My mission to Brazil: October 8, 2018 Conference was AWESOME

This week was exhausting. I didn't know that being a sister leader meant that we would spend very little time in our area... We worked our little behinds off and we saw good things happen. Just more proof that miracles really do happen.

So our week started off with a zone conference. President Jones talked a lot about how we need to be able to see where people are in their journey to the Savior so that we can help them on their way. I liked that. He said that our mission needs to focus more on the people we are teaching and help them feel Gods love and not just give a lesson. Which made me really happy because I was starting to feel like I was just getting in the rut of saying the same things over and over and I was trying to figure out how to show more love to be able to help people more. We have focused this week on having our lessons more like conversations than like lectures which has turned out to be a really neat experience. People open up a lot faster when you do it that way.

Then on Wednesday, we had our leader meeting. Which I still couldn't believe I was going to. But it turned out good too. I was really nervous at the start because they put up our monthly report in front of every body and the monthly report of the sisters and ask us questions. But it turned out to be really relaxed. The sisters said that with President Campos he was really hard on everybody and they always ended up crying but with President Jones he just smiled and told us to keep working hard, that good things were coming our way. It was good.

When we were going home, we called an uber to take us and some elders to the rodoviaria, and the lady that was driving lives near Sao Luis so she offered us a ride home. Normally we don't accept invitations like that because it is generally men driving, but we both felt safe with her, so we said yes. As she was driving us home, we started talking about the plan of salvation because she believes in reincarnation. It turned out to be really cool. She has some beliefs that are very different from ours, but the conversation got really in-depth for a car ride home. She ended up sending her husband an audio message telling him that she was with two missionaries who were teaching her good things and that she would be home a little late. Sadly, she doesn't live in our area, but now she has the address to the church and a good first impression.

We went on splits with the Sister Training Leaders in Porto Alegre. I decided that I never want to work there. It gets dark really fast and there are a million people walking around so I think I would be paranoid the whole time. I stayed there with Sister Hoover. Funny because we had a man ask us if we were really sisters. I don't understand why this whole country thinks that we look alike. We do not. S Hoover started laughing and told me that she thinks we look nothing alike too but ya know. Brazilians.

Conference was awesome. I absolutely loved it. The new change for church hours is crazy. President Nelson is receiving hot revelation. This man is awesome. I loved hearing everybody talk. And it was really cool because we had a woman come and listen to all four sessions. She is so sweet. She has to get married (of course because this is Brazil) but she already talked to her husband and he is all up for marriage too so tomorrow we are going to the courthouse with her to get it all set up. Back to conference... I loved how the main theme, at least for me, was coming unto Christ. But not just coming unto Him, but coming unto Him with our families. Not gonna lie, made me super excited to get married and start my own family.

After conference on Saturday, we went and talked to this couple Marcelo and Simara. When we walked in, Marcelo said, "look, I'm drinking so I hope that isn't a problem". Normally that is a problem, but it turned out fine. He was really into the conversation and in less than 20 minutes, he told us that we were welcome back any day that we wanted to. He asked a ton of good questions and really wanted to know that answer. I am hoping that the not drinking Marcelo is as cool as the drinking Marcelo.

On Sunday, there were elections here so the elders from Estancia Velha came to our area because the Brazilians had to go and tell the government why they weren't voting because you have to vote in your town. It turned out to be fun. E Southwick and I stood outside the room that they had to go into talking in English while E Almeida and S Rodrigues went into a room to tell people why they weren't going to vote. Then we went to Irma Rose´s for lunch. They made churrasco. I am going to miss that a ton when I get home, haha. We just hung out with her until conference was about to start and then we went to our building to watch.

I cant wait for these 12 new temples. They are going to bless the lives of so many people. Our whole ward screamed when they announced the new temple in Brazil and then everybody started to cry. I never appreciated temples like this until I am in a country where temples are so rare. It is a good reminder of the eternal blessing that is found in these sacred places.

I love you guys like crazy, I have been thinking a lot about all that was happening a year ago during conference and it feels like a different life time.

I hope everybody is happy!

Sister Heiner