A mission first - EARLY TO CHURCH

Ok, well yeah, no one get too excited about that because what really happened is quite funny. Apparently Brazil has a time change in February, and no one told us that. So Sister Labadie and I woke up an hour early, went to church to have a meeting with the Bishop, he wasn’t there... (Well yeah it was an hour early!) and that we went to another barro (neighborhood) couldn’t figure out why none of our pesquisadores were not ready, and then finally we talked to one guy Diogo, who told us that it really wasn’t 8:30...but 7:30! Yeah... that was a good one. Sister Labadie just sat down on the stairs and started laughing. It is just soo something that would happen to me. So yep, we walked to church with Diogo and were there quite early. It was so weird. I had forgotten what its like to be on time to something- people joke about Mormon time, you know like 10 minutes late and stuff... but in brazil its a double negative, Brazilians are already naturally late, and add the Mormonism lateness to that... wow. It’s amazing. We have some people that we call and mark lunch with them at 12; we purposely arrive at 12:40...and lunch still isn’t ready. ahh well, what can you do. Just laugh!!

As far as other funny events, a really sweet woman, Maria (the mom of our recem converso Eduardo) made us some kind of concoction....and Sister Labadie took the excuse that her stomach hurt, and left me to eat it. Yeah, thanks for that. It was soo horrible, I don’t really know what it was, but afterwards we ran as fast as we could do a supermarket where I tried to buy whatever could get the taste out of my mouth. Meanwhile, Sister Labadie just laughed, laughed, and laughed. That was a memorable day.

As far as our last week, it pretty much was one of the greatest weeks ever. We had 2 baptisms, of Julia and Roberto. Julia is a 14 year old girl, who was a referencia of a member here. She is so awesome, and the greatest part is that her family was so excited- her little brother wants to be baptized so bad.. and her family all came to church and loved it- and it was super cool because in the blessing that Julia got for the Holy Ghost, the bishop promised her that her family would follow her example and be baptized soon. Wahoo!

But just as exciting was Roberto's baptism… he is a man whose family is all members of the church. He had been smoking a lot, and also he was already taught by the Elders, but he had a really, really bad baptismal interview, and didn’t want anything to do with elders again. Good thing we are sisters! But seriously, the Lord worked a huge miracle on his heart, and it is amazing to see the difference. It was one of the most spiritual baptisms on my mission, and his family and Sister Labadie and I had tears in our eyes throughout the whole baptism. (Ok maybe I cried a little bit more, ha-ha) But it was really, really incredible. And they already have a goal for the temple.

But the most exciting part of the week is Lia and Danilo... This family is so special, and so exciting. They accepted a baptism date- FINALLY! So that will be this Saturday- which I am ecstatic for! Something that is really special with them, is that we have always had a special spirit with them as we have taught them, there have been times where I felt like their kids, who are waiting to be born where in the room with us... really, really special. But then just this week, we found out that Lia's dad passed away like a year ago. As she showed us pictures of him, he just seemed so familiar, Sister Labadie and I feel a very close connection to him, and I know that he has helped us so much in this work with his daughter.

Lia and Lio (that’s a nickname that Sister Labadie came up with!) have an aunt that is a member that lives in Idaho, and she is the one who gave us the reference. We are so excited for their baptism, it seriously is one of the most special things that have happened in my mission, and the Lord has really helped us as we have been teaching this family. But yeah, I am really hoping that I can come back to Brazil for their sealing in the temple- they already have a temple goal- and I cant think of anything better in my life then to be there in that special moment..

Anyways, I am running out of time here, and this is already long enough, but I am so grateful for this chance that I have to be here for one more transfer! That’s right, transfers came and went, and much to my relief and joy I am staying here. Many ward members here were praying that we could stay here (they announced it at church ha-ha) along with Lia and Danilo and Sister Labadie and I, because we wanted to be here for their baptism…so the Lord has given us a huge blessing and allowed us to be here together for one more baptism!!

Thank you soo much for all of your support and love! I love you guys! Listen to some non-EFY/classical/ motab music for me and Sister Labadie... we are craving a little ACDC these days... although we heard some Rod Stewart this week which was quite enjoyable. ha-ha. Anyways...

Love you tons!!
Sister Felony Melanie Monroe

Carnival Schmarnival

Yes, it is time for the one and only Carnival that is going on right now here in Brasil... you know I was thinking about a few years back when one of my teachers asked me about Carnival in Brasil (Ali do you remember toilet bowl derby in World Lit... I bombed that question?) Anyhow, I remember that I didn’t even know what Carnival was a few years ago... and now... I live here. Luckily for us missionaries, this is a really good area to be for Carnival. Nothing is happening here, pretty much everyone has left this area to travel to the center of the city or other wilder crazier areas. Its kind of sad how much people drink here, like Michael said in his email.... but its cool to see how involved the ward has gotten with accamphamento (it’s like girls camp and youth conference rolled together in one... way better!!) So yeah, it’s an interesting time of year here.

Here is another random fact for everyone- did you know that here in Brasil when you have to pay, you just round. You NEVER give exact change for stuff... like if its 4.66 you can give 4.50 or 4.60… and when they give you change back, they just round too. At first I couldn’t fathom this- it seems so inefficient- how many pennies are lost here? Ok laugh if you want to, but all the pennies add up sabe? But now... it’s just normal. I never really worry if I don’t exactly have money, they will just round anyway. So yeah, that’s my funny fact.

We had a really cool thing happen this week- we always get references on the internet from people that call from the amizade cards to get DVDs, videos, Livro de Mormon, etc.. And so anyways we had one this past week- Cenelly. So we called her, and she was young and excited, and asked us to come the same day. So we went there, and she is this 16 year old girl, way cute and excited. So we asked her how she got the card, and this is the coolest part... It was like a month ago, when we were in a bus in the center, coming back to our part of the city…and there were a ton of people, and I stood up and announced in front of everyone who we were, and asked if we could visit anyone. I remember this day- because I think of the 25 or more people that were in the bus, there was like 1 person that gave us their address...everyone else was kind of rude... but I remember Cenelly, because I gave her a card, and told her, her hair was cute. Well, she was too nervous because of everyone to give us her address, but she got off the bus, and called the number.

So anyways, this week we got her address and taught her the first lesson... and she bawled her eyes out when she heard the first vision. She said that she has been dreaming for 2 years that she would hear the gospel soon. She also felt to prepare and learn other languages so that she could be part of the work and be a missionary someday. When we shared with her the first message, she said this was what she had been waiting for. Needless to say, it was a really special lesson, and we were so excited! We went back the next day, and she had already read tons of the Livro de Mormon, and had way good questions.

So then two days later we went back to her house, and her mom was there to meet us... her mom is part of the universal or something like that, and she told us that Cenelly could not longer have the lessons, that she couldn’t come to church, etc, etc... It was so sad because Cenelly was standing right there, with tears streaming down her cheeks. It is so sad to see people so prepared, but so hinged by other people’s choices. So that was a bit disappointing, but I feel really good because I know that the Lord will keep helping Cenelly and continue to prepare her for the day she can be part of the church… at least she has a Book of Mormon now, and can read it.

We are still working with some awesome people- we have 9 people who could be baptized this next Sunday- and 3 of them are families. We are still working with Lia and Danilo, they are awesome, and will be baptized one day, they have already accepted baptism, it’s just a matter of time. Bobby, the crazy American man, came to church yesterday, and I translated for him, that was fun! We have some amazing, amazing people... Giseille, is also someone we are trying to push to be baptized, she has a testimony, she just needs to be pushed a little bit more....she knows everything is true, but I think is just nervous.

Anyways, so the work here is awesome, I am loving this chance I have to grow each day, to get sun burned each day, to forget English more and more each day, and to wear some pretty ugly missionary clothes everyday! haha (this part I actually am not joking!)

There is truly nothing better in the world... I love all of you, eat some peanut butter, and some salad for me! haha!

Beijos!
Sister Monroe

You can’t mix a dream team with people from different eras

OK, so for those of you wondering, that would be a quote from Return to Me, a great movie... I am really quite surprised I remember that line because lets be honest, I seem to be forgetting everything these days. But here’s something funny for you guys- remember the old men on this movie- Return to Me- they are hysterical right? Yeah, I am teaching one of these old men. Bobby, He is an American who has lived here in Brazil for 20 years, and doesn’t speak a lick of Portuguese. hahahaha. He also lived in Italy for 20 years, but doesn’t seem to speak much of Italian. Our conversations often come back to these phrases- "well before the war" and "when I was in the service..."

He is 80 years old, and has written a hefty book of his idea of religion. (Which we are actually reading right now to try to help him) But we will not be swayed, Sister Labadie and I are determined to baptize this old man, He has been through a ton of missionaries... but with us he has started praying for the first time- (His wife and daughter are members) and he decided to do a huge thing... He is going to come to church!! So yeah, that’s only one of the things that happened this past week... but before I get ahead of myself, I’ll stop to give you the highlights of this past week. It was awesome!

Segunda feira- Monday- This highlight would be that in the midst of our cleaning of this still messy apartment... would you still believe that there is mold in the shower- disgusting.- but anyways, I was cleaning like crazy this day, and I accidentally threw out Sister Labadies nametag. yep. I don’t know how it happened, but its actually quite funny... So Sister Labadie has been nametagless this past week, and we have no idea when she will get her new one. woops. Lucky for me, she has a good sense of humor, and we have had some good laughs over this. We also went bowling this day, with some other Sisters and Elders in Ribeirao Preto... the only word to describe this would be weird. I never thought I would go bowling in Brazil... and though it was fun, I wouldn’t call it one of my favorite things to do here. Although those bowling shoes with the missionary gear is pretty good lookin´ if you ask me.

Terca feira- Tuesday- This day Sister Labadies foot was still hurting so we took the bus to the centro, normally we walk, and it was quite fun. (We have to go to the centro every Tuesday for a district meeting.) On the bus we always try to sit by almost all of the people and give them pass along cards and talk to them about the church. Sometimes if it isn’t too loud we make an announcement and give them all pass along cards. We have had some pretty cool experiences on the bus though. The nice thing about taking the bus is we don’t get lost... We haven’t quite made it walking to the center yet without getting lost. But one time when we were lost I found the coolest wall- it’s a wall with the Prayer of Saint Frances in Portuguese... I just hope I can find it again to take a picture. Boa Surte Rapaz! It’s like the most beautiful poem ever. Anyways... off topic again..

This day we also taught Lia and Danilo, the most amazing family ever! I seriously haven’t taught a family like this in my whole mission. They are born leaders, and the spirit is so strong every time we teach them. They are so special- they already want to go to the temple, its amazing.

Quarta feira- Weds- So this day was a bit hard- we had a baptismal interview with Lia and Danilo, we have been teaching them for a month now, and they were so ready. They both passed the interview, but something happened in the interview with Danilo, and so he felt really pressured... he wants to get baptized, but in his timing. It was really hard for us, because we have felt soo good about them- I really cant describe it, but every time we teach them its like dejavu- I know that I knew this family in the Pre-existence.. and so it has been really, really hard for me to know how to help more..

Quinta-feira- We tried to do some damage control with Lia. We decided to make guacamole with the huge, huge avocados they have here and eat it with crackers. Unfortunately, the guacamole was horrible. I don’t know what we did wrong... it seriously was so bad. Normally here they eat abacate come acucar... oh sorry, avacado with sugar. No one eats with salt, you tell them and they make a face... so yeah, the guacamole was just hysterical because it was so bad, luckily Sister Labadie and I just laughed our heads off and told them not to eat it, but they tried a little of it just to be polite, and then agreed with us that it was horrible. Ha... But anyways, we talked a lot with Lia about helping Danilo recognize the spirit in his life, she wants to baptize so badly... we will try to help Danilo more.

This day we also made a really cool contact- we were walking in the street in a hurry to make it to Lia- and all of a sudden I felt like someone had put a wall in front of me. I stopped suddenly, looked to my right, and there was this cute moça next to me. I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, and it was "hi, you are really beautiful." I wanted to laugh, who says that to strangers? But it turned out perfectly, we stopped and talked to her, she is 22, her name is Ranata, and she is amazing. We ended up teaching her on....

Sexta feira- Friday- Yeah so we taught Renata today. She practically grabbed o livro de mormon from us this day, which was awesome! She was just glowing and kept asking us questions before we could explain- when can I visit church- can I keep this book? etc... She is awesome! So we are way excited about her.

We also taught Bobby today, the 80 year old American man. He is so funny. Its so hard teaching in English, but it makes you stick to the basics… that’s for sure. Just to help you understand what its like, like 2 weeks ago it was Bobby’s birthday. So we made him an apple pie on Pday... He loved it! Anyways, so afterwards we taught him, and then afterwards he asked us if he could share a scripture. Claro que sim... and so he pulled out his joy of cooking book, and then read us a "scripture" or recipe of apple pie... he was wondering why I had used more apples. haha... basically he is crazy. But we are making so much progress with him!!

Sabado- Saturday- Oh yeah, I forgot to say that on Quinta feira, at night, Sister Labadie told me she wanted me to cut her hair. Now, she knows how to cut hair, she went to beauty school... but can we remember when was the last time I cut hair? Oh yeah that’s right, um never!! haha... so here is me.. You want me to cut...ahh… where? She wanted to cut off like 5 inches! So yep, I did it! It looks way good! She had long hair like me, but now she has hair a little bit below her chin, and its way cute. She had to do a lot of cleaning up of her hair though, because it’s not like I knew what I was doing.

Today we ended up doing divisions, and we taught the cutest girl, Julia. She is 14, and had already gone to church a bunch, but no one had taught her.. how that happened I dont know, but anyways, we taught her the first lesson, she looooved it! She actually reminds me alot of my good friend Kelsey Grover. Its crazy. It was so fun teaching her, we had a lot of fun with her!

We also taught Eduardo again, the guy who baptized, he is so crazy! haha! we arrived a little bit early for our lesson and he was rocking out to 80s music, we laughed so hard because it was soo something I would of done before the mission... but yeah, he is so different now, and especially his mom, who was a menos ativo- they are so loving, and always pray so much for us.

Domingo- Sunday- the make it or break it day for us-- this day was really hard, but also really good. Lia and Danilo didnt come to church, devastating... but guess who did- Giseille!!!! 5 years of missionaries and she finally came to church!! wahoo!! She has already accepted baptism and loooved it on Sunday! So we are soo excited about her! She already has the strongest testimony about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, she has read it every day for years now, it was just about getting her to develop the faith to go to church- (well that and we cut a deal with her little brother to watch her sick mother, we had to make him a chocolate cake) So yeah, that was awesome.

We also had a great meeting with the Bishop here, and he is way stoked about our work here. That felt good, because to be honest I have been a little scared of him. Church was awesome though, I love the sacrament so much, it is so powerful- there really is nothing better, nothing that renews me more. .

Anyways, I seem to have blabbed on enough for now.. But thank you so much for the love and letters, I really will try to stop being a slacker and get back to writing! I am so grateful for the mission, loove it!!

Oh yeah, Happy Valentines day!!!
Com Amor
Sister Melanie Felony Monroe

The Eternal Pesquisdore (Invesigator) Bites the Dust

Yes that’s right! I am so excited because we had an awesome week this past week with the baptism of Eduardo... the eternal investigator that has gone through sets, and sets of missionaries. It has been over 5 years that he has been getting the lessons from the missionaries, and to be honest, I have no idea why we made the difference... ok well maybe its because we didn’t take no for an answer. We challenged him to baptism, he said sure, Ill baptized with you sisters but not now. So then we challenged him to have an interview... He said no. We then told him the elders were going to come with us for a "visit" and yeah, I know I was stretching the truth a little bit... he had to be pushed. It was ridiculous how much he was stalling.

So, the end of it was he had a baptismal interview, which are always, always miracles. I love these interviews- the elders always have such power to help the people who have doubts. So Eduardo ended up being baptized on Friday, confirmed on Sunday, and sooo firm!! He cried on Sunday during the testimony meeting because I know that he felt the spirit so strongly. And to see the change and the light that has come into his eyes, and to see the change in his mother too... when we first arrived they had so much doubt about prophets and Joseph Smith, and then now they want to set goals to go to the temple... its amazing! The spirit changes people soo much, and so quickly.

As far as the other awesome family- Lia and Danilo, they are continuing to progress.... the only problem is that Danilo wants to read the whole Book of Mormon before he is baptized.... They definitely want to be baptized, so its just a matter of time... we are praying for them to be baptized this week- because there is so much more power after they are baptized and have the holy ghost... its amazing to see the change that happens to people. We love this family so much though, Lia had a birthday this week and invited us over... it was her family, and just us! I couldn’t believe that they wanted us to be with their family on this day, but it is continually amazing how much love we feel in this area- the eternal family that we have because of the gospel is soo amazing. I love it so much here.

As far as other things that happened this week- we had an area conference like we usually have every transfer... the only difference was that they asked me like one day before to give a 15 minute talk at the end.... I couldn’t believe it. But I felt so blessed by the Lord- I was able to prepare the talk really quickly, which in itself was a miracle because I didn’t have time, and then I was able to give it… the thing I was most nervous about was my Portuguese... I don’t know why... but the Lord really helped and it went really well. It was really awesome to think about how much I have grown in Portuguese- the Lord really has blessed me with the gift of tongues... I have been so blessed this transfer to understand so much more, and it’s not because of my own skill, but because the Lord knows I need the help.

One last cool experience, its waaay hot here, but everyday it rains for like 30 minutes just buckets... and it normally has a disgusting hot breeze at the same time. I will never understand how you can be in the rain and sweating because of the heat... but anyways, yesterday it was raining, and as we were walking we saw a family huddled under a tree trying to wait out the rain... we ran over to them, and held our umbrellas over them... they had 2 adorable kids... and we ended up talking for quite a while... and at the end the mom ended up giving us her address... something she wasn’t willing to do at the beginning. The Lord works in so many ways, we truly never know how things will happen, but sometimes they just do.

Anyways, my letter is really, really missionarish today... But I am a missionary! I can’t believe it is quasi 8 months that I am on a mission. That is so weird, where on earth did these 8 months go? The time has flown by so fast... Anyways, I am so grateful for this chance to be here. I wouldn’t trade any of these experiences for anything, and I am so grateful for every experience and person I have had in my life... Every person, every experience, has truly come into play here on my mission. There are truly no accidents in life... just a lot of small miracles!

Anyways, I love you all soo much... Beijos!
Sister Monroe