Hey everyone!
I dont have much time, but I really quickly wanted to say hi! I was called to train a new sister missionary again and received my new companion yesterday. She seems really cool and I am excited to work. This week is conference, and I am so excited to hear from the prophets. ( You get really excited about this stuff on the mission- ha!) It´s been incredibly hot here this past week, to the point that my body can't stand it anymore. I almost got really sick, but I am doing better. Pray that I can have strength!
I think its so neat to know that I have a family legacy. The other day, a member of the church was asking me if I had pioneers in my family history, and I was able to tell him some cool stories. He thought it was so neat, and I was really proud of my ancestors. I hope I am making them proud. Even though I am not pulling a handcart, I hope I am showing my faith through my struggles and accomplishments here in Brazil. I know they are rooting for me! I like a quote that Sister Hall told us `You leave your family to serve, serve so that other families can live together forever.` It´s true, and I am so excited about this.
Well, I thought I would share a special moment I had this week. As you know, I had a lot of difficulties with my last companion. She didn't have a testimony of the the mission and was really struggling. I prayed, fasted, gave advice, loved and did my all, along with many other people, and in the end she decided to go home. The other day, I talked with my mission president in an interview, and he said some wonderful things. I had been a little worried about everything that happened. He looked at me and said `Sister, I know without a doubt that you did everything that the Lord expected you to do. You helped that Sister more than you know, and these past 5 weeks will have changed her life forever.` He said some other wonderful things and I felt so great. It was a confirmation to me that I fulfilled the purpose that the Lord had for me. As I was leaving, he said to me `You know, I never worried about Sister Alvarez, because I knew that she was with you.` I was so happy to hear this and know that my President trusts in me. I am not saying this to brag, but to share a good moment that I've had here!
I miss you all and am so happy here. I am really excited for general conference! Pay attention and don't fall asleep! I love you all and hope all is well. Write letters please! It´s been FOREVER since I received one!
Tchau!
Sister Steph