Sao Borja!

This week has been absolutely crazy to say the least. So I left the MTC @ 2am in Provo to the travel agency. Arrived at the airport to check in, then as I was sitting waiting for my flight I was browsing over my travel documents and I realized there was a really big error. I immediately called the travel agency and they said that they've never had this happen before so they neeed to call the consulate in LA. 

My flight for North Carolina was about to leave so they had me board the plane. I left Utah feeling crazy nervous if I was supposed to go to Brazil or not. So they asked me to call them back when I landed in NC. I called them when I landed and they still had no answer and asked me to yet call back again 40 minutes before my flight. So as I waited for the news I called my parents and told them the situation, dad just laughed and of course mom worried. After that I called the travel agency and they said that even with the problem I should still go to Brazil. 

So here I am in São Borja, Brazil. For those of you who don't know where that is, its very very south of Brazil, right on the Argentina border. Which means that its HOT!!! I have never felt such heat or humidity in my entire life. And trust me I love the heat. One of my favorite things I used to do was get into my hot car in the middle of summer and sit on the black leather seats. But down here its so so so so roasting hot. And as missionaries we walk ALOT! I really like the walking part though, it gives me a chance to memorize words and phrases. 

That brings me to a new point. The language. I left the MTC feeling pretty good about my language abilities. I wouldn't have called myself perfect by any means, but I felt confident in my ability to communicate with others.Lets just say this week my ego took a big blow. Leaving the MTC I understood 100% of what my teachers were saying... here I am lucky if I am listening intently and get 50-60%. So shoutout to any of you bi-lingual people out there. If any of you have a couple minutes help a sister out and give me some suggestions neh? It would be much appreciated.

Something else crazy down here- actually I think in all of Brazil- is no one and I mean no one has air conditioning. So when its super hot outside- which is all the time, even during the middle of the night- its better to be outside in the breezy air rather than the hot stuffy house. Crazy neh?

The people are so so so amazing though. My companion and I, and two other sistersre actually re opening the area. So when we arrived this week we have been working alot with members to help get to know the people who need us. Its exciting and really dificult at the same time. But Like Nephi 3 7 says the Lord knows what he needs. He will prepare a way for us to do his work.

My companion is Sister Claret. She is from São Paolo. So excited to have a native companion. Then I live with 2 other sisters. --Side note we inherited this house from the previous Elders who were in the area who left a disaster and left clothes, the bathroom was a wreck, the kitchen was a wreck, JUST EWW!, and they also left the missionaries with a bad name among the members. And nobody wants to feed us because when they had the Elders over they ate everything-- Anyways so one sister is from Washington the others are from Brazil. We never speak English though. It's awesome, because then I am forced to learn and fast. My new best friend is my pocket dictionary. Also I am getting really good at charades. My companion thinks it's hilarious.

I am excited to be a missionary. I am excited to share this beautiful message of love, happiness and hope with the people of São Borja. Seeing as how we are approaching Christmas- which is weird to think about seeing as how hot it is here- my savior has been close to my heart these last few weeks. I've been thinking of Him. He loves us more than we could ever know. Being a representative of Him as a missionary or as a member isn~t always easy- but was His ministry easy? I testify to you that no it was not. If you have time ready 3 Nephi 27-11-12. Jesus Christ atones for our sins. He came to the world for that purpose. He knew his purpose and knew it would be hard, but he understood the Father's plan for Him. Do we know the plan that God has for each of us and are we actively trying to better fulfill that? I love my Savior. I am proud each day to wear his name over my heart. I know that whether it be in English or broken Portuguese, the message we have as members of this church is a message of love, happiness, and hope. Em nome de Jesus Cristo Amén.

I love you all. Have an amazing Christmas and week. I couldn't be the missionary I am without each one of you who has touched my life significantly. So thank you and enjoy the cold weather.

Much love

Sister K. Seal