dreainbrazil – Page 4 – Sister Aundrea Evans In Sao Paulo

Well, this week was a lot better than the last. Except for that it rained the. Entire. Week. I ran out of dry shoes… it´s fine. But it was good, we´re getting better. There´s something that I noticed that happens to me, which shouldn´t, because it also happened all throughout the Book of Mormon AND the Bible. Which is this: we do really well for a few weeks. Weeks super productive, lots of blessings, strong spirit, etc. and then, one week we didn´t do everything in our power, or I didn´t serve with everything that I have, and it shows for the next couple weeks. Then, we gotta figure out what we did wrong, or what we could have done better, and fix it up. And then the next week is great again. This cycle is really annoying and I wish that I was not so human so it would stop happening. But it won´t until I learn to make it stop. It´s funny because the scriptures warn us about this very cycle. AND YET. But it´s okay, I’m learning, and trying to avoid it.

But guys I seriously love being a missionary. never again in my life will I spend worrying my pants off about how we are going pick up 10 people to go to church on foot. Never again will I be called SEESTER. Never again will I have the authority to call people to repentance and bring them to the truth. “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.´´ 3 Nephi 5:13

I’m trying my best to take advantage of every moment, because it´s going really fast. Sometimes I slip into the cycle again, but I’m learning to avoid it, so that I can do the most good that I can, and let God shape me into who He wants me to be as much as possible.

But I know that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father, and He loves us more that we can even imagine. I know that because of Jesus Christ, we are able to be cleansed of our sins and become like Him. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, how He established and organized it in ancient times. There is no other way to eternal happiness. In the end, the Lord´s way is easier. Because His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. So follow Him. The journey is long, and our feet get heavy, but the path is straight, and leads us directly to Him. We just gotta stay on it.

FICA FIRME! AMO VOCÊS!!!

Sister Evans

Rain all week but the beautiful flowers brighten life up

I can’t think of a subject

August 16, 2017 dreainbrazil

This week was long. Really long. With a lot of door knocking involved. A lot. But I´m learning creole, so that´s really fun. Woohoo!! One of our recent convert gave us a packet of creole/Portuguese and so basically we´ll be speaking creole fluently next week. jkjkjk. Hattians are really great, except for when they fall in love with you and want to take you to Haiti, then it gets a little creepy. But nothing we can´t handle. Let me see, what else happened this week… knocking doors… more doors… even more doors… yeah that´s about it. OH I have 10 months now. It´s getting hotter again, which means I’m getting blacker. But also it´s really humid and sticky. also we were at lunch with a member, and her little 3 year old daughter comes in with a newspaper that has a picture of Donald Trump on the front, and she says, and I quote (in English, but it´s funnier in Portuguese) “Mom, did you see the ugly man???´´ I just about died of laughter. It was one of those moments you only hear about but it´s so perfect because she´s 3 years old and knows nothing of politics.

But anyway, it´s getting harder for me to write these weekly letters and I don’t know why. I’m keeping a good journal I promise. All I really know is that imma need a chiropractor when I get back, because I now am able to pop weird parts of my body, like my shoulder blades and collar bone, and stuff like that. But it´s all good.

I really am grateful to be here. There are always good weeks and less good weeks, and unfortunately this was a less good week, to be real. But I just gotta change my attitude and work harder for next week to be a better week. Something my old mission pres always said is that you shouldn’t adapt to your circumstances, you have to change them. If we don´t like the way things are going, do all that you can to change it. If you´re not having success, you can have positive attitude by saying, it will get better; or you can change the circumstance and make it better yourself. (And with God´s help because He makes it easier.) And so this is something I need to work on. Changing the circumstances.

I know that the Lord ALWAYS will prepare a way for us to accomplish the things which He commands us. We can make it through anything, because He will never give us a trial that we cannot overcome.

Also usually when I write these little encouraging things at the end of my emails, it´s because I’m trying to encourage myself, but I hope it encourages you guys too.

LOVE YOU ALL!!! BOA SEMANA!!!

Couldn´t upload pics, sorry… next week. 🙃

Sister Evans

This Week Was a Week

August 7, 2017 dreainbrazil

Seriously.

Wow guys I am tired. I honestly don´t know how I continue to work every day. Phew. But I still love it. I don´t really have much to say this week, honestly, except for that I hit 10 months this week. We´re searching high and low for new investigators, but some people are just so close-minded and hard-hearted. It´s kinda frustrating, but just gotta keep going I guess. Oh also we met a guy that is part of a band. Not a music band, but like a clan. Those secret bands that dress all in white and make secret oaths with each other. If you’ve read the Book of Mormon, I’m talking the clan of Kishkumen and Gadianton. I don´t know if they kill people, but it´s some high level apostasy, I gotta say.

Also Hattian food is a beautiful thing. Also, I miss Chinese food.

Buuttt, I hope you all have a good week, remember to always trust in the Lord, and do your part with all diligence, and He will do His. Thanks for the prayers!!

Love you all, boa semana!!!

Sister Evans

Aundrea & Sister Benitez were recognized in the mission newsletter for the extra hard work they’re doing in Eden

yes there is a statue of liberty in sorocaba, são paulo, brazil

Helping Hands- day for community service

I Don’t Know What To Do With all These Blessings!

August 1, 2017 dreainbrazil Comments 0 Comment

This week was quite a week.

So, my companion is super cute, she´s from Paraguay! She´s super excited and optimistic, and is really helping me a lot. I love her so much, and I love working with her. We´re working our butts off these days. I’ve actually never been so tired in my life. Every day this week we got home and every part of me was exhausted. I question how I will be able to get up and work the next day, but I just do.

The formula I passed you all last week is incredible. We are using it in every possible moment, sharing it with members, recent converts, less actives, investigators, everythinggggg. Guys, it´s legit. The scriptures are amazing. The Book of Mormon is true, and Hattians are golden.

Seriously, I think I was supposed to serve in Haiti. But this is close enough. It´s actually wonderful. The Hattians are a wonderful people. They love God, love to learn, and love Americans (score!) especially when they try to speak Creole (double score!) and it´s so fun. I think I have more friends from Haiti than the United States now. We´re planning to start a class in church in Creole to help them understand the doctrine better, and learn Portuguese at the same time.

I really am feeling myself grow spiritually (and physically because the food here in Eden is great) and I am learning to completely trust in the Lord. I literally just work my butt off, and if I make a mistake I repent immediately and sincerely. always keep a prayer in your heart, use your faith by doing your part and trusting that the Lord will do His, serve others by sharing the gospel (aka giving them the opportunity to live with God and their families forever, and to be happy even during difficulties) and ALWAYS repent. When we constantly recognize our mistakes and sincerely want to be better, we are being humble and meek. And remember that scripture: blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. That´s not an exaggeration (sp?). I literally feel like I’m inheriting the earth with all the blessings we´re having. Guys it works I’m serious use the formula to success in ALMA 26:22 AND YOU SHALL PROSPER IN THE LAND.

LOVE YOU ALL!! BOA SEMANA!!!

Sister Evans

New companion Sister Benitez from Paraguay

It’s a Girl!

July 24, 2017 dreainbrazil

That´s right my friends, 9 months and now I have a daughter!! (Which means I’m training a new missionary.) It´s funny to me how that worked out. I’m kinda really scared. I don´t even get to practice by finishing someone´s training, she is literally fresh out of the MTC and I am her first experience in the mission field. Help. Me. the pressure is officially on. I hope she´ll like me.

But anyway, sorry about my emails the last few weeks, they really have been horrendously short. But hey, I’m not perfect. But this week I’ve been thinking and studying a lot, and I’ve learned a few things. Holy cow I am a different person. I have learned to trust in the Lord in everything, and found that it usually works out. I finally figured out how faith works, and have been able to use it in the work. I’ve been repenting everyday with real intent, and it seriously makes a difference when I really notice what I did wrong, confess to Him that I recognized it, and ask for forgiveness, and strength to not make the same mistake again. It really pays off and He´s been blessing us like crazy. I feel like I don´t deserve the blessings, but I have them so might as well take advantage of them right? I’ve also been praying harder, and evaluating myself and my day in my prayers. Life is easier when you talk about it who knows everything. I ask for counsel in what I need to do better, and for strength to carry out His will. Guys, it works.

It´s really because of a scripture that has the formula to a successful life. Alma 26:22

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.

This literally gives the formula to life.

Repentance + Faith + Good Works + Prayer = Successful life (know the mysteries of God)

That´s it guys. Have an evaluation of yourself daily in prayer. Repent sincerely, have faith that God will help you in all things, and serve others. Serving other does not always mean weeding your neighbor´s garden; it also means sharing the gospel with people, because you´re literally giving them the opportunity to live with God and their families for eternity. That´s the best kind of service. Seriously. Use this formula. Study the scriptures and pray with fervor and it will all be okay. Btw this formula is the first thing that our new President passed to us. He´s great.

But anyway, I love and miss you all, but I may love missionary work more. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that we are able to be happy even during trials and difficulties. Remember that you are loved. REPENT AND HAVE FAITH AND DO YOUR PART!!! And also write me emails I think that also helps your eternal salvation as well.

Love y´all! BOA SEMANA!!

Sister Evans

Baptism of 2 Haitian women- Nazaire & Samie

Our District Leader finished his misision…meaning he dies, and we killed him

9 Months

July 11, 2017 dreainbrazil

Well, I’m officially halfway through my mission. It´s super weird to think about. It´s going so fast. I am truly grateful to be a missionary here in Brazil. I have learned so much about trusting in the lord, about my potential as a missionary and as a person. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ and that nothing can stop the work. I don´t have much time, sorry, but I love and miss you all.

Sister Evans

Roasting the big marshmallows from her package for…

It’s Independence Day! 4th of July in the United States of America

WHAT I LEARNED IN BOATING SCHOOL IS…

July 3, 2017 dreainbrazil

7-3-17

I miss SpongeBob. A lot.

And also that time flies. I will have 9 months next week and I don´t know what to think. Halfway?? How did that even happen? Next week I’ll tell yáll bout what I’ve learned so far on the mish.

Buuuut, this week was okay… we worked hard but only 2 people went to church, and no one was baptized. I sat there thinking during sacrament about what we missed, and I felt that the only thing impeding our success is our diligence in obedience. I honestly had started to think that just working hard would give fruits, but boy was I wrong. We are doing really well with working with members, knocking doors, talking to everyone, but it´s the little things, like leaving the house a couple minutes late, or staying in the member´s houses a couple minutes over the hour, little things that impede the blessings of the lord. Sunday afternoon, we made a goal and a promise with the Lord to be exactly obedient, and guess what? Adam and Aline (who cut us last Sunday) had the answer they were waiting for. Adam had dream about the church, and several members, and the missionaries. And now, he knows it´s all true, and we will be working with them again this week to be baptized as soon as possible. I see this as a blessing from the Lord from just making the commitment. If this is the reward for just making the promise, imagine the reward when we fulfill the promise!!!! I am filled with gratitude for the Lord, and am very humbled. This is His work, not mine, and if I want to have success, I have to play by His rules, which works out great because He made the game, and knows how to win.

We can apply this outside the mission field as well. We need to do the little things that he asks of us. Daily scripture study, daily prayer, go to church every Sunday, serve others, little things. Look for opportunities to be better every day. He already knows how to do everything, and the outcome of any choice you make, so just go to him and he´ll guide you along the way, to have the best ending possible. He´ll always give you guidance, because you are his child and He loves you deeply. Don´t abandon Him, because He will never abandon you.

Hope you´re all doing well, love and pray for you!!! Boa semana!!!!!

Love, Sister Evans

p.s. I forgot my camera so pics next week! Sorry!

Sister Evans

Church in Eden

Templo!!

June 29, 2017 dreainbrazil

This last week was rough, our baptisms fell through. Out of the 12 people that went to church last Sunday, none of them were baptized. So that was fun. Buuuut we´re working hard anyway to be better. Also, p-day wasn´t on Monday, that´s why my email is late. We went to the TEMPLE IN CAMPINAS WITH PREZ AND SIS FARNES FOR THE LAST TIME and it was beautiful. I really feel renewed and refreshed and ready to be a better person in general. Also I’m sorry it was short but I’m tired and going to sleep now.

Amo vocês!! Boa semana!!

Sister Evans

Aundrea and Sister Tuimoala

Finally a chance to go to the temple- Campinas Brazil Temple

President & Sister Farnes

Holiness to the Lord

Sister Gongalves

Beautiful women in a beautiful place

The Garden of Eden

June 19, 2017 dreainbrazil

First of all, Eden is not quite the paradise I was expecting. There´s old men who mock our beliefs in our faces, children that throw rocks at us, and atheists that are more Christian than the Christians. But on the bright side, there is only 3 hills, the rest is flat, which is actually heaven. We also have a ward here, and a church building which is lovely, and one of the members looks like my cousin Jaren.

My comp is Sister Tuimoala from Auckland, New Zealand. She´s super cute and full of life and love. She has 4 months on the mish. This week was great, I’m getting to know Eden, and it´s pretty cool so far. There is a ton of Hattians, which is fun, but now I’m wishing that I tried to learn French before the mish. We baptized this kid Oscar this week, and he´s from Haiti. He´s hilarious, and speaks like 10 words in Portuguese, 5 words in English, and fluent French and creole. Our lessons with him involved a lot of drawings, and google translate. Luckily, last transfer my comp had asked for a French Book of Mormon because she wanted to learn French, and they sent 2, so she gave me one. So I had this French book of Mormon, and when I met Oscar, I decided to give it to him. So that´s awesome, he´s reading it with Portuguese to learn faster. Nice.

This transfer is my first time being senior companion, which consists of a lot more responsibility. I have to know how, when, where, and what to do. It´s weird, but it´s really fun being in charge. I finally am able to put everything that I’ve learned together, and work in the way that I feel will be best. I’m learning to trust in the Lord with everything that I have, as I no longer have an older and wiser companion to rely on. It´s super fun because I see myself in sister Tuimoala, the questions that she has, the way she thinks, is almost exactly the same when I had 4 months. It´s awesome because I actually know how to help. Guys I know things!!! Wow!!!

I am extremely grateful for all of the opportunities we have to learn, whether from trials or happiness, it all helps us grow. Our growth never stops, we always need to be progressing. If we are at a stand-still, or going through the motions, we´re doing it wrong. We have to take risks in order to accomplish things. We gotta just go for it, or just do it, as Nike says. We need to grasp the iron rod, and press forward with steadfastness in Christ, with a perfect brightness of hope, which means that we need to have goals, and have faith that we will accomplish them with the help of the Lord. You cannot have fear, because fear and faith cannot exist in the same place. JUST DO IT! SÓ VAI CORINTHIANS!!!

AMO VOCÊS! BOA SEMANA!

Ps. my comp is teaching me the Haka chant, be jealous.

Sister Evans

New companion, Sister Tuimoala from New Zealand

Last Week in Pilar

June 12, 2017 dreainbrazil

[Short & sweet- must be busy packing up. As she’s going into winter there I asked about weather & told her how crazy ours has been w/lots of storms. She said it’ll be hot & humid in the day then rain hard at night. They even had hail & everyone thought the world was ending. Now the temp is 40-50 degrees & she loves it, of course.]

So I found out I’m being transferred tomorrow!! I´m going to Eden, just outside of Sorocaba, and my companion is from New Zealand!! I don´t remember her name it´s really hard. I´m super sad to leave Pilar do Sul because I have so many people I love here. It was especially hard to say goodbye to Benedito, my RC. I cried, and I don´t ever cry. 😥 But I have to keep going to keep growing. It´s hard, but necessary.

This week Vivian was baptized! This girl is literally pure gold! She is incredible. She started doing personal progress before her baptism even! she´s 17 and is becoming an amazing woman. I don´t know what I did to deserve to baptize her.

I am so grateful to have served in Pilar, I will miss everyone here so much it hurts help me. But on to the next chapter. 2017 LORD´S TRIP WE´RE GOIN BIG!!!!

I know that this church is true, and I know that we can live again with our families and friends in the life to come. I know that we are never alone in our difficulties because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and because He has felt everything, and has paid for everything, so we have no need to dwell on the past, but can look and press forward with faith in Him. I love this gospel, and love you all too!!!

Boa semana!!!

Sister Evans