Sister Aundrea Evans In Sao Paulo

This week, so many things happened that it feels like a month since I emailed everyone. first of all, 2018 started, the Lord´s prophet went home, I did a division in Eden, my other area, we cleaned a recent convert´s house so he could move in, we found some new people to teach, sister Gonçalves finished her mission, other friends finished their missions, I have a new companion that actually came last week and we were in trio until Gonçalves left yesterday…. yeah. I’m kinda exhausted. 

But anyway, transfers happened again, and I’ll be staying in Trujillo (probably for the rest of my mission) with sister costa from Portugal. She´s cool, we´re gonna have a blast. And now I have to train my comp on how to be a sister training leader even though I’ve only been one for a little over a month and I don´t know anything and I’ll probably die but that´s okay. I’m grateful for the members here that are so loving and willing to help. I’ll for sure need to lean on them a bit this transfer. I also have like 4 moms here so that´s fun. All I know is that I’ll probably have white hair when I get back. And not just because the sun bleached it. 

But I am excited (and nervous) for this New Year; I have no idea what will happen. It´s really weird when your mission friends finish their missions and you´re left alone with the greenies haha. You get a bit trunky but also you put the mission into perspective and realize that your time is coming to a close and so you work even harder. I made a promise with the Lord that these last two transfers of my mission will be the most consecrated transfers of my life. I’m going to be more obedient, more loving, more Christ like. I’m gonna give it all. 

Sometimes it´s hard for me to keep focused. Sometimes I get stressed and forget why I’m here and what I’m teaching. But then I have a self-evaluation and I set goals to get better. Then I study harder, bear my testimony more, think less about myself, and it gets better. 

I am so grateful that I could be here preaching the gospel. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and I know that they love me. I know that if we do our best and strive to progress, God will take care of the rest. (“all of this is true… because it rhymes´´)

boa semana e novo ano!!!!

I’m sorry that there are no pics idk what´s happening with my card but I’ll get it fixed soon. 

— Sister Evans

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 

Wow this year flew by. I can hardly believe it´s already 2018. I remember back in 2016 saying that I’d be going to Brazil and only would be back in 2018. How crazy. Well, I’m officially old. I know this because I no longer walk like I used to. And also my body pops in new places every day. But I could work another 6 months. 2 year mission let´s go! Anything to procrastinate that 14 hour plane ride!! 

But wow have I learned a lot this year. I learned to appreciate cars, how to talk to people, how to like people, how to deal with the problems of other people (I’m actually still learning that), how to apply Christ´s Atonement in my life, how to win the trust of people (muahahahaha), how to make changes in my life and in my attitude, how to work hard, how to go until there is nothing left, how to not cry when wanting to, how to laugh and smile when not wanting to, how to recognize the spirit, how to recognize the enemy, how to talk to my Heavenly Father… there´s more but that´s enough for now. 

This year was awesome. There were good times and bad times, difficult times and less difficult times, but it was great. I have changed a lot. My 2018 self is so much different than my 2016 self. It´s like I leveled up or something. But I am working to change even more, because we can´t stay stagnant. Change is necessary in our lives and in God´s plan. We all have huge potential.

My goal and challenge for everyone is to visualize who you want to be. What kind of person? What you will do? What do you want to accomplish? What qualities do you wish to develop? Etc. then make a list, or draw a picture or something to visualize the future you. Then make plans to become. There´s a scripture in D&C 58 that I found that basically tells you how to make goals.  

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;      

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

So you can do what you want, as long as it´s righteous and does good to you and others. This helped me a lot these days, as I was stressing out about what I will do when I get home, but then I read this and I got calm and felt that it will all be okay, I just need to worry about what´s happening right now, and make myself better today. And take it all day by day, one day at a time. Like my mom always says. 

But anyway I hope we will all try to be better in 2018, because this New Year brings hope and change. And also probably the 2nd coming of Christ. Just sayin.

Amo vocês!!! Boa semana!!!!!!!

Sister Evans