Newly in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil ~

[Note from Sam's mom: The red spot outlines the town of Chapecó (roughly 175,000 people). The light highlighted area is the state of Santa Catarina, which is the mission boundary for the Florianopolis mission. Where Sam has been serving until now is on the island on the far right (ocean side) - where the headquarters of the mission in located. The boundary on the far left of the state borders Argentina. Chapecó was founded by Italian immigrants and has a majority of its population descending from Italian, Polish and German ancestry. It is 2,200 ft above sea level.]

Hello All!

As of right now I am sitting in a lanhouse (internet cafe) in Chapecó and it feels like my hands are going to fall off of my body!! Yay for being transferred to one of the coldest places in the mission for the dead of winter!!! Wooohooo! As far as the actual transfer part of the transfer.. We went to the center for one last big meeting with President and Sister Queiroz, I met the new American that is going to be trained by Sister Colares (my old comp) and gave her a few (a lot) of tips and things that I wished I could have had explained to me in English.. I GOT YOUR PACKAGE mother dear (but I couldn't actually get it in my house and opened until Saturday night). We got on the big fancy bus with reclining puffy chairs and headed off on our 13 hour bus ride through the night. We watched glorious mormon classics like The Book of Mormon Movie (strangest/funniest thing ever), Work and the Glory 3, and then Charly (to which basically everyone cried and therefore pretended to be sleeping when it ended) (or maybe that everyone was just me... hehe). It went by relatively fast.. got to sleep a bit.

My new companion is Sister Godoy from São Paulo (not Lori's mission). She has been on the mission for the same amount of time as me, but seeing as she didn't have 2 months learning a language in the MTC she has had one more transfer than I and is the senior companion. I actually kind of enjoy the fact that we have a similar amount of time. It makes me feel more like an equal contributor to the companionship instead of just someone to bop around behind and be directed on how to do everything.

{Random insert for Lori Lund---There is a guy in your mission that was dating Sister G. and he said that two sister missionaries contacted into him while he was at a restaurant.. Was that you? Ever contacted into some guy who has a crush on a missionary in a restaurant? OH! And if you remember Sister Stahly from the MTC, she is totally in my mission and is living in my apartment! She's the one who had the idea to dress up for Halloween. I was talking about my best friend in São Paulo and she said that she was in the MTC with you for a month and has pictures with you too. haha random}

We are now in Ramo 2 in Chapecó which is larger than the other Branch (Ramo). The city is split in half by the main avenue. There are a LOT of missionaries here. In just my branch we have 4 Sister Missionaries and 2 Elders. There are 6 more Elders in the other Branch too. It's kind of fun. We go in groups for lunch and there is a lot of work to do here in the large city. The only downside is that there are now 3 companionships for the members to give references, and neighborhoods are strangely split up. The other two Sisters are Sister Boyer (my comp from the mtc) and Sister Stahly (Americans) and those two sisters also live in our large apartment. It is amazing!! For the first time in 3 months I am able to actually talk and express myself and have a personality again! I didn't really realize how much I missed using my own language to communicate and it is so nice to have a break from only Português every once and a while. Before I came it was only those two americans and 5 Brazilian sisters with them and I had only heard the Brazilian point of view of the situation.. that the americans don't try to talk to them, that they are probably saying bad things about the other sisters.. I personally decided that I wouldn't let Sister Godoy feel left out, so whenever she is in the room or near we speak in Português, but still. It's amazing. The other sisters explained that they weren't talking bad about the Sisters.. they were just trying to remain sane.. Plus, sitting in a room with 5 Brazilians all talking fast when you are still new to the language? Yeah. I sure know that I wouldn't have been able to understand them.

But anywho. I decided that here I wouldn't be mistaken as someone who is quiet and shy, so on Saturday at the ward's FHE I decided to go forth and learn everyone's names. It was quite fun! The only ones that I had a hard time with were the names that have no base whatsoever in english and that I didn't already learn in Ingleses. I could tell that the ward members really appreciated it and now I know a lot more about them than I did in my other ward already. It was also great because the only person that I asked "So, how long have you been a member?" to isn't Mormon and therefore I was able to set up an appointment to go to his house this Saturday.

This area is huge and hilly.. we don't use the bus here like we did in Ingleses.. but the hills are good when its freezing-they warm you up! The only problem is that the other sisters before us left us nothing (no investigators, nothing).. SOOO we are starting from scratch. I did my first contact of the mission the other day. It's actually kind of strange how easy it is to do here in Brazil. You just ask if you can leave a blessing in their house, they either say that they're Catholic and not interested (rare) or they invite you in or give you their address and phone number on the street. I am interested to see what results we get from this. These days we are kind of just wandering around with a map and trying to get to know the area. Sister G was in Chapecó before, but she was in the other Branch, so it's new for her too.

Basically it just now is starting to feel like the mission that I had expected. The contacting and how it's all working now. As for the package-- LOVED it! I would give you my address here for letters and packages because once you're in Chapecó you generally don't leave for a good 6 months.. but we are trying to move apartments right now. Our apartment is big and nice, but the showers have a tendency to only have luke warm water which will just randomly turn off. When it's freezing outside (and I can see my breath while normally breathing inside), the worst thing to do is to take a shower in icy water (did that yesterday). Woo!! The package was perfect. Had everything that I was just thinking that I would need. We are excited about the American things too, even though in the cold it doesn't feel like July 4th should.

Lately I bought a pair of boots, and some more tights and gloves. The heating pad is great!! Only problem is that the only outlet it doesn't work in would be the one next to my bed.. haha of course. It DOES work in the one by my desk so I will be warm while studying. We are trying to get permission to get a heater in our apartment--Sister Q was all for it, but seeing if we have the funds is another story.

Anywho, next week I will send more pictures.. I left my camera at home. I will also make a list of things I may need. As of right now I am finding most everything here. Clothes are kind of expensive, those boots were the only ones that were in my size that fit in Chapecó.. soo thanks for the support! Hope you are all having a cheery summer-ish!

Love,

Sister Reising

First Transfer Coming

A few of us Sisters at lunch with Sister Queiroz

Hello all!

Sorry for the month long silence. The mission definitely has its ups and downs, and the past little while was a bit of a down (as one might say.. haha). This week I am being transferred to Chàpeco! It is 12 hours away by bus and cold... yay 4 winters in 2 years!!! I will have another Brazilian companion, but we will be living in a really big apartment with 2 american missionaries (Sister Boyer, my comp from the MTC, as one of them). Sister Colares spent 6 months in that city and loved it.. I am pretty sure that I will be there for a while now too--it seems that people go there and kind of stay.. But it will be a good experience I am sure. One bad thing is that I will only receive letters and packages there one time per month... so if you want to send me something fun, send away... If you need to tell me something important? Send me an email!!

This week is the last week with President and Sister Queiroz--they will truly be missed--Great leaders who really love all of us. I am excited for the new mission Pres to come and am looking forward (A smidge anxiously) to his new rules...

This week we went to the Mission Center a few times--one time to go and have lunch with Sister Q. in the mall with some other Sisters relatively near to us.. I MET SISTER CALDER (LORI LUND!). She was awesome! It was such a nice break to be able to talk to someone that has things/experiences in common.

While we were there Sister Q told us about someone who works in a pharmacy in Floripa--she mentioned that two sister missionaries had come over to give her dying father a blessing and asked if Sister Q knew who she was talking about. Its was us! One day we were visiting one of our investigators that we love, and she said that her neighbor's father was sick and wanted a blessing of comfort. Sister Colares and I went over there and saw this little old man curled up in a ball on his bed. He was tall, but he was quite literally just skin and bones. He looked so sad, and couldn't even talk. My heart immediately reached out to him. Sister Colares and I knelt down by the side of his bed and she prayed (left a blessing for him). The Holy Ghost was so strong.. both Sister C and I and the daughter of this man were crying. It was simple.. a prayer for him to have comfort.. After we prayed we left. We didn't teach, we didn't spend a long time there.. And then the only other thing that we heard about that man was that 5 days later he passed away.

However, Sister Q. told us that a miracle happened that day for that family. The woman she met said that after we left her house her father became more alert and sat up. For the last 5 days of his life he was himself again. He talked to his family and was present for his last moments. It was truly a miracle :). I can honestly attest to the fact that when you pray in the name of Jesus Christ miracles can happen!! (and sometimes you have to wait a while to know the fruits of your labors and faith). I have such a strong love and testimony of Christ and I am so grateful that I can be here to help change people's lives for the better.

I hope all is well back in the states!! :D

With love,
Sister Reising

A family in Ingleses that I love

Florianpolis in June (winter)

Barbara, with the largest, most patient and awesome cat ever!

Middle of May

Oh hey,

Im still here! I added some more photos for you to look at.. These are from my companion's camera.. I think that they are all pretty self explanatory except for the last one. (others are people we are teaching, an awesome bird from an investigators house..) That one is of me and Nicole--one of my favorite kids here! Whenever I come over we always get up to something awesome--yesterday we found that we both enjoy math and she 'taught' me a couple of things and was impressed that I could so quickly know that 12 fours is 48. (she is nine). In that moment I decided to show her my 'trick' and she and I made an entire multiplication table. It was great fun and she had patience to figure out every single one!! She was also great a week or so ago because we went over to their house for FHE [Family Home Evening]. About 10 paces in front of their Apartment Sister Colares said, "Oh, and by the way, YOU will be giving the lesson! Not just a short brief message" (which I am now accustomed to her springing on me all the time). Me and Nicole (pronounced Nick-cole-ee) got up to some awesome drawing and taught how faith is like a little seed. Basically, she's awesome.

The transfer came and it looks like I will be in staying here with Sister Colares. Yay English class! I had many students tell me that they hoped that I would stay.. saying silly things like, "If you're not the teacher, I am not coming back.." haha Oh my students.. how I love them all dearly.

As of right now, we aren't teaching too many different people.. Just working with Suelen (baptized 2 weeks ago) and her mother who may be baptized this coming week. But Sister Colares has a kidney stone which is giving her a lot of pain. She is a trooper though. still hits the floor running everyday at 6:30am. It has been a little bit slower, but hopefully it will pass soon. She made me memorize "Hospital da Caridade" just in case.. haha but I don't think it will get that bad.

My mom asked what we do on PDays;. Sister Colares is a fan of sleep (Even more than me.. hard to believe, I know), so we usually wake up, clean the house, run errands, email, go home, write letters and sleep. Today however we also got manicures. For some reason manicures and painting your nails is a huge thing in Brazil all the women go every week and change colors and comment on the each others nails (not something Im used to doing)... Its also really cheap, but also more painful than I remembered from the states. I think Sister Colares has it in her mind that she will transform me into a Brazilian (fashion wise). She is well on her way with the awesome shoes and the bright pink nail polish.. haha

I hope all is well with everyone!

Much love,

Sister Reising

ps. I think that I have become the animal and kid whisperer.. All animals come and sleep and curl up with me and the kids too.. I think Sister Colares doesn't mind though, she's much better at talking with the adults.. hehe

Day After Mother's Day (and a phone call home)

This week my message will be a message of Pictures!! Hope you enjoy!

There are pictures of my first baptism with Suelen, my apartment (the biggest room), my companion making lunch, me and my roommates from the ctm in Brazil.. loved them, me and the sand dunes a while back... me playing ping pong with my last opponent (i was teaching her), and me and Danielle in the mtc in provo right before I left.

I will send more next week! hope you enjoyed!







[Note from Sam's mom: We had an hour-long call via Skype with Sam yesterday and it was so wonderful to hear her voice and have a two-way conversation! Her dad was in Florida, so we got a 3-way call going with her brother Alex and I here in Washington. She was in the home of the Bishop in her area, using his computer. She reports it is starting to get cooler there, but it's still in the 70's. It likely won't get colder than in the 40's in the dead of winter (July) - at least where she is right now on the coast. Transfers will be happening a week from tomorrow, and she has no idea if she'll stay put or be transferred to another area of the mission. We'll see what the mission president thinks in a week or so. She finally got the box of Easter stuff I sent- so it took about 4-5 weeks to get there, but she's receiving letters in a little over a week's time. She reports she hasn't heard from very many of her friends since she arrived in Brazil - but has loved letters from her cousin Jared, a friend from year 1 at school (I'm sorry I don't remember her name!), Annie, and Elin (thank you thank you!)... she's feeling a little homesick - 15 more months feels like an eternity away, and news and support means a lot. Despite her fight with mosquitoes she is in good health, and we enjoyed some detailed descriptions of daily life. And I believe she mentioned she has already done some shopping to add some vivid Brazilian color to her wardrobe. It was a great Mother's Day - so awesome to talk to Sam!]

3 Months Out Milestone Reached TODAY - 1 Month in Florianopolis

Dear family and friends!

First thing I learned this week? I do have allergies! Surprise!! Not really allergies, but since I am not accustomed to the mosquitoes here and I am eaten alive nightly (sleeping doused in bug spray, in pants), I had my first allergic reaction. Party. Luckily I was in the best possible place for it to happen.. I was at a mission meeting at the center, with the Mission President and his wife (a nurse).. He was giving us a message and all of a sudden my face started getting red, and hot.. my heart started beating fast for no reason, I was having a hard time swallowing.. I had no idea what was happening.. It was so strange!! My companion just looked over at me and asked what was wrong.. trying to explain it in Portugues was also a bit of a party. But I got water, and sat by a window and the symptoms went away. After I was talking to the mission president's wife and she said that it was stress--but then she saw the huge mosquito bites on my leg and said- "Those are horrible! Allergic reaction!" She gave me a shot, got me medicine.. she also said its normal because we don't have those type of bugs in the states, but yeah.. that was a party!

Other than that, the week was pretty long.. a lot of appointments fell through, but we also have a baptism confirmed for this saturday!! AND she wants to do it in the ocean!! Good times (pro of being on the beach). Other than that I have rediscovered my affinity for small children--I can communicate with them in small gestures and sounds-- I even had a ten minute HomenAranha (Spider man) fight with a few of them.. it. was. AWESOME! Sister Colares keeps up the talking with the adults when I'm lost and I just stick to making faces, entertaining the kids, and smiling.. a LOT of smiling.

Something else that I found interesting is the 'cleaning' habits of Brazilians. All of the sinks have cold water only.. Soap? Maybe.. In my house we clean every p-day.. We use water with laundry detergent and a broom to wash the floors and a squeege (sp?) type thing as well. Also, washing things like cups and such only requires a run under the water... hot water, soap? Nope! I am impressed that more people don't get sick...

Another fun Brazilian thing are the buses.. There are crazy speed bumps on the road everywhere (huge) because everyone speeds like there is no tomorrow. The smaller roads are unevenly paved with big stones and therefore any trip by vehicle is a bumpy ride! (Extreme Mr Toad's Wild Ride). Without fail every time that I am standing on the bus I lose my balance and almost fall on someone to which my companion always laughs.. I guess I'm just not used to the crazy yet.. haha. Also, you want to cross the street at a cross walk? Good luck!! No cars slow down, and on many of the smaller streets there are no sidewalks so you and the cars become best friends! haha Its definitely a new world down here.

Now that I have the medication I am doing well, even though it does make me a little sleepy. I will be calling on Mom's day around 4 my time! Sounds perfect! Hope all is well!
Love you!
Sister Reising

3rd Week in Ingleses

Hello world!

How are all of you doing? Brazil is doing well! This week was a week of holidays in preparation for Pasçoa (Easter). In the US you get to have that day on Sunday, but in Brazil? You get a four day awesome holiday weekend. This means that everyone goes to the beach.. literally. Everyone. All of the stores close down, restaurants that are not in tourist areas close down, everyone is out of their house, and everyone is at the beach. Tons of tourists, a horrible bus schedule, you know, all the perks! haha It made working a little more difficult because many people were not in their house, not many people came to class on Thursday and Saturday because everyone was out traveling, but in spite of that it was a good week. One of the students from English class had a party and invited us so we stopped by for an hour (normal thing to do in Brazil--its only polite), and they had a ping pong table set up.. Needless to say, I started playing with someone, and then all of the good ping pong players there wanted to give it a go! It was fun! I think all of the people there were shocked that a white american missionary woman in a skirt could hold her own at ping pong, but it was quite a nice break in my day!

Other news, last Saturday night we were coming home on the bus and as we passed in front of our church, Sister Colares heard an older woman in front of her say, "I think that's the church my daughter was talking about.. I don't know anything about it." Good thing S.C. speaks Português because I can't overhear things well.. S.C had a thought that she needed to talk with her and she introduced us as missionaries of the church in question. She then asked if we could go over to leave a blessing on their house/answer any questions that she might have. The older lady said that we could, and on Sunday after church we went over there. This older lady lives with her daughter and her daughter has a 4 year old son. We came over, left a blessing, went back a couple of days later, taught the first discussion, the daughter and her sister and their kids all came to church on Sunday, and they loved it! She almost didn't go, but her mother encouraged her to go saying, "Just go and see. If you like it, you can tell the missionaries that you liked it. If not, you can tell them that you didn't." (Thank YOU Brazilian Grandma!) The daughter and her sister came, they loved church. We spent 3 hours at their house last night re-teaching the first and second discussions (for the sister's sake), and it looks like at least the daughter wants to be baptized THIS Saturday at Stake Conference!! It's amazing! Her sister and her nephew felt the spirit too and want to be baptized, the mother needs to go to church, because she too likes the church. Its Amazing!

I received a letter from Mom, Dad, and Lori this week! LOVED THEM ALL!! Thanks for all the support! Love you!

Sister Reising

Second Week in Ingleses

Olá minhas familia e amigas!

I hope this letter finds all of you well! This last week quite literally flew by.. Tuesday, however, inspired me to write this following story in my journal. I decided that it would be best to share it here with you as well so you can fully understand the Brazilian life that I am now leading..

"So.......... I woke up this morning at 4 am, wasnt feeling too good, and I went into our tiny bathroom. As I was sitting down, I drearily looked at the green tile wall about 2 feet away from my face. But it didn't look the same. Right in front of me about a foot and a half off the ground was a brown smudge that I hadn't ever noticed before.. I blinked, trying to get the sleepiness out of my eyes, and the brown sandy smudge came more into focus. But it wasn't just a smudge... it had a tail, and fingers, and toes! I leaned to one side to see if the light would catch it/it had a shadow/was 3D. Sure was! I blinked again, really making sure that I wasn't still dreaming and its eyes opened and it stared at me. I just stared right back. I just kept thinking, "I think it could be justifiable if I screamed right now. There is a lizard/salamander on the wall in my bathroom 2 feet away from me. Its beady black eyes are staring at me." The other part of my brain was thinking, "Sam, it's just a lizard. You're in Brazil. Don't freak out. You're just tired. Plus it hasn't moved--it's not hurting anything/anyone. Leave it alone." So I decided, as long as it didn't move-and by move, I mean viciously and aggressively start jumping ninja/squirrel like in attack mode--we would be fine. I sat there. It sat there. I got up and left and it stayed completely still. I drowsily fell back into my bed waiting for sleep again all while keeping an eye open on the crack of my open bedroom door--just to make sure no Rambo salamander made for its revenge.

In the morning I woke up, found my dictionary, and the first word I said to my companion was "Lagarto" (lizard). She just started laughing and said, "So I guess you met Prysbyla." (Named for her last companion who hated it). It seems like this 3-4 inch long salamander has lived here longer that I and he enjoys eating all of the bugs that eat me. Therefore, for now, me and Prysbyla will be friends--as long as he keeps to living when I'm sleeping."

Other than that one morning, I only have seen Prysbyla at one other time this week. I went to put my clothes in the laundry machine and as my towel touched down I heard and saw a lizard running around inside. This time he/she looked a lot smaller and more friendly, but still, I had to wait and coax it out so that I could wash my clothes. Oh Prysbyla (sounds like Pris-bee-la), we will live to have more interesting encounters, I'm sure.

I told this story to my English class and they all started laughing and saying how they all have these little lizards in their house too. My English class and I share a good bond. They all enjoy my silly ways and I think they are all comfortable with me in learning English. A companionship of Elders comes and helps us too, one teaches with me and one does a conversation class with those that can form sentences, and I'm pretty sure that the larger basic class enjoys me. There are all ages, from 6-60 in the class.. and a couple of the teenagers wanted to add me on facebook, (you can accept them Mom.. haha). One of the older men in the class invited Sister Colares and I over to share a message. He is a guitar player/singer and teaches lessons. Once we were there he pulled out tons of music and played his guitar and we sang with him. It was hard for me because it was just lyrics and chords and all in Português, but I picked it up. We sang him and his wife a hymn before our message and he said, "Sister! You're a singer!!" He keeps bringing me music and wants to sing (even hymns) whenever he comes to class. It cracks me up! I am considered an amazing singer because I can read music, and stay on the notes? This means that I sing.. ALL THE TIME. and I love it!

As for letters and packages, I havent gotten any packages but I hear that there is some mail for me in the Center, the District leader just needs to go and get it for me. I got your letter mom with the pictures and it was great!! In fact, if I may ask--if anyone could send me pictures of seattle, London, Friends, family, ANYTHING--actual picture pictures, I would appreciated it. Brazilians are crazy for photos and everyone has a little photo book. I havent had time to assemble one for myself, and I cant print out pictures (or emails), so its kind of difficult. But that is something I would love!

Thanks for all the communication and the love! I really appreciate it! Missionary work is sometimes really hard, little children are super cute but are also REALLY distracting when you're trying to bring the spirit--and as my mission president said, that is our whole purpose. We could debate about The Book of Mormon and the Bible all we wanted, but the thing that converts people is the spirit that the Missionaries bring while they teach. It's hard, but rewarding.

Must go! Love you all!

Sister Reising