FACT: Until last week, I had never seen this blog since I left home.
FACT: My "quick" blog posts aren't really that quick. Heh.
FACT: My sister, Becca, is doing a fantastic job! This is my public thank you to her for keeping this all updated and bonitinho.
Well, my friends -- it's that time again. Transfers. I absolutely don't believe it. If you think you've seen time fly, try serving a mission. 6 weeks goes by faster than you can say "Chaves Indicadores." I have loved this transfer, loved my companion Sister Marciano, and loved my district and city. I will probably stay here for at least 6 more weeks. Whew -- Christmas with a ward I love!
I have been working hard, sweating more than should be allowed, and talking with literally everyone I pass on the street (even if it's just a smile and "Boa tarde!"). I know that numbers are NOT everything...but I'm pleased to be able to say that my companion and I are reaching all our goals these last few weeks. We're teaching an average of about 8 lessons a day, and are leading the zone in the numbers we count as missionaries. This is not what matters, though. It's the people that matter, and I'm grateful to be able to say that we are truly working hard for these people.
Being in a different country, I see things that are different that seem little, but really throw me off sometimes. Here are some of them (sorry if I'm repeating myself):
Little Brazilian Culture Things
~toilet paper goes in a little trash can, not in the toilet. I think I'm finally getting used to this, but it sure took awhile.
~horses aren't a recreational activity. They are a mode of transport. Every day, I see people riding through the streets on horseback, or sitting in rickety little wooden carts pulled by rickety little donkeys. These horses and donkeys are used to cars whizzing by them (and I mean whizzing. Drivers here are absolutely crazy, and motorcycle drivers even more so).
~whereas I, as an American, eat just fine with a fork in one hand, everyone here in Brazil eats with a fork in one hand and a knife in the other. They use this knife to cut meat (of which they eat a lot) or to help guide their food onto their fork. If they're not using their knife, they still hold onto it, and it sits poised above the food ready for action.
~Brazilians eat cake and soda like I've never seen before. Cake is at LEAST a once-a-week occasion, if there isn't an occasion to eat it. Baptisms, birthdays, gatherings, all things have cake. An example of how Brazilians think about cake, one morning at about 7:
My Brazilian comp: *baking in the kitchen*
Me: "O que você está fazendo?"
Comp: "Bolo."
Me: "Por que?"
Comp: "Não temos pão."
~handwriting is taught well in schools. People here have beautiful, tidy handwriting, and everyone writes in cursive. Men and women both.
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As many of you know, I grew up in a bit of a bubble. Not only was I raised in the church, but I was homeschooled. I knew that drugs, alcohol, cigarrets (don't know how to spell that in English, ha), and such things existed, but only in a distant sort of way. Now, I come in contact with these things every single day. In many ways, my childhood bubble has been popped. Almost nothing I hear or see surprises me anymore.
This all sounds a bit sad, but my point here is not to be sad. I think I'm trying to get around to saying that the world needs the Gospel. The more I see of the world, the more I realize the enormous power of family, and the truth of the statement found so often in the scriptures: If you keep the commandments of God, you will prosper in the land. A child of 13 that I know very well has already experienced homosexuality, violence and abuse in her family, has been in prison, and worse. Now she is a baptized member of the church, and I know that her life will improve unimaginably. These commandments are real and solid and change people's lives!
The Gospel is true and real. The Savior lives and loves me and all of you. I am so grateful to be here in Brasil, teaching the Gospel every day! I love Brazil and I love Bahia. My companion, Sister Marciano, is teaching me so very much about how to be a good missionary. I am so grateful for her and for all my other companions.
MERRY EARLY CHRISTMAS, everyone! Enjoy the snow! I will make snowflakes, but it just won't be the same.
If you want to give me a Christmas present, I would absolutely love your personal testimony of Christ.
I love you all.
Com amor e carinho,
Sua missionária,
Sister Petty
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