August 2017 – Sister Aundrea Evans In Sao Paulo

Hi Guys

August 28, 2017 dreainbrazil

Yáll prolly don´t understand the funniness of a Brazilian saying “hi guys´´ but it´s okay. I’ll show you when I get back.

This week was exhausting. Honestly I hit a point on Saturday that I’ve never hit ever on my mission; where I just wanted to sit down and give up. I was exhausted, nothing was working out, we were running back and forth and everything was going wrong. And I wanted to quit. I wanted to call it in early, go home and lay down in my bed and call it good for the day. I really fought with myself for a few moments, knowing that I definitely should not quit and go home early, but wanting to more than anything. And I didn´t give in. I just had to accept it, that´s how it is, and move on. And we still didn´t end the day with any miracles or even very well. In fact, it would appear as far as numbers go, that we had failed real bad that day. But even so, I didn´t give up. And that in itself was a success. I was proud of myself for not throwing in the towel. I remember in school, when I had homework that was hard or something, I usually would just ´´whatever it´´. And give up. And so I was really able to see my progress as a person at the end of the day, that I had learned to “embrace the suck´´ like my dad always told me to. And hey, it works. I know that we had done what we could, even though it didn´t work out how we wanted.

But this week will be better. Guys, the Lord always prepares a way for us to overcome our trials. We can´t give up!!! He´s right there by our side. Even when nothing is going right, we think there´s no way out, there is. Trust in Him, and just do it. Embrace the suck. Love how difficult it is, and know that it is part of the refining process, and you are slowly turning into a beautiful butterfly. Or diamond. Or unicorn. Whatever you prefer.

Amo vocêsss!!!
Sister Evans

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