Hello bonitas! This week was very busy but very wonderful. First of all...we had three batismos esta semana! Finally the três meninas made it to the agua. We have been teaching them for quite some time now but the past two weeks they have really got their act together and prepared to be baptized. On Saturday, May 24th (two days before the day I was baptized :)) Geovanna, Bianca, and Mariana were baptized. Our Ward Mission Leader, the good ole Tiago, helped lots and it turned out to be a wonderful meeting. With 8 missionaries in one ward and a ward on fire for missionary work, there were lots of people eager to help. Debora sang a special musical number and Tiago conducted the meeting (for the first time in his life) and the Bishop gave an awesome testimony/welcome to the ward at the end. Then we had a nice little reception in the back with lots of good little treats and everyone stayed and talked lots. This was great especially for our new investigator Sna. Anália. She is about 75 and the mom of a less-active. She had never been to our Church before, although her son was super active many years back. She agreed to come to the baptism last minute and liked it a lot. Now she has a baptismal date and is learning very quickly to get there. She said she has always wanted to visit our Church and really likes the good morals it supports, but has never had anyone to go with or to invite her in the past 10 years. We found this family actually looking for a different less active completely unrelated to them, but it turned out really great. I think her son Arnoldo will be a little harder to get to Church, but with the good example of his mom great things will happen! She came to Relief Society yesterday and said she wants to come to more next week but had a compromisso later on in the morning so she couldn´t finish the meetings. It is sometimes hard to find her em casa, but if she is home lots of days this week I think she could be next! We also did divisions with Batatais this week. Those Sísteres are great and we had lots of fun. We had a bit of a scare coming home though. We were waiting at the bus stop in Batatais when an old woman alone came up to us and started talking to us really quietly. She looked really weak and tired and suddenly collapsed in Síster Hoggan´s arms! At that exact moment the bus (which only comes once every hour) showed up. Luckily there were lots of people close by to help out. There were two guys there with a car who helped her get in and took her to some hospital nearby. We were very blessed there was so many people there because we were in a foreign city and didn´t know anyone or anywhere to take her. It worked out well and just shook us up a bit. Then we got on the bus and started on our way back to Ribeirão (about a 45 minute trip). We had just gotten to the outer limits of the city of Batatais when Síster Hoggan turns to me and says "I think I´m going to be sick". So we yell to the motorista to open the doors and we hop off at the last bus stop and the bus drives away. Síster Hoggan really was sick so it was good we got off...but our phone had died ealier and we didn´t know where we were. We started walking down the street looking for a supermarket or something to buy crackers and water and luckily found one really fast. We went back to the bus stop and another bus for Ribeirão showed up before long, and we finally made our way home. It was an interesting morning and one to remember, but in the end didn´t actually turn out too bad. We had our baptisms that day too so we were happy and safe. Síster Hoggan is feeling better already and we are going to be fine. What an adventure! We continue to do contacts like crazy and have way too many people to visit. What problems we have in Brazil. We have trouble helping people keep commitments (especially coming to Church), but there are always TONS of people to visit and not enough times in our days! These days are zooming by and I am very happy. I am learning more about the Atonement and repentance and forgiveness lately. Elder Torgan said something very interesting about repentance when he was here. He said that none of the general authorities are perfect yet and they still sin, but the difference between the apostles and us is that when they make a mistake they repent istantaneously, and don´t hold on to it for anything. I want to learn to repent and forgive myself and others immediately, and to understand the Atonement better in my life. There are so many things I still want to learn and change about myself. Good thing I still have many months as a missionary! Love you lots, Síster Marchant Obrigada Presidente! Esta semana foi maravilhosa. Estamos tentando encontrar novos esta semana e temos MUITAS pessoas visitar. Fizemos muitos contatos com endereços então temos muitos pessoas contatar de novo em casa e compartilhar nossos testemunhos. Nossos números esta semana foi melhor e estamos animadas melhorar mais. Síster Hoggan e eu estão trabalhando duro e bem juntos, e conseguimos vencer qualquer problema rapidamente. Ela é uma companheira e missionária maravilhosa e estou muito abençoada estar com ela ainda. Estamos continuando aprender e crescer. Tivemos 3 batismos em Sábado! Foi um dia cheio de amor e felicidade. Nossas três meninas, Geovanna, Bianca, e Mariana foram finalmente batizadas, tudo mundo no mesmo dia. Trabalhamos muito com elas para chegar neste dia, e elas estavam prontas e muito felizes. Foi uma reunião muito feliz e bem organizada. A ala, especialmente nossa líder da missão da ala, ajudou MUITO, e tivemos muitas pessoas para ajudar. Também tivemos um outro pesquisador Anália que gostou muito e está preparando para ser batizada próximo! Nós estamos vendo as bênçãos de nossa fé. Eu ainda tenho que ganhar muito mais fé em Cristo, mas cada dia aprender mais e amo Ele mais. Eu sei que com a Expiação de Cristo tudo é possível, mesmo que pareça bem difícil. Fizemos divisões com Batatais B esta semana. Eu saí com Síster Sidon e Síster Hoggan saiu com Síster Kelly. Foi uma divisão muito boa. Síster Sidon é uma missionária de poder. Ela fala Português quase perfeito e está começando o programa de inglês agora. Ela ensina muito bem e tem um espírito calmo e feliz. Me sentia muito segura e alegre como a companheira dela e acho que ela seria muito boa com qualquer Síster. Elas começaram de nada em Batatais mas têm muitas pessoas visitar agora e estão fazendo uma obra maravilhosa. Foi um pouco difícil esta semana para elas ao elas buscarem uma casa nova, mas parece que elas encontraram uma boa e que tudo vai ser mais normal em breve. Fizemos um treinamento sobre fazendo perguntas de poder e pelo Espírito, porque nós duas sentimos como estávamos falando demais durante nossas lições. Tenho confiança que elas vão continuar melhorar e ter muito sucesso em Batatais. Elas são um bom exemplo para mim. Estou muito feliz estes dias! Estamos estudando muito e trabalhando ainda mais. Eu sempre amo estudos e especialmente amo este programa de níveis de uma missionária de Pregar Meu Evangelho. Espero que eu consiga terminar o primeiro nível em breve. Vida é fantástico! Obrigada por tudo, Síster Marchant     Google English   Thank you President ! This week was wonderful . We are trying to find new this week and we have MANY people visit. We made many contacts with addresses so many people have contact again at home and share our testimonies . Our numbers this week was better and we Animated improve more . Sister Hoggan and I are working hard and well together, and we managed to win any problem quickly . She is a wonderful companion and missionary and I am very blessed to be with her still . We are continuing to learn and grow . We had 3 baptisms on Saturday ! It was a full day of love and happiness . Our three girls , Geovanna , Bianca , and Mariana were finally baptized , all the world on the same day . We are working hard with them to get to this day , and they were ready and very happy . It was a very happy and well organized meeting. The wing , especially our ward mission leader , helped A LOT , and we had many people to help . We also had another researcher who liked Anália and is preparing to be baptized next ! We are seeing the blessings of our faith . I still have to earn a lot more faith in Christ , but every day more and learn love Him more . I know that with the Atonement of Christ all things are possible , even if it appears very difficult . We did divisions with Batatais B this week . I went out with Sidon and Sister Sister Sister Kelly Hoggan left with . It was a very good division . Sister Sidon is a missionary power . She speaks Portuguese and is almost perfect English program starting now . She teaches very well and has a calm and happy spirit. I felt very safe and joyful as the companion of her and think she would be very good with any Sister . They started from nothing in Batatais but have many people visiting now and are doing a wonderful work . It was a little difficult this week for them when they seek a new home , but it looks like they found a good and everything will be normal soon . We did training on asking questions of power and the Spirit , because we both felt like we were talking too much during our lessons . I am confident that they will continue to improve and be very successful in Batatais . They are a good example for me . I'm very happy these days ! We are studying hard and working even more . I always love studies and especially love this program a missionary levels of Preach My Gospel . I hope I can finish the first level soon. Life is fantastic ! Thanks for everything, Sister Marchant

Hello dearest familia que eu amo!

This was a great start to the transfer. We had a few hard days when no one was home, but overall we had some awesome lessons and the week ended with a wonderful Sunday. It was ward conference, and the bishop and the rest of the ward have been working really hard the past two weeks to bring as many people as possible to Church this week. We had lots of miracles and ended up with a full chapel--with a higher frequency than I have ever seen here in Campos Eliseos: 121 pessoas. I don´t think I have ever been there with more than 100 people! The ward is working hard and we are seeing miracles daily. For Sacrament Meeting Presidente Brum came and spoke to us! He spoke about the power of member missionary work and our mission plan for the family (to help members pass out Books of Mormon, invite people to Church, and invite friends to meet with the missionaries). Presidente has such a strong testimony and a wonderful spirit about him. I love to hear him speak and to learn from his counsel. I am very blessed to be in this mission and to have Presidente and Síster Brum taking care of us. I know I will be protected and well-directed aqui.

Bishop Fabio gave a great talk as well about how much of a diference even the little things can do in missionary work. He talked about how Christ really has the power to do whatever He could ever want, but that He uses us humble servants on the Earth to move His work forward so that we can learn and be blessed. We have had maravilous experiences as we have shared the gospel and will continue to have these blessings as we continue to share what we know. After all that is said, the most important task on earth is to preach the gospel. I love Bispo Fabio and his family so much. They have changed my life and are great examples to me of how to fulfill callings and be a solid LDS family amongst much discord and dificuldade in this world. They are so kind to us and are like my second parents here in Campos Eliseos. Bispo is supportive of the work and will do whatever it takes to help us is our missionary efforts. He might as well just put on a badge himself the way he´s working sem fim.

Today we had an interesting experience in our apartment. The complex is cleaning the water tank or something and turned of the water for today. It´s a shame that the day they do this it is Preparation Day and the one day we really have to do laundry, wash the floors, wash the bathroom and cook at home. I never realized the wonderful importance of water or how much water we use every day. It is such a wonderful gift in our life to have running water! We have been running around town trying to find public bathrooms (which are not very common in Brazil) and saving every drop we have. Luckily we were forewarned so we filled up all of our bottles and buckets last night. I will never take water for granted again. We will only be lacking for a day (hopefully). I can only imagine not having running water in your house! We are a very blessed, or spoiled, generation We use water for everything. Water is a blessing in my life!

Life is great and going smooth. We are really excited for our tres meninas who will be baptized this next weekend! Pray for us that everything goes right. I love baptisms more than anything!

Beijos beijos,

Síster Marchant

Olá Presidente!

Aprendi muitas coisas esta semana. Síster Hoggan e eu estamos trabalhando muito para ajudar pessoas frequentar a Igreja. As novas melhores são que vamos ter três batismos este próximo sábado! Três meninas em uma família, Giovana (15 anos), Bianca (13), e Mariana (11) estão animadas ser batizadas logo. Foi um caminho longo para chegar aqui, mas finalmente elas estão prontas e dispostas entrar as águas. Síster Hoggan e eu estamos muito animadas e visitando elas todas as dias. Hoje temos uma reunião familiar planejado com elas que estou animada assistir.

Muito obrigada por suas palavras em nossa ala domingo. Senti o Espírito forte durante todos os discursos. Os membros aqui realmente são ótimos e estão mudando mais para nos ajudar mais. A desculpa mais comum que nos recebemos agora quando nos pedimos que membros ensinem conosco é, "desculpa, já marquei sair com outros missionários!" A ala, especialmente o bispo e presidente do sociedade de socorro, é animada e disposta ajudar e cuidar com todos nós oito. Vamos ver sucesso aqui. Todas as duplas tiveram pesquisadores na Igreja esta semana, e tivemos uma freqüência maior do que qualquer outro domingo em minha missão de 7 meses aqui em Campos Eliseos. Quero trabalhar muito arduamente e ensinar um monte de pessoas!

Fizemos divisões com Sister Casperson e Síster Rodriguez esta semana. Eu saí com Síster Casperson. Ela é uma missionária muito forte e não tem medo de nada. Ela está disposta fazer qualquer coisa que o Senhor pede. Foi muito divertido para mim ensinar algumas das pessoas aqui em Campos Eliseos que eu ensinei no passado quando não tinha tantas duplas, como o recém-converso Nesia. Síster Casperson é uma pessoa muito feliz e tem um espírito de alegria e tranquilidade com ela. Eu confiaria nela sem dúvida. Ela está ensinando muito bem e sabe os fundamentais bem. Sua grande desafio agora é para falar Português. Ela está melhorando cada dia e não tem medo nunca para tentar, ainda quando pessoas não entendem. Por causa disto eu acho que ela não vai ter muitos dificuldades logo. Ela entende quase tudo agora também, só tem problemas conjugar verbos, como eu também. Ela está fazendo muito bem e está feliz. A partir de 3 meses morando com elas, eu nunca vi ela com raiva ou muito triste. Síster Casperson é uma Síster com poder e trabalha com Síster Rodriguez muito bem. Ela é um exemplo bom para Síster Casperson também e é um líder excelente. Nós demos um treinamento sobre compromissos e a importância dar compromissos com tudo mundo em todas as lições. Também falamos sobre planejar quais compromissos dar antes de enter as lições. Esta dupla é maravilhosa, e eu amo morando com elas!

Esta semana foi tranquila. Tivemos alguns dias difíceis com quase ninguém em casa, mas ensinamos algumas lições ótimas e tivemos milagres. Foi um bom começo a esta nova transferência.

Obrigada,

Síster Marchant

 

 

English Translation:

Hello President !
I learned a lot this week . Sister Hoggan and I are working hard to help people attend church . The best new is that we have three baptisms this coming Saturday ! Three girls in a family , Giovana (15 years ) , Bianca ( 13) and Mariana ( 11 ) are excited to be baptized soon . It was a long road to get here , but finally they are ready and willing to enter the waters . Sister Hoggan and I are very excited and visiting them every day . Today we have a family reunion planned with them that I'm excited to watch .
Thank you for your words in our ward Sunday. I felt the Spirit strong during all speeches . The members here are really great and are shifting more to help us more . The most common excuse we received us now when we ask that members teach us is , "sorry , already marked out with other missionaries ! " The wing , especially the bishop and president of the Relief Society , is excited and willing to help and care with all eight of us . Let's see success here . All doubles had researchers in the Church this week , and had a higher frequency than any other Sunday at 7 months my mission here in Elysian Fields. I want to work very hard and teach a lot of people !
We did divisions with Sister and Sister Casperson Rodriguez this week . I went out with Sister Casperson . She is a very strong missionary and not afraid of anything. She is willing to do whatever the Lord asks . It was really fun for me to teach some of the people here in Campos Eliseos I taught in the past when I had so many pairs, as the new convert Nesia . Sister Casperson is a very happy person and have a spirit of joy and tranquility with it . I trust her without a doubt. She is teaching very well and know the fundamental right. His challenge now is to speak Portuguese . She is improving every day and has never not afraid to try , even when people do not understand . Because of this I think she will not have many problems soon . She also understands almost everything now , just have trouble conjugating verbs , as I also do . She is doing very well and is happy . From three months living with them , I never saw her angry or sad . Casperson is a Sister Sister with power and works very well with Sister Rodriguez . She is a good example for Sister Casperson and is also an excellent leader . We gave training on commitments and commitments give importance to all the world in all lessons . We also talked about which plan commitments to enter before the lessons . This duo is wonderful , and I love living with them !
This week was quiet . We had some tough days with almost no one at home but teach lessons and had some great miracles . It was a good start to this new transfer .
Thank you,
Sister Marchant

 

Yay!

Obriagado por tudo família! It was wonderful to talk to and see you all yesterday. Happy Mother´s Day once again Mamãe! You are looking so good and beautiful every one! I love you guys more than anything and am so grateful for your constant support. I will never take for granted the importance of family in my life. I am so blessed to have a family who is all active and going strong in the gospel. It is the best thing in the whole world! Thank you so much Mom and Dad for teaching us the gospel and showing us the way since the very beginning. I never wavered because you never did.

This week was absolutely wonderful. We had two meetings this week with an Area Seventy, Elder Moroni Torgan. On Thusday we had a training in our leadership council. It was composed of all of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders. He had us put the numbers for the zone of new investigators, investigators in sacrament meeting, and batismos on the board. He burned us a little bit (because there were a lot of unknown numbers) then taught us some great lessons and really built us back up. He talked a lot about excuses and repentance. He said that there is never any reason for excuses and that when we make excuses we are denying the Atonement and repentance. We need to be accountable for our actions and numbers and instead of responded with excuses (such as "our investigators are using their free angency against us!") say "I´m sorry my faith was not strong enough. I will repent and do better next week." He talked a lot about faith and told stories of how if we truly trust in the Lord we can baptize weekly. Christ has the power to do all things. If we have sufficient faith we can see the miracles daily and have success sem fim. I have been thinking a lot about faith lately and want to increase my faith to the point that I can completely rely on the Holy Ghost and devote every second of my time to the Lord. I know that improvement is a process and I am learning to trust more in the Holy Ghost daily.

At the end of the training he asked us to have a mini testimony meeting where each one of us spoke of what we had learned that day. The Spirit was SO strong and lots of us were in tears. It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life and gave me a completely new outlook on my work and priorities. I will be a completely different missionary because of this training. Elder Kimball was working in the escritório upstairs above where we were having the training and he said that even he could fear that something really special and amazing was happening down below. I am SO grateful for the opportunity to repent and learn new things from our leaders. I have complete confidence in Presidente Brum and all of our leaders aqui. They are a huge blessing in my life and lead us in righteous and power.

On Friday we had another training from Elder Torgan with three zones here in Ribeirão Preto. The Spirit was super strong again and we learned a ton. He taught us the qualities of a Celestial missionary and lots of new ways to find new investigators. I am excited to apply these things and to have the chance to continue to work hard in Campos Eliseos. We had two AMAZING lessons, one after each training, when we had the Spirit with us strong. I know that with Him we can do all things and truly change hearts. The only way to do this work is through the way of the Holy Ghost.

For those of you who don´t know, transfers were this week and...I am once again staying in Campos Eliseos! This is still my first area in Brazil and I love it to death. I am staying with Síster Hoggan and still living with Síster Casperson and Síster Rodriguez. As Síster Training Leaders we are only in charge of four duplas now instead of six, so we will have lots more time to work in our area. We also gained another dupla of elders in our ward! The zone leaders, Elder Pacheco and Elder Baker will be moving here too. With the office elders Elder Kimball and Elder Johnson, we will have 8 missionaries in one ward! Presidente said that this was the only ward in Brazil to have four sets of missionaries assigned. The Lord and the Presidente have a lot of faith in this area and our ward is on fire to help out as well. I am excited and ready to see lots of success here!

I love this area and love the work. Our Savior continues to shower lots of blessings upon us, especially when we have the Spirit extra forte with us. I know that this work is led by the Lord and that with Him all miracles are possible. I am excited to continue to find the elect in this bairro. This is the best job in the world.

Love you lots!

Síster Marchant

Olá Presidente,

Uau, é difícil pensar que esta transferência já terminou! Ela foi tão rápida. Estou muito animada continuar trabalhar aqui em Campos Eliseos com Síster Hoggan. Há muito trabalho para nós fazer aqui ainda e estou muito grata por minha oportunidade ficar aqui nesta lugar que eu amo. Vamos ter muito mais tempo esta transferência e temos fé que vamos conseguir ter milagres e batismos.

Esta semana foi maravilhosa. As reuniões com Elder Moroni Torgan literalmente mudaram minha missão e minha vida. Eu aprendi tantas coisas importantes que quero aplicar em meu trabalho. Sei que preciso mais fé e confiança no Senhor e que com Ele tudo é possível. Quero rededicar me mesmo ao trabalho e ao Senhor. Esta tour da missão veio no momento perfeito. Sou grata que tenho ainda muito tempo usar as coisas que aprendi. Quero encontrar mais novos e provar minha fé mais. Não vai ser fácil ainda, mas minha visão é diferente agora e quero dar tudo para meu Salvador e Mestre.

Mais cedo na semana visitamos Síster Freitas e Síster Morales em Batatais. Elas estão fazendo muito bem. Parecem felizes e sabem como trabalhar com a ala. Eu saí com Síster Morales. Usamos muito tempo andando para encontrar pessoas, mas tivemos um milagre com um novo pesquisador. Estávamos batendo portos e encontramos uma mulher que falou que ela já falou conosco mas que ainda nós pudemos entrar e orar com ela. Ela continuou falar e explicou muitos coisas difíceis que aconteceram em sua família. Nós ensinamos o Plano de Salvação completo e ela chorou MUITO. O Espírito foi forte e foi uma experiência muito especial para nós duas. Síster Morales e Síster Freitas continuam ver milagres lá e estão animadas receber uma outra dupla para ajudar com a área grande. Acho que elas vão continuar ter muito sucesso. Damos um treinamento sobre planejamento diário e como elas podem usar seu tempo com mais sabedoria. Elas são missionárias muito fortes e dedicadas. Eu também falei com Síster Morales um pouco sobre seu estudo da língua. Mostrei como usar os recursos do CTM que ela tem e como dividir seus estudos para aprender mais coisas do que só aprendendo hinos todos os dias. Ela vai continuar melhorar rapidamente.

Estamos animadas trabalhar mais arduamente esta semana. Foi muito bom falar com nossas famílias e ver elas em skype. Só grata por este tempo cada seis meses e tenho um testemunho que realmente esta é a quantidade certa para falar com elas. Eu só MUITO grata por minha família maravilhosa e o apoio que elas sempre dá para mim. Sei que não é muito comum para missionários ter famílias quais são completamente ativas na Igreja e percebe ainda melhor a grande importância de famílias agora por causa de meus estudos e experiências aqui. Tenho muitos bênçãos do Senhor em minha vida e quero compartilhar elas com mais pessoas. Vamos continuar em fé! Precisamos encontrar mais pesquisadores para alcançar o ânimo da ala aqui. Vamos ter batismos esta transferência.

Muito obrigada por tudo e por seu exemplo para nós,

Síster Marchant

 

 

English Translation:

 

Hello President ,
Wow, it's hard to think that this transfer has ended ! She was so quick . I'm very excited to continue working here in Campos Eliseos with Sister Hoggan . There is much work for us to do here yet and I am very grateful for my opportunity to stay here in this place I love . We'll have much more time this transfer and we have faith that we will achieve miracles and baptisms .
This week was wonderful . Meetings with Moroni Torgan Elder literally changed my life and my mission . I learned so many important things that I want to apply to my work. I know I need more faith and trust in the Lord and with Him all things are possible . I want to rededicate myself to work and the same Lord . This tour of the mission came at the perfect time . I am grateful that I still have much time to use the things I learned . I want to find newer and prove my faith more . It will not be easy yet, but my vision is different now and I want to give everything to my Saviour and Lord .
Earlier in the week we visited Sister Sister Freitas and Morales in Batatais . They are doing very well . They seem happy and know how to work with the ward . I went out with Sister Morales . We use a lot of time walking to meet people , but we had a miracle with a new search . We were hitting ports and found a woman who said she talked with us but still we were able to come and pray with her . She continued talking and explained many difficult things that have happened in your family . We teach the Plan of Salvation and she cried VERY full . The Spirit was strong and it was a very special experience for us both . Sister and Sister Morales Freitas continue to see miracles there and are excited to receive another pair to help with the area . I think they will continue to have much success . We give training on daily planning and how they can use their time more wisely . They are very strong and dedicated missionary . I also spoke with Sister Morales a little about your language study . Showed how to use the features of MTC she has and how to divide their studies to learn more things than just learning songs every day. She will continue to improve rapidly .
Animated We work harder this week . It was very nice to talk to our families and see them on skype . Just grateful for this time every six months and have a testimony that this really is the right amount to talk with them . I just VERY grateful for my wonderful family and the support they always give to me . I know it's not very common for missionaries to have families which are fully active in the Church and even better realize the great importance of families now because of my studies and experiences here . I have many blessings of the Lord in my life and want to share them with more people. We will continue in faith ! We need to find more researchers to achieve the mood of the ward here . We will have baptisms this transfer .
Thank you for everything and for your example to us
Sister Marchant

Fam!

Wow, this has been a crazy but wonderful week. Sorry I don´t have much time to write this week--as a Sister Training Leader I spend lots more time writing emails to the President than I did before. But I will have time on Sunday to talk to all of you for lots of time! (40 minutes de novo). I cannot wait for that day to see your beautiful faces again!

Yesterday was my birthday! I am officially 20 now. Yep, feel different. Two members of our ward, Lilian e Karinne, threw me a surprise birthday party! It was supposed to be a FHE at their house, but instead they had a quick little message and just made lots of great snacks (including my favorite homemade pão de queijo) and bought an ice cream cake. It was super sweet of them and super unexpected. We also had two investigators and our recent convert Tiago there (who is a professional photographer so took lots of pictures. And who is getting the Melchisdek Priesthood this month já! I don´t know if I told you yet but he is our new Ward Mission Leader (with only 20 days as being a member) and is SUPER excited to get out and bring more people unto Christ. I have never seen a recent convert so excited to do missionary work. He wanted to serve a mission really bad but is just barely too old. Tiago is the man!). The other three Sisteres in our house planned it for me and were there singing and smiling the whole time. It had been a crazy day with a bunch of surprise meetings but it turned out wonderful in the end. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful people here and their kindness to me. I feel very loved and safe in this place.

We also had an amazing Ward Council this week. We have Ward Conference next Sunday and everyone is really excited to bring tons of people to Church next week. I have never seen a ward so excited in my life. This ward is completely missionary focused in almost every meeting and everyone is ready to go on divisions, have ward family night, or try to find references. We love working with them. With Bispo Fabio at the head, this ward is zooming forward with high goals and actions to follow them up. I cannot get transfered!

I love you all and will talk lots next Sunday! Feliz Dia das Mães Mamãe!

Love lots and lots,

Sister Marchant

Boa tarde Presidente Brum,

Esta semana foi corrida mas muito boa. Nós fizemos duas divisões esta semana. Primeiro foi com Iguatami A, e eu saí com Síster Barros enquanto Síster Hoggan saí com Síster Zapata. Síster Barros é ótima. Ela já sabe muitas coisas muito bem e eu talvez aprendesse mais com ela do que ela aprendeu comigo. Um de seus pontos fortes é com fazer perguntas. Ela faz perguntas muito poderosa e direita, e também tem um testemunho muito forte. Ela esta trabalhando bem com Síster Zapata e elas sempre estão rindo. Elas estão fazendo seu melhor, e nós vimos milagres durante a divisão. Demos um treinamento sobre como prometer bênçãos melhor e dar mais motivação para os pesquisadores agir em a fé delas. Síster Zapata e Síster Barros estão fazendo muito bem.

Também fomos em divisão com Síster Sumsion e Síster Alegria. Síster Alegria está muito doente com pneumonia. Ela não consegue dormir durante a noite então geralmente fica em casa e dorme todo dia, tadinha. Sister Hoggan ficou em casa e estudou muito do Livro de Mórmon para ajudar-se em sua meta para terminar antes do que ela volta para casa, e eu saí com Síster Sumsion para que ela pudesse trabalhar. Ela estava muito feliz para sair e trabalhamos muito arduamente, mesmo que ela tivesse vermes. Nós conversamos muito durante o dia, e ela está feliz e em uma lugar de segurança e paz esta transferência. Ela ama Síster Alegria, e elas estão amigas muito boas. Síster Sumsion é muito forte e quer ser a melhor missionária ela pode. Ela está estudando e descansando de vermes muito, e é obediente e diligente. Eu não conheci ela muito bem antes, mas agora tenho muito respeito para ela e sei que ela vai fazer muitas milagres em os próximos poucos meses que ela tem aqui. Demos um treinamento sobre coisas que Síster Sumsion pode fazer ainda quando está em casa, por exemplo ligando e escrevendo bilhetes para membros.

Síster Hoggan e eu estão muito felizes. Nossa ala é maravilhosa e amamos servindo aqui em Campos Eliseos! A liderança da ala tinha uma reunião ontem, e tudo mundo está MUITO animado sobre a obra missionária. Eu nunca tenho visto uma ala tão animada e disposta para tentar levar amigos da igreja e fortalecer os membros que já estão aqui. Temos muitos bênçãos aqui. Nós não tivemos muito tempo recentemente para trabalhar nossa área, mas estamos tentando usar todo o tempo que temos com sabedoria. Síster Hoggan é maravilhosa e muito simpática para comigo. Sei que posso confiar qualquer coisa com ela, e trabalhamos em união muito bem.

Também foi meu aniversário ontem que foi muito feliz! Vai ser meu único aniversário da missão e foi um para lembrar. Dois membros compraram um bolo como surpresa e cantaram muito bem. Me sinto muito amada e feliz na missão!

Obrigada por tudo,

Sister Marchant

 

 

English Translation:

 

Good afternoon Chairman Brum
This week was running but very good . We made two divisions this week . The first was with Iguatami , and I left with Sister Sister Barros while Hoggan left with Sister Zapata . Sister Barros is great . She already knows many things very well and I might learn more from her than she learned from me . One of its strengths is to ask questions. She is very powerful and right questions and also has a very strong testimony . It is working well with Sister Zapata and they are always laughing . They are doing their best , and we saw miracles during division . We took a training on how best promise blessings and give more motivation for researchers to act on their faith . Sister Sister Zapata and Barros are doing very well .
We also went on a combined Sister Sister Sumsion and Joy . Sister Joy is very ill with pneumonia . She can not sleep at night then usually stays home and sleeps all day, deary . Sister Hoggan stayed home and studied much of the Book of Mormon to help in your goal to finish before she returns home , and I left with Sister Sumsion so she could work . She was very happy to go out and work very hard , even if she had worms . We talked a lot during the day , and she is happy and in a place of safety and peace this transfer . She loves Sister Joy , and they are very good friends . Sister Sumsion is very strong and wants to be the best it can Missionary . She is studying and resting a lot of worms , and is obedient and diligent . I do not know her very well before , but now I have much respect for her and know she will do many miracles in the next few months she has here . Demos training on things that Sister Sumsion can do even when you're at home , for example turning on and writing tickets for members .
Sister Hoggan and I are very happy . Our ward is wonderful and we love serving here in Campos Eliseos ! The leadership of the ward had a meeting yesterday, and everything else is VERY excited about missionary work . I have never seen such a lively and willing to try to take wing church friends and strengthen members that are already here . We have many blessings here . We have not had much time recently to work our area , but we are trying to use all the time we have wisely . Sister Hoggan is wonderful and very friendly to me. I know I can trust anything with it , and work very well in marriage .
It was also my birthday yesterday which was very happy! It will be my only birthday and it was a mission to remember. Two members bought a cake and sang amazing as well . I feel very loved and happy in the mission !
Thanks for everything,
Sister Marchant

From: Eliza Marchant

Date: 04/21/14 13:02:27

To: Jewel Marchant;  Gary Marchant

 

Olá bonitas!

Happy Easter! And a happy Easter it has been. Yesterday was wonderful. It started out with Irmã Debora giving her first lesson for the Young Womens. She asked us to come the first week to help and support her, especially since she doesn´t have councilors yet. She likes to talk a lot and talks even more when she is nervous so she was going a mile a minute, but she had a strong testimony and it was GREAT to see her growing and changing so much. She comes closer to Christ even week and is slowly but surely gaining a deep testimony of the Restoration and of her Savior. She also came to Church in a skirt for the first time this week! A lot of people here are anti-dresses and skirts. Although Debora´s husband has zero interest in the Church he likes us because we make Debora happy and he likes the great ways she is changing too. He bought her three new skirts this week and a few blouses and she wore them and was modest and looked beautiful. It has been so great to see her transformation from the very beginning. Up til now Debora is the miracle of my mission.

We also started teaching this other family this week who live in the back of this sketch alleyway. They were a reference from the Elderes who made a street contact with their son, Jeferson. We went there for the first time on Wednesday at night when it was raining really hard, so we were a little nervous at first, but they let us right in and they were great. They live in this small house that is falling apart but it is so full of love. There are at least three generations living there and a bunch of inlaws and babies running around, I can´t keep them all straight! They have had a hard past but are willing to listen and have huge faith in God. We taught Jeferson and an in law Taisa the Restoration this week and they were really attentive. It might have been too much for them to take in but they seemed to be willing to try the Book of Mormon and to keep commitments. We are excited to keep visiting them.

We had another interesting experience when we were doing contacts in the park last night. We started talking to this small group of men sitting on a bench when their friend ran up and started talking to us a lot about his personal, very interesting, philosophies on religion. It turns our he is also an excellent painter. He had one of his paintings on a little tile with him and we really liked it so he was like, "ok, let me run to my house real quick and I´ll make one for you." He ran all the way back home and grabbed two more tiles and a bunch of fancy paints and brought them back to the park. He painted this sunrise for us both in like five minutes without brushes, using only one finger. It really is quite beautiful and I was super impressed. It was a special easter gift!

We also hav two YSA girls in our work who are really nice and go on splits with us every now and then. They told us to come visit them last night real quick on our way home and they surprised all four of us sisteres with bags of candy and a ride home. It was super sweet and a great end to a great day. I am so very blessed!

It was awesome to share the story of Easter with everyone this weekend. We had some special lessons and got to share strong testimonies of the Savior. I learned about the Resurrection this year, and we had a strong Spirit all weekend long. I love holidays! Especially such important ones as this.

Real quick Brazilian Easter tradition: No one colors eggs here but everyone buys these giant ovos de Páscoa. They are these giant hollow chocolate eggs with other candy or toys inside. There are rows and rows of them hanging from the ceiling of the supermarket here. You would not believe how popular these giant eggs are. They are the cool thing to do.

It was overall a great, SUPER fast week full of happiness! I love being a missionary, especially in this best mission in the best area of the world.

Eat more chocolate!

Sister Marchant

Olá Presidente!

Estas semanas estão terminando mais rápido do que eu posso imaginar. Aonde foi esta semana? Nós ensinamos muito e tinha algumas experiencias muito especiais. Nós encontramos um menos ativo esta semana quando buscando na casa de um outra pessoa. Eu nunca ouvi falar sobre este menos ativo, mas ele falou que ele foi MUITO ativo por tipo vinte anos e depois de seu divorcia e outros problemas ele afastou. Nós só o visitou duas vezes e ele prometeu com firmeza ir a Igreja o próximo domingo. Tivemos uma lição muito legal com ele e sua mãe ontem onde nós compartilhamos uma mensagem de Páscoa do Livro de Mórmon e cantamos um hino de Páscoa. O Espírito foi forte e nós estávamos muito felizes. Ele falou que ele vai levar a mãe dele para a Igreja também quem não é um membro. Ontem foi um ótimo fim a uma ótima semana. Nós estamos muito corridas e muito felizes.

Ligamos por todas nossas Sísteres esta semana, e elas parecem muito boas e melhor do que a semana passada, além que Síster Freitas está doente com um gripe e Síster Cruz está ainda tendo muitos dores nos joelhos. Sister Zapata e Sister Barros são muito felizes e nunca para rir e sorrir.

O resto aqui está tranquilo e feliz. Os outros missionários aqui em Campos Eliseos são ótimos e estamos trabalhando muito. Nossa ala continua ajudar muito. Estamos animadas pela serão esta semana e estão convidando tudo mundo. Vida é boa!

Obrigada,

Sister Marchant

 

 

Translation to English:

Hello President !
These weeks are finishing faster than I can imagine. Where did this week ? We teach a lot and had some very special experiences . We found a less active this week when searching the home of a another person . I never heard about this less active , but he said he was VERY active for twenty years, and then type your divorce and other problems he departed . We only visited him twice and he firmly promised to go to church the next Sunday. We had a very cool lesson with him and his mother yesterday we shared an Easter message of the Book of Mormon and sang a hymn of Easter. The Spirit was strong and we were very happy . He said he will take his mother to the church who is not also a member . Yesterday was a great end to a great week . We're quite busy and very happy .
We will call for all our Sisters this week , and they look very good and better than last week , in addition to Sister Freitas is sick with a flu and Sister Cruz is still having many painful knees . Sister Sister Zapata and Barros are very happy and never laugh and smile .
The rest here is peaceful and happy. The other missionaries here in Campos Eliseos are great and we're working hard . Our ward still help a lot . We are animated by this weekend and are inviting all the world . Life is good !
Thank you,
Sister Marchant

 

From: Eliza Marchant

Date: 04/14/14 11:17:46

To: Jewel Marchant;  Gary Marchant

Subject: Debora is the best!

 

Feliz Páscoa gente!

It really is hard to spend holidays without you all, but there are lots of new traditions and exciting things happening here to experience! Instead of Easter baskets they sell tons of these giant chocolate eggs. All the kids get a giant chocolate egg with toys inside. There are hundreds hanging from the ceiling of the supermarket here in town--it kind of makes me clostrophopic. But it is exciting and gets me in the Easter spirit. We have been studying a lot about the Resurreição this week and searching the story from all the four gospels. The Resurrection is such a wonderful, miraculous gift, and it is way neat to learn about all the details surrounding it. I encourage you to deeply study it again this Easter season if you haven´t already.

We had our first divisions this week with Sister Casperson and Sister Rodriguez! I went with Sister Rodriguez and had a blast. She is an excelent teacher and doesn´t really need any advice from me, but it was really cool at the end to talk to her a lot about how it is to be a new American learning Portuguese. It really is feelings and frustrations you will never understand unless you experience it. Sister Casperson has only been here for about a month and has no language background, so I can only imagine what it must be like for her. Spanish helped me SSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOO much. I am so grateful that I chose to stick with Spanish all the way until the end of high school. Who know it would come in handy so much? It´s funny though, now I remember hardly nothing of Spanish at all. If I try to think or speak of Spanish it all comes out in Portuguese. I want to study Spanish again though when I come home. I LOVE languages!

Biggest news of the week--our recent convert Debora received a calling! I am so grateful to still be in this area to see her grow so much and to help her with this. She has been called to be the Ward Young Women´s President! She has only been a member for two weeks and hardly has even heard of Young Womens. It is going to be an adventure and an awesome challenge for her. Luckily, Sister Hoggan and I went all the way through the Young Womens program so we can get her started with even the most simple things such as what does it mean to have councilors and what are the Laurels. She is nervous but very willing and ready to go. I have huge faith in her and know that this will really solidify her testimony in the gospel as she studies and teaches the doctrine to this small group of Young Women. Debora is my hero! (She keeps giving us way too much free food too. That girl)

The other day we were doing exercises outside (we often descer until our apartment´s parking lot to do exercises in the fresh air :)) and I was just really anxious to get out and teach! There are so many people here in need of the gospel! We always have tons of people to visit and never enough to time to help all of the people on our lists. Our investigators are having a hard time keeping commitments this week for different reasons, but we had some powerful, determining lessons this week with some of them and we are excited to really go for it this next week.

We also were able to watch the General Women´s Conference this weekend! You were right Mom, that second vid really hit me too. I thought of you! Life goes super fast, especially a mission life. Time is a funny thing. Thank goodness we get to have endless time together in the eternities! We watched the Conference in Portuguese which was a really neat experience. I could understand almost everything! I didn´t retain a lot of it because I was focusing so hard on the language but I tried to take good notes and we should get the Conference edition of the Liahona soon! The Church is so great with all of these neverending resources to study. I am going to study the gospel until my brain explodes.

I love you all tons! Go eat another chocolate egg--especially those ones filled with the white cream (what are the called? It starts with a C). Thanks for writing such long emails this week! Love you!

Love,

Sister Marchant

Olá Presidente,

Estamos trabalhando muito e estamos cansadas mas felizes. Somos muito ocupadas organizando todos as coisas para nossos Sísteres e tentando aprender como ser bons líderes. Tivemos nossas primeiras divisões com Síster Rodriguez e Síster Casperson esta semana. Eu sai com Síster Rodriguez. Ela está fazendo ótima e está muito feliz. Ela ensina com poder e autoridade e faz contatos muito bom. Eu acho que ela vai ser um líder muito bom na missão e um exemplo grande para outras Sísteres. Ela já é uma treinadora muito boa com Síster Casperson, e elas estão felizes trabalhando juntos. Ajudei ela começar um plano de estudo de inglês; ela está animada estudar e fazer a prova em fim com a ajuda de Síster Casperson. Síster Casperson também é muito inteligente e sabe como fazer todas as tarefas de uma missionária. Ela só precisa mais ajuda com Português. Para nossa treinamento da manhã seguinte nós falamos muito sobre trabalhando igualmente. Síster Casperson não tem medo, mas como qualquer outra Americana nova, é difícil entrar conversas quando ela não sabe como fazer transições ou comentar. Encorajamos que Síster Casperson lidere mais e Síster Rodriguez fale menos. Mas elas são muito poderosas e não precisa mudar muitos coisas. Não precisamos preocupar sobre sua dupla.

Nossa semana foi bom mas um pouco desapontada. Nós tivemos algumas lições muito boas e tivemos muitos pesquisadores quem prometeram ir a Igreja, mas ninguém estava lá ontem. Vamos correr atrás todas estas pessoas esta semana e tentar explicar com testemunhos mais forte sobre a importância de frequentar a Igreja. Mas a Igreja domingo ainda foi muito boa. Nossas recém-conversas em nossa ala, Debora e Tiago, ambos receberam chamados! Debora é a nova Presidente das Moças e Tiago e o Líder da obra missionária da ala! Nós estamos muito animadas trabalhar com eles. Os dois estão muito dispostos e animados (e um pouco nervosos) ter estes novos chamados. Vamos trabalhar muito com eles para ajudar eles entender como servir em seus chamados e realmente que significa todas estas coisas e palavras novas. Estou muito animada para Debora especialmente porque eu sei que isto é exatamente o que ela precisa para permanecer ativa todos os domingos na Igreja e conhecer muitas mais pessoas. A obra está continuando forte aqui! Eu amo esta obra.

Obrigada por tudo,

Síster Marchant

P.S. Eu muito mais fácil escrever rápido em Português agora!

 

 

 

Translation into English

 

Hello President ,
We're working hard and we are tired but happy . We are all very busy organizing things for our Sisters and trying to learn how to be good leaders . We had our first divisions with Sister and Sister Casperson Rodriguez this week . I hung out with Sister Rodriguez . She is doing great and is very happy . She teaches with power and authority and makes very good contacts . I think it will be a very good leader in mission and a great example for other Sisters . She is already a very good coach with Sister Casperson , and they are happy working together . I helped her get a plan of study English ; she's excited to study and take the test in order with the help of Sister Casperson . Sister Casperson is also very smart and knows how to do all the tasks of a missionary . It just needs more help with Portuguese . For our training next morning we talked a lot about working also . Sister Casperson has no fear, but like any other young American, is difficult to get into conversations when she does not know how to do transitions or comment . We encourage Casperson Sister Sister Rodriguez lead more and talk less. But they are very powerful and do not need to change many things . We need not worry about his double .
Our week was good but a little disappointed . We had some very good lessons and many researchers who had promised to go to church , but nobody was there yesterday. Let's go after all these people this week and try to explain with stronger statements about the importance of attending church . But to Sunday Church was still very good . Our new converts in our ward , Debora and James both received calls ! Debora is the new Young Women president , and James and the Leader of the ward mission ! We are very excited to work with them . The two are very willing and excited ( and a little nervous ) to have these new calls . We will work hard with them to help them understand how to serve in their callings and really that means all these things and new words . I am very excited to Debora especially because I know that this is exactly what she needs to stay active in church every Sunday and meet more people . The work is continuing strong here! I love this work .

 

Thanks for everything,
Sister Marchant

 

PS I fast a lot easier to write in Portuguese now !

 

Hey hey!

Uau, what a semana this has been! First of all, Conference was out of this world. I loved watching and learning in each session so much. The time has never zoomed by so quickly. All of the American missionaries in Ribeirão joined up in our stake center (which of course is in the one and only perfect area na missão) to watch Conference in English. We had our own little air conditioned room in the High Council Room. It was a blast and super spiritually strong. I felt the Spirit stronger this weekend than any other Conference weekend. I could sit there and listen to them all day long.

We had a few pretty big changes this week...TRANSFERENCIAS! And the news is...I am staying in Campos Eliseos again! By the end of this transfer I will have 7 months in this wonderful area. And..Sister Hoggan is staying as well! She is a wonderful, super hardworking companion and I am very excited to continue to work with her and with these people that I love so much in Campos Eliseos. Elder Graf is going home to the states today but the other four missionaries aqui in our district are staying the same as well. They are all super strong missionaries and it is a pleasure to work with them.

But the big news is that Sister Hoggan and I are the new Sister Training Leaders!!! I did not believe it when we heard. Presidente Brum called us Friday afternoon and asked us both to start this next transfer. Usually a Sister Treinadora is trained by another who already has been, but we will be trying to figure this out on our own! Our main jobs will be to go on divisions with six other duplas of Sisteres and to work closely with the Presidente in extra meetings and leadership trainings. I did not see this one coming but am very excited to start. It´s kind of like being a zone leader for sisteres. I have learned TONS from my divisions with the Sisteres Treinadores in the past so I am excited to serve as one and learn so much more in this other aspect of service. I am a lot more confident in myself now knowing that the Presidente and the Lord know I can do hard things and have confidence in me. We are going to be runnning around like crazy being super busy, especially since this transfer only has 5 weeks (I don´t really know why, the weeks of the year don´t add up right), but I am happy and healthy and ready to go.

I could write for hours about all of my adventures if I had the chance! But don´t worry, I´m keeping a journal everyday so you guys can hear all the good details when I come home. Love you all tons!

Com Amor,

Sister Marchant

P.S. Do you all have a Preach My Gospel? Elder Ballard (and me) hope that you will write your missionary friends with details about what you are learning. I love this manual SO MUCH. We are having this trainingish project as a mission where we pass off a list of different things we are learning from Preach My Gospel. I am basically going to have this book memorized by the time I get home. I LOVE Pregar Meu Evangelho!

Olá Presidente,

Que uma semana maravilhosa! Eu amei Conferência Geral tanto, tanto, tanto. Nunca passou tão rápida, e conseguiria assistir todo o dia. Eu gostei dos discursos de Presidente Uchdorf sobre gratidão e de Presidente Monson sobre caridade para com um ao outro e todas as pessoas que nós encontramos. Aprendi muitas maneiras eu quero mudar e melhorar para tornar-me uma melhor professora e líder na missão. Tenho muitas coisas para fazer e aplicar desta Conferência, mas estou animada começar.

Estou também animada servir em nesta novo chamado como uma treinadora. Foi uma surpresa mas estou disposta fazer qualquer coisa que o Senhor peça. Sei que com a confiança Dele e de ti eu posso ter as forças e inteligência fazer coisas difíceis e ajudar outras missionárias. Eu amo estas Sísteres tanto! Sister Hoggan e eu estamos pensando muito sobre elas e como ajudar cada dupla. Estou muito grata pela oportunidade trabalhar mais perto com elas e conhecer elas melhor à medida que trabalhamos juntos. Obrigada pela email sobre nossa mordomia e quais são nossas responsabilidades. Vai ajudar muito à medida que estamos aprendendo como servir nestas novos aspeitos. Vamos ser muito ocupadas! Que uma coisa ótima.

Estou muito animada ficar em Campos Eliseos também! Que uma bênção servir tanto tempo aqui na área que eu amo tanto. Eu conheço todas as ruas e membros agora e onde tudo mundo mora então nós podemos trabalhar mais arduamente, nunca perdendo tempo buscando ruas ou esquecendo nomes. Tenho muito mais confiança como missionária, como ensinar, e como seguir todos os horários e partes pequenas da obra. Continuo aprender muitas coisas e minha vida está mudando imensamente. Eu amo ser missionária! Nunca imaginava tanto eu mudaria ou tanto esta missão afeitaria meu futuro. Tenho outros planos e maneiras que quero viver minha vida no futuro agora. Sou uma nova pessoa por causa das pessoas aqui.

Muito obrigado por tudo Presidente. Qualquer coisa que você precisa de nós, estamos prontas ajudar.

Síster Marchant

 

 

English Translation:

Hello President ,What a wonderful week! I loved General Conference so, so , so much. Never went so fast , and could watch all day . I liked the speeches of President Uchdorf about gratitude and President Monson about charity towards one another and all the people we met . I learned many ways I want to change and improve to become a better teacher and leader in the mission . I have many things to do and apply this conference , but I'm excited to start.I'm also excited to serve in this new calling as a coach . It was a surprise but I'm willing to do whatever the Lord part . I know that with Him you trust and I can have the strength and intelligence to do difficult things and help other missionaries. I love both these Sisters ! Hoggan sister and I are thinking a lot about them and how to help each couple . I am very grateful for the opportunity to work more closely with them and know them best as we work together. Thanks for the email about our stewardship and our responsibilities . Will help a lot as we are learning how to serve these new aspeitos . We will be very busy ! What a great thing .I'm very excited to stay in Campos Eliseos too! What a blessing to serve much time here in the area that I love so much . I know every street and members now live and where all the world then we can work harder , never wasting time searching the streets or forgetting names . I have much more confidence as a missionary , how to teach , and how to keep all schedules and small parts of the work . I continue to learn many things and my life is changing immensely . I love being a missionary ! Never thought I'd change both or either this mission afeitaria my future . I have other plans and ways I want to live my life in the future now . I am a new person because of the people here .Thank you for everything President . Anything you need us , we are ready to help.Sister Marchant