Tudo vai dar certo

This week was a gooood week!!! Just so, so full of greatness and miracles. We had multi-zone this week which is always fun! Only 9 more -  woohooo!!! It´s honestly crazy how quickly those things arrive.  Like one day I was at my first multi-zone and the next I was at my 3rd. Time is an interesting thing honestly. But Multi-zone was good and we got a blender which was THE BEST THING EVER and you know when you’re freaking stoked to get a blender, that you´re a missionary with nothing (haha)! 

I´ll summarize quickly this week because time is running low, but we found 15 new pesquisadores and have 2 dates for Liege and Bruno! We are hoping to baptize every week for the rest of this transfer! So 3 more:) We worked so much, and I have been so tired- but it´s a good tired! It´s a satisfied tired. This work is so special!

Last thing:  I have learned more in the past week, less than a week really, that hard things happen, and many times, they are completely out of our control. But I do know that God has the ability to work miracles, heal and soften a hard heart, and that he will give chances time and time again. It is never too late to try and ask for forgiveness and keep working to make it all right. I just want to say that I am grateful to have been raised by such great people and to have had a firm foundation in my home as I grew up. Because I truly learned that God is here and that he has a plan. I love you all and am praying a fasting weekly for the people I know need it!

Blue Popsicle: Living with Sister Kendrick has truly been my greatest blessing this week!  

Multi-zone with my house mates:)

Our FREAKING AWESOME pesquisador gave us cookies

We had a thanksgiving feast! Heck yeah!

My hair is turning. I have never felt the power of the sun before Brazil.

A week full of firsts!!!

This week was full of firsts, like I stated in my subject:) But I´ll start with saying, that our time here in the Lan House has been cut down to an hour and I have lots to do, so my emails are gonna be shortened, and I think basically summed up with photos!! But feel free to email me! I miss you all!! And the worst-case scenario is that I print your email and respond with a picture of a letter:) But I want to be able to talk with you all!! 

Anyway, this week was good. Lots of weather changes, and we moved houses… Thank the flipping heavens above!  I am really starting to feel and think like a missionary without thinking about it. Like I see a dude walking with his daughter and all I want to do is tell him they can be together forever, or I see a cute couple… same thing.  Or I see people walking into the Church of Love and all I want to do is go and shout the Restoration with all the energy of my soul. It´s kind of cool how doing something every single day starts to affect you, huh? Haha, now I just have to cut out the daily Açai cause uhhhh... that´s gonna start having a way obvious effect.. ha!

Blue Popsicle: It was raining and we almost decided to go back to the church to wait it out, but I decided to say a prayer to find just one more person.  We turned the corner and found Raimundo! An elite for sure... BLESSING!

First time trying to grab mangos with a stick

First time cutting my finger nail off and having a "built in" watch and ring!

 First wedding on the mission!

First time cleaning the baptismal font

First baptism!  This is Marcia:) She was so excited that she went under with her eyes wide open and a huge smile on her face!  She´s awesome!

TALK ABOUT WALKING

So hello everyone! I´m here just chillin' in Brazil, in Piracicaba Vila Sônha! I think I have walked more this last week than the last 2 transfers combined! Good start! This area is very different, but I have loved it so far! It´s almost the same size as Interlagos, but it´s like a line, so one end of the area to another is a solid 2-3 hour walk. Yes, I've already walked that route a few times. Luckily this past week wasn't too hot, but now... the sun has come out to playyyyy and it is boiling  hottttt! I love it! Gotta be grateful for tudo:) I'm also gonna say I am grateful that Sister Maydana is still there in my last area. She's an awesome teacher and will grow that area so much this transfer!!

So I arrived here with 3 baptismal dates set by Sister Macz and her first trainer, and was bummed to think my first baptism would be because of someone else´s work.. But I came to learn it was just an invitation for baptism and these people are still in the beginning stages of a true conversion! And this week we found so many elites... This transfer will be so great. I am learning a lot being on the other side of training. It´s very different. I never thought I would ever be stable enough to help a new sister, but I MADE IT! Hahaha- I've still got a looonnngggg way to go.

I finished the BofM in Portuguese, and wow... talk about the gift of tongues. I believe that I have received a greater capacity of understanding in just the one week that I have finished reading.  I have been able to help my companion, who has expressed time and time again her frustration with the language, to speak more clearly. And many times I am the "translator." I never imagined that. God is too good!!! I am excited to see this week and to continue seeing progress in our pesquisadores!!

Blue Popsicle: Finding the book, "Jesus the Christ" in our house.  A sister left it in the house, and it is now my next big goal to finish "Jesus the Christ" :) ITS HUGE!

   A picture from a bridge above the highway

Saying bye to pesquisadores last week... This is Raimund(inha) 

Sister Macz!! This week she said, "My last companion may have been my "mom" but you´re my first friend." 
SO CUTE! She´s tiny btw... Like shorter than Madilyn

 Received the letter from the ward (I get letters faster now because I am close to the president)

 THANK YOU EVERYONE!

I loved this area.  It's so pretty and looks like the Amazon! 

Treinamento Acabou!! (Training is Over)

This week honestly flew by way too fast... and I say that because it ended up being my last week here in Interlagos. I am so sad to be leaving this area. I love it here. I truly have learned so much. Everyone says leaving the first area is the most difficult part! So heck yeah for the hardest part coming to an end;) I’m trying to keep the positive vibes rollin’.

And now for the next phase of my mission... I will be training (JÁ ) in Piracicaba! I am training, or finishing training a Spanish speaking sister, who’s name I will not write until I see her name tag, because I don´t know how to spell names hahaha. But yeah, this is insane that I am already the senior comp and training a sister who is still learning the language like me! It´ll be an adventure for sure. My area (I think) is called Villa Sonha. It sounds pretty:) Next week we'll all see how life is going la né?

This week we went to the cemetery here in Hortolândia and talked to people about the Plan of Salvação:) It was such a great opportunity for finding people and sharing the unique message of this gospel. I love this gospel. I love the Book of Mormon. I love teaching and helping people come unto our Savior. I love Him, and all of you<3 

Also, today is my 4-month mark in the mission!! These month marks are just coming and going like crazy man...

Sister Walstad

Last district/zone meeting

On the way to the cemetery with the zone:)

It was funny that everyone wanted a picture and wanted to hear English. These girls lost their uncle the night before. O dia memoria, they were super excited to know they would see him again:)

Helicopter- coool huh!!??

 Drank a coconut, and no I did not like it. But I will still have another one some day.

Held Brand New baby kittens!!!!!!

Best member ever.. Débora. She's literally my fav human and makes me feel like a normal person. I´ll miss her a ton. In this pic we had just run home in the pouring rain:)

Said "tchau" to my people at church on Sunday:(