Birthday and a Baptism (woot woot)

Hello all!

This week was different for sure, as it was our first week living just us two - Sister Beraldo and I. It was so so hard to say goodbye to the other Sisters (especially Sister Finati who is now in São Luis), but all is well! The Lord calls, and we answer, right?

Highlights of this past week:

HELLO IM 20 YEARS OLD. Tchau teenage years! Thank you family for all of the cute things you sent for me! Totally made my day <3

And especially thankful for the members here in Parnaíba! Received so much love from them on my birthday, and a few of them even gave me little presents #ohmyheart love my second home here in Parnaíba.

But my birthday was really good (: Especially because we had the baptism of José, one of our investigators (he has a really cool story, where he was addicted to drugs living a life he didn't want. Met a less-active member in the hospital, and decided to come to church. So cool to see how he has completely changed his life, and wants to follow the right path that God has for him. And this less-active member now comes to church! God works in mysterious ways)

One of our investigators (who I absolutely love with all my heart might mind and soul) has progressed so much. This past Saturday, she told us that she talked with her husband, and decided not to baptize her baby, Emanuel, because of the knowledge that she now has about the gospel. So incredible to see how she is really understanding the things we are teaching, and applying them in her life for her family <3 my heart is just giddy to see how much she has progressed already! (:

Advice of the week:

Always recognize the little tender mercies throughout your day. Not only is it just so much easier to have a positive atitude, but really, the little miracles are little ways that God shows His love for us - that He is mindful of us and our situation. Here is my challenge for everyone this week, to seek out mini miracles in your day every. single. day. and thank Heavenly Father! Simple, yes. Effective? For sure.

Love all of you! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Definitely felt angels working alongside me this past week.

Sister Hill

Photos:

1. 20 YEARS BABY

2. Baptism of José! (birthday baptisms are the best baptisms (: haha)

Transfer Day?

This morning we heard about transfers - and I will stay here in Parnaíba! I will finish training Sister Beraldo. Sad part - Sister Finati (I love her to death) was transfered for São Luis :( #sadday She really was my support and so much help for me this transfer, and I will miss her so so much. But, it's all good. I know that the Lord has more things for me to learn with my companion here in Parnaíba, so I will do His will. Só vai! This will be my 4th transfer here, so I pretty much live here now. It's great.

Here´s the crazy news - Sister Finati and Sister Fagundes were both transferred... and we won´t receive other sisters. SO, our area was combined into one. single. area. *cue audible gasp* So I am now training, and we are the only dupla in our area so we will be teaching the investigators of Sister Finati and our investigators as well. Pretty much doing the work of 4 with just us 2. WOOHOO LOVE MY LIFE (: A little stressed about this, and very sad that it will be just me and Sis Beraldo in our house, because I absolutely adored having 4 of us living together... But. TUDO VAI DAR CERTO!  Sister Finati is one of the best friends I have made during my mission, and has taught me so much that I truly will apply not only throughout my mission, but throughout my life. Grateful for her.

Also - last week. LOVED talking with you guys over Skype <3 <3 <3 also, it was my 5 month mark as well, so it was a good day for sure (: Glad to see that everyone is doing well and 

This past week has been pretty good! Everyone has been a little sick, so we weren´t able to work as well as we wanted. But, it will be much better this week!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Sister Parnaíba

jk Sister Hill

1.  Mother's Day

2.  We finally had an excuse to dour make for once #woohoo thank you mothers  day :)

3.  5 Months!!!

4.  Our District - "Batismo de Fogo" shoutout to the Hunger Games

5.  Homemade yakisoba <3

It Will All Work Out

This week was a long week. BUT, I love this phrase that I found myself saying again and again - "Tudo vai dar certo" or, "It will all work out."

I was studying a little more about Gordon B Hinckley from the Jan Liahona yesterday, and found that he said these words every morning (: First of all, I love President Hinckley! Second, this is definitely something we need to remember, to continue to have a positive outlook no matter what happens! Love it.

Miracle in our week:
We met an awesome family, and we are teaching Sara (has two kids, Emzzo - 7yrs, and a baby - with the biggest cutest eyes in the whole world <3)

But we started off teaching her about Eternal Marriage, and the fact that families can be together forever. As we finished the lesson, she just said "Wow. This is true." An awesome moment for sure.

Yesterday, we met with her again and taught about the plan of salvation, and invited her to be baptized - to which she accepted! 27/05 #MYBIRTHDAY (: woo hoo!

Something she shared really touched me, and testified that Heavenly Father really is mindful of each of His children/there. are. NO. coincidences.

Sara shared with us that about a month ago, they started reading the bible each night as a family, and she had the thought that they needed to go to church.. but she didn't know which one. Her cousin had invited her to theirs, but it didnt feel right. And now, she feels like this is the right path for her.

*cue hallelujah chorus*

Excited to continue working this week, maybe my last two weeks in Parnaíba. Vamos trabalhar até o pó! (I really want to stay in Parnaíba for one more transfer... which means I will be transfered. Ha. Mas tudo bem.)

Amo vocês! Boa semana!

Sister Hill

Fotos

1. Parnaiba District

2. A member brought us lunch for us, and it was truly a miracle. Because we were already late, but thankfully didnt miss the onibus, and he was so patient to wait for us as we ran to our house. Miracles happen people! Always thank Him for the little things (:

My Week As The Little Mermaid :)

Not much happened this week, due to the fact that I was sick *cough cough*

Mas, tudo bem!

It was quite funny actually, because Tuesday, we just worked - hard. We talked with so many people, that the next day I was completely without a voice! Ha. My luck. So yes, for a few days I got to experience how Ariel felt as a human being, without a voice. And let me tell you, it isn't fun because you can't talk or teach or sing or anything. I had to stay in casa until I was better (bummer.) but hey! More time to study, practice, and study some more! 

Feeling happy and grateful to have a voice again today, and to be feeling much better (:

Super excited for this week, because we will be teaching some of the families we met last week (WOOT WOOT) stoked.

Spiritual thought for the week:

This week in all of our lovely time that we had studying, I came across a scripture that I thought was really cool. Jacob 4:1-3. This section was so cool, because Jacob says that he can't write everything that is happening, because it's hard. People it is not easy to engrave words into plates. But, the prophets continued to write diligently these things, because they wanted us to receive these wonderful words of God, and the knowledge of Christ. LOVE IT. If this doesn't make you love/appreciate the Book of Mormon that much more, I don't know what will.

Grateful for the scriptures, and the peace that we feel from reading them. Had many moments of feeling tired or impatient this week. But I'm so grateful for the patience that Heavenly Father has with me as a person, and that we have the scriptures to guide us and strengthen us day to day.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week! Espero ter mais coisas escrever sobre na próxima semana, com certeza (:

Sister Hill

1.  Talent Show at the ward

2.  Sister Beraldo

3.  Posing with Sister Beraldo

4.  Sister Beraldo hits 1 month