September 23,2013

So this last weekend was REALLY REALLY REALLY special. 4 baptisms!!!! The whole world is in shock. It was such a miracle, a family and an eternal investigator.

But as always before the baptism there will be trials. This time the trials were different than any other baptism.

1st, we were robbed. The 1st time on my mission. And the only thing he took was our ugly little cellphone. What a blessing because I had my camera and my two bank cards with me! The sad part is our cellphone had umlimited credit! (and NO ONE has that, just APs and secretaries).

2nd: We reviewed the baptismal questions the day before the interview, we learned that one of our investigators had some issues that could very well hinder his baptism! We couldn´t believe it, he is so ready for the gospel. He takes the Book of Mormon to work and reads during lunch even with all his co-workers giving him a hard time. We borrowed a cellphone and called President, and President Wright came and gave the baptismal interview. Our investigator told the experience and President said that he could be baptized! WHAT A RELIEF! Because if he wasn´t baptized, his wife wouldn´t be and who knows if his daughter would be.

Anyways sunday was really special. Our Eternal investigator Her son baptized her (and then the family). But the best part was President and Sister Wright came and played piano and violin for the baptismal service.
 Also on sunday our 1st baptism here in lindóia passed the sacrament. He never had before because he showed up late, and didn´t have a suit. Someone in the ward paid for a white shirt and slacks for him. i love this area, we have seen so many miracles!

I haven´t really talked much about investigators and members here because  it so hard to explain everything. So many details an e-mail just doesn´t do justice. And also because its been a while since we´ve had an experience like this one!

Well Dad, the man thats very prideful we haven´t been able to teach him anymore. He won´t answer his phone! and he never returns our calls. But its so true, what we think makes us happy in the long run won´t.

No we haven´t yet, I am going to look up all the scriptures for each point so we can show it to people. But in reality we probably won´t use it to teach because people that ask these types of questions just want to bible bash. And despite how much we want to it won´t help them feel the spirit.

my goodness mom probably won´t need that much. Because here  a dollar=2 reis. I think I will be transfered next week so I´m going to buy a few things before hand because who knows where I´ll go. I don´t want to spend a lot here because when I come home....i´m  going to have to re-do my entire wardrobe!

 I´ve been looking for a nativity scene but haven´t found one thats descent (just the catholic type that are made in china).

Well have an awesome week, I´ll attach some photos of this weekend.

LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!
Carissa

AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR LAUREN!!!!!!! I was thinking about her this week actually it was saturday haha Thinking that her time was coming up! Thats so awesome! I can´t believe how many things have changed!

September 16, 2013

Sisters Conference

Porto Alegre Temple

So we just finished week four of this transfer. It is going by so quickly. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. So much happened this week, so many blessings and miracles.

Tuesday: before going to the temple we taught of our investigators (it was his 2nd visit, and we visited him during his lunch break). It was one of the worst lessons!!! He destroyed us! He wants to learn about the church because there are many ´´influencial Mormons.´´ He wants to know how the church will bless his life....professionally. Its so frustrating because he won´t go to church, but he wants us to give him all the answers. And when we give him the answers he doesn´t believe us. He wants to talk to someone more ´´´mature´´ and experienced. SO FRUSTRATING! I asked him what was his greatest desire. He said to be an influencial leader. Reminded me of myself a few years back. I began to think about what the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to our lives. In reality it changes our priorites and desires. When we put our focus on celestial things we end up not only being blest with celestial things but material as well. Anyways after that lesson Sister Carniero and I were pretty down in the dups. Luckly we had the temple afterwards. Saved our week

At the temple I saw a family from one of my past areas. I love how even in another country I always see people I know at the temple.

Well on to the bigger miracles.

We have another investigator. She is an eternal investigator (6 years), that we have restarted visiting. She has two children. One recently returned from a mission and the other is preparing. Last week she (the investigator) was home alone which hardly every happens. We talked with her for hours, about her live and challenges. In the end we invited her to be baptized, or rather to pray about baptism. We returned this past week and after a ´´brutal´´ lesson haha we invited her to be baptized again....or rather just told her her baptism was this week. She didn´t resist and we marked the day. whooohooo x-mate! Anyways we left a reminder on top of the TV and when her daughter arrived home we called her and told her to look on top of the TV. It was the best surprise. They dídn´t even know we had been visiting her again.

We also have another family we are teaching. They are already active in the church. They come the entire family, motorcylce, car all 8. Its incredible. They from the NorthEast and so they are very animated. Love it!

Everyone is really excited, but this next week is going to be a lot of work. Bút its such a blessing!

I know I don´t usually talk much about investigators or baptisms but I can´t help it this time. It is such a miracle.

Sunday was really special as well. All our recent-converts and almost all our investigators preparing for baptism were at church! whooohoooo

This past week was also the Sisters conference. We had to give a training about a topic I don´t understand why people have such a hard time with it; honoring the priesthood. So many Sisters struggle with this. Its incredible how so many things from my patriarchal blessing are being fulfilled here on the mission. And I thought that my blessing didn´t talk about serving mission!
Well I love you all! Hope you have a fantastic week.

I knew Sara would love BYU, and i bet she´ll learn she likes the cold haha

Carissa

September 2, 2013

Carissa is back  (and the graduate application is done!!)

So this coming week we will be having our leadership meeting and the
week after our sisters conference. and on top of all that Sister
C---- and I will be transferred. Because the Elders house has some
problems so they will move into our house for a while and I will go
back to Canoas!!!!! So next week I´ll have lots of news whoohooo

Yesterday was really funny everyone we talked with wanted to bible
bash. We were teaching a man in the park and all of a sudden he stood
up and started yelling and telling us all sorts of things. Poor guy
he´s really confused by all the different ideas he learned about
religion but the problem is he thinks he´s smart and knows everything
but he doesn´t realize that he´s contradicting himself.

I don´t really have to much to say this week. Sister ------ had some
problems this week so we didn´t work as much as I would have liked
too. It was difficult but in the end everything worked out.

Ir---- was baptized friday night...the 1st baptism sitting down haha.
She got scared at the last minute and just sat down in the water.
She´s adorable, 84 years old and she walks about 15-20 min to go to
church.

Well hope you all have a wonderful week. This next week we will
probably be going to the temple so I will e-mail you on Tuesday I
think.

LOVE YOU!





Well i hope this was the photo I wanted to send. This was probably one
> of the most special occasions on my mission. Happened a few weeks back
> but never had the chance to share it. The Father is a recent convert
> and the week after his baptism he baptized his wife, and daughter.
> Sunday he shared his testimony and it was exactly what our
> investigator needed to hear. Never has anyone meet a family so
> elect!!!! wow they are incredible!