenomenon of its colder when the sun is out, and warmer when there are clouds, and also the tricks of walking on the ice. After a long conversation of how I was a pro on walking on ice, and everyone is gaurunteed to slip at least once every winter, right then I hit an un-expected ice-patch. LUCKILY it was right after gym, so I wasn't in a skirt. We then began the next winter lecture: falling with style :)

I don't really know what to tell you about this week. every day is the same, every week is the same. We wake up, go to gym, eat breakfast, go to class, eat lunch, have MDT where we study, plan lessons, and practice Portuguese, go to dinner, have class, plan, go to bed. And then we start it all over again. The days are spent mostly sitting and learning. Learning, and sitting more. The days are long, but the weeks fly by, its unreal! During gym time, Sister Bee and I jog while we memoreize and practice portuguese. My next Portuguses memorizing task is D&C 4. I have the first 2 verses down...well, atleast started. The members of my Branch Presidency asked how my family was coping with me gone. I told him you were all fine, and really happy for me and very supportive. I didn't want to worry them with the truth that you all desperately missed me and rather than wishing I was home, you all wished you were here with me ;) I really can't say enough how grateful I am for having such a supportive family. There is an Elder in our district whose family didn't want him to go, and he rarely ever gets letters. That has got to be very hard. This past devotional, we got to hear from Sister Beck! She talked a lot about Brazil. Her Dad was the one that started the Brazil MTC and played a major part in the church's expansion there. Our Branch President served his mission under President Beck, which is totally awesome! I really love our Branch President. I am so excited to work with Brazilians, the know when to be serious and get to work, but they also know when to be fun, carefree, and joke around. Sister Bee has been making a Christmas list for her family. Did you want me to make one? Or did you just want to surprise me with lovely presents (hint hint :) ) I can think of things I want, but nothing I can't live without. Some point before I leave, I'll need to send some stuff home. Like my old scriptures. I LOVE LOVE my new scriptures, by the way. I'm marking them up and getting good study out of them. Sister Bee and I study the Isaiah chapters of the Book of Mormon together. I think she appreciates the knowledge I obtained which I completely attribute to Brother Baron. And also Mom and Dad, I attribute any scripture study skills to you, you've taught me well. I'm not sure what else to tell you, since I hand wrote a lot of people today. I love you al!! And thank you all so much for your support!
Love Always,
Sister Emma Pratt