Barreiro: Week 64

Hey everyone!

So so so sorry this week I don't have time to really email anything. I spent most my time sending photos since it has been so long. It was a great P day though! We got to go to the mission home and eat lunch with Sister Fluckiger. It was my first time going there. Seriously it is SO pretty I loved it and I love Sis Fluckiger. This is the last week of the transfer so we'll find out my LAST transfer this Sunday. I am freaking out. We did divisions in Èvora this week. It is in the middle of nowhere but honestly the prettiest place ever! Their house is called the "hobbit house" it literally looks like one. We had 2 baptisms fall through this week but that is okay! Next week :) Well that is about it. I love you guys. Sorry this is short. Hopefully the pics make up for it :)

Sister Carroll

With President and Sister Fluckiger

Brunch with Sister Fluckiger

Barrerio: Week 63

Hey everyone!

 

Happy Anniversary tomorrow Kristan and Raymond! Glad you guys are married :) Haha what else do you say to that again?...

 

Sorry about the word vomit email I sent last week. I don't remember what I said but I know it didn't make any sense haha.

 

This week we had Mission Council. All the Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, Assistents and President were there. It was a lot less scary than I thought it would be haha. I liked it! We got lots of good training and it was so fun to see all those missionaries. Sister Taylor and Hirschi were there!

 

The next day we had Zone Meeting. We had to give a training in front of our whole zone. That was the scariest thing I have ever done haha. It was so bad, but oh well. Hopefully they'll all forget about it. It was a good meeting though I got to see a lot of my other mission buds too. Like Sister Gidney my MTC comp.

 

That day we did a division with the sisters in Setúbal. I stayed with Sister King. It was really great! I feel like I learn so much from divisions. We had an awesome activity and roasted marshmallows haha. I haven't seen marshmallows in Portugal before. They tasted like strawberry. Weird!

 

Yesterday we had a baptism. His name is Inásio. He is actually João Jr.´s best friend my recent convert. It was great! Inásio is awesome haha. João is really tall and Inásio is super short. They are hilarious together. João Jr. actually baptized Inásio it was awesome!

 

Oh yeah I got my haircut. A member called and asked if she could cut it. MISTAKE! She cut off 6 inches. I have a piece of my hair that I'm going to tape in my journal. I feel like she cut off my arm or something haha I'm missing something! :(

 

Today was like the best Pday of my life. We went to the zoo in Lisbon! It was INCREDIBLE! We went our whole district and then 2 other sisters. The first thing we saw were the seals and then we saw the DOLPHIN SHOW! I literally almost cried I was so happy. I got in line to take a picture with the seals kissing my cheek and the seal got all diva on us and didn't feel like taking pictures so he left haha. But basically it was the funnest day ever! We saw basically every animal I can think of. I haven't been to a zoo before so I felt like I was in Disneyland. We´re also tired just like after Disneyland :) I tried to send pictures but it wouldn't let me.     :( You'll see them all some day.

 

We have lots of cool people here. I'm really happy :) I love Sister Caldwell! I love everything about my mission. Hope you all have a great week and are happy too! Miss you and love you.

 

Sister Carroll

Barreiro: Week 62

Hello hello hello!

First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michelle Halladay! :) Hope you had fun celebrating in Disneyland and Newport! Love you.

Well this week was the craziest week ever haha. We have so much fun though I'm really glad I'm with SIster Caldwell because we have fun even when stuff is stressful.

First we were supposed to do divisions on Wednesday in Èvora but I woke up with the flu and was barfing the whole day so we had to stay home. I felt so bad because I knew the sisters there had a lot of stuff planned and we had to cancel last minute. My roommates and companion took good care of me. They are the best! Our health advisor told us that it's going around the mission and it would last 2 or 3 days. Luckily the next day I was feeling a little bit better so we got to work.

That day we marked Inásio and Ernesto for baptism. Inásio is my recent convert João Jr.'s best friend. He actually helped João get baptized so he was really excited to accept as well. He's been to church, and a couple of activities and he loves it. Ernesto is one of the men we've been teaching forever. He finally decided he wanted to be baptized but wanted to wait. So we agreed. Then Davinia, our 13 year old investigator told us and her friend she was too scared to get baptized and she didn't want to anymore. We called the YW president, Diana, whose American boyfriend is in town and they came with us to teach her. It was scary because they're both RM's haha. The first thing Davinia said when she opened the door is, "I thought about it a lot more and I decided to get baptized." That was cool! Haha. Anyway, so that was a crazy day. 

Next day we celebrated an Elder's Bday. We had a surprise party and the other Elders bought him cologne and Sis Caldwell made him his favorite nachos. Seriously I've never seen someone freak out so much he was so excited. It was fun! After that we had Davinia and Ernesto's interviews. It took 2 hours and when it was done Ernesto had decided he wanted to be baptized the 27th instead of the 3rd. WOAH! Then we had to give the Branch Family Night. Literally we were running around crazy. But everything worked out perfectly.

Okay this part is important for you to know so you don't judge the pictures I'll send you haha. To moisturize our hair, we put mayonaise in it and slept with it overnight. We washed it out the next morning but unfortunately not all of it came out haha. Like it smelled so bad and was SO greasy looking. I felt disgusting the whole day. But we weren't planning on anything important or taking pictures.

Saturday rolls around. We marked our investigator Maria for baptism on the 10th, Zeka for the 3rd, and then we had to go talk to Davinia before we had another baptism to go to. When we get there she lets us know that her aunt had passed away so she couldn't be baptized anymore on Sunday. So we just said, "Well do you want to be baptized right now then?" (Luckily there was already another baptism.) She agreed but the baptism started in 30 minutes. So she grabbed her stuff, we literally ran to pick up her friends, and then we all sprinted to the chapel. We had another member give her and Ernesto a ride, and us and the elders had to get a taxi to get there on time. As we were running in the road the Elders say, "This probabaly looks like we're chasing you." So they start joking and yelling, "hey get back here!" Seriously we got so many weird looks. haha. We get to the other chapel where the baptism was, help her get ready, then we had to take pictures with our nasty greasy hair, and finally we began. We were a little late but it all rolled along smoothly and Davinia was baptized. Guilherme showed up after the baptism and we taught and marked him for the next day as well! Our leaders were freaking out.

Sunday comes. We had so many people ready for church. We went to get them all. 1 ran away from us (haha), 2 slept in including Guilherme so he couldn't be baptized, 3 didn't answer the phone or door and the rest said they were on their way and never showed up. We had 4 others that came with us which was cool. Oh another one who is marked for baptism for this weekend named Miguel. He is so cool and is quitting smoking. Already has cut his amount of cigarettes per day by 1 third! Woah! Anyway, Davinia showed up which was crazy because we thought she had to be at the funeral. She got confirmed, and then our Branch Pres said Ernesto needed to wait one more week so he remarked his baptism for next week. It was a little sad but that is okay because next week will be great too!

Õkay I have no idea if any of that made sense. Basically we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off this week but we've had lots of fun and we're loving our missions! Tomorrow we have Mission Council aka "Jedi Council" with all the mission leaders in Lisbon. I'm nervous but it will be fun! Then we are going to do divisions in Setúbal. We might also do one in Quinta de Conde because we have a sister there who has been having constant migraines and fainted this week so they haven't been able to work. 

Anyway, okay this email is like just rambling nonsense. Today we played games in the chapel it was super fun. Not much to do in Barreiro but we have the coolest district ever so it's still awesome.I hope everyone had a wonderful week and an even better one next week! :) Love you all

Sister Carroll

Barreiro: Week 61

Hey!

 

This computer is super slow sorry if this email is short! This week was good! We're like extra tired but it is fun! We did our first division in Seixal. I got to work with Sister Briggs. She is a boss! We had a fun time talking about how everyone is doing in Madeira. I learned a lot from her even after serving 6 weeks together. She's great!

 

This week our branch president and his family returned from a one month vacation in Madeira! Luckies! Diana, their daughter  who just got home from a mission in Brazil brought me back a tablecloth that is a typical Madeira thing. It was so nice and cute of her! We are glad to have them back in Barreiro!

 

Sister Caldwell and I are on the hunt for African dresses. We see ladies wearing them every day and we ask them every time where they got them but they always say Africa. So... I think a trip is in store for us. We found some finally but they're 80 Euros hahaha that's not happening.

 

Davinia is progressing really well. She's been to church 2 times with us and has friends there. She loves it! She reads the Book of Mormon every day and said she loves it. She told us when she finishes it she wants us to give her another book. We love her and her family!

 

We had a branch BBQ on Saturday. It was really fun. We were helping make a salad before and one of the sisters was like, "Well I can see you two don't know how to do anything." Hahaha gotta love blunt African people. Looks like Sister Caldwell and I ever getting married. Then that little kid that calls me his princess came. He brought me a bracelet and candy. He's 3! The whole branch has started calling me princess because of him haha. He's so funny!

 

Anilton was confirmed yesterday. He is changing so much! Every week when we pass by he's more dressed up. Yesterday he wore a white button up shirt and tan pants. He was waiting outside when we got there! He is happier and all his friends say he's calmer too. So cool to see people change!

 

Today for P day we went to a park again with other missionaries and played games. We did rollie polies down a hill. That's what we do for fun here haha. Also scare each other. The other day the Elders in the other branch called us and said "Hey do you know where the Elders are in Barreiro2? They still haven't come home and their phone is off. We are hearing really weird noises and we can't find anything anywhere in the house." He was like super scared. We told him call back in 5 minutes. Turns out the Elders were hiding in like a tiny closet above their heads and scared them to death. Then last night the other sisters saw us in our window so they chucked a rock at us. I wish I had Sister Caldwell's face on film. It was hilarious. We screamed and then our roommates almost peed their pants laughing.

 

Anyway, love you all. Have a great week!

 

Sister Carroll

Barreiro: Week 60

Hey!!

So just wanted to say first off Happy Birthday this week Grandma Joyce! Hope you have a wonderful birthday. Love you! 

So this week was great. I love my new comp. Her name is Sister Caldwell. She's from Lehi, Utah. She's tall and super blonde so literally everyone thinks we're German or Swiss or random things. But it's been a fun week. Monday through Thursday we were in a tripla with Sister King. I am grateful to be in just a double. It's a lot harder to teach haha but it was really fun!

Today we went to the park as a district and played soccer and basketball and then ate lunch at the chapel together. It was super fun. In our district it's me, Sis Caldwell, Sis Baird, Sis Austin, Elder André, Elder Bascom, Elder Moore, Elder Ormond, Elder Miller, and Elder Hicks.

We had a baptism yesterday! His name is Anilton. He's 26 and from Cape Verde. It was a good day. Seriously we have been really blessed the whole week. We have had lots of meetings and new things and even with less time we were able to have a good week and meet lots of people so that was awesome! 

We will do our first division on Wednesday! I'm excited we're going to Seixal and I am doing a division with my old companion Sister Briggs! I love her so it will be fun. 

So President Fluckiger moved the mission around a ton! He combined a bunch of the zones so now we have a megazone! Our district has 10 missionaries which is a lot so for the first time ever our District Leader has to have an assistant. So we have 2 District Leaders. It's really crazy but fun! 

I feel so bad I really have no idea what else to tell you haha. One of the biggest hings I've learned recently and on my mission is that it's possible to change. I know all growing up that I thought that the way I am is the way I always will be. But I have learned that it's possible to better ourselves and find our weaknesses. My mission scripture is Ether 12:27 which basically tells us that we are given weaknesses to humble ourselves. If we humble ourselves He will make our weaknesses strengths. I know that it's true that we can constantly change for the better. I am really happy about that! I try to work on one thing at a time to not get overwhelmed. But I know it's possible for anyone. :) 

Love you all! Have a great week.

Sister Carroll

Barreiro: Week 59

Hey!! 

So today was transfer day. I am staying here in Barreiro! Sister De Carvalho left and is actually serving with my trainer Sister Silva in Lisbon. They're both from Cape Verde. It will be interesting haha! They will finish their missions together. I am serving with a girl named Sister Caldwell. We actually came in to the mission together! She is super cute and outgoing so I am really excited to serve with her. We actually got called to be Sister Training Leaders which means we get to travel around and work with other sisters. I don't feel like I know enough to do this but I know that the Lord will qualify who He calls. I will learn a lot! I am really nervous but also really excited. It will be great.

This has been a really sad week actually because one of my roommates, Sister Call, who has become one of my best friends on the mission is going home. She has been struggling medically her whole mission and they finally told her it was best for her to go home now and get treatment. It has been a hard decision but I know it's what is best for her right now. She is awesome and luckily is from Utah so I will get to see her soon. She told President Fluckiger she could do one more transfer if it was with me, but Heavenly Father had better plans. I'm really grateful I got to spend a transfer with her though. She has helped me SO much. I love her!

On Saturday our investigator José Carlos got baptized! He got confirmed yesterday. He is from Cape Verde and is super cool. The missionaries have been working with him for a long time but he stopped going to church because he didn't want to be baptized. We found him in the street one day and he was just ready this time! He was super happy the day of his baptism and he calls us his Godmothers. I'm his American Godmother and Sis De Carvalho is his Cape Verdean Godmother haha. He's really funny.

Afterwords we had a party. It was originally planned to celebrate the 4th of July a day late so the Elders bought a ton of American food, but then all the Cape Verdeans brought food to celebrate their Independence day which is the 5th and they said they didn't need the Elder's food. Haha I felt so bad for them. But us three Americans celebrated by eating a hamburger with BBQ sauce haha. Woohoo!

4th of July I woke up in the middle of the night with the stomach flu. Not pretty. But we had a LOT of stuff to do to get the baptism ready so we went out to work and by the end of the night I was feeling fine. Of course we had a member meal that day too. Oh man. I was struggling to keep it down. We had 6 member meals this week. I feel like we're in the States! Haha the members here are awesome. This week the city is having a party every single night. Let's just say we haven't slept at ALL! Loud music, fireworks, screaming, I am so excited for the party to be over haha. 

Yesterday at church one of the Elder's investigator's sons who is like 3 years old was smiling at me from the stands while I was at the piano. I waved at him so he came over to the wall and was peaking around it and smiling. Then while we were praying and my eyes were closed he came and sat next to me at the piano. He was just staring at me and smiling. The testimonies started so I went and sat in the congregation and he came and sat next to me. He kept scooting closer and closer until I was halfway off the chair and he was on my chair. I obviously am not allowed to hold little kids so I felt so awkward haha! Then I went and sat a chair in front of him and he was like playing with my hair and calling me his princess. Everyone around heard and was laughing so hard. I was embarrassed haha he literally followed me EVERYWHERE I went it was hilarious. So I guess you could say I have a 3 year old Portuguese boyfriend.

Okay I don't have anything else to tell you. This will be a great transfer! Hope you all are happy and healthy. Love you have a great week!

Sis Carroll

Barreiro: Week 58

Zone Conference

Eating Snails!

Hey!! 

Woah Happy 4th of July Week!! Can't believe last year on this day I was in Braga, and the year before Costa Rica. I haven't had a real 4th of July in a while! Haha but I hope it is super fun! We'll eat watermelon or something...

This week was quite good! We had a Zone Conference in Setúbal and the Almada Zone came too which is the zone I was in in Miratejo. It was fun to see the missionaries there and talk to them about people I know! We learned a lot. Woohoo! P.S: I don't think I ever mentioned... My area is so close to Miratejo that I can see it from one of the bridges in my area. Haha... I didn't go too far.

Our stake went to the temple in Spain this past weekend. It was AWESOME because a ton of recent converts went and seriously you should see them the day after they go. They are different people. So happy, so peaceful. They can't find the words for how much they loved it. I love hearing their testimonies about it. I CAN'T WAIT to go back to the temple!

Yesterday one of our investigators, Anilton, was gardening so we taught him as he watered his vegetables. I seriously felt like I was at home it was so fun being in the garden! Haha a bunch of people in the neighborhood just found open land that no one was using and planted huge gardens. So funny.

So yesterday morning was just like every Sunday morning on the mission. Super busy! We had a bunch of people who said they were coming to church as usual. We confirmed with them all week and they were good to go. Well then there was a party here for the Brasilians in the World Cup and a ton of people went. So basically no one got home until 5 in the morning and were too tired to wake up. So we walked around for 2 hours knocking on everyone's doors and no one was answering, or they refused to go. We were so disappointed because we thought we had some SOLIDS this week. I just felt like there was something we needed to do to find a miracle so I started calling EVERYONE we know. No one answered. We bumped into a man we met a few weeks ago and he told us he'd meet us at the pizza restaurant in front of the church in one hour. I thought it was our miracle, but then he wasn't there. All the sudden I look across the street and saw this guy José who I had spoken to the day before at a bus stop. He's older and we just chatted for a little bit, nothing special. I invited him to church and he said, "sure why not?" So he came with us!!! We walked in to the chapel and 3 other investigators were there on their own. WOOHOO!!! Miracles. We did our part, Heavenly Father did the rest. They all LOVED church.

We have 2 investigators marked for baptism. Anilton and Gary. I will update you on them next week. They are GREAT! We also found a FAMILY!!! A mom and 3 daughters. We are helping one of them with her math homework and the whole family loves us now. We are STOKED about everyone!

Just wanted to share a story real quick that I heard last transfer. It is in the book about World War 2 called "The Hiding Place". Mom I know you've read it. So this lady and her sister were put in a concentration camp together. They were placed in a small room crowded with people on the second level where they had to sit on tires to sleep and it was so short they couldn't sit up all the way without hitting their heads on the ceiling. It smelled horrible and was a miserable place. The sister snuck in a Bible with her to give them a little bit of hope. She said she was complaining about the circumstance and how it was so horrible, but then her sister said, "No we need to be grateful! We read that in the Bible this morning." Then they felt a little pinch on their legs. They looked down and were covered in fleas. The sister began to pray and thanked God for everything, including the fleas. She said, "How on Earth can you be grateful for the fleas?" The sister just told her to be grateful. Well, there were never any guards in their room. They were always alone with just other prisoners, so they started having little Bible study groups. They got to be so popular that they had to start splitting the group up because there were too many. People started feeling hope, and happiness even in their horrible situation, which I imagine would be VERY difficult. A little while later they overheard one of the guards say that none of them would go into that prisoner's room because they were afraid of the fleas.

I loved that story. We can be grateful for anything, even when it doesn't make sense at the time. There is a purpose for everything in our lives. Be grateful for the fleas! Love you all. Have a great week.

Sister Carroll