MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Feliz Natal :) Doesn't time just fly? I can't even believe it! Sister Bee and I realized that we get our re-assignments a week from Wednesday! I know you want me to think positively mom, but we have to be realistic. You have to fill out an electronic visa and then it takes 4 weeks to get your real visa after that, and I haven't filled out the electronic one yet. And I'm totally okay with being re-assigned. Its just how things works here. I will be in Brazil for sure, just taking a little pit-stop in the U.S. first. Theres a rumor going around that someone from the church is meeting with the Brazilian government and there is high hopes it will really open up in February. But who knows? It will all work out. Some exciting things from this week: On Wednesday we went to the TRC, I don't remember what that stands for, but its the place where we practice teaching lessons and are recorded while our teacher evaluates us. Its generally not a positive experience for Sister Bee and I, for various reasons, but this week we were to teach the first lesson to someone who didn't believe in God. The man that we taught (a volunteer from the area who speaks Portuguese, and pretends to be an investigator) found out I was going to Salvador, so he decided his "character" would be a spiritualist, a common religion in Salvador. I read about it, its the fusion of African gods and voodoo with some Catholic saints and beliefs mixed in. He gave us some really amazing feedback about our lesson, and we felt like we really learned some valuable things teaching him. Then after he told me a little more about Salvador. Then we went back to the classroom. 10 minutes later, the head of the TRC came to find us. There was family of Brazilians, that came to Utah to go through the Temple. They were baptized last October, didn't speak a word of English and came to volunteer. The district that was supposed to be there never showed up, so he asked if two companionships would come teach them. Of course Sister Bee volunteered us. And I was freaking out. She calmed me down a little bit by telling me we didn't have to teach a full out lesson, but could just talk to them about their conversion story and share a message. I felt a little better. We got to the door, and she always makes me start the conversation and the lesson, because she knows she can speak already, and I need that extra push. I thought I was going to cry out of complete freaking out, which really surprised me that I had that reaction. They were this couple, from Sao Paulo east. They spoke fast and I caught words here and there. Sister mostly talked to them. I told them about my family, and shared a scripture, bore my testimony and said the prayer. Other than that, I just listened and tried to keep a happy smile on my face, instead of a "I;m totally confused and trying to understand whats going on." What I understood, which sister Bee confirmed for me afterwards, was His brother (His name is Frank her name was something like Gilmara...or Juara...I'm not sure) was a member for 13 years. They were never interested in the church. Then they visited him in Utah, and went to a Temple Open House. They spoke to sister missionaries, and that was when they finally felt something and decided to have missionaries over (Yay sisters!) So they loved to talk to us, because they don't have sister missionaries in the Sao Paulo East mission. Theres an Elder in our district who's brother is serving in Sao Paulo East and His brother happens to be the one that taught and baptized this couple. Isn't that awesome? AND His parents went to the temple with them that day. I hope the story made sense to everyone. If it helps, I had to figure out all the complicatedness in addition to it all being in Portuguese. I'm really proud of myself for figuring that all out. It was exciting since we don't know when we'll be able to talk to Brazilians after this. The other sisters in the branch got their re-assignments, Philedelphia, Pittsburg, Texas and Montana. After they leave on Monday/Tuesday, We'll be the oldest district in our branch, which is mind-blowing. As far as Christmas goes, we had P-day today. And then a Christmas Eve Devotional tonight. Tomorrow is really relaxed and we're encouraged to write more letters. We have a talent show in the morning, a devotional in the afternoon and then a extra, super legit devotional in the evening where there will most likely be an apostle speaking. Sister Bee was asked to give the opening prayer, so we get to sit on the stand! And then meet the person speaking! We're praying for the Prophet :) Christmas time here is really awesome. First of all, I get lost of pictures and letters from many different people who are sending our Christmas cards, which is awesome. But most of all, we get to really be separated from the commercial outside world and focus on Christ, because we are already focused on Him! I have learned so much as I have been studying the New Testament and also the Book of Mormon is truly a complete Testament of Christ. There is no better way to grow closer to Him than reading and studying that book. Sidenote for my crazy busy sisters/mother/or anyone else that needs this in their life: There is an article of a talk given by President Hinckley to the Women of the church. Its from like 1997ish I think...you should look it up. I forgot to write the name down. But I've gotten letters talking about how crazy busy your lives are and are sort of stressed out. Please read the article, its soooo good and encouraging. I thought of all of you when I read it. I hope you can find it! Thank you Thank you to all who have sent packages and letters! I love it! I hope to get to writing all of you today and tomorrow. HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! I love you so much, and miss you, but am learning so much and excited to doing what I'm doing.
Love always, Sister Emma Pratt
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