9 Months!

Good morning everyone!

How is everyone doing? Everyone getting ready to start school again? Wow, it feels like you all just got out for summer break, and yet school is just about to start all over again. 

Well, this week has been a good one. First, I hit the 9 month mark. Crazy, right? It feels like I just left. I am starting to realize that 1.5 years isn't long at all. 

So this week rained quite a bit. I have given up trying to understand temperature here in Brazil. Today is really cold and rainy, but yesterday we REALLY hot. It just makes no sense at all. But I am not complaining, because during the summer EVERY day was hot hot hot, at least I wake up wondering what is going to happen-- Keeps it interesting, you know?? 

Well we went to Meline's house this week and helped her do a few household projects. Also, she started reading 2nd Nephi and wasn’t understanding much so she made us some popcorn (I am kind of addicted to it here) and we taught her about 2nd Nephi. Way cool! 

Also, this week we went to the house of a less active. There is a less active member there that always promises me that he is going to be at church Sunday, but then is never there. So anyways we were teaching him, and I don't remember exactly what happened, but he asked me if I would marry him. To make it worse, his entire family was there. Yup, fulfilled my awkward quota for the week... I told him I wouldn't marry anyone who wasn't a return missionary. He said he's going to be at church Sunday. Well I guess we will see.

Speaking of church on Sunday we had 33 people!! It was so great to see that little building filled with 33 people. We were told to divide our area with a set boundary with the other sisters here in Panambi, and it was really hard, because the members all live on one side of the city, so it really took a lot of faith to be 100% obedient to what our Mission President said, but as soon as we decided that we would be 100% obedient we began to see the miracles. 

Well, that has been our week. It was really good. We are working REALLY REALLY HARD! I know that God loves his children here and will bless them with the miracles they need when they are obedient.

Mosiah 2:41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Well I love you all. Thanks for the letters and support!!

Transfers are this week so EVERYONE pray that I can stay here in Panambi mmkay??

Much Love

Sister K. Seal

So much rain!

Good morning Family!!

Wow this week has been a really good one. 

So first off... Well I have never ever ever seen so much rain in my entire life! Like really I almost drowned... Okay fine but it was a lot of rain. Kim said that she controls the weather and that I am not doing well enough at writing enough in these blogs and that is why I am having such bad weather. I am going to repent right now!!

Well this week at church was really great. First off we got a Ward Mission Leader!! Even though we have so few members we finally got a Ward Mission Leader. He is the husband of Meline (our recent convert). He was inactive for like 7 years. But he returned to the church and is SUPER STRONG!! He has a really strong testimony and even better he has some really great ideas for this branch. 

Well last week our Stake President came (he lives about 1 hour away) but it was really good because he gave a stellar talk that helped motivate the members that were there. He also stayed after to talk with us missionaries about our work here in Panambi. He told us that we need to focus our efforts on the inactive members. So we are going to try and really reactivate these members. 

We have been visiting these inactives this week. It is so sad to see how many people have left the church because there isn't a chapel here. How many people have lost hope that one day this church will be stronger here. I have been thinking a lot about how in 2 Nephi it talks about how God never said that this church would be huge, that everyone would eventually join the church. In fact God said that this church will be few in numbers. BUT we need to remember that that doesn't mean that it isn't the true church. THIS IS THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. The same church He organized when he was here. And size or popularity of any other church is not going to change that. 

Another cool thing this week I ate tacos 2 TIMES this week It is almost like I am right back at home. When I came to Brasil I thought the food would be similar to Mexican food. But really it is nothing like Mexican food. They don't even have taco seasoning here. But there is a member here who bought some taco seasoning to do a family night with us. It was SO GOOD. So if anyone is wondering what to send Sister K. Seal for her upcoming birthday... FIRST LETTERS. SECOND PHOTOS. THIRD TACO SEASONING... FOURTH PEANUT BUTTER. Haha :) 

Well Thanks so much for all the letters. I love you all so much. I am so lucky to have the best group of friends and family :)

Our next transfer date is August 12. But I am secretly praying to stay here in Panambi. So I guess we will see what happens. 

Love you all, 

Have a great week. 

Sister K. Seal

How did I do Kim... Did I earn 70 degree weather with some wind??

Surprise Birthday Party Planner

GOOD MORNING FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

How is everyone doing? Well, this week has been a really good one. Lots of hard work, but we have accomplished a lot!! 

So I have decided what my future career is...Surprise Birthday Party Planner. Haha, don't worry mom.  I am just kidding. But I found out that I am actually getting better at this whole hiding secrets thing. I don’t know if that is something I should be proud of. Haha. But really I threw 2 surprise parties for 2 of the sisters that I am living with. We had lots of fun. We had a barbeque and best part of the whole thing here in Brazil is they have a custom of throwing eggs on the person who is having the birthday, but I felt too bad to throw yucky eggs. So, instead I threw flour all over Sister Alves (I know Kim, you always say to be good to my companion...don't worry, I just live with Sister Alves.  She isn't my companion :)) 

Well, one lesson I learned this week is that we have many investigators that don't read the Book of Mormon, and without a doubt this is one way Satan prevents them from learning the truth.  But also this week, we had an investigator that read the Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants within 1 week’s time. The problem is, he went through it looking to prove it wrong, and with such haste that he truly couldn't have learned the truth. Satan also works like this.

Think about this. Even Jesus Christ had to learn line upon line and precept upon precept. It’s like it talks about in Alma 37 when we are told that this is how God works. We have to accept that we are going to learn here a little and there a little. Satan tempts us and tells us that we want it all and want it all NOW. But if our Savior and Master, even Jesus Christ had to learn step by step, then who are we to desire it all now. 

I know this church is true. I love my Savior. He truly came and suffered for us all, and all that he asks in return is that we follow him (2 Nephi 31) and keep his commandments (John 14:15)

Thanks for all the love and support. It really keeps me going. I hope everyone has an amazing week:)

Love you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LOGAN THIS WEEK!!

Sister K. Seal

Message to My Favorites!

Hey, I don't have too much to say this week just a heads up, so no blog post, just a message to my favorites;

I love you all. I am doing well. I keep thinking about the promise in my setting apart that said that there would be so much work, but not enough time to do it all. It is so, so true.

Well, sorry for the lack of words this week. Next week will be good. There are 2 sisters having birthdays this week and I am throwing a surprise party with a member. So, good photos to come as well.

I love you all.

Thanks for the letters and love.

Sister K. Seal

Fireworks for the 4th of July?

Oi Good Morning!!

Well is not really too much to share this week. It has literally flown by. It feels like I was just sitting down writing everyone, but I will try to muster up something to say:

1. Well I guess one exciting thing Brazil won on Friday, which means one game closer to competing in the final game this Sunday. Wow, are Brazilians crazy for their soccer. They all love the world cup, but the majority of them are really upset in how much money Brazil spent to finance this world cup. So I just hope Brazil wins or it could get pretty ugly here. 

2. Loved the 4th of July photos mom!! Looks like a lot of fun. I actually saw fireworks here too... Believe it? Haha Jk these fireworks were for the Brazil soccer game that so happened to be on the 4th of July too! But it was fun to spend a 4th of July on the mission. I made an apple pie and we kind of celebrated at my apartment. 

Well this is kind of pathetic, but that is about all the news that I have for the week. Sorry, I am a lame missionary this week. Will be better!

Much love for all the cards and letters--

Sister K. Seal

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Red lipstick for the 4th of July!

Festa Junina

Good Morning Friends and Family!!

So this week has flown by and I don't have a whole lot to relate about this week. Well okay I will try to come up with a couple of interesting things:

Well, we had our Festa Junina! It was a blast. I sent some pictures I hope you like. We dressed up- yes don't worry I didn't actually lose my front tooth Kimmy! We made some great food and it was fun. Only down side it has been raining this whole week. No joke I haven't seen the sun since last Sunday. Sad story, I know. But anyways, so because of the rain we didn't have all of our investigators we invited come. But hey, we still threw a pretty awesome party all things considered. 

Also, this week we had transfer calls. Good news. I am staying here in Panambi. Really I already told President I want to stay here for the rest of my mission. He hasn't responded yet, so I will let you know how that goes. JK. 

Well Brazil is still in it to win it in this world cup. I know I know I am American, but I think I am starting to turn into a real Gaucha-- Like southern Brazilian. Well I hear Michael has been watching the games I just want to make sure he knows that the team that is going to take it home is BRAZIL!! 

Well, folks, that is about it for this week, Thanks for all the continued letters!! My zone leaders are going to pick up all the mail from the office in Santa Maria this week and I am excited to get some good updates from everyone. Thanks Papa, Kim, and Grandma for all the cards I have gotten here in Panambi!!

Well, I love you all, 

Quick Spiritual thought:

Today I was studying in D+C 101 and I read the parable of the vineyard. I love the idea that really God knows best how to protect us from Satan's grasp. He loves us and gave us the tools to keep us protected, but how many times do we lull ourselves into false security and say to ourselves we don't need to study more because we already have a strong testimony. This truly is one of Satan's tactics. Every day we need to grow our knowledge learn more and build our testimony so that when Satan attacks (Helaman 5:12) That we can be strong enough to fight him off.

I love you all. I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love this work. I love my Savior. 

I hope you all have amazing weeks! Eat some good barbeque for me on the 4th of July. 

Sister K. Seal

You're Officially Invited...

June 23

Morning Everyone:)

What a week. Okay actually we didn't do a whole lot this week, it has been pretty slow, but I do have a few highlights:

Well first off. We had 23 people at church yesterday!!! That is double what it was when I first got here in Panambi! I can really see the Lord helping us out here in His work.

Also we are working a lot with a recent-convert/less active of the last sisters that were here. It is so sad to see how people choose to be baptized because of the missionaries instead of testimonies. It happens WAY TOO OFTEN! Anyways his name is Fabio. He is really great. This week he gave us 2 references to contact. And one of his friends (one of the references) was at church yesterday. So we are really excited to help both strengthen the testimony of Fabio by helping him help his friend. (I hope this is all making sense, living with only Brazilian sisters is killing my English).

Also this week I learned a valuable lesson and figured I could pass this lesson along: You can't cook an egg with the shell in the microwave. So here in Panambi we don't have very many members, so we cook our own food at home for lunch. So one day this week my companion was boiling her egg on the stove top, when our gas went out. So she, trying to be clever, put the egg in a dish with water in the microwave. She sat down and all the sudden there was a loud noise coming from the microwave she went to look in the microwave but as soon as she got right in front the container exploded. No worries my companion is now fine, we all gave a good laugh and made a new house rule, but it did give us a little shock.

So mom said Kimmy keeps asking for a daily agenda here in Brazil: It really is just the same thing every day. We wake up at 6:30, write in our journals, eat breakfast, then study, study, study. Then we go to lunch. I already have recipes that I plan to bring home and make for everyone!! Then we have appointments from 1:30 until 8:30 meeting with the families we are teaching. Sometimes we have Family nights like the cookie Picture from last week. Then we come home, plan for the next day, and go to bed. I wish there was some exciting thing to share, but well, it’s the same thing every day.

Well, I did want to send you all an invitation to our Festa Junina. You are all invited it is going to be Saturday here in Panambi!! Jk:)

I love you all. Thanks for the letters and support. It means the world to me.

Well, this next week is transfers. I have no doubt that I am staying here. Which is good, because I love it here!

Well until Next week,

Much Love,

Sister K. Seal

“Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple‍ things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

“And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” (Alma 37:6–7.)