4/25/11

Hey family! Thanks to Sister Bowman, you all heard the news, I GOT MY VISA!!! I'm excited/nervous/scared/excited/every single emotion in the book. I feel ready...I think. I know that its the right time, for sure. I've known the whole week that it was my last week in Colorado. Then the President called on Saturday morning, and I'm leaving on Wednesday! My flight leaves at 10 and I think I'm going to Dallas first, then somewhere, they didn't tell me what was going on. All I know is that I report to the mission office on Wed morning. Sister Bowman sat by me in Relief Society and just cried the whole time. She gets really atttatched to the missionaries. I managed to make it through all of church without tears. But we visited my Recent Convert, Frank, who is doing so incredibly great! He is getting his priesthood on Sunday and he is going to the temple for baptisms next month! And I told him I was leaving, and he got all teary. He said a prayer with us before we left, and cried. Oh man, it was hard. Then he gave me a hug before I left...I just couldn't resist, hes the cutest little mexican man and I'm so sad to leave him. My one baptism :) I'm also sad to leave Phenia, TWO DAYS before she gets baptized! Ugh! She was sad when I told her too, she was like, First Sister HIlbert, now you? I know right! I miss Sister HIlbert too :) Its been a crazy week and I have so much to do before I leave. I love Pueblo Colorado, its like home! Okay Miracle Story:
Another miracle was when we visited a referral from the Pueblo Elders. They ran into a woman who had visited with missionaries before, and wanted them to come over for dinner. She ended up cancelling, but we decided to stop by and she let us in. Turned out she was ready for her baptism, but was living with her boyfriend and was on probation and there were just a lot of road blocks that stopped it from happening. And she lost contact with the missionaries. She recently broke up with that boyfriend, and is off probation and has been wanting to get back in contact with the missionaries, but didn't know how. She wants to be baptized! There are a few complications because she has a high-risk pregnancy and is on bed-rest. But we are super excited to work with her, she has a testimony of the gospel.
Well, I LOVE YOU ALL! SO MUCH! I've got lots to do today in preparation, and I'm pretty excited. Nervous, but excited. I Miss you lots and lots! Keep the letters coming, especially now that I'm in a foreign country. LOVE YOU! TE AMO
Sister Pratt

4/18/11

Hey everybody! I think that Brazil maybe forgot about me, but I'm totally okay with that because I love Pueblo! I could just serve here for the next year, and it'd be fine with me! Although, thats probably not the case, its okay. I'm enjoying the time I have here. SO at the beginning of this transfer, the Zone Leaders said that Pueblo Zone was going to baptized 45 people this month. And our district would have 16 of those. Thats a pretty big goal, considering last month our zone had 13 total. I hadn't quite found the faith in this number, and I really needed to. We had an amazing district meeting on Friday, and I finally "caught the vision" as my zone leader would say. So friday night we felt good about going to visit this former investigator. Then in the morning we felt really strongly about going to her house. None of us had met her, but just saw she was a former who had been to church a few times. We visited her and she told us how weird it was that we showed up because she was just thinking about us and how she wanted to go to church this Sunday and how she really wants to dedicate her life to God. She came to church yesterday! She is totally prepared and ready to commit and we are really excited for her Baptism on April 29th! So there you go, the miracle ALWAYS comes after the trial of faith. And that faith doesn't come until you are obedient. I'm a little frustrated with myself for not truly figuring all of this out until my 3rd transfer, but better late than never!

Another miracle was we felt really good about going to see this Recent Convert. So we called him up and went over there, turns out his daughter was there who is taking the lessons in Missouri. She told us how the Elders that she loved just got washed out, and now they're putting sisters in and is really upset about it. But after we talked to her and taught her a little, she said she'd call the sisters as soon as she got home for them to keep teaching her. It was amazing! She realized that she needed to be converted to the church, not to the missionaries, and understood the reason for everything and we were able to help her be more comfortable with sister missionaries.

The other miracle was teaching David, who wants to get baptized, but is on parole until next February. He wants to learn morea bout Joseph Smith, so we watched the Restoration DVD with him. It was so amazing, and afterwards he bore his testimony on the Prophet, and how he knew it was true. He is so amazing and his baptism is going to mean so much, since he is changing his life so much! I can't believe how my testimony grows even more deeper every time I share, or watch, or read the account of Joseph Smith. Its ridiculous.

So things are pretty much going great! Not easy, but really great. Hard work always pays off. I love you all! Hope your week has been going great! Remember to keep the faith, and miracles will happen! :)
Love always,
Sister Pratt

Hi family! Hey, remember when April 2011 arrived, and I'm still not in Brazil? Haha! Its all good though, because of course I love Pueblo Colorado and all the challenges that come with it! So Sister Hilbert left this week, which was really hard, and I learned a ridiculous amount being senior in my 2nd transfer with a Tongan who speaks little English and neither of us have any idea what we're doing. We're working with David who is getting baptized on April 10th. We've hit a few bumps in the road involving jail time, and other issues from question 4 of the baptismal interview questions. Its a tricky one. But we keep praying and I know God is in control, and so whatever happens, happens. Let me tell you how ridiculously awesome it is to watch General Conference as a missionary! We joke about how its like the missionary's version of the Superbowl, all our major stars and big players all at one place. And all the missionaries get together and watch it, passing around m&ms and eating all our meals together. It was so awesome though! And of course my favorite was Elder Bednar, but there were some really awesome talks this year. In other news, unfortunatley Miguel did not get baptized, he wants to work at his own pace, which is sad, but we hope he'll come to make the decision soon in the future. Oh! And transfers are tomorrow, I'm staying here with Sister Tu'alau and another sister is coming down with us, Sister Ulu'ave. No, not Tonga, but Samoan. Actually, she is from New Zealand, but english is her second language too. I figured once I went to Brazil, I would never have an American companion, but I didn't think it'd be like that here in Colorado. It'll be good though. I feel bad that my e-mails are so short, but I don't know what else to report on. I love being a missionary, some days are harder than others, but its pretty awesome. Having to say goodbye to Sister Hilbert was one of the hardest things I've ever done, especially since she was going back home, so far away. Also the challenges I'm facing going into this next transfer are a little daunting, and often I feel I'm treading water. I'm learning how to really rely on the enabling power of the Atonement by yoking up with Christ. I'm also learning that when you aren't happy, you are doing something wrong, so you need to repent and keep going. Stressing out is bad and certainly not helpful. Something I've been trying to overcome my entire life. Can you believe I've already been out for 5 months? Its crazy! Well I love you tons and tons! I miss you lots! Thanks for all the letters and things!
Te AMO!
Sister Pratt

3/28

Hey Family!
So this week has been pretty crazy, but also pretty awesome. First of all, best news ever! Miguel is getting baptized!! Unfortunately I wasn't there, and I won't be able to make it to the baptism because I'm not actually going up to Springs this week. Its me and Sister Tu'alau in Pueblo without Sister Hilbert and I'm not sure how I feel about that, but good thing the Lord is in charge, so its all good! But I can't tell you how extremely excited I was to find out Miguel is getting baptized!! Also we have an investigator here that we're working with, his name is David and he is so awesome! He was supposed to get baptized this coming Sunday, but he didn't make it to church yesterday, so we have to push it back. But I'm still super excited about it! So this has been a super crazy P-day because its Sister Hilbert's last, so this letter may be shorter and more scatter-brained. But basically I learned this week: 1. When you have something kind, nice or important to say to someone, say it right away, because you may lose out on that opportunity. I've learned things happen fast here, people are transferred, or leave, or whatever, so never waste a moment. Also this next transfer pretty sure the Lord will be teaching me some important lessons including but not limited to having more confidence, and patience, and teaching skills and not stress out. Its going to be filled with trials, but thats where we grow the best.
I'm really sorry this is short! Thanks for being awesome and supportive, I love all the letters! And love you! Miss you lots!

Sister Pratt

3/21

Hi family! How was your week? Mine was awesome! I'm back in Pueblo and enjoying every minute! I hate that feeling at the end of the transfer that everything is going to change, especially since Sister Hilbert is going home, and there's that whole possibility of leaving for Brazil at any time, which is nerve wracking. But I've learned tons and worked hard this week. We still don't have any one super solid that we are teaching, but there are a lot of potentials that we are teaching. Today, I'm back in Colorado Springs though. The President is doing this little training thing, and so Sister Hilbert and Tu'alau are there, and I'm on exchanges with the other Singles ward sisters in the Pikes Peak ward today and tomorrow. Its been pretty good, plus I get 2 P-days this week! :) (I don't think I get to email again on Wed, but I can check and see). So basically I've had 6 companions and 3 areas this transfer. The Lord knows I hate change so He is teaching me a lesson, and I'm learning a TON from it. Then after Sister Hilbert leaves next week, I'll be back up here in the Pikes Peak ward over Conference weekend, then its transfers and who knows where I'll be after that? Back to Pueblo though, we've tracted a lot, prayed a lot, and there are potentials, some that I feel really good about. This week is going to be a great one! As far as companionship goes, we have rough moments, but we all know how much I LOVE Sister Hilbert and I'll basically cry my eyes out when she leaves, but thats okay. We'll deal with that when it comes :) I'll be honest with you family, I would be perfectly content with serving my entire mission in this area. There is so much work to be done, and I'm getting to know the people and really learning important things. I know, I know, I'm going to Brazil some day and the Lord is in charge, so what ever and whenever things happen is all for the best. I love that I wake up in the morning and am completely happy and excited for the day ahead of me. The first little bit wasn't like that, I stressed out about being a missionary and having to talk to people. But pretty much its the best thing ever and I'm going to do it for the rest of my life :) I love you all, and hope everything is going great! Thank you for all your letters and support, I love you tons!
Love, Sister Pratt

3/14

Hello from PUEBLO COLORADO! Confused? Yea me too...So this week was super crazy. Wednesday was a pretty rough day for me. I was stressed about going to Brazil, and stressed about companion struggles and basically I just wanted to go back to Pueblo with Sister Hilbert for just one day because I felt I raelly took it for granted down there. Then Thursday, I woke up, knowing that I needed a change of attitude and just threw myself into the work. I decided we were going to teach, and find, and I was going to love the people and I would just forget myself. And so thats what I did. All three of us worked hard, and we taught and amazing lesson to this girl named Sarah. Her friend is a member who invited her to church on Sunday and she came. Then we taught her on Thursday and before we even shared the first vision, her friend asked her if she wanted to get baptized, and she said yes! Then we shared the first vision and she felt the spirit so strong. She said she felt as if she was there in the grove, watching the whole thing happen. She is excited to read the Book of Mormon and is getting Baptized on March 27th! Then the day just went so well. We have 2 investigators we've been trying to meet with. THey just called us up and asked to come meet with them that day! We did and it was so amazing! The day continued on, we ended up teaching about 6 lessons that day. Then that night, we were helping a recent convert with wedding decorations, and the phone rings. Its Preseident Pfile. Of course, I start freaking out because Sister Hilbert has predicted from day one that I will get my visa on March 10th. Sis Jones hands me the phone, and he says, "Hey Sister Pratt, I was wondering, how would you feel about going down to Pueblo to help out Sister Hilbert? She is struggling a little with her greenie she's training and you're the only solution I can come up with." I wanted to shout "Yes that would be AMAZING!" but I saw the look on my companion's face, which was on the verge of bursting into tears, so I said, "yea, that's be okay with me." Poor Sister Gilson was sad that I left, but I think she and Sister Jones have a lot to learn from eachother without their mediator (me) there. SO I packed my bags, and Sister Hilbert picked my up at 9 the next morning! I was back in my old district, with my awesome trainer, and my amazing zone leaders, and all through district meeting I could not wipe the smile off my face.
Not to say things are all peaches and cream here, we have no investigators and there is a little bit of stress to deal with in the companionship. My other new companion is Sister Tu'alau from Tonga. This is her first transfer, and she struggles with the language, and the culture and is pretty homesick. At dinner that night, one of the Elders made a comment to Sister HIlbert that he hasn't seen her smile in 3 weeks. I guess I didn't realize just how hard it has been for her down here, especially since its her last transfer and she is dealing with all that too.
We fasted as a companionship to be able to find investigators this week. I full faith we will see a lot of success. I'm so excited to be back here, I really took my time and the people here for granted. Every day I love being a missionary more and more. Now I pray I don't get my visa until the end of the transfer. But I really want it by the end, thats for sure. Its in the Lord's hands, luckily, because He knows what He is doing.
Thats the biggest news of the week, and its been pretty crazy! I feel like I never left! I also see how much I've grown since being away. I love it here so much and I'm so excited to be here! I love you all and miss you tons! I hope you are being nice to missionaries in your area, and that you are continuing to grow in faith. Have a fabulous week!
Love always,
Sister Pratt

Hello Everyone!

Hi everybody! This week was full of HUGE ups and downs. Some miracles though, I will share with you! We had about 30 minutes to tract on Friday afternoon. We felt good about an apartment complex, and the second door we knocked on, a man named Nick answered. He let us in, and said he was in the army and had just barely moved in about 2 days before. We sat on the floor and talked to him about his beliefs and attending church, and we taught him the first lesson. He accepted baptism! It was so amazing! We gave him the Book of Mormon, and he was excited to read it. In his prayer at the end, he thanked the Lord for revealing this new path that he finally found. We visited him the next day, and he had been reading. He also came to church and really enjoyed his time there. What an amazing miracle!

We've been teaching Miguel for a few weeks now. He came to FHE last week and was having a pretty bad day. We talked to him for a while and he said he felt so much better coming to meet these wonderful people, and how nice everyone is to him. He told me he has slammed the door on Mormon missionaries so many times, and now he feels so bad. One time, he said he answered the door completely drunk, and threw up all over the Elders on his door. Then he said, "Yea, that was definitely the lowest point in my life." I laughed so hard! I think he didn't expect that reaction, but I told him that those Elders had a great story to bring home, so its okay. He has really opened up. That night he read in the Book of Mormon, the next day we met with him and he told us he knew the Book of Mormon was true. We were totally shocked! (Unfortunately, he still won't commit to baptism) but the real miracle here is that every time we meet with him, he opens up a little more each time. Its amazing to watch him change his life, just in these few weeks.

Church on Sunday was a miracle. Two different members brought friends to church. We set up return appointments with both of them. It was so exciting to see people in the ward being supportive and welcoming and really diving into missionary work! It was a truly amazing day!

Another miracle was we met a lady named Susan. We taught her twice, and then had to transition her to the Elders, because we can only teach YSAs. But It was incredible! The Elders committed her to Baptism and she is so completely solid. She asked us if there were any activites where people get together and sew or cook or do service projects because she loves all those things. We were like, WELCOME TO RELIEF SOCIETY! :) It was awesome. She is living with her fiance though, so we're fasting and praying that all will work out for marriege before March 20th. I have full faith it will, I've seen it happen a few times in Pueblo! I'm so excited for her!

I won't share as much about the downs, but we did get dropped by some investigators we were working with. It was painful, and hard to do, but I learned some really valuable lessons in it. Another down was some of my struggles with Portuguese, however that discouragement has been lifted from working with a member here who served his mission in Brazil. At first meeting with him just stressed me out, but the last time we met, I felt uplifted and ready to really study and prepare for Brazil.

I love you all so so much! Thank you for your letters and support and love! I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Te Amo!
Sister Pratt