Monday, December 30, 2013

Happy New Year!


(Brianna LOVED the video that the counselor asked us to send to surprise her with Christmas Eve. I wish we could have recorded everyone she loves, but there was a time limit!)



Glad you hear you enjoyed lots and lots of meat this Christmas... sounds like you spent it at the Brasil CTM! haha Again, I can´t tell you how good it was to see each of your faces and hear your voices. SO good! Christmas here was great! Honestly, we basically just ate. Before talking with all of you, we went to a family´s home in the ward (they are absolutely amazing) and we helped prepare Christmas lunch. We talked, looked at pictures of their son on a mission and played some games involving Christmas presents. I got a "Baby Hits" cd of Brasilian kid songs. Best gift ever. Then I talked with my beautiful family and returned to the same house afterwards to resume where we left off eating. So it was a pretty relaxed day! I definitely felt sick and extremely tired afterwards, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. For New Year´s, another family invited us to spend it with them, so we´re excited for that. I have no idea what it´s going to be like here, but judging by Sister Ferreira´s and Sister Custódio´s excitement, it should be pretty special!
 
I can´t believe Steven´s such a stud. Tell that boy parabens for me. I wish I could be there to watch all his games, but I know he´s kicking bootay out on the field. Good for him! I definitely haven´t gotten a package from Nana yet, but that´s okay! It will come with time :). And I´m excited for Aunt Michelle´s too. Why is my family so awesome? I got an e-mail from Uncle Dan, so good to hear from him!

This past week, thanks to Christmas, was a bit lacking in lessons and work. No one was home and if they were, they were too busy to receive us. But miracles still happened and this last weekend, I finally got to see one of our pesquisadores get baptized. BAPTISM!!!! It was so amazing. And I´m beyond happy for him. I know I´ve learned more from him already than he has from us and I can´t wait to see where he goes in this gospel.

Other than that grande miracle, we taught some lessons and have faith that two more of our investigators will be baptized this weekend. They said they would if they got an answer through prayer that they need to, so we´re going to spend every day with them, helping them prepare for one of the greatest experiences of their lives.

what are the missionaries like in our ward? Take good care of them for me! It means so much to missionaries when the members show concern for them and treat them like their own. Trust me, I know ;).

And that was my week, mais ou menos. I love this gospel with all my heart and the blessings that come from it. The joy I have in this work is beyond description. I´m learning so much! I know that this is the work of God and that with Him, all things are possible. He´s constanly placing miracles in our lives every day. All we need to do is look. I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful New Year´s. May 2014 be a brighter and better year for you, full of the Savior´s love. Feliz ano novo e boa semana!!!!

Beijos,
Sister Ball
 Lake at a park we spent the day at on P-day
 Elder F showed me a new setting on my camera so now I can take pictures like this!  Our view from our apartment!
 Christmas Eve with the Lima Family
 OH MY GOODNESS ... WHATCHAMACALLIT!
 Loving our cute Christmas socks!  Thanks Mom!
 Batismo!
 Natal with one of our ward families
 Opening presents they gave us!  Sister Barker's face!
Thank You for the Christmas presents!

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