Week 18 Excited!

OI AMIGOS E FAMILIA!

I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS FOR EVERYONE!

ok i over did that a ton but I am just really excited! I have the privilege of doing something many sisters don't get to do!

Starting this week I get to open an area for missionaries!!! This area has never had missionaries before!!!! Its a suburb of Santa Rita. There are no members there and its very very rural. we actually have to take a train to get there. This area will be apart of our ward until it can form a branch. President was really sure we were up for the task. We hope to plant many seeds! We are so excited!!!! And a little nervous. I am a little nervous especially because my Portuguese is improving but not perfect and I really want to help in this new area. But I know Heavenly Father will help me.

This week was a little hard opening an area for sisters because the elders gave us nothing. We didn't have recent converts, a map, locations of members, nothing. We spent a good part of the week figuring out where we were. haha

But we had a ton of miracles. 2 recent converts actually found us on the street. THE WARD HERE IS AMAZING!!! They really want to help. This ward has already sacrificed a ton for us. We already have new investigators. Families (members with their children) went on splits with us. The ward on sunday went with us to find less actives. The ward mission leader is a boss. he has set up a system here. This ward is ready for missionaries. I LOVE IT!!!!

We (the missionaries) actually did a ward activity Thursday. All about missionary work. And Sunday we gave talks.

I gave my first talk on Sunday!!!! in Portuguese!!!! haha I hope they understood me. hehe (: I spoke on love. And how our savior loved us and because of that he sacrificed for us. And now its our turn. I told them I am here to show my love and I know together we can show our love and strengthen the missionary work in this ward. I think it went really well. I felt the spirit. Not sure if it was the nerves or the Portuguese. But I am so excited to be here.

The area is very hard physically. I actually have 3 areas now. All three are very far from the church building which is hard. \9we live by the church building) And two are on a HUGE plateau! The area starts at the bottom and ends on the other side. The streets are on all sides on the plateau and are very very steep! and long. A lot of them you can not see the bottom from the top. Some are so steep you can only go on foot. Some I actually walk on hands and knees. I am climbing in a skirt! SISTER POWER (: hehe haha During the day when its really hot I am so tired. But every time I get really tired. I pray and I have energy again to press on. When we return at the end of the day I crash. haha But another plus ... I am losing more weight! haha And the members feed us a TON!!!! haha I am never never hungry!!!

Another miracle. I am not in pain. I push myself to my capacity everyday. At night sometimes I hurt. But when I wake up in the morning; my body doesn't hurt or feel sore. I feel normal. I know its only because I am doing what God needs me to do.  I FEEL SO BLESSED.

Well I don't have much time! But I love you all!!!! Thank you for everything! I feel it!

• REMEBER you can do anything with Gods help. Even climb mountains in a skirt in 90 degree sun! haha (: (I know I could do it in high heels if he asked me to do that to. there is no doubt in my mind)

Sister Wheatley

Week 17-Transferred -opening it for sisters-Santa Rita-new pictures

Oi familia e amigos!!!!!!!

haha welllllll I wasn´t online yesterday because a LOT of things happened!

1. Sunday night at 9pm we received a phone call saying that we were having a emergency transfer and we were to report to our new area 8am Monday!!!! haha

2. They closed my area for sisters. and we are opening an area for sisters!!!! 

3. REASSIGNED TO SANTA RITA!!! (: You say Rita in portgues like (heata) 

4. We had 30 min to talk to the members in our area before we had to be in our home.

5. Then we had to back and clean the entire house for the elders to live. We were up to 2:30am cleaning.

6.Then we woke up at 6 to go talk to a few of our investigators and recent converts. That was really hard especially because many people were angry that sisters were leaving and we were leaving....

7. We crammed 6 HUGE suitcases sister lavor and me into a tiny tiny car. I sat in the space that could barely fit Jacob! haha My legs were dying!!!

8. When we arrived: the elders showed us to are new home. 

IT  WAS HORRIFIC!!!! I am not one to think things are horribly dirty, but I dont not understand how the elders even lived there. I refused to bring my things into the house until it was cleaned. It is very small and smelled and looked like death!!! Spiders where part of the family!!! hahaha 

9. All the elders said was sorry and laughed. I seriously cant look at them the same anymore! 

10. I said nothing. I thought the other sisters where going to kill someone!!! haha They wouldnt stop saying "I will never marry." I have to be honest - it crossed my mind too.

11. We cleaned the apartment from 9am to 3pm. NONSTOP. And then we started to unpack and relax. We all fell asleep.

12. We were not able to email because 1 it was a holiday and everything was closed and 2 we have FHE with the ward when we all woke up! 

13. THE WARD HERE IS AMAZING!!!!!! 

14. The area is difficult but I am excited haha(: We know nothing. haha we have a really scary map and the elders did not write anything in the area book. We dont have names or addresses. Just an awesome 1st councilor in the bishopric who has been a miracle!!!

15. My area is on the top a mountain. haha not really just a massive hill!!!! We live a 45 min walk from where my area begins. And thats if we walk fast! haha .... My area starts with the biggest hill I have ever seen. You can not see the top from the bottom and its almost straight up! hahaha The hill goes on for about 15 minutes in a car. haha

16. The area is beautiful! And there are so many resturantes, fairs, and stores. 

17. Pray for us the next few weeks. To help us settle in and learn the area. 

Thankfully I know this is where God needs me!! I love it here. The people (members) are so welcoming and REALLY excited to have sisters. I will miss the people of Bayeux! They are amazing too!

Well I love you all gotta run!!! <3 

Te amo!!!!

--

Sister Wheatley

Week 16

oi familia!!!!

Are you getting used to using the 24 hr (military time system)? no. its horrible. hahaha especially because for some reason numbers are really difficult for me! haha in my planer I always write the normal time. haha 

What are some more customs you are noticing?

1. They eat ketchup and mayonnaise with EVERYTHING! hahaha and a ton of it!!! It is crazy. I thought we eat a ton ... they eat gallons of the stuff! hahaha 

2. It seems like Brazil has a holiday every week!!! haha its really funny! And on these holidays EVERYTHING shuts down. You can´t do anything. and the hard thing is that its always on a Monday! haha

3. If you need information about anything. You just stop someone on the street. People are very open and talk to everyone about everything! haha Its really nice as missionaries because people open up to us REALLY fast! THEY LOVE TO TALK! hahaha Even more than I do!!! haha (: Actually its quite funny- I have changed a ton, I talk but not excessively hahaha I got in a habit of just listening and now I like it. and I LOVE silence now. its so nice they few times I get it! Hahaha (:  ]

4. They LOVE the Aristocrats here. The little girl cat is everywhere! haha

Do you have many Spanish speaking people in Brazil? or other languages other than Portuguese

Everyone speaks Portuguese. Only the missionaries are fluent in Spanish (: haha everyone here studies Spanish and English in school. Like we do with Spanish in the USA. But English is everywhere. Music, signs, directions, people here use English a lot!

Do you still remember how to drive?  Do they drive on the left side of the road there? hahaha I wish. I think it is the same. Most streets are one way. There are not many streets two ways ... those streets are HUGE. Many people have motorcycles. Cars are REALLY EXPENSIVE. a used car is around 50,000 reias! haha so must people don't drive cars.

Are you getting used to the consistent weather there?  It is starting to get cool here. It gets hotter everyday but for some reason it doesn't really effect me. Everyone else is dying but I feel fine haha its a blessing and a miracle! There is a LOT of wind"!

Here are some words in Portuguese:

Accounting- contabilidade]

My warrior- meu guerreiro (zacks nickname) 

Travel agent- agente de viagems

This week was a week of miracles again! We found 4 families married!!! I am so excited to teach them this week!!! One family wants to get baptized! I am so excited for them!

This week we have lots of plans. Today was transfers but Sister Lavor and I  and my whole apartment will be staying together|!!!! This transfer is a little different it will be 7 weeks instead of 6!!! so its really long! We are excited to make the best of it!!! 

MY MOM IS THE GREATEST! She sent me the greatest funniest package ever!!!!

They have Oreos here but not other flavors! My roommates where in heaven! And the animal crackers!!!! haha

The little spiders are soooo cute! We spent hours making them the other p-day I will send pictures! hahaha

And playing Spot It!! Mom you are the greatest!!! haha 

I LOVED THE CARDS AS WELL! THEY ARE SO AWESOME!

Well I love you so much!

Amo Voces!!! Short on time!

Sister Wheatley

Week 15-Birthday Miracles (Ashley's words)

Oi minha familia!!! <3 I love you all so much!! This week was awesome! Was a birthday of miracles.

As you know yesterday was my birthday. Its weird to think I am 20! haha  But it all started with the other sisters bursting into my room at 6:30 singing and dancing with a huge gooey cake!!! And TONS of sprite! haha We eat cake and sprite for breakfast! (life of a missionary) haha

But the milagres/miracles started when we went to church!!!

1. Joao received the priesthood!

2. 3 recent-converts that never go to church were there!

3. 2 less active families we have been working with came!

4. A new investigator came to church!

5. The missionaries were asked to teach gospel principles and other sisters did not want to teach. at all! haha and for the whole week they fight over who was going to teach it. And Saturday night came and no one had prepared anything. So I said I would. And so for only 1hr and 30 min I planned a lesson about the roles in families. I have never prayed so hard  for the language and the spirits help. And Sunday came and I TAUGHT AN  45 MIN CLASS IN PORTGUES!!!! The spirit was so strong and THEY UNDERSTOOD ME! There was a lot of discussion and participation and I was able to do and say everything that I wanted and felt the spirit needed me to do.

6. The elders had a baptism and asked me if I could help the girl. She was scared to death of water but wanted to be baptized. And I was able to comfort her and help her with the whole process. It was a really sweet experience.

7. The elders also asked me to sing at the baptism and I song "I like to look for rainbows..." (that song) in Portuguese! It was really special!

8. And the elders bought me a cake too!

9. My sister training leader and 1st comp (my mom) called me and sung happy birthday to be and I was able to talk with them for a little!

10. I am 20. I made it to 20. And now I don't want to get older! haha (:

Some fun things to know that happened this week:

1; I saw 3 dead people. You have to laugh about this but its really sad. Two because they had a viewing in the middle of the street. And the other was in the hospital. (my comp was sick friday)

2. I was buying grape juice the other day and  uva (is grape) and ovo (is egg) I asked the man for suco de ovo (egg juice) instead of suco do uva (grape juice),. I have never seen someone laugh so hard in my life. But because he laughed like he did he gave me any juice i wanted for free. I chose orange juice because it was easier to say! hahaa (: wow.

Melhor cada dia!! Love you and thank you for all the videos, letters, and emails for my birthday! You are all amazing!!! <3 

Te amo!

--

Sister Wheatley

Week 14 Joao's Baptism

Oi familia e amigos!!!

This week was crazy but ended amazing!!! 1st questions haha

Do you actually get up in the morning (there are those that question if that is possible)? hahaha yes I actually get up exactly at 6:30 and I can proudly say that. I get up at 6:30 immediately pray then pray with my comp. and then I get up an exercise for 30 min. Eat breakfast. Get ready then study. Every single morning. (; I can proudly say I am exactly obedient. (: 

2.  What part of Brazil is your companion from (you may have already told us? Oh haha I haven't really described my comp for you guys. She is 20. Is from Sao Paulo I don't remember the exact city but its an island in lower San Paulo; she is an only child and is really really funny,. She loves loves loves to talk; I think it is great!!!!! She laughs after every sentence unless she is serious about something so I always know when i need to pay attention! hahaha Everyone knows her because he boyfriend was the assistant to the president before I got her; It has really helped me get to know lots of missionaries!

3.  Are you ready for 16 months of 80 degree wheatley. I have no idea what you are asking hahaha!!! haha

4.  Describe your apartment. Well its normal; hahaha a lot like my apartment in college but there is no glass in the windows just bars and wood panels. the kitchen is smaller and the electronics are cheaper. haha we don't have a bathtub but the showers are nice. you can take a hot warm or cold shower. But you have to be careful because if you change it while the water is flowing you will get electrocuted. I am speaking from experience. haha we don't have couches but weirdly we have a ton of mattresses that  we lay out on the floor with. its really cozy and fun! haha We don't have a dryer but we have these cool little racks that our clothes dry out on. All the houses have a gate and then the door to your house and its the same with me!

Ok well this week: Joao Batisita (John the Baptist) was baptized!!!!!! 

And I just have to share the story of Joao!

It all started when we were walking down the street and we both had a clear impression to speak to this woman. But when we did she did NOT what to hear us. And we turned around to find Joao listening to us. And so we started to talk to him.

We found out Joao loved to drink. (We later found out he was the "town drunk.") Bur in that moment Joao wanted to change his life. He wasn't sad about drinking but he was sad that no one respected him and his whole family was always angry with him. And in that 1st encounter we taught him the word of wisdom and invited him to church.

That Sunday three days later he showed up to church. Which was amazing but he was drunk only a few hours before church. But he stayed the whole time... when church ended we walked him back home. And he would not stop saying "there is something different about that church." And we didn't see him again until wed. of that week.

And he had completely stopped drinking alcohol and cafe and he had quit smoking. All by himself. We taught him about prophets and the commandments. And everyday he changed. AND THE WHOLE TOWN HAS NOTICED. Everyone wants to learn about the church that changed Joao. We are teaching his family now. His mother. Aunts and Uncles. And Brothers and Sisters. 

He chose to change his life. He still says he loved drinking. But he has chosen to follow Christ in every way possible instead. AND he was baptized Sunday. (: He is a testimony to me. He has not a a drink of alcohol, smoked, or drank coffee since that 1st Sunday. And he has not once complained.

I am so happy for him. He is so different now. He is so happy and talks with everyone about the church. And he does not care what anyone says. He just wants to follow the Savior. And it makes me so happy that I got to be there to see it!

Well I have to go! I love you all! I love to read your emails. I may not respond individually but I do read all of them!!! I love you all so much! Te amo!!!! <3 

Remember repentance and the gospel is for EVERYONE. Not just people that look like members. Everyone needs the gospel. Everyone. 

--

Sister Wheatley

Week 13-Miracles

Oi familia!!!!

This week I only want to write about miracles. Because this week was full of miracles! (:

But first questions!!!!

Questions:
Are church services similar to our church services? Yes they are exactly the same except they do it backwards. They always have RS 1st, then SS, then Sacrament! Oh and people here love to sing really really loud! hahaha No one in the ward plays the piano but the primary children are learning to play the children take turns during sacrament to play the hymns!!! Its really cool and boy to they have courage! Its not super good but its way better than I can!!! haha I have so much respect for these little 10 and 11 year olds playing up in front of everyone!

What are some the interesting customs you have noticed? well there are lots hahaha You could ask me this question every week and I could respond differently haha (:  They way they eat here is really interesting to me. Everyone eats with a fork and a steak knife. Doesn't matter what it is. Rice, pasta, steak. You eat all your food with both. At 1st it was really hard for me to copy it but now I can proudly say I am a pro! haha Its weird not to eat with a steak knife now! haha

Another interesting custom is parties. People LOVE parties here. It seems like there is a different holiday every other week! Where no one works and everyone is with friends and family! Its so much fun! haha Oh and if there is a soccer game... its automatically a holiday! haha (:

What is your favorite Portuguese phrase? My favorite phrase is: Melhor cada dia! I started using this phrase my 1st week here because everyone would ask me about me portguese and I always responded "melhor cada dia" or "better each day!" But after a while I began to see that this phrase is not only for my Portuguese but for  all aspects of my life. I want to be better each day, eu quero ser melhor cada dia!!! (: And I have this phrase posted on my wall right beside my desk as a constant reminder to be better everyday. 

Do you attend ward council? No. I want to but the Bishop has never invited us. I was actually planning on talking to him about it this week. It would help us a lot! But sister lavor and I are organizing a break the fast for Nov. and an (I don't remember in english) but an intergasao (that's not how you spell it in Portuguese either haha) Where we have plans to join the member, missionaries, and recent converts"! I am really excited!!! 

Ok Miracles or Milagres for this week:

1. My feet have completely healed!! I had huge marks and a few scars and I woke up one morning to find all of them gone!!! I was really worried about my feet and they are completely healed!!!!!! Thank you for all your prayers! They worked!

2. I am perfectly healthy. Haven't felt sick again! Oh and its official this week we calculated with a scale how much weight I have lost. I have lost around 17.35 lbs.!!!! I feel great! And everybody has noticed; I even have an investigator who every time he sees me tries to give me food because he things I am not eating enough! haah I promise I am eating a ton! haha (:

3. Conference- I was really concerned that I wouldn't be able to understand conference. And I had a lot of questions I had been praying about. And when conference started the computer malfunctioned and for the 1st session of conference, the whole thing had English subtitles; The men there tried everything to take it away but nothing worked. And every single question I had was answered in that 1st session. After the session was over the subtitles just went away. ahaha I am serious no one could explain it! But everything I needed to learn from conference I did! I really felt Gods love!

4. We started a new area this week that hasn't had missionaries for a very long time. And we found tons of new investigators ready!!!! And 3 families that are married!!! To find one family married is a miracle but 3 is unheard of in a week!!! We are so excited to teach these families this week!

5. This week we where waiting for an investigator and the sister of him started talking to me. Awful things. She said really awful things. My comp was talking with someone else and I was left alone to talk to this lady. haha I only caught parts. But then clearly she asked me who Jesus Christ was to me. And I responded to here in my very best Portuguese and the whole conversation changed. I taught her the 1st lesson on my own in the middle of the street in Portuguese! And afterwards she asked me if she could visit this church with me. I told her of course!!! I love the spirit!!!! I didn't speak perfect Portuguese but she understood it all! I taught a whole lesson in Portuguese with the spirit! And it was the greatest experience I have ever had on my mission so far! God blesses us when we need him the most and when we work hard and remember him!

...

I love all of you so much|!!! I have not been able to send out letters for a while because the postal service is on strike. hahaha But luckily we all receive our mail because the mail carrier is a member! haaha so the only people receiving mail in parabia this state are the missionaries! hahaa

Know I love all of you! Look for the miracles, they are everywhere! There is a God and he loves all of us! And he is always there. Love you than you for all the letters and love!"

--

Sister Wheatley

Week 12

Oi familia! Sorry dont have much time today. Its really hard to write to my mission president because it needs to be in portguese! haha

Questions:

What kind of currency do you use? Reais and this week the american dollar went up in value by a TON! 1 reais is equal to 4.20 dollars now it was only 3.03 before. People are freaking out. Everyone wants to talk to me about how I am so rich haha. Its really funny. But really serious here because all grain is imported from the states and corn. And prices are going up and people dont have a lot of money here to pay for it.

Are you used getting up early now? Yes. I have turned into mom. I wake up 6:20ish and my brain turns off around 10. haha its quite funny! And the Sisters in my apartment think it is the funniest thing!

What other cultural things are difficult to get used to? Time. People here dont really follow schedules. People are very free with time. Nothing starts on time. Everything last ten times longer than it should. haha There is no rush here for anything. Which can be good and bad. Its hard for missionaries because no one is in the house for appointments we really rely on the spirit to tell us when to visit people. But its good because I am slowly learning more and more pacience and how to not stress about little things. (patience with time not people ... the people are great!) haha All the Brasilarios always say acalma sister acalma! haha Its different but I am used to it now! Its hard to leave appointments too because boy do people in brazil love to talk!!!! I love it but its really hard to leave sometimes haha!!! (: 

How often do you see your mission President? Basically never. I have seen him 4 times in my mission and only said hello and goodbye. And talked to him once for an interview. (but that interview only lasted maybe 10 min. max) He is amazing but I dont really know him(: I have a lot of contact with his wife because she always calls and is awesome! *only through the phone

This week was hard but I felt God on my side all week long. 

Mom- dont freak out because I am fine! and happy! and healthy now! But this week I was in the hospital for 2 days. haha SURPRIZE(: hahaha

Its a really funny story. And I dont have much time. SO I will do it in bullet points..

1. I have been having really bad stomache aches and I told my comp. Only because I wasnt sleeping good!

2. She called sis. N and sis. N told me to go see a doctor. And I was fine with that because it hurt a lot and I wanted to get better.

3. Well in this mission going to the doctor means going to the emergency care and the hospital where I understand NOTHING haha and my comp kept leaving me! haha

4. We waited for about 1.5 then finally they took me to this room where this woman started asking me questions and I had no idea what she was saying. My comp helped after I answered no to a question that definatly should have been a yes. hahaha 

5. Next thing I knew I was in a room, that looked like a surgery waiting room. And they started putting IVs in my. I still have no idea what they put in me. But they pumped me full of water hahaha. I have never prayed so hard for the whole thing to end. I was on that IV for about 3.5 hours. And then they drew my blood. But it is really hard for them to find a vein so that hurt. haha

6. Next thing I know my comp asks me if i need to use the bathroom and i did really bad because they pumped me with water. haha and ill i understood was that they were going to take me to a bathroom. (well that was not correct.) anyways I was SUPER SUPER weak and so the doctor went to get me a chair with wheel dont remember the word in english haha .

7. But my comp told her i could walk. haha so we walked and she walked so fast i got really naused and throw up. haha so they took me to a bathroom so I thought i could use the bathroom.

8. Well ends up that I needed that water in my bladder for a test. So they had me drink 10 cups of water. I thought I was going to die hahaha

9. After wards (by the way I understand nothing at this point by brain is fried and I am really sick) And next thing I know I am in a huge machine that is scanning my body. hahaha

10. Then they tell us its too late to gets results and we need to return. Oh by the way this hospital is about 45 min away on the scary bus! haha

11. I was so scared and so done with it all and really weak. And my comp didnt get it (i know she only wanted to help) haha. I prayed so hard that someone would help us. And when we got off the bus. We ran into a member. And everything went away I felt peace and so much better. I went home and slept until the next day when we visited the hospital again.

12. This time was better we talked with a doctor and I still didnt understand anything. But my comp was awesome and helped a lot this time.

13. And afterwards I found out I was fine. I just eat something that didnt sit well with me. And I know have HUGE photos of the inside of my body that are actually really really cool! HAHA

14. I also learned that I actually have 2 spleens the doctors showed me. haha I have a normal spleen and a little spleen underneath it. haha They told my comp and she told me that its totally fine just rare haha. I had to tell Sis. N i was normal.

15. But after it all I was so stressed and really homesick. But I didnt say anything. I just followed my comp. and Boy did the Lord bless me. My comp took me to Subway. Yes they have it here. And we walked in and I felt at home and happy and their was english music and american food and I remembered that I was ok. And that I would be just fine. I EAT MY FAVORITE SUB! and was reallly really happy!

16. I know God will never leave me. Even when I felt alone I still felt his presence. I feel so blessed to have him on my side!!! 

17. All is good now!!! I feel great and I am working hard. And Portuguese is coming so much faster with all Brasiliarios! I love every sec.

We have so many invesigators who love the gospel. And I love teaching them. I am happy healthy and really blessed. I love you all so much!!! Thank you all for your letter, prayers, and emails!!! Remember you are never alone even if you think you are... you are never never never alone!!!!

<3 Ate! Amo voces!!!

-- 

Sister Wheatley