I'm old-on the mission and in real life!

Happy 21st Birthday Sister Shell!!!

Well, first off, thanks to all of my amazing family and friends who wished me a happy birthday!! I am definitely am the most spoiled and most loved Sister Missionary in all of São Paulo Sul, maybe in all of the world. I got 15 cards and 2 packages. Thank you all my favorite people!! I do have to say that my favorite birthday wish was one I got from little Mason Curby. Here is, and I QUOTE, what my little buddy said;
"Happy b-day, and come back so I can destroy you when we play our shooting game."
Tell Mason ITS ON!! Haha

Monday: As you may have noticed from all of the pictures, our zona went to the zoo together!!! It was super fun, even if it was super tiring.

 Oh well : There was nobody there because it was a monday. #itsamonday!! We had an awesome zona meeting. We talked about all of the possible people who could be baptized the 26th. Presidente called for a mission wide fast, and told us to think of all the people who could possibly be baptized on the 26th and have them interviewed during the fast. We talked about Larissa and Laysa, and a few other investigators in the zona.

Tuesday: We saw Larissa and Laysa, and they are just as cute as ever. They might have been more excited for my birthday than I was. Which is saying something, because we all know how I feel about birthdays. We talked to the mom of Larissa and Laysa, and got to know what her concerns are more. She also gave us some clothes and told us to come over for dinner sometime. Marisa is so sweet :) We asked if it was alright if the elders came over to interview Larissa and Laysa to see if they were ready and she agreed, but still said she thought they should wait longer for batismo. We left the baptism fichas with her.

Wednesday: We were fasting, and Elder Lundgren came with Elder Anfuso to do the interviews. Larissa and Laysa were declared READY. He talked for a while with Marisa, but she was firm in what she believes. Tough cookie. She's just doing what she thinks is best for her children though. Can't fault her for that.
We also saw Dea and Ana finalmente!! After forever and a day. Dea is working a lot more now, so its gonna be super tough to see them. Ana is just as animated as ever. They really need this gospel.

Thursday: We saw our recent converso/menos ativo and had a good chat with him. He has a good testimony and loves the gospel, but doesn't want to come to church. At least he is studying a lot on his own!!
That night, we had an awesome Noite Familiar with the Dantas Family! Leidiane came again, and some more members swung by. It was fun. We talked about fathers and showed the mormon message father's day video, and then related that to how Heavenly Father feels about us. Leidiane really loved it :)

Friday: We taught Janete. She still doesn't feel like getting baptized, but she is praying and she is trying to keep the word of wisdom. She is just so cute and lonely that I want this so badly for her. She needs it.
We saw Larissa and Laysa again, and they were once again more excited for my birthday than I was haha.
Then, that night, we taught Leidiane. She loved the Plan of Salvation!! She thought it was beautiful and perfect, and kept saying "I just wanna go to the Celestial Kingdom right now!! Man, I want to get married in the temple." It was so cute. Its amazing to see how the Spirit can touch people and testify to them in that moment of truth that what they are learning will bless them for eternity. She's still set for baptism this weekend!!!!! :D

Saturday: It was a pretty ordinary day, and yet not.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! PARABENS PARA MIM!!! It was a good day. We had a great almoço- estrogonofe yummm- and delicious dessert with Irmã Ivonete. Then, we went with Leidiane, Larissa, Laysa, Pedro and Pedrinho to the Primary activity.

 It was a huge success. And everyone belted out PARABENS and sang at the top of their lungs to me right before we left. It was fun :)

That night, we ate some delicious chocolate cake from the cake mix and frosting and sprinkles that mom sent me. It was so delicious, and so great to eat American chocolate cake. There's a difference, people, believe you me.

Sunday: We went to go get Leidiane for church and she wasn't awake yet. We waited, she scrambled to get ready and we all went to church!! Relief Society was good, and then I ended up teaching the gospel principles lesson on the fly. Lei de Castidade. It actually went really well.
We had a good noite familiar with Lu's family thats how our week ended!!

Can't believe how fast time is flying by. I love you all so much!!! And sorry my emails are getting shorter and shorter.. The closer I am to getting home, the less vontade I have to send emails. I mean, really, whats the point if I'm gonna see y'all shortly?


com amor,
Sister Shell