Yeah for Brasil!

Well, everyone take a deep breath, because this is the last letter that I will be writing from Brasil. Wow. How the time has passed so quickly! It’s almost seemed like a dream, looking back on the past year and a half. Time is such a funny thing, because its gone so fast, but at the same time, it seems like its been forever. I can’t remember so many things about life before the mission, I am sure that some of this is a blessing from the Lord, to help me focus on the work. But I can’t seem to imagine going home, it seems like in one week, I will be transferred to another area, another companheira, with new members, pesquisadores, etc... but in reality… its coming to an end. Something that is starting to hit me slowly. It is..... hard. But I dont want to be dramatic, so I will tell you guys some of the funny/serious/crazy things that happened this last week-

-I killed the most giant, ginormous moth that was in our house. It was the size of a small bat. I thought it was a bat... we got home at night, and when I turned on the light in our room it was circling around the light like crazy, I grabbed the broom and was hitting it with a good old softball swing. I fighting with it a good 5 minutes... I was so focused that I didn’t even yell for my comp, who was in the kitchen. Finally, the mothy thingy landed on the wall and I hit a home run and killed the thing. Yuck. There’s a mark now on the wall... when my comp saw it she didn’t believe it- it was huuuge... about the size of the Book of Mormon. So that was funny.

-Regina is pregnant!!!! wow!! This is the first transfer that the Lord has blessed me with two families... and now both of the women are pregnant- Tatiane and Regina.. crazy.. They are both due the same month as well. ha-ha. So that’s funny. Tatiane and Francisco will be married on Saturday and Tatiane will be baptized the same day- they are sooo excited :) and Regina and Rodrigo are so strong, they went on visits with us this week. I love these families, it will be so hard saying goodbye... but at least next July I will be coming back to see them and their new babies! I jokingly told them they could name their kids with my name- mel- but we all laughed, because only dogs have my name here. haha.

-sebastiao recieved the priesthood!!! yay! He made us dinner last night because he was so excited. he has is a member for 2 months now... and has already read the book of mormon 3 times. crazy. We are also teaching a friend of his- Daniel, who is incredible. He is almost 18, but wants to be a missionary. He went to church yesterday, and then broke his foot... when we went to visit him at night, we saw him with the cast- I couldn’t believe it! (Generally we always promise blessings when they go to church) but he had a great vision- he said- "the enemy (devil) was mad that I went to church that I broke my foot!" ha-ha. So he accepted baptism for this week, but he wants to receive a response first... so we are praying that will happen.

- the third man.... yes that would be Marcos. He has a baptism date set for Wednesday, please, please, please, please pray for him that he doesnt smoke, and that he gets baptized. He wants so badly to be baptized, but has ruined 2 baptismal dates because of the cigarettes, but we are working with him, and with faith, prayer... He will be baptized. He’s an awesome guy, and needs to finally take this leap!

- Magali and Eliazer- this is a couple from my first area- Porto Ferreira- that came to visit me at church yesterday. I couldn’t believe it- its over and hour drive by moto to São João... and it is quite expensive. When I walked into church and saw them there, I started to cry. They had brought me presents, and I just felt overwhelmed. It is an amazing thing to reflect on my mission, and see all that has happened. There are so many incredible people that I have been blessed to teach and help, and I truly just feel overwhelmed...

But to finish off this last letter here... I guess it would be best just to bear me testimony :) here it goes...

I don’t know if it will be possible to write all that I feel, there is so much to say, and I have so little capacity to express all that I feel inside my heart. I am so grateful for the many blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon me- I am so grateful for my good parents and family, that taught me the right principles of life- here on earth and in the eternities. I am so grateful for the many inspired leaders the Lord has given me to instruct me and help me along my way. I feel overwhelmed to see how the Lord has guided my life. I am also eternally grateful for the way that the Lord has given me trials and tribulations- that molded who I am, and gave me understanding of the eternal gospel principles in my life, of the power of the atonement to cure every part of me.

After feeling the power and love of the atonement, I could not turn away the chance to serve a mission- to show my love and appreciation to the Savior- for how He had changed my life because of the atonement. What began as a search to truly serve and show my love for my Savior is now ending... and I see how much it is I who have benefited from the mission. I have strived with all of my heart, mind, and strength to serve the Master- once again I am amazed to see that it is I who have been blessed. I have gained a doubtless knowledge of the eternal principles of the gospel- the happiness of the Plan of Salvation, the importance of the Restoration, and the purifying cure of the atonement. I have loved the mission- it has been overwhelming to feel the love of the Lord as I have worked... to find eternal friendships- these people that I knew and walked and talked with in the pre- existence, and to feel this eternal love for them. I have found true and eternal friends- in my companions, in my leaders- especially presidente and Sister Condie- and most of all, in the very people of brazil, the people I have taught and loved.

This gospel is true. it was restored by a young boy Joseph Smith, whose innocent and pure faith was powerful enough to open the windows of heaven and restore the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and because of him we can enjoy the blessing of the gospel, pure and simple. Because of him we have eternal covenants and the power of our Savior on our side. I am so grateful for the covenants of the temple- and for my eternal family. I am so grateful for the beautiful plan of the master- for the purpose and part that everyone here has in that plane. I am so grateful for that knowledge in my life- that neither sin nor death shuts the gatest of heaven to us here on earth.

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, as I have read and pondered its pages, I feel a power, and the love of our Father in Heaven. I am grateful for the inspired prophets who have worked so diligently to write this book for us, that truly fills in all the doubt, and gives so much more faith.

I am grateful for the mission- for the amazing people that I have found and taught, and the blessing that Heavenly Father has given me to watch many enter the waters of baptism and continue growing in the gospel. The mission has not been easy, but it has been the happiest and best time in my life. There has been no hardest or easiest area- every area has its difficulties- every transfer its problems- whether it was companions, members, health, etc... but all worked for my good- because through them I came to know my Savior.

And this is my testimony more than all- that Jesus Christ is our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Master, Elder Brother, that he was born of humble birth during this Christmas season, lived a humble and dignified life, and was crucified for us. I know he suffered more that we can comprehend, bled at every pore, and with his stripes we are set free. Because of His love for every one of us- we have life, and hope, and life eternal. I love my Savior Jesus Christ with all my heart, and it is He that I serve, and will continue to serve until the end of my days- here on the mission and forever. I will never stop being a missionary- the people, food, language, and culture will change, but I will always have work to do. I will fight the good fight, because my Lord and master is on my side, and with Him, I cannot, and will not fail.

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him- that He lives! " (D&C 76:22)

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

com amor
Sister Melanie Monroe

A penny For Your Thoughts

então....
I am having a very hard time beginning this letter. It is hard to put into words all that I have felt and seen this past week. I loved Michaels letter, much of what he said was perfect, and exactly what I feel as well. In my last interview my President told me that the last 3 weeks on the mission can be some of the most impact-full weeks on the mission, and it is true... I have been overwhelmed with the many lessons that the Lord continues to teach me. So here are some of the things I continued to learn this past week-

- Patience-
This is something I really have learned on the mission…not only with others, but with myself, my body, my talents, my weaknesses...all of it. I was reminded and humbly taught this yet again this last week as my companion was quite sick this past week, and we had to stay in the house for 2-3 days... that doesn’t seem like much, but on the mission, its a lot of days. But I was able to remember how I felt when I had pneumonia... and how I really needed that time to sleep and get better. The trials and things that happen in our lives are always to help ourselves grow closer to the Lord, and so I am quite, quite grateful for every trial I have had in my life... I read so much of Jesus the Christ this past week as I tried to help my companion, and after a few days, my companion was better, and I had a much greater love for my Savior.

-Humility-
I have really learned that at times we do aaalll that we can, and things don’t work out. And it’s to help us at times to realize that its not us or our talents that are making the work happen, its the Lord. This week we had 3 incredible men set for baptism- Lorival, Marcos, and Julio... the three live far apart, and are awesome, all were progressing and excited for baptism... and then the Inimigo did his part... I don’t know how he managed it, but the baptism of all three fell through. We tried calling and visiting all three... and there was no one home in every single house. It was the weirdest, and one of the most discouraging things that have happened on the mission.. This week was one of those weeks, where you do everything you can, and nothing goes right. And yet, I have learned, its apart of life!

-Be Happy-
yep, and even with all of these things that go wrong, you can still laugh, smile, and find the good things that happen. It was a horribly stressful week, but the good news- is that’s its over, and life goes on. And I am only stronger. There were a lot of funny things that happened, as always... the good news is that my companion that I have right now is one of the best I have had on my mission. Sister Gomes is incredible, we laugh so much together, cry together, teach well together, and find beautiful moments in each day. It is such a blessing to have a good, good friend in my companion. She has a hard life- her parents threw her out of the house when she decided to serve a mission (Her parents left the church like 5 years ago) and she had to sell everything she had to serve a mission. And yet she is fantastically positive. Its true, you can always be happy- it doesn’t matter what is going on in life- happiness is a choice.

-Families are forever-
I have learned soo much on my mission that family ties are eternal. This past week, Tatiane and Francisco (one of the families that will baptize in 2 weeks) lost an uncle. I saw how much this hurt Tatiane... she cried and cried, but for the first time I saw how grateful she was for the gospel. The missionaries had visited her soo much, and she didn’t want anything, but during the last 6 weeks, she made a great change and completely accepted the gospel. I saw the happiness in her eyes and we taught her about temples, and about the spirit world, and the beautiful plan of salvation. She was soo happy, and two days later, she found out she was pregnant. Life always moves on, and it is cool because she will baptize pregnant... and her and Francisco are sooo happy, especially to raise this new baby, and her sister Isabella (the cutest little girl) in the church.
I have also felt so close to my family here on the mission... it sounds so funny to say when I am so far away, but I have learned soo much about the eternal ties that link our family. I have never felt so close to my relatives who have already passed on, as I have felt here on the mission, as well as seeing what great blessings my family has received while I have been here on Brasil.

-Endure-
It is incredibly hard to think that I only have 2 weeks left on the mission. I am trying to do all that I can to finish strong. I keep thinking of cross country, where you always have to sprint the last half mile. I feel like that’s what I am trying to do... Saturday when we arrived at home I can’t remember ever being more tired, or more happy. We had walked so much, and visited so many people, and when you do everything you an- it feel so good. It is always incredible to see how other people are keeping firme in the gospel- Sebastiao is helping all of the missionaries with visits, and all of the members love him1 Rodrigo received the priesthood yesterday and passed the sacrament. He was literally beaming from head to toe as he reverently passed the sacrament. I could tell that he was nervous, but so happy. He will quickly become a leader- it is easy to see... and Regina is so happy as well. Their two little children- Nicolly and Nycolas received baby blessings yesterday as well, and the two were blessed and it said they would receive missions.. I thought of the great blessings of the Lord... to see how the work just continues. I too, was promised in my baby blessing that I would preach the gospel to the nations of the world, and now, to see this dear family baptize- and to hear that their children will serve missions... just makes me realize how this is the Lords work. And it will continue growing and growing… nothing can stop it- no power of the devil, absolutely nothing will stop the gospel from filling the whole earth.


Hoorah for Israel- I love being a missionary, this continues to be one of the hardest, happiest, and most rewarding times in my life.

Have a great week- Be happy, be patient, endure, think of your family, and just laugh when trials come your way. You have to enjoy the journey, because it passes faster then you realize.

I love you all,
Sister Felony Monroe

ps... Pray for Estevam, and for Tatiane and Francisco!

Growing up at Last!

Wahoo!! So this last week was awesome, Rodrigo and Regina were married on Saturday, and baptized later that same day, and then confirmed the next day at church... it was amazing. There were of course lots of little stress things, like there always are... the font didn’t fill up all the way, so for 30 minutes we had to work like crazy filling it up with buckets, but I didn’t mind, it was really just funny. There was a man trying to take pictures of the baptism, even after we had explained to him that he couldn’t- and he left all hurt and bitter, but in the end it all worked out... the baptism was incredible.. and it was amazing to see the happiness of Rodrigo and Regina. Incredible.

They are so excited about the gospel, Rodrigo is studying up on the priesthood, next week he will be receiving it- along with Sebastião... which is way exciting. The two of them showed up to church in ties...ha-ha, I loved it. It is so funny to see how the gospel moves people. Rodrigo received a job offer this week, but turned it down because he would have to work on Sunday... what great faith in action!

We finally marked the wedding and baptism of Tatiane and Francisco! yay!! They were so happy- the two of them have had dreams about the church, and are super firme... We went with them to the cartorio on Thursday... I was so nervous that the documents of tatiane weren’t going to arrive in time, but a miracle happened and they arrived on Wednesday; we went to the cartorio on Thursday... and marked the wedding and baptism the last weekend I am here... phew. So it will be on Saturday December 15... I felt soo blessed to be able to see all of this, to see the miracles that are happening in the lives of these two families... I love them so much. It is incredible to see the blessings that immediately happen as they begin to prepare for baptism- Francisco received work; him and Tatiane are no longer fighting... Franscio is no longer drinking, and things are waay better in that family. And they are just so happy.

I feel so blessed to see how the Lord truly has His hand in the work, and prepares people for the missionaries... I have been overwhelmed to see how these two families have changed so much- Rodrigo and Regina, and Tatiane and Francisco. I feel a great love for them, something that is so hard to describe... a love that is eternal, a love that I feel for so many dear people here in Brazil. These are eternal friendships that the Lord is blessing my life with.

We are also working a lot with some other amazing people, and praying that they can all progress and make the commitment to go to church. There is so much to do, I feel a little bit overwhelmed really, with all of the responsibility and things I feel that need to be done, but I have come to accept that this is apart of life. There is always more to do than we have time, and more responsibilities to fulfill than we have capacity... and its how we grow. Its painful, but at the same time, its awesome to see how the Lord’s work is really the Lord’s.

I am realizing just how much I have grown up... It’s quite funny training, because all of a sudden with Sister Gomes I can see how much I have changed. I remember how I felt when I arrived here on the mission, how there were soo many things that I didn’t understand, I had so many questions, not only about Portuguese... but about everything... and now its so normal... and yet at the same time, I can see how much I still have to change and grow... good thing I have my whole life- its a process of change, slow, difficult, and line upon line.

I hope this all makes sense... I haven’t been sleeping very well this past week... I don’t know if I am nervous or what...so if this is confusing, my apologies.

So yep- that’s how life is here in São João da Boa Vista. Absolutely fabulous and crazy... we are running a lot, I am hoping my shoes can make it- yesterday I had to tape my shoe shut to be able to walk... my other shoes split this week and we were literally running home to make it home in time... and so I was running on the asphalt... but the good news is, we made it home in time! ha-ha.

Ok I better go- love you all!! Happy Late Thanksgiving... I completely forgot that it was last week... it seems like I have been living in the month of July for the past year and a half, it’s so hot. ha-ha. So I forget that the months move. :) (That’s my lame excuse!) he he.

Com Amor
Sister Monroe

A vida e uma Beleza

A vida é uma beleza

Wow, so Life is wonderful here in São João.... I am not quite sure how to sum up this last week and express everything that happened. There were momentos um...funny, and serious, and soul-wrenching, and everything in between... But like Michael said... is this new? com certeza não.

But here are some of the quotes that were highlights of my week-

"Isabella was chasing the bread man!" This was from one of the families we are teaching, Tatiane and Francisco. They are awesome. They have a one year old, Isabella, who is adorable, and has captured every single member in our ward. We are waiting for the certidão de Tatiane and so they can marry and baptize ( pray that it arrives this week please!!!) I am praying it can arrive today or weds (tomorrow is another blasted holiday) so that we can mark the wedding and baptism the last day of transfer... whew! But anyways, that wasn’t the point, the point is that Isabella, during sacrament meeting, was chasing the man who was distributing the sacrament... I tried so hard not to laugh. It was hysterical, she kept saying "da, da, da" which means, give... Ah I love little kids.

"These Sisters are a blessing in my house." This would be from Rodrigo and Regina who have successfully stopped smoking (yay!!!) and will be marrying and baptizing on Saturday. The ward is so excited, and miracle of miracles, there will be a fiesta on Saturday night for them. Wow... and to say that Rodrigo and Regina are excited would be an understatement. It is amazing to see how every time we visit them they are different, they have more light in their eyes, they know more about the gospel, they are more caring and loving in their family... They have two kids that are adorable... and they are being such better parents’ every time. It’s incredible how the gospel changes our very nature. I am so excited for Saturday.

"Eu sou apastolada bem." oh sorry, I was going to translate... but I don’t know this term in English. It’s like um... Let’s just say that this woman, Angelina, is 80, and is quite a character. She is waaaay catholic, she is part of a group that says prayers for other people, and she pulled out a catholic medallion that she wears (she looks like the pope. its crazy) to show us just how seriously catholic she is. So we almost fell over when she said Saturday that she would just "visit" the church because we had visited her. And then Sunday she was ready to go with us, with her neighbor, Zumira, (who is an amazing 80 year old we are teaching.. love her.) and she had been waiting for an hour for us to pass by... she woke up at 4 in the morning just to be ready for church at 8... ha-ha.

And guess what? She loved church, loved it. She was a different person afterwards. We thought she would kills us as we were walking to church.(even though its like a 30 minute walk to church, it took like 50 minutes because she was walking to church so slowly and swearing like a sailor every other word) But as we arrived there, she sat down, and the spirit really touched her. So last night she said she would really have to pray to know what to do now. She has a bunch of doubts now about the Catholic Church...Yes! I love the gospel! It changes even the impossible people... Angelina is really hysterical to teach though; she says the funniest things...aiai. She told us that the angels don’t dance, they waltz.. because she sees them.... and that’s just some of what she tells us. But it keeps us laughing.

"Yesterday I bought medicine to kill myself." This would be Lorival... an 80 year old man that I just love. We started teaching him this past week... and after we had a very, very spiritual first lesson, as we were leaving, he stopped us and, with tears in his eyes, told us that he was in a lot of financial problems, and was tired of life... he didn’t know what to do. The financial system here has robbed him, he was forced to retire, and the same company robbed him of all his retirement funds... its so sad but so common here... and so he bought some medicine to kill himself, and the next day we passed by and taught him... With tears in my eyes, we promised him that life is worth it... that he could turn to Jesus Christ during these moments... we made him promise us that he would not take this medicine, and he promised us. This was our last visit of the night, and as I walked home that night I cried, and cried... realizing how great is this calling.

I am constantly amazed at how the Lord puts us in these situations in the exact minute and second... it was so clear to me, how much love the Lord has for each of us. I felt an eternal connection with Lorival in that moment, something I don’t even know how to share.... He is amazing, and it was even more wonderful to have him, and Sebastião, and Rodrigo together yesterday at church... 3 incredible men.

So there is the week of craziness... it was wonderful. Life is wonderful... I have to go, love you all!

com amor
Sister Monroe

Sacrifico e Sorrissos

Wow, I don’t even know where to start. This last week has been crazy, but wait a second... I think I say that about almost email. I think that I was born into a family where every semana, um week, is crazy. Its awesome, realmente lots to do.

SO I will just go over the highlights of the week....

Monday- I had to sleep in Ribeirao because I was waiting for minha filha, so it was AWESOME because I got to go and work in Iraja Monday night... which made me soo happy. I called a bunch of recent converts there, and made some great visits... I saw Eva, Filipe and Marcia... I saw Lia and Danilo, and I saw Cleide and Adriano and Marines and Deborah.... it was soo wonderful to see how they are growing in their love and understanding of the gospel. It was amazing hearing how they are blessing the sacrament, going to firesides, doing visiting teaching.. I was so overcome with joy and happiness to see them... and as it came time to part I cried all over again... it is so hard to say goodbye. I cried a lot- like every visit. ha-ha. But it was wonderful.

We also had lunch with Presidente Cano and his wonderful family, Juliana and Gisele... they are the stake president in Riberiao Oeste... and I absolutely love this family. They helped me so much when I was in Iraja, they brought me soup every night when I was sick with pneumonia, and they always went on visits with us. It was so incredible to see them, and I cried to leave them again.

Tuesday- I met minha filha!! Sister Gomes! She is from Rio DeJaneiro... I absolutely love her. its funny, because I am suppose to train her, but her testimony is so powerful that I am learning more from her than she is from me. Her family is all um I don’t know this word... afasted? ..... drat... ok so I give up, anyways her family doesn’t go to church, and they are way against the church now, they through her out of the house when she decided to serve a mission. So she is pretty much incredible, she has literally given up everything to be here, which is amazing. She will be a powerful, powerful missionary, and I am so grateful to her mae :)

Tuesday night we were in training and stuff, so we got home like 10 at night, and were exhausted.

Wed- First day for Sister Gomes... I realized just how much I have grown... its funny because I think so many things are normal, and now being with a greenie... I can remember what its like. We have laughed so much at things, as I have remembered what its like to say things wrong, how you invited incorrectly... or just not knowing what scriptures to use or whatever... its funny. And the blisters... now I remember how it was... poor thing she has a bunch of blisters on her feet. But she doesn’t complain, which is great.

Ok so call me blonde.. I know that I was doing a day by day entry here... but I can’t remember what things happened on what day... so I will just talked in general now. ha-ha. Sorry everyone, I am a bit of scatter brain still.. ha-ha.

So yep this week it rained a tooon... this rain months messed up here, it was suppose to be like this in septembro... but its been delayed so its raining like crazy to make up. I think today I will go buy the mother of all umbrellas... because I am tired of being completely soaked.

We have 3 families that are progressing!!!!!!!! Two of them are firme for batismo... yeah!! Rodrigo and Regina are awesome, they are stopping to smoke... (I know the grammar is off) They only smoked one cigarette yesterday which is incredible! Rodrigo smoked two packs a day, and we have been working with them for weeks now on this, we wrote his kids names on the cigarettes, and things like "eternal marriage" and "baptism” so it was funny because when he smoked we asked him, so who did you smoke? And then he laughed, but it made him think about it. They are awesome, this couple, their two kids Nicolly and Nicolas are way cute, even though Nicolly is a terrorist. They cry every time we leave. :)

Rodrigo said the greatest thing on Saturday... He looked at me and said, "I will never forget the first time you came to our house, you looked at me with surprise, (very true) and then asked if my wife was home." (We didn’t even know if he was married) Rodrigo lovingly held the DVD (enconrtar fe em cristo) and said, "this is what began my salvation." I tried not to cry, because it is amazing to see how people change with the gospel, and to see how this family is helping to change the energy and love in the ward as well. they will be married and baptized in 2 weeks.. Yeah!!

The second family is Tatiane and Francisco... Francisco was baptized about 15 years ago, but is menos active... he doesn’t remember anything, but Tatiane has finally accepted baptism!! The sisters have been visiting her for months now... and the first week we visited them she was way against the Book of Mormon, so we felt we should just leave them for awhile... and then 2 weeks ago, we felt that it was time to go back, and they were completely different. They are going to church now, and we finally have all the documents they need to mark their marriage this week (yeah!!!) and Tatiane had a dream with like the second coming of Christ... she is finally accepting the Book of Mormon, and has accepted baptism!!!

so it is awesome to see how much these two families have changed. the third family, Claudia and Silvio are having lots and lots of problems... all three of these families don’t have work, but its amazing to see that the families that make the sacrifice, go to church, are being blessed with financial and spiritual help.. Claudia and Silvio are progressing... but are lacking the faith to move forward faster... we will see how it goes this week with them.

I love the mission, we worked so hard this last week, as usual had lots of disappointments, but to see the joy of these families as they begin to understand how families really can be eternal... it makes it all worth it. I am so grateful to be here, and so grateful to be with Sister Gomes, she is an incredible example to me of sacrifice, and makes me realize we can all sacrifice a little bit more for the gospel.

I love you all, thanks for the prayers and love!!
beijos
Sister Melanie Monroe

Vou ser Mae!! (I will be a mom!)

Ok so big news- On my last transfer here in Brazil (crazy) I will be training! Wahoo. In mission terms we say that you will be a mom, because when you arrive on the mission, you are born, you are a filha (daughter) and then we you train you are a mom or dad (mae, pae) and then when you finish the mission you die... and your last companion kills you... I know it all sounds so weird, for me it sounds soo weird in English. That last sentence is grammatically terrible.

But I am super excited to train, and I am soo excited to stay in São João da Boa Vista. This is the prettiest area that I have been in, it is in the interior and so the view is beautiful... lots of mountains, hills, etc. Last pday we went and visited a nearby city and waterfall, I ate food that I love- curau (a corn dessert that I love) and tapioca (which by the way mike eu sei fazer! acredito?) and so that was way fun.

Its funny because the last 4 transfers I just keep moving companions... with more than one year on the mission I had 2 areas and 3 companions, everyone joked about how I never moved... and now it just keeps moving. I was sad to leave Sister Cunha, we certainly were different, but I learned to love her. We did a lot of good, good work together. This last week we went with a couple to the cartorio and did the first part of the wedding... we set a marriage date, along with the baptismal date for November 24th.... yay!! They are such an amazing family; they love the gospel so much.

We also finally are on the last part of the paperwork for another family, Claudia and Silvio, so this week we will go with them to the cartorio,.. yay!! We also have another family, that came to church yesterday that are amazing.. that are also not married... i cant complain because it is amazing to work with families... especially when they accept the gospel, but wow.... it is so much work to get them married, but so worth it! So pray for these families for me! (Tatiane and Francisco, Claudia and Silvio, and Rodrigo and Regina)

It was funny, this last week it rained a tooooon, and one night we were with Rodrigo and Regina, and there was a huge storm, the roof of their house was shaking, I thought it would fly off any second, I was so nervous. The power went out- and Sister Cunha is afraid of lightning, and afraid of the dark, she jumped in my arms, and then after her the baby Nicolly jumped in my arms… it was a lot of people hugging me, and I was just trying to stay calm, waiting for Rodrigo to find the candles... when we could finally see, there I was, holding my companion and the baby... ha-ha.

Sister Cunha was so sad to leave all of these families, we cried a lot… but there is something to be said in the timing of the Lord, we never know what is in store for us in the future.

I am excited to be training, let’s see how my filha will be... she will be killing me..... crazy. The time passes so fast. Last night as we were riding the onibus to Riberiao for transfers there was the most beautiful sunset, brilliant red and orange... with misty clouds because of the rain, and vibrant green hills with plantations of coffee and sugar cane. As I looked out the window I began to cry. It hurts so much to think that one day I have to leave this beautiful place, and leave these people that I love. I love it here. As we teach these families, I feel like I am glimpsing into the eternities... there is a feeling so special... a joy so profound... I have never been so happy. I have never felt love so real or so profound.

So that’s about it, thanks everyone for all you are doing. I am so happy to hear that everyone is helping with the aftermath of the fires... my prayers are with you all.

com muito amor e carinho
Sister Melanie Monroe

Fire Here and Fire There

Well... I don’t even know where to start.... I have cried, and cried, and cried as I have read all of the emails and looked at the pictures of the fire... I have been worried sick about it all week. So worried that I called Presidente Condie and received permission to call home to see if you guys were all right...

I called on Saturday but I could only remember 4 numbers... I tried all of them, the house, mom’s cell phone, dad’s cell phone... and the only number I could think of was Julie Warcup... I didn’t talk to her for very long, just a little bit to hear about the damage, which had lost homes... and to hear that my family was all right. I was soo sad to hear about the 18 families that lost homes in our stake, but I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude that it was only this... with all of the damage that happened; I cannot believe how much the Lord saved.

On Monday I knew about the fire... I was nervous, and I started feeling so nervous that I started feeling sick... we were walking close to the stake president, and he gave me a blessing, which helped me a great deal. Then the next day, we were teaching families in a neighborhood, and we walked by a house, that caught fire... we were the 2 and 3 person there, so we ran to grab buckets, and started helping to put out the fire... but we didn’t get there in time, the fire claimed all of the house, and we couldn’t do anything... Sister Cunha cried because she knew the family... I cried because I was thinking about this fire in California... and I was so worried about all of you.

But all of this week I tried to remain focus and calm, and remember that the Lord would do his part to help all of you... and that I had to do my part here... I worked as hard as I could... and happily, we have two families who we will be gong with to the cartorio this week to be married! well.. its the first step.. then in 2 weeks they will be married and baptized! yeah!! So that’s exciting... two families!! they are incredible, the Lord really did his part, we still have a lot to do.. Because Satan works so hard with families, and they live on opposite sides of the city, and so we have to walk a lot, work really hard, and help the progress and resolve doubts... all that jazz.

But yeah, I don’t have too much to say, my heart is quite heavy, I feel so sad for these many people that lost homes.

One good piece of news- Sebastiao, we was baptized last week, read the whole Book of Mormon in a week... he is now reading the guide in back.. Hah.. he also had a dream with Sister Cunha and I, leading him to a tree with fruit sooo white... we opened up the Book of Mormon, and read Lehi’s dream with him… to which he said this was his dream…and asked if we were reading his mind. Sweet things that happen because of the spirit. Sebastiao is so awesome; it is wonderful to see a man soo changed and so different.... He is just amazed with the gospel, he went on visits with us, and surprised us with how much he testified and urged others to come with us to church. Yeah!!

So anyways... my prayers are with all of you... keep on going, I know that the Lord will reach out and comfort all of us during this time. Thanks for all that you are doing to serve others during this time.

Sister Monroe