Feliz Natal!

Tuesday, December 27, 2016


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This week was a big blur inbetween Christmas Conference and Christmas but it was definately a fun week. Also, talking to the family was absolutely great. News flash: My nieces and nephews are the size of Africa. Wow Im getting old.

The Christmas Conference was SO fun. We went to the largest chapel (5 floors) in the city and celebrated with everyone. Oh how I love conferences. I´m "old" in the mission so I got to see my old friends. A good part of my friends are going home soon and I got to give some last hugs. We all presented different skits and pass the day all together. Theres something special about missions. You´ve passed so many things together, that you become a family. I may have been thousands of miles from home, but I did indeed feel at home with my friends from around the world.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were awesome. Sister Chamberlain and I didnt let it go by without having fun. We made those peanut butter cookies with the kisses on top except without kisses beacsue #brasil. Then we may have filled up our 20L gallon of water with Coca Cola..... Seriously was one of the funniest things I´ve ever done. We actually all got super sick afterwards but it was worth it. Christmas night we hung out with our zone. Rarely are there many sisters in one zone here because the majority of areas arent safe for sisters. So I always feel like I´m in an area with 20 little brothers and taht always makes for a fun day.

This week, I´ve reflected alot on the love of God. Our Zone leaders passed a video this week in district meeting and it really messed with me. I´ll have to find it later. And I was thinking alot about the love God has for us. Im so grateful for the birth of my Savior. Because he was born, I was saved. And because Im saved, I can help others feel this love and protection. I love my call and I love serving my Savior, giving just a tiny part of his sacrifice back to Him.

Ps Next week i´ll send pics because Im in a sketchy email place today.

A special week for the two of us.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Happy Christmas week!! Can you believe that Christmas is already here? Ugh time passes so quickly. This week was truly a week of miracles. And I am so grateful for the little tender mercies God gives us.

You know when you´re overloaded with just about everything? That was me this week. Sister Chamberlain and I went to Itapipoca on Tuesday to do divisions with the sisters there. And this day was crazy because we went to start working and one of the sisters fell into a gutter and cut her leg on metal really deeply. So I instantly went into my "freaked out mom" mode. I took her to the hospital to get stitches on her leg. We spent the whole day there. After we traveled back to our area the next day (3 hrs), we worked normally which was SUCH A BLESSING. The next day I was stuck a home with a migraine(no worries im all good). And then I got a call on Friday from President, asking Sister Chamberlain and I to go to another area and talk with some sisters. So basically I wasnt in my own area at all and my sweet sweet sweet companion took it like a champ. I was so proud of her that she did everything by herself and kept our baptism for the week super strong.

BAPTISM! Our miracle is Denilson. We started talking to him abou 3 weeks ago while knocking doors. He immediately let us in and told us how he used to study with the elders when he was younger but never visited the church. Now he works for two members of the church in our ward. So like my missionary brain ws crying of pure joy. We started to teach him, at his home, at his work and he started to read the Book of Mormon. As we continued to teach him, his testimony of the Book of Mormon became concrete and he doesnt have a doubt that the church is true. He´s married with two little boys (cutest family EVER) and for right now, the wife isn´t very open. But shes going to some ward activities this week so we´re hoping for the best. Denilson´s boss, Eduardo was the one that baptized him. It was a sweet experience for everyone, including me. As I sat in church this week, my thoughts have been turned to my own baptism and what it meant to me. Looking for some info, I saw the day´s date... December 18. Tears filled my eyes as I realized that yesterday, the same day that Denilson was baptized, was the day I was baptized 12 years ago. Im so grateful for that day and hat special promise that I made with the Lord. And im so so so grateful to help ohers make this promise too.

I LOVE THE GOSPEL AND I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. Share the sweet spirit of Christmas with everyone around you. Have a great Christmas and I´ll see my dear Myers family on Sunday! Counting down the seconds!



20 reasons why I love being a missionary

Monday, December 12, 2016

I just wanted to first, thank all the friends and family that send me a congrats this week. My inbox is feeling SUPER LOVED right now. This week was made special by the dear sisters who I live with, the sweet members of Jardim Guanabara, and my mission president and his wife. I couldnt think of a better idea of how to celebrate 20 years of life, than explaining why I love spending just a tiny part of my life, serving the Lord.

1. the feelig of true happiness, true true happiness
2. serving other children of God 24/7
3. getting to know another country, culture, life style
4. meeting the people that I know I knew before this life
5. being a representative of my Savior, whom I love so dearly
6. turning into a better disciple of Christ everyday
7. sharing my testimony to all different types of people
8. learning to appreciate everything that I have
9. putting on a true smile everyday so help others
10. testifying of what I know to be true
11. teaching others how they can be great missionaries too
12. loving others with all my soul
13. making friendships for the eternities
14. teaching the one thing that I love with all my heart (the gospel)
15. eating rice and beans 24/7 (brazil life)
16. learning how to overcome the biggest difficulties
17. knowing exactly what to say for someone who is needing it
18. feeling the presence of Heavenly Father always near me
19. gaining more knowledge of how to be a better daughter, mom and wife one day
20. being a true representative of my Savior, Jesus Christ








Lice & all things nice

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

For all of you who are thinking "yikes, this header doesnt sound good", you would be right. Catching lice is a step that all Brazilian missionaries must take and I am proud to say that I am an official Brazilian missionary.

So the water homies shut off the water for two days because they were making repairs on the line. Wait before this.... Two weeks ago I started to scratch my head ALOT. I went to Sister Chamberlain to check it out. As someone who has never seen lice she said there was just dandruff and I needed to wash my hair. LOL and I listened to her. (I wash my hair regularly okay.) Then we were at lunch and I was DYING. Finally I was like something is not okay and made her look again. Thankfully the member who is a mom checked it out and found TONS of lice. Duh, its been there for 2 dang weeks. So I IMMEDIATELY took some pill that releases a poison in your blood so when lice bite you, they die. I dont know if the states has this... it may be illegal there. #BRAZILPROBS Then I bought the special shampoo and a fine comb. Okay so we go back to the house and we're back to the water thing... WE DONT HAVE WATER. So we grabbed water from the outside hose in buckets and Sister Chamberlain washed my hair by hand (basically like the salon) in our "backyard". As my hair was still wet, she brushed out all the dead lice(and eggs) into this cup (See photo). And we cleaned our house and found tons more. And that is how I caught lice this week.

But besides lice, this week passed by so fast. WE'RE IN DECEMBER! Some houses put up Christmas lights and have baby Christmas trees. Its definately not home but it's almost close. Sister Alfonso and I are working hard to fin dnew investigators and the Lord is helping us find some awesome people. This week I've gotten to work side by side with my mission president, President Bonini and I have so much love for him. He's truly called of God to do what he does. Who else could take care of 200 20 year olds teaching about Jesus. He shares my birthday and has already promised lunch so that should be exciting. I really love being a missionary and Im so happy and priviliged to do what Im doing. People here find out Im in a foregin land speaking a strange language and left absoutely everything to be a missionary and they freak out. In reality, its the biggest blessing that I have in my life and I never want it to end. This week I'll have 11 months on the mission and that means a step closer to the year mark. My heart is dying a little inside. I love thie gospel and I know the Church is true.
 When you catch lice and the water is shut off.


 This fruit is "ata" and it's weird.
 My hair is huge!
 Our zone

INSANE week

Monday, November 28, 2016

I would like to formally ask forgiveness for not writing last week. I know that sometimes an email from your homies is the best so apologize. BUT this week has lots of news so lets jump right in.

So first and for most, we had transfers this week and Im styaing with my daughter in Jardim Guanabara! And so is Sister Chamberlain and her daughter. Seriously we have prayed so much to all stay together. The next transfer is gonna be killa! We´ll all pass Sister Chamberlain, Breisch, and my birthday TOGETHER, Christmas, New Year, and my one year mark. Wow can we talk about excitement.

MERCIA AND NAILY WERE BAPTIZED THIS WEEK. Wow what an experience. We had the opportunity to watch Elenilson(our recent convert from earlier this transfer) baptize his two nieces. I wrote him a post-it with the words he had to say in the baptism and he did PERFECT! I was so proud of him. Mercia and Naily are being well integrated with the young women. Wow nothing is better than baptisms. Seriously its like a spiritual high for you and the people being baptized. Its so special to see these spirits making promises with Heavenly Father.

Nothing more really.... I need to be better about writing in my journal so I can remember all the cool little things that happened during the week. But for now, that is all. I love this gospel and I know this church is true. I wouldnt want to be anywhere else in the world but here, doing what Im doing.








Time Flies

Monday, November 21, 2016

I´m a little emotional this week. I was joking around with my homie, Sister Chamberlain, about how she´s going home in two transfers and how she´s an "old sister" on the mission. It was all fun and games until she looked at me and said "you cant say anything, you only have four left!". I didn´t believe it, counted for myself, and started to cry. You know when you give a baby a bath and they want to stay in the bath forever unitl they´re super pruny and never ever get out? Hello, thats me.

On a more serious note, our week was great! I´m like a world traveler here. We did divisions with sisters in Itapipoca(look it up), 3 hours away. It was such a fun trip. Sister Chamberlain and I got stranded in the bus station for two hours and we enjoyed that moment. I often find myself saying "when is the next time i´m gonna be stranded in the middle of nowhere in a brazilian bus station with another crazy american?" You learn to love the little things on the mission. And learn to love the alternative plan.

We´ve been working hard to find new, promissing investigators but as of yet nothing new. I´ve become more like my dad who cant pass a person on the hiking trail without saying "good morning!", to see if they are our new elect investigators. I have faith this last week of the transfer will be a week of miracles. Mercia and Niley will be baptized byyyyyyyy ELENILSON! He recieved the Aaronic priesthood and will have the honor to baptize his nieces. Also this week Nayara, our recent convert from last transfer recieved a calling in the Relief Society Presidency #proudmissionary. I love seeing the progress of my recent converts. They´re changing their lives and helping others do the same.

I love this gospel with all my heart. I´ve become closer to my Savior and can say that I know Him. This church isn´t just a building but a perfect demonstration of the pure love our Heavenly Father has for us. How I´m so grateful to be a small part of this work.

My sweet Havaianas of Toucans I bought this week.
 Awesome view of the cutest city ever (Itapipoca)
 Sister Chamberlain awaiting the arrival in Itapipoca

This Week's pictures

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

 This is Mercia and Niley: Elenilson´s nieces that will be baptized in two weeks!
No email this week, but look how cute Chandler looks in these pictures! We love our Sister Myers!

Baby's first baptism

Monday, November 7, 2016

Hey! Wow did you know it´s November? I LOVE NOVEMBER. IT´S HOME TO THE BEST HOLIDAY (thanksgiving) THAT DOESNT EXIST IN BRAZIL! But it´s okay. I´ll survive.
This week was awesome and busy! The beginning was a little rough because I had a migraine for 3 days and I had to sleep it off. My companion has been calling me a rock ever since because she had a really hard time waking me up haha. #deprivedmissionaryprobs
ELENELSON GOT BAPTIZED!! I think I talked about him in my last email. He had left a really hard life behind recently and when we found him, he had been praying for help to keep strong. Within the past two weeks, we´ve helped him preapre to be baptized, he stopped drinking coffee, became best friends with the men in our ward because of FUTBOL (stereotypical Brazil). There was a huge ward turn out for his baptism and we´re way excited to see him progress. This was my daughter (my companion)´s first baptism!! (get it... baby´s first baptism). She was super happy to see the change in Elenelson and begin to help others do the same.

Backstory to the pictures of the prophets:
So our house used to have Elders. And there was once an elder who collected all the pictures of the prophets and put them on the hallway. But he didnt get all of them so when the sisters came in, they didnt care to put the other pictures up. And the other day I saw him in a conference and he literally came at me running. He got all the pictures for the house hahaha. Knowing that he started his mission IN THIS HOUSE and this is HIS LAST TRANSFER. He looked his whole mission for these pictures. And so Sister Chamberlain and I had some fun with it.



 Sister Chamberlin and I

 I love when Mexican Elders get packages!
 I love sleeping in Hammocks
 Elenilson's baptism
 Our really cute neighbor who plays the guitar for us always.

Happy Batizween

Monday, October 31, 2016

Please forgive me for the next several weeks, my emails will be shorten due to some applications I´m doing here.

Have you ever felt pure happiness? Like can´t stop smiling, HAPPY HAPPY? And not like that whole "im in love" business. Like truly truly happy. This week we have battled to find new, promising investigators. We´ve had trainings after trainings and we still werent finding these souls that are being prepared by the Lord. Then we were about to knock on a door and this man DID A CONTACT WITH US. He asked if we were Jehovah´s Witnesses (SUPER common, happens everyday). We kindly replied no and explained that we are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He invited us into his house that is FULL of kids. He lives with his sister that has 8 kids. We shared our message with him and invited him to be baptized. The greatest part was that this house was so loud with all the kids, and the spirit inbetween my companion, Elenelson, and I was so strong. He accepted to be baptized in the moment. Walking out, my newbie companion looked at me with the biggest eyes in the world. She was so happy to have this confirmation that these elects people really are being prepared for us. Stay tuned for his baptism the next week.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. Theres nothing better in the world than bringing the truth to the children of God who are just waiting. Waiting for you message of happiness.

Sister Alfonso
 When you put two crazy Americans together on Halloween!



Happy & Training

Monday, October 24, 2016

Wow. There are so many crazy thinks happeing on this side of the world.

Wednesday. Sister Chamberlain(my long lost bff) and I made our way to the mission office to pick up our kids. We had NO IDEA who we would train. We arrived in the office and immediately went to the Mission President´s office. President Bonini said "All I need from you all is a YES or a No, to the responsibilty that the Lord as trusted in you." One by one we all confirmed with a yes. I think my yes was a little weak because I was SUPER SCARED. Then President went to the other room and as he called our name we entered into a room full of.... greenies(new missionaries). I was second to last. President assigned me with SISTER ALFONSO FROM PARAGUAY!!!!!

My companion is super sweet. Shes literally from a small village on the Brazil-Paraguay border. I have the biggest amount of respect for her already and I cant wait to learn from her. She´s kinda closed so I have to dig deep to learn new things about her. So far I know that shes a hard worker, very humble, and excited to work. And as a trainer, thats all i need to know.

Training is crazy. It feels like President was just like "here Sister Myers, take this kid and take care of it for 3 months". Which is hard, but Im learning to adapt. I know the importance of an awesome trainer, as I had the worlds best trainers in the world (Sister Souza and Sister Jackson- hi moms!). So I´m doing absolutely everything I can do be an example of what type of missionary she needs to be to do this sacred work. The Lord is blessing the work here in Jardim Guanabara. Several members did visits with us yesterday and we had alot of sucess finding new investigaors. So this week will be full and crazy and cheio de milagres!

Thank you for all your love and support. Im amazed every week by the amazing support I have from back home. Not every missionary has that and Im so grateful for the sacrifices my parents made so I could be here on a mission, serving the Lord.



 Birthday package!






 
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