Monday, December 26, 2016

12/26/16 We Wish You A Feliz Natal And A Happy Novo Ano!!!

Bom Dia Meus Amores!!!
I hope you all had a great Christmas!!! I love you lots!!!
Well, this week was not full of la lot of work, but lots of fun things happened :)
So this week we had a Mission Christmas Celebration. We had songs, skits, FOOOOOOOD, lots of missionaries and SANTA!!! Papai Noel!! He was hilarious. He would call people up with the help of his elder elves, then give each missionary a present, which was usually soap, deoderant, shampoo and cleaning supplies for the house XD There was one sister who made him fall off his chair and roll on the floor because of her BO. I have a video of that :) Sent it to mom :) I got two bars of soap... obviously I need to shower better. :P
But it was really fun. We also had our song that I had to play the piano for. I did awful. I started out fine, and then  my nerves got hte best of me and then I forgot how to piano. I didnt even know what a piano was...... but yeah. It was bad... also each zone had to prepare a skit to show in front of everybody. Ours was awful. No one laughed..... Everyone elses were sooo hilarious, ours was terrible. No one laughed during it.... aww well. That's what we get for only taking 2 days to prepare it, not 6 like the others did :P
Well, on facebook there are some pics of that day on the Missão Brasil Londrina page. Look it up yáll :) They also post other pics form other times too :)
Well, time for pesquisador talk. So we cut Neusa, the little Senhorita.... she doesnt wanna go to church and doesnt wanna do anything to progress, so X she's cut. Maybe someone will help her in heaven or some other missionaries, no sei..... but... we are still working with Maricei. She didnt come to church Sunday, but she said she wants to get baptized :) She's also reading O Livro de Mormon. :) She likes it a lot :)
Well, for Christmas we went a members house and had Almoço, LOOOTTSS of sweets and then Bilhalva, Nunes, and Leite talked to their families. While waiting fro them I learned how to solve a rubiks cube so that's cool :P Also watched and listened to christms music.... :) Also you guys need to look up "My Little Prayer" by David Archuleta. You guys probably already have heard it before, but I love it sooo much. Im learning the words :) It gives me goosebumps everytime :)
Well, I love you all and I hope that you guys have a good week and NEW YEAR!!!!!! 2017!!!!! Wowee!!! Already..... well, have a good week and make goals for next year, ones that you will actually keep, not like "I won't eat chocolate to lose weight".... you' re gonna eat chocolate :P 

I love you guys and miss you a bunch!!!!!!!
Com Amor, Sister Emily Ferguson



































Pics, the one of the 3 elders are Elder Allred, Bezerra my district leader, and B. Nascimento
My roommates, Leite, Bilhalva, and Nunes
Elder Teles and Nunes are in the other and the other has lots of people that I dont have time to name :P

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

12/19/16 A picture Emily drew of herself and her companion Leite.



DAVID ARCHULETA "MY LITTLE PRAYER"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrPPJCu22ZI

12/19/16 FELIZ NATAL!!!!!

OLA MEUS AMORES!!!! FELIZ NATAL!!!!! I am so excited for Natal I can/t even handle it man, I'm goin' crazy man!!!! 

Well, this week has been quite the disappointment. We have had no success with people. We made a new pesquisador, Maricéia, but she doesn't want to get baptized, before 3 weeks, doesn't wanna pray, doesn't have enough faith to read O Livro de Mórmon, but she really liked church, and she likes how she can restart with baptism, and she believes that this church is the restored church of Jesus Christ. She has a good testimony, but doesn't really wanna do things to strengthen it or anything.... :P We are still working on her.
Also, Neusa, nossa Senhorinha, she doesn't want to get baptized anymore and didn't go to church yesterday... :/ She says that she doesn't understand anything, so we try to explain to her more simply, but she just doesn't "understand"..... It is kind of frustrating.... and she won't tell us what she doesn't understand..... We´ll contiue to try, but maybe it's just not her time now... maybe some other missionaries can help her out....
Also, Fransisco, the husband of a member, he didn't come to church with her yesterday. He was doing so well, and knows that he needs to get baptized and change his life, because he really wants an eternal família, and he knows that the only way for that to happen is through this baptism and becoming a member of this church. He just doesn't wanna come to church for some reason.... :/ Were gonna keep working with him as well. Our peeps are just a little stubborn :P They wanna receive blessings, but don't wanna do their part of the process. Ah well.... #dealwithit
Well, there were a couple funnies this week. So one day while making contacts, we met this lady who doesn't like the concept of going to church, she just likes to read her bible and stay in the house. So she was talking about how one day she will find an answer to her prayers, which she literally said "No sei qual horario eu vou receber este resposta..." Which is I don't know what hour I will recieve this answer. So Me and my not so good portuguese ears, thought she asked what hour is church, so I responded with "9 horas da manhã."    It was kind of funny cuz I basically said she's gonna receive an answer if she goes to church at 9 hours in the morning. XD Leite could not stop laughing. So that was embarassing.....

Then another... oh my.... Leite..... So we were talking to an old man that was very animated and very passionate about the Catholic church and how it was the first church established on the earth...... So he was going on and on and on about it and we would read scriptures to him in the Bible and he kept saying that our Bible was wrong, and that it is different, when it is the exact one he uses.... so we left and then he followed us CONTINUING to speak about the Calothic church... so Leite, with all her Brasilian sass, says, "Sai da apostasia" or "Leave this apostasy" and walks away... Nossa, it was so crazy. He didn't understand the word apostasia so he just laughed and then walked away. When we left we just cracked up, not believing that she actually said that... XD XD XD XD So funny XD
Those were the funnies, other things too, but can't remember them right now :P We made another goat friend. She would not leave us alone. She was literally like a foot away from me. Thought she was gonna eat my skirt :P Also we ate this really weird fruit. Jabuticaba. It reminds me of the part in the "Incredibles" when Mr. Incredible is attacked by these tar bubbles that grew on him. I always think about the Incredibles when we see it XD
Well, that's basically all that happened. It was really hot for a couple days and then it rained for a couple too. The weather here is literally the worst. You never know if it's gonna rain or not, it is always hot, so you know that for sure each day :P
Well, I have a little thought for you guys. So while giving a lesson to Fransisco one day, I remembered a talk by someone, don't remember who, I think Uchtdorf, during Conference about how sometimes in life we keep the blessings from coming into our lives. He used a metaphor about how the rain is blessings, and how sometimes we open an umbrella over our heads. We walk around with this Umbrella keeping us from being soaked in the happiness of blessigs. And sometimes, we look out and see people playing, laughing and splashing in the rain and puddles. We think "How can they be so happy doing something so strange?" We continue to mumble and whine about how cold and wet we are and how the rain is a burden in our lives. Just, if we look up, with a different veiw of the rain, that it is belssing the world, making the world new, grow and become abundant with trees and beauty, we can have the courage to close our Umbrella and splash in the wonderous puddles of blessings in our lives. We can then understand why others were so happy doing something so strange and different. So this week, try to figure our where you have an Umbrella in your life. Have the courage to change and close it. Get completely soaking wet with the blessings of the gospel and the Lord. 

I love you all and hope that you are CTR-ing and just getting soaked in happiness :) Keep smiling and look up at the rain :) Love you all and hope you guys have a FELIZ NATAL!!!!!
Love, 
Sister Emily Ferguson




New photogenic investigators


Christmas package arrived.
Tan line across top of foot from these cute shoes.


Here is the talk Emily referred to in her letter.
Play video



Trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ; keep His laws and commandments. In other words—live the gospel joyful.

My beloved sisters, my dear friends and blessed disciples of Jesus Christ, I am honored to have this opportunity to be with you as we open another general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the coming week the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles will meet with all the General Authorities and general auxiliary leaders, and the remaining sessions of our worldwide general conference will follow on the coming Saturday and Sunday. I am most grateful to President Thomas S. Monson, the prophet of God for our days, for asking me to represent the First Presidency as I speak to the sisters of the Church.
As I contemplated what I might say, my thoughts went back to the women who have shaped my life and helped me through the challenges of mortality. I am grateful for my grandmother who decades ago decided to take her family to a Mormon sacrament meeting. I am grateful for Sister Ewig, an elderly single German lady, whose name translates into English as “Sister Eternal.” She was the one who extended this courageous and wonderful invitation to my grandmother. I am so very grateful for my mother, who led four children through the turmoil of World War II. I think also of my daughter, granddaughters, and future generations of faithful women who will one day follow.
And, of course, I am eternally grateful to my wife, Harriet, who enchanted me as a teen, bore the heaviest burdens of our young family as a mother, stands with me as a wife, and loves and cherishes our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She has been the strength in our home during both good times and bad. She brings sunshine into the lives of all who know her.
Finally, I am very grateful to all of you, the millions of faithful sisters worldwide of any age who do so much to build the kingdom of God. I am grateful to you for the countless ways you inspire, nurture, and bless those around you.
Daughters of God
I am pleased to be among so many daughters of God. When we sing the song “I Am a Child of God,” the lyrics penetrate our hearts. Pondering this truth—that we are children of heavenly parents1—fills us with a sense of origin, purpose, and destiny.
It is good to remember that you are always a child of God. This knowledge will carry you through the most difficult times in your life and will inspire you to accomplish remarkable things. However, it is also important to remember that being a daughter of eternal parents is not a distinction you earned or you will ever lose. You will always and forever remain a daughter of God. Your Heavenly Father has high aspirations for you, but your divine origin alone does not guarantee you a divine inheritance. God sent you here to prepare for a future greater than anything you can imagine.
The promised blessings of God to the faithful are glorious and inspiring. Among them are “thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths.”2 And it takes more than a spiritual birth certificate or a “Child of God Membership Card” to qualify for these incomprehensible blessings.

But how do we attain them?
The Savior has answered this question in our time:
“Except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.
“For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation. …
“… Receive ye, therefore, my law.”3
For this reason, we speak of walking the path of discipleship.
We speak of obedience to God’s commandments.
We speak of living the gospel joyfully, with all our heart, might, mind, and soul.
God Knows Something We Don’t
And yet for some of us, obedience to God’s commandments doesn’t always feel very joyful. Let’s face it: there may be some that seem harder or less appealing—commandments that we approach with the enthusiasm of a child sitting before a plate of healthy but hated vegetables. We grit our teeth and force ourselves to comply so that we can move on to more desirable activities.
Perhaps during times such as these, we might find ourselves asking, “Do we really need to obey all of God’s commandments?”
My response to this question is simple:
I think God knows something we don’t—things that are beyond our capacity to comprehend! Our Father in Heaven is an eternal being whose experience, wisdom, and intelligence are infinitely greater than ours.4 Not only that, but He is also eternally loving, compassionate, and focused on one blessed goal: to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.5
In other words, He not only knows what is best for you; He also anxiously wants you to choose what is best for you.
If you believe this in your hearts—if you truly believe the great mission of our Heavenly Father is to exalt and glorify His children and that He knows best how to do it—doesn’t it make sense to embrace and follow His commandments, even the ones that appear difficult? Should we not cherish the light posts He has given that guide us through the darkness and the trials of mortality? They mark the way back to our heavenly home! By choosing Heavenly Father’s path, you lay a divine foundation for your personal progress as a daughter of God that will bless you throughout your life.
Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.
His commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help for us to close the umbrella so we can receive the shower of heavenly blessings.
We need to accept that the commandments of God aren’t just a long list of good ideas. They aren’t “life hacks” from an Internet blog or motivational quotes from a Pinterest board. They are divine counsel, based on eternal truths, given to bring “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.”6
So we have a choice. On the one hand, there is the opinion of the world with its ever-changing theories and questionable motives. On the other hand, there is God’s word to His children—His eternal wisdom, His certain promises, and His loving instructions for returning to His presence in glory, love, and majesty.
The choice is yours!
The Creator of the seas, sands, and endless stars is reaching out to you this very day! He is offering the grand recipe for happiness, peace, and eternal life!
To qualify for these glorious blessings, you must humble yourself, exercise faith, take upon you the name of Christ, seek Him in word and deed, and resolutely “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.”7
The Why of Obedience
Once you understand the true nature of God and His commandments, you will also better understand yourselves and the divine purpose of your existence. With this, your motivation for following the commandments changes, and it becomes your heart’s desire to live the gospel joyfully.
For example, those who see attendance at Church meetings as a personal way to increase their love of God, find peace, uplift others, seek the Spirit, and renew their commitment to follow Jesus Christ will find a far richer experience than those who simply put in their time sitting in a pew. Sisters, it is very important that we attend our Sunday meetings, but I’m fairly certain our Heavenly Father is even more concerned about our faith and repentance than about attendance statistics.
Here is another example:
A single mother of two small children recently came down with chicken pox. Of course, it wasn’t long before her children got sick as well. The task of caring for herself and her little ones alone was almost too much for the young mother. And, as a result, the normally spotless house became cluttered and messy. Dirty dishes piled up in the sink, and laundry piled up everywhere else.
While she was struggling with crying children—and wanting to cry herself—a knock came at the door. It was her visiting teachers. They could see the young mother’s distress. They could see her house, her kitchen. They could hear the cries of the children.
Now, if these sisters had been concerned only with completing their assigned monthly visits, they might have handed the mother a plate of cookies, mentioned that they had missed her at Relief Society last week, and said something like, “Let us know if there is anything we can do!” Then they would have cheerfully been on their way, thankful that they had 100 percent for another month.
Fortunately, these sisters were true disciples of Christ. They noticed their sister’s needs and put their many talents and their experience to work. They cleared up the chaos, brought light and clarity into the home, and called a friend to bring over some much-needed groceries. When they at last finished their work and said their good-byes, they left that young mother in tears—tears of gratitude and love.
From that moment on, the young mother’s opinion of visiting teaching changed. “I know,” she said, “that I am not just a check mark on someone else’s to-do list.”
Yes, visiting teachers need to be faithful in making their monthly visits, all without missing the most important why behind this commandment: to love God and fellowmen.
When we treat God’s commandments and our part in building His kingdom like something to check off on a to-do list, we miss the heart of discipleship. We miss the growth that comes from joyfully living the commandments of our Father in Heaven.
Walking in the path of discipleship does not need to be a bitter experience. It “is sweet above all that is sweet.”8 It is not a burden that weighs us down. Discipleship lifts our spirits and lightens our hearts. It inspires us with faith, hope, and charity. It fills our spirits with light in times of darkness, and serenity during times of sorrow.
It gives us divine power and lasting joy.
Living the Gospel Joyful
My dear sisters in the gospel, whether you are 8 or 108, there is one thing that I hope you truly understand and know:
You are loved.
You are dear to your heavenly parents.
The infinite and eternal Creator of light and life knows you! He is mindful of you.
Yes, God loves you this very day and always.
He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times you have held onto the fading light and believed—even in the midst of growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you.
And God knows of your successes; though they may seem small to you, He acknowledges and cherishes each one of them. He loves you for extending yourself to others. He loves you for reaching out and helping others bear their heavy burdens—even when you are struggling with your own.
He knows everything about you. He sees you clearly—He knows you as you really are. And He loves you—today and always!
Do you suppose it matters to our Heavenly Father whether your makeup, clothes, hair, and nails are perfect? Do you think your value to Him changes based on how many followers you have on Instagram or Pinterest? Do you think He wants you to worry or get depressed if some un-friend or un-follow you on Facebook or Twitter? Do you think outward attractiveness, your dress size, or popularity make the slightest difference in your worth to the One who created the universe?
He loves you not only for who you are this very day but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and the desire to become.
More than you could ever imagine, He wants you to achieve your destiny—to return to your heavenly home in honor.
I testify that the way to accomplish this is to place selfish desires and unworthy ambitions on the altar of sacrifice and service. Sisters, trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ; keep His laws and commandments. In other words—live the gospel joyful.
It is my prayer that you will experience a renewed and an expanded measure of the beautiful love of God in your lives; that you will find the faith, determination, and commitment to learn God’s commandments, treasure them in your hearts, and live the gospel joyful.
I promise that as you do so, you will discover your best self—your realself. You will discover what it truly means to be a daughter of the everlasting God, the Lord of all righteousness. Of this I testify and leave you my blessing as an Apostle of the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

12/12/16 Oh Where, Oh Where Have My Pesquisadores Gone?

Well, this week has not been very exciting.
So, we aren't teaching Tiago e Michelle, e Hemilly e João anymore. They aren't interested :(  Also, the people that we have been teaching aren't progressing. They are just staying in one spot, like Jose, Kauani, Gabrielly, Vitor, Rita...... and we are trying evrything to get them to progress. We are running out of time here and I dont wanna miss the chance to help them.... :/

While, trying to help them, we made some new novos. We met Nielsa, Thais, Thainá, Ana e Celia and Fransisco. Fransisco is the husband of a member, but he doesn't wanna go to church, so we are helping him, which yesterday he came!!! so did Nielsa :)
So yesterday was a special conference, broadcast, from SLC. Elder Holland, Elder Costa, and a lady, and another Elder or Brother spoke. It was a special one just for Brasil and I could actually understand basically everything :) So, yeah, they came, they said they liked it and wanna come next week to normal Sunday church :P The broadcast was really good based on what I could actually understand. It was kind of funny cuz Elder Holland tried to speak in protuguese, but I'll just say that he is VERY American :P also the sister spoke all in portuguese. It was good :) So much spirit was there :)
Sorry, this letter is so scatter-brained. I keep remebering things. :P
Anyways, so CHRISTMAS IS COMING UP!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!! We have to do a Christmas district skit for our big mission Christmas celebration, and also sing a song, and guess who was nominated to play the piano.... Yeah, the person who doesnt know how to play anymore!! ME! I need to practice, but we dont have anytime to practice!! "They want me to play for this show, but they don't give me time for fresh practice!" (It reminded me of Nacho Libre... "They tell me to make better food, but dont give me money for fresh ingredients!")
Anyways, so we´ll have to see what will happen for that, I don't even know how they knew that I played the piano.. I didn't tell anyone except Sister Leite...... oh my... Leite... you didn't..... Well, someone is gonna have a firm talkin to tonight :P jkjkjkjkjkjkjk
Well, yeah. that's basically it. Nothing much. I have been saying #dealwithit a lot lately cuz I realized how much I have been whining, so whenever I whine about something I just say "#dealwithit" and I feel better. Like, well this is life now and just gotta,... well you know the #.
Man.... this week was not very exciting mission work wise, but Brasil wise, it was pretty crasy. So, this week has been raining gatos e cachorros almost everyday. I like the rain part, just not the humidity. It's so hot. We were caught in the rain a couple times, not drinking piña coladas, but working! ppfffttt, what kind of missionaries do you think we are? :P and we were  literally soaking, but this usually happens when we are headin' home so it isn't really bad. That's basically it. This letter is kind of boring, but you know... #DEALWITHIT

Well... I love you guys and I hope you guys are staying firm in the church cuz this is all that matters in this life!!! I hope you are staying positive and always smiling. Seems like home needs a little light over there so if everyone smiles the days there can feel a little brighter :)
Love you all and have a great Christmas Season!!!!!
Love- 
Sister Emily Ferguson









 pics: the sweet im eating is brigadeiro, its like fudge. I drew a pic this week cuz I wanted to. The view from a bridge that we cross to get to Nielsa´s house, and some contacts that we made one day, they talked a lot and we very photogenic.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

12/5/16 "What the Summer!"

Hello Everybody!!!!! Well, I've been hearing that i'ts getting pretty cold back in The States..... it's definitely not getting cold here. It wants to get cold here, so it's been raining for the past couple  of days, for half of each day, but then it realizes that it's Brasil and then it gets hot... HOT HOT HOT!!!!!! It's kind of annoying. Dont really like it........ BUT!!!!!!  just gotta #dealwithit
Well, I am all done with training, as of last week. I am a normal missionary now.... not much different. We weren't having a lot of luck this week with people. We have people to teach, but they are either busy, not home or have other plans when we go to visit them or invite them to church. A little frustrating, but I'll get over it.
Well, we got a date for a baptism!!! This Saturday for Celia, Niro´s girlfriend, which they are gonna get MARRIED!!!!!!!!!! So exciting!!! My little 48 year old baby gettin married!!!!!! Really exciting :) So hopefully nothing gets in her way and the misery maker MINDS HIS OWN BUSINESS!!!!
Well, we also have another guy that is interested. Don't remember if I talked about Rony yet, but he is a pesquisador and one day while teaching him, which he works all day, so we taught him in his litle store, and during the lesson these guys came in and started listening. One guy, Dejalbas, asked about why we dont drink coffee. Leite explained why and he didn't have any doubts why we don't. So he left and then later that day we got a call from a member asking about if we talked to him today. She then continued to explain that he is very interested and wants to learn more and wants to be baptized.... weird huh? We haven't been able to talk to him, cuz well you know, he's always either busy or not home.... but we are gonna keep trying.
Well, this week was mission tour, when all the missionaries on this side of the mission get together and have a conference. Pres and Sis Periera spoke and also Elder and Sister Basset spoke. They were sooooooo good. Comin' in clutch with the Spirit. Also, I saw my group I came here with from the CTM and I saw Sis Sadleir!!! Anyways,
They talked about how we need to keep the faith and how to endure to the end.
Sister Basset said something that was really interesting. She asked us "Are you trusting in the Lord or your capacity?" Are you donig all you can and more or only doing what you think you can? I really liked this, cuz with the Lord and when we trust in Him, we can LITERALLY do anything :) I needed this cuz right now, its a little hard, but that's just the misery maker working. I gotta do things with the Trust in the Lord helping me. Also, Elder Basset talked about Laman and Lemuel. So we all know them as being very disobedient and just doodies, but he brought up the fact that they were obedient. They returned to Jerusalem for the plates and for family, they traveled in the wilderness and did things that Lehi had told them to do. They were obedient with their actions, but the thing they were missing was that they werent obedient with their hearts. They followed everything, but "murmured" literally all the time, kind of annoying :P
We need to be more sincerely obedient, not just do something to get it over with, but to do it with love and sincereity. Also, Sister Basset said something too about commandments that I really liked, sorry this is so scatter brained. But she said "Commandments are not limitations, but invitations to receive blessings." So awesome right? There is a difference in obedience and joy. We need to find the reasons God says these commandments are important. Really learned a lot this week.
I am gonna try to be more obedient in my heart this week and invite you guys too. Dont just go to church cuz mom said too, go because you want to recieve blessings.
I love you guys sooooo much and I hope you are keeping the faith and staying strong!!! Love you all!!!!
Love-
Sister Ferguson

Pictures 12/5/16