Updated address

Apparently, we didn't have the correct address for Emma.

Here is the correct one:
Sister Emma Pratt
Av: Antonio C. Mogalhoes
N 3247 Sala 402
Ed- Delta
Cidade - Pituba - Salvador - BA
Cep: 40275-000
Brazil

6/14

Oiy Familia! So I tried to get pictures e-mailed today and it really did not work. Sorry! Ill figure it out sometime. And we´re having serious troubles with the internet here today. But that’s okay that’s what you get when you go to a cheap internet house. So this week was awesome, we had another baptism. And I really wish I get you pictures of all these people! But that’s okay. His name is Jefferson, he is 12 years old. You’ve probably noticed we have had a lot of young men getting baptized. That’s because weve got this awesome little group of missionaries here, these young men who bring all their friends to seminary and church and other activities. Jefferson is one of these. He is little and the cutest kid in the world! One day, we were at an activity, and we were standing around talking to people, and the young men were all goofing around (half of them people We´ve baptized these past few weeks) When Jefferson ran up, faster than I knew what was happening, put his arms around me and kissed me on the cheek. Everyone started laughing and freaking out, `You can´t do that! Shes a missionary!´ Haha! It was hilarious! But the best part was when I was on splits with a member, we went to pick him up and bring him to the church, when we were walking, the member asked him what one thing the sisters taught him that he didn’t know before, he responded ´That I can´t kiss Sister Pratt.´Haha! Then I had to explain what happened in my broken Portuguese. Oh man…Just to clarify, everyone here greets you with a hug and kiss. He just didn’t realize we weren’t allowed to with him. But we all got a good laugh out of it anyways. In other news, this week actually isn’t transfers, its next week, there was a bit of a mix-up. Im not sure what will happen, but I know I wont be staying in a trio. (Thank goodness, I LOVE my companions, but a trio is really hard, regardless of the people in it). My Portuguese is coming along, really it isn’t the speaking that is difficult, it’s the understanding. I still don’t really understand what it going on, but Im told it gets better, so we just keep going. Good news is next week, with transfers, hopefully I´ll receive some of those letters that have been sent. To those of you who have sent, thank you so much! Sorry I haven’t gotten them yet. Other good news! This area, Simoes Filho is growing! We have 2 wards here, and our area is really huge. But they are starting a study group in one area. It only took me 2 weeks to understand what this meant, a study group is the beginning of a new branch. Once the study group gets one sealed family and 9 priesthood holders, it’s a branch! Then it´ll grow into a ward, and the ultimate goal is to have an entire stake here in Simoes Filho. 7 more stakes in Bahia, and we get a Temple! And when that day comes, I will cry with joy and hopefully be able to come back for the open house or dedication. Some days it feels like our tiny daily efforts are doing nothing, but then we look at the big picture, and see how all the little pieces fit together to create a big miracle.
I´m sorry this is really short, but with all the computer troubles today, I don’t have much time. Plus nothing really crazy eventful happened, except our awesome baptism which included chocolate cake. Other than that, Im just in a foreign country, learning another language teaching people about Jesus. Ya know…everyday stuff J I love you all a lot! And thank you for everything! Have an amazing week!
Sister Pratt

6/7

Hey everyone! Well the good news is, we had another baptism. She is an elderly lady, who is sick and cant walk. It was interesting getting her there, and it took 2 people to baptize her. The spirit was really strong there, and we had a ton of member support, it was really awesome! We are teaching a 12 year-old boy right now, he has been coming to church, and going to all the activities. He really wants to get baptize but he needs support from his family. His parents are married, which is a miracle in itself, so we are really praying hard to be able to teach and baptize the entire family. They have taken the lessons once before, and been to church once, maybe they are prepared this time around, but were really excited about them. We also need to find new investigators this week. Lucky for me, the members are absolutely amazing here, and we recieve a million refference/ everyone brings their friends to church. Although it is a lot of work sorting out which people are interested and ready for the gospel, which people just want to hear about Jesus, and which people just think its cool to have an American in their house and they can learn random english words like ^trash' and 'lollipop'.
A new goal of mine is to learn to cook just about everything here. Today Im learning how to make Brazilian brownies, (they juast call them brownies, but they are not american brownies.) And I was supposed to learn how to make cus cus, but itdidnt work out. Its hard because my comp does know how/hates cooking, so I keep asking the members to help me, and we have a serious communication barrier. So they cant give me a recipe or explain, they have to show me. Well...Ill get it down eventually. In other news we have hot water. Did I tell you that already? Sorry, its just really exciting. Next week is transfers, and I dont even want to think about whats going to happen. Im afraid im going senior, but I pray everyday that I dont. Not yet at elast, maybe next transfer. Ideally, Ill just stay junioe my whole mission :) Haha, no, its all good, the Lord knows what He is doing.
I love Brazil, the people are amazing, the food is delicious, and Im halfway to being fluent in a foreign language, which is totally blogin my mind. Im sorry to anyone who has written, and not recieved a return letter, I havent recieved any mail in a long time, and we all need to be very patient with the mail system here. But Thank you for all your support! Keep writing, I love to hear from everyone! I love you tons and tons and miss you more!
Um abraço
Sister Pratt

5/31

Hello! This week was pretty awesome, we had another baptism. Thats right, weve had a baptism every weekend since I got here. Even though its Brazil, thats still not normal, its been a miracle. The Lord has blessed us with great success! Sister Tiburcio was telling me and my other american comp that we have great power, and strong testimonies. We dont believe her, because we are both frustrated with the langauge. When we did stats, and saw weve had 4 baptisms this month, Sister Tiburcio yelled, if you dont believe me, at least believe in the numbers! I didnt completely understand what she was talking about, we have a lot of those communication barriers, and I yelled back at her, I believe in Jesus Christ and nothing else!! Haha, we laughed. Oh man, its been really awesome though. However, I was sick this week. Just a cold, but still no fun. It was really bad on Sunday, and we had incestigators to find and bring to church. We wlked up and down some ridiculously steep hills, like...ridiculous. I thought I was going to die. And it turns out non of the investigators were there/ wanted to come. It was a little devastating, and we showed up to church empty handed. Here is where the miracle comes in: we had 8 investigators at church. EIGHT! OITO! Why? because our members are amazing and bring their friends/family. Its crazy how the Lord works sometimes, we climbed mountains thinking we had no success that day, but we were blessed! (Holy cow...I sound like a missionary. Thats...really weird.)
In other great news, we got our shower fixed and have hot water. Well...we had hot water. Because a week later it broke. and then the shower knob broke, when the shower was on. So everytime we want any water, we have to turn on this big knob, and the shower runs, and then we tuen all the water off. its kind of annoying, but hopefully well find someone to fix it this week. And then well try to get the hot water back again.
Its been really sunny this week, and hot, but I havent burned yet. Its back to rain today, which I love, but the people here complain its too cold. Its like 85 and breezy, I love it. But when the sun comes out...not so much. And its only winter! I dont even want to know what it will be like in November here. But thats okay, thats not for a while. Im at 7 months on my mission! Isnt that crazy? Its crazy to me.
Everything is going great here. I love you all a lot! Thank you for all you do!
Love
Sister Pratt