"Thank you very well."

Olá!


English classes here in Brasil are hit-or-miss. Mostly miss. One woman in our ward always says, "Thank you very well." and it is SO funny; mostly because she thinks she is speaking super well and is impressed with herself. I have to stop and think about my own Portuguese....but still, I wish you all could hear the English here. It's the best. Hopefully I will have a thick Brasilian accent when I get home so you all can hear it.


As a mission, we are being the guinea pig for a new idea - to work more with family history. We are filling in our little "My Family" books and using them to invite other people to learn more about their own family history and the church. It has been really cool to work on my own family history and last week I discovered something that I had always felt but never had proof - I am a princess.


Yes, it is true. I have royal blood. Many of my great-great (and more greats) grandfathers were kings of Norway, Scotland, Finland, etc. When I found this out, I began to shout with excitement and all the Brasilians were amazed, haha. One Elder even made me a tiara. This would explain why all the Brasilians say I am so "elegant" when I walk in the street. And they say it explains my straight hair...


But, in all seriousness, it has been so cool to learn more about my family and see the qualities that my family possessed that I now possess as well. Here in Brasil, it is VERY difficult to do family history and it makes me thankful for all the time and effort that my family has already put in to do our family history. Check out your family history today at myfamilysearch.org! It is free and really a wonderful tool to find out more about who your family was that makes you who you are today.


We had our routine interview with Presidente Canuto this past week and I know without a doubt that he is truly a man called and inspired by God. I entered the room weighed down the difficulties of the mission and left feeling uplifted, inspired, and full of God's love. Presidente Canuto has so much love for this work and each one of his missionaries. I am so thankful for the things he teaches me each week and the kindness he shows. He helped me to see a little more of the potential The Lord has for me. I love my mission president!


I also got an awesome package this week and some great letters that made me extremely happy! Brasilians love Swedish fish! Getting letters from my sweet little sisters was probably a highlight of my mission!


This week was a little slow but I am working hard to see miracles happen here! I know this is the work of The Lord and I feel so blessed to be His representative. Even when I am tired and feel like I can't make it another nine months, I feel The Lord pushing me on. I know He loves His missionaries and is counting on His small army of Elders and Sisters to help our other brothers and sisters return to His presence.


I love this Gospel!


Have a great week! Te amo!
Sister Serre


My and Sister Kimbrell at the pond and me and my companion (she always makes this face...)!