Ola meu amigos!
What a powerful last week I have had! Life here at the CTM, while it may feel the same everyday and feel like each day is a year long, is going by so fast and full of great opportunities to learn.
Some updates from this last week:
- I am no longer a district leader... I am now a zone leader with my companion Elder Mortenson! For those who don't know, a zone leader is in charge of a couple of districts within an area. In Elder Mortenson and I's case, we are over a few of the english districts here and our job is to make sure all are well and that assignments are given before Church on Sunday.
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"Ive given you 3 hugs" -Elder Mortenson 2023
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- One of my new favorite quotes comes from a conference talk I listened to titled "Just Keep Going—with Faith" by Elder Carl B. Cook. He refenced a quote from Joseph Smith which said "Stand fast, ye Saints of God, hold on a little while longer, and the storm of life will be past, and you will be rewarded by that God whose servants you are, and who will duly appreciate all your toils and afflictions for Christ’s sake and the Gospel’s. Your names will be handed down to posterity as Saints of God". I love how this relates to missionary work. I will admit, missionary work isn't easy and some days are harder than others but when we "hold on a little while longer", the blessings are that much more enriching!
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Idk how Sister Winder puts up with me
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- We had a few substitues this last week because our teacher, Irma Torres, broke her key in her door to her house and had to go to the doctor one day for a health check. The substitutes we had were awesome and very funny (they also gave us a break from our ALL portuguese classes since they didn't realize what week we were on at the CTM XD)
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| Meu amigo novo |
- I met someone this week who knows my BYU roommates sister! When I mentioned I knew the person we were practically family right then and there! (He also speaks some english which is really handy for communication)
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Our sleeping prank we did during portuguese class
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- On the idea of learning Portuguese.... I'm improving!! I am now at the point that I can pick out small words here and there and communicate with other missionaries but to improve, I am challenging myself tomorrow:
NO ENGLISH FOR 24 HOURS!
Ngl, I'm kinda scared but excited at the same time!
- With today being the 4th of July, we got to sing The Star-Spangled Banner for class and they also decorated the cafeteria in red, white, and blue (amarelo, branco, e azul em portugues). It really made my day to see it like that.
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| Cafeteria decorations |
- I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but the CTM has these vending machines with various candy in them. We are given 12 dollars each day to spend on treats and I have been stocking up so I have some sweets once I get to the field. THANK YOU GRANDCOFFEE VENDING MACHINES!
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| I forgot to flip the camera |
- I still have a cold 🤧🤣
That about sums up my week. A final thought I would like to leave with you is something found in the
newest edition of "Preach My Gospel" (A book the church and missionaries use to teach lessons and guidance in our work). Within Preach My Gospel, there is a section dedicated to the attributes of Christ and the newest edition adds an attribute that I feel is vital for our present day: INTEGRITY.
Having integrity is what keeps us true to ourselves and helps us hold true to what we believe. Remember that!
I hope everyone is doing well and that you have an awesome 4th of July!
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| Sonic Batteries from Dad |
Falou!
-Elder Fisher
