Merry Christmas from Brazil!

Merry Christmas! We had a transfer on Sunday, December 9th. I will be staying here in Cidade Vargas for the time being with a new companion, Sister Ferres who is somewhat new to the mission field; she is awesome!

We recently found a man named Eduardo that we are hoping to baptize this coming week. He has already been to church! We will see what happens.

Remember I mentioned that we approached a young man walking home down the street in an area we were at. We haven't been able to find the boy home that was walking up the street but who knows what could happen in the future? Luis was a miracle that God sent to me for sure. I remember the first day we talked with him I had a strong feeling to talk  with him while he was sitting waiting for the bus.  We were able to go back to his house and teach him.  Sister Melo noticed he wasn't paying much attention and asked him why. He said that he was with a lot of things in his head, he was hesitant about going to church and didn't really want to go. Sister Melo then bore powerful testimony about the Plan of Salvation/Plan of Happiness with her dad passing away at the age of ten and how the gospel changed her life. He then said without a doubt that he would go with us to church on Sunday, December 9th. On that Sunday we taught him in front of the baptismal font and committed him the date to be baptized. Also, I have never seen anyone become friends with the other youth in a ward so fast. Before we knew it, he wasn't even wanting to talk to us Sister Missionaries anymore haha. Since he doesn't live near family we had to ask for authorization of his godparents. His godfather did not want to talk with us or let him be baptized. I had a strong feeling to to leave the form with him and it would work out; the next day we got there, to the church house he had it signed by his godfather. He was baptized this past Sunday by one of the youth. The smile I saw on his face as he looked back at me after his baptism is something that I will never forget! Eduardo wasn't baptized but we were able to see lots of miracles this past two  weeks.

President M. Russll Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve came to visit the mission just over two months ago. When he spoke to us as a mission he promised us if we talked with ten new people each day we would double our baptisms and we did - we doubled our baptisms this past transfer!  I am doing well and am happy! This last week was great; we are talking with and working with upwards of thirty-three investigators in the Vargas area of which seventeen are progressing! I am learning and the work is progressing tons. My new companion Sister Ferres. She is really,really great! We both were able to relax Christmas Eve during the day which is pretty new for us haha and spent Christmas Eve night with a family in our ward, Claudio and Eneida - they are an awesome family. Christmas will be spent in the house of another family where we will be calling my family via Skype.   Merry Christmas to each of you! I send my love to you all. 

Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign—Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14; 2 Nephi 17:14).

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; 2 Nephi 19:6).

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (St. Luke 2:10,11).

The Nativity

The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the priceless gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His birth is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God and the Redeemer of all mankind.

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. © 2012 by Intellectual Reserve. Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.mormon.org/Christmas)

Christmas Zone Conference.

This past Tuesday we had a family night with Rafael, one of our recent converts and Sandro, our eternal investigator haha. We went to the house of two members Claudio and Eneida. They have to be the cutest family I have ever seen. They both helped give the lesson and all felt the Spirit of Heavenly Father during the lesson. We had to leave because it was almost nine o'clock at night. We got up to leave and Rafael was still sitting in a chair. We didn't know what to do because he didn't want to leave. Claudio said that he could stay and come to find out he stayed till 10:30 talking with Claudio and Eneida. On Sunday when Rafael was confirmed, Eneida gave him a big hug. He said before baptism he didn't like suits and wasn't going to wear one to Church. We said that wasn't a problem. Needless to say he was in a suit on Sunday at church with the Book of Mormon we gave him in his hand! What a neat thing to see.

This past Saturday we checked on a referral given to us from one of the youth in one of the wards here in Vargas. He said that this young man had been to church once before, yet felt like he needed another visit. We went to the address given to us. A woman that came out said that nobody lived there with that name. In the distance I saw a young man coming up the side of the road and had a thought come to me that it was the young man we were trying to visit. We stopped him and sure enough it was him. We challenged him to come to church this coming Sunday. We hope he will be able to attend.

Recently, we found a young man named Luis. He had recently lost his mom. He invited us to enter his house so that we could leave a message. He lives with only his sister that is seventeen years old. He is very mature for being only sixteen. He is looking for the peace that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We were both giving the Restoration as our lesson. A moment later, Sister Melo noticed he wasn't paying attention. She stopped the lesson and began to share her testimony and talk about how she lost her father when she was young. We then said, "Will you go to church with us this coming Sunday?" Earlier he had some doubt but after she shared her testimony he said "yes" without doubt or hesitation. He went to Church this past Sunday with us! I have never seen a teenager gain friendship with the youth so fast. We are hoping to baptize him this week!

The past zone conference was the best! Also, we had a talent show and ate a bunch of wonderful food (too much). The best part was visiting with the other missionaries, my friends that I love! The mission office secretaries made a video of all of the missionaries families saying Merry Christmas that was shown at the zone conference! Thanks to my family for sending one. I loved it and cried a little haha - I know you all hate to be in videos! I got a nice Christmas package from my family. I have already opened everything early haha, I couldn't help it. I loved every bit of it, especially the cards and notes from many back home. It means more than you all will ever know and gives me a lot of strength!

(L to R) Sister Arruda, Sister Melo, Sister Smart at a mission zone conference.

We stayed in trio for only three days with Sister Arruda. She then went to stay with another sister but it was good for the three days. We are still doing the Christmas choir going around to the stakes to sing. Yesterday we were in Piratininga, Brazil - northwest of São Paulo. Here in the near future, the mission office staff is helping create a new Christmas video - watch for me singing in that one. I can not wait to here from my family on Christmas day via a Skype call.  My English should be a ton of fun to try and understand. Merry Christmas!

Temple Blessings and Singing Hallelujah to the Most High.

This week went by super fast. It seems like time is flying by especially since this week I will be on the mission for nine months! Merry Christmas to all of you! On Christmas day I will be able to have a Skype call with my family! Hopefully my English will come out okay because  I can't remember many words in English...so that should be fun to try and speak English 😄.

This week we had the opportunity to go to the São Paulo Temple on Tuesday, December 4th. My companion and I woke up super early in the morning at five am, and took the metro to the temple. It was nice to be in the Temple and feel so close to the Savior, it has made me realize how lucky we are to have temples so close to where we live in the states. Sister Melo, my companion often talks about how when she was in Brasilia, Brazil the members would do a caravan once a year to go to the temple. She would have to save money the entire year just to go. We are so lucky to be able to go to the temple weekly and feel so close to Heavenly Father, something I miss doing. It was also great to see a bunch of my old companions, and my friends that are missionaries that I rarely see. Also, more recently at some multi-zone mission conferences-it was great to see them!

Brazil São Paulo Temple.

Kaue is doing well and progressing; he knows he needs to be baptized but works on the weekends. Every potential convert has to go to church two times before baptism. For Kaue, this doesn't work to well when he works a ton of weekends. It's interesting how the adversary uses the smallest things to try and stop many from coming unto Christ and doing the right thing.

Cezar is doing well. Unfortunately he will most likely move and live with his sister who lives in Jardins area - (Jardims Miriam) which is not part of our area. Currently, he doesn't have a cell phone but we helped him get one and he promised that he would get in contact with the missionaries there using the church website. We will follow-up with the missionaries in that area.  We are praying, hoping he does. I know that God will provide a way for him even if it isn't with us to be baptized.

Rafael was able to baptized this week! He was in a lot of doubt and almost resisted but we helped him understand it will all be okay and that he is ready. He said after he was baptized that he felt "lighter" and very happy and that he is now on the path of God!

Sandro is doing well! I helped him to understand that now is the day he is to be baptized because we don't know if we have tomorrow and that I want to see him next to the God in the end. He promised me that he would be baptized. Also, Sister Melo and I are going to have a family night with an awesome member. We pray that this will help him.

The past two to three weeks, many missionaries/multi-zones have been singing Christmas hymns at various church buildings. It is a lot of fun! This week we might be in trio with another Sister. This past week God answered a lot of my prayers. I am very grateful for that!  Merry Christmas to all of you. Thanks for your love, support, and prayers!

Missionary Christmas Choir - Dec. 2018

Christmas Message by President Russell M. Nelson,
" [...] my deepest desires are for all of Heavenly Father’s children to have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and to heed His teachings and for Israel to be gathered as promised in these latter days. And I desire that we will believe and receive the love the Savior has for each of us. His infinite and perfect love moved Him to atone for you and me. That gift—His Atonement—allows all of His other gifts to become ours.

In a coming day—in that Millennium for which we are now preparing—'every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess' that Jesus is the Christ. And it won’t just be this magnificent Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square singing 'Hallelujah.' Every person who has chosen to follow Jesus Christ will sing and shout: 'Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.'  'The kingdoms of this world are to become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever,' 'King of kings, and Lord of lords.' ”

(2018 First Presidency Christmas Devotional, " Four Gifts That Jesus Christ Offers to You" By President Russell M. Nelson)

Peace In Christ and The Book of Mormon.

Hello from Brazil! About two weeks ago, we were hoping, as we were walking to church, that those that we invited to attend would be able to.  We didn't know for sure if anyone would be to church, but as we got there we saw that Sandro and another man we had invited to attend! We were able to sit with both of them at church! Also, about two weeks ago we found and began to teach a man named Cezar. He has committed to stop smoking. Also, he is married. Rita, who was recently baptized wants us to visit her so that we can show her how to pay tithing. Great joy in the little things - they make me happy.
This past week we began teaching a woman named Vanilda. We knocked on her door and went out to see who it was and smiled immediately recognizing us as Sister Missionaries. She invited us to enter and we began to talk with her. All that she had in her house was her bed that we could sit on and she invited us to join her and sit on the edge of her bed. We sat down and kept up the conversation and all of the sudden we hear and feel this loud crack. The next thing we know, we are all  sitting on the floor. She did however, mention that her bed was already broken somewhat on one side. Super awkward, yet we will try and help her get a new bed or see if the missionaries or others can help get it fixed.

We found a man named Kaue that asked us to share our message with him. He said that he has been looking for a church that isn't just created to gain money; we spoke of how our church does not pay its' clergy; moreover, all those that serve in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do so without compensation. He became more interested in learning more after talking with us for a bit. He was on his way for a vacation. We will plan to stop by his home this week to teach him more.
Cezar is doing well. Unfortunately, he is separated from his wife. When we went to his home she was there to pick up their child that sometimes stays with him. She was upset that he would not go to her church but would visit ours. Cezar said that he knew that the things we were teaching him were true and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. We left her with an invitation to read the Book of Mormon and go to church, however she declined but when we went to visit Cezar the next day he said that she was reading the Book of Mormon and wants to come to church with us! Very exciting! The Book of Mormon changes lives!  We will try and invite them to come to church this coming Sunday..
A man named Rafael that we have been teaching was at church this past week. He said that baptism will bring him the peace that he is looking for in his life! We are hoping to baptize him this week!

Dinner for tonight!

Rogerio has been to church two times now but keeps telling us he doesn't want to stop drinking and has some other challenges currently in his life. We will work with him on those things. Still teaching and working with Sandro too.
Remember I mentioned a multi-ward talent show. We had that this past week and it was awesome! Both Sister Melo and I sang with a teenager named Ruan that was recently baptized. We sang the song, "Peace in Christ" in front of everyone! It went well, better than expected. I never knew I could sing in front of lots of people. Several missionaries will be going to the temple tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 27th). I am looking forward to that. I hope that things continue to improve and we can plan to schedule a baptism or two this next week.Have an awesome week!

Sister Smart and Sister Thomson - I have not seen Sister Thomson for a long time.

Gratitude and Perseverance.

Hello from Brazil! Sandro keeps telling us that he isn't ready to fully accept what he has learned to be a great blessing; that of the Gospel  (even though we have born testimony to him that he is). He has not yet accepted the Savior's challenge to be baptized. We are praying for his acceptance soon. This past week we taught a teenager named Guillherme. Also, another teenage girl that we challenged to ask Heavenly Father by offering a prayer about the Gospel and the importance of baptism - we are hoping that even if no acceptance occurs now, a "seed" of truth and Gospel light can be nourished and grow to its potential in the future for each of them.

On the Tuesday (Nov. 6, 2018) Sister Lara stayed with both Sister Melo and I in the Vargas area. Sister Lara will soon be released as a missionary and return to her family and home. It was a very spiritual experience for me. I have learned a lot from her from the first day we met nearly seven months ago. She reminded me that when we do what God asks of us, He will always complete the rest. We need to trust in Him with everything that we have with a perfect knowledge that this is His work and He will always lead us and help us. We shed lots of tears at her departure from our apartment. It will be sometime before I see her again. She thanked me. I will miss her!
Another week ahead of us. We will continue moving forward with faith as we prayerfully seek those Heavenly Father has prepared for us.
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you in the states!

Book of Mormon, Helaman 5:12: “It is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, … it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“Our Father in Heaven does not wish us to cower. He does not want us to wallow in our misery. He expects us to square our shoulders, roll up our sleeves, and overcome our challenges.

“That kind of spirit—that blend of faith and hard work—is the spirit we should emulate as we seek to reach a safe harbor in our own lives. …

“Use your ingenuity, your strength, your might to resolve your challenges. Do all you can do and then leave the rest to the Lord” (“Finding a Safe Harbor,” Liahona, July 2000, 73).

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“Your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience.

“To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow” (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17).

Trials, Darkness to Gospel Light!

Hello friends and family! Hope things find you well.
About two and a half weeks ago we started teaching Sandro, a man we met and approached on the street. We taught all of the lessons at his home and taught especially about the Atonement. At one lesson, as I bore my testimony, he began to cry and knew then that what I was saying was true. He said that fifteen days ago he had prayed to God asking him to show him the path that he needed to follow and that God wanted for him. Not even two days later we stopped him on the street to talk with him and met him the first time. He said that was the day that changed his life forever. He said that we are the "hands" that are guiding him into the arms of the Savior. I remember the first lesson we left with him about ten days ago and the sadness and pain I saw initially in his eyes and the last lesson we recently left with him; the "glow" and "light" that I now can see in his eyes. Unfortunately, on a week prior to this past Saturday he has continued to tell us that he does not feel ready to be baptized.
Sister Melo and I have asked and challenged him to continue to pray to receive and answer of what he needs to do. He came to his teaching appointment and later that day to attend church with us; as we were anticipating that he would have received his answer of his hearts desire; he told us that he had slept only fifteen minutes the night before because he was praying about what he needed to do to be ready. He said that God told him he needed to fix things with his daughter and that whom he had not seen in many years. After sacrament meeting and with very little sleep he left to go and be with his daughter in Diadema - which is about an hour away. He said after he talked with her he had never felt more happy; he is also trying to resolve things with his wife. We again promised him that if he prayed God would give him an answer. He is doing everything he can to feel prepared to be baptized. The Savior has changed and is changing his life.   We hope he can be baptized soon and continue to progress.
This past week we found a lady that had been taught by the Elders some time ago. She told us that she wants to have some guidance from God and desires to seek his spirit and desires his help from the Holy Ghost as she is currently having some difficult trials.  We hope that we can help her and that we can have her come to Church with us soon.
Rita, who was baptized two weeks ago, is doing well. She is excited to pay tithing and continue coming to church. She still often reminds me that she still would like to get me some coconut water because I have never tried it before😊. She makes the hard days that missionaries experience just a little bit better. She is one of the sweetest ladies ever!
I will continue to "press on" and seek those that the Savior has prepared for his Gospel. God bless each one of you! Have a great week!

 "Intermingled with the joy and happiness, one thing is certain - there will be moments, hours, days, sometimes years when your soul will be wounded. [...] My message today is especially to those who are keeping the commandments of God, keeping their promises to God, and .. are confronted with trials and challenges that are unexpected and painful. [...] Along with the bright colors of happiness and joy, woven deeply into the fabric of our Father's plan, these struggles, although difficult, often become our greatest teachers. [...] Never give up. However deep the wounds of your soul,  whatever their source, wherever or whenever they happen, and for how short or long they persist, you are not meant to perish spiritually. [...] It is my promise to you that increasing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will bring you added strength and greater hope. [...] No injustice, no persecution, no trial, no sadness, no heartache, no suffering, no wound - however deep, however wide, however painful - will be excluded from the comfort, peace, and lasting hope of Christ."

(Elder Neal L. Anderson, General Conference, October 2018)

"The battle will rage on, but we will face them with the Spirit of the Lord. We will not be troubled, because when we stand with the Lord and stand for His principles and His eternal plan, we are standing on holy ground."

(Elder Ronald A. Rasband, General Conference, October 2018)

The São Paulo Metro, or Subway - Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo.

God is our Strength, Gospel Light and Rita's Baptism!

Beautiful São Paulo, Brazil.

This past week was difficult yet rewarding with lots of miracles! I have learned and gained an even stronger testimony regarding when we as members and missionaries do our part and have even more faith, the Savior will complete the rest. We were a bit nervous this past Tuesday as we went to an appointment to talk with Rita about what she thought about attending church and her feelings about baptism. Sister Melo and I had prior to Tuesday extended a challenge with an invitation for her to be baptized on Sunday the 21st of October. I had faith but was a bit concerned she was going to say that it was really sudden to be baptized; or that she would say she needed more time. She had been saying the week before she had went to church that she was needing more time. As we talked with her she suddenly says, "Oh, my baptism is on the 21st right? I want to be baptized." Sister Melo and I were in shock but filled with so much joy  and smiling from ear to ear! We had prayed all week that she would be protected and that nothing would stop her from being baptized.
We weren't able to talk with her on Saturday and were somewhat nervous that she had changed her mind. We had asked Heavenly Father for help to know that everything would be okay. I was reminded of a scripture in the Book of Mormon, in Alma 26, verse 5 and 12. I know that God saw our labors and work and that he blessed Rita, and both of us immensely. As we trust in the strength of God, with faith, he will help us do all things.

(Left to Right) Elder Dias, Elder Rogers, Sister Smart, Rita, Sister Melo

Sandro was also able to attend church with us. He is diligently reading the Book of Mormon and praying every day. He said that he feels lighter and happier and he feels the Spirit testifying to him of truth and light. He has changed so much. Now as I look into his eyes, I see joy and light instead of pain and darkness. We hope he will be baptized this coming week!

It has rained a ton which makes our work a lot harder. With rain as Spring is here and Summer approaching, the rain keeps everyone off the street; harder to talk to people and at times will not answer the door 😏. Needless to say I have taken a lot 'baths' in the rain being drenched from head to toe - even with the umbrella and rain coat we get soaked. When it rains here it is a huge downpour and ends with about a foot of water going down the streets that reside on the many hills. We are in the rainy season. It has rained almost everyday 😏. We are approaching Summer so then it will be super, super, super humid and hot. The missionary Vargas 'blitz' went well. It gave Sister Melo and I in this new area a little bit of a 'jumpstart.' One of the Sisters that was there for the blitz, Sister Larsen stayed in Vargas for about a week last transfer with the Sisters because her companion was sick. She  and other missionaries helped a lot!

I send my love. Thanks for the prayers, love, and support. Have an awesome week!

Sister Smart - "Having fun with the city map of the new area - Vargas - São Paulo, Brazil"