December 12, 2016

We had a Family Home Evening on Monday with the Bishop and his family and 2 of our investigators and their 3 year old son. It went really great! 

We shared a few short videos about Christmas and how we can get more into the Christmas Spirit. #SejaALuzDoMundo #LightTheWorld (Mormon.org) If you haven't already watched the videos be sure to watch them! They are great! Also, the church has a campaign 25 ways for 25 days to get into the Christmas Spirit. Each day has a topíc and then different ways that we can serve others, be a light, and get into the true spirit of Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

-One day we received money for lunch and so we went to look for a really good restaurant that a member had taken us to before. Sister Muniz and I see it almost every single day when we are walking to visit people but every time we go to look for it to actually eat there, it disappears. We searched for quite a while and then finally found it! It is seriously the best Brazilian food ever! 

-We were having language study and we were teaching our companions english and then one Sister said "Wow this is something I thought I would never see, an American and a Canadian laughing at each other's accents!"

We had training with President Hart this week! If we are humble we are always looking to improve and we will accept that we won't be perfect. If we are humble, we will rely more on our Savior and the help that He will give us. We will be obedient because of our love for God not because we feel like we are obligated to do something. When we are obedient to the commandments God will give us the spiritual power that we need to face our daily challenges. 

Have a wonderful week! 

-Sister Hancock

December 5, 2016

This week was wonderful! I saw so many miracles! 

On pday we made Tacos!!!

We taught a lesson in the rain on Wednesday! I gave my umbrella to our investigator and we taught in the rain. Then on Sunday we left our umbrellas at home because it was really hot in the morning and there were not many clouds. As we were about to leave a lesson it started pouring, so we ended up walking to our next lesson in the cold rain!

We ate Doge Doce together on Friday!

This past Sunday we had 12 investigators at Church!!! It was super exciting! 

Valdecir

A few weeks ago I told a story about a man who showed up to sacrament meeting. 

On Sunday November 6th we were in Sacrament meeting and sitting at the front. A member came up and said there was a man at the back of the chapel that just showed up. We rushed back to sit and talk with him. He told us that the night before he had a dream that there were two girls that invited him to an activity but before he saw the location he woke up. The next morning he left his house to go for a walk, not knowing where he was going. He walked by the church and for some reason felt like he should enter. He walked in and sat at the back feeling a little sad and confused. At that moment we walked over and sat on either side of him. He started to cry and a little later said that when we sat next to him he felt that two angels sat next to him.... 

We talked with him that afternoon and learned more about his life. Then again on the next Wednesday. He was going through some personal problems. He wasnt really accepting our message. We decided to return the next day. He still didn´t accept our message and he didn't want to change. We continued visiting him almost everyday or so. About a week later he made the decision to change his life and follow what we were teaching him and the things that God had put into his life. After he made the decision to change and rely on the Savior he really started to progress. We set his baptism for 2 weeks later, December 3rd and he accepted! 

This past Saturday December 3rd, Valdecir was baptized! It was a really happy day! When he came up from the water he had a smile of pure joy on his face.

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to see him change his life through the help of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His gospel. I know this Gospel is true and that through Christ we can change our lives. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Love, Sister Hancock

November 28, 2016

Happy late Thanksgiving everyone! We didn't celebrate it here in Brazil. It was just another normal day with beans, rice and chicken. 

On Monday we got fed two dinners. We went to one girl's house who is on a foreign exchange, from the United States, here in Brazil. We got to know her family and they ended up feeding us dinner. We ate, shared a message and then left to a different investigator. We arrived and she had also made dinner for us. We were so full but we ate again anyway. The food was delicious, but we were so full! 

 

My District

On Tuesday we had Zone Conference with Presidente Hart! 

``Faith is not only believing that God can do something, Faith is believing that he WILL do it.``

The four of us from Autodromo and our Zone leaders

I learned a lot during zone conference. We talked a lot about learning by the Spirit. The process of learning: 1) Listen or Read something 2) Learn, Search, Think, Ponder 3) Feel 4) Write, plan, make goals, and remember 5) Do and follow up on the plans 6) Become. This Process leads to repentance, change and conversion.

The rest of the week we taught lots of lessons, had weekly planning, had a ward activity, had exchanges, and stake conference. 

John 15:5

We should teach all gospel principles not as unrelated ideas but as appendages of the Atonement. By doing so we can make the Savior that center of our teaching and our lives. If we make Him the center, we are promised growth strength and nourishment. 

Eu amo todos vocês! 

-Sister Hancock 

An Elder brought his Ukulele to church!

November 21, 2016

The weather is LOCO! One day it was chilly when we left the house and then it was super, super hot an hour later. Then it was really windy! And about 10 minutes later it poured! Then it was really cold, hot, cold again, rained again and then really cold. All in one day. 

Some quotes and experiences from this week with some of our investigators. 

-We asked one of our investigators if he had prayed about our message and he said he had gotten home at around midnight. He prayed and said "When I prayed I felt a peace that I had never felt before. All I wanted was to keep that feeling forever."

-"I made a decision to change my life. God has put this gospel into my life and I need to follow it."

-"Wow, before you even asked me if I would pray, I already had the desire to pray and know if this is true. The story of Joseph is so beautiful and I felt such a peace and joy when you shared it."

-"I already know this is the right path for me. I didn't know this was what I needed. I felt that I was missing something in my life and now I know what it was. I will do anything I need to in order to follow this path and help my kids follow it too."

I am seeing miracles everyday how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is helping people change. Through faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost we can be changed. I know this Gospel is true and through the Gospel our lives can change and we can become better. 

Mosiah 24:15

All of us have to face challenges. Jesus Christ suffered, sacrificed and atoned for each one of us. He can understand exactly what we are going through and how to help us because He has already suffered for us and has felt everything. The Book of Mormon can give us the confidence and assurance of His power to comfort us. We need to have faith in His power that can give us patience to face our challenges. When we wait and pray with patience, Jesus Christ will give us the strength we need. 

I love you all! 

-Sister Hancock

November 14, 2016

This week was crazy, but wonderful! 

We were able to visit a lot of investigators and are able to work more and more with the members! 

 Sister Pereira and I. We arrived here together four months ago and are both training a new sisters

 My new companion, Sister Muniz, and I

We were talking with one on our investigators who had cried during sacrament meeting on Sunday. She said her friend who was already a member was asking why she was crying and she said something like ``Are you even listening to what people are saying! It is so beautiful! I know that the things people are testifying of are true! 

One Wednesday it rained A LOT!!! We were walking on the sidewalk and a huge bus passed and we got sprayed with water (Like in movies where a car passes and the people get completely soaked). It was exactly like that. We were soaked! 

We taught another woman this week who realized how much she really needs the Gospel! We told her of how living the Gospel will bless her life and she is so excited to come to church and learn more! 

We were walking from the edge of the boundary which is quite far and we decided we would call an investigator to see if she was home before we walked all the way there. I called and said "Hey it is the Sisters!" She said "I already knew it was you when heard the phone ring! You can come over right now! Beijo! Tchau!" and then hung up. So we went right over. We taught her more about the gospel of Jesus Christ and she accepted the baptismal challenge! She said she would pray again but that she already knew and felt that the things we were saying are true! 

I saw Ether 12:27 in a new light this week that I had never thought of before. 

  27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

One of my favorite parts isn't that weak things can become strong, but it is that "if men come unto me." If we are realizing how many weaknesses we have it means that we are closer to our Heavenly Father and trying to rely and come unto Him. If we think we are completely okay and that we don't have anything we really need to change it means that we are farther from our Heavenly Father. We are always going to have weaknesses and we have weaknesses because it gives us the opportunity to truly come unto Christ and rely 100% on Him and His Atonement. AND through Christ and His Atonement he can turn our weaknesses into strengths. 

I love you all! Thanks for the emails and support! :)

Have a wonderful week! 

-Sister Hancock

November 7. 2016 Trainer and New Companion

On Monday we found out that Sister Ferreira and Sister Sousa were getting transferred and the Sister Pereira and I would be staying in Autodromo! On Tuesday morning we found out that Sister Ferreia, Sister Pereira and I were going to each be training a new missionary!

The rest of Tuesday we went and met with a lot of people that Sister Ferreira wanted to say goodbye to. Then on Tuesday night, our last night all together we didn't have any electricity or lights! We were without lights/electricity/hot water for about 4 days this week! 

On Wednesday we had a meeting with the new trainers and then in the afternoon met our new companions!!! 

My new companion is Sister Muniz! She looks like an American, but she is from Brazil Campinas. She is waiting for her VISA to go to her actual mission in Florida! She will probably be here in Curitiba as my companion for about one or two months! She doesn't speak much English but she will teach me Portugues and I will teach her English!

This week we visited all of the 15 investigators that I had at the end with Sister Ferreira and then spent a lot of time walking, knocking doors, talking to people on the streets and teaching people. 

One day we taught a lesson and the guy had TEN golden retrievers!!!! As we were walking out they all followed me and were jumping up on me. I asked the guy if I could take all of them home with me but he said that I couldn't... haha. 

On Sunday we were in Sacrament meeting and sitting at the front. A member came up and said there was a man at the back of the chapel that didn't know anything about the church. We rushed back to sit and talk with him. He told us that the night before he had a dream that there were two girls that were missionaries and they invited him to something but before he saw where it was he woke up. The next morning he left his house to go for a walk, not knowing where he was going. He walked by the church and for some reason felt like he should enter. He walked in and sat at the back feeling a little sad and confused. At that moment we walked over and sat on either side of him. He started to cry and a little later said that when we sat next to him he felt that there were two angels sitting next to him and he felt comforted. 

I love being a missionary! I have learned sooo much this past week! Each day as I teach and testify more and more, the more I realize that this truly is the one true church on the earth. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and our ability to be changed and become closer to Christ. I know that Jesus Christ lives and that he can help us with any challenge or weakness that we have!!!

I love y'all! Have an incredible week!

-Sister Hancock

October 31, 2016

Note from Emily's Mom - Sorry no pictures. Emily sent them in a different format, and I could not access them. We will work on that.
 

This week was pretty great! It will probably be the last week that the four of us will be together because we have transfers on Tuesday or Wednesday! We still don´t know what will be happening with transfers so I will update y'all next week! 

On our P-day last week I ate sushi for the first time!!!

Then after we ate lots and lots and lots of sushi we went to the Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful day!

On Thursday we had a conference with an area 70, Elder Aidukaitis! It was wonderful!!!! The spirit was so strong and we learned a lot. He talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and how it is the word of God. The Book of Mormon is either of God or it is of the Devil, it can't be in between. If you read the Book of Mormon and ask yourself about each verse... Does this bring me closer to God? The answer is always yes. All of the chapters testify of our Savior Jesus Christ and the Love and Power of God for his children here on the earth. 

After the conference about 5 missionaries had the chance to talk to Elder Aidukaitis! I got the chance to talk to him one on one for about 8 minutes. He asked me about my mission and how everything is going. I know that he is a representative of Jesus Christ and is called of God. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true and that God calls Prophets and Apostles today. 

October 24, 2016 Temple

Este semana fui muito bom! Only a week until transfers! I can´t believe I have already been in Brasil for almost 4 months! 

Here are some pictures from our p-day last week when we got to go to the temple!!! 

It was such a great opportunity and I was able to feel ``at home`` at the temple and so much peace and joy. I know that I am in the right place and I am truly starting to love being here. 

On Thursday 3 of my recent converts and 3 recent converts of the other Sisters in our area all went to the temple to do Baptisms! We didn't have the opportunity to go. But Antonio told us on Sunday that it was a wonderful experience for him. All of our recent converts are doing great, are firm in the gospel and are continuing to grow!

Thursday-Saturday we taught lots of lessons. One of the lessons was with an 18 year old boy. He has said that he has a "hard head" and is super smart! He has been reading the Book of Mormon and a few weeks ago, he asked to take the Gospel Principles book home. The book has about 40 chapters each only about 4-5 pages, but he has already read about 30 of the chapters in the last few weeks! We asked him "do you believe in prophets?" and he said that he still doesn't believe. Then we asked if he believed in the Book of Mormon and that Joseph Smith translated the Book through the power of God. He said, "Yes, when I read it I can feel that is true." We than told him that he believes in prophets. He said "Whoa, I do believe in prophets! I guess I never thought about it like that!"

We had another lesson with a girl who is friends with a member. We asked if she believed these things are true. She got the biggest smile on her face and said that she believes the things we are teaching her are true! Whenever we teach her something she always says "QUE LINDA!" Which means, "how beautiful!". The gospel and truth of the gospel truly is beautiful!

We had lots of other lessons and it was a good week! On Sunday it was the Primary program, where all the children in the ward sat on the stand and sang, read scriptures and gave short talks. Todo mundo chorou. The spirit was so strong that basically everyone cried. It is amazing to see how strong the spirits are of children. We should all be humble like the little children. When Christ visited the people he said that the children said wonderful things. This past Sunday the children said wonderful things. 

October 19, 2016

Our Pday was changed to Wednesday this week because we get to go to the temple today!

Last Pday we went to a cool Garden here in Curitiba. It had some waterfalls, and some really pretty flowers! We walked around and took lots of pictures! 

 

On Tuesday one of the members took us to Pizza Hut. The Pizza Hut Buffet here in Brazil is really fancy and the pizza here is incredible! I ended up eating 8 slices! (More than the other sisters). We were so full and then they drove us to McDonald's for ice cream! We were so full and thought that they were kidding. "uh, is this a joke?"  But they said they weren't kidding and that we had no choice. So we accepted. 

During the days we have been walking around and teaching our investigators! Then in the evenings often times we have family home evenings with recent converts or members and our investigators. 

Yesterday we were walking home from meeting with a less active member. It was pouring and between the 4 of us we only had one umbrella. I chose to walk out in the rain because we were walking really slow and we were still getting soaked. Sister Sousa joined me and she said "We are taking a shower in the rain and when we get home we wont need to take another shower!!!" 

Sister Sousa and I soaking wet after "tomando banho na chuva" Taking a shower in the rain!

It has been a good past week! I hope all of y'all have a wonderful week!

"Sometimes we don't believe in ourselves, but God ALWAYS believes in us."

-Sister Hancock

October 10, 2016 Sick... :(

This past week was sadly pretty uneventful because I was sick from about Tuesday night-Saturday!

On Monday our district leader bought us PIZZA!!! Our District this transfer is just the 4 of us sisters and 2 Elders. It was seriously the best pizza I have ever had in my life! 

Tuesday we taught lots and lots of people! 

Wednesday we had district meeting in the morning and we went a little bit early and made buruacas, a banana milkshake and brought a cake that we made, because the Elders had bought us Pizza. 

One Elder said, "All the pictures I have of our district we are always surrounded by lots of food."

Since I was sick this week we had to stay in our house for a few days. I was able to catch up on lots of sleeps, general conference (which I downloaded in English), and scripture study, but it wasn't super fun to stay inside all day! 

On Friday we finally left the house and taught 6 people. On Saturday we had to stay in our house again and then on Sunday I was completely back to normal! 

I had some time this week to watch some of General Conference again. I really loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk in Women´s conference!

Faith is powerful, but no matter how much faith we have it can't violate another persons agency or we can't force our will on God. We don´t always know why things happen or why certain prayers go unanswered, but in the end ALL things will make sense. Trust that God loves you perfectly. I know that God loves all of us and "all things will work together for those who love God." 

Love y"all! Thanks for the emails and support! 

-Sister Hancock

Attachments area

October 3, 2016 General Conference

This week was wonderful! It really is such a blessing to teach and serve the people here in Brazil Curitiba.

One day we were at lunch and the member told us to eat more, like they always do, and so I got up and got more food. Then I sat down and was eating and the lady came over and dumped a huge piece of chicken on my plate! I was already full and I had already gotten seconds. I was the only one that she gave more food to and I had to eat super fast so that I wasn't still eating 10 minutes after everyone else was done. 

 

On Thursday a sister got a call and the Elder said that Elder Holland would be coming tomorrow. Obviously he was joking because General Conference was this weekend but Sister Ferreira got excited and said "I need to dye my hair," and then Sister Pereira said, "I need to repent." The contrast between these two priorities was really funny! We didn't have a conference with Elder Holland, but on Friday we did have a conference with President Hart. 

During the conference we talked a lot about the training program and how we can be better missionaries! As missionaries we need to work with all of our heart, might, mind and strength! A great missionary gives their heart completely to go through hard, diligent work and then God will return blessings of spiritual power and strength. 

One evening we were walking home and I said "Vamos fazer buracos!" instead of  "vamos fazer buruacas," So I accidentally said LETS MAKE HOLES!!! instead of pancakes! 

For conference weekend we brought 2 investigators. One of them came on Saturday afternoon and the other came to the other three! The investigator that came to Saturday morning really enjoyed it. He came on his own to both of the Sunday sessions. We talked to him after the Sunday sessions and asked him about it. He said that he has never enjoyed going to church, but for some reason he really likes coming to the LDS church. He said he has always been anxious, but when he comes to church and when we are at his house teaching him he feels calm and peaceful! It is incredible to see him changing his life and his true desire to feast upon the word of God. 

Conference this weekend was wonderful! We watched all of the sessions in Portugues at the stake center, but I was able to understand almost everything. On Sunday the four of us wore our coral dresses that a lady in another ward made for us. A lot of people asked us if we were going to be singing in the choir today. One person asked if this was our new uniform. It was really funny to see everyone's reaction of the 4 of us walking around in the same style dress. Normally every Sunday we color coordinate but this Sunday it was the exact same dress.  

I loved all of the talks and one the really stood out to me was Elder Bednar. 

How can we better come to know the Savior? We must exercise faith, followH im, serve Him and believe in Him. Can you follow Him and have faith in Him but not believe in Him and His promises? Some people think that the blessings of the Atonement only apply to others, But the amazing thing is that the blessings are for every single person! He is talking about YOU! Believe in Him and in His promises. Believe that we can be made clean and pure through the Atonement. Believe that we can overcome literally every challenge in life. If we put our trust in the Savior, He will lift us up and strengthen us through our trials. We will have more peace and more joy in life. I know that Jesus Christ died for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US! I know that He was resurrected and He lives. Because He lives we can be cleansed from sin and live with Him and our Heavenly Father again. He sacrificed for you.

 

Eu sei que Jesus Cristo nos ama e que ele é o Salvador e Redentor do mundo. Eu sei que a Expiação aplica a todos nos. Eu sei que Jesus Cristo vive e nos precisamos ter fé nele e acreditar com todo poder, mente, forca e coração.  

I love y'all! Have a wonderful week! 

-Sister Hancock

September 26, 2016

This week was wonderful! We didn't have much time to knock on doors and look for people because all of our days were packed with lessons! This week we decided to focus on the 20 people we have that are investigating. All of them are at different stages. Once we decided to concentrate on these 20 people the members gave us a contact at almost every lunch this week! It is wonderful because we are starting to work more with the members!!!

Now that it is officially spring here the amora trees are starting to ripen. It is a fruit tree that has little berries similar to blackberries! As we walked from one lesson to another we found a lot of trees! So now when we are hungry we know where to find free food! One day we carried a little container and filled it up with berries! 

One day we went to teach a family the plan of Salvation! It was a super great lesson and the spirit was really strong. The family who has two boys (11 and 1) and one girl (7) The lesson went really well and the kids had lots of questions! And we used our little cut out plan of salvation and they loved it! The boy said "your Portugues has improved since last week!" Then, when the 7 year old offered to say the closing prayer, in her prayer she said "thank you that the sisters have not given up on us, because we haven't gone to church yet." It was the sweetest thing! 

One day we went to lunch and there was another couple there. The members always say ``Eat more Sisters!`` and usually I do. That day I was the only one who ended up getting more food and the guy said ``we will only invite Sister Hancock to lunch at our house because she is the only one who knows how to eat!

This week was great! General Conference is this weekend! Take the time to prepare to listen to the words of the prophets and apostles!!! Think of questions you want answered! I know that as you listen to conference your questions will get answered and you will get guidance you need to face the challenges of life! I will get to watch it in Portugues so I might not catch everything... But I can´t wait!!!

All is well for me here! I love your emails and thank you for your support!

Love you all!

-Sister Hancock

September 19, 2016

This week was great! We got to meet with President Hart twice this week!!! On Tuesday we had a meeting with him and all of the 12 trainers/trainees. President is trying to introduce the training program that all missions are supposed to use because the president before him didn't use it. So basically nobody in the mission actually knows how to train or be trained. He is using us as his guinea pigs to help him figure out how to use the program because we are his first group.

We have been teaching Sister Sousa random phrases in English. On Tuesday she told President the two phrases she knows "you are not the boss of me" and "you are so cute." He laughed and said ``when I said every missionary should learn English on their mission I meant more about the gospel!``  

On Sunday night he invited the 4 of us sisters and 2 Elders to his house to help him more about the 12 weeks training and what we did in the CTM, because he has a group of 16 missionaries coming on Tuesday! We helped him and then got to eat ice cream with him and his family! President said that when Sister Sousa said that he wasn't the boss he almost sent her home to show her who is boss (100% joking). Then he told her to tell all the phrases she knows to Sister Hart. She said she learned a phrase about the Gospel! "Do you want to be my plan of salvation?"

 

Other highlights from this week:

-One of the days it looked like it was going to rain and then as we were walking to our house to get umbrellas it just starting pouring. `CORRE SISTER!``. We ran to our house but we got soaking wet. 

-Every night we read the scriptures together. One night we read with the other 2 sisters that live in our house. I read in Portugues, S. Ferreira read in English, S. Sousa read in Spanish and S. Pereira read in French. We took turns each reading a verse and it was really cool! 

-Sister Pereira´s Birthday was on Friday. All week we had been saying how her birthday was on Friday and then when her birthday came we all pretended to forget and then threw a surprise party for her that night! We made a cake and couscous and blew up balloons! 

 

 

-On Saturday we started to teach an English class for anyone that wants to learn. One girl learned to say "don't ask me," and then she said that whenever we asked her a question. 

-I have already finished one transfer! The 4 of us are staying in this area for at least the next 6 weeks because we are still being trained. 

I love you all! I know that this church is true and that God loves and knows each one of us more than we can comprehend! 

-Sister Hancock

September 12, 2016

This week we were able to visit a lot of people! Of the 15 people that I said we had to visit last week, 6 of them agreed to come to church and 4 of them actually ended up coming. We do not have a car and the 4 people each live in different houses that are not close to each other. So to actually get them all to the church was difficult. We went and got two of them and then walked to church with them and then left them with the other sisters, left again to get the other two and then walked again with them back to church! Lots of walking! But it is all worth it because we got them to church!!! 

One day we walked about 4 miles... actually more like 10. We walked all the way to one side of the border (of the area) to meet with one of our investigators and then had a meeting on the opposite side with another investigator! A LOT OF WALKING!!! But, like I said before, I don´t mind all the walking when we are actually able to meet with the people here! 

 

The best parts of my day usually revolve around food. Everyday the members feed us, but if we don't have a lunch appointment we go back to our house and make couscous. Wednesday we had a zone conference and then after we had lunch with the Mission President that seriously was the best food I have ever had. Then that night we had a ward activity... with more food. Thursday we have our weekly free hamburger at Doge Doce. Friday there was a wedding for someone in the ward (more food). 

On Saturday morning we had the opportunity to take one of our recent converts, Antonio, to the grounds of the Curitiba Temple. It was wonderful and the Spirit was so strong even on the outside of the temple. 

On Saturday night we went to visit a member and she gave us this Christmas flavored soup, and they had a ukulele that they let me play!!! We always have the best conversations with them and their family is so strong and the spirit is so strong in their house. The husband said "I want people to come to my house and feel something different than what they feel right outside the gate. We always try to make sure the spirit is here in our home."

``Even though we may feel lost in the midst of our current circumstances. God promises the hope of his light - He promises to iluminate the way before us and show us the way out of darkness`` -Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Love you all! 

Have a wonderful week!

-Sister Hancock

September 5, 2016

Ola pessoas! 

I don´t have a lot to say this week. The week went by really quickly! I can´t believe I have already been on my mission for two months!!! 

This week we had a lot of lessons fall through but the lessons we were able to have went great. We have been able to keep meeting with our 4 recent converts and they are all doing wonderfully. This next week we have about 15 people that we plan to meet with and then will hopefully find even more! 

Everyday I find more scriptures that I love! 

Doctrine and Covenants 121:7, 122:7, 123:17

``My son, peace be unto thy soul, thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment....that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good, hold thy way.. for God shall be with you forever and ever... let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power!``

Eu amo vocês, and I love to hear from you! 

Have a great week! 

-Sister Hancock 

August 29, 2016 A lot of miracles!

I witnessed a lot of miracles this past week! 

One day we were walking around knocking doors and we passed a lady on a bike who we found out was a member. We asked her if any of her neighbors would want to hear more about the gospel. She said no, and right then one of her neighbors walked by and she asked if the neighbor wanted to hear a message from the missionaries! She accepted and so we walked with her to her house and shared the message of the restoration of the gospel. 

On Saturday we had THREE baptisms! Wesley, Brian, and Rubens.

Wesley (9), Lives with his grandma, Eliane, who recently decided to come back to the church after many years. They live in a house with other family members who are all members. We have been teaching Eliane and Wesley together and they are great! 

Brian (14), has an Aunt and Uncle in another ward. He has been going to church, mutual and reading the Livro de Mormon. He was really ready to get baptized but his Dad was not sure if he wanted Brian to be baptized. Last Sunday it was pouring rain and Brian still got up and came to church. His Dad´s heart was softened when he saw Brian´s dedication and that he really wanted this. When it rains at least a quarter of the members don´t come to church.

 

Rubens (22), the nephew of the bishop. He has a strong spirit and testimony and was really ready to get baptized. 

We met a woman named Edith this week and she came to church with us. When we taught Edith we were getting to know her and she was saying that she had been out of a job and looking for quite a while. We taught her about the Sabbath Day and putting God first in her life. We were talking about putting God in first place and that if she did God would bless her and He would help her find a job. She recognized that she needed to do this and she accepted the invite to come to church with us. On Sunday when we picked her she told us that the day that we visited her she got a phone call from a friend who said there was a job opening at her work. She told us that when she got the call she had been thinking about the things we had said. It was truly a miracle! 

P-Day :)   

August 22, 2016 Rain Everywhere... but keep a smile and continue trying!

This week it has rained almost everyday! I love the rain but it makes it hard to find and talk to people. 

Some highlights from this week:

-On Monday I got a second birthday cake! A member brought a cake over to our apartment on Monday night and someone came in my room where I was studying and they asked me to help them carry some stuff so I walked out into the living room and then they all started singing to me! 

-I finally bought cereal! Also I am getting used to the boxed milk :P I was having serious saudades (missing) for cereal, although I am still keeping my new years resolution of only eating cereal once a day. 

-One day it poured all day long. We did lots of walking, through lots of puddles, lots of annoying dogs, lots of nice denials, a few not so nice denials, etc. Each day is a trial of whether or not we will retain good spirits, keep a smile and continue trying! 

-I live in an apartment with my companion and two other sisters. We always help each other set up when the other group has a baptism. So we went to the church to help them set up and there was about a foot of dirty water in the font and it wasn´t draining. We later found out it was rain water that had leaked in. Anyway, we scooped all the water into big buckets and then dumped them out. It was my job to carry and then dump out all the buckets. We filled about 20-30 buckets with water! One sister said ``welcome to the mission.`` #thebaptismmustgoon

-Each day I understand Portuguese a little bit more. Line upon line I will learn to speak and understand this language!

It is not a bad thing to struggle. The greater the struggle the greater amount that our faith will grow. God gives us trials to be like a refiner's fire that will purify our hearts. When our hearts are focused on ourselves we will only get the benefits we were looking for. For example, if we serve only for ourselves we will get the glorification but that is all. If we serve with our hearts pointed toward the Savior, so much greater will the blessing be. ``Do you love the Savior enough to struggle?``

Amo vocês! 

-Sister Hancock