I'm a MOM?

Hello everyone!

 I hope everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit because I sure am!  Actually I bought and set up a Christmas tree a few weeks ago (before Thanksgiving haha)! 

This past week we had our Christmas conference which was awesome because over half the mission got together!  It’s always so good to get together with other missionaries and catch up with old comps.  Especially because my current area is pretty separated from the rest of the mission.  So we don’t see people too often.  At the conference we had a big gift exchange and just celebrated together which was a great change of pace.  And of course, we heard some talks from our mission president and his wife about Chrisit’s birth and His Atonement which were inspiring as usual.

Transfers happened this week and I got some interesting news.  I’m staying in the same city but they closed my area, so there will only be one companionship here.  And I will be finishing the training of an American!  I’m stoked to have an American comp because I think we’ll get along and have a lot of fun together, but it’s gonna be interesting and challenging trying to communicate haha.  Also, I was made leader of our district (which is just us and another companionship in a neighboring city) and I’m a bit overwhelmed with all of these responsibilities I’ve suddenly been given.  But I’m hyped and it’s gonna be an awesome transfer! 

Oh, also for anyone confused about the title, I’m a mom because in mission genealogy your first companion is called your dad because he trains you how to be a missionary. And because I’m going to be my comp’s second trainer that makes me his mom haha. But it’s dope because we already lived in the same apartment together.  So I already know him decently well and we get along great!

The work is going super well now. We have a lot of people to teach with a desire to learn more.  And a few of them are progressing really quickly so hopefully I’ll have some exciting news for you guys soon!

I’m still out here enjoying everything Brazil has to offer.  One noteworthy food that I’ve been obsessed with as of late is Caldo de Cana.  It’s basically just sugar cane juice.  I don’t even know what it tastes like, it’s just sweet and cold, but trust me, it’s good.  I’m also still meeting all kinds of people.  One of the more interesting ones I’ve met believes that the Tree of Life is in the North Pole and the government is keeping us from seeing it.  Most people are normal, but the people like that really stand out. 

One of my favorite scriptures at the current moment is 2 Nephi 19:6  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  At General Conference President Nelson invited us to study the names of Christ and what each one reveals about His attributes.   I love the names in this scripture, but one of my favorites is “Counselor”.  One of the most important things I’ve learned (and am still learning more about every day) is sincere prayer and searching for His guidance. He is always there to help us when we need it but sometimes we really gotta work for it.  But when we look for His light in our lives, we can make important decisions with confidence.  And we also can take His name upon us and be Counselors to those in need!  Check out the Light the World videos this year if you haven’t already!  The world needs YOUR light!  

Love ya’ll.  Talk to you later!