I Love My Ward!

When I first came to Brazil, I was with about 20-25 American missionaries. We filled three center rows in the chapel and there was a separate Relief Society in English. Over time, missionaries have gone home and not been replaced (three couples from the legal team, one auditor couple, one mental health couple) or they have been replaced by Brazilians, who have their own wards to attend. Four other American couples have been called to assist on Sundays at the Missionary Training Center in São Paulo. So, the American presence in the ward has dwindled. The last few missionary couples often have assignments out of town (humanitarian assignments or speaking in stake conferences). Last Sunday, I was the only American missionary at church. I am learning more Portuguese, but not enough to hold conversations or to really get to know people, and I was feeling like I wasn't really part of the ward. I felt pretty lonely.

But the people in this ward are amazing! I think I have been taken on as a project. :) On Sunday, there is often a sister who will sit next to me and when I don't understand something, she will explain it to me. I was invited to a dinner for Young Single Adults last Sunday, where I was able to practice Portuguese with some returned missionaries. They also spoke English, so after 30 minutes of Portuguese (when my head started to hurt!) they switched to English, and we talked the rest of the time in English.

For two Saturdays, I have spent the afternoon with Sister Jo Ribes, the Relief Society President, and we have had fun going to places around São Paulo. We talk half the time in English (which she wants to improve) and half the time in Portuguese (which I want to improve).  She and her husband have a public relations business, working with book publishers, and they have a lovely home.

It was so fun visiting with her, and afterwards she took me to a beautiful green space in São Paulo. It is the location of the Maria Luis and Oscar Americo Foundation. It was the home of the Americo family at one time and when she died, her husband gave the house and grounds to the city of Sao Paulo for a museum. It has a beautiful collection of art and antiquities from the Imperial Period of Brazilian history (when the royal family of Portugal ruled from Rio de Janeiro). It was while Napoleon was conquering Europe.  It is a lovely museum.

Then yesterday, we went to an antiques fair in the Pinheiros section of the city. I had my first feijoada! it was really good. We browsed and talked, and it was a lovely afternoon. 

I am also working with another tutor to improve my Portuguese. I meet with him for an hour a day, four days a week. He is very patient, and he realizes that I don't have much time for homework, so we just talk. But that is what I need!

I also had something else wonderful happen. I met with Dr. Felipe Aragao, who is a nutrologist - a medical specialty that exists in Brazil but not in the US. It has to do with autoimmune disease and health issues related to nutrition.  I am getting some medication that is helping me. So far, I am finding that I have more energy and find that I sleep better!

So, good things are happening here. 

And- I am actually really working! I still see lots of missionaries and I am working on several presentations for zone conferences and other instruction. I am coordinating with the new Brazilian mental health counselors who work for Family Services in Brazil, and I also teach English one afternoon a week. So, I am not slacking!

And one of the best things of all - I got to work with my son Matt for a couple hours on a presentation that he is doing. I helped him with his Power Point and that was a lot of fun.