AUGUST 16th, 2013

Whaddup fam! This week has been such an adventure, I love it. Weird to think that in just 7 short days I'll be getting my reassignment and preparing to head out to a totally new adventure! (Also, this is pretty hefty because it was such a great week. You should probably read the whole thing.)

Okay, so last Friday I visited the lovely Hanna Hiatt in the copy center and received two lovely gifts -- one (fantastically) finger-painted butterfly from Jessica S., age 21, and a letter in the shape of an owl entitled "12 Reasons Hufflepuff House is Actually B.A." It is golden and it deserves a tumblr photoset. It is the absolute funniest thing, A+. Also this week, I got a letter from Elder Kaegi this week and it sounds like he's doing so well! Love that kid. His envelope was a bit ridiculous though haha.

Later that night we got to teach actual Brazilians at TRC! (Where we teach 20 minute lessons to real people, usually member volunteers, in Portuguese. It helps lift them up and gives us practice!) The man we taught was SO funny. He had so many stories we could hardly get a word in! (For example: he was the official Portuguese voice over for President Hinkley during General Conference and was converted in Brazil before they even translated Doctrine and Covenants to Portuguese!) I'm already a huge fan of Brasileiros in general. They're so much fun.

Two really cool things happened this week: First, my district celebrated Christmas on Wednesday to get in the spirit of Brazilian Christmas (since it's summer for them in December...). So feliz natal! We brought a collection of snacks that we've been compiling over our time here, wore holiday colors, and did secret santa. I made Sister Riding a storybook out of this notecard thing they sell at the bookstore and she loved it! Priceless reaction. Meanwhile, Sister Vail made me a wand out of Reece's cups and left the note, "use your wand, harry!" Best. Our teacher Sister Wells tried pop rocks for the first time in her life and her reaction was absolutely adorable and hilarious.

The second thing is the highlight of my time at the MTC: on Tuesday, an apostle (Richard G. Scott) spoke to all the missionaries at the MTC. What an absolute blessing. From the moment he opened his mouth you could feel the spirit all around us. He spoke on prayer -- a simple topic that is so very important for everyone! I'm so grateful that we have the opportunity to speak with our Heavenly Father directly. I loved how Elder Scott explained the importance of not only seeking our will, but that of God as well. I learned one very important principle: that when, at times, you don't receive an answer to your prayers immediately, it means Heavenly Father trusts you enough to act! We aren't meant to wait passively for an answer, but act in a way that we believe is in accordance with His way. We must assume our accountability and choose -- He won't let us go down the wrong path without a warning or impression to turn back. This experience helps us grow and build on our faith! 

I loved hearing from an apostle of the Lord. It was such a neat experience to feel God's love for me through the Holy Ghost. (Also, we totally got to waive to him from our floor, front-row seats... so awesome. He is the sweetest.)

All-in-all, a fantastic week. I'm so stinkin' excited for my reassignment next week! Stay tuned -- I'll be getting it Thursday or Friday and will be able to email right after it's opened. :)

Be good! You can do hard things! This week I invite you to pray. Even if you've never done it before or do it all the time, open up your heart to your Father in Heaven. Express your gratitude, your feelings, how your day went, your worries, and your questions. He wants to hear from you! Also check out D&C 19:38 -- it's available on lds.org. I'm sure you could google it too.

Quote of the week: (Sister Wells, while guessing my reassignment location) "You remind me of a lighthouse. You're gonna go to a bay somewhere." (Weirdest compliment I've ever gotten hahaha. Also, she guessed San Fran but Irmao Rodrigues guessed NY/DC, so we'll see.....)

Muito amor!!

Sister Kaegi

PS: Thanks to those of you who sent my the community rap btw, loved your commentary. :) Consider it successfully translated... it mostly rhymes! Also I changed cerveza to sorbete to be MTC approved. ;) You should also be getting a letter in the mail this week.

PPS: THE PROVO TEMPLE IS FINALLY OPEN AGAIN AND I'M SO EXCITED BECAUSE I GET TO GO TODAY!!!!! You'll probably be hearing about this next week.

"Kaegi Swag" "BO$$" -- yeah, sounds like someone I know.

 BEST LETTER EVER (in the shape of an owl -- 12 reasons Hufflepuff House is actually BA. All of my love goes to Hanna for this blessedly wonderful gift. It's hilarious.)