December 29, 2014

This isn't exactly the typical blog entry, but since I've been the one in charge of her blog I figured I would add this just to kind of sum up my sister's mission and what's happened since she got back home. 

Although she told us she was feeling better, her health actually got worse and she was sent home (for that reason) at about the same time she hit her year mark in the mission field (September). She received medical attention here stateside, and has almost fully recovered over the last few months. Ali is back to her usual self! Laughing at her own jokes and downing tubs of ice cream all on her own whenever she feels like it. Well, maybe not that much, but you get the point.

I'll always remember the first week she got home. I spent the night with her at our granny's house and right before we went to bed she said our nighttime prayer. We were kneeling side by side and she offered it in Portuguese. I had a huge grin on my face, thinking I had never been prouder of my older sister than at that moment. She had managed to live in Brazil for a year, fight off bugs and dodge flying knives (she'll have to tell you that story!), deal with health problems from a parasite she got, and so much more! But most of all, she grew spiritually SO much! She'll always be my annoying older sister, but I love her tons!

-Lily

August 20, 2014

Life just gets better and better!

So you know, as an 18 year old opening her mission call and seeing Brasil....the first thing you think is mountain and waterfalls and green things and monkeys. 

Yesterday I experienced it all 10 fold. I visited Tiangua on exchanges with some other sisters. Tiangua is in the Ceara state, and is up in the mountains. IT IS GORGEOUS. We had to leave yesterday at 5 o'clock in the morning to make it back to our area for a zone meeting. Oh my gracious, it's cold, cold, cold there. It felt like Tenessee when we went on family vacation there. But in reality....it was only about 80 degrees. I slept with two blankets and socks and a jacket. And still froze to death. I dont know HOW im supposed to go back to Utah. Brasil has ruined me.

Well as we were making the drive down the mountain, I cannot even explain to you the beauty of what I saw. We came around the bend in the mountain and the sun was rising and broke through from behind the mountain. It was absolutely gorgeous.

Have you ever just had that feeling in your chest thats just trying to burst through with happiness? I have never been so happy in my life. I don't even know why I feel so good. In all honesty, I'm so tired. I've never worked so hard in my life. but it is the MOST AMAZING feeling to be so tired. I know we are working hard. We are focusing the most of our attention on the other sisters because they are really having some personal struggles- but it's amazing the improvements we are seeing in just the last few weeks. It's funny how the Lord is always giving us opportunities to change and improve. I've improved and changed a lot about my personality since the beginning of my mission. One thing I've always kinda noticed is that I compare myself to others. I've never liked that habit. And in the mission field, we all do it a lot. Many times at the end of a hard week I'd look at other missionaries and think.. dang it they had more lessons than us. And I've been looking for a way to stop worrying about that and just work on myself and my companion and our area. And the Lord really answers prayers. With my new assignment as Sister Leader it is my responsibilty to help the other sisters do their very best, work their hardest, improve in their weaknesses. I remember the talk about the Olympic champion who said, "I work hard, I want to do my best... but I want my fellow competitors to do their best also." So with my new assignment, it brings me joy to see others doing well.

We had interviews with President last week. He's really happy with me. Said he's glad to see I'm doing well in Sobral. Most likely I could end up finishing my mission here...because it's already my 5th area. Each transfer I've had a change of either companion or area. I'm on my 9th companion in the field. 

 Oh by the way, my release date is February 16th. How cool is that? Great way to celebrate dad's birthday! 

Speaking of Birthdays and stuff... though not really. I'm about to celebrate my one year mark! And then it's all down hill from there. Time is passing fast. I can't believe how far I've come and so much I've experienced and so much I've changed.

I love my mission. I's been the best year of my life. My mission saved my life. Thank goodness its not over yet. 

Love you!

Sister Wainwright

August 13, 2014

Life is still absolutely wonderful.

My area is amazing. It's so much like Provo. The mountains are beautiful and it's really windy most of the time. It's still really hot, but its like being at the beach. Really quite a blessing to be here because BROBRO will start this next month.... meaning September, October, November, December...The hottest months of the year in the Northeast of Brasil. And I'm in the cool area of the mission! Whoo hoo!

So now as a leader, I have to deal with issues. I've been used to seeing issues and being annoyed by issues, but now I have the task of resolving them. Man. I've never been so tired. We lose many nights of sleep planning and counseling and doing what we can so that the sisters in the mission don't kill each other, focus on their work, and have results. Right now we are dealing with a situation of a sister having a personal cell phone- what makes it worse is she received the phone from another sister, a leader, and this phone has been passed around for the last few months between sisters. When will they learn? I personally have learned that it doesnt matter where you go... in every corner of the world people do stupid things because they do not think about the consequences that may follow. 

Monday was just about one of the best days of my mission. We went on splits with another companionship. I went with Sister Canada. She's just about my favorite sister. She was living with me 2 transfers ago when I went to the hospital, and as you remember that of 5 sisters, she was the only one who stayed with me in the hospital and helped me. Well it was a great day with her Monday because I was able to see the growth she has made in just a few short months. She has really improved in her teaching capability. Her Portuguese is wonderful now and she is ready to train. Tomorrow we leaders have interviews with President and he asks about every sister and if they have the capability to lead or train and I will definitely be passing onto him that sister Canada's time has arrived.

We have already had a few baptisms since I arrived- all new people that we've found with the help of members. It's really amazing to see that the Lord has prepared His people.  

The ward here in Sobral is really amazing. The members really do missionary work. We are constantly having members making visits with us or taking us to meet their friends.

Today I will buy a mosquito net. I have lost at least 3 nights of sleep, doing nothing all night but slapping myself silly and grumbling in frustration at the mosquitoes. I pray. I literally pray every night, Heavenly Father please don't let the bed bugs get me tonight. Sometimes he hears that prayer, other times hes a little slow to respond..... and sleeping under the blanket doesn't help either. They find a way in.

The time is going by so fast. This transfer is already halfway done. My companion feels like she's going to be transferred. This next one will be her last and she feels like she's going to Sao Luis. I think she'll be transferred as well. She's great. We get along well and have never fought or even argued about anything. It's a wonderful, wonderful relief to have a companion that works with you and not against you. 

September 17th an area 70 is coming to visit the mission!!

Still waiting on handwritten letters of course.

Missao Brasil Teresina

A/C Sister Ali Wainwright

Caixa Postal 2321

Teresina Piaui Brasil

64001-973

Love ya!

Sister Wainwright

August 6. 2014

Where to begin??

I am so happy! My companion is great, my area is AMAZING, my call is fantastic. I haven't been this happy in a while. We are working SO much. I've gone a solid week without having a single problem with my stomach. That is a HUMONGOUS blessing. We have a baptism, possibly two, this Saturday. The work is really moving forward. My area of Sobral has me constantly feeling like I'm in Utah. It made me a little tiny bit homesick for Provo. The mountains here are gorgeous! The area is much cleaner, and a little bit richer than Teresina. The accent of the people is incredibly different. 

I've entered a part of the missionary world that is just stinking awesome. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to serve more. I spoke with President last week. He said...there just wasn't a way to NOT call you. You excite the other sisters with the work that you do. I'm sending you to Sobral because I know that that's what Heavenly Father wants- you are the only sister going to that zone, because that's exactly where he wants and needs you. I also talked to the assistant, Elder Olivera. He said they were helping President do the transfers and President was looking at my photo, started smiling and let out a little laugh, and then put my photo in the Sobral Zone. The Elders both looked at President and said...are you sure? There are no hospitals anywhere near her. And President said... she's not going to have so much as a cold for the rest of her mission. She's going to be just fine. At the beginning of my mission, my relationship with President was extremely rocky. But just as the mission changes the missionary, the mission changes the mission President. He has grown, as have I also. I trust in him and in his council and know that he is a man inspired and called of God. 

Yesterday was one of the best days of my mission. It was zone conference and my companion and I gave the training. I was nervous because it was asked to be 90 minutes long... I was like... how on earth am I supposed to do that. And President didn't inform us until Monday afternoon so we only had Monday night to prepare. 

I taught about the Spirit. About how we are always pushing for teaching by the Spirit, and we forget about being guided by the Spirit TO the people that the Lord has prepared and that are waiting to be taught in the first place. I learned so much in my own training. It was just awesome. 

Well I'm out of time, again. But I sure do love you guys. 

Love you guys. Stay strong!

Sister Wainwright

July 30, 2014

Hello Family!

Well....  I have been transferred!  I'm going to a city called Sobral. I have been called as Leading Sister Trainer. I THINK thats what the name is in English. This is such an exciting opportunity for me. President told me a few weeks ago...Sister Wainwright you need to be healthy for this next transfer. He let me know ahead of time there would be changes. It means that not only was he inspired to send me there, but also that he's been prompted that my health will hold up. I know you've heard that my health hasn't been too good, but I'm doing much better. Some days are harder than others. But there is no need to worry about me. I'm taking good care of myself.

My 3 weeks with Sister Morse were really great. Very refreshing. I'm kinda sad our time is already up. But my new companion, Sister Ramos, is amazing. She's Bolivian, and we have been great friends throughout our missions. She has a little bit more time than me- She's going home in December. I'm excited to be her companion. She and I are together Leading Sister Trainers of the mission. It's going to be a lot of work. We do the same thing as Zone Leaders, but only for the sisters. Each week we will have meetings and divisions with the other sisters. We work with qualifiying- to help the other sisters receive their Professor Certifications in Gospel Doctrine. I don't know if you guys have already heard of this or if this is knew to Missionary Work. 

Tomorrow we have a meeting with all of the leaders of the mission and with President. Tonight I'll be sleeping in President and Sisters' house because until tomorrow I'm temporarily without a companion. You know what that means.... Air Conditioning for the first time in a year!!! Whoo hoo!!!

Several of my great friends went home this week, finishing their missions. Elder Pennington, Elder Johnson, and Elder Hatch. It's crazy that I'm about to hit my year mark. I hardly believe it. All of my friends are heading home these next two transfers. February is coming so fast! I have to decide this transfer if I will extend. Not sure what I prefer to do. Because if I extend I will have to go straight back to BYU to make it in time for the semester. If I go home in February I'll have a few weeks to visit with you guys first, find a house in Provo, get a job... I think it'll be better to just come home when my 18 months are up. But who knows, we will see. 

I have so much more to tell you guys but as always just dont have much time.

Love ya!

Sister Wainwright

July 23, 2014

Well,

Life is still plugging along in Teresina. The work goes forward, the tarantulas attack..... did I tell you about that one? I was cleaning the baptismal font and walked into the bathroom, lifted up my shirt to wipe the sweat off my face and BOOOOOMMMM humongous tarantula was ON MY STOMACH!! No idea how he snuck in there!!!!! 

Let's see whats happened this week.

My companion is awesome. For the first time in my mission sometimes I don't go to bed on time because we get to talking about everything and swap stories and all that good stuff.

Know that things are good here and Sister Morse is doing great and my health is....decent. 

We have a transfer this next week. I'm a little queasy. I feel like...things are so good right now...when's the shoe gonna drop? President will have to open 3 new areas to sisters because 6 are coming in and none are leaving. So he will need 6 trainers and 3 new areas. As I am always training and have opened 3 areas already..........I'm nervous he's going to pull me out of Parnaiba. If that were to happen, I don't have doubts that Sister Morse would train as well. She is doing wonderfully. Really blossoming. Her Portuguese has really improved in just the last 2 weeks and its a blessing to have her as a companion. Being as I have already learned in the mission that the Lord likes us to have difficulties so that we grow faster....... who knows!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EMI

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO UUUSSSSSS

WE'RE THE BEST OF THE BUNCH

My birthday was wonderful. I received a ton of phone calls from members and friends and investigators...some I had no idea how they got my number. But I even got presents! Tatiani gave me shoes, Isabelli gave me a necklace. Sister Silva gave me a key chain....don't know why. Orlando gave me earrings. And here's the best one...Valeria gave me beans! Best present in the world!

And you'll never believe this.... I ate cake. Chocolate cake. With no gluten. No lactose. No saturated fats. It was made from soybeans. It was.....it was tasty. I think I'll stick with fruits though. Hahaaa!

Now for a spiritual thought.

I was studying in Nephi and I got to thinking....why is so much time spent, literally chapters and books, describing Nephi's trips and missions and teachings... his trek into the wilderness, his return to Jerusalem, his getting the plates.... And then uses maybe a verse or two to say he got married and has kids? I don't think it was because his marriage was of little significance, but that his mission was of such importance. The Lord wanted to make a better Nephi. Mend him and change him, turn him into the man he needed to be to then get married and have kids. 

All of my life I've had my parents' mission stories to guide me. I have seen the effects of their missions. That not one day goes by that they don't remember their missions. That every good thing that has happened in their lives, is because of their missions. I am convinced that my mission is not specifically intended for me to be the best baptizer of them all. But to mend me, bend me, even break me down...until I become the woman God intends for me to be. The wife my husband will need. The Mother my children will need. I am so grateful for my mission. Especially for the difficulties and the challenges that I face. Because it's during the trials that I grow. And I come face to face with who I am, and am forced to climb a little bit higher.

Until next week! Love you all, Sister Wainwright

                                            

July 16, 2014

Annnndddddd.....

We are being flooded with baptisms. This is the first time in my mission that we have been baptizing each week without stop. It's been over a month now of people flocking to the font. It's a rather nice breather I would say. 

I feel as if Heavenly Father is sending this success to remind us that after the tribulation and patience come the blessings and success. We like it!

We have another transfer in just 2 weeks. Ill probably keep on keepin' on with Sister Morse because we got together on a mini transfer. She's really great. It is SO DIFFERENT to have an American companion for the first time. I'm having to teach her the fundamentals of living in Brasil. How to cook, do laundry, not get hit by cars, to experiment all the fruits and vegetables..

I had an experience with a woman named Joelma. We start teaching her. And look, she's never been taught by other missionaries or went to church before. But we start teaching and everything just starts clicking.... you can literally see that light in her eyes with the excitement of what we were teaching. She's getting baptized next week. 

The Lord really does prepare people. When we live in a way to be worthy of the guidance and promptings of His Spirit, we really will begin to see miracles happening as we are obedient and follow him. Something we must understand is that missionary work is not about baptizing anyone left and right but looking for those that will actually inherit the Celestial Kingdom. We are all in a sorting process in this life. Our actions will define our eternity. 

I have a million more things to tell you but I am out of time. 

Love you all,

  Sister Wainwright 

July 9, 2014

Why we shouldn't wait for the rainbow to thank God for the rain:

As you all know, the last thing my mission has been is cake and ice cream and sunny days. (Actually everyday is blisteringly sunny....but you get the picture). I have had everything that could possibly go wrong, go wrong. It has seemed that every single side that I turn I'm getting metaphorically...and even a little literally beat up by the adversary. From parasites to irritable bowel syndrome to kidney cysts to assaults to mission wide gossip..... anything that could go wrong, has. 

And yet I can tell you that every single day of it, I have been grateful for. I have loved each day of my mission. Some days a little more than others, but even still, I have loved each day. I can even say that I love the hard days more than I love the easy days. Because on the hard days I am tested, and I come face to face with who I am, and am able to overcome an obstacle and by the end of the day, improve, and become a little more who it is Heavenly Father wants me to be.

There have been a few times during the last few months that I have asked...why on earth is this so hard? I looked at other missionaries and compared myself. Only to the point of asking...why are they sliding by? They don't have to fight with their health to stay here. They dont have things going wrong for them. Why is the Lord allowing me to have such a hard time? I say allowing...because what I have learned is that BEFORE something difficult takes place in our lives, the Lord ALWAYS prepares a way for us to conquer that trial. 1 nephi 3:7. More than just that.... it means that he KNOWS we are ready for that trail. For that opportunity to grow. And it IS indeed an opportunity. It is a privelege to pass through difficulties. It is only through the difficulties that we can grow. We don't change, or improve, when everything is going easy.

I encourage you all to read ´Grateful in any Circumstance´ by Dieter F Uchtdorf, from this last general conference. This talk sticks with me, and I read it often. I love something he says.... In our Heavenly Fathers plan for us, there are no real endings. Only everlasting beginnings. 

Life is meant to prepare us for NEW beginnings that will always come. 

All of that being said....

I am happy to announce that this world is indeed small. I am training Sister Morse. She is my rainbow after the last month of floods! Her portuguese is already very good, and she is an absolute angel. When I found out I would be training her, I cried with a mixture of joy and with relief. I had been praying for about a week solid that the Lord would let us be companions. And he answered my prayer. The most miraculous thing that happens is when the Lord answers our prayers. He always answers our prayers, in actuality. We just have to look harder for the answers sometimes more than others.

With that being said. The work is moving on marvelously. We had two baptisms this past week, and one the week before.

I know that if we stay faithful, the Lord is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, by our side. He loves us dearly. We must turn to him in our weaknesses, in our trials, and humbly seek his help..but we must be careful to not only thank him for the rainbow at the end of the rain....enjoy the journey of life. Don't just endure it!

I love you all and have a great week!

Sister Wainwright

June 25, 2014

I love baptisms. We have one tonight! Yippee!!

So other than that I don't really have anything to tell you guys. This week was pretty good. I absolutely love my new area with all my heart and the people are really wonderful. We have a lot of people progressing who will be close to baptism soon.

Love ya!

Sister Wainwright

May 21, 2014

Well this week was much much much better than the last. I haven't been sick. But unfortunately my companion went to the hospital. We all woke up at midnight a few nights ago to her screams in agony. I rushed her to the hospital and turns out she had eaten something bad...had been feeling bad all day but said nothing and then it was just destroying her stomach. They had to pump her stomach to get it out. She ate pomegranate seeds....something you shouldn't eat. 

We have two baptisms happening this week and a few the next. 

Yesterday had a run in with this man.... His hair was to his knees, pitch black. Had make up. He started yelling across the street to us- Sisters! Sisters! He ran up to us and planted a huge kiss ON MY LIPS. I had no time to react. The guy was crazy. Worst of all, apparently a less active of the church. When we told the other sisters they started laughing because they already had met him before.

Well, I've got nothing new to tell you...

Love ya!

Sister Wainwright

May 7, 2014

Don't have to worry about my health...as soon as I stopped eating saturated fats I started to get better! My diet is very difficult and very limited butttttt I'm surviving.

We have a wedding and a baptism this coming saturday! It will be long awaited and I'm way excited. We have lots of miracles happening here in the area I opened (Mocambinho).

Had our transfer yesterday. My little baby who I trained, sister Moraes, was transfered to Sao Luis. When we found out monday she would be transfered she cried for 24 hours without stopping. She wasn't happy. 

 My new partner is Sister Marques. I'm not training this time but she is marvelous.

I'm living with Sister Goncalvez and Sister Skudder again! its going to be a great transfer!

April 28, 2014

Well family, where to begin?

Two Saturdays ago I was taken to the hospital yet again. I have constantly been getting sicker in the last 3 weeks, and have not had the slightest idea as to why. I had eaten nothing with gluten, nothing with lactose..

I was taken to the hospital by members of the ward, after passing out outside of the church Saturday night. The pain I was feeling began, as usual, in my lower abdomen, and then very quickly spread to a pain in my ribs. I passed out from a lack of oxygen, because I couldn't breathe. When I got to the hospital, I don't even remember what they did to wake me up. My companion was in hysterics, literally screaming... I woke up and said, "calm down, I'll be okay!" When it was just the two of us in the room we began talking and she mentioned something I had apparently been repeating and repeating... She said that as soon as the members put me in the car I started begging them not to take me to the hospital. "No No don't take me to the hospital, they'll send me home!" In truth, the last time I spoke to President he told me to be very careful with my health because Salt Lake City was completely aware of my condition and wanted me to go back to the states to get treatment. 

I didn't open my email Monday because until Tuesday, I didn't even know if I would be in Brasil by Wednesday, and I didn't want to talk to you until I knew for sure.

I met with an endogastro on Tuesday afternoon and had done several extra tests. I don't have a clue what he called my apparent disease. Whatever it is called... My body is incapable of digesting lactose, gluten, and saturated fats. I met with President on Wednesday. He asked me, sincerely and humbly...Sister Wainwright, if you choose to go home, you will be doing so in honor. No one can keep you here in the state you are in. He began telling me that he had been on the phone, arguing and fighting, with the mission doctor for quite some time that morning. He said... If you were any other missionary... if you were lazy...if you weren't powerful...if you didn't have the spirit.... But you do. And we need you here.

I recently finished reading The Plan of Salvation, a talk by President Armstrong. Please read it and you'll understand my view point as I responded.

I said President...The Savior, in the garden of Gethsemane, chose to suffer, individually for my life. He passed through absolutely everything that I will pass through. He never abandoned or gave up on me. I will never give up on him. 10 more months a little bit hungry and a little bit sun burnt is not too much for him to ask of me.

And so, I'm still here. And I'm not coming home. 

All this has happened because I took ONE SIP of unclean water.

 I was warned and warned and warned about the water. But it was hot, I was tired, I was thirsty, and this less active reaches his hand out with this cup of water and says here... take, drink. Not wanting to embarrass him, or be embarrassed by declining the water. I took a sip. With no doubt, it was that water that made me sick. No sooner had I lifted the cup from my lips then I saw black stuff moving about in the water. 

Now liken this unto sin. NEVER EVER was wickedness happiness. In that little moment that I drank I was temporarily relieved from my thirst, instantaneously gratified. And then look how quickly it went downhill from that. Yes, we have the powers of the atonement (medicine, in my case) to help us recover from sin (parasites)...but to some extent or the other there is some sin that doesn't get healed overnight. Sometimes we must live with the consequences all of our lives. Don't take that first sip until you know it comes from the well springing up unto everlasting life....from our Savior Jesus Christ.

So I have been 100 percent, strict and perfectly obedient. For the first time in my mission. And the Lord is blessing me quickly. I am finding families. Pulling them out of my ears practically. Last week we marked two families, and 10 other people to be baptized this coming month. For my mission area....that is a lot. I received a personal call from President as a congratulations. The work is truly moving forward.

I am 100% convinced that the Lord loves us. Don't you ever forget that, dear family. 

Love you all and take care,

Sister Wainwright

April 7, 2014

Well I am enjoying Buenos Aires. It has been a different experience. I have returned to Angelim, and ten times harder. I'm very grateful for the 20 something pounds I have lost, and the weight I have continued to lose..... It is VERY important to be physically fit where I;m at.

My new companion is Sister Moraes, and I am training her. 

How was did you all like conference? I loved every last moment. For the first time in my life it absolutely flew by and I dreaded it. Every talk was inspired and things I had prayed to hear during conference.

Well, I love you all!

Sister Wainwright

March 31, 2014

BEING TRANSFERRED!!!!!

I'm going to Buenas Aries!

And so....

I prayed A LOT and fasted  A LOT for the last 2 weeks that I would be transferred. I'm so happy!

I have a story for you. It's simple and short. But powerful. Made a contact with a woman last night. It was raining and we rushed into a little bread shop to wait it out. Began speaking with a worker there and started sharing the message of the restoration. She began crying and says..."I cant believe it. My son told me this morning that he had a dream last night that two women would come find me and bring me a light. You are the women! God prepared me for this moment!"

The church is true. The gospel is true. God LIVES. He lives and he loves us. 

Love you,

Sister Wainwright

March 24, 2014

Ola!

So this week has been 100 times better than the last few weeks. I'm finally starting to truly learn what I can and can't eat... I am apparently for real lactose and gluten intolerant. It's sad. Very sad. I'll really miss ice cream. But I eat enough beans that I don't have space in my stomach to worry about it. I'm actually quite surprised that President and Sister have both been very cuidadoso....they are checking up on me regulary. She calls every 3 days and he emails every week now. She is actually looking for me a nutritionist to meet this coming week. She also announced in a stake relief society meeting for all of the woman to watch out for Sister Wainwright if they receive her in their ward because she is recovering from an infection that has left her with intolerances to many foods. At first I was like....ugh thats silly. But I'm actually really grateful. It's really hard to go to lunch because people here get very offended when you don't eat something. I have had people flat out angry with me because I didnt eat something. And I just tell them...look, I am really sorry, but I will literally get sick if I eat this. So I was appreiative of Sister Siedshlag for giving the heads up.

We told our recent convert, Joao Batista, that I might be transfered this next week. He broke into tears.....

We had a true miracle take place this week. I met Hortalina my first week in Dirceu, and have been working with her ever since. She hasn't been budging or progressing until Friday, we went to her house. I was praying and fasting specifically for her. Upon arriving we started talking to her about repentance and I kept getting the prompting to specifically ask...Hortelina, where do you think we go after we die. We had already taught the Plan of Salvation so I thought oh how silly she already knows. So I didn't say anything for a minute. but I felt again...ask. So I did. And she says....deus e quem sabe. Only God knows. I sad no Hortelina, we know as well because he revealed through the prophets. It's in the bible and the Book of Bormon. We go to the Spirit World to wait for the judgment and ressurection. I said.... your husband is there. He is waiting until one day, you will reunite again. She gave an acknowledging glance and acted like all was well. And then I was prompted to say.....Hortelina...do you realize your husband is waiting for you to be baptized, so he can recieve the same ordinance.....that he has most likely been waiting for for 45 years (he was assasinated in front of her in their home 45 years ago....it's a very sad story). I said Hortelina... you are hesitant to be baptized because you are scared of admitting to the fact that you already know this church is true...the Spirit has already told you. You have already born your testimony. You go to church every sunday. Why are you waiting... why are you making him wait?

She went to church the next Sunday and cried and cried all day, feeling the Spirit and the joy of knowing these things are true. She will be baptized this Saturday.

The Spirit is our greatest tool as missionaries. It doesnt matter what we say, so long as they remember what they feel.

 Love you all,

Sister Wainwright

March 17, 2014

Well, as far as the work goes, I cannot offer much of a shining light this week. Before I got sick Saturday, my companion was sick all week. She has vertigo. She's on mediction now that is helping, but she's still not doing well. And as I told you a little last week, her attitude has been very off. Our relationship is A LOT better right now, I think because we had a full week to do nothing but talk to each other and study being as we literally did not work. This week was the hardest, worst week of my mission. Why? Because I didnt work. I'm having to learn real patience. With myself, with my companion, with our sickness. I know without doubt that the Devil is working very hard against us. My blessing says that he will put boulders in my righteous pathway to prevent me from accomplishing the divine design of which I was assigned to complete. With no doubt, he is desperate to keep me from working. I want so badly to be 100 percent, for my companion to be 100 percent. I only want to work and help my investigators. I have honestly just felt a pit of blackness in my stomach this week because I feel completey helpless. I don't feel sorry for myself.... I'm mad with myself for eating or drinking whatever it was that has done this. Nothing can stop this work from rolling forward but my companion and I were put in charge of tending this part of the garden and our best efforts are not good enough and I feel it falling apart here. 

Bur, there is ABSOLUTELY no other work on the face of the earth that compares to the valor of missionary work. It is the work of the Gospel. It is what creates and brings together and seals family ties. And I only have 11 more months to be a full time missionary before I get thrown back again into normal life. So, I'll get over this sickness and I'll work as much and as hard as I can to make up for lost time in the hospital!

Life was never meant to be easy.

I wrote a letter to Emi earlier this morning and I said something along the lines of-

My head hurts, my feet hurt, my stomach is killing me.... But then I remember the atonement.

When my head hurts I remember the thorns that dug into his.

When my feet hurt I remember the nails they drove into his

When my stomach hurts I remember the spear that pierced his.

There is no pain, no trouble, no calamity, no sorrow, no frustration, no sickness that he has not both felt and atoned for. It is only when we forget our Lord and our Savior that we truly begin to suffer. But just as you (mom and dad) said at the beginning of my mission.... He is with us. Not before, not after, but during and IN our trials and afflictions.

Love you guys!

Sister Wainwright

March 17, 2013

Sister Wainwright is still oddly obsessed with pineapples....

March 3, 2014

It took about 2 hours to clean the baptismal font because the pump stopped working and we had to empty old water by buckets into the toilet. It was pretty brutal work, but it was a great baptism!

Lets see....

This week was absolutely incredible. One of the best weeks of my mission. One of, or possibly even the hardest week of my mission as far as work goes. First off, Joao Batista was baptized Friday and Confirmed Sunday. He is doing MARVELOUS. I am so proud of him and so marveled to see the difference in his life, in his attitude and countenance because of choosing to follow Christ. 

My companion broke my camera while taking selfies, having taken it out of my bag without permission. Now im cameraless....but anyway,

We had interviews with President this last week. It was AMAZING. As a companionship we first had an interivew together, and did a practice lesson and it was AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING! It was so spiritual. Afterwards in our personal interview President went on and on and on about how proud of me he is and how he has watched me grow over the last 5 months. He thanked me for being an example to others and complimented me A LOT on my Portuguese. He said Sister Wainwright....how did you learn to teach the way you do to bring the Spirit so strong. I said.... my parents. He hinted that I will become a Sister Leader Trainer in this next transfer...Because my area will be closing to Sisters and opening for Elders. WOW! Second area of my mission and second time I'm leaving it for Elders...not sure what that says about me haha. But in all sincerity.... I'm so happy after that interview. I asked President...o que voce pensa de mim como uma missionaria... what do you think of me as a missionary? He said Sister Wainwright... from the day you arrived I knew you were going to be an excellent missionary, and you proved me wrong. You are more than an excellent missionary. You are constantly improving. You see where you need to improve, and then you DO it. You have initiative, you have drive, you are diligent and you work hard. You are moldable and you are HUMBLE. Je called me HUMBLE. No one in my life has called me HUMBLE before. I DID IT!!! hahaa. Are you proud of me, mom? :)

By the way happy 6 month anniversary for me. In EXACTLY 1 year from today I will be back in the USA. YIKES!

February 24, 2014

 The plate broke, but she SAVED THE BEANS!

  A few of her pictures in the hospital. Since I'm her sister, I have permission to say...she's looked better. hahahaha. Sorry. Sort of. I'm glad she's doing much better, though!

 Sister Wainwright is very fond of these giant toads, apparently.

 It was pouring on them!

 She was very impressed with this sword. In her email she said, "I AM LAMANITE!"