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Vamos jogar entao

SO! Here we are at pday again! It seriously seems like yesterday was the last pday! I cant believe how the time is flying! It kinda scares me to tell you the truth..

Things are fantastic here! I LOVE Janaúba, it´s still adorable to me, and I like Sis. Sorenson more every day! I´m learning a ton! Yesterday at our district meeting Elder Barbosa was talking about our weak points, and how we should recognize them and then MAKE A PLAN to over come them. Can you imagine if EVERY person in the world was constantly analyzing themselves and then CHANGING for the better because of it?? So it really made me look at myself and see what I need to do to progress more each day, each week, each YEAR for the rest of my life! But so far I decided to just work on the things that are essential for right now. For example: Speaking portuguese!!! I realized that I have a hard time teaching lately because I speak ENGLISH all day long and then when I try to think in portuguese its not there. So Sis. Sorenson and I made a goal to speak ONLY portuguese during the day, and in the evening we can speak english. Because we need to enjoy and utilize the fact that we both speak english (its a rare thing, after this transfer She and I will be the only american sisters) but we need to be progressing in our portuguese as well. So far its been really good! Ive been learning a lot faster. ** So that´s a challange for all of you! Look at yourselves and analyze what you ARE in comparison to what you WANT to be,and then make the necessary plans to get there! This life is limitless! It´s really just a matter of finding that solution. It´s obviously easier said than done, but I promise it´s possible!**

This week I´ve really learned a lot from the people we´re teaching. One girl we´re teaching is named Leila. She is SO Awesome! When we taught her the lesson of the restauração, at the end she said "Eu não sabia essas coisas! Eu não sabia essas coisas aconteceu!" and she was so grateful that we were telling her because she recognized how important it is to know that there is a living prophet! Its incredible to see how the Lord has prepared people to hear the gospel. She´s so rad.
Another lady we´re teaching has really been hard. REALLY hard, because she acts like she´s not understanding anything we´re saying sometimes, and so we had to pray ALOT to know whether she really was all THERE, you know, like, if she was able to comprehend and keep the commitments we were teaching her. But we prayed about it a lot, and she was interviewed by our district leader and he said she was capable and ready for baptism! So tonight she´ll be baptised! yay! Im excited. But the big thing that I learned from this is that it´s REALLY really REALLY important to ALWAYS be praying for wisdom concerning EACH and every person we teach. To really be listening for that guidence from the Lord to know how HE want´s them to be taught, on a very individual basis. That´s the beauty of missionary work- even though we´re teaching the same lessons, each one is a little different, because each person is different, and our purpose is to teach in a way that each person will understand these truths, and be able to feel the Holy Ghost testifying of its veracidade também.
Yeah, I couldn´t remember how to say that word in english, sorry..
Anyway, so this branch is really small, and it reminds me of my singles branch there in PA (which I still miss soooooooooooooooooooooo soooooooooooo much..) And Ive been wracking my brains to trying and think of how I can help this branch be as awesome as VF3 (That´s a pretty darn big goal, but still, every one deserves the best ward or branch ever right??) And I realized that the reason VF3 was so incredible was the LOVE! Everyone just LOVED and accepted EVERYONE! Imagine if every ward everywhere had people who were excited for every new person, and GENUINE friends with EVERYONE in the ward? That scripture in mosiah 8(:8-10) would be more of a reality wouldnt it? So my goal is to SOMEHOW help these people to realize that loving EVERYONE as much as they can will bring a PRICELESS joy and unity to this branch.
****so what I need from any and all of YOU! Is this:
-Family home evening ideas. Games, lessons, object lessons, hand outs, THE WORKS! Because we´re going to start having a family night here with the members and rotate who´s house it´s in, but in general the idea is to bring them all closer together.
-Relief Society hand out ideas, and projects to unify the RS. And the Priesthood, cause I could pass ideas on to the Elders.
-fun group games to play (that don´t require a lot of objects..) because we have "integreção" every week, which is kinda like mutual, but its just for everyone, in attempt to bring the branch closer together. So games to get to know one another and whatnot would be good to know.

But Mom, if you could just give me a quick recap each week of either the hand out or the activity of RS each sunday that would help a ton. ******

So anyway, the branch here is really small though, and the missionaries help a LOT. We teach the sunday school class every week, and if any of the teachers or sacrament speakers are missing, we´re the ones that fill the gaps (I´m a bit nervous to teach the sunday school class.. not this week but next.. :s but it´ll be a good learning experience.)

So anyway, things are fantastic! My testimony of how well the Lord knows each and every one of us is growing SO much! Its incredible! I´m so grateful!

My favorite scripture today:
Luke 6:31-38 & 46
Its really profound, but you have to really soak it in to appreciate it!! dooooo it...

So what the heck! Michael and Marin Moved! To conchohocken none the less!! What for? To another apartment or a house or what? And are you still in the same ward? Is Marin still working at the same place? Does robbie still live with you?! What´s it like? Oh my gosh I miss Pennsylvania so much!!! Please please please pleeeeeeeeeeeeease take lots of pictures this fall and send them to me k? And Im still sorry I broke your camera, and I still havent forgotten I owe you $100.. It´s going to be a little while before I can get that to you.. sorry..
I miss your gutss! All of you over there in PA!!! Becca! I write in my planner to write you EVERY WEEK (someday I´ll show you, it´s true) But these past Pdays have been crazy, so it hasn´t happened- BUT today I have faith! Today is crazy too though, but I´m going to do it!
Anyway, well I hope that all is well! I miss you all like crazy!

So for the next 6 weeks or so you can send me snail mail to:
Av. Saudade, 1051 apto 201
B: Saudade
39440-000 Janaúba- MG
Brasil

**Did anyone else catch the irony that we live on road Saudade and in bairro saudade? haha**

So yeah. Things are good. Hot. Its very hot here. But good.
:D I love love love you all! And I love this gospel! I know without a doubt it is true! Someone PLEASE read the account of the people of Alma vs the people of limhi
(I don´t remember off the top of my head EXACTLY which verses they are, but its mosiah 21- the people of limhi, and mosiah 23 the people of alma. The principle is this:There were 2 different groups of people, one WITH a prophet and one without- and they were at one time -not the SAME time- captive by the very SAME captures! and the results are what is important to observe. Also, read mosiah 2:41)
Ok, thats all. KLOVEYOUBYE

Sent without the pictures!

OI!So! Here I am in ADORABLE Janaúba! I love this place! It´s the cutest little town! Let me just paint a picture for you here:- Smalltown-lots of fields and open space-EVERYONE rides bicicles. Kids. Teenagers. Adults. Ancient old men. Aaaaaand- they ride bikes TOGETHER. So far the most Ive seen on one bike is 3, but Sis. Sorenson said she saw a family of 4 on one bike. THAT is skill!-Happy, humble people!-dirt roads. LOTS of them.-OR cobble stone.
I don´t know what exactly it is that has caught my fancy exactly, but this place feels SO homey to me! I love it! It’s a MILLION degrees, but I am learning to cope.
As far as the people go, they´re good humble people. They really radiate a wholesome spirit- but since it IS so hot, they don´t really like to leave their houses, so its hard to get them to church. Oh church! In this area it´s a branch.Let me tell YOU about excitement! We´re sitting in relief society and the president of the branch comes in and informs Sis. Sorenson and I that we need to teach primary today because the primary teacher didn´t come.I have a new found –and DEEP- respect for primary teachers! NOSSA (<- the equivalent of “OH MY!”). It was chaos. And Lots of fun. I went home and re-read all my letters from my boys.Speaking of WHICH, I just need to re-emphasize my gratitude for the package from Gwen!!!!! Breakfast is so exciting every morning now!!!! And After this (I´ve been planning for a while now..) I´m going to bask in the glory that IS Mac&cheese..But really, everything in that package is MOST appreciated! I am still feeling the joy and excitement from each item (Sis. Sorenson was excited about the TMNT backpack, because it is amazingly awesome.)SO! Lots of hugs for Gwen! OH guess what! Sis. Sorenson has this thingy, a USB connector with an outlet thing for memory cards(yes that IS the technical term..) SO: PHOTOSSSS
Sis. Shepherd with this awesome car. Yeah, I think I´m going to bring one of THESE home with me..
The Jardim Family!!! Yay! From left to right:Ana, Aninha, Me, Marcos vinicius, Elias, Paulo Henrique.
The whole family! *Henrique had to work the night of thebaptism  so he didn´t get to see all his family get baptized. Sad story. But look how happy he is here!! :D
Woot! L to R: André, Alessandra, Stefany, paulo, Sis. Shepherd and I.
Alvorada sunset.
TRANSFERS! L to R: Sis. Frei, Sis. Sorenson, Sis. Shepherd, Me. Yay for being American.
So yeah. Proof I´m alive huh?
Hey mom, How´s Mrs. O? I miss her.
Today´s favorite scriptures:D&C 50:40-42Ether 12:4
Read them. Love them. No, but really, read them k?
So, yeah. I´ve been on cloud 9 this past week, I am seriously in love with Janaúba! I´m so excited for this transfer! It´s going to be a good one!Hey. How about more pictures? Yeah, I thought so too..
Hey this is us! Right now! Sweet huh..
So, like I said I´ve been into a big drawing kick lately. Here is a picture I drew for Elder Dantas who asked for it (a cover for his planner.)
Pretty exciting huh?
Yeah. Apparently even Brasil knows Punk´s not dead.*check out my awesome orange bag! Yeah, I accidentally left MY bag at the bus station when we had transfers, so Ive been using this one of Sis. Sorensons. Its stinkin cute.
For valentines day at the mall there was a booth that you could write to your “special someone” and then put it on a big wall of confessions.
This was my district there in Alvorada. L to R: Me, Sis. Shepherd, Elder Dantas e Elder Judd.
CTM pictures anyone? I agree.

This was the day I forgot to take off my pajama´s…
Here is my dictionary (there was a lot of time to doodle in the CTM.. I took notes too though, no worries!)
Tuttle, me, Francis.
Hey Becky. Look it´s Keaton Anderson.

Our awesome district. We were pretty much the coolest.I don´t really remember their names now though.. :s
Ok, well I´m out of time. Have fun, be safe, and know that I love you ALL SO MUCH!!!!

Suzie's Address

Sister Suzanne Blandon
Brazil Belo Horizonte Mission Home
Rua Sao Paulo 1781-10o
Bairro Lourdes, Belo Horizonte, MG
CEP 30170-132 Brazil

Transferred, etc.

Wow! Well transfers hit, and I was transfered! I am now in Janaúba. It´s the farthest north you can get in the mission. It took 11 hours by BUS to get here! NOSSA! Anyway, It´s brain-boilingly hot here, but its SUCH a cute little town! Everyone rides BIKES everywhere! My new companion is Sis. Sorenson (american! yes!) And I´m way excited. Though, I´m going to miss Sis. Shepherd :( She´s going home next transfer, and I´ll more than likely be kicking it here in Janaúba, so I won´t get to see her off. Sad.
But anyway! Things are good though! Change is suprisingly rejuvinating, and so I´m really excited to work!

¨¨ÄAAAAAAAAAAAH!! I love you all!!!! Thank you for the package!!!!!! Oh my goodness! It´s the perfect mix of emotional food, and ACTUAL food!!! haha! I wish I had more words to explain my gratitude and joy! Someone needs to give gwen a billion hugs for me. Geez I miss her. It was good to hear from matthew too (way to go! 1st letter to your favorite missionary ;) ) I´m pretty sure Lucas is grounded though for not at least scribbling a hello in there somewhere..:p

But yes, thank you thank you!

Sounds like things are going well there at home! The transfer kinda messed things up so I dont have as much time to write, so I´m going to have to cut this short and write peeps next week- but thank you all who contributed to the package, it seriously is still making me smile! (gwen, you´re amazing, Ilove that you sentme mack and cheese! )
K well I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Até proximo semana!!!

-sb

(to Ashley)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAASHLEY!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU! Its FANTASTIC to hear from you! thanks for the pictures too, i´m definitely going for the eyeball look whenI get back.. im going to snailmail you though, so just know that I love you and miss you!!! And hope to hear from you again soon!! :D

- Show quoted text -

P-Day

Hey there everyone!
Oh glorious pdays! some pdays I feel just blah, you know like, "eh, pday, thats cool." Other days I feel like pday is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life!!!!!!!!!! because this work gets SO emotionally draining, sometimes its nice to know I´m allowed to just do NOTHING.

Of course, on pdays we never JUST do nothing! We clean the house, buy groceries, write people, do random activities- but its that I COULD just do nothing if I wanted to!!!

No but more than anything, its the emotional FOOD that I crave. Each pday I get to come here to the internet house and read my emotional food. The love and support of those I am aching to be near.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOO thank you SOOOOOO much for each of you who write me! I can´t even begin to express how much of a difference it makes. Sometimes when I think I´m too tired to give my all, the love and support that I receive from home is what keeps me going. I wish I could paint a better picture, or somehow express the depth of emotion I´d like to attach to this thought and thanks, but all I can do is pray the Holy Ghost will do that for me.

So this week has been interesting. Before a baptism we spend a LOT of time with our investigators (obviously) but then after they´re baptised we can´t spend so much time with them, because they need to be independant, learn to do things on their own- but then we have all this time that we didn´t before, so we OF COURSE have to find new people! Yay! Its a bitter sweet experience. Because its sad to not be able to spend so much time with the people we´ve grown to love, and it takes time to learn to love the new people, BUT its nice to have that fresh new start.
Its been hard to find new people lately, no one seems to want to let us in. Yesterday was the first rain storm Ive seen here! (I was excited to use my umbrella.. muahaha) and I LOVED being in the rain! *Sis. Shepherd and I sang singing in the rain pretty much the whole day- but it made me miss chilling at home with Wendee and Mom watching it..* But it was hard because NO one wanted to let us in (you´d think they´d let us in just because it was dumping down so much rain!) but oh well.
Going on,So yeah, its been interesting trying to find new people.we´re teaching a couple new people, but at this point its hard to say if they are really interested or not. SO tomorrow I am going to have my first division!! Ah! It shouldn´t be scary, but it is! But its exciting too. I´m excited to stretch myself.YESTERDAY at our district meeting, Elder Dantas was teaching about giving our all, and he showed some clips of a football movie -which football movies aren´t really my thing in any way shape size or form- but this one just HIT me like a ton of bricks! And everyone was so pumped up and ready to work, and it really opened my eyes to the fact that there is really NO way for me to know how far I can go, how much I can give- only He knows. So I need to go by HIS standards, go until HE says I can´t. I feel like that meeting changed my whole mission! I just keep praying to not forget it.
So yeah. That was good. Things are good.Hey, yknow who´s addresses I´d love to have?:-MARIE WILCOX´s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-the carter twins-lisa carter-DANNY´S REAL ADDRESS-Cheo´s-Ashley walton-zwahlens-Carrie stratton-Angela demott-Nate and Chris-Randy and Chelseys
And more that I can´t remember right now. But if anyone has those, feel free to send them to me.
Woah hey, the summer is almost over, how weird is that?