Well. That's that.

Its strange to think that its really all over. I hardly can comprehend it most days. Today was my homecoming talk in church. As most talks usually go, I didnt say anything how I had planned it. I think I was searching for some way to sum up the last year and a half.
An impossible feat. How can I explain why the past year and a half were the best time Ive ever had, or how its opened my eyes to so many things! How can I explain the feeling of watching a person pray for the first time? Or feeling the Lords protection 24/7 in the way that I did. How can I explain the beauty of Brasil? Or Brasilian culture? Or why it was so amazing to work with brasilian people? How can I capture the thrill of meeting new people everyday, and giving them that which has most value to me. The source of all my happiness? Or the satisfaction of putting your heart into the message and having someone accept it. Or seeing lives CHANGE. Seeing the glow in a person's face as they tell you about praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true.
Or the fun of getting to know each new area, ward and companion. The smells of the bakery on the corner. The sight of the incredible sunsets of Janauba!!! Ha, or even kissing everyone (well all the girls that is) on the cheek to say hello and goodbye. Bringing investigators to church, and conferences!!! And just learning something priceless from every single person and every single experience!
There arent words to capture all that!
It seems like a dream most days. Ive wanted to serve a mission practically my whole life. I remember when I was about 5 years old, and thinking about all the reasons I wanted and needed to serve a mission. It wasnt anything I thought it'd be. It was WAY better- in that I learned SO much more than I ever imagined I'd learn.
Plus I learned portuguese- proooooooooobably the most beautiful language ever..
I was SO sad at the thought of leaving the mission, brasil, everyone I had grown to love, the culture I had acustomed to, and the incredible feeling of knowing youre doing something right. Getting on the bus to go to the airport I just couldnt comprehend it. I was seriously in denile! I kept saying, " I think its just a transfer guys.. yeah, Im pretty sure Im just getting transferred.. "
Ha, or when I wasnt trying to convince myself I was getting transferred, I kept saying "They can't just kick me out of brasil! They can't just send ME home! Thats ridiculous!" haha, oh my..
Anyway, getting off the plane and walking into the airport in SLC was probably the biggest adrenaline rush Ive ever had. I wanted to bottle that feeling and/or moment.

So here I am. Im excited for life, but still missing the one I just left. They say thats normal.
Im so happy though. On the list of the millions of things I learned on the mission, is how to be happier than I have ever been.

sou grata para sempre.

Hugging my mom for the first time in a year and a half!!
*awww.. sniffle*
matando as saudades do irmaozinho
sooo much happy all in one place..

My welcome home cupcakes! Yes, that IS batman, thank you very much!!! XD