November 4, 2013

(David wrote to Carissa asking her to speak in two different sacrament meetings.  Lucky girl!)   
Yes I can, I got lucky and won´t have to speak here in Passo Fundo....so I´ll have to speek twice at home haha

I´m learning that enduring to the end isn´t as easy at is sounds. But this past week was really special we had a lot of success. Sadly i probably won´t witness the fruits but at least the next Sister that comes will have lots of work. Our area is huge and I´-m exhausted! But its good and I love it.



Hey,

So Halloween isn´t really a holiday here. People celebrate it because we celebrate it in the USA, so its usually just a few kids. But there were a few tricker treaters but they usually got money because no one has candy. But I miss halloween!!! haha

As far as the University of Utah, I´m not really stressed (and i don´t know why) I don´t have anything planned but its gonna work out alright. But thats awesome that we have a little extra time. My only thought is if I wait the classes I need/want will be full. And my hope is to graduate ASAP. Have you looked at any financial aid?? or a government loan or something. Finances are going to be a little tricky.

Ya that would be perfect to do something at home. I will need to be set apart by the stake president. Don´t know if you have already talked to him about that. But it will be nice to see everyone again! (You have no idea how weird it is to think about all this, its so hard to stay focused and this week will be even harder because every appt we make, every baptism we mark....I won´t be here!!!) Everything is a reminder, especially the members who like to bring up the subject! But its fun, the work continues and the day by day stays the same.

This last week was really good. Sister R---- went on her 1st Member Division. She was awesome. Luan was confirmed....after a long hunt all over Passo Fundo to find him. He lives really far and the member who usually brings him didn´t come to church. We went to his house, he wasn´t there his mom called him and told him to leave his Grandfathers house and we´d pick him up on the street. It was crazy but he came and was confirmed! Literally you receive the blessings after ALL you can do (which usually includes something crazy and requires a little attitude). I thought on the mission you learn to be more spiritual and everything, calmer I don´t know....but in reality what you learn is to be diligent and firm with people. Show them by what you do that the gospel is important, because they don´t know that, so we have to put our faith in practice to take an investigator where they need to go. Because they don´t know. Its what we call the ```new era``

Received a really special tender mercy today. Bernadete (a recent convert from my last area sent me an e-mail) She is so special. We're trying to work it out so I can see her before I leave! So glad I'll get to spend a few more hours in Lindoia before leaving!

Well its gonna be quick today but I love you!
Sister Bradley

October 28, 2013

Bowling!!!! Us and the Sisters we live with! It was a blast but we were all super sore afterwards. haha

the view from our apt, 11th floor in downtown passo fundo....yep we are living good! (and now thanks to our ZLs we have bunkbeds) But I´m sleeping on the top bunk in front of the window....so if we sleep with the window open.....and I fall off the bed....its a long way down haha. 

A part of our area....thats really really really far away. And we were super poor last week and so we walked!!!! Luckly this week a member gave us ´´gold´´ (little pink pastic coins) for the bus haha

To answer your questions:

The weather is undecided here. We have all four seasons in one day. Rain, sun, hot cold. It rained last week quite a bit, we´ll see what this week has in store. Our ward is amazing. And all the members here serve dessert....so I´m gaining weight AGAIN! Just when I was starting to go back to normal haha But its fun.

There are several families that help us a lot. For example this weekend we had two baptisms one was a member referral and the other we had a lot of help from a member family. This family when we asked the to help us integrate our investigator family told us of course they want exaltation and they realize that this is only possible if they help us haha. It is a really special family.....6 kids!!!! all younger than 13 but they are amazing.

Our mission leader is very young, a recent returned missionary.

The ward is very normal. Lots of families it seems, but lots of inactive members. Lots of work.

Well I think those were our adventures this week.

Oh yesterday we were knocking doors with a member (trying to get lessons with a member present) and a woman invited us in. The only problem she was a missionary for another church. She tried to teach us about prophets and then she said the closing prayer and said (almost yelling in her prayer) that our faith and mission and suffering and homesickness for our families was all in vain but that the Lord would forgive us and all kinds of crazy things. Oh the adventures of being a missionary. Luckly the member still wants to serve a mission so we didn't scare him too bad.

Well Love you
Sister Bradley

October 21, 2013

So far, I don´t have many questions (about the Masters program). But to be honest my head is such a mess I can´t process information straight for now. But I was looking over the list of classes. And I DON´T KNOW haha so many options.

Something I have been thinking about is FASFA or something. To see if i qualify for a little bit of help :)

Did you see!!!! I´ll be home (in CA) for lunch on the 14 of November!!!!! Wow, I thought I would be getting to Sacramento around 3 so that was a pleasant surprise.

Well this week Sister R---- was pretty sick. We stayed four days at home! Its interesting how different people are. She is really hard on herself. and puts really high expectations for everyone. Our Zone leaders are friends of mine and they were telling her how lucky she was to have me for a companion, the problem is it backfired and she created expectations that I have not been able to live up to. Its been really difficult. Because I don´t want to disappoint her I want the beginning of her mission to be special and memorable but so far its just been disappointments. Our baptisms for this last week feel through. It happens but she doesn´t seem to understand that this is part of the mission. We do all we can and we can´t choose the blessings or when they come.

But despite the difficulties this last week. We contacted a family really special. They accepted baptism, before going to church or praying they are so excited! The sad part is the parents have to get married and so its certain I won´t be here. That was a weird thought.

Well its raining and thundering and lightening which is pretty cool. We live on the 11th floor of an apt so the view is incredible! Today we are going go bowling as a district!!

Well Love you lots and lots!
Sister Bradley

October 14, 2013

There are not words to describe everything right now. This past week I had an interview with President and it left me thinking about life after the mission and what would happen. When he said the closing prayer he asked that I be blessed with all that would be good for me because I deserve it. I love the relationship I have with President and Sister Wright. Its amazing how the Lord plans everything to work out, perfectly. I have learned so much from them. Sister Wright is the kindest person I have ever met, she is so wise, so strong and yet so humble. I wish I could be that way.

I had been feeling like my application wasn´t very strong and started thinking about other options and nothing was coming. Its like I know the end is coming but still can´t see the light. I can´t imagine how life will be.
My mission has been so blessed, everything I have needed or wanted has happened. My dream was to come to Passo Fundo, and I´m here, last week we were out of money to take the bus and a member offered to drive us back to our area, members brought us food, a baptism showed up from nowhere. (She came to church we asked if she wanted to be baptized and she said she wanted too) Referral from the Lord!!!!!!
 Anyways receiving all this blessings here on the mission I started wondering if afterwards would be the challenge. And I´m sure it will be. But I can´t believe how blessed I am, I could not ask for my life to be any better.

This past week has been really interesting. Sister R-----  is a wonderful Sister but can be hard on herself and wants to receive the blessings she wants NOW! (ex baptisms). I´ve learned its all on the Lord table and sometimes we just have to work and work without knowing exactly why and not get discouraged. Thats obedience.

I can´t believe I have exactly a month left. I will miss President and Sister Wright SOO MUCH I have learned so much from them.

And yes I´m getting better at taking pictures...a little.

Kash still hasn´t gotten her vista how sad. Its another blessing I received (Sister Wright and I talked about that all the time).

I love Passo Fundo, its a huge area. Lots of work and so it keeps you busy which is exactly what I need and want.

My birthday package.....Friday was our Zone meeting and so we will only receive cards and packages my last week in the field. So if it arrives it will be then, thanks for thinking of me, but really want I wanted for my birthday I got, accepted to the U and transferred to Passo Fundo. :D


Anyways the best miracle this week. Sister R---- has been really disheartened because she´s two weeks in the field and still hasn´t had a baptism. (I think she imagined she´d arrive and have 3 baptisms). But we´re opening an area and don´t have investigators we´re starting from 0. But on Sunday a woman came to church with her friends. Her daughter was baptized last year and we were talking to her and asked if she wanted to be baptized. She said yes she had been thinking about it for next month. (Because the person she wants to baptize her will be traveling until then). But we talked with her and marked her baptism for that evening!!!! She had her interview, passed. A few hours later she called our Zone Leaders (who have the cellphone) and said she wanted to be baptized on saturday so her husband could watch! Out of nowhere this woman appeared. Right when I was running out of things to do and say to help Sister R-----. I had been praying that I would know how to help her...and the Lord blessed us with this referral!

Its just incredible!
Love you all
!!!!!!


( I was asking Carissa how she responded when she heard that she was accepted to the Masters Program at the University of Utah.  Here is her response.)

OH my goodness you have no idea. and my entire district is here with me! Its just too much, because seriously i was doubting. Now I´m just scared thats its going to be so hard, but i remember how i felt before leaving for the mission and how right it was to go there.

(in response to my question about what her new area, Passo Fundo, is like...)

Its a city with a countryside. So its perfect for me. There are a lot of apartments downtown (where we live) but we have a part thats pretty country, and yes green! lots of people but its not congested. Ok so i won´t print photos here hahah because its 90 cents a photo! Ya its been an incredible week!!!!

(I was telling Carissa how grateful I was that she has had President and Sister Wright as her mission president .  This is her response.)

you have no idea how much you and sister wright are alike. She makes me miss you everytime I see her, but so grateful that I have her to help me and be my friend. Its like you having Lauren when I was at byui. 

October 7, 2013

Alright for the Eagle Project!!!! Hopefully grandmother feels better soon. Anyways Passo Fundo, what can I tell you about it here. Everyone is really excited to have Sisters in the stake. There are now two companionships here. My companion Sister Ropke is from Recife and is incredible. I love her.

Dad was talking about how he didn´t baptize very much on the mission, its funny because I feel like I haven´t really made much of a difference or baptized either. But Sister R---- told me that she was scared to be my companions because everyone was telling her that I baptized a lot and that with me she would work a lot. She was scared she wouldn´t be able to live up to the standard or something. I told her we work hard and we do a lot but a lot of the time we don´t have baptisms. The Lord tests us, a lot. To see if we really will be obedient. This transfer I´m not so focused on baptisms or numbers (less pressure now that I'm not in POA) but on being obedient and consistent in all things. Because consistence has always been a difficulty for me, and I´m going to master it in these next 5 weeks.

When we arrived here in the area, we cleaned the house (because it was a mess), Sister R---- and I are sleeping on mattresses on the ground while we wait for our bunkbeds. But at least this apt has an elevator, microwave, a hot shower and all kinds of comforts the other didn´t haha. Although I miss Lindoia, may have been the hardest area to leave.

I love conference, but I don´t know why it makes me so trunky haha. I think its all the talk of home and Family but at least this conference was really focused on missionary work. Its definitely the last days, the work is pressing forward with such great speed that if your not careful you´ll miss the boat. Its something I have been thinking a lot about, it doesn't´t end on the mission here we learn how to live we have to continue giving everything afterwards as well. There's no room for laziness!

Well love you,

Hopefully I have more stories this next week,
Carissa

September 30, 2013

Hey,

So I almost didn´t say anything about our little hold up. It was nothing, he didn´t even have any weapons or anything. It was 9 in the morning on a street, on our way to district meeting at the mission office. It seemed as though he was on drugs. We only gave him our cellphone because it was already in my hand, and its one of our rules. But when he asked for money we just told him we´re missionaries and he left. (sadly with our phone). But it really wasn´t anything, it was more just...seriously you're doing this???


So lots of news this week. 1st, TRANSFERRED AGAIN!!!! Closed Lindóia for Sisters. (Opened with Sister C----- and closed with her). But we left in style. 1 more baptism this week and us + the elders = 6 confirmations on Sunday. (There was hardly anytime for the discourses). And then us and the mission secretaries we sang in Sacrament Meeting a hymn to the tune of If you Could Hie To Kolob. Turned out alright. This week Sister C----- and I achieved the week of excellency!!!! whoooohooooooo finally after all this time

This week B----- was baptized...FINALLY! Its been about 2 months we have been teaching her. We contacted her in the street-- she was my present from the Lord. Do you remember the story I told you about the week I did 2 fasts last transfer with Sister C----, and the special fast with Sister C-----( a different Sister C!). Well the day we finished we contacted B-----.  And she has been ready to be baptized since the 3rd visit. But she travels every weekend.
But she has such a strong testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet, she stopped drinking Cafe without any questions or problems, She loves the book of mormon--she is just incredible!

This weekend was her baptism, and we were finally able to encounter her husband at home. (He´s obsessed with the USA) he came to her baptism, and then to church the next day. We visited him last night, and he seems very interested. And all this time B----- has been scared to have us visit with him. But we believe he will be baptized shortly.

Sadly we won´t be here anymore. Both Sister C----- and I will be transferred. I´m super excited for this transfer. Last week after district meeting President called me into his office and told me what would happen this next transfer. So.....well I´m excited so I´ll tell. I´ll try and pass how incredible this is.

So there is a zone that every sister has wanted to go. It is the farthest zone from Porto Alegre, a long time ago there were sisters there but because its far its been a really long time since Sisters have been there. Ever since I arrived I have wanted to go to Passo Fundo.... well I have received the best present I could ever have hoped to receive for this birthday. 6 baptisms, and open an area in Passo Fundo. Its going to be tough I know, because I will be training as well. But I am so excited. I love Porto Alegre especially Lindóia, it is an amazing area! But as always I need change still. And this is lots of change.

Farewell Lindoia

Birthday Picture

Well this week had so many things, My birthday I was on divisions in Santa Cruz, the sisters there made a cake and cookies for me. and then on friday my district did the same thing (although i brought the cookies, peanut butter cookies have been a hit here). Well i love you so much miss you all!!!

Good work on the eagle project!!!! I´m so proud of you michael!

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!

August 5, 2013

Divisions

 Lindoia

Building a bunk bed with her new companion

(We haven't heard much from Carissa as she is spending her precious computer time preparing her application for grad school.  It sounds like all is well and she is really busy.  Thank you for all your support and prayers!  I know she appreciates it.  Jennifer)