I survived my first transfer!

Tudo bem família e amigos!


Well, I survived my first transfer here in the field - only 11 more to go! I will be staying here in Cordeirópolis while Sister Pagane begins her new journey as Sister Trainer of the mission. I will miss her! She has been such an awesome trainer. I am excited to stay here as our work is beginning to pick up. We had 9 investigators at church yesterday - a record for this small branch!


Last week we had a baptism! My first of the mission. It was really incredible and I loved the peace we all felt. Yhasmin truly is such a special person and I feel so blessed to have been a part of her conversion. I gave her a CTR ring, and a bracelet and book mark that my sisters made after and she absolutely adored it! She is a great example for her younger siblings; they both wanted to be baptized too and cried when we started draining the font...haha. Yhasmin is the reason that her mom has started attending church again and is the foundation for church growth in her family. I just love her and am so excited for her bright future ahead!


We will have another baptism this Saturday with a woman named Erica. We have worked so hard for these past six weeks and now the fruit of our labors are shining through. We are finding the elite and those that are looking for Christ. It is so wonderful to finally have investigators who want to change and follow the example of Jesus Christ!


The sun has been so hot here that they changed the hours for all of the missionaries here in Brasil. We now work mornings and study in the afternoons when the sun is at its worst. A lot of missionaries were getting sick so they changed it. We have been trying it and it's been pretty good. Hard to study after lunch because we are so tired but we have not been nearly as hot and sun burnt. It's over 100 degrees here everyday.


We also had the Sister Trainers here for the mission last week which was fun. One big sleepover and I learned a lot during our division. It was good to see how other missionaries teach and it also gave me a lot of hope because one of them is an American and she speaks completely fluent! I will be like that...one day. :) Just with time. Patience is a skill I am mastering!



In other news, pretty sure I am allergic to Brasil! Something weird is always going on. It's usually because of the heat but it's entertaining.



I love this work and am so thankful to be here - even with Brasil and all its glory! I know this Gospel is true and I know that God helps His missionaries. I know He loves us all and I see this love everyday. I am so excited for the progress that this work is making and I know that I am where I need to be. I pray for you all and wish you the best! Have a wonderful week and enjoy Valentine's Day! I think I might try to make some Valentine's to give out to the little kids we see everyday...haha, my companion thinks I am crazy because they don't have that here.


Random facts about Brasil:


It is normal for men here to have VERY well trimmed eyebrows. A little creepy, honestly.


Peanut Butter is a touchy subject here - you either LOVE it or HATE it. It costs around $27 Reis for a jar here...


I love Brasil! Love you all!

Sister Serre

Pictures attached are Yhasmin's baptism and the jungle I walk in!