President Russell M. Nelson Ministry Tour/Trip to São Paulo!

Sept. 1, 2019 - São Paulo, Brazil, President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson.

Click here for the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints News Release.

Click here for YouTube Video of  Tour to São Paulo, Brazil, Sept. 1, 2019. 

Hope everyone is doing well.  Well, I had my last mission Google Hangouts call with my family- it was a great visit! - Monday September 2, 2019. Recently, President Acosta told me that I would be thinking about the last few days, to a small degree, what I would do after my mission here in Brazil. He also told me to continue working hard up to the end. I promised the Lord that I would do that.  He told me that it is all part of the process; he is an inspired man, full of wisdom and is a great example and blessing to me. This past week or so, I set some goals that I will begin the day I arrive home, September 11, 2019.  I have my final interview with President Acosta this coming Monday, September 9th. I have truly been blessed to have had an approved extension of a few weeks; and to have this awesome experience of being a missionary for the Lord here in Brazil.

Recently, this past week, Sister Resende and I had a feeling to stop and see a nonmember man who is the father in a part-member home. His name is Fernando. We had visited him a few times before and had a strong feeling to visit with him at that time. He had been taught by missionaries sometime prior to us visiting him. He was glad to see us that day. He looked at me and said, "Sister Smart, I have been praying for some time about whether I should be baptized and become of member of your church. I have been praying about this recently, and I want to be baptized. When can I get baptized?" What a wonderful miracle we had been blessed to be a part of! As we talked, I learned that he has a daughter who is a member of the church back in my city where I live in the United States! I will be tracking her down to visit with her. Yet, I am a bit sad to know that I will not be here for his baptism.

I was able to be in the audience of many other missionaries when Pres. Nelson spoke to many members, and missionaries!
It was a touching moment when tens if thousands of children sang "I Am a Child of God." It was an awesome meeting! Also, President Nelson gave the people of Brazil an Apostolic Blessing - what a great day! It was attended by just over 37,000 people.
Also, I was blessed to see and visit with many converts and members of my past areas in which I served attend the meeting/devotional!

( © Copyright 2019 - Photos provided by Missão Brasil São Paulo Sul 2017-2020: Presidente e Sister Acosta
@missaosaopaulosulcesso )

Waiting in line to hear the prophet speak with ticket in hand!

Sept. 1, 2019 - Sister missionaries on the way to hear Pres. Russell M. Nelson speak. 

We had to get up this past Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019 at 4:00 a.m. to be ready to go on on a bus to the meeting/devotional with Pres. Nelson. Here is a picture of Sister Resende and I with four other Sister missionaries that stayed with us on Saturday night.

Apparently, on social media it is a "thing" to have a mom of a missionary post  a picture of a milk jug dated with the date of the return of their missionary, son or daughter from their mission. Below is a photo of what my mom sent me, haha.  I hope they drank the milk already. I will really miss my mission and the wonderful people of Brazil! What a wonderful experience and blessing it has been! God bless each of you!

My return date back home - Sept. 11, 2019

"I think some of these children you have are some of the brightest children that the Lord has ever let come to planet Earth,” said President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as he wrapped up his nine-day Latin America ministry in São Paulo, Brazil.

[...]

More than 37,000 people, including many families, lined up for up to eight hours before a devotional on Sunday at the Anhembi Convention Center. Many were seated five hours before the meeting began, filling the venue. This was the largest gathering President Nelson has spoken to outside of the U.S.

Click here for news releases for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - News Room.

Bea and Vini's Baptisms! - in a Troubled World.

Hello from Brazil! Wow. What a crazy and eventful past three weeks. I had a gun pulled on me and my companions, Sister Araya and Sister Resende, the first week in August - an interesting way to start the month, I would say. I am so grateful that we had the blessings of protection and safety from Heavenly Father and angels from heaven. I know that the prayers of many members of the church, family and many others for all the missionaries throughout the world were answered that day! Also, we had some awesome baptisms on Sunday the 11th and Sunday the 25th.  Vini was baptized on the 11th of August and his friend Bea, was baptized on the 25th. Vini and Bea are so great; they both have strong testimonies of the Savior and his Gospel. I know they are going to be a great strength and both will be a solid example for many as they share their testimonies! Prior to Vini being baptized, I told Vini that he would have many approach him and say to not be baptized - not go through with it, for whatever reason, or he would have things that will come up that will try and be in the way of him being baptized - and of course all of those things happened. To make it even better, the baptismal font wasn't ready and full of water as it needed to be - so my companions and I grabbed any container we could find and went back and forth from the sink to the font to help it get full as required - it was filled just in time and Vini was baptized!

(Left to Right) - Sister Araya, Bea in the black long sleeve, Vini next to her, Elder who baptized Vini, Sister Smart, Sister Resende far right.

Bea's Baptism to the left of Sister Smart - I am so happy for her! Vini is far left.

(Left to Right) Sister Smart, Bea, Sister Resende - what a wonderful day!

Guess which one is me? Vini is an awesome artist too!

Also, Vini drew a picture of the three of us (he is such an awesome artist!) - maybe you can guess which one of the four of us is me - haha - also, notice the missionary name tag he is wearing in the drawing - I definitely can see him being a full time missionary some day in the future! - he will also play a huge role up to that time with the sharing of his testimony and his great example!

All our investigators are doing well. Sister Resende, my companion, stayed in Rudge Ramos again this past transfer. Sister Araya was transferred out to a different area - so no longer a trio. Sister Resende and I were recently doing street contacts. We saw a man at his home; his name was Rafael-  walking to his car to drive to work. Sister Resende had a feeling to go and talk with him after we had passed by. We went back and talked with him. He said he could not talk then but accepted our invitation to an appointment at a later date. We were able to teach him at that later date and he came to church with our other investigators this past Sunday!

This past week beginning Sunday, the 18th of August, we had lots of meetings. The first part of the week we had a meeting to welcome the new missionaries, then a  Leadership Conference, then a mission conference with a visiting authority, Elder Carboni which was awesome. To make it even better, we had Bea's baptism this past Sunday, the 25th of August  - we are so happy for her! I know it was hard as she too had many things try and get in her way of being baptized. This coming week, beginning August 25th we will have the opportunity to hear a satellite broadcast of our Prophet and President of the Church,  President Russell M. Nelson. Then this coming Sunday we will meet in a very large soccer stadium to hear him speak to 10's of thousands of missionaries and church members! Wow - so excited for this. He is currently on a Latin and South America trip to visit several areas. What a blessing for all members and missionaries!

So I am not sure if I mentioned this - I had a previous trio companionship a few months back with a Sister Leal who was waiting for her Visa to go to her mission. I found out she is going to the same mission as my brother who will be leaving on the 24th of September - Mexico, Villahermosa! Crazy to think of that! Time is winding down for me - I will miss this mission and all the awesome people and memories. I will miss it tons - for many reasons! In two weeks, I will be be able to travel with a member of the church, a young woman, who is also a dear friend, Isabel Bastos who lives in São Paulo. She will be my companion for a day as we travel to my old areas to visit many wonderful people the last day before I fly home - what a blessing that will be!

Time is short until I finish this awesome, crazy and worthwhile mission here in Brazil - I am working hard right up to end - I am so grateful that President Acosta allowed me to extend a few weeks. My parents said I would  not want to come back home when the time came; that I would love the mission and the people of Brazil that much - I did not believe them prior to leaving just over a year and half ago - now I do. What a blessing this mission has been and is for me!


( © Copyright 2019 Facebook: Missão Brasil São Paulo Sul 2017-2020: Presidente e Sister Acosta  @missaosaopaulosulcesso)

Full mission photo taken Aug 23, 2019 with visiting authority, Elder Carboni.

Image by Fabio Auri Stratmann Fauriman from Pixabay

New Area - Rudge Ramos.

Hello all! Just a small email blog entry to let you know I am doing well. I am currently in a new area in south São Paulo called Rudge Ramos. The mission zone is called the Assunção Zone. I am in a trio of three sister missionaries - Sister Resende and Sister Araya and myself - they are awesome sisters! We spend a lot of time on the streets talking with people. Recently, we met a young man whose mother had passed away few years back and taught him about the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness and that families can be together forever. I hope he will continue to listen to our messages. The work is progressing and I love it. Love you all!

Sister Resende and Sister Araya - me in the middle, at a zone conference held in July 2019.
 (Image rights given to https://www.facebook.com/missaosaopaulosulcesso/) search for @missaosaopaulosulcesso on Facebook.

Rudge Ramos area of São Paulo

Image by Fatifotos from Pixabay

The Worth of Souls is Great!

 Hello from Brazil! It has been a long time, about four weeks, since the blog has been updated; however, lots of exciting and blessed things have happened in that time! I have had about six different companions in the Piratininga area where I am serving currently (i.e. training Sister missionaries, Sisters waiting for their Visas for there missions and some emergency transfers). I have been in a trio two times, had several splits/companionship divisions, had several baptisms, and have been blessed with many miracles! (I need to catch my breath) - had a leadership conference, a zone conference and a few district meetings; and I did get approval from President Acosta - I am going to extend my time here! My mission release date is September 11, 2019! From an original release of the middle of August. This release date is just in time to spend a few days with my brother who will report to the Mexico City CTM/CCM on September 24, 2019, for his mission service to the Mexico Villahermosa mission . Sister Garcéz, my current companion and I, have been busy tracting and contacting many each day sharing a message of hope and love.

Recently we met a young man named Rafael. What an awesome young man! When we first met him, he had some challenges with addiction related to alcohol  and smoking/nicotine. He was smoking twenty or more cigarettes daily. He knew he wanted something better in his life that was different to the path he was on. We began to teach him, meeting with him often. With that teaching and the Spirit he felt, we helped him cut down on the amount per day he smoked to only two cigarettes per day! He also stopped drinking entirely. It was amazing to see him change and progress as we taught him. As time passed, he completely quit smoking! However, one day something bad happened that made him drink. He then said that he had such a distaste for the alcohol that he knew he needed to be baptized! He got through that and said, "I  want to be baptized on the 23rd of June."
He completed all his interviews as required and he was baptized on the 23rd! Remember Claudio, he was able to baptize him! It is truly amazing to see Rafael and how happy he is. He wants to someday serve a mission as does Claudio and Miguel! He told Sister Garcéz and I, "Now I know what Faith is and I know who Jesus Christ is! - if it was not for you both I would not have been able to do this." We know that it is our Heavenly Father and his son's divine purpose and the great love he has for all of his children. It is amazing to see how Heavenly Father prepares each of his children for the Gospel!

(Left to Right)  Elders, Claudio, Rafael, Sister Garcéz, Sister Smart

Many in the ward here in Piratininga have told Sister Garcéz and I that you and your companion have blessed this ward and area with your work and have made a big difference! The work of the Lord is a great blessing to me  - the Savior is the one that converts and changes lives!

Remember Leilah, she was also baptized this month! Claudio also was able to baptize her.

(Back Row - Left to Right) Miguel, Claudio, Leilah

Miguel and Claudio with our name tags practicing being missionaries.

It is a great blessing to be a part of this great work and how the Savior changes lives! Thank you for your prayers, love and support.

16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

13 And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! (Doctrine and Covenants 18:13)

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! (Doctrine and Covenants 18:15)

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39, Pearl of Great Price)

“all these things shall [be for our] experience, and . . . for [our] good” (D&C 122:7)

The week (the week beginning April 15th, 2019) was super crazy busy and full of a ton of challenges; however, one thing I have learned is that through a lot of challenges we learn the most and find the most miracles. The greater the battle the more we value the victory. This week on Monday we arrived late to the district meeting because the Uber ride we decided to take took about an hour to get to the meeting; but one of the miracles is we didn't have to pay (the mission helps with the cost of Uber rides when missionaries are on time to meetings) because here when you are late to district meetings or other meetings missionaries have to pay the full cost of the Uber ride. Luckily our zone leaders were kind enough to let it go this time, I respect and like them a lot. They are great examples to me of strength and change. They gave a powerful training in which they talked about how when missionaries teach the lessons the missonaries aren't to use the same memorized lesson but rather teach the lessons from the heart so that the Spirit can testify to the people that God loves them that they are not alone.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Gospel that  changes lives and fills the broken hearts and drys our tears no matter what circumstance we are in.
This week we had a division - where missionaries exchange companions. We did this on Wednesday (April 17th, 2019) and I went to  Parque Bristol. It was great! I also had a division on the past Friday and I went to Vila Liviero in Parque Bristol. It was super exhausting, but I love divisions because I learn something new with every Sister that I stay with and work with. Because I wasn't able to stay in the area this week, my companion and I weren't able to find a lot of new people to teach. We were praying and fasting to find someone that needed the Gospel. We were walking to an appointment and my companion felt the need to go down a certain pathway that we had never taken. We both new it would take longer to get to our appointment. It didn't make sense for us to go down that path but we felt something drawing us to do this. We took the path and made a contact with a man named Marcelo. He was praying a little bit before we passed asking God for help, begging God for help. As we passed and said that we were missionaries, he gladly accepted our message. As we spoke he began to cry without stopping and told us he knew without a doubt that it was God sending two angels to him! We will going this week to visit him and his family. Maria-Elena also went with her grandchildren to church and is preparing for baptism the 27th of April!
Leila unfortunately came in contact with a leader from another church and things are slowing down a bit for her regarding us teaching and helping her. We are hoping and praying for the best for her. Claudio is doing well although he will have to be confirmed next week (the week beginning April 20th, 2019) instead of this past week. Miguel has a baptismal date for the 23rd. (Miguel was baptized as planned!).

Miguel's baptism.

Miguel and Claudio.

Claudio and Miguel are awesome member missionaries. Miguel recently presented the Book of Mormon to others and bears his testimony to his friends. Claudio is doing the same. They both are such great young men. Talita was confirmed this week and her family is progressing a lot! They are now there at church every week and want to be baptized!
As of the second week of May, I have had a medical issue come up that has required a bit of time to recuperate from and that unfortunately, has kept me from doing the work that I love, that of being a full time missionary. I did get to spend some time with Sister Larsen who recently had to recover from her own medical issue; we laughed prior to being together that we thought it would be great to be companions at some point and we were for a short time just not under the best of circumstances. If I am cleared medically, I can possibly get  back at it by the middle or end of this week (week beginning Monday, May 27th, 2019). I am doing well! Also, I have been able to talk with my family every few days via a video internet call. God bless each of you!

Image by Joel santana Joelfotos from Pixabay

Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo - State of São Paulo, Brazil

The Holy Ghost - Teaches the Truth of All Things!

This past week was difficult but filled with a lot of spiritual experiences; I think that is how most of my weeks are here in the mission field. This past  week started with mission zone conference.  We were able to learn a ton, but I think my favorite part was probably talking with all of the missionaries that I know. They are my friends and I haven't seen them in a very long time! They are all doing well, especially the group of missionaries that came into the field with me. It seems like we have  bigger connections and greater friendships! Crazy to think that we are all becoming the older more experienced missionaries instead of the "greenies."
This week we felt a strong impression that we needed to visit a specific house. As we got to the house we knocked on the door expecting someone to come out and to receive our message, because of the strong feeling... But to our surprise nobody came out and nobody was on the street. We wondered why we had felt so strongly about this house when it didn't go as we had hoped. As we walked away from the house a little disappointed, we had a little extra time because a prior scheduled appointment fell through. We decided to knock on the door of a woman named Leila that we had tried to visit once some days prior. On our prior visit, she wasn't home and the other time didn't seem very interested. To our surprise she answered the door and as we spoke we could see a change in her interest and desire in what we shared with her; she was now interested in the message we shared! She said that she was Catholic and had practiced Buddism in the past, but recognized what we were saying was true! At that moment, she began to ask many insightful questions and before we knew it, she had listened to all the basic missionary lessons; an understanding of what Heavenly Father requires, an understanding of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a bunch of other things. The missionary lessons, which usually take about a week or two to teach she had learned in a few hours. She accepted our invitation to watch General Conference in the church building with us the upcoming Saturday. When Saturday came we went to her home to pick her up. She called us to let us know she was already in the church building waiting for us! As we got there, she was sitting reverently in church best dress. She watched the first session and loved it! She went to the other session that same day and the two sessions on Sunday. She was also able to be at Talita's baptism! I have never seen anyone be so touched by our messages so quickly. The Holy Ghost teaches and strengthens! She accepted our challenge to be baptized on the 20th of April - which happens to be my mom's birthday! Taking this step of being baptized will be an amazing help as she is working through health and other struggles in her life.

(Left to Right) Sister Coutinho, Talita, Sister Smart.

Talita was baptized! On this past Monday, we went to go get authorization from her parents and were nervous that they wouldn't give it because they are a little more cautious and reserved. We did a family night in their home and planned to teach the lesson titled, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" and do it to the best of our abilities with scriptures and personal testimonies. We had had a prayer prior asking Heavenly Father that he would bless us with his Spirit. By the end of the lesson, everyone had tears in their eyes and had been touched by Heavenly Father's Spirit! They accepted our invite to give authorization for Talita's baptism and not only that but expressed their desire to be baptized as well! I know that they felt the Spirit! My companion, Sister Coutinho and I do not remember what we said yet know it wasn't us that was teaching but the Lord. The Holy Ghost was helping Talita and her family learn and understand exactly what they needed to hear. I know that if we are worthy God helps missionaries to be instruments in his hands. I know that he has a specific plan for each of Heavenly Father's children.

Talita and her family.

Remeber Claudio and his cousin, Miguel. They both  also went to all of General Conference! Sister Coutinho and I  are helping Claudio prepare for great things to come for him in his life; he has shown great interest in serving a full time mission someday! Claudio's cousin,  Miguel, we are teaching the lessons to and hope to invite him to be baptized this coming week. Those two are super excited and singing in the ward choir weekly! We will "press-on" with the work of the Lord! Have a great week!

(Left to Right) Sister Smart, Sister Coutinho, Claudio, Miguel.

The Holy Ghost works in perfect unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, fulfilling several roles to help us live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel.

He “witnesses of the Father and the Son” (2 Nephi 31:18) and reveals and teaches “the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). We can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost. His communication to our spirit carries far more certainty than any communication we can receive through our natural senses.

As we strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life, the Holy Ghost can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger.

Through Him, we can receive gifts of the Spirit for our benefit and for the benefit of those we love and serve (see D&C 46:9-11).

Brazil Melastoma Flower.

Image by Min Kong from Pixabay

The Book of Mormon Blesses and Transforms Lives!

Claudio was baptized this past week! Remember the young man that has long black hair that is longer than mine haha 😃. He had been taught in the past by Elders serving in the Piratininga area of São Paulo. He remembers them - their faces and what they did then;  their patience, love and devotion to teaching and each week leaving a message of hope with him. He said the Savior had prepared him and that he was ready to be baptized! That he realized that he was doing things that had led him  down a path that he knew he was not to be on. This area had not had missionaries in it for some time; he had waited for missionaries to be in the area again and said that Sister Coutinho and I were to help him be baptized and were sent to him for that purpose! The Elders prior had given him a Book of Mormon. He admitted that he had not treated it, for whatever reason, with the respect he felt it should have received at that time - placing aside and letting it collect dust. When he was being taught, I bore my Testimony of the Book of Mormon and at the end said, "Claudio, this is your Book of Mormon." He has read it and has gained a testimony of its contents! At that point, he felt that the Lord had forgiven him for his sins and  for the way he treated the Book of Mormon prior. He is an amazing young man! He told us that he will cut his hair and that someday he will serve a mission for the church. He was able to go to church with us this past Sunday and his cousin came to church with us too!

Claudio's cousin had seen the change and joy Claudio feels, so he wants to be baptized too! We will teach Claudio's cousin and prepare him for baptism soon. One can see a physical change in Claudio; from reading the Book of Mormon and being baptized. He now has joy in his eyes. He is happy. The Gospel changes lives - not only spiritually, but physically as well! Everyone in the ward here in Piratininga loves him.

I am keeping busy as I have been asked to help lead, and train six other sister missionaries. I am required to do splits or divisions with two of the six each week - so each week for a month then the process starts over again the following month. Sister Coutinho stays in our area with the other Sister in the companionship. It is hard work, yet rewarding work. I love each one of them! This Piratininga area of São Paulo that we are in is a large area. We often have only a certain amount of time to see those we teach and those that are preparing to be baptized each week so we often run to our appointments - so my right ankle is sore haha 😊. I have tried to tape it some.

Talita and  her family are doing well. Sister Coutinho  and I had tried to find them home this past week with no luck. However, they were able to come to church with us this past Sunday! At church, a return missionary spoke and bore a strong testimony; the Holy Ghost bore witness to Talita who ask us after the meeting, "what can I do to be baptized?" - now wants to be baptized too! We hope that her family can be baptized as well!

My parents told me before I came to Brazil that it would be hard to come home at the end of my mission; they are correct on that one. I  really enjoy serving Heavenly Father here in Brazil. I have been able to see many miracles and the impact of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon on one's life and how the Book of Mormon transforms one for the better! It truly blesses lives!

“There is a power in the book [Book of Mormon] which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (see D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance”  (President Ezra Taft Benson, 1899–1994).