Hello!!

First off: HAPPY BRITHDAY TO MY CAILEY!! :) Now, Hey everyone! So excited for the big news? transfers this week, I'm packing up my bags today and heading up to Colorado Springs! I'm in a group of 3 and working with Sister Gilson (who I came in with) and Sister Jones, who I tracted with my first day, and is the sweetest person in the world! I'm really excited, we'll be in the Cheyenne Mountain Ward which is a singles ward up there. Sister Hilbert says its an awesome ward and the best news is, I'm close enough to Pueblo that I get to come down to Bekah's Baptism this Sunday! Which was something I was worried about, considering I've been with her throught the whole process towards baptism. I'm going to miss the people I met here, and my Zone Leaders and other missionaries and especially Sister hilbert, BUT The Lord is teaching me a lesson: to love change. So I may as well learn that lesson now BEFORE I get thrown into a foregin country and my life really gets turned upside-down. This week was pretty awesome, we continue to teach Bekah AND she came to church, and loved it. It was amazing! ANd the elders are teaching a 17 year-old boy who is totally solid, he called them Sunday night and told them he finished reading 3 Nephi, what else should he read? They've taught him twice. There are miracles happening all over the place here! On Friday night, I was feeling a little stressed about the changes that were coming up, So Sister Hilbert decided to make me senior companion on Saturday and I would be driving, deciding where to go, who to teach, and would be leading all the lessons. Turns out, I know this area better than i thought, and I can have confidence that the spirit will always lead and guide. It was a littler nerve-wracking but I learned a lot from it. In other news, frank was confirmed, and he is so awesome. He came in a 3 piece suit, and a white shirt, and he is asking all sorts of questions about the Temple and how he wants to be worthy to go when he hits his year mark. It has been so amazing to see this man go from a depressed drunk to reading the Book of Mormon everyday and quickly recognizing the truthfulness of the gospel. Its absolutely amazing! And we were excited because Adam has been reading the Book of Mormon, and says its going well, and he is reading it with an open mind, and the possiblity that it is true. Although, he still hasn't come to church. But we're working on it, and trusting that it is in the Lord's hands. Yesterday was a little rough, since Sister Hilbert knew she was training and staying in Mesa next transfer, which meant I was leaving, but didn't know where. I was sad to leave my comfort zone I've created here, but this morning I woke up, ready for the changes, feeling the peace that I will go to where and with the people I need to be with, and it will be amazing. I love you all! And miss you tons! Have a great week, and don't forget to write me :)
Love always
Sister Pratt

Hello Everyone!

Hello! So here is the weekly update: This week was pretty awesome! Well, every week is, no matter what. We have a solid baptism for this coming Sunday, the 13th. Do you remember me telling you about Frank? He is getting baptized! And he is totally solid too! We were unsure about him at first, we weren't sure how much he was connecting with the gospel, turns out he was just under the influence of a lot of alcohol, and once we taught him the Word of Wisdom, he started going to AA classes and is now been 5 days off alcohol! We've been able to teach him a lot, and he even came to church yesterday! Speaking of church, here is a not so great thing about this week: our Bishop cancelled church. We're still trying to figure out why...I think maybe because of the roads. Its snowed a lot and they don't get that a lot here. Another rumor was that it was because the heater stopped working in the chapel, but it really wasn't too bad. So who really knows. But it was sort of frustrating because we have 4 solid people coming to church. We couldn't get a hold of Frank before he came, but we were able to sit and teach him. turns out he has a neighbor who is Jehovah's Witness who has brought some doubt into his mind about rushing into baptism. We were able to talk to him about the Book of Mormon and prayer, and he said he is still committed to the baptism. We are meeting with him everyday this week to make sure he stays off alcohol, and continues to feel the spirit. Just keep him in your prayers please, he is so awesome, and the Lord has been preparing him to be baptized. We also taught Adam again, the one who is married to a less active, and is unsure about the church. But we really emphasized the Book of Mormon with him. He committed to read and pray every day this week. I have no doubt that if he is prepared, and reads with an open heart, he WILL find answers to all his questions, and the Lord will teach him the way he needs in order to accept the gospel. We're meeting with him again on Wednesday. I love teaching him, because its one of the only times I feel really confident that the spirit will just help me know what to say. Sister Hilbert has been telling me I need to just do what i do with him in every lesson. But for some reason, I lose confidence so quickly. Its what we're working on this week :) A few days ago, we met this really cool guy, younger college student who seemed super excited about the church. We felt really good about him, and he was going to meet us at the church one night, we talked to him minutes before the lesson, and he never came. Now he doesn't answer calls and has never been home when we stop by. I started to think maybe it was a figment of my imagination that we never even met him before because he literally dropped of the face of the earth. We pray we will come in contact with him again, because he seemed really awesome.
Well, there you go for updates on the people we're teaching! It was my first zone conference this week, and it was totally awesome. I learned a lot. One thing was that I have the best district ever! I'm not just saying that either, its sad how quickly this transfer is going because our district is so awesome. I can't wait to tell you stories about our district meetings. But I don't have time now, sorry! Basically I love you all and miss you so much! Thank you for all you're support! Things are great here in (colored strings :) ) Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Mesa ward mission! (keep praying for my visa though...even though I do love it...I'm anxious to be in Brazil) LOVE YOU! Sister Pratt

Hey Family and Friends!

Hello everyone! I appreciate all the letters and e-mails, I love hearing about how things are going at home. This week was filled with some of the greatest joy and greatest disappointment I've ever felt. Welcome to being a missionary, right? So first of all we have an investigator with a baptismal date! The Elders felt good about tracting a street, that was out of their area, they just didn't realize it. But its this little old man, Frank, they taught him twice before they realized he was in our ward. So they passed him on to us. He is an interesting guy! He is really excited about the church, and he even came to church on Sunday! Then we met another girl tracting, April, she is a single mom and we taught her the first lesson and she seemed pretty interested in the church and learning more. We were really excited about her...and then Saturday Sister Hilbert called her to see if she was coming to church and basically...the phone call didn't go well. This is when sister Hilbert and I decided Satan is the WORST person in the world and we want him to go away forever!!! That was a really disappointing moment for me, luckily I have a great companion who can discern my emotions really well and always has helpful things to say. but the greatest most amazing miracle of the week was on Wednesday I answered the phone, a less active woman named Dawn called and told me her husband wanted to meet with the missionaries. I talked to her a little and set up an appointment for Friday, while Sister Hilbert was doing something else. Afterwards I said, "so this lady, named Dawn called and wants us to meet with her husband, who isn't a member I guess and so I set up an appointment for Friday." Sister Hilbert started freaking out! And made me repeat the conversation word for word. Apparently they tracted into this woman there first day here, like a year ago, and found this less active woman. She was a convert, then married in the temple, but her husband turned out to be a crazy abusive guy, very sad. So she left him and married a non-member who doesn't want anything to do with the church. She hasn't come to church in 11 years. He met with elders once, but it didn't go well. now, because of their son asking questions about God, he has sparked an interest in the church. His name is Adam, and we prayed all day the lesson would go well, and we'd know what to say. Turns out his 2 major issues is the trinity (that whole 3 seperate beings thing he isn't a fan of) and he doesn't believe in eternal families. A problem I didn't think I'd run into but, still, the gospel solves everythin. This was the first time I actually really taught a lesson. We flowed well together, I was listening to the spirit, it was totally amazing! Then I said the first vision, and just knew that he knew it was true. But I didn't know what to do with that knowledge. Luckily Sister Hilbert said to him, "Will you kneel down right now and pray and ask if Joseph Smith was a Prophet? If you do, I promise you will get an answer right now." Wow, man. I prayed so hard this would all work out..and guess what?!? It did! He got up and said, yes, its true. Joseph Smith was a Prophet. Ah! It was so cool you guys! He siad he still needs time before he decides to be baptized. Then of course, the most depressing thing was that they didn't come to church, like they promised they would, but the Lord is in all things. We know it will work out. Those are the most exciting updates from this week. I hope you're all doing well! I love you lots and lots! Have a great week!
Love Sister Pratt

Week 2 in the field!

My apologies for this one being late. But, the good news is, you get two in one day! I went to go post the newest one, and realized that I hadn't posted this one.

Hello everyone!
Okay 2 things. first of all is the Sister Pratt Understatment of the Year: Teaching real people is WAY better than teaching fake people. Its true. Second thing, everyone in Pueblo Colorado has a dog. If not more than one dog. There isn't a breed or mix of dog that I haven't seen. There isn't an inch of my coat that isn't covered in dog hair. Also, I don't ever want one anymore. Unless its the identical twin to Abby, because she is the best dog ever. But lets just say, the mission has made me, actually more scared of dogs, than I ever have been before. On to other things- up to this point, knocking on doors has been fairly uneventful and people have so kindly rejected our message. UNTIL...the Lord very strongly urged both of us to go to this one street. I may never know why. But we went there and were no longer kindly rejected. It was sort of like a, "hello Sister Pratt, welcome to missionary work!" Woohoo! It actually wasn't that bad. Just the first of many :) There are all these things I do here that I thought I would never do on my mission, once I found out I was going to Brazil. For example, speaking in church, but in English. (others include, but are not limited to, washing my clothes in a washer, drying in a dryer, driving a car, a bike, going to target). So I spoke on sunday, but they just wanted me to introduce myself and bear testimony, and thats what I did. I wish I could tell you exciting stories of our investigators this week, but unfortunately...we don't really have any. Although we went to teach this family thats been coming to church without any missionary lessons (they live like an hour away) and it turns out the man has studied like every religion out there. And basically wants to know every bit of deep doctrine before he even thinks about joining. I got every deep doctrine 'question-a-missionary-never-ever-wants' in one lesson. It was totally awesome! mostly because The Lord is amazing, and the only thing He allows you to say (if you are listening) is to bear testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true. Then we ended up driving back in a snow storm, and there was some serious amount of Heavenly Protection on that road trip, considering my driver is from Australia and I was explaining the concept of black ice to here int his car ride. Thanks for all the letters this week people! my first week, there was a bit of a famine, but this week was great! I don't really know what else to tell you about here. Basically we wake up, study, tract, eat lunch, tract, eat dinner and study more. There is a girl in this ward that served her mission in Brazil, and we're going to set up a weekly Portuguese Study time together, that is a serious answer to my prayers because I'm afraid not speaking Portuguese has made me lose a little. But I know the Lord will make up for it all in the end. I love you all, and sorry its short, but hopefully I'll have more news next week! Love ya lots!
Sister Pratt

In the field!

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

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

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.