Isaiah 64:8

Monday, June 27, 2016

I´ve recieved close to a dozen emails the past months, hearing about friends who are receiving their calls, who are just entering the field (hello greenies), or returning home after 2 years serving in various countries and continents. As I´ll hit 6 months next week, I´ve pondered a lot about who I am now and where I was as I entered the MTC. First and foremost, I´m different. And I dont mean I´m not Chandler anymore because I have just as much spunk and laughter as I´ve always had(ask my companions) but my desires have flipped 100 percent. Searching for the perfect scripture to describe thing change, I thought of one of my favorites: Isaiah 64:8 - "But how, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."

This transfer with just two weeks completed, I feel like I´ve be twisted, torn, reshaped, and molded, in more ways than one. For me, this is what a mission means. To allow Heavenly Father to change your very own desires and heart. I´ve never in my life felt so honored to be a servant of Jesus Christ, bringing the truth to my brothers and sisters in the lowest, simplest, and most beautiful of places. Entering a branch has messed a lot with my head. I´ve been forced to step up not only as a missionary but as a leader to show how the Church of Jesus Christ functions for these greater pioneers here in Paracuru. I´ve learned to pray not only for our investigators, but for our inspired leaders and the existing members, to receive the love of God I feel everyday. There isn´t much success to see in the future but I am choosing to be the Sister Myers God wants me to be; putting my will and what I want in the last place. Accepting that my happiness here, is to ensure that these souls that I´m teaching are converted to the one thing I know for certain: that the gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. I´m not sure anyone here understands what that means for me. But anyone who knew Chandler and Sister Myers now... the change is real and its incredible.

On less important note, President and Sister Bonini came to Paracuru to check out our house. Which is a big deal because Paracuru is at least 3 hours away. As they were walking out, President asked if we had lunch today. We all silently shaked our heads no, not having time yet to prepare lunch. With a smile on his he said "Missionarias tem que comer!" (Missionaries have to eat!). So all four of us piled in his car and he dront to a beach front restraunt and holy cow, there were tears LITERAL TEARS PEOPLE in my eyes. It smelt like salt and fish and I cant imagine anything better. I love it here. Its the most beautiful place. And we ate the greatest seafood and the way to Sister Myers´s heart is through her stomach. It was kinda weird to sit down and causually have lunch with President Bonini but it was definitely a moment I wont forget. So this week... I ate lunch with the President.

Stay tuned for next week as today, I´ll have my official visit to the beach (boardwalk because missionary problems). Pictures will be sent your way the following, glorious Missionary Monday.

Beijos, (I´ve actually had night mares that I got home in the airport and kissed everyone because I´m so used to it now)
Sister Myers






We're not in Fortaleza anymore..

Monday, June 20, 2016

As some of you might know (shoutout to the homies that read the blog), I´ve been transfered to Paracuru! I have a lot to say about this town already. So Paracuru is 2 hours away from Fortaleza. Yes, I´m not even in Fortaleza anymore. This town is in the absolute boonies of Brazil people, but for good reason. It´s a beach town! I have yet to get to as close as the beach as possible but I can see it from our apartment. I can also see the DUNES from our apartment. Seriously its the coolest place to relax if you werent a missionary. Buuuuut Im Sister Myers and Im here to work.

There´s alot of work to do here in Paracuru. I´m working in a branch, which is absolutely new for me. The meetings happen on Sundays in a house, we call it a casapela (casa(house) and capela(chapel)). Our goal in the branch is members that are attending church because as of right now, we dont even have branch frequency. It´ll be alot of work but I dont think anyone sends in their mission papers and says "Hey prophet, send me somewhere easy.". I certainly didnt. So Im here, and Im gonna do my absolute best because thats what the Lord expects of me.

I think I´m experiencing delayed culture shock. So, Paracuru in the center of the town and close to the beach is rich Americans, Yep, I said it. Cray cray Americans (and Brazilians). Even I stand in front of these houses and think man, what does that guy do? But as you walk futher and futher away from the center of the city, it gets scary. And not scary as in fearing your life kinda thing. Its scary as in, these child of God are living in these kind of conditions scary. We passed by these areas yesterday and I instantly felt uncomfortable. I felt bad that I had shoes on my feet, two of them, brand new. That I had on a dress that I bought from a store in a huge shopping mall, a place for people to drop money on things they dont need, and a bottle of clear and clean water in my mission bag that was shipped to my house from Amazon. Even now, my heart is heavy. But, I have been called to serve my family here in Paracuru. To help heal the wounds and patch up the bad things in their life spiritually. I just hope I can try my best.

Please pray for these people that I have the chance to encounter here. Pray for their families, and their homes. Together Sister Miranda and I will work our very hardest the next 5 weeks to bring the fullness of the Gospel, the happiness that we have, to these people here.

Com muito amor
Sister Myers

"I will boast of my God"

Monday, June 13, 2016

I feel so overwhlemed to write an email about this week. So many amazing things happened and so many more great things will happen this week. Life of a missionary; it´s always good.

Tuesday: A day with an man called of God
We had a bi-mission conference with Elder Christensen. We left on these charter buses because it was held in the other mission, Fortaleza East. The Spirit was so pure and strong as he walked in. I almost cried because he looks SO America. Tall, white, and bulky. As I went up to shake his hand, I seriously had the hardest time deciding to say "bom dia" or "good morning" because he doesnt speak Portuguese and I wanted him to feel at home. But plot twist, we´re not in America anymore Sister Myers. I went with Bom Dia. Anyways, he talked about two big points: teaching repentance AFTER baptism and the Book of Mormon.
In repsect to teaching repentance he talked about if we baptized people who were 100% converted, we´d never baptize. Its important to teach our investiagtors how to be converted. To go through that process there is an absolute need to teach repentance.
One thing he said about the Book of Mormon that I LOVED was " The Book of Mormon is the REAL MISSIONARY". Because its so true. Our purpose is to support and invite them to read. If the book is the word of God, Joseph Smith is a true prophet, if he´s a true prophet, the church of Christ is here on the earth. Powerful stuff.
Saturday: The waters of Baptism
ANDERSON GOT BAPTIZED! I really wish you could all meet him. He has the greatest story and I feel so blessed to get to know him. His parents went to his baptism which was awesome because they havent been supportive until now. He really has a rock solid testimony and has expressed a desire to serve a mission! Nothing is more incredible than seeing a missionary help another person be a missionary.
Sunday: CRAY CRAY
So Sunday was crazy. I spoke in church, lol. Correction: I tried to speak i church. I had to talk really slow to make sure people understood me. Or maybe because I was crazy nervous. But Sister Jackson said it went well. The best part of church was sitting on the pulpit and watching the faces of the people that I love here. Valdeon blessed the sacrament, Gustavo passed it. Anderson got confirmed and recieved the priesthood. This is the best yet: Catia got called as a counselor in Relief Society Presidency! Then Valdeon  got called as secretary in the Elders Quoarom presidency. Cray right? So when we went to ward council they were both there. It was so funny because Bishop was like, lets talk about recent converts. First Catia and Valdeon.. OH WAIT THEYRE HERE. Then we had Brazilian barbeque like that place in Provo... I cant remember but man I ate so much. Theres a family that I´ve been really close to that did a going away lunch for SIster Jackson.

Today/Monday: cha cha cha cha changesssss. So I sent off my dear Sister Jackson this morning and received my transfer email. Im going to Paracuru!! So this is what I know. Its a beach town (with baptisms on the beach). Its really small town with small area limits so its been known to be difficult. Right now, theres a small branch so it will be my first time working with branch presidents and how branches functions which will be cool. Im so sad to leave my families here... they´ve truly become my family.

My subject header is from Alma 26:11-13 in the Book of Mormon. It explains perfectly how I´ve felt about this transfer... I feel so little as the Lord has worked through Sister Jackson and I to find those souls who were in need of the gospel of Christ. Anderson was closing our lesson with a prayer yesterday and he said "please let Sister Jackson and Sister Myers know of just a little of the gratitude I have for them". I just keep saying "it was the Lord, it was the Lord". Im grateful to see where the Lord takes me next on this incredible journey.

Thank you for your love and support. I often am in shock every Monday morning hearing from my family and loved ones. Thank you.
Com muito amor,
Sister Myers

Sister Jackson and I on our way to conference
 Our district, more like our little family.
 Anderson's Baptism


Irmao Altanizio is the boss griller
 Us and the boys

So so much love for this family
 Donkeys because.. Brazil

When you start to feel old (5 months passed by)

Monday, June 6, 2016

Bommmmm diaaaaa! I wish I could say I want to be experiecing the 115+ degree weather with you all but I cant. The Fortaleza heat is enough for me. Also, I would like to say that it may be hot but remember that in the US we can press a button and our houses are cold...food for thought. Any how, this will be the last week in the transfer. I´m so incredibly sad to see Sister Jackson go. She´s quickly become a friend rather than just a mission companion. Definitely a person who was placed in my life to change me for the better. Next transfer, anything could happen and I´m so excited to see where the Lord places me next.

As for this week, Luiz Fabricio got baptized! To recap, we met him on his doorstep. If we´re being honest, he is super timid so I thought it wouldnt go anywhere. Then we met his family and saw how supportive his mom is for him to be involved in a religion. As we began to teach him, he started attending mutual, seminary(even though hes only 12), and church. He really became good friends with the young men and did everything we invited him to do: read the Book of Mormon everyday, attend church, pray. He has really opened up with us, as much as a 12 year old will with two young adult women lol. He was ready to be baptized two weeks ago but he got Dangue, a mosquito sickness. But now hes great! His family came to the baptism, even though none have a desire to receive our messages. On Sunday he showed up with a white shirt and tie. That moment just makes it for me. When they truly go in 100%.

Next week, Anderson will be baptized. Now listen to how cray cray his story is. So we met Anderson in church last week. His friend from another ward brought him to visit. We marked a day to pass by his house because it was in our area. So we went by for the first time last Tuesday. As we got to know him, he began to open up. Get this. He´s dating a girl who is serving in Victoria, Brazil. And during the time shes been out,she invited him to pray to know if the church is true. So hes been praying for months to receive an answer. Then finally he felt like he needed to go to church to receive his answer.  When he walked in the building, a feeling of peace swept hid body and he knew that God had sent him his answer.  So for us, he´s really amazing. We just keep teaching him everything he needs to know and he asks questions and accepts any invitation we give him. He even went to Institute last week, IN ANOTHER CITY. And we´ve talked alot about temples. He lit up when he heard we could be with our families for eternity. And he just like, gets EXCITED about the gospel. Hes incredible, really. So next Saturday will be his baptism. I cant wait.

As for the recent converts, their amazing. We reactivated the family of Caio, Gustavo, and Arthur. Their parents are going to church again. They got to watch their sons pass the sacrament. As for Catia and Valdeon, he blessed the sacrament and recieved a calling in the Elder´s Quorom this week. Gente, these people are amazing. I feel so little compared to what these people are doing for their lives and futures.

I cant wait to continue in this work. Sometimes people look at me like I´m crazy because I left family, friends, school, and career at home but I cant imagine being anywhere else. These families, these people here, they´re my home for now. And not because they´re replacing home but because they truly are my brothers and sisters. I feel so blessed to be serving in my sweet town of Conjunto Novo Ceara.

When someone fills up the font too high...
 Luiz Fabricio and his Young Men's President, Levi (pronounces Lev-ee)
 Luiz Fabricio e Sister Jackson e Eu
 Sisters on Sunday

 
template design by Studio Mommy (© copyright 2015)