"You promised to mourn with those that mourn, to comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and to stand as a witness of Christ at all times, in all things and in all places...and were given the strength when you were given the Holy Ghost." -Eyring

He Is Here!

     

     Some members from our ward made us an Easter breakfast! Irmã Jessica made me two cakes without milk (because she thinks I´m lactose intolerant, because I can´t eat sweetened condensed milk). What a sweetheart. She kept saying "These are Sister Arthur´s cakes" and "Sister don´t eat this one. It has milk." I told her the situation after, but it was so sweet!

     So conference, as always, was amazing.

Here are some of my favorite things that were said 

"In every home where even one individual seeks truth, a difference is made." -Cheryl A. Esplin

"You promised [to mourn with those that mourn, to comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and to stand as a witness of Christ at all times, in all things and in all places. (Mosiah 18:8 e9)] and were given the strength when you were given the gift of the Holy Ghost."  -Henry B. Eyring.

"All of us are, in  some way, like the prodigal son." While we ask what we can do to help someone who has gone astray, the Lord reminds us that we, too, are very far from home.  -Brent H. Neilsen.

"He rose from the dead so that He can grasp us as we fall and lift us to eternal life." -Jeffry R. Holland

     All in all, what most hit me this conference was how incredibly inadequate I am, but not in a depressing sense, if that makes any sense. I just realized even more how we are nothing without Christ. Elder Uchtdorf said "we cannot earn our way into Heaven." It is only because of Christ that we are able to return to live with Heavenly Father. "It is by grace that we are saved after all we can do." I am eternally greatful that this is true. I know that my actions will never be enough to repay Christ for what He has done for me, but He doesn't care and He doesn't complain that I keep failing and having to start over. He just picks me up and cheers me on. Who am I to give up hope when He never gives up on me?

     Last night a recent convert died after a long battle with cancer. Well, this particular battle was short. It started three weeks ago, just a few days after her baptism. She finally gave up smoking and could be baptized by her husband (also a recent convert) and then a few days later her cancer came back.  Last night she passed away. It was so sad. Her husband is an amazing man who has waited so long (eight years) to be a member of the true church. They are a beautiful family and we will miss Condeição a whole lot. How wonderful it is to know of God´s true plan of happiness for His children. Lots of people believe that we cease to exist after we die. Others believe that we won´t recognize each other after we die, but I know that families can be sealed in the Temple of the Lord for time and all eternity. I know that the family is central to Heavenly Father´s plan of happiness and that when we overcome our doubts, fears and trials to follow Him, all things are possible. Jesus Christ died for us. He rose from the dead for us. He loves us eternally and knows all of our joys, sorrows and pains. He is always listening and ready to take us in His arms and tell us it's all going to be okay, that we can never give up.

I love you forever! Keep on being amazing!" ILove yoU!

Love,

Your LIttle Missioanry  (P.S. from the editor...Karynne will be arriving in Boston May 1st at 12:30pm!!!)

I'm so glad the Lord helps us to understand when we just don't get it.

Musical

I want to tell you about Ulisses and Bianca! They are so cool! We met Ulisses and he thinks he´s still dating Bianca, his Baby Mama, but she´s so over him... long story short we are teaching them seperately and they are progressing so much! Ulisses was baptised Catholic but received the coolest answer to his prayer when he prayed to ask if this is the true church! SO, he´s really excited to be baptised and he went around meeting people and inviting them to his baptism when he went to church. Everyone thought he was a member visiting. Bianca is going to be baptised too, but might take a little longer, but she is reading the Book of Mormon and totally loves it! Also, when she came to church, two of the members were like "How did you find her? I know her!" And everyone is os excited. Helena is their baby and she´s so cute! You´ll for sure meet them when you come. I think they speak a little English...

      We are teaching a lot of other people who the Lord totally put in our path and it´s so amazing. After Elder Aidukaits´ visit to our mission, I feel much more like I´m doing this mission thing right. I´m so glad the Lord helps us to understand when we just don´t get it. He´s so good!

      Tomorrow we have Easter conference wtih the misison and this weekend is General CONFERENCE! It´s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, one of htem at least! I am SO EXCITED! It´s going t be so amazing! I love the prophet! and all of the Lord´s servants! I have to go! But on´t miss any of conference! 

I LOV EYOU!@

Love,

Your Little Missionary

Doing some serious repenting.

March 23rd, 2015

I have like no time to talk today, but Sister Byrne and I got to assist two meetings with Elder Aidukaitis, Brazil area 70 and were burned to a crisp. We thought we were being the best missionaries we knew how to be, but it turns out we (at least I) were being too shy. So, we have done some serious repenting and we are doing contacts with the whole bus at once and then asking who is interested. (Editor here, Things are different in Brazil. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't go over as well on a bus in...say...Boston.) The people are surprisingly receptive of us taking shouting our messages in public. WE are deffinitely going to do more of this. I wish I´d under stood earlier how to be a great missionary. I´m not saying that I was bad, but I wasn't the best I could be. That's what burned the most. But you can be sure that I will take advantage of every second I have left. I love you so much!

Love,

Your Little Missionary

P.S. WE are back in BERTIOGA!!!!!!!!!! TO stay! WE have worked here one day and already have a bunch of people to teach! I love the Lord´s work in the Lord´s way!

Heavenly Father knows I am trying and always gives me what I need

March 16th 2015 

      We went to Bertioga for 2.5 days! We planned on Friday, did exchanges on Saturday and were obligated to stay home ALL DAY SUNDAY because Brazil was busy impeaching its president. Still don´t know if that worked out or not, but i`m sure someone will say something one of these days. In the mean time we´ll just keep working our butts off and hope that everything goes well. 

      So, while we were at home Sunday, we held our own meetings (with the exception of sacrament meeting. That would just be a little bit of apostasy) It was so great! We studied the gospel principles lesson on exaltation and got to learn a lot from the other sisters. Some people have a gift to be able to study and learn by the Spirit. I am not really one of them, but I do my best and Heavenly Father knows I am trying and always gives me what I need to do well in my calling. Afterwards we studied conference talks about prophets. Lastly, instead of having sacrament meeting we bore our testimonies. It was such a great spiritual experience and I know that Heavenly Father blessed us for doing our best to keep His Sabbath holy. 

Teaching at Zone Conference

      It was so amazing to come home to Bertioga (we have already left again) and see how much everyone has grown. There were a ton of people sick (including Sister Vergara) and everyone was running from place to place to help each other, including the less sick of the sick. So much has changed. People are stronger, there are many new members and miracles happen every day here. Even though we couldn't go to church, our investigators went and loved it. While Sister Vergara was sick in bed, the members of the branch filled our refrigerator with Gatorade and good food. They gave her rides to and from the hospital and called a bunch just to see how she was doing. 

      Sister Byrne and I got to have lunch with our friend Francisca and she took us to teach her neighbors and was so excited to see us back home. We were sad that it would be so short, but I will take you to meet her when you come. She is absolutely amazing. I want her to be your companion (Mom) when you serve. She is planning on serving a mission! I think she is almost fifty!

I lov eyoU! time´s up1!

Your Little Missionary

Mission President and Sister Cabral watching Karynne teach

Teaching at another Zone Conference

(Editor - she did not send pictures this week, these are all from the Missao Brasil Santos FB page Zone Conference Post.)