9/25/18 - Emma Letter to Family

Mari- the bannanas are mini and so sweet. They are about the same legnth as my fist. SO yummy!

Hyurm - Você é DOIDO demais! Mas, Ti amo mesmo. :) kkkk Do you think you can learn 2 songs on piano for me?I want to sing them with you when I get home. Peace in Christ and Cada vez! Amo voce!

Mom I'm glad you've made friends with my friends kkkk. Culturally, just be yourself! I love these people so much! I will for sure share the lip balms! 

I can honestly say that Missionary month has been the best preperation I recieved for my mission. I've applied so many things I learned during that time. When I read the part about the primary singing and mari's testimony builder momnet I started crying too. That will be a monumental moment for her to look back on. I can pinpont a few essential expeariences I had that helped me gain a testimony of the restored gospel. The first being when I was 6 or 7 I wanted to star reading the BoM so I read the first 2 verses of 1st Nefi and I remember I had an overwhelming good feeling I now know was the spirirt. I remember I thought " Wow! This means I'm going to be an author when I grow up" because of the part where nefi talks about the language of the ejyptians.... lol.... I know now what that feeling really was. Another critcal moment for me. I had the coolest "Vision" in the celestial room of the sao paul today. ICREDIBLE! I need to put it into words first to adequatly explain but as soon as I put it in my journal I'll send it to you next week too. I love GEe Gee! I'll try and capture those sounds at night! It's a little dangerous to have tecnology out in the open at any time of day but I'll follow the spirit as always no worries. :)

Dad- a primary program to remeber for sure! haha! I wont pick up any dangerous frongs haha! YOU DONT NEED TO SEND MAPLE SYRUP! I bought some today at the Deseret book near the temple! Everything is so cheap here I love brasil! I'm glad things are going well. I put Granpa Barlow's name in the temple today. I'm praying for him and for you all. 

We've been taking the onibus a lot this week and everytime I'm reminded of the selfless sacrifice you made for me during high school allowing me to use your car, taking the bus and the train in the snow. I know it took extra time and wasn't alwasy comfortable. I know that wasn't easy and you didn't need to do that but you're amazing and super Christlike so you did it. Thank you again for that sacrifice but even more for your constant example of selfless service.

THE BOOK OF EMMA CHAPTER 1

1) And it came to pass in the land of Aldeia da Serra in the 2018th year of the rain of the judges two sisters were preparing Lorivaldo for baptism.

2) Lorivaldo was a faithful man who had been coming to church for 10 months but would not accept a baptismal date. He had been taught by many duplas of sisters and even paid tithing. 

3) And in the 3rd week of Setember it was the will of the Lord that Lorivaldo accepted a baptismal date.

4) The sister rejoiced at the opportunity they had to bring yet another soul into the kindom of God. 

5) The night before the baptism Lorivaldo told the sisters he would only come to "watch" the baptismal service. The sister were confused but trusted in counsel of the spirit and of their leaders.

6) The branch presidnet and LDs told them to bring Lorivaldo to the service for an interview. The other 2 people who were going to be baptized that day fell through, but following the spirit the sisters brought Lorivaldo to his own baptismal service even though he didn't know he was going to be batized.

7) The font was full and the macarão was ready. Elder interviewed Lorivaldo for over an hour and when the door to that room finally opened the Elder looked defeated.

8) The sisters were puzzled wondering what happened. 

9) The Elder explained Lorivaldo wouldn't accept baptism because his niece told him he was stupid for wanting to be baptized becuase he can't read.

10) Wo unto the people who tell people they're stupid for they shall be burned in the last days. 

All in all the ward is organizing reading lessons for him and vai da certo eventually. 

Other notes:

Please send fruit snacks

Also what it the flat pancake receita. Por favor.

I've felt Uncle Michael super close to me this week. Not sure why but it's been awesome!

Can you please email me a super cute picture from when I was a toddler? The Branch President's family has requested one to put on their fridge next to the pics of Bybee and Volterelli

Amo voces!

Sister B