Week 4

Dearest family and friends,

What a week! Last week we received two new sisters - one from Provo (who is headed to my mission) and one that came straight from Leeds, England (her home)! It was so cool having a Brit in our class. She said I have a pretty decent British accent but look the most American and sound the most American. I blame it on my Southern roots where we draw out each word so long. :) She got moved down this week to a class more her level, but it was fun to have her for a while! She is setting me up with her brother when I get home. ;)

Because Sister O'Brien is moving down, my companionship is getting split so that Sister Roberts (the sister from Provo) can have a companion. I am sad to lose Sister Thornton - her and I have so much fun! But thankfully we will still be together pretty much all the time. The combination of my district split and my companionship split has been a bummer but I know that it is Heavenly Father pushing me out of my comfort zone so that I can continue to progress and work harder.

Last Friday (Sexta-Ferreira), we were dropped off on the middle of the busiest street in Downtown Sao Paulo with three copies of The Book of Mormon each and our limited Portuguese. It was AMAZING! I loved talking to people and testifying of Jesus Christ. I placed TEN copies of The Book of Mormon!!!! My companion literally spoke no Portuguese (she just had arrived) so I did it all. It was so cool to speak Portuguese and communicate with real Brazilians. They all were so amazed that I have only been speaking for three weeks yet can speak clearly and powerfully enough to share my knowledge of our Savior's love and life here on this continent. One woman told me that she had been searching for the truth in her life and had attended many churches she could feel were false, but as she spoke with me she felt something different and wanted to see what that difference was. Another man approached me and then his family followed so I bore my testimony on eternal families and he and his wife were so interested and kept saying, "amen!" Another woman that I approached read through the first two chapters as I sat with her at the bus stop. Many others asked for church locations and ways to find out more. It was a really cool glance into what the mission will be like. At first I was nervous and intimidated but once I got going, I did not want to stop! Eu sei que O Livro de Mormon e verdadeira e testifica de Jesus Cristo e seus milagres nesta continente!

Another cool thing we did this week was sing Christmas carols in front of the MTC for all of the neighbors to hear. A lot of people came out and listened to us and others opened their windows to let our music come in. Such a cool way to testify of Jesus Christ's birth - through song with other missionaries like me!

Other than those two things, life at the CTM is pretty regular. Always studying and teaching.

I am so thankful to be here and to be preparing to teach and serve in Piracicaba. I love the people of Piracicaba so much and pray each day that I am becoming the missionary that those people need so that they can be brought into Christ's light and love.

Even though it is hot here in Brazil and does not feel like a normal Christmas, I love being able to celebrate the birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I know that He suffered and died for each one of our individual sins. He knows exactly what pain we are going through because He has felt it, too. You are never alone. Christ is there with you always, helping you and guiding you. I pray that you feel His love and support especially around this joyous, special time of His birth. Christ lives and loves you.

Thank you all for the emails and letters! I wish I had more time to reply but I will try harder next week!

I love you all and have a very Merry Christmas! I LOVE YOU!

Sister Serre