Miracle of the Area Book

Hi everyone!  This week I want to share a truly miraculous experience I had this week. 

 

Last Tuesday we had a meeting in the city and had to travel by bus with our area book.  An area book is a giant binder full of records of all our efforts, all the information about the area, and basically everthing that is important to us and makes it possible for us to work in this area.  After the meeting, we had a lunch appointment and walked a loooong way to get there.  At some point on our walk, we stopped to take a rest and my companion who was carrying the area book, set it down for a second on a ledge.  When we started walking again, she forgot it there.  We realized this after lunch and ran back to get it.  And it was gone.  We looked everywhere and asked the neighbors, but no one knew anything about it.  Trying not to freak out, we stopped and said a prayer, asking for help to find the area book.  As soo as we said "amen"  we immediately crossed the street, walked a ways down, and there we saw it... a large stack of papers lodged in between a car and the curb.  Every single paper and record was accounted for, just without the cover.  When we picked them up to look through them, we saw scortch marks on the cornes of the pages.  Somebody had tried to burn them.  But somehow, all that burned was a small corner. 

 

This work is the Lord´s work.  And it can´t be stopped. 

 

I hope you all have looked for God´s hand in your lives, it is always there! 

 

We had another baptism this week!  Her name is Rosangela.  Her sister is the Relief Society president in the ward here!  And what a way to kick off the new year, making a promise to follow Jesus Christ.  A new start. 

 

Happy New Years!  Feliz ano novo! 

 

I love you all dearly!

 

com amor,

 

Sister Burch

Pictures from Brazil! São Paulo West Mission

Okay I lied.  Vegas Nativity with my sweet H!

My ZLs took my departure pretty hard

 My mission momma!

 President and Sister Ahlander!

 Behold!  My first baptism in Brazil!  This is Lapenta and he is a stud.  He came out of the water and shouted AMEN!  He calls me girafa because I am tall and I try not to take offense :)

 My comp sometimes tries to carry me up the hills.  

 Feliz Natal with this lovely family!  We ate BEANS and RICE and MEAT.
 Osasco até o fim!
 FELIZ ANO NOVO! 

ENJOY

Alex at Thanksgiving with the Sister Wives

I finally made it to Brazil!... Brasil?

Tudo bem!

Não posso acreditar que eu realmente estou em Brasil!

I MADE IT! 

I travelled for over 24 hours Monday and got here late Tuesday.  Us Americanos promptly went to meet President Del Guerso, who does not speak any English.  Needless to say, it was a quick interview.  It has been pretty hit or miss when it comes to being able to communicate with the people here.  They speak so FAST. 

My companion is Sister Marcon.  She is from Northern Brasil and does not speak a lick of English.  With the exception of the phrases "fetch!" and "oh my heck!"  I am currently living in the city of Osasco.  It´s one train and two bus rides outside of São Paulo.  We live in a one bedroom apartment with 2 other sisters.  Luckily one of them is from Peru and translates things into Spanish when I don´t understand. 

Although my Portuguese struggles, I have almost mastered 3 important things:

1)The Brazilian cheek kiss

2)The Brazilian finger snap thing

3)How to use Brazilian toilets...  hopefully I figure that one out completely soon

I love Brazil!  The people are so kind and patient with me when I have no idea what they are saying.  I have been doing a lot of smiling and nodding lately.  It is usually pretty effective, with the exception of a few instances. 

One day we were talking to a man at a newspaper stand and he told me I was a "filha da luz."  Which literally translates to "daughter of light."  My companion later told me that it means "child of Lucifer," so in retrospect, my response of "obrigada!" was less than appropriate. 

Another day we were sitting on a bench outside a market and 3 different people walked up to us and asked for our message.  While we were just SITTING ON A BENCH!  That does not happen in the States. 

Well I don´t have much more time but I will try to send some fotos.  Feliz Natal!  Eu amo voces! 

beijos,

Sister Boorsh

P.S. my name is impossible for them to say

P.P.S.  here is my address:

Rua Euzébio de Souza, 121
Jardim Londrina
05638-100 São Paulo/SP
Brazil

Eu amo as cartas!

PHOTOS NOTE

Hi everyone! This is Austin. I've been helping Alex by posting her entries to her blog for her. Alex has mentioned that some people are apparently unable to view the photos I've posted for her here, and if that's the case for you, I apologize! I'm not sure why that's happening for some people, but if you send me an email at voigt116@umn.edu and let me know this, I would be more than happy to forward you her direct emails with the original photos so that you can see them. I would also suggest making sure you've waited long enough for the photos to load - they're very large files - and that you've tried other computers or browsers - sometimes the formatting of the photos won't work with certain applications or systems. Thanks! :)

I Love Las Vegas

So this is it!  My last full week in Las Vegas.  I feel like I have lived in this city foreverrr.  I will miss it. 

 

Things I have learned from the Lost Vegans:

 

Having rocks instead of a lawn is normal. 

 

 It's also normal to water your rock lawn.

 

Little dogs are the best guard dogs because they bark more. 

 

40 degrees is too cold to go outside.

 

Gluten allergies are trendy.

 

There are good people everywhere.  I had a lot of preconceived notions before coming here about what it would be like and how crazy sin city would be.  But the people here (with the exception of one naked old man who yelled at us once, bless his heart) are good, kind people.  They are people who do not judge others about their pasts, beliefs, or appearances.  They are people who will give you the clothes off their backs. 

 

This guy is one of the best.  He is one of the first people I met and taught here.  His name is Tony and he is a hero to me!  (although he thinks he is too cool to smile).  He and his family have come a long way and I know that God smiles upon them!

His whole family got baptized with him on Saturday and it was the most amazing sight to see!

 

I look forward to what God has in store for me in Brazil!  But this city and these people will be a part of my life forever.

 

Sister Burch

WHAT THE WHAT

What a crazy week it has been!

 

oh, and happy Thanksgiving to you all! 

 

I know you are all anxious to hear what sort of celebrities I spent Turkey day with and I will keep you waiting no longer!

 

I spent Thanksgiving with the Sister Wives.  Yup.  It happened.  I will hopefully get some photo evidence to you all by next week.

 

Among other miracles, we also got to play football all day in our mission's Turkey Bowl!  I was on the starting line-up for probably the first and last time in my life. 

 

Oh, and one more small thing...

 

I GOT MY VISA.

 

I leave for Brazil in TWO WEEKS.  December 16th.  I'm kind of wishing I'd studied Portuguese harder!  I wasn't supposed to find out that I had it until a couple days before, but I have friends in high places!  (aka AP's that can't keep a secret).  I can't even believe it!

 

I sent my visa application in very late.  And I sent it through the slowest and most busy consulate in the states.  It makes no sense that I have my visa right now.  But somehow, I do.  God answers prayers!  So thank you for praying for me!  I love you all!

 

Sister Burch