I survived my first week in the field. Just barely though;) considering I got here in the freezing cold with no winter clothes. But no worries, I only went tracting without boots once, and it was only for 45 minutes. Its really warmed up now, and Pueblo isn't as cold as the Springs, so don't worry abot sending winter stuff, I'll be fine.
I met my mission president, President Pfile. He is an awesome, amazing and funny man. I guess this mission really struggled before he stepped in and has turned it around. I got my trainer, her name is Sister Hilbert and she is from Australia! This is her second to last transfer and has been in Pubelo Colorado for 10 months of her mission. She knows the area really well, and the people too and they love her. She has been teaching me how things are done here, especially teaching me not to stress about everything.
Our first day, one of my first door contacts in my area, we were let in by a man named Hyrum. He was really interested in this concept that Jewish people came to the Ancient Americas because he is from Mexico, and is an Orthodox Jew and wants to do his family history to trace back to the Jews. We had an official appointment set with him, but his wife ended up in the hospital with a heart attack. He called us and asked us to visit her and bring her a Book of Mormon (Yes, he has only met us once, on his doorstep). We visited her, and she said they were both looking for a church and her husband has been reading the book we gave him. We still haven't gotten to teach them a full lesson, but I called him yesterday to see how things were going and he said, "Oh its so great you called right now, we were just reading in the book of Nephi together!" I was so surprised, I didn't even know what to say! We're pretty excited about them.
We have a few other people that we are teaching, only once so far, one who has accepted a baptism date. So I have gotten plenty of chances to teach the restoration and first vision, but haven't done any follow-ups since. I guess I could tell you a little about the area of Pueblo. I don't really know much so far, but I do know it is a more poor area of Colorado. The people here are humble, and many are looking for peace, comfort, and forgiveness in their lives. I'm finding my first challenge as a missionary is seeing these people open up to you with their struggles, but not willing to change their ways because its too hard. I wish I could just open their minds and put in everything I know and feel. But it doesn't work that way. Sister Hilbert told me that often the lessons your investigators need to learn are lessons you need to learn too. I can see this as I struggle to go through hard changes in order to be more converted to the Lord so that I can better bring others unto Him. I told Sister Hilbert that, she said "Well, will you hurry up and learn that lesson so that our investigators will too?" Haha! She is a great trainer, and just goes to show the Lord really knows what He is doing when He put me with her. (Now, you really really have to believe me this time. She is totally awesome. My last companion and I had problems, but I loved her and the Lord really knew what he was doing then, even through my frustrations. But sister Hilbert is totally awesome. And has a sweet accent :) ) She'll be teaching, and the person will say something or ask something, I won't know how to respond, she know exactly what to do and I just think, Whoa! That was totally Awesome! Someday...I will be able to do that. In Portuguese.
Our District Leader is pretty awesome too, he goes over and above expectations to really help us be great missionaries. Sister Hilbert says he will ruin ever other District Leader I will have after this, because he is the greatest.
This past sunday was Stake Conference, we had a potential of 10 investigators coming, and 1 came! We are just as excited for that one and we would be for 10. We have taught a lot of families, so think that this sunday will be a little easier to get people to church, with the different activities. Plus, church is at 12, I guess it just changed from 8:30, which was hard. Basically, I'm not a pro-missionary yet, but I made it through the first week. I got through many firsts, my first birthday in the field (which was great, by the way), by first door slams, my first rejection, my first baptism date, my first um..interesting...dinner appointment (if you know what I mean), my first few tiny little glimpes of the Savior's Atonement and the pain he felt for others, my first day of tracting 3 hours in 10 degree weather and not scheduling a single return appointment. I am remembering it is the Lord's work. We talk to everyone at every door, not because every person will listen, but because we must find those who the Lord has prepared to accept Him. I love it here! I'm grateful to be learning everything in english too, I tink it will really help me in Brazil, I'll know what I'm doing, I just gotta translate it into Portuguese :) i love you, and miss you. (PS Just send to the address I gave you, they forward it. They can only forward first class packages though, not UPS or FEDEX, so...yea...)
LOVE YOU!
Sister Pratt
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Last Letter from the MTC
Now, in case you haven't heard- I've been re-assigned to COLORADO SPRINGS! :) I'm so excited! I leave on Monday. My companion was sent to Alabama and had less than 12 hours between knowing and leaving. It was such a rush, it wasn't too hard to say goodbye. But then yesterday was pretty rough without her. I had class and MDT all day, and had to stay with the Elders. I love them, but I felt pretty alone. Its crazy how quickly you have to be connected with your companion, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Not having that support did not feel very great. Today has been better though, because its P-day and I have to stick with sisters. Plus, today I am packing and getting ready to leave, where as yesterday was still focused on teaching and language (thats rough without Sister Bee). Now I'm too busy to think, so I just do.
We got to do sealings in the Temple today, and it was an awesome experience! I was thinking today, because last night I started to sort of panic because I feel my little portuguese baby wings are not ready to fly yet, especially since I won't be in Brazil. BUT I didn't feel at all ready for the MTC, somehow I ended up on that plane, and everything turned out great. So we'll just do that again! Now into the field! I won't be travelling by myself, there is a group leaving for Colorado Springs, of 14, 4 sisters in it. So thats a little relieving. Please don't send anymore letters to my MTC address because they don't forward letters from here, they just throw them away, so I won't get them. I should still get dearelders, but I don't know how it works, you might have to change my address in the system or whatever.
My new address it: 4090 Center Park Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80916. Also, if you were wanting to send stuff for my birthday, don't worry about it yet because I don't know what i need. Although, I do know I need some warm tights or something, or else my legs are going to freeze, and that is something I know they don't sell at the bookstore here.
I'm trying to think what happened this week. Basically its all a blur. I'm pretty sure the days on a mission are actually 36 hours long, the nights are 2, but the weeks are a nano-second. I don't know how the Lord does it, thats why He is all powerful, and I am not. Portuguese is great, we had our last TRC, which was reason to celebrate, and I was surprised at how much I understood and was able to say. I am bringing waaayy too many books with me to Colorado in order to make sure I don't plateau or even digress in my learning of the language before I get to Brazil. I'm trying not to stress about it, because I know that it will all work out. I feel have studied well here at the MTC. Of course there is ALWAYS room for improvement, but I won't beat myself up for what I lacked when I know how much I have learned and grown here. I will miss so many of the people I've met here. (Although the Elders I will miss the most, will hopefully be in my zone or district sometime In Brazil, since they're all going to Salvador too). I can honestly say I will miss it here, there is no other place in the world where so many different people with different stories, backgrounds, languages, strengths and testimonies are all gathered for one purpose. We got to sing Armies of Helaman again at my last devotional, so I guess I'm going out the way I came in, which was feeling that power of 2500 missionaries singing the simple words that We are now the Lord's missionaries and we're bringing the world the truth! Am I scaring you with how much I sound like a missionary? I'm scaring myself too. But don't judge, like I always did. I never understood. I'm excited to go into the field! I'm nervous too. The thought of knocking on people's doors and talking to people in the street, and sitting in front of someone in their home teaching the first lesson makes me want to smile, cry and throw-up all at the same time! (I have to re-memorize everything in English now, by the way, I don't know the fist vision word for word. And don't even get me started on contacting! I've NEVER contacted in English. Its been Portuguese since day 1. New goals for the next 2 days). Sorry this is a short e-mail this week. But I've basically expressed all the important feelings and moments of this week. I love you all and miss you tons!
Te Amo!
Sister Pratt
We got to do sealings in the Temple today, and it was an awesome experience! I was thinking today, because last night I started to sort of panic because I feel my little portuguese baby wings are not ready to fly yet, especially since I won't be in Brazil. BUT I didn't feel at all ready for the MTC, somehow I ended up on that plane, and everything turned out great. So we'll just do that again! Now into the field! I won't be travelling by myself, there is a group leaving for Colorado Springs, of 14, 4 sisters in it. So thats a little relieving. Please don't send anymore letters to my MTC address because they don't forward letters from here, they just throw them away, so I won't get them. I should still get dearelders, but I don't know how it works, you might have to change my address in the system or whatever.
My new address it: 4090 Center Park Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80916. Also, if you were wanting to send stuff for my birthday, don't worry about it yet because I don't know what i need. Although, I do know I need some warm tights or something, or else my legs are going to freeze, and that is something I know they don't sell at the bookstore here.
I'm trying to think what happened this week. Basically its all a blur. I'm pretty sure the days on a mission are actually 36 hours long, the nights are 2, but the weeks are a nano-second. I don't know how the Lord does it, thats why He is all powerful, and I am not. Portuguese is great, we had our last TRC, which was reason to celebrate, and I was surprised at how much I understood and was able to say. I am bringing waaayy too many books with me to Colorado in order to make sure I don't plateau or even digress in my learning of the language before I get to Brazil. I'm trying not to stress about it, because I know that it will all work out. I feel have studied well here at the MTC. Of course there is ALWAYS room for improvement, but I won't beat myself up for what I lacked when I know how much I have learned and grown here. I will miss so many of the people I've met here. (Although the Elders I will miss the most, will hopefully be in my zone or district sometime In Brazil, since they're all going to Salvador too). I can honestly say I will miss it here, there is no other place in the world where so many different people with different stories, backgrounds, languages, strengths and testimonies are all gathered for one purpose. We got to sing Armies of Helaman again at my last devotional, so I guess I'm going out the way I came in, which was feeling that power of 2500 missionaries singing the simple words that We are now the Lord's missionaries and we're bringing the world the truth! Am I scaring you with how much I sound like a missionary? I'm scaring myself too. But don't judge, like I always did. I never understood. I'm excited to go into the field! I'm nervous too. The thought of knocking on people's doors and talking to people in the street, and sitting in front of someone in their home teaching the first lesson makes me want to smile, cry and throw-up all at the same time! (I have to re-memorize everything in English now, by the way, I don't know the fist vision word for word. And don't even get me started on contacting! I've NEVER contacted in English. Its been Portuguese since day 1. New goals for the next 2 days). Sorry this is a short e-mail this week. But I've basically expressed all the important feelings and moments of this week. I love you all and miss you tons!
Te Amo!
Sister Pratt
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Reassigned
Emma's visa is being stubborn and refusing to arrive. She received her assignment yesterday, and called today to tell Mom that she is going to.....................
Colorado Springs! Get ready all you Coloradians, she only has a few weeks there (hopefully).
Her companion went to Alabama. She found out Wednesday at 5 pm, and left this morning. The other sisters in Emma's room left last week, so Emma is one of the few missionaries who gets to fly solo for a bit. She'll has a solo sticker on, and is on her own until Monday when she flies out.
I'll update with an address as soon as I have one.
Colorado Springs! Get ready all you Coloradians, she only has a few weeks there (hopefully).
Her companion went to Alabama. She found out Wednesday at 5 pm, and left this morning. The other sisters in Emma's room left last week, so Emma is one of the few missionaries who gets to fly solo for a bit. She'll has a solo sticker on, and is on her own until Monday when she flies out.
I'll update with an address as soon as I have one.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Week 6/7
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
Love always, Sister Emma Pratt
Sunday, December 26, 2010
December 17
(A note from Jessica- My apologies for the late arrival of this letter. Emma did send it on the 17th, but I didn't get it until a few days later, and my email has been wonky. I heard she has emailed another one to my mom, so you may get double-postings in the next few days. Also, it has been requested that I add her Brazil address. I don't have it, so if you do, please put it in the comments, and I'll get it on the side-bar. Assuming the visa goes well, she should get to Brazil on January 11th, so letters sent now would be good, because of the delay in mail.)
Sunday, I played piano, set-up the sister's singing, and we sung Mary's lullaby in Portuguese AND I was called up to give a talk AGAIN! But this time in Portuguese. It was a great opportunity to speak, but I was shocked. There are 70 people in our branch, and only 2 speak a week. Whatever, it was good. For Relief Society we heard Sister Christofferson speak, the wife of Elder Christofferson. She talked about the story Hugh B. Brown gave about the Currant Bush. She sort of botched the staory (I think it was a spur of the moment side note) so I looked it up and read it. It had a great affect on me and my purpose for serving a mission. I'm realizing some of the reasons why I need to serve and why the Lord needs me here. You should read the story, It's awesome.
Sister Bee and I were having some companion struggles last week, but we really talked it out on Sunday and this week has gone so well. Our district, in particular the Elders are starting to lose some motivation and focus of being here. Our teachers talked to us for a while, in English too (thats when you know its really really important). Sister Bee and I feel we haven't lost focus, but as a district we have, and we're part of that district. Last night at our weekly planning, our teacher came to see how we were doing. He sat with his mouth slightly open, I wasn't sure if he was mad or happy, but he said we do everything so well and he wished we were serving in the same area. As Sister Bee and I talked, we realized we really need to enjoy every moment here. It feels like we are just each other's companions for the whole 18 months, and we're going to conquer Brazil together. We're are already on our 6th week! Saying goodbye to her is going to be so so hard. I'm so glad I have her to really boost me into the life as a missionary.
Sunday night the missionaries are supposed to watch a film, like Legacy or The Testaments. Or you can study. Sister Bee and I went and explored as much internet as is allowed, and discovered so many films on-line. Like the armor of God film! And we laughed so hard, its amazing how your humor changes. But we needed to laugh with eachother since the week was hard. Also, the devotional that night was the BYU Men's Chorus. I loved hearing music and being at a concert. I miss music so much. I sit and listen to MoTab ffrom the Christmas Devotional sing "What Shall We Bring" over and over again because I miss song not in the hymn book. Or in Portuguese. Or in the Portuguese Hymn book.
This week, every day I woke up and said to myself "Hoje vai ser um dia boa. Eu posso falar Portugues" Today will be a great day. I can speak Portuguese. That attitude adjustment changed my world. I was speaking like crazy in Portuguese! We taught the plan of Salvation, in Portuguese and committed 2 people to be baptized! If you don't believe in the gift of tongues, you should here what comes out of my mouth after just 5 weeks. I'm more shocked than anyone else! I love it though.
Every visa that goes to the San Diego Consolate makes it through. The others are slow. Especially the LA one, that where all the Utah residents goes. Sister Bee and I have talked a lot about our re-assignments. She is struggling with it a lot more than I am. She has got a great grasp on the language, and is very anxious to just be there, teaching the people. She spent a year in Chile, so doesn't have some of the same concerns I do about moving to South America. Not to say I'm not super excited or anxious for my visa. I pray for it everyday. My biggest concern is being in the States for 5 months, and losing my Portuguese. I've heard horror stories of missionaries stuck here so long, they are given the option to not go, just stay in the States. I WILL BE IN BRAZIL! I'm okay with a re-assignment, but Salvador needs me, and I need them.
This week we taught the first lesson in Portuguese to a native Brazilian lady. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. So I nodded and smiled. I knew when Sister Bee turned to my, it was my turn to recite the first vision and bear my testimony. I felt the spirit, so I thought the lesson was great! I just thought, man I can not wait to get to Brazil. I'll have a trainer, I'll speak up when I can, but I'll be so completely lost, It'll be awesome! Lets go! Apparently, though, after we were done Sister Bee was annoyed because while trying to teach the Lady wasn't being an investigator, or correcting Sister Bee and my Portuguese. She was correcting the way we were teaching and telling us how to teach them. SIster Bee was super annoyed, but laughed at it at the same time. I was just like, Joseph Smith was a prophet! Woohoo! Haha, it was funny. The highlight of our week, really.
This week I've been cross referencing and studying the times in the Book of Mormon that talk about being an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Thats why I am at the MTC, I am fine tuning my speaking skillls, teaching skills, knowledge of the gospel, personal testimony and spiritual awareness so that I can be merely and instrument for God in bringing His children to the gospel. I was never really aware of just how important this work is until I got here. This is people's salvation we;re talking about! Very Important.
Well, I'll handwrite personally back. But I'm running out of time. I love you all, and wish you a veru Merry Christmas!
TE AMO! Feliz Natal! :)
Sister Emma Pratt
Sunday, I played piano, set-up the sister's singing, and we sung Mary's lullaby in Portuguese AND I was called up to give a talk AGAIN! But this time in Portuguese. It was a great opportunity to speak, but I was shocked. There are 70 people in our branch, and only 2 speak a week. Whatever, it was good. For Relief Society we heard Sister Christofferson speak, the wife of Elder Christofferson. She talked about the story Hugh B. Brown gave about the Currant Bush. She sort of botched the staory (I think it was a spur of the moment side note) so I looked it up and read it. It had a great affect on me and my purpose for serving a mission. I'm realizing some of the reasons why I need to serve and why the Lord needs me here. You should read the story, It's awesome.
Sister Bee and I were having some companion struggles last week, but we really talked it out on Sunday and this week has gone so well. Our district, in particular the Elders are starting to lose some motivation and focus of being here. Our teachers talked to us for a while, in English too (thats when you know its really really important). Sister Bee and I feel we haven't lost focus, but as a district we have, and we're part of that district. Last night at our weekly planning, our teacher came to see how we were doing. He sat with his mouth slightly open, I wasn't sure if he was mad or happy, but he said we do everything so well and he wished we were serving in the same area. As Sister Bee and I talked, we realized we really need to enjoy every moment here. It feels like we are just each other's companions for the whole 18 months, and we're going to conquer Brazil together. We're are already on our 6th week! Saying goodbye to her is going to be so so hard. I'm so glad I have her to really boost me into the life as a missionary.
Sunday night the missionaries are supposed to watch a film, like Legacy or The Testaments. Or you can study. Sister Bee and I went and explored as much internet as is allowed, and discovered so many films on-line. Like the armor of God film! And we laughed so hard, its amazing how your humor changes. But we needed to laugh with eachother since the week was hard. Also, the devotional that night was the BYU Men's Chorus. I loved hearing music and being at a concert. I miss music so much. I sit and listen to MoTab ffrom the Christmas Devotional sing "What Shall We Bring" over and over again because I miss song not in the hymn book. Or in Portuguese. Or in the Portuguese Hymn book.
This week, every day I woke up and said to myself "Hoje vai ser um dia boa. Eu posso falar Portugues" Today will be a great day. I can speak Portuguese. That attitude adjustment changed my world. I was speaking like crazy in Portuguese! We taught the plan of Salvation, in Portuguese and committed 2 people to be baptized! If you don't believe in the gift of tongues, you should here what comes out of my mouth after just 5 weeks. I'm more shocked than anyone else! I love it though.
Every visa that goes to the San Diego Consolate makes it through. The others are slow. Especially the LA one, that where all the Utah residents goes. Sister Bee and I have talked a lot about our re-assignments. She is struggling with it a lot more than I am. She has got a great grasp on the language, and is very anxious to just be there, teaching the people. She spent a year in Chile, so doesn't have some of the same concerns I do about moving to South America. Not to say I'm not super excited or anxious for my visa. I pray for it everyday. My biggest concern is being in the States for 5 months, and losing my Portuguese. I've heard horror stories of missionaries stuck here so long, they are given the option to not go, just stay in the States. I WILL BE IN BRAZIL! I'm okay with a re-assignment, but Salvador needs me, and I need them.
This week we taught the first lesson in Portuguese to a native Brazilian lady. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. So I nodded and smiled. I knew when Sister Bee turned to my, it was my turn to recite the first vision and bear my testimony. I felt the spirit, so I thought the lesson was great! I just thought, man I can not wait to get to Brazil. I'll have a trainer, I'll speak up when I can, but I'll be so completely lost, It'll be awesome! Lets go! Apparently, though, after we were done Sister Bee was annoyed because while trying to teach the Lady wasn't being an investigator, or correcting Sister Bee and my Portuguese. She was correcting the way we were teaching and telling us how to teach them. SIster Bee was super annoyed, but laughed at it at the same time. I was just like, Joseph Smith was a prophet! Woohoo! Haha, it was funny. The highlight of our week, really.
This week I've been cross referencing and studying the times in the Book of Mormon that talk about being an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Thats why I am at the MTC, I am fine tuning my speaking skillls, teaching skills, knowledge of the gospel, personal testimony and spiritual awareness so that I can be merely and instrument for God in bringing His children to the gospel. I was never really aware of just how important this work is until I got here. This is people's salvation we;re talking about! Very Important.
Well, I'll handwrite personally back. But I'm running out of time. I love you all, and wish you a veru Merry Christmas!
TE AMO! Feliz Natal! :)
Sister Emma Pratt
Sunday, December 12, 2010
December 11
Update from this week: Things are good! I can't believe I've been here for 4 weeks and 2 days! Everyone says by your fourth week, everything starts to turn around, the language gets better, things are still hard, but the weeks really zip by. There is a glimpse of hope, one elder got his visa! We're all jealous with envy...but in a Christ-like missionary way of course :).
On Saturday, our district did a language fast, ALL Portuguese, all day. I will have to admit it was rough, but I stuck through it, knowing once I'm in Brazil, English isn't an option. This week, we are challenging ourselves to do Saturday through Monday no English. I think it will be really good. On Wednesday, Sister Bee and I taught the first lesson in Portuguese. It wasn't really the first lesson, the Elders taught this pretend investigator 3 times before, and never explained prophets, Christ's ministry or Joseph Smith. They basically say, God loves you, now read this book. Haha! He said he was going to drop us if Sister Bee and I hadn't gone in and explained the whole restoration of the gospel thing (sort of important). It was hard. It took us 50 minutes to explain everything. My teacher said he was really proud of me because he saw me struggling, but I refused to get help from Sister Bee. I needed to be able to form sentences and speak. He said I did a great job and am on my way to doing well. That was encouraging because I still find everything fairly frustrating. Sometimes I feel I can't teach very well in English, let alone adding a whole new language to the mix. But I'm working hard, and know that it will come...someday.
This Sunday, I'm putting together a musical number of the sisters in our branch. We have 11 sisters, and we're singing Mary's Lullaby in Portuguese. Its really pretty, and I'm excited about it. Although, I'm a little concerned that I'm singing the descandt, because I don't feel I'm that great, but not many of them read music. Oh well, it sounds good still.
We had mission conference on Sunday for fast sunday. The second counselor in the MTC presidency's wife spoke, Sister Clegg. She gave one of the best talks on the nativity I have ever heard. Or maybe my eyes are just really opened to basic truths here, because I feel I'm re-learning the gospel through a new lense. But it was amazing, and I've enyoyed studying the Birth of Christ on my own. Did you read that article in the Christmas Ensign about History and connecting Luke to Matthew to The Book of Mormon? I though it was interesting, and I like how much he quoted Isaiah.
This week I'm memorizing D&C 4 in Portuguese. I have the first 2 verses down. I will have the next 2 by next week, its my goal. Our teacher had us find our favorite missionary in the scriptures to share. I think his intention was to have us look in the book of Mormon, but just to be a little defiant, I looked up Parley P Pratt in D&C. Its chapter 32, and I actually found it to be very comforting. He was sent to preach among the lamanites, and was blessed with the ability to speak the language, and that God would always be his companion as he was obedient. Its awesome and I have decided that his blessing applies to me too. Is that okay? :)
I'm learning this whole new idea, well not really new, but applying it that obediecnce=faith. Hello, this should be obvious. Christ was perfectly obedient, so He had perfect faith. But I have to put it into action every minute of my day. The more exact obedient, the more blessings, the more faith. And the adversary works so hard on the little details, trying to bring us doubt and discouragement, there is no room to error on obedience. Every minute counts. Every thought, every movement, every attitude, it all affects everything. The moment I let doubt in the adversary can take over. Its crazy!
And on that note I have to send this e-mail because the timer is blinking at me, screaming that I only have 3 minutes to press send. I love you all! I can't tell you how grateful I am for all the wonderful support! Keep writing, I love the letters. And the Christmas Presents!! FELIZ NATAL!! :)
Sister Pratt
On Saturday, our district did a language fast, ALL Portuguese, all day. I will have to admit it was rough, but I stuck through it, knowing once I'm in Brazil, English isn't an option. This week, we are challenging ourselves to do Saturday through Monday no English. I think it will be really good. On Wednesday, Sister Bee and I taught the first lesson in Portuguese. It wasn't really the first lesson, the Elders taught this pretend investigator 3 times before, and never explained prophets, Christ's ministry or Joseph Smith. They basically say, God loves you, now read this book. Haha! He said he was going to drop us if Sister Bee and I hadn't gone in and explained the whole restoration of the gospel thing (sort of important). It was hard. It took us 50 minutes to explain everything. My teacher said he was really proud of me because he saw me struggling, but I refused to get help from Sister Bee. I needed to be able to form sentences and speak. He said I did a great job and am on my way to doing well. That was encouraging because I still find everything fairly frustrating. Sometimes I feel I can't teach very well in English, let alone adding a whole new language to the mix. But I'm working hard, and know that it will come...someday.
This Sunday, I'm putting together a musical number of the sisters in our branch. We have 11 sisters, and we're singing Mary's Lullaby in Portuguese. Its really pretty, and I'm excited about it. Although, I'm a little concerned that I'm singing the descandt, because I don't feel I'm that great, but not many of them read music. Oh well, it sounds good still.
We had mission conference on Sunday for fast sunday. The second counselor in the MTC presidency's wife spoke, Sister Clegg. She gave one of the best talks on the nativity I have ever heard. Or maybe my eyes are just really opened to basic truths here, because I feel I'm re-learning the gospel through a new lense. But it was amazing, and I've enyoyed studying the Birth of Christ on my own. Did you read that article in the Christmas Ensign about History and connecting Luke to Matthew to The Book of Mormon? I though it was interesting, and I like how much he quoted Isaiah.
This week I'm memorizing D&C 4 in Portuguese. I have the first 2 verses down. I will have the next 2 by next week, its my goal. Our teacher had us find our favorite missionary in the scriptures to share. I think his intention was to have us look in the book of Mormon, but just to be a little defiant, I looked up Parley P Pratt in D&C. Its chapter 32, and I actually found it to be very comforting. He was sent to preach among the lamanites, and was blessed with the ability to speak the language, and that God would always be his companion as he was obedient. Its awesome and I have decided that his blessing applies to me too. Is that okay? :)
I'm learning this whole new idea, well not really new, but applying it that obediecnce=faith. Hello, this should be obvious. Christ was perfectly obedient, so He had perfect faith. But I have to put it into action every minute of my day. The more exact obedient, the more blessings, the more faith. And the adversary works so hard on the little details, trying to bring us doubt and discouragement, there is no room to error on obedience. Every minute counts. Every thought, every movement, every attitude, it all affects everything. The moment I let doubt in the adversary can take over. Its crazy!
And on that note I have to send this e-mail because the timer is blinking at me, screaming that I only have 3 minutes to press send. I love you all! I can't tell you how grateful I am for all the wonderful support! Keep writing, I love the letters. And the Christmas Presents!! FELIZ NATAL!! :)
Sister Pratt
Monday, December 6, 2010
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
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
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