First Week Being a Trainer

Wonderful week here in Senhor do Bonfim! And the best part...Sister Reis, my filha!!! I went and got her on Tuesday. Well actually, we left Monday at midnight (7 hours to Salvador!), but I met her Tuesday. 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 on Wednesday 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!

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!

Sunday 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. 

``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!

-Sister McKenzie

Strong Week

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.

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 Thursday, 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.

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. Saturday 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.

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!!

-Sister McKenzie

April 14, 2014

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!

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!

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!

Sempre Sister McKenzie

"No se conformen con la mediorcirdad, si el exito esta' a su aleance" < elder Andersen

love this family

christmas party for the christmas lover (eu)

my lovely!

love these little ones!

sunshine state!

bubble guns

our favorite, irma gel!

best guitar teacher on the block!

´´vamos na grama, vamos na grama´´

irmã fafa and irmão sendo val! 

this poor creature, i hit its head ont he table ahhhh. but i think he was ok

ust learning karate...mission skills you never thought youd learn 

Conferencia General.

Olá gente! Another sunshine week here in St. 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 Bahia! 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.

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 California 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.

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…

1.      What legacy will you leave? (Sister Burton, President Eyring Elder Walker)

2.      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)

3.      There is safety and solace in keeping our covenants (Sister Wilson Elder Eyring, Elder Holland, Sister Reeves, Elder Anderson, Elder Perry)

4.      Bear with patience and happiness every burden. 

5.      Only obedience in all things brings eternal happiness and peace. (Sister Burton,  Elder Anderson, President  Eyring, Elder Perry)

6.      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)

7.      Maintain your focus on eternal goals

8.      Our time here is incredibly short and we must use it with wisdom

9.      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)

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. J 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 Bahia…what! Tis true, the world loves you Beatles. One year birthday for Sister Grundvig! ONE YEAR!! Made a secret cake early morning elf (euJ) 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!  

Love you!

Sister McKenzie

March 24, 2014 Brazil

Hello from St. Antonio!!

Hello from St. Antonio!! I stayed here J  Sister Felartigus left me for Petrolina L, 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.

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 Sao Paulo, 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 Argentina (especially with World Cup approaching) so we’re working on my Southern Brazil accentJ

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 J Yay.  That reminds me I got Grandma’s and Grandpa’s and the Smith’s from our ward Christmas packages.  The Brazilians love 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.

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 J

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!

OI! the egg telephones are everywhere!!

baby kitten loves me!

saying bye to these cute Americans!

my house in Brazil

Our day trip to get a birth certificate

sister leader fruit festival!

streets :)

Bom dia mundo! (Good morning world!)

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 new city this next transfer, but we shall see!

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 L 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 Argentina! J  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 J.

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!

Hello Brazil !!!!

Our Chapel

our failed gostar description 

 Bruna, such a sweet girl

our favorite restaurant

it´s raining it´s pouring

Dancing

The Country

So Green

The Neighborhood

Pet Goat

The Sisters