Welcome, Sister C. Silva!

Sister C. Silva is in Jardim Satelite!

Hello family!

This week was wonderful and stressful. First off, my companion is actually Sister C. Silva from Belem do Para, Brasil! (last week someone told her it was a different Silva from Mexico) She finishes her mission in one transfer, has a beautiful accent which I will steal, is obsessed with Despicable Me, loves anything strawberry, and importantly, is a hard worker! I love her!

But as I said this week was stressful because I had to be chief moose. Since I am the only one who knows the area, I had to do all the planning, all the phone calls, all the directions, decision making, conversation iniating, and so forth. I was so stressed the first 3 days that my left eye began to twitch violently. HAHAHA!!! BUT I SURVIVED and now I am comfortable and we are already seeing many fruits of a week filled with hard work!

Visiting Ana Maria

Highlights of the week:

1. This Sunday was Stake Conference and we had 4 investigators at church!! Everyone stood and sang Families Can Be Together Forever and naturally, I got a little teary-eyed.

2. I RECEIVED A PROMPTING AND FOLLOWED IT! It was 7:30 pm and we were going to try and find some potentials, but I felt like we should go see if Julie was home (less active)...for the 100th time. Not only were we able to get INSIDE the apartment complex, her son just happened to be coming downstairs to open the door for us and a reference named Jiara was outside as well. All of a sudden, we were all sitting in Julie's living room. I couldn't believe we actually found her!! We made an appointment to teach Jiara the next day after church. It was incredible, she has been prepared undoubtedly. I think our lesson had an even greater impact on Julie, who bore a powerful testimony that this is Christ's church, the only way to true happiness. It was a miracle.

The Meat Case

3. The member I talked about last week, Frank, is now officially active again. He went out with us to visit another less active, and he said something that touched my heart. He said "You don't realize the difference you two have made in our ward. You bring a Spirit that is powerful. I wouldn't have come back if it hadn't been for you two." Almost cried, but I recovered quickly. :) He has a new light.

4. Sister C. Silva and I have still found ways to laugh together, despite the language barrier! She started hitting me every time she saw a Volkswagen bug, and would say "fusca." I taught her "slug bug" and now she says that instead and its hilarious.

The Kombi

5. We watched The Testaments with Ana Maria and made waffles this week. She is changing. She is incredible. She is becoming one of my dearest friends. She has started calling me Loodge.

Brasilian Culture:

• They like meat. A lot.
• Everyone has this van, its called a "kombi." I feel like I am back in the 70s!

Sister Gines' final hours ♥

I love you all and most of all I love my Savior Jesus Christ!

Until next week!
Sister Loodge

The Winds are Changing

Hello All!

Sister Gines left yesterday and I am back in the "Oh, wow. I am just a lone little Ava in a really big Brazil" mode, but I LOVE IT! An adventure of a life time--the comfort zone does not exist as a missionary! My next companion is Sister Silva from Mexico, I meet her Tuesday. :) EEEEK!

Well, I brought my camera with all these pictures of Brazilian life, but since I haven't been in my area this week, I don't have my connector-thingy. Sorry, next week!!

Favorite Memories with Sister Gines:

1. My first day in Brasil, the bus pulled up and someone threw up out the window on everyone below. I thought, "What have I gotten myself into...?"

2. We were in Centro with our LMA and this big hair-gelled TV host blocks us with his camera crew, and before I knew it, a microphone and giant camera were in my face. Sister Gines and I just stared at him (still not quite sure what he said) so our LMA answered his question. I was sweating and thinking, "Yikes! I am a representative of the church and I can't say anything!" Once he realized we were boring, he and his TV crew slipped back into the torrent of rushing people.

3. We were coming in on a big fancy bus from the Capital, but we missed our stop and the next one was way out of our area! After speeding walking in the dark for an hour and a half, we somehow found our way to Irma Patricia's in time for tacos.

4. Sister was feeling discouraged. I wanted to make her laugh, but didn't know how. We walked up to this person and I asked "Ta bom?" Instead of "tudo bem?" Which means "That okay with you?" He looked at me like I was crazy, but Sister couldn't stop laughing for 10 minutes so it was worth it. :)

5. Sometimes when I would do street contacts, I would say my name is Sister Gines on accident. Finishing the conversation without one of us laughing was rare!

6. For some reason there were 2 weeks where every night we were leaving a lesson at 9:10 pm, so we would run all the way home to make our curfew! Probably some of my favorite memories with her! One time we were late for something, but I tripped and I absolutley ate concrete. We couldn't stop laughing!

7. There is a member in our ward name Rogerio and he would just say the funniest things in English, so we would quote him all the time, like "LIARRR!" Our handshake was the one from Fresh Prince of BelAir. I love our ward.

Acai berries on acacia tree

8. Making excuses to go to the end of our area where they sell açai for what would be 80 cents. :D

9. Running every morning together <3 And running hills in Vila Nair because its less painful than walking.

10. We liked to stick our heads out our two apartment windows and play catch with fruit. 

11. Creating a friendship with someone who was a less active member, but did a 360 and returned to the ward with a bang. He would teach us crazy Portuguese grammar and test us on it, like pro-para-ocsitunas. I spelled that wrong, but we started writing him a song filled with them! He was one of the main reasons Sister came to this area, I am pretty sure.

12. We were having a Noite Familiar with a ton of members the night Brazil beat Germany, but President says we are NOT allowed to watch them in any sense of the word. All the members  couldn't help themselves but turn it on for the big game and were screaming and going fanatic! She and I were turned away from the screen just having some nice small talk :)

Those are just a few, but being Sister Gines' companion was one of the greatest privileges I have ever had. I never thought I would become best friends with my companion, but our friendship is definitely just beginning. What an incredible blessing she is to me <3.

Oh by the way, I will be home a year from now. WHAT?!

I love you all! I didn't get to teach this week, but I'm sure I will have some wonderful stories with Sister Silva to share next week!

Sister Ludlam

The Winds are Changing

Hello All!

Sister Gines left yesterday and I am back in the "Oh, wow. I am just a lone little Ava in a really big Brazil" mode, but I LOVE IT! An adventure of a life time--the comfort zone does not exist as a missionary! My next companion is Sister Silva from Mexico, I meet her Tuesday. :) EEEEK!

Well, I brought my camera with all these pictures of Brazilian life, but since I haven't been in my area this week, I don't have my connector-thingy. Sorry, next week!!

Favorite Memories with Sister Gines:

1. My first day in Brasil, the bus pulled up and someone threw up out the window on everyone below. I thought, "What have I gotten myself into...?"

2. We were in Centro with our LMA and this big hair-gelled TV host blocks us with his camera crew, and before I knew it, a microphone and giant camera were in my face. Sister Gines and I just stared at him (still not quite sure what he said) so our LMA answered his question. I was sweating and thinking, "Yikes! I am a representative of the church and I can't say anything!" Once he realized we were boring, he and his TV crew slipped back into the torrent of rushing people.

3. We were coming in on a big fancy bus from the Capital, but we missed our stop and the next one was way out of our area! After speeding walking in the dark for an hour and a half, we somehow found our way to Irma Patricia's in time for tacos.

4. Sister was feeling discouraged. I wanted to make her laugh, but didn't know how. We walked up to this person and I asked "Ta bom?" Instead of "tudo bem?" Which means "That okay with you?" He looked at me like I was crazy, but Sister couldn't stop laughing for 10 minutes so it was worth it. :)

5. Sometimes when I would do street contacts, I would say my name is Sister Gines on accident. Finishing the conversation without one of us laughing was rare!

6. For some reason there were 2 weeks where every night we were leaving a lesson at 9:10 pm, so we would run all the way home to make our curfew! Probably some of my favorite memories with her! One time we were late for something, but I tripped and I absolutley ate concrete. We couldn't stop laughing!

7. There is a member in our ward name Rogerio and he would just say the funniest things in English, so we would quote him all the time, like "LIARRR!" Our handshake was the one from Fresh Prince of BelAir. I love our ward.

8. Making excuses to go to the end of our area where they sell açai for what would be 80 cents. :D

9. Running every morning together <3 And running hills in Vila Nair because its less painful than walking.

10. We liked to stick our heads out our two apartment windows and play catch with fruit. 

11. Creating a friendship with someone who was a less active member, but did a 360 and returned to the ward with a bang. He would teach us crazy Portuguese grammar and test us on it, like pro-para-ocsitunas. I spelled that wrong, but we started writing him a song filled with them! He was one of the main reasons Sister came to this area, I am pretty sure.

12. We were having a Noite Familiar with a ton of members the night Brazil beat Germany, but President says we are NOT allowed to watch them in any sense of the word. All the members  couldn't help themselves but turn it on for the big game and were screaming and going fanatic! She and I were turned away from the screen just having some nice small talk :)

Those are just a few, but being Sister Gines' companion was one of the greatest privileges I have ever had. I never thought I would become best friends with my companion, but our friendship is definitely just beginning. What an incredible blessing she is to me <3 

Oh by the way, I will be home a year from now. WHAT?!

I love you all! I didn't get to teach this week, but I'm sure I will have some wonderful stories with Sister Silva to share next week!

Sister Ludlam

A Slice of Sao Paulo

HI EVERYONE!

I was reading through past blog letters and realized I've been withholding a LOT. I realized I've been writing the bare minimum, and found myself saying "that doesn't even sound like me" or "that's not even the greatest thing that happened that week!" It may be due to stress that everyone can read this, or that a mission is so special so it's difficult to put the experiences or growth I see in myself into words. But whatever the excuse may be, it'sa lame one!! It is selfish to keep the countless blessings of serving this mission to myself! From now on, I want each person that reads this blog to have the same priviledge that I do to be here in Sao Paulo, Brasil. To fall in love with this people, dive into this culture, and grow spiritually from the small incredible things I get to see each week. :)

WELCOME TO SAO PAULO BRASIL! Now the 3rd largest city in the world, 11 million people, 5 missions. Each mission takes a pizza slice of the city and the outer country side. Sao Paulo Leste consists of two parts, Capital and Interior. The capitol is Brasilian New York City, fast paced, packed with people! I am currently in the interior where it is more peaceful, more green, and spread out. 

My favorite things about BRASIL!

1. I am sorry, America, but Brasil just wins when it comes to food. Everything is made from scratch, nothing processed. They take each type of food and take it the next level! For example: hot dogs. In New York, you get a white bread bun, barbequed hot dog, ketchup and mustard. Here, its a french baguette, steamed hot dog, white cheese cream, mini crunchy french fries, and home-made ketchup tomatoe sauce. They are amazing.
2. There is less light pollution, so the stars are astonishingly beautiful.
3. Kids play here! They all take their pipas outside and fly them together, sharks and minnows in the streets, biking everywhere. I love it!!
4. There is only tile floor, so when you clean your apartment its less of a nightmare :D
5. I have seen 2 daddy longlegs since I got here, NO spiders. HALLELUJAH.
6. The church is small and strong. They call each other Irma *first name*, and everything is so warm and filled with love. Families are strong and unified, and there are activities at the church almost everyday. I love it!!
8. You hug and kiss strangers, they tell you their life stories, and go out of their way to help. These people are open hearted and will give you the shirt off their backs.
9. They are a God-fearing people. Everyone faithfully attends a church and it shows in the way they live their lives.

To be honest, not very much happened this week. All but two of our appointments fell through, but it was the fastest week of my mission so far?? We spent a lot of time with Evangelica, she recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost this Sunday. :) Luz came to church because she didnt have work! She accepted the invitation to pray and beginning searching for another job. It was Sister Gines last week of work, so it was exciting and kind of sad. Time doesn't make sense to me. :)

I love you all!! Thank you for suppoirting and loving me. I love this gospel and my Savior Jesus Christ!!

ALSO: Congratulations to Stephen and Allison KOTTER!!!

A List of Gratitude

I dont have any time, but I just want to give a quick list of Gratitude:

1. My companion is the most wonderful person. She leaves in 2 weeks which breaks my heart, but how grateful I am to have had her as a trainer (and Hermana DeMaio). She is a dove.

2. I am becoming a better servant every day.

3. My testimony that the Book of Mormon is the most true book on the whole earth, and that through its teachings I have come to know my Savior Jesus Christ.

4. Sister and I are very obviously protected.

5. Açai is really good.

6. The priviledge to watch the gospel of Jesus Christ change Evangelica. We are going to try to go to the temple this week with her!!!


I love you all!

The Spirit is fluent in Portuguese

Healthy Sisters!

Evangelica is getting baptized this Sunday!!

When I first met her, I did not think she wanted the gospel. However, in the first lessons, Sister Gines bore one of her ground shaking testimonies, and Evangelica agreed to be baptized on the 7th. Each and every time she comes back to Irmao Miranda's house, she is different. It has been INCREDIBLE to watch her transform. She is so full of light, so happy!! That is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She endured a week of headaches to give up coffee, and has been keeping each and everyone of the commitments we make. She is changing her life, and I am so so proud of her. Heavenly Father has given me the privilege of just feeling a bit of the infinite love He has for her.

I asked Ava to do a happy dance for me

Irmao Miranda asked me Saturday night to give a 10 minute talk the next morning at Church! I think that was the best talk I have ever given, English or Portuguese, because the words were not my own. I prepared ideas of what I wanted to say, and just began to speak. As I stood there, the Spirit taught my beloved ward about prayer, and I myself learned. I am never the teacher. What an incredible experience.

Irmao Noaldo came up to me afterward and scolded me, "I never want to here you apologize for your Portuguese again. You speak Portuguese. Excellently." That compliment touched me so deeply.

But I know if I were not a missionary, I would not be able to speak this language. The spirit is fluent in Portuguese. ;)

I have learned and experienced so much, but I have no more time. I love you all!

Sister Ludlam

The Ian House (Computer Lab)