Six Months!

Weird to think I’ve just about completed a third of my mission. Tomorrow will be my one year mark (which means I have one year left) but I’m not focused on that, I have work to do:) 

This week was really great. After I talked to y’all last p-day sister O and I headed to the Dr to have him look at my foot and get cleared to work as normal. So he wasn't in his office and we were with Bishops wife and she wanted us to see how beautiful God´s creations were. So we went to the beach:) Don’t worry we didn't leave the car, just went for a nice drive on the coast, it was pretty sweet.  I´ll send pictures:) Then this week we worked hard. 

I want to send a shout out to Sister Bagan (forgive me if iI spelled your name wrong) and other seminary teachers who enforced scripture mastery. It saved our investigator. So what happened is we have an investigator that has some problems (who doesn't really?) but anyway we were reviewing the baptismal interview questions and asked if he´d live the 7th commandment... lei de castidade:) fun. Anyway he didn't have a lot of faith in himself that he could change, he didn't want to promise anything when he knew he wouldn't keep his promise. Anyway it broke our little hearts and we ate our feelings in açaí and encountered a young man who is very interested in following Christ so we´ll be eating açaí more;) But anyway we we´re pretty sad about this other guy, he already has a testimony of the book of mormon and he wants to follow Christ but `the flesh is weak´anyway i read a couple of the good ole scripture mastery verses in D&C and wow:) We focused on the atonement and the love of God. Literally we are his children and he doesn't want us to suffer the same pain he went through. So we shared the scriptures with him explained our role as missionaries is to call repentance to the people, I cant even really describe this lesson really. Just that it was directed by the spirit completely. Anyway we made goals:) yay goals, every missionary loves goals! we put the title `minha salvação´ my salvation, and we made a list of things we can do instead of sinning; pray, read the scriptures, go to church, avoid dangerous situations, and be baptized:) So he´ll be baptized this week. woohoo! 

So my words of wisdom for those who want to serve missions, or help missionaries, or want to be happy (I think that covers just about everyone) read over the scripture mastery scriptures, even if you don’t memorize them have them in mind, these verses we´re selected specifically because they are simple, powerful and answer any doubt anyone could have. The church is true. I love you all. Keep praying and writing;)

Sister Leonard

Viewing God's beautiful creations

See my tosies??

I am my mother's daughter

January 20, 2014

I am my mother’s daughter

So this week was good. Crazy as ever. I really like this new area:) it´s nice and hilly. We taught a few people, I’m just kinda learning the area still so I don’t have too much of an update on the work, just that its working;) 

Umm some cool facts about my area, the soccer stadium is in my area and the giant christmas tree is right next too our chapel and our chapel is the very first chapel in the rio grande do norte (the state I’m in) so that´s legit. I live with three of the most legit Brazilians ever. My companion is a boss. Love her to death:) I was proposed to for the first time on the mission.It was super romantic. We contacted Peter Simon, invited him to church and he responded `Im looking for my 4th wife, and i want it to be you´ pointing at me... awkward. We told him there were lots of single ladies in the ward... he said he would go just to date... flirt to convert? acho que não. 

So what else happened. Ah i remember, I fell this week. But don’t worry I didn't break my foot, we got x-rays :) So i really didn't do too much because I wasn't allowed to walk. So yesterday, Sunday we did divisions so my comp could work, and I was babysat by bishop´s wife... she had 6-8 little girls over playing with her kids basically I became there new project. They made a menu of activities to do, they did my nails, make up, hair, put on a show for me, everything. It was pretty fun. Exhausting but fun, I now have the nick name of Sister Barbie... great. 

But other than that everything is pretty chill here. Its a lot cooler in Natal than Mossoró.... still hot but i think i’m pretty close to the coast;) (its on the other side of the dunes). the church is true, share the gospel with all your friends, if you’ve already tried try again, this is a new year and now they are ready to follow Christ. 

love you all:)

Sister Leonard

The new companionship

Sister Barbie 

I mustache you a question

The final results

It's tough being a life-size mannequin

This is where it happens

Transfers

January 15, 2014

So I got transferred. I’m in Natal... google Natal look at the really big sand dunes…I'm right next to those... we´re going to visit one of these p-days. Last week was pretty normal, I learned how to build a wall:) and mix cement. Everything has been pretty tranquil. With transfers it’´s usually pretty stressful and hectic but this transfer was pretty cool. I´d been praying to follow the Lord´s will and not worry about what I want.  I had been in Mossoró for 4 1/2 months and I love the area and the ward is fabulous! So I had a pretty distinct impression I wasn't going to have another 6 weeks in Abolição, so i tried really hard to seek inspiration. I thought of the cities I could be going to and well I could only think of Natal, there are 4 zones in Natal its pretty big. In the midst of all this revelation I have the thought `you´ll be going to Elder Basil´s zone’ (he was recently made a zl) anyway long story short Elder Basil is my ZL and I’m in Natal and its really awesome how the Lord answers our prayers and how we can receive personal revelation. Search the scriptures, pray and fast, seek to encounter someone you can share the gospel with. The Lord loves his children and wants them to be happy. I’m really excited for this new area, also I’m living with 3 Brazilians now, so if my english is horrible its because i don’t use it ever. Love you all. Stay safe. Keep praying for the missionaries:)

Love 

Sister Leonard

Hi

Jan 6, 2014

This week was rather uneventful compared to the last crazy month, but it was really really nice to just work how missionaries should. We had a blast new years eve, we went to a members house to eat some BBQ because that´s what they do in Brazil, then at 920 we got a ride home from a member and greatly enjoyed yelling “happy new year go to church!” then we decided what things we wanted to change this new year Sister Francis and I decided our hair would be a good idea:) I´ll send pictures:) ah we also had a hammock party:) because that´s popular here too:) all in all we are healthy and smiling and enjoying the work here. Next week is transfers so I wont email until wednesday or thursday. love you all:)

love 

Sister Leonard

ps write me

Sister Aleah Leonard

Missão Brasil Natal

Av Interventor Mario Câmara 2066

Dix-Sept Rosado

Natal -RN 59062-600

Brasil

The new look for the new year!

The birthday sister!

All the girls

Parade Queen

This week was just special. With all the holiday craziness and what not our work was pretty sad. I got sick the day after Christmas and Sister M. Silva was sick the day after that, then it was my birthday and my lying companion said she was sick again that morning so Sister Francis and I did splits because we had a ton of people to teach. Really Sister M. Silva just wanted to make a cake... we also had a surprise birthday party. We played ninja:) you will be proud to know i’m still the ninja master. Thats about it for this week I hope the holidays were safe and fun for everyone. Thanks for the prayers:) Oh for everyone who didn't talk to me on christmas,we moved houses finally... we did it with a horse and buggy.... probably the best thing to use when moving houses. I got the ride the cart, I felt like I was in the Macys parade:)

love you all 

Sister Leonard

Happy Christmas

Dec 23, 2013

Happy Christmas

woohoo its christmas... but doesn't feel like Christmas because its as hot as… Brazil:) But we had an awesome Christmas conference in Natal this past week. The focus was on the atonement of Jesus Christ, and it was awesome! Also we all got fruit cakes... it’s a desired present here (still gross) but it´s all good. Another miracle that happened this week, it rained. Like not just 5 drops and it was kinda cooler. It was awesome! And you know when there is water there are baptisms. Really this week was a miracle Antonio José was prepared by angels. It was one of those people that contacted us in the street and didn't have any problem with the commandments/word of wisdom, and after he was baptized he was so happy and just kept saying how great he felt. Just the little things make me so happy, and remind me why it is that I wanted to serve a mission. All in all I’m happy and enjoying the mission. We should move into our new house Christmas day.  Keep praying:) 

hope all is well with the fam bam.:)

 talk to yáll christmas day:)

love Sister Leonard

oi

Dec 23, 2013

Oi

Hey we got a house thats all secure and such. We´ll move in at the end of this week. We´re headed to Natal today for our Fiesta de Natal... i mean Conferencia de Natal. This week was crazy as ever but really great. Yhe highlighted experience that I hope makes Dad proud is how we filled up the baptismal font this week. We had Stake Conference this week so that kinda threw things off because of transport and what not. And apparently the water goes out in some places ever other day. So we got to our `chapel´ late and realized we didn't have any water...oops. Anyway there was water in the sinks just not for the font. So we grabbed all the 5 gallon jugs we could and started filling those up. I have pictures on Sister Francis’ camera that I´ll send next week. Just trust me it was really cool:)

Until next week:)

Sister Leonard