tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40850966021928970262024-03-13T11:59:55.745-07:00Stories From Salvador: A Chronicle of Sister McKenzie's Life in BrazilAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07265564910679746115noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-79978096036569755432014-07-25T02:36:00.000-07:002015-09-12T06:10:01.573-07:00World Cup depression is dying down<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
<span lang="EN-US">World Cup depression is dying down and World Cup apathy has kicked in. But no one seemed to tell the weather that-it´s cloudy and dreary, but there is sunshine in my soul! I got a little under the weather this week; being sick is bad but it has its bright spots as well. I got a lot of reading done. And the other sisters have had some time to rest. And I´ve thought a lot. Sometimes you just gotta do what the doctor says and stay down. You can try to push through it, but if you want to get better-you have to do things to get better! So best to be happy and use the time for good instead of stressing out that you´re not doing what you think you should be doing. To everything there is a season. Even for sickness.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I feel like I have SO much more to do here, but instead of stressing out about that like I used to, it just motivates me now. Infinite am I! And infinite are the things I can learn. It´s little by little, drop by drop, line upon line. It´s not a sprint. It´s not a race. Because, as Elder Uchtdorf said in this last conference, in the gospel of Jesus Christ there are no real endings, just eternal beginnings. One door shuts and another opens. One chapter comes to a close, but the book doesn´t finish. There´s no such thing as endings, not really. Because to God, it´s all just starting.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Be happy with where we are. Not settled, but happy. Keep striving to be better, to forgive, and to grow. Don’t beat yourself up when you don’t do it perfect. The commandment to be perfect as He is perfect isn’t supposed to leave us feeling hopeless. In fact, it should leave us feeling so full of resplendent hope that every time we mess up, wesmile and say, `´ok, well that’s something I’m <i>not </i>perfect at, but I know someone who is``. Then we go to Christ and we repent. And we try to fix that imperfection. <i>And we keep going. </i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Sometimes we think (or at least I did a lot) that it´s either perfection or failure. I either get an ``A+`` or I get an ``F`. Then I realized that´s actually nowhere in the scriptures or in modern revelation. Instead, we find words of hope, repentance and change. And it´s not just ``ta-dah! And now I´m PERFECT!!``. Even when Alma and the Sons of Mosiah were converted by the angel, none of them were translated, because they still had some things to work out- they still had imperfections. But they didn’t let that stop them. And they are now honored as some of the greatest missionaries who have ever walked the Earth. Not because they were perfect, but because they tried. And they kept trying. And they didn’t look back on their old ways and say , ``well it´s too late now, we were so wicked we should just give up.`` No. They trusted in the promise of the angel. They didn´t give up. It’s not about how many times you fall, it´s about how many time you get back up. Because, in the end, who will stand in front of God? Only those who´ve learned to get up on their feet.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Love you!!! Say your prayers and read your scriptures!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">-Sister McKenzie </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-82437389166376129762014-07-08T22:20:00.000-07:002014-07-08T22:20:31.157-07:00The Song of The Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Samantha..</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-88389348137996722542014-06-30T11:05:00.004-07:002014-06-30T11:05:47.144-07:00World Cup Takes Over<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
A note from the mom: </div>
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USA and Belgium are playing in the World Cup on Tuesday in Salvador. Its going to be crazy there. And a new mission president at the same time:) I attached a link from the church news regarding the Salvador mission.</div>
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<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865605447/World-Cup-Missionaries-teach-English-to-Brazilian-transportation-workers.html?pg=all#gQkCbSZoT8SqmeuX.01" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial; font-size: small;" target="_blank">http://www.deseretnews.com/<wbr></wbr>article/865605447/World-Cup-<wbr></wbr>Missionaries-teach-English-to-<wbr></wbr>Brazilian-transportation-<wbr></wbr>workers.html?pg=all#<wbr></wbr>gQkCbSZoT8SqmeuX.01</a></div>
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Samantha's letter:</div>
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Happy happy week! The world has been revolving around Word Cup (I really didnt realize how big of a deal soccer is, these people arent joking!), but we continue in our work and have been able to meet a lot of wonderful people. It is a little harder, but certainly not impossible! Well on game days it is actually impossible because we cant leave our house. But other than that, it´s actually been good for us, everyone is happy!</div>
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Sister Reis and I are doing wonderfully together! Ah she is such a cutie! With three Americans in the house, she is learning MUITO ingles! woo whoo! I´m so proud of her, our little Brazilian is becoming Americanized (she even likes cookies :)).</div>
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The new president arrives today! We are all so excited to meet him! I got to call Sister Hart for the last time yesterday, it was so bittersweet. I have absolutely loved having them as our mission parents, but I´m excited that they get to go back to their family. Three years! That´s double my time! We will certainly go visit them when I´m back! They live just a little ways from BYU :) So crazy to think that I´ll be back there in less than 9 months! Oh how the time flies!</div>
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I was thinking a lot this week about the blessings of serving a mission. Everyone says that the mission is the best thing you can do. I agree! It´s not easy, but it´s more than worth it. I have come to KNOW, not just believe, that Christ is my Savior, that God my loving Heavenly Father and that this is His restored church. As I study, pray and serve daily, my heart has been touched by the Spirit- the Spirit that teaches truth. And I have come to know. We can all know. That´s a promise from our Father. So if you have doubts, or are feeling lost, or sad, or troubled go to Him and He will speak unto your heart peace. Remember ``never have fear to trust an unknown future to a known God``. He is ever with you. As are my prayers! I love you!</div>
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-Sister McKenzie</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-6546031257825969582014-06-23T16:17:00.000-07:002014-06-23T19:09:53.157-07:00Feliz Sao Joao!<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">
Senhor de Bonfim is full! Tourist, fireworks and felicidade :) Today is extra special because it´s Brazil´s last chance to make it to the final (they´re tied with Mexico in their group right now). I hope they win because if not I think the whole country will enter into depression. And it´s dificult to teach when people are angry or sad, its better if they are happy :)<br />
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Today is the first day of my 7th transfer, can you believe it?? After this I have 5 more :0 The time is truly going by so quickly. And having a wonderful companion and apartment-mates makes it go by even quicker!</div>
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I love the people we are teaching so much! One couple, Lucia and Sandro, are the cutest! Their son is leaving on his mission <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1243968524" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday</span></span> :) She goes to church every <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1243968525" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> and she is an amor de pessoa!! I love her so much! We finally had the chance to meet her husband at FHE and we went there <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1243968526" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> and taught them about the Restoration, We´ve already taught her everything, but not him yet! He had such wonderful questions and was really interested in the Book of Mormon. They just need to be legally married, and with the help of president that should be soon!<br />
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A few little things from this week :) We were walking down the street and stopped to talk a group of women. They ended up sharing these little tiny coconuts with us (my awesome coconut cracking skills were quite useful). One thing (of the many) that I love here is that they truly share everything. They will help anyone and are so accepting and kind. We also crossed the sketchiest bridge. Walking along the railroad and suddenly there was no ground underneath us, just cars passing and people cheering for us to cross. I felt like the Donkey from Shrek. Sister Reis didn´t blink and crossed in one second and I was on the other side screaming with fear. Terrible. But we made it across.<br />
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All is well here, we are happy and healthy and seeing miracles everyday! I hope you are all doing wonderful! Love you!<br />
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-Sister McKenzie</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. street walkin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. hello winter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> world cup parttyyyy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">senhor edson :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sao paulo- prepare for Elder Santos!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby coconut</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">when does it stop?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> cutting milho for sao joao</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watch out! she knows her stuff</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-24742145530079271562014-06-16T11:52:00.002-07:002014-06-16T12:03:32.037-07:00This week was calm...<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">
This week was calm. The world is on Holiday por causa da Copa. We have to go home early the days that Brazil plays, but we can hear who is winning from inside our apartment. The extra study time is wonderful! Conference talks finally arrived!!!!!!!!! PERFECT TIMING. The new Sisters are doing so well! We love them! Sister Reis was a little worried- living with three Americans but we only speak English when ABSOLUTELY necessary (words like awkward, creepy and random which do not have a Portuguese equivalent :/) but other than that we´re 100% FSL (fala sua língua).</div>
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Last goodbye to President and Sister Hart. We went to Petrolina for Zone Conference and their despedida. I can´t believe we´re already saying tchau, I just arrived at their house to meet Sister Oliveira (my trainer). And now here I am with my own filha just three days away form 9 months ahhh. I am so grateful to have had President and Sister Hart as my mission parents these last eight months. They´ve been there through the hardest parts of my mission, Always so loving, kind- truly angels. They have blessed the lives of hundreds of missionaries (and Thousandmillions and billions in eternity) through their sacrifice and service. They are truly ``examples of the believers``, ``a light on the hill``.</div>
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Our new presidente and his wife made a ``hello`` vídeo, I love them so much already! Watching their vídeo I had such a Strong impression that I´ve met them before. I have a feeling they are going to have a really big impact on my mission and throughout my life. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2125030742" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">July 4th</span></span> we go back to Petrolina to meet them in real life, I´m so excited!</div>
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We met the coolest Adventista couple who own a health food store here- whole grain bread and soy milk and essential oils and quinoa = best Bonfim Discovery! There´s a really good group of free thinking healthy eaters here :) plus I´ve made friends with the dream catcher creator at the feira and he´s going to teach me to make dream catchers this week!!!</div>
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I´m so happy here! We are teaching such wonderful people, helping many come back and everyday meeting new investigators. It is truly the best thing in the world to serve as a missionary. I can say it´s the best decision I´ve made thus far in my life. I know I´m right where I´m supposed to be :) Love you guys! Be safe, say your prayers and remember that God love you more than you can understand! Ate mais!</div>
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-Sister McKenzie</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sister leader love!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uraguay + USA = Brazilian at heart</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three generations..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coolest shirt I own..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Five for Sister Hart!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_qHoUvDufU/U5838Zkt7iI/AAAAAAAADXk/qKvUowjgXdo/s1600/DSC07823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_qHoUvDufU/U5838Zkt7iI/AAAAAAAADXk/qKvUowjgXdo/s1600/DSC07823.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many mission presidentes do you know that kick a soccer ball with that level of skill?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">:)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Be2zG_Sc5lQ/U5839ge61SI/AAAAAAAADX4/Z8st54wY8IM/s1600/DSC07828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Be2zG_Sc5lQ/U5839ge61SI/AAAAAAAADX4/Z8st54wY8IM/s1600/DSC07828.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of Petrolina and Juazeiro</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ULJkatrpvg/U583-cCME4I/AAAAAAAADYI/POO3Q31M094/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ULJkatrpvg/U583-cCME4I/AAAAAAAADYI/POO3Q31M094/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will miss these two..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMFwP6zj0G8/U583_DDdJmI/AAAAAAAADas/kHF1AlXfGUs/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMFwP6zj0G8/U583_DDdJmI/AAAAAAAADas/kHF1AlXfGUs/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peace..be with you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1lWdjqmx2o/U584AHhuJLI/AAAAAAAADZA/80rzEngh8SY/s1600/DSC07848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S1lWdjqmx2o/U584AHhuJLI/AAAAAAAADZA/80rzEngh8SY/s1600/DSC07848.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy bus ride!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsdXdANGWaA/U584AyCHO2I/AAAAAAAADZY/d6ekLxx1ZY0/s1600/DSC07860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsdXdANGWaA/U584AyCHO2I/AAAAAAAADZY/d6ekLxx1ZY0/s1600/DSC07860.JPG" height="297" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy bus ride 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_9fJQRgVKc/U584BDqYsyI/AAAAAAAADYw/bqNW7uLHiF8/s1600/IMG_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U_9fJQRgVKc/U584BDqYsyI/AAAAAAAADYw/bqNW7uLHiF8/s1600/IMG_0640.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Mother Daughter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU85jbqFu4I/U584C1gByMI/AAAAAAAADYY/NTV-7wiGUGE/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BU85jbqFu4I/U584C1gByMI/AAAAAAAADYY/NTV-7wiGUGE/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ahhh...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMqFCH65mO8/U584DRuZ73I/AAAAAAAADYg/ubSuGX3DlDc/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yMqFCH65mO8/U584DRuZ73I/AAAAAAAADYg/ubSuGX3DlDc/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our railroad..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Ma6H7aGxxc/U584D8C8o7I/AAAAAAAADZQ/gL-2x-5WIH4/s1600/DSC07872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Ma6H7aGxxc/U584D8C8o7I/AAAAAAAADZQ/gL-2x-5WIH4/s1600/DSC07872.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GOOOOO BRASIL!!! (Sorry america :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWII7mKkIuI/U584ES6BINI/AAAAAAAADZk/9J1Q7eOHJEs/s1600/DSC07876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWII7mKkIuI/U584ES6BINI/AAAAAAAADZk/9J1Q7eOHJEs/s1600/DSC07876.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">sister mackessie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1BjyXmUMm8/U584E_QFQGI/AAAAAAAADZw/XZl33RX_sdA/s1600/DSC07882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1BjyXmUMm8/U584E_QFQGI/AAAAAAAADZw/XZl33RX_sdA/s1600/DSC07882.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">our lovely sociedade de socorro</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y6ikXbieWI/U584F5xWy1I/AAAAAAAADZ4/S4W3UIJFCac/s1600/DSC07883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Y6ikXbieWI/U584F5xWy1I/AAAAAAAADZ4/S4W3UIJFCac/s1600/DSC07883.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love those girls..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6pqeqMIm9t8/U584HCOgHHI/AAAAAAAADaI/VsrcNOqqV2c/s1600/DSC07886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6pqeqMIm9t8/U584HCOgHHI/AAAAAAAADaI/VsrcNOqqV2c/s1600/DSC07886.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love these girls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sjf2Tfl0Sk8/U584H6AO4pI/AAAAAAAADaQ/wlicq-APays/s1600/DSC07889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sjf2Tfl0Sk8/U584H6AO4pI/AAAAAAAADaQ/wlicq-APays/s1600/DSC07889.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bridge to alto..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omvDEvUpNyM/U584IoUcNhI/AAAAAAAADaY/suvvoF_99XM/s1600/DSC07896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omvDEvUpNyM/U584IoUcNhI/AAAAAAAADaY/suvvoF_99XM/s1600/DSC07896.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sister stone's gato</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtjOVFCfcew/U584JDK3XDI/AAAAAAAADag/eitEUyxx4bc/s1600/DSC07897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtjOVFCfcew/U584JDK3XDI/AAAAAAAADag/eitEUyxx4bc/s1600/DSC07897.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what a cutie..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkh1jKHJcrc/U584Jn0l9UI/AAAAAAAADYo/PkWUK5zqFMk/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkh1jKHJcrc/U584Jn0l9UI/AAAAAAAADYo/PkWUK5zqFMk/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clean up clean up!</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-46400006276447235322014-06-09T14:00:00.003-07:002014-06-09T14:00:47.916-07:00Strawberry Fields<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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It´s June! Can you believe it?? I remember thinking, ``When World Cup comes around I´ll have 9 months on the mission.`` That seemed so far away, and now it´s here: the streets are decorated, Brazil shirts are being sold on every corner, the emails telling us to stay inside and not cheer for anyone...where has the time gone?? In just three months I´ll almost be at a year :0 And that Gary came home <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1179169527" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> and Kev comes home in a few weeks. It really feels like yesterday that he left, and now ahhh he´s coming home! So exciting!!<br /></div>
We had a wonderful FHE with the branch this week- helping the members be missionaries! The Reflief Scoeity room was full! We shared a message about missionary work and the power of members in the conversion process. We introduced our ``Sair com as Sisteres`` calendar where they signed up for a day during the week to visit less-active members in their neighborhood and friends or family who might be interested in our message. Then we gave each returned missionary a scenario (a person they would be acting out) and divided them into groups. Each group had to plan a lesson of how they would teach that person (focussing on the specific problem or question the investigator had). We gave them pamphlets, scripture and 15 minutes to plan. They all got really into it- the youth and not-so-youth alike. After, we had each group present. They got extra points for creativity and some were soooo funny- I love Brazilians! Each group truly sought to answer the investigator´s questions and there was such a beautiful spirit- I was so proud! The members have such strong testimonies and really know the douctrine. It was so great to see them get excited about teaching the gospel. And it helped a lot to have them train for when they do visits with us. The calendar is working already! We have had so many references and our days are fullllllllll of lessons- we almost never have time for dinner! It´s wonderful!<br /></div>
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1179169528" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Friday</span></span> we had such a wonderful lesson with Lana. She is the aunt of a girl we are teaching (our friend from the papelaria). Her husband recently passed away and she has one daughter who is living with Lana´s parents because she has to work full time. It´s a really hard situation and Lana has so much on her shoulders. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation. When we finished (and during) the lesson she had such wonderful question: ``what about those who didn´t choose God´s plan?`` ``How did Christ pay for ALL the sins of the world?`` ``where is my husband now?```. We explained our pre-mortal life, our purpose here and where we are going after. She told us she always thought it was the way we explained it but at the church she was going to they explained it a lot differently. She told us she was always scared to say something different but that now she understands the truth and that it made so much sense to her. I love teaching the Plan of Salvation so much, it´s perfect (of course)!<br /></div>
All in all, this week was really happy. Full of good food, walking, sharing, learning, reading...everything good in one week! Brazil is such a happy place. Actually, what I´ve learned here is that every place is a happy place if you make it so. Each day we decide how the day will be. Lunch might fall through, members might not find you in the praca and leave without calling, you might even get bit by 100000000 misquitos (not that all of that happened this week or anything (it did)) BUT you decide what will be of your days, yor months, your years and your eternity. Do you really want it spend stressed, worried, annoyed, negative and wasted away? I would say obrigada mas nao to that. No, no thank you. Not when there´s so much good. Lunch at the best resturaunt (because lunch fell through), beautiful scriptures, a list of members to visit, investigators who become like family (hemming skirts and inviting us to learn how to make traditional Sao Joao food), crazy people in the praca (``voce e de fora``. ``Sim. Estados Unidos``. ``Onde e isso?``. ``Norte de aqui...bem norte`` oh gosh...), meeting the most diverse group of people and loving them all, watching the streets turn yellow and green-GOOOO BRASILL, Zone Conference this week- such an amazing 8 months with President and Sister Hart and new mission parents coming so soon, a wonderful filha who learns so quickly and loves people so much and doesn´t get embarassed by anything and follows the Spirit, the knowledge that I´ve gained here of my purpose in life, the sun shining each day, like God´s approval shining down upon us, and an asurity that my future is secure, bright and better than anything I can dream of.<br /></div>
I am forever grateful for the new perspective the mission has given me. I never realized how much has been given on my behalf. How could I ever have been stressed or bitter? What gives me the right to act with ingratitude? When all that I have, the very breath I breath is only borrowed; I too shall return unto dust, this mortal body is but a second, temporary estate. Eternity awaits. It hinges on these short years, in God´s time no time at all. How I spend my life is how I will spend my ternity. You reap what you sow. ``If we sow thistles, we don´t really plan to get strwberries. If we sow hate we don´t really anticipate to have an abundance of love. We get back, in kind, that which we sow...and we reap, always in greater quantity. We sow a little thistle and we get a lot of thistle- years and years of it, big bushes and branches of it``. We sow a few small strawberry seeds and a large patch of sweet, shareable berried flourish- enough to share with the neighbors. Enough to plant more strawberries, until you world is a strawberry field forever. (thank you Beatles and Elder Holland- inspiring the nations (for the best talk you´ve never heard of search ``Borne Upon Eagles Wings`` in BYU Speeches by Elder Holland it is POWER)). Until next week amigos!!<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-Sister McKenzie</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-CX70oYOMU/U5YbLaWTcbI/AAAAAAAADQQ/LYpizHFaBAQ/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-CX70oYOMU/U5YbLaWTcbI/AAAAAAAADQQ/LYpizHFaBAQ/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">minha filha!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qA9lwH7c4wA/U5YbMD9KjhI/AAAAAAAADQc/m4nYHSzKLkQ/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qA9lwH7c4wA/U5YbMD9KjhI/AAAAAAAADQc/m4nYHSzKLkQ/s1600/IMG_0552.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezs10GrSc-Q/U5YbMuDqFQI/AAAAAAAADQk/q1vkdhDCdhQ/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ezs10GrSc-Q/U5YbMuDqFQI/AAAAAAAADQk/q1vkdhDCdhQ/s1600/IMG_0544.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my cityyyy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEGDKJtCv9A/U5YbNIKtFQI/AAAAAAAADQo/Op_7JZGpBGI/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEGDKJtCv9A/U5YbNIKtFQI/AAAAAAAADQo/Op_7JZGpBGI/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIOi-EHEJN0/U5YbNrjsudI/AAAAAAAADQ0/jn2OASnox6U/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fIOi-EHEJN0/U5YbNrjsudI/AAAAAAAADQ0/jn2OASnox6U/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we love you! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rncSBhAJlQg/U5YbOXyiO6I/AAAAAAAADQ8/f3F_7cwznhA/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rncSBhAJlQg/U5YbOXyiO6I/AAAAAAAADQ8/f3F_7cwznhA/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our FHE</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-uKdIxJjqA/U5YbO2GJPfI/AAAAAAAADRE/Zx7u3ag87Dw/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-uKdIxJjqA/U5YbO2GJPfI/AAAAAAAADRE/Zx7u3ag87Dw/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite quote!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUk5gTNlOMs/U5YbPGXZFUI/AAAAAAAADRM/jSt-SipjqcU/s1600/IMG_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUk5gTNlOMs/U5YbPGXZFUI/AAAAAAAADRM/jSt-SipjqcU/s1600/IMG_0495.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">senhor do bonfim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrOgnfH0f44/U5YbPmEvm0I/AAAAAAAADRQ/_xoVegIHrdI/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrOgnfH0f44/U5YbPmEvm0I/AAAAAAAADRQ/_xoVegIHrdI/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the kitchen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa1YFIYwMXY/U5YbQF1054I/AAAAAAAADRY/n_X6iOX7VyU/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aa1YFIYwMXY/U5YbQF1054I/AAAAAAAADRY/n_X6iOX7VyU/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i love this lady!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehx6tJUcero/U5YbSI2mmHI/AAAAAAAADRg/VqU_lTVQdyM/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ehx6tJUcero/U5YbSI2mmHI/AAAAAAAADRg/VqU_lTVQdyM/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">minha filha!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">noite de spa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the roadway </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">breakfast</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-88624118412562248162014-06-02T11:36:00.000-07:002014-06-02T11:36:22.989-07:00Each day here, I learn something new<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Sister Reis and I are doing so well here in Bonfim! It´s been a little colder, but besides that this week was all smiles and sunshine! We are teaching such wonderful ´people and working a lot with less active members. It´s hard to see that many of them still have a testimony, they just get discouraged along the path. That´s where we come in! Helping them feel the happiness of the gospel again, it´s the best!</div>
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One of my favorite parts of this week was fast and testimony meeting- so beautiful! From the moment the first counselor sat down, there was a huge line of members to bare their testimonies. Every single one was so perfect. It´s amazing to see the strength of the members. They don´t just believe, they know. Many of them are preparing for the temple caravan that goes next month. It´s a 15 hour trip to the Recife Temple, yet almost half the branch is going. I think of what determination they have to make and renew temple covenants and to give the opportunity to their ancestors the blessings of the temple. I wish I could go with them! I miss the temple!</div>
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Each day here, I learn something new. It´s amazing how the Lord truly takes the small sacrifice of time that I´ve made and sanctifies it. My morning studies, my conversations with my companion, our lessons to investigators and less active members- everything is so much more profound here. Maybe it´s because we aren´t distracted as much by the things of the world. We really are focusing all of our time, energy, efforts and talents in the work of the Lord. And He makes the time sacred. More than any other time in my life, I can see the hand of Lord. Each day, Sister Reis and I write a miracle that happened. Usually we don't have space to fit them all! The Lord is involved in the details of our lives. He lives, and He is with us. Continue in prayer, God be with you! </div>
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Te amo!</div>
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-Sister McKenzie</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our favorite fruta- pina!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first missionary in Bonfim returned (he´s American :))</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we are creative :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">minha reinha!</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-65613440952246778412014-05-30T21:32:00.001-07:002014-05-30T22:30:45.596-07:00The Best Decission<br />
Happy happy week! Senhor do Bonfim is truly such an amazing little city. And Sister Reis is an amazing little companion. And our investigators are amazing. And everything is just AMAZING!<br />
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I can hardly believe it´s already the third week of this transfer, the time is truly flying. I am loving Sister Reis more and more each day. She is such a hard worker and teaches with the Spirit, I always forget that it´s only her third week here- she´s a pro already! It is such a blessing to be able to train and I´m looking forward to our next few months together!<br />
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Like I told you guys yesterday on Skype, the mission is truly the best decision I´ve made thus far in my life. Everyday, we see miracles. This is truly the work of the Lord. I know that He is truly guiding us each day; helping us find those who have been prepared by His hand to accept His gospel. I know that we are so blessed to have this knowledge. Like Elder Holland, I can directly trace every blessing and every good thing in my life back to the gospel.<br />
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``Eis que eu sou a lei e a luz. Confiai em mim e perseverai ate of fim e vivereis`` 3 Nefi 15:9<br />
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Everything we have, everything that we are and everything that we can become is because of our Savior. Trust in Him and He will make your life so much more than you could ever imagine. He has great things in store for you. You will find true joy when you follow Him. Joy that is independent of circumstances, trials or changes. Loose yourself in His work and you will find who you were always meant to be. I´m finding that here.<br />
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I love you guys!<br />
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Sister McKenzie<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: start;"> We preach it</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: start;">The best girl in Bonfim!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">happy happy day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsnL2WybA0c/U4la8x-uY6I/AAAAAAAAC9M/Mst5IUI-ly4/s1600/DSC07662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsnL2WybA0c/U4la8x-uY6I/AAAAAAAAC9M/Mst5IUI-ly4/s1600/DSC07662.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: start;">The most stressful cake of my life...but it worked out</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: start;"> esta chuvendo?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: start;">J for Jaguarari!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-77910068283080569712014-05-20T01:51:00.001-07:002014-05-20T01:51:50.757-07:00First Week Being a Trainer <div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">
Wonderful week here in Senhor do Bonfim! And the best part...Sister Reis, my filha!!! I went and got her <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1947193524" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span>. Well actually, we left Monday at midnight (7 hours to Salvador!), but I met her <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1947193525" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday</span></span>. I knew the moment I saw her that she would be my trainee. When we got to President´s house, two sisters were in the living room, but there were three of us training. I talked a little bit with the other two, then went to use the restroom. Sister Reis was there and she said she wasnt feeling well. My mom mode kicked in right away. Peptobismol saves a life yet again! It was meant to be :) We got back to Bonfim <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1947193526" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span> morning, rested a little bit then off to work! We are teaching the most amazinggggggg people! I love them all so much! I wish you guys could meet them! Our area is really big, BUT the Lord is helping us use our time effectively and we´ve had so much success in just this first half week, I´m so excited to see what He has in store for us!</div>
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Sister Reis is learning English :) she has such a good accent! And she remembers things so quickly! We are teaching fluidly and with the Spirit, I couldn´t ask for more!</div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1947193527" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> was my eight month birthday, I can´t believe it! Nearly at my halfway mark! It has truly flown by, but a lot has happened too. I can already say that deciding to serve a mission is the best decision I´ve made thus far in my life and I still have so many more experiences and miracles to come! I can´t imagine my life now without serving a mission. It would be missing so much! I´ve learned things of eternal worth, things that I don´t believe I could have learned in any other setting. I can now say that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God lives. He loves us. He sent His Son so that we can live forever in happiness. The Savior´s sacrifice makes anything and everything possible. We are free. Our future is secure. In Him, we have a covanant. In Him, we have an anchor. In Him, we have eternity. </div>
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``I´´m so so so happy. I can´t describe my happiness to you. 60 years of searching and I´ve found the truth`` -Edison (one of our wonderful investigators). Like Edison, we can all feel true happiness. We have the key, the door and the path. Pray and read your scriptures! I love you all! Se cuida!</div>
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-Sister McKenzie</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-17510332955372696772014-05-05T10:29:00.000-07:002014-05-30T21:53:21.870-07:00Strong Week<div dir="ltr">
<div>
What a week! Started off strong with a visit from
Sister Oliveira (my mom) and Sister Felartigus (my second mom) who are
both now Sister Trainers. They are wonderful! I´m getting more used to
the city now, which is god because transfers are NEXT WEEK whattttttt. 4
week transfers are great. Just kidding. Especially since I love love
love my companion. She is such a sweet girl! I don´t want her to leave
:( maybe she will stay :) but probably not because she´s already been
here for three transfers and this is her first area. In one week we
shall know. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Well winter has arrived in Bahia. I never thought I
would need my sweater, oh how wrong I was! My companion got a little
sick with the weather change :( lentils+blankets+tylonol sinus and we
were back to work! And what wonderful work! Rute and Jaer= most prepared
couple in Bonfim. They are amazing! We went there <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_791200143" tabindex="0">Thursday</span>,
our second lesson with them. She has so many good questions and such a
special light. Jaer is less active but is starting to come back. His
testimony is really strong and he helps so much with teaching Rute. They
want to get married in the temple!!!!!!!! Ahhhh I´m so excited for the
progress ther are making. They are truly growing together in the Lord
and it´s the happiest thing to be a part of. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Our branch here is the best! President is always so
willing to help with everything. And the irmas and irmaos truly make us
feel at home. And the youth are so strong! They go with us proselyting
and bring friends with them to church and activities. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_791200144" tabindex="0">Saturday</span>
we had ``Arvore da Vida`` activity at the chapel with all the youth.
Based on Lehi´s dream, we did a mini iron rod and tree of life. They had
to hold to ``iron rod`` (a rope that went through the whole church) and
make it to the tree of life without taking either of their hands off
the iron rod. They got in groups of four and we blindfolded them and had
them start walking. They started outside walking on a bunch of stuff
(without shoes): leaves, plastic bags, popcorn etc. There are also 10
million frogs here, poor kids had frogs jumping all over their feet with
blindfolds on. I felt especially bad for the one kid who seriously has a
phobia of frogs. He started screaming let go of the iron rod :( but we
let him repent :) They had a series of ``temptations``(chocolate,
baladas, etc). About half made it to the tree of life (my twinkle lights
and candles came in handy, it was a beautiful tree:)). We had everyone
come in together and talk about the symbolism of the activity. They had
such amazing insight and testimonies! They are truly so strong. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I´m loving it here! Bonfim is an elect city and the
people are so prepared for the gospel. I´m so grateful for my
opportunity to serve here. I know that this exactly where I need to be
right now. I am learning so much about working with love, about myself,
and about my Savior. He is truly with us through every challenge and
every triump. We need only to look to Him, keep His commandments, and
trust. Have faith that everything will be wonderful, because it will. He
is the Author, and He can write a life story far more beautiful than
anything we can author alone. Never be afraid to trust an unknown future
to a known God. He has made Himself known, and He renews that knowledge
each day in our hearts when we seek Him. He is with you. As are my
prayers. I love you!!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
-Sister McKenzie</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Salvador - Bahia, Brazil-12.9722286 -38.501420100000018-13.2198731 -38.824143600000021 -12.7245841 -38.178696600000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-7441846624821378242014-04-15T13:42:00.002-07:002014-04-15T13:48:14.288-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">April
14, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Familia:
Olaaaa Senhor de Bom Fim!! So sad to say goodbye to my St. Antonio home, but
I'm so excited too! Hop on the bus for 9 hours tomorrow and I'm there! With
Sister De Souza, uma novina who just finished training. Brazilian again, yay! I
don't think I'll ever have an American companion :) North American that is. I
talked with sister Oliveira ( (minha mae), it was her first area. She said it's
realy little and the ward is AMAZING! I have such a wonderful feeing about it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
last week was amazing here! Ah I love this city. Sunday was rough saying
goodbye to my family here. Combined with 'Dues Vos Guidrde (god be with you
till we meet again)", ah tears of joy and sadness, but so beautiful! I've
learned so much in my time here. Not just about being a missionary (obviou,
muto sobre isso) but also about the gospel, about people, about the nature of
Christ, about myself. Lived and loved without regreats here. And now I'm
turning a new page, starting a new chapter of the mission! So exciting!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well
lots to do today! Seeing as there's only one supermarket there and one farmacy
gotta buy shampoo and skirts while I still have a chance! Love you all! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sempre
Sister McKenzie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"No
se conformen con la mediorcirdad, si el exito esta' a su aleance" <
elder Andersen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKWpWeYDbbE/U02ZNbjYSTI/AAAAAAAACJ8/z2NIfWnpx58/s1600/DSC07425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKWpWeYDbbE/U02ZNbjYSTI/AAAAAAAACJ8/z2NIfWnpx58/s1600/DSC07425.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love this family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFi9Iodm4L0/U02ZM4ZxDOI/AAAAAAAACJ0/OpGIytGcz1Q/s1600/DSC07437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFi9Iodm4L0/U02ZM4ZxDOI/AAAAAAAACJ0/OpGIytGcz1Q/s1600/DSC07437.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">christmas party for the christmas lover (eu)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9F6z8Z_8b8/U02ZOAGafTI/AAAAAAAACJs/GYFHAhH-lQk/s1600/DSC07392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9F6z8Z_8b8/U02ZOAGafTI/AAAAAAAACJs/GYFHAhH-lQk/s1600/DSC07392.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my lovely!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ROAxJbSFXs/U02ZOdk8fdI/AAAAAAAACKY/AeAyiQ1mBqE/s1600/DSC07375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ROAxJbSFXs/U02ZOdk8fdI/AAAAAAAACKY/AeAyiQ1mBqE/s1600/DSC07375.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love these little ones!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpAXgNrf4wc/U02ZPNLr_QI/AAAAAAAACKI/4gGlYfg6TAo/s1600/DSC07349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YpAXgNrf4wc/U02ZPNLr_QI/AAAAAAAACKI/4gGlYfg6TAo/s1600/DSC07349.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunshine state!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfofBfxO_3w/U02ZPrUTbkI/AAAAAAAACKM/nESH_bzIrng/s1600/DSC07336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfofBfxO_3w/U02ZPrUTbkI/AAAAAAAACKM/nESH_bzIrng/s1600/DSC07336.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bubble guns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0mC5EhW6B-4/U02ZQIerHuI/AAAAAAAACKU/72snv5yHffs/s1600/DSC07334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0mC5EhW6B-4/U02ZQIerHuI/AAAAAAAACKU/72snv5yHffs/s1600/DSC07334.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our favorite, irma gel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrzO_SSHaq0/U02ZQXqfHxI/AAAAAAAACKg/UhYWWXKUtKA/s1600/DSC07329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrzO_SSHaq0/U02ZQXqfHxI/AAAAAAAACKg/UhYWWXKUtKA/s1600/DSC07329.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best guitar teacher on the block!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv2Wvg7aa3U/U02ZRGMBbRI/AAAAAAAACKo/zEAf5qlA6jI/s1600/DSC07304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv2Wvg7aa3U/U02ZRGMBbRI/AAAAAAAACKo/zEAf5qlA6jI/s1600/DSC07304.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">´´vamos na grama, vamos na grama´´</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_X3oG945wcw/U02ZRljnepI/AAAAAAAACKs/YlQeRtIRFMg/s1600/DSC07303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_X3oG945wcw/U02ZRljnepI/AAAAAAAACKs/YlQeRtIRFMg/s1600/DSC07303.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">irmã fafa and irmão sendo val! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKNd8lEO41Y/U02ZSUbRJSI/AAAAAAAACK0/t2kBkqsmdlU/s1600/DSC07294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKNd8lEO41Y/U02ZSUbRJSI/AAAAAAAACK0/t2kBkqsmdlU/s1600/DSC07294.JPG" height="320" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: start;">this poor creature, i hit its head ont he table ahhhh. but i think he was ok</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZHPXq33mrs/U02ZSz29E9I/AAAAAAAACK8/V9jjWugBup0/s1600/DSC07293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZHPXq33mrs/U02ZSz29E9I/AAAAAAAACK8/V9jjWugBup0/s1600/DSC07293.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uX1-3ZdW7gM/U02ZUZKy0BI/AAAAAAAACLQ/Hh9VRK6FHYM/s1600/DSC07275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uX1-3ZdW7gM/U02ZUZKy0BI/AAAAAAAACLQ/Hh9VRK6FHYM/s1600/DSC07275.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1u4ahDOEJyc/U02ZVDDTiVI/AAAAAAAACLc/MYHw55Nhl8A/s1600/DSC07274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1u4ahDOEJyc/U02ZVDDTiVI/AAAAAAAACLc/MYHw55Nhl8A/s1600/DSC07274.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; text-align: start;">ust learning karate...mission skills you never thought youd learn </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Zq8xturzw/U02ZVlH9X9I/AAAAAAAACLY/PV-PNS9uI3Q/s1600/DSC07271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-Zq8xturzw/U02ZVlH9X9I/AAAAAAAACLY/PV-PNS9uI3Q/s1600/DSC07271.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-36125874775589512752014-04-07T16:30:00.001-07:002014-04-07T16:41:13.624-07:00Conferencia General.<div class="MsoNormal">
Olá gente! Another sunshine week here in <st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place>
Antonio, Na cidade (In the City), it rained 10 million gallons (e näo sei
quantos litros) this week. Every morning
it’s a life decision between sunscreen or an umbrella, usually pack and use
lotion, oh <st1:place w:st="on">Bahia</st1:place>! Your weather is so
random. But I love you! Another random but loveable story, this week
I met two Canadian psychologist in the praca (square) I saw them from across the road;
Birkenstocks, bermudas and blond…definitely not Bahian. I introduced myself like
normal, “oi eu sou Sister McKenzie posso faxer um convite bem rapidino para
voces?” deer in the headlights. Let’s
try, “Hi I’m Sister McKenzie” Yup they were so happy to find and English
speaker ha ha. The best part was then their student came who they were waiting
for showed up, I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek (how to greet anyone
(female) here) and one said, “Is that normal to say hello for the first time?”
(kissing that is) So normal I forgot we don’t do that at home, that is going to
be such a weird habit to break plus speaking only in English…I will just
apologize in advance if I hug everyone and speak Portuglish when I’m back.
We’re teaching such amazing people! I love them all so much. I really cannot
imagine leaving now…done imagining I’ll just pretend I’m going to stay here
forever. You guys can come visit in a year, beleza? Certo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday was the baptism of Itilo, ah so amazing! The other
sisters have been teaching him for the past few months. Such a spiritually strong
young man! The best part was that his brother, Yiago (who is also a recent
convert) got to baptize him! They both really want to serve missions. They will
be such awesome elders. I love working with the youth here. Many of them come
from difficult family situations and are truly looking for a place they can
feel at home. The gospel provides them with the sense of who they truly are,
sons and daughters of our heavenly father. They are so full of hope for the future
and faith in the father and I have been inspired and strengthened by their stories
I wish you could all meet Isdora, Agnoldo Bruna, Irenildo, Fabio, Wagner, the
bishop here; everyone is so wonderful! It’s amazing to see how thousands
of miles away from <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state>
and BYU, the gospel and the church are truly the same. When I walk into the
chapel, I feel the same spirit that I feel at home. It’s so good to know that
truly anywhere we go in the world, we have a family. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone here is getting geared up for Conference, Super
feliz somana! I shall begin at my favorite part…Conferencia General. Can you be
any more amazing?? I think not. And so wonderful in Portuguese! Props to the
translators, that would be a tough job, but they do so well! With inflection
and emotion I really felt like I got the spirit of the messages and not just
the words. A few things that were said (just kidding everything that was said
but especially these) really got me…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What legacy will you leave? (Sister Burton, President
Eyring Elder <st1:city w:st="on">Walker</st1:city>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->God’s truths are never changing and we must stand for
those truths no matter the popular view (Elder Holland, Sister Reeves, Elder
Anderson, Elder Nelson, Elder Hales, Elder Stevenson)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->There is safety and solace in keeping our covenants
(Sister Wilson Elder Eyring, Elder Holland, Sister Reeves, Elder Anderson,
Elder Perry)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Bear with patience and happiness every burden. </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Only obedience in all things brings eternal happiness
and peace. (Sister Burton, Elder
Anderson, President Eyring, Elder Perry)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We must be the hands of the lord and lift the burdens
of others (Sister Oscarson, Elder Rasband, Elder Amado, Elder Scott, Elder
Zwick. Elder Ballard, President Monson)</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Maintain your focus on eternal goals </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Our time here is incredibly short and we must use it
with wisdom </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The family is the central unit of eternity and thus
must be the center of our lives. We must love and serve our family.
(President Monson, Sister Burton, Sister
Reeves, President Eyring)</div>
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And so many more! But these were some themes. Such a
blessing to have General Conference! And I’m so excited for when the Liahona
comes! I pray that you all will study and ponder the words of the lord given
through his special witnesses. Continue in faith, love and service with an
eternal perspective of the legacy you will leave and with a heart full of hope
and gratitude. You only have four minutes! And an eternity to reflect upon it. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
How wonderful! Well I could talk about General Conference Segunda feira anthra
BUT I trust that you all are already doing so. Other highlights of this week
include a collection of vintage Beatles albums (See Photo) encountered in <st1:place w:st="on">Bahia</st1:place>…what! Tis true, the world loves you Beatles. One
year birthday for Sister Grundvig! ONE YEAR!! Made a secret cake early morning
elf (eu<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>)
decorated the kitchen. Happy birthday tambien to the best mom in the world! 30
years old! Woohoo! The sun was shining for you! Which is actually miraculous
because a chuva chegava, essa semana entire quase. Sol onde hore esta?? (it
rained all week) But it’s still hot when it rains..that’s goodish. But the streets
are empty when it rains as well. They have real fear…of rain. They make me
scarred of rain too. My companion is maravil besa! Such an amazing sister! I
LOVE EVERYHING HERE! Almost everything…menos bacatas but they usually keep to
themselves. Wonderful work as usual! </div>
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Love you!</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Sister McKenzie</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-22341764090691482792014-03-25T21:34:00.000-07:002014-03-25T22:40:52.074-07:00March 24, 2014 Brazil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-7232033290669846972014-03-21T17:26:00.001-07:002014-03-21T17:26:34.308-07:00Hello from St. Antonio!!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello from <st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place> Antonio!! I
stayed here <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Sister Felartigus left me for Petrolina <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span>,
she is a sister leader out there now! Maybe I will join her next transfer. That’s the area that is really far from the
rest of the mission (ten hours on the bus!).
It’s in another state actually. I’ve heard it’s so so hot there, but
luckily we past the hottest months. It’s
becoming fall now, although honestly it seems to only be getting hotter! Even with sun screen everyday I’ve gotten brown.
I’m so grateful that I brought sunscreen because it’s really expensive here and
I would seriously be a lobster without it.</div>
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I can tell this is going to be such an amazing
transfer. My new companion is
awesome!! I love her so much
already. She’s from the interior of <st1:city w:st="on">Sao Paulo</st1:city>, like Sister
Oliveira. She is hilarious, we’ve
laughed so much this past week. I am
learning so much from her example. I am
so grateful that I’ve had all native companions; it’s really helped with the
language. Most people think I’m from
Argentina or Rio Grande do Sul which makes me so happy! But a lot of Brazilians don’t like <st1:country-region w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region> (especially with World Cup
approaching) so we’re working on my <st1:place w:st="on">Southern Brazil</st1:place>
accent<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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We have a new American with us! Sister Grundvig is training her. She served in the States for one transfer and
now she’s with us! She’s such a cute
girl and she’s adapting really well to the culture. Three Americans and one
Brazilian, the opposite of when I came!
By my companion knows some English and wants to learn so it’s
perfect! She loves American music,
chocolate and people <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Yay. That
reminds me I got Grandma’s and Grandpa’s and the Smith’s from our ward Christmas
packages. The Brazilians <u>love </u>American
chocolate, we ate a pound of it in about 10 minutes, it was great! The chocolate is really different here. I
prefer American but honestly there’s so much fruit here I never need to buy
sweets.</div>
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We are teaching so many amazing people! I wish you guys could meet them all. We meet
mostly with teenagers and families, which I love so much. It is truly amazing to
see how they have been prepared to hear the gospel, they are an elect people. I
know I will probably leave here this next transfer. It’s going to be so hard to
leave the ward and all of our investigators. I love them all so much. I feel so
at home here. The culture is so inclusive and, even though I’m far from you
guys, I don’t feel homesick. They’ve adopted me <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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I will be at my 6 month mark pretty soon here! I cannot
believe how fast the times has gone, it feels like I was just saying goodbye to
you guys and now I’m almost 1/3 of the way to coming back. I am so grateful for
the decision I made to serve. I can think of no better thing I could be doing
with my time. I’ve learned and grown and seen so many miracles and I can’t imagine
what it would have been like had I stayed. It truly is the best 18 months. I
know the things I’m learning here are lessons for eternity. Continue to share
this amazing gospel! I love you all so much!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOrOJZCE3b4/UyzT6DokhiI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/FBTAHt4Yy4E/s1600/OI%2521+the+egg+telephones+are+everywhere%2521%2521left.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOrOJZCE3b4/UyzT6DokhiI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/FBTAHt4Yy4E/s1600/OI%2521+the+egg+telephones+are+everywhere%2521%2521left.JPG" height="320" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">OI! the egg telephones are everywhere!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxkSgfB65j4/UyzXfYtJrlI/AAAAAAAAB44/p5AcUWTZ17o/s1600/baby+kittten+loves+me+left.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zxkSgfB65j4/UyzXfYtJrlI/AAAAAAAAB44/p5AcUWTZ17o/s1600/baby+kittten+loves+me+left.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">baby kitten loves me!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtF0s2zRD0Y/UyzXfzroWoI/AAAAAAAAB5M/l9GMoyO4UbQ/s1600/bye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dtF0s2zRD0Y/UyzXfzroWoI/AAAAAAAAB5M/l9GMoyO4UbQ/s1600/bye.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">saying bye to these cute Americans!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bR_Qqh13qP8/UyzXgTCmNJI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/dBW4kVM27OU/s1600/my+house+in+Brazil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bR_Qqh13qP8/UyzXgTCmNJI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/dBW4kVM27OU/s1600/my+house+in+Brazil.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">my house in Brazil</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znQXPfCx7jQ/UyzXfLWaqkI/AAAAAAAAB5A/Co3s13PQVvc/s1600/Our+day+trip+to+get+a+birth+certificate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znQXPfCx7jQ/UyzXfLWaqkI/AAAAAAAAB5A/Co3s13PQVvc/s1600/Our+day+trip+to+get+a+birth+certificate.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Our day trip to get a birth certificate</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BY93stPxms4/UyzXhCR69eI/AAAAAAAAB5g/Jn9ppPMfCjE/s1600/sister+leader+fruit+festival!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BY93stPxms4/UyzXhCR69eI/AAAAAAAAB5g/Jn9ppPMfCjE/s1600/sister+leader+fruit+festival!.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">sister leader fruit festival!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqNxyk17gPU/UyzXhTc1MAI/AAAAAAAAB5o/hASXO-HASL4/s1600/streets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqNxyk17gPU/UyzXhTc1MAI/AAAAAAAAB5o/hASXO-HASL4/s1600/streets.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">streets :)</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-12600834459039121812014-02-25T14:31:00.001-08:002014-03-25T22:33:44.419-07:00Bom dia mundo! (Good morning world!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Coming
into the last week of the transfer, can you believe that? It’s literally been some of the fastest weeks
of my life! We were just finishing
training and now I’m a month away from 6 months ahh. I think I will probably go
to a <st1:city w:st="on">new city</st1:city>
this next transfer, but we shall see!<br />
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This week was wonderful!
Some highlights were our English class, the ward CTM, going to the
market, meeting new people and learning from Sister Felartigus (she is the
best!). It’s so fun to teach our English
class Sister Grundvig and I love it so much.
This week we were teaching the verb “to like” (gostar). She was a little late so I started
translating the first hymn, “Hark all ye Nations” when she got there we
realized that I had written a bunch of the words wrong <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span> but they couldn’t tell
and we just fixed them . Anyways, we started teaching them “This Little Light
of Mine”, which went well! They like to
sing! I told Sister Grundvig that we
should draw things they like to do. She
thought I said “ write things with light”, she wrote the word sun first, which
worked for both. Then she wrote the word
lamp. I asked Sister Grundvig, “ Do you think a lot of them like lamps?:” and
she said no it has light. We are drawing things that have light, right?”. I said, “Things they like”, I think
Portuguese is weakening our English communication skills, haha. Some things get lost in translation still
when I speak Portuguese, but I feel like I can express myself (with a
personality YAY!!) and I understand when people talk to me. I am trying to learn more vocabulary and
practice writing, but speaking is going well!
They think I’m from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region>!
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> That’s probably not the best accent to have
since a lot of Brazilians don’t like Argentina, (the two biggest countries in
South America, so it’s always a competition and with World Cup around the
corner its even more so) but I am happy that at least they think I am from
south America <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>.
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I’m really loving it here. The people are so amazing. They love to share and they are so open to
meeting new people. When it rains
(pretty much everyday), even if we
never met them before someone always lets us inside. Actually when
it’s sunny they invite us in too, haha. Everything is very calm here, there’s
no rush for anything. Stress is not a word to them, they just live each moment
and are happy. I’m learning so much
about true happiness here. We meet
people everyday that have little in material things but they are so giving with
all they have and are truly a happy people.
What a blessing it is to serve them. I know I’m where I need to be and
it is the right time. We are all
becoming who Father needs us to be. Keep smiling, loving, serving and growing!
I love you!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNknhrT_0uM/Uw0OH4dV7AI/AAAAAAAABw0/GFzzBEHnFaU/s1600/test.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNknhrT_0uM/Uw0OH4dV7AI/AAAAAAAABw0/GFzzBEHnFaU/s1600/test.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Brazil !!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5SNMaQ3dJU/Uw0RDOOJRhI/AAAAAAAABxE/fJnGgL0hOps/s1600/our+chapel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5SNMaQ3dJU/Uw0RDOOJRhI/AAAAAAAABxE/fJnGgL0hOps/s1600/our+chapel.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Chapel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WddHrhBZ7dU/Uw0RnKAN0bI/AAAAAAAABxQ/uE59LenC1HQ/s1600/our+failed+gostar+description.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WddHrhBZ7dU/Uw0RnKAN0bI/AAAAAAAABxQ/uE59LenC1HQ/s1600/our+failed+gostar+description.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">our failed gostar description </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBTBtUuKYyk/Uw0SZXNvCOI/AAAAAAAABxY/Y5sVfnjBkhM/s1600/Bruna,+such+a+sweet+girl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBTBtUuKYyk/Uw0SZXNvCOI/AAAAAAAABxY/Y5sVfnjBkhM/s1600/Bruna,+such+a+sweet+girl.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> Bruna, such a sweet girl</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Re_yaZp42NA/Uw0TFLmTzSI/AAAAAAAABxk/xURuJVhP_cI/s1600/our+favorite+resturaunt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Re_yaZp42NA/Uw0TFLmTzSI/AAAAAAAABxk/xURuJVhP_cI/s1600/our+favorite+resturaunt.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">our favorite </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">restaurant</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vCczEjr5TU/Uw0UkxwITVI/AAAAAAAABx0/mlnEOJXuvlM/s1600/it%C2%B4s+raining+it%C2%B4s+pouring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vCczEjr5TU/Uw0UkxwITVI/AAAAAAAABx0/mlnEOJXuvlM/s1600/it%C2%B4s+raining+it%C2%B4s+pouring.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">it´s raining it´s pouring</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIcw46pbeqY/Uw0YKZd8tmI/AAAAAAAAByM/VgAM6HHi6_4/s1600/Dancing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oIcw46pbeqY/Uw0YKZd8tmI/AAAAAAAAByM/VgAM6HHi6_4/s1600/Dancing.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhpYZ71d_7I/Uw0YKY0URdI/AAAAAAAAByQ/630S89xjXBY/s1600/So+Green.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhpYZ71d_7I/Uw0YKY0URdI/AAAAAAAAByQ/630S89xjXBY/s1600/So+Green.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Country</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hq0ujx6XiO8/Uw0YLEMG5vI/AAAAAAAAByc/kGeHeZVosRQ/s1600/The+country+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hq0ujx6XiO8/Uw0YLEMG5vI/AAAAAAAAByc/kGeHeZVosRQ/s1600/The+country+side.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So Green</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0cil4jfx10/Uw0ZSRoyuQI/AAAAAAAABzU/gskwli9Zojs/s1600/The+Neighborhood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0cil4jfx10/Uw0ZSRoyuQI/AAAAAAAABzU/gskwli9Zojs/s1600/The+Neighborhood.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Neighborhood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TECDp-5lHQw/Uw0YKyVMz5I/AAAAAAAAByk/gYJqv0AL_AM/s1600/The+Pet+Goat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TECDp-5lHQw/Uw0YKyVMz5I/AAAAAAAAByk/gYJqv0AL_AM/s1600/The+Pet+Goat.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pet Goat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJprDOb_eZA/Uw0YLmTk87I/AAAAAAAABy0/OstqejcOeKU/s1600/the+sisters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJprDOb_eZA/Uw0YLmTk87I/AAAAAAAABy0/OstqejcOeKU/s1600/the+sisters.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sisters</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-29233192717684324372014-02-10T16:20:00.000-08:002014-02-10T16:20:02.415-08:00Not Sure What to Call this Weeks Post. <div class="MsoNormal">
My Family</div>
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Another wonderful week here in St. Antonio! I love it here! My companion is AMAZING! I’m learning so much from her. Ah, I really wish you guys could meet
her. We work so well together, we really
have the same mindset and pace of work.
This week was a little slower cause it rained and rained. It’s summer I don’t know what’s happening!
It’s still not even close to being cold, but for <st1:place w:st="on">Bahia</st1:place>
it’s quite chilly. I’ve used a sweater
two times this week! But by noon it gets
hot again, then it starts raining randomly, it’s great!</div>
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We almost died this week. Seriously, we were walking down
the main road in our area and there’s a sidewalk in the middle of the street.
It was night time and we were coming back from an investigators house. Anyways,
we were walking and heard this huge crashing sound. We looked back and a car had flipped onto the
sidewalk. We were literally 20 feet away from where it crashed. Just a few seconds earlier we were walking
right there! We both looked at each
other completely shocked. The protection
of a missionary is real!!</div>
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We’ve been having really great success using the ward
list. We’ve found a lot of new people to
teach using it. Some are little rude,
but most are nice. We met one man from
the list and he is awesome! He invited
us to teach his 4 sons and introduced us to his neighbors. He came to church yesterday for the first
time in 10 years, it was such a happy moment to see him there, and the ward was
so awesome in welcoming him. It’s so
wonderful to see someone come back to church. It’s truly like seeing them get
baptized again, it’s so beautiful.</div>
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I really can’t believe how quickly time is flying by. Pretty soon it will be 6 months, 1/3 of my
mission already! I love serving
here. I am so grateful I made the
decision to come here. I can already see that it was one of the best choices in
my life and I know that I will continue to see that with time. Everyday I learn something new about myself,
about others and about my savior.
Everyday is such an opportunity to do something good, to grow and to
help others grow. Our time here is
short, it goes by quick and we only get it once. How do we want to remember
it? When we return to the Father we will
remember everything, our life before, our life here and our future. Take every chance learn, even if you don’t
remember every little thing you study, study anyway! Because one day it will all come back to you. The same goes for serving. <u>Always</u> look for the good in others,
yourself and the world. Make the best of
what you have and continue to leave things more beautiful than when you found
them. I love you all so much and I’m so grateful for you! </div>
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Bejus from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>!</div>
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Love Always,</div>
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Sister McKenzie</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All this fruit was 7 American Dollars</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-45300015745850166782014-02-03T17:03:00.001-08:002014-02-03T22:07:16.881-08:00Best Week of The Mission<div class="MsoNormal">
Fofa Familia</div>
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One of my favorite weeks on the mission, so wonderful. I am
so grateful for the opportunity to serve with Sister Felartigus, she is truly
amazing. I love the way she works with
the people and truly shows she cares for them.
There is such a special spirit in every single one of our lessons and
each day it gets better and better. I
really don’t want to leave! I will
probably only stay here for this transfer and then head off to a new place next
month, ah I don’t want to think of that!
But the reality is next transfer will be 3 transfers almost five months
in one area. I will most likely say
goodbye to my beloved St Antonio de Jesus next month<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span> But onward and
upward! And for now I will enjoy my
favorite city in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> </div>
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Highlight of the week: one of my favorite people that we
have been teaching, Luana got baptized on Sunday! It was truly a miracle. Saturday I was on splits with
an awesome girl from our ward and we went to visit Luana, we
started talking about her concerns regarding baptism and the girl I was with,
Adriana answered every question so perfectly.
At the end, she said, “ I want to be baptized tomorrow”. I almost cried
when I heard that. The spirit testified
so strongly that she was truly prepared and I know that she had finally heard the
answer she had been searching for. We’ve
been teaching her over a month now, but she’s been scared of baptism, but
everything changed Sunday, ah it was truly a miracle. I cant remember if I already shared with you
how we met her, quickly in case I didn’t, her story is truly miraculous. I was
walking in Rua ds Lina with Sister Oliveria and there was a young girl walking
behind us. I thought we had already
talked to her on the street and I found out later that Sister Oliveria thought
she was a friend with someone in our ward.
We were both wrong haha, but for some reason she did look very familiar
to both of us. She walked behind us for
a while then Sister Oliveria turned around and introduced us. She told us that Sisters had already taught
her and started talking about the Word of Wisdom and the Restoration. She invited us into her house and we taught
her the first lesson, it was amazing. We
kept saying she felt medo (afraid). It
wasn’t until Adriana bore her testimony and answered her questions did she feel
ready to be baptized. What a blessing, the testimony of a church member!</div>
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Her baptism was so beautiful, Sister Grundvig sang a perfect
song. And the ordinance itself was so beautiful. It really
made me think what my own baptismal covenants that I made. Seeing her totally clean through baptism, to
see her with such a strong desire to follow Christ, it was truly amazing. I
feel so blessed to have been a small part in helping her make that decision. I
think of the blessings in my life, all the best things trace directly back to the
day our family was baptized. I know the covenants that we make in those waters are
truly the doors that open the pathway to eternal joy for each one of us. I feel so blessed to be one called, “to
invite others to come into Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel
through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving
the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring
till the end”. I could not think of a more wonderful call. To truly be a disciple
of Him. He is directing this work and it
is through His power that I see miracles everyday. This is our message of joy to all: that He
lives. I know this to be true. I love you all and I pray for you sempre (always). God be
with you. </div>
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Love Always,</div>
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Sister McKenzie</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSOiQqO3sf8/UvA7-SJBMeI/AAAAAAAABp0/oFCO4gnnPzg/s1600/spiderdog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSOiQqO3sf8/UvA7-SJBMeI/AAAAAAAABp0/oFCO4gnnPzg/s1600/spiderdog.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Spider dog. They see this dog every day standing on this fence </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-80446378995997423922014-01-21T14:49:00.001-08:002014-01-21T14:50:14.575-08:00Getting a New Companion<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Back at Pday again! It's been a quiet week here. Most people are
at the beach for the holidays so we did lots of walking but not much teaching
as we would have liked:( But that's okay! It's so strange to think
tomorrow I will meet my new companion ahh! I am so sad to say goodbye to Sister
Oliviera. She has taught me so much and has been truly like my mom here. We
were talking last night (final companionship inventory) and I was saying how
the very first time we met I knew she would be my trainer. I feel so grateful
to have been with her these past 12 weeks. I really cannot believe how fast it
has gone! I feel like she has really prepared me and although I will miss
her a lot. I am excited to meet my new
companion. We will know today who it is! Then tomorrow we will both go to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Salvador</st1:place></st1:city> early in the morning. We will spend most of the day
there with a bunch of the Missionaries I'm excited to see my CTM family.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">The
language is coming right along! I still have so much to learn but I feel
good about where I am with it. They say full immersion is the best way to learn
a language and that is certainly true! If you just try the people help so
much in teaching you! Oh that reminds me sister Grundvig and I are teaching.
English every Thursday night! This week will be our first time. I am really excited! They all take English in school but they only
learn a few words and they pronounce them all in Portuguese so hopefully we can
help them learn some conversation vocabulary and grammar. They think English is so beautiful. When Sister Grundvig and I talk, the younger kids
tell us to talk more, haha. They are also doing a dance class at the church
this week. In <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Brazil</st1:place></st1:country-region>
most of the churches have meetings once
or twice a day so they think our church is always closed. We are trying to work with the Ward to have
more activities during the week so people can see the inside of the
church. I think it will be really
good! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">I got to go lots to do to get ready for tomorrow! I love you all and I hope all is well. Keep praying, loving and serving! Tchau for now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Love Always <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Sister McKenzie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-67331341648373712762014-01-07T13:04:00.003-08:002014-01-07T13:05:48.663-08:00It's Going to be a Good Year<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">What an awesome week it
has been. I feel like each week here gets better and better. I love my
companion she is the best and we are learning so much together I can't believe
we only have two more weeks left of training, It has flown by. But I'm really
feeling good about the language, teaching and finding my way around I mostly
worry about missing Sister Oliveira she is my other half I can’t imagine St. Antonio De Jesus without her. But
I'm really grateful for the time I've had with her, she is truly an angel in my
life. I thank Heavenly Father every day for her.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Exciting
news! One of my favorite girls got baptized this week! Her name is Veronica; I
think I told you about her before but just in case I didn't... She is the
girlfriend of a super strong church member. She has been going to church
for the past six months and last week she decided she was ready to get
baptized. It was one of the most beautiful baptisms I've ever seen. You could
just see the joy she had and the desire to follow Christ. Her Boyfriend gave
such a sweet testimony. It was all so perfect! I wish you could've been
there to see it. I am excited to see what happens with them! He is
sending in his papers in the next few weeks and she is preparing to serve a
mission as well. They are such an awesome couple! It is so good to see
how their relationship is strengthened by the gospel and how they are learning
and growing together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Another
exciting thing that happened on Saturday is one of our investigators Jonas
accepted our invitation to be baptized we met him where we do emails and we
have been teaching him the last few weeks. He's been coming to church, reading
the book of Mormon and praying He says he's feeling good about all that we
talked about. We will keep helping him prepare this week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Our New
Year celebration was wonderful we were at the same family's house that we went
to for Christmas we had a big churrasco (BBQ). With a bunch of different types
of meats and salad, it was amazing! Then we got authorization from the
president to watch Princess and the Frog. It was such a good night. When
we got home we watched the fireworks from our balcony and listened to the Mormon
Tabernacle choir it was quite the party. It's getting hotter and hotter every
day, summertime In Bahia! Luckily there is always a good wind so we don't
get too too hot. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I'm so grateful for my
ugly shoes they save me every day! We walk so much! I wish you guys could
see this city it's so beautiful. Even more I wish you could meet the people
they are so kind and willing to help at any time. I really feel at home here. I
love the sisters I live with they are so funny and sweet. Sister Grundvig and I
laugh so much together. Mostly about the things we say wrong in Portuguese. She
is so awesome and has such an amazing spirit. We said we would go visit
President Hart together after the mission because he lives in Salt Lake. I can
tell they were going to be friends for a long time she is wonderful! It
is such a blessing to meet people from so many backgrounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I've come to realize how
universal the gospel message is. It is truly a message of joy, peace and
comfort. Every day is a testimony of its truthfulness. I see the difference it
makes and those we teach. Yesterday, Railam(The young man that was baptized my
first week) bore his testimony in sacrament meeting. He said that because of
the gospel he now has peace and he knows that he is a son of a loving father in
heaven. He has grown so much in such a short time and it's been such a
testimony to me of the converting power of the gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I pray that you will all
take this new year to set goals and take action in attaining these goals. It's
not too late to become who you might have been. Don't be scared to try
new things. Take every opportunity to learn and serve. Our time here is short
and it goes fast. Choose joy today. Never wait until tomorrow Our Father's
plan for us is the plan for happiness. He wants nothing more than our eternal
joy. Certainly we will pass through trials, We will have hard times, but the
Lord has promised for those who are built upon the rock of salvation, even
Jesus Christ, that these trials will not will not have the power to bring us
down. The Father has great things in store for us. I know 2014 it's going to be
one of the best years of my life so far. I'm so excited to see what it will be
like! I know will truly be unforgettable. If we let him he will shape
this year. 2014 is going to be awesome! I can feel it! I love
all of you so much! You are in my thoughts and prayers</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Sister McKenzie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">PS one
of my New Year's goals is to learn to cook Brazilian food and yesterday I made
lunch for us! Black beans, rice, fried bananas and Salad. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4SoUazbjcM/Uss80Ov3upI/AAAAAAAABl8/H_9BmMAgA2A/s1600/allfour1_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u4SoUazbjcM/Uss80Ov3upI/AAAAAAAABl8/H_9BmMAgA2A/s1600/allfour1_6.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole group!! The best sisters out there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83JaltE6aec/Uss80KgA_eI/AAAAAAAABlw/TUfrCjW2Lcc/s1600/baptisim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-83JaltE6aec/Uss80KgA_eI/AAAAAAAABlw/TUfrCjW2Lcc/s1600/baptisim.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Sister Oliveria,Veronica and I before her baptism :) She is such an amazing young woman!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCziED9X6-8/Uss80KeaL3I/AAAAAAAABls/4OzebSG80AE/s1600/cutecouple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCziED9X6-8/Uss80KeaL3I/AAAAAAAABls/4OzebSG80AE/s1600/cutecouple.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veronica and Andre, they are are so cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjpYL21u3uc/Uss80hbq9iI/AAAAAAAABl0/ympR7qQC9MQ/s1600/drinkingsam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjpYL21u3uc/Uss80hbq9iI/AAAAAAAABl0/ympR7qQC9MQ/s1600/drinkingsam.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5. 3..2..1..HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! (with sparkling strawberry cider)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bve1ApPSJAo/Uss803nBHvI/AAAAAAAABmM/1wysr-cB7AU/s1600/sam_flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bve1ApPSJAo/Uss803nBHvI/AAAAAAAABmM/1wysr-cB7AU/s1600/sam_flower.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking and smiling, our two favorite activities </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxNL98hbSzs/Uss81DndPhI/AAAAAAAABmQ/ToYbfklZPL8/s1600/samand+grund1_6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxNL98hbSzs/Uss81DndPhI/AAAAAAAABmQ/ToYbfklZPL8/s1600/samand+grund1_6.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our baby pear! Sister Grundvig loves fruit as much as I do which is so great because we always buy a bunch for our house. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TraWp1vQIGA/Uss81ZEj3oI/AAAAAAAABmU/Vwprln2PsuQ/s1600/the+three+girls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TraWp1vQIGA/Uss81ZEj3oI/AAAAAAAABmU/Vwprln2PsuQ/s1600/the+three+girls.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trés amigas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-25581573728050180282013-12-30T17:10:00.000-08:002013-12-31T08:47:03.872-08:00Happy New Years <div class="MsoNormal">
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! It seems very early to be saying that, when I
left it felt like Christmas was so far away and now it has already passed. It
was such a wonderful Christmas! We were so blessed to spend it with an amazing
family from our ward. They are from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Uruguay</st1:country-region> and
they all speak perfect English (but we still speak Portuguese haha). You guys
got to meet them quickly on Skype but I wish you could really meet them, you
would love their family. They helped to
make Christmas so special. It was still
strange to not be with you guys, especially when I saw you all on Skype. I know
I am where I am supposed to be. I feel
so blessed for this opportunity to serve.
Everyday I learn new things and I learn to love those that I serve even
more. I know that this time is precious
and that it will go by quick (it already has). In just one year I will be close
to coming home. I can’t believe that! I
am trying to make the very most of my time here and serve with everything I
have. Guess who came this week??? SISTER
GRUNDVIG!!! She is the best! I love her
so much! I feel like I already know
her. She is so sweet and fun. We went
running together, New Year’s goal is to run every other day. I think we can do
it! We are also learning to cook
together<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Her mom is like you mom, she loves whole
grain cooking and natural foods. We are
working on learning how to cook healthy things (lentils this week!!) and we
will be going to the market for fruit more often. And now it’s getting to be summer here so
there are new types of fruit to try.
Isn’t that crazy to think of summer in January?? I still get confused by
that. Portuguese is actually going
really well! I am surprised how fast it came. I think having a native companion
has helped a lot. The only English we
speak is when she's practicing during language study. Her accent in English is
so cute! I am so grateful that I have her as a trainer. She has
taught me so much she is really like my mom here. I can't believe I only have a
few weeks left with her:( We have become so close these last few months
together, I will miss her so much! It's amazing how Heavenly Father puts
people in our lives at just the right time to learn things we need to learn.
She has been perfect for me at this time and I am really so grateful. I have
such a good feeling about 2014! I know it's going to be a year full of miracles
:) As I have been thinking of New Year's resolutions and goals. I
realized even more how precious our time is here on earth. It really is just a
moment in eternity. I want to learn as much as I can in this life, Help those
around me and come to know Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. These are my
goals this year. I know that when we pray, study and we continually seek to
keep our covenants; the Lord blesses us with his spirit. This guides us
and gives us direction in our lives. I've seen here what a difference the
gospel makes what changes it can bring. I know that each day we can
improve, strengthen our testimony and become more like the Savior. I pray that
you will all make 2014 a year of service, love and growth. Continue to look for
opportunities to learn. Continue on His path, continue to put Him first in
your life I love you so much! I wish you a very happy New Year.</div>
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Muito amor from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>!!</div>
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Sister McKenzie</div>
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<st1:city w:st="on">Alma</st1:city> 26:3</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-4749494182692378832013-12-26T13:44:00.000-08:002013-12-26T13:44:06.834-08:00December 23 letter.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">This week flew by! Every week here seems faster and faster, I can't
believe I only have three weeks left of training ahh. I am so grateful
that I've had sister O as my trainer she has taught me so much. I feel really
good about teaching, finding everyone's homes and the language all things I've
been praying for since the first week of
my mission. I am so excited to keep learning and studying there are so many
wonderful things to know! I was talking with Sister O this week about
how perfect the missionary schedule is. We wake up early exercise and
study by the time we leave the house I always feel energized by what I studied
and I'm excited to teach. I think we have the perfect balance of study and
work. I hope I can keep the missionary schedule throughout the rest of my life.
I love it so much!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Oh and my birthday was wonderful! I woke up to a beautifully decorated
room and a banana cake with 20 candles :) Sister O. doesn't know about my habit
of waking up super early on my birthday, so she was a little tired the rest of the day
but it was a great day nonetheless. We got to watch the Christmas devotional which
was probably the best present of all. The messages were so beautiful I love the
music. I'm glad they don't translate the choir it's good to hear a little
English! I actually don't miss English too much, Portuguese is my
language now.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">This week was a little different as far as
teaching. Tuesday afternoon we left for Fierra to sleep there so we could get
to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Salvador</st1:place></st1:city> in
time for our meeting. I Love the sisters in Fierra, they are the best! We
woke up at 5am Wednesday morning to catch the bus to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Salvador</st1:place></st1:city>. The meeting was so wonderful!
We got to hear from Pres. and Sr. Hart during the first part and then we
had a big lunch (of course) Then elder Leal of the Seventy spoke to us.
He talked to us about not just working hard but working intelligently. I feel
grateful for sister O for teaching me so much about that. She is so good
at planning the day and using our time wisely. Something else I really like
that he said was how the mission isn’t just a time to develop Christ like
attributes but also Christ like techniques. He made the point that without techniques
the characteristics we develop like love, charity and patients will never reach
the people. We need to work each day. I'm not just studying the life of Christ but
truly trying to live as he lived. This is but a short time I get to serve and
I've already seen how quickly it goes. I never want to look back and say
"what if". I will work my hardest here I will love these people and I
will be obedient. This is the beginning of everything in my life, this is just
the first chapter:)</span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Teaching this week was good! Even though it was a shorter week which
made it a little harder, we were able to
meet with almost all of our investigators. The family I told you about last week are
doing so great we are just trying to help them get to church now. I think they will come this Sunday the ward
has been great and helping us find new families to teach and we have quite a
few this week that will go meet. I don't
know if too many will be home because of Christmas but we shall try. I'm
excited to talk with you guys on Christmas I can't believe it's already that
time Christmas Eve is going to be great having dinner at one of my favorite
family's house they’re from Uruguay and they all speak perfect English. Their kids all play the piano and sing so I'm
sure it will be an evening filled with music. I'm not sure what all the plans are
for Christmas day. I think we will talk
to our families then just visit families in the ward and I investigators it's
strange not to be with you guys for Christmas but I'm happy to be here. I only get this opportunity once in my life
and the rest of my Christmas’s(after next year) Will be with you! I have a
little family here with the ward and Sister O. and I know it's going to be a
wonderful Christmas I love you all so much I will be thinking of you on this
special week. I am so grateful for all
the Christmas’s we had together and I am grateful for all that you did to help
me be here. One day we will look back
and say,” what happened to the time?” I've already felt that way here. So let’s make the most of it! Remember
in whom we celebrate this week. He is
our Savior, our redeemer and our best friend. He will walk with us each moment and we only
need to take His hand. He was from the beginning, He who the Father trusted to
save this world and he can save each of us. That perfect son born to set us
free. Remember him. And when the presents are open and the lights come down you
won't feel empty. The spirit of Christmas is not the decorations the parties or
even the family gatherings it's a true spirit of Christ he has promised to
never leave us. Continue to seek Him. I love you so much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Love Always<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Sister McKenzie</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">PS read the general conference talks! They are
so amazing</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-57313986820297387042013-12-16T15:35:00.002-08:002013-12-16T15:35:43.140-08:00Beach Time but Not for Us <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">What a wonderful week it has been. Sister O. and I are loving it here in
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:place></st1:city>. We are getting ready for Christmas. I never thought I would have Christmas in
summer, haha. Everyone is leaving for
the beach this week to celebrate. It's a little harder to contact our
investigators but street contacting is great because everyone is out shopping</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"> We got our two new Sisters. One of the sisters
is from <st1:state w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:state> and served eight months in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> waiting for her
visa and now she's here!! It's fun to have new sisters in our apartment
but we miss Sister M. and Sister Y. A lot of Missionaries went home this
transfer and a big group came in but only two Americans and our district got
both of them so now we only have two Brazilians and the rest Americans exactly
opposite of how it was last transfer this week one of the members of the 70 is
visiting our mission so we will go to Salvador to see him. I'm excited to see
everyone especially Sister Sowers and my CTM District and Pres. and Sister. Hart
I really can't believe it's almost Christmas it feels like I just got here. I
love our area more and more every day is going to be hard to leave, our ward is
seriously the best ever and the people we teach our amazing. The couple I
talked about last week are doing so well. We talked about the Restoration and
they had so many good questions. We are going there for lunch today and she's
making sister O favorite type of food I'm excited to try it. We're hoping that
they will come to our Christmas devotional on Friday at the chapel. We also met
an awesome girl. She was sitting on a park bench And we came up to her to
invite her to church and she asked us to sit down and talk with her. We ended
up teaching her the first lesson and an invitation to read the book of Mormon. She
was so excited when we gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon. She promised to
read. We are going to meet with her again at the park this week I am excited to
teacher her again. We also had a great lesson with a girl we met at the bakery.
She is so wonderful and has so many good questions. This week we will teach her
the plan of salvation which is hard in Portuguese I will be practicing a lot
with Sister O before! She is so patient with me and I've learned so much
with her. She really is like a sister to me. We laugh so much together and have
fun while working. That's something that I've learned in the past few weeks,
you have to find joy in every moment. We have so much to be happy about and our
message is one of joy! When we are happy, when we look for the good in
all things, we're able to help others
find happiness too. After all, You can't share something you don't have:) I
love it here! And I'm so happy! I feel blessed to have such a wonderful
trainer, an awesome ward and most importantly amazing people to teach. I love
them so much. Seeing how the gospel message changes their lives is so great. I
know that I am exactly where I need to be at exactly the right time I miss you
all, But Brazil has adopt me for a year and a half so don't worry. I'm safe and
happy! Continue studying your Scriptures praying together and serving those
around you I love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Love always,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Sister McKenzie</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-70246218761660539042013-12-10T16:18:00.001-08:002013-12-10T16:18:11.850-08:00It's Going to be a HOT Christmas<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">I know I say this every week but I can't believe it's P-day already!! I
only have six more weeks to train can you believe that? I don't ever want
sister O to leave. She has been an angel in my life I have learned so much from
her she's so diligent patient and powerful in lessons. I can't wait for
you all to meet her!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">This
week was so wonderful! All of our investigators are progressing so well it's
amazing to See how the gospel can change their lives when they begin to gain a
testimony. My favorite this week with the family we met on the street Thursday
night. They are so amazing we started talking to them and I could just feel
something different. it really felt like they had been prepared they asked us
to come and visit them the next day. We went to look for their apartment
and could not find it to save our lives. We seriously walk up and down the
street (which was pretty long) four times asking everyone but no one we talk to
knew either. We thought maybe they gave us the wrong address accidentally
so we walked down another street that parallels the other one and we still
couldn't find it. We were both so frustrated and as we were standing there
trying to decide what to do. Sister O. Looked up and saw a sign with the name
of the building! It was right there all along. I was reminded of a talk
from the last general conference that spoke about how we need to look up.
Sometimes we are so focused on the road we are walking looking straight ahead
or around us that we forget to look up heavenward. The answers we are
looking for is not always right in front of us and we need the fathers help we
need to remember to look up. When you feel like the answer isn't clear or
that you Have tried everything but you're still Not having the success you want
remember to look up. I know that the Lord has answers for us he is only waiting
for us to look up to Him. </span>(<span style="background: white;">back to
my story) It was late by the time we found their apartment so we tried the next
day and they were home. We talk to this cute little family about
missionary work and what we do every day. We talked about our families our
conversion stories and the book of Mormon. There was such an amazing spirit
there really feels like they have been prepared. I don't know what will end up
happening in my short time here but I know that someday they will join the
church. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="background: white;">Tomorrow's is transfers and both sister M and sister Y are leaving us. I
can't believe we will have two new sisters here tomorrow. We will have to help
them a lot because neither one will know the area. I'm so excited to meet them!
I wonder if it will be two Brazilians again or if there will be an American.
Ah, I am so curious to know! We will be spending Christmas with them and the
New Year! I always forget it's almost Christmas it's SO HOT, ha ha. But I get
excited when I remember! I love the family we are having Christmas with, they
are the best ever! And Sister O and I are going to make cookies and brownies
for our investigators and some other families in the ward. I am going to do the
12 days of Christmas for Sister O. I'm so excited she has little American
presents all lined up and I'll start on the 13th. St. Anthony DeJesus is
completely Christmasized And I love it. It's the perfect place for my first
Christmas on the mission. I will miss you guys but I know the time will fly and
already is. I know this is where I need to be now. I know that the Lord
is with us always and He loves us so much. I am so grateful for the gift of
time I have been given. This is my time to serve. I love these people so much.
They have taught me many lessons in just a few short weeks and I know that I
will learn much more in the coming weeks and months. I am so happy to be here!
I love you all! Don't forget to pray and study your scriptures Te amo!!!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Love Always, Sister McKenzie</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-40491441149480621022013-12-03T17:14:00.001-08:002013-12-09T12:11:26.881-08:00Thanksgiving<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">Can you believe it's P-day already! Time is truly flying I'm absolutely
loving it in Santo Antonio I really couldn't have picked a better place to
serve it's beginning to feel like home and the ward like family I wish you
could meet everyone in our ward there all so awesome. I am so grateful for
their love and support it makes such a big difference in the work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">This week started super strong with contacting
and teaching. Then Thanksgiving came. And it rained and not just a little bit
of rain it poured. And <st1:place w:st="on">Bahia</st1:place> that means
everything closes no one is in the streets ( of course )and not too many people
answer their door. So Thursday and Friday was lots of walking in the
rain haha. It was actually really great. I sang to my companion songs in English
she really loves that and we got some good lesson practice in. It was funny on
Thanksgiving I explained to my companion what we usually do to celebrate while
we were walking and she said,"I bet you never thought you'd spend
Thanksgiving like this" (In Portuguese of course). She's right I never
would have thought I would be here just one year ago. So many things have
changed but I really could not think of any place I would rather be. Of course the language is challenging and I
miss home and BYU sometimes. but it is really a blessing to be here. When we got
home on Thursday we made popcorn and watched some of the training videos. Then
our other sisters came into the room and we went around in a circle and said
things we were grateful for. It was amazing to see how the spirit of Thanksgiving
truly touched their hearts. After that
we called President and Sister Hart to wish them a happy Thanksgiving and they
all said something they were grateful for to them in English. I love when they speak English it's so sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><span style="background: white;">Saturday President Hart’s son and his family
came to our Stake to perform a Christmas devotional. All of their kids play the
violin and sing it was so beautiful. And it was wonderful to see Preident and
Sister Hart they are the kindest people you could ever meet. They have such a
love for the missionaries and work so hard to help us. That night we
slept at the Sisters apartment who Live next to the stake center because it was
too late to take the bus home (it's three hours away by bus) one of the Sisters
was in the same group that left with me from the CTM. It was so great to see
her. She's from <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>
and she's so sweet and it was great because I could actually talk to her and it
helped me recognize my improvement with the language which I needed this week.
We left at 4 AM. the next morning so we wouldn't miss church at our ward. We
were all so exhausted by the time church was over ha ha. But the Spirit gives
you energy when you need it! I'm learning so much here, of course
language and culture but much more than that. truly feel like I'm coming to
know Christ. He is with us every step of the way He truly knows all the trials
that we face and He is willing to face them with us. I have felt His love here
not just for me but for each person I meet He is the savior of the world and He
is our brother we have His gospel message and we are joyous remember to choose
happiness every day. Walk in His light and love EVERYONE you're in my thoughts
and prayers, I love you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;">~Alma 5:15</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial;"><o:p>Love Always & Sempre,</o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4085096602192897026.post-67778881199245504922013-11-25T15:59:00.001-08:002014-01-04T07:14:04.996-08:00Wonderful Week Lots to Look Forward to<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">This week has been wonderful we had so many awesome lessons
and I'm feeling better and better about the language. I think the less I stress
about it the better it goes I just have to take it one day at a time and be
patient. My companion is so diligent and she helps me a lot with all my studies.
I've been teaching her some English too it's so funny because her voice totally
changes when she speaks English. She says mine changes a lot too and that I sound
a lot sweeter in Portuguese ha ha, so that's good. I've been able to talk with
quite a few American sisters on the phone the past couple of days and they are
so awesome I can't wait to meet them all in person. I think I will see some this Saturday because
Pres. Hart grandchildren are having a fireside, so that should be good. For Christmas everyone gets together at president’s
Hart's house. I'm so excited for that I
walked our whole <st1:place w:st="on">Mission</st1:place> area including the
other sister’s side on Saturday it really is HUGE!!! I'm a little nervous about when sister O
leaves me. I hope I can find everything we’re
working together on trying to remember where everyone lives without looking at
the addresses and I know about half which is perfect because I'm about halfway
through my training. Can you believe that. It feels like I just got here I can't imagine
leaving St. Antonio it makes me sad to think one day I will be transferred. I love it more and more every day. Our ward is
so awesome and the people are incredibly friendly it is really starting to feel
like home. I feel so grateful that I can
serve here it is truly a special place and I'm so happy. I will be here for Christmas It will be
strange to have a hot Christmas but at least I will be with my little Brazilian
family and sister O. will still be here I made a Christmas tree for our living
room I will send you pictures next week when it's all done I know I'm exactly
where I need to be, doing exactly what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I love serving these people, through them I
learned so much about the nature of Christ and my relationship with him has
been strengthened continue prayer, study
and service and I know the Lord will bless you. I love you all so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Love always.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Sister McKenzie</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1