tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64587333186609232842024-03-13T21:23:01.202-07:00Sister Emily VanceEmily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-79201463673646479452018-05-13T18:00:00.000-07:002019-11-03T08:27:09.869-08:00My Homecoming Talk - Mother's DayRecently, I came across a quote that said that the “spiritual solidarity of the family” would determine the success of many things, especially societies and happiness in families. I thought about spiritual solidarity and instantly realized that this was exactly what my mother did and created in our home when I was growing up. Having spiritual solidarity in a family means everyone working on keeping the spirit of God, love, and unity with them. I truly believe that what I felt and learned in my home growing up and was the biggest reason why I chose to serve a mission. I had learned to love and serve my Savior and I wanted to bring this same happiness to other people and families in the world.<br />
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What would happen if each person in a whole family had this kind of self-government; if they understood spirituality and lived spiritually solid?
When the family is solid it cannot be destroyed, altered or penetrated by distractions or dysfunctions.<br />
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The unity of the family is powerful, but the spiritual unity of the family is unconquerable!<br />
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To create spiritual solidarity in our home my mom did some very specific things that helped shape my personality and my testimony of Jesus Christ.<br />
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My mom was firm in her beliefs. She was religious. I saw her practice her faith daily and with us as a family. Some of my fondest memories are reading the BOM together as a family, especially the time that President Hinckley challenged families to do this. My mom has a lot of little traditions that sometimes I think I took for granted as a kid. It was very important to my mother at a young age that we recognized the spirit in our home and in our daily lives. I remember many days coming home from school, or on Sundays she would sit us all down and ask us what our spiritual experience was of the day – when we felt the spirit, on a daily basis. That really strengthened my testimony and help me prepare for a mission – to really learn and recognize the promptings of the Spirit.
I used to think my mom had ESP because she always knew what was going on in our lives. I cannot tell you how many times my mom told me that she received promptings about us and how right she was most of the time. As I got older, I realized my mom specifically prayed daily to receive these promptings for us. Looking back, I am so grateful for how in tune my mom was. It always made the biggest difference in my life.<br />
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My mom always made sure that we were strengthening our family relationships by having regular and frequent family time together. We did a ton of stuff together as a family and my mom guarded family time like the mama bear that she is. She also took this idea to extreme lengths at times, as we never had our own rooms growing up, even though we had the space in our house. She purposely made us share rooms our whole lives with a sibling, usually the ones we didn’t get along with the best. We often had two rooms in our home that were set up as guest rooms and never used! She believed that there were many things we could learn about relationships, and being unselfish, and making sacrifices, that would prepare us for living with college roommates, missionary companions, and spouses someday.<br />
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My mom worked hard to decrease distractions to our family and in our personal development. I’m not sure why my mom even bought us cellphones, video games, or anything like that because she never let us use them. She always kept us really busy and focused on what was really important.<br />
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My mom was always very in sync with my dad and they were unified in their parenting and teaching. In our home there was no going to dad to ask him to say yes if my mom had already said no. I think we all tried that once, but never felt the need to try it again. This worked the other way too.<br />
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My mom created a home full of love, unity, and respect, which kept contention and frustration to a minimum in our home. I loved being home and I get very homesick. I could rarely be at my friend’s house for more than a couple of hours without calling my parents asking them to come and pick me up. My home has always been my favorite place to be and I was so grateful my Heavenly Father strengthened me during my mission so that I could focus on the work and not miss my home too much, because I was a little concerned about that at the beginning. Knowing my mom well, and knowing how much she missed me and loves me, I am positive that she was praying for me to have this strength as well.<br />
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I am so grateful for my mom, and for all mothers in the world today. I love this quote by Andy Stanley and I think it is worth pondering especially today. “Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise.”<br />
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10 years ago my mom took me to hear a homecoming talk of a sister missionary that served in Cambodia. I was 10 or 11 at the time. I remember sitting, just as you guys are, listening to a sister coming home from a mission. She had a little bit of an accent, but she talked about strange foods, and a new weird language that she learned. She talked about taking bucket showers and I was totally mesmerized by this. I even remember leaning over to my mom and saying, “I want this.” From that day on, I’ve been preparing my homecoming talk, thinking about the stories I would get to tell, thinking of the ways I could express my testimony, and the people I would have to talk about. I’m so grateful that Heavenly Father gave me this opportunity and He even gave me part of my dream to have some of the same experiences that she had, even the cold bucket showers!<br />
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I loved my mission. I loved the people, and I loved them in a way that I have never loved before. Every time after being transferred to a new area, I felt like maybe this time, it wouldn’t be the same, but maybe this time the members weren’t going to be as good, or I wasn’t going to find as good investigators. Every time, Heavenly Father proved me wrong. I soon learned that no matter where I was placed it was immediately my best area in the mission. It was the best area in the world for missionary work. Because I felt in my heart that Heavenly Father had put me into that place for a reason. There were miracles that we found, people that we found to love, lives were changed. Heavenly Father expanded my heart, and he continued to make room for more and more people for me to love.<br />
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When I was called to serve in Brazil, I thought for the longest time that I would be called Irma Vance, because it means Sister Vance in Portuguese. When I walked into the MTC, I was given a nametag that said, Sister Vance. At the time I was a little bummed out about it – I wanted it to be a little bit different. But I never realized how many times being called Sister Vance in my mission that I would think of my dear mother. I would think of what she would do in this situation – I have no idea what to do, what would my mom do? Usually what I found that my mom would do was exactly in line with what Jesus Christ would do. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to represent my Savior, but also represent my dear mother on my mission.<br />
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I would like to take some time to share some sacred experiences from my mission:<br />
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At one point in my mission, I had been out for a little over a year, me and my companion were praying, asking for a big miracle. We really wanted to find someone that would one day serve a mission. We really wanted to find a teenager that became really converted and then one day, we would be able to see the many fruits of our work. A little bit out of the selfishness of my own heart, I started to pray to feel like me and my companion found someone, and that I was making a difference where I was serving. One day we were walking on a street at night and we saw a young guy sitting on a curb. We walked past him, we were on our way to some appointment, but I felt like I needed to talk to him. I realized I had to make the awkward turn-around, but I said I would do it. I turned around and started to talk to this young man. His name was Maurecello. As we were talking to him, we started talking to him about the plan of salvation, about who he was, and we told him that he has a Heavenly Father that loves him. I’ll never forget the way he looked up at us and asked, “I’m important to Him? I’m important to God?” I just couldn’t believe that someone who was 17 years old, couldn’t feel the love that I feel on a daily basis, because I know how essential this is. We marked a day to visit him and when we passed by to visit him, we both realized that we had knocked on his door a week earlier, but he wasn’t home. So yet again, Heavenly Father gave us another opportunity to help Maurcello. As we started teaching him, he accepted a baptismal date, and went to church. He was just ready to accept every invitation that we gave him. It was funny because I became excited thinking, “Wow, it was me that made that contact! It was me that turned around and started talking to this kid.” But every time we were at his house, the only feelings I could feel were, “you did nothing.” That is the moment that I learned that the Spirit is the true converter in this work. We really are the tools. It was funny because even at his baptism, it was the baptism that I felt like I had done the least. His story is really special to me because he struggled with his gender identity. At the time, he had to make some changes in his life. After he was baptized, he had a former boyfriend that was against him getting baptized, but he showed up to the baptism and then left and was saying all of these negative things to Maurcello about his baptism. Maurcello said that he has do continue doing what is right and that he can’t get lost in all these negative comments. He was very strong in the church. But a couple weeks later, this friend sent a text to Maurcello and said, “I’ve seen the changes in you. I want the same things in my life.” This moment was really special to me because I still hope that one day he decides to serve a mission, but through that little experience on the road, we helped Maurcello, but we also had the opportunity to see the fruits of our work. I know that people can change. I’ve changed, so anything is possible.<br />
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One night we were walking through a park and we saw a young man sitting there. As he was sitting there, we decided to go talk to him. He decided that he didn’t believe in God, he didn’t believe in anything like that. We started with the basics. We started talking about prayer with him. As we were talking about prayer, he was kind of out of it and said, “I don’t think God will answer my prayers.” We said, “In the Book of Mormon you can find a lot of your answers.” We gave him the Book of Mormon and he said he would read it. When we were marking a chapter for him to read, I felt a distinct impression to write something in there for him – a little note. We handed him the Book of Mormon and said, “Okay, we will see you the next time we have an appointment with you. Is there anything else we can do to help you?” He was going through a lot of difficult things in his life and looked up and said, “Please, pray for me.” In that moment, I pointed to what my companion and I had written in the Book of Mormon and it said, “We are praying for you. Don’t forget this.” This is just one example of the millions of examples I’ve had where the Spirit has prompted us to do something to help someone increase their faith. When he read that, he looked at me and said, “I know now that God exists. You’ve just proven that to me.”
I know that Heavenly Father guides this work on the earth. I know that he led me and my companion to find people that were ready for the gospel.<br />
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There was this one woman, named Tatiani. She was a single mom. When we walked in, we started teaching her about the plan of Salvation. A lot of the people we taught were more “simpler-minded”. We were teaching her about Adam and Eve, the Spirit World, and a lot of other things. At the end of the lesson, my companion and I stopped and I felt impressed to say, “Tatiani, if you forget everything that we told you about Adam and Eve, that’s fine with me. We can come back and we can talk about it again, and we invite you to pray to know if these things are true. But the real invitation we have for you today, is we really want you to know that Heavenly Father loves you. Will you pray to know that Heavenly Father loves you?” When I was saying those words, it really touched my heart because in my patriarchal blessing it says nothing about serving a full-time mission. But something that it does talk about is that I will have the opportunity to serve and help other people throughout the world feel Heavenly Father’s love for them. At that moment, it really felt like I was completing or accomplishing my patriarchal blessing. In that moment, I really did feel the love of the Savior running through my bones.<br />
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One of my last days on my mission, I was a little worried. Everyone that has served a mission knows how weird it is to finish your mission and come home and everything like that. One of the last nights of my mission, I was packing my bags and my companion was crying because she was sad that I was going home. But I couldn’t even cry because it didn’t seem real to me. I really wanted it to hit me that I was going home so that I could be a little bit more emotionally prepared. So I said my prayers, asking Heavenly Father to help me realize that my mission was coming to an end. As I crawled into bed, I was laying there, I felt the strongest feeling whispered into my heart that said “it hasn`t hit you yet, because your mission is not over. It will never be over.” It then really clicked for me in that moment that if I am valiant, I will spend the rest of my life that way - I will still have about 40 or 45 more of these 18 months stints, working that hard, caring that much, loving that deeply. That I must never forget the feeling of working and giving everything to something and people who I love. It wouldn’t be too long before school, work, family, church callings, etc. are the ones you give 24X7. My mission was just the beginning.<br />
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The most important thing I learned about missionary work is that it’s about giving. It’s about putting your whole heart into something and loving each and every person in a way that you would do anything for them. A remember a couple stories where Irma Maria was baptized and when she came, she didn’t bring a change of clothes, or didn’t have under garments to put on and I just remember at that moment thinking, “I would do anything for Irma Maria. I would maybe even trade a bra with her or something because you learn to love these people in a different kind of way.” That’s what motivated me every day as a missionary. That’s what motivated me to be obedient. I love a quote that says, “Faith is measured by what you are willing to do.” I think that is so true. Faith is measured by what we are willing to sacrifice. What are we willing to give up to be obedient and follow the example of the Savior?<br />
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I know that when our purpose in missionary work is to give and to serve, and to focus on other people, it’s impossible to care about someone too much. Yes, as missionaries we often had many disappointments, a lot of them couldn’t follow through with what they said they would do, and sometimes we do get let down. But we were filled with the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, because people do have their agency. There were so many moments on my mission when I was teaching, that I wish I could take mental pictures. I was just praying in my heart for Heavenly Father to always help me remember the experiences I had, to always help me remember the faces that people had when they accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ, the light and countenance change they would have.<br />
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In closing, I would just like to share one last experience. My parents had the opportunity to pick me up from my mission. That was a really sacred experience for me because the people in Brazil were my family away from my family, and at home, it was my family away from my other family as well. So for the two to be able to come together was really special. On my last night, we stopped by my last area. There was a girl that was getting baptized that we had taught the week before. Her name is Lara Késsia. We were talking with her and she saw that my dad was there. She really had the desire to be baptized by the same person that baptized Sister Vance. In that moment, I had the opportunity to testify to her how worthy my dad is. In that moment, it was the perfect ending to my mission in Brazil. My last night there, my dad had the opportunity to baptize someone I had taught. In that moment, it wasn’t just the physical part of my dad being able to be there and baptize someone I had taught, but because when I looked at my mom and dad standing there, it was like the two worlds had come together – that everything that had happened before my mission, happened because of my parents. That the reason why that girl was being baptized by my dad, was because of the way I was raised – because of the way the gospel was taught in my family.<br />
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I can say another 10 pages of stories of things I would love to share that I won’t make you sit through. But I loved my mission. I love my Savior. I am so grateful for Him. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough. He could’ve picked anyone to meet the people that I got to meet, he could’ve picked anyone to serve where I got to serve, but I got to be there. I got to have those experiences. I’m so grateful for that.<br />
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In my first interview with my Mission President, we sat down, and he asked me, “Why did you decide to serve a mission?” I was young and dumb at the beginning of my mission and said, “Because I want to repay the Savior for everything he’s done for me.” When I look back at that, I just want to hit myself over the head because if anything, I’m just in more debt to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ – because every day of my mission He was blessing me, and even after my mission, he is still blessing me.<br />
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I would like to bear my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us, and each one of His children. I know that it is our responsibility to share this with other people.<br />
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I would just like to close in bearing my testimony in the language that I’ve learned to love – the Portuguese language: (bore testimony in Portuguese)<br />
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This is my testimony that I leave with you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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<br />Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-38543421511175294282018-04-26T10:00:00.000-07:002019-11-03T08:02:59.964-08:00A Change of HeartFamily & Friends,<br />
<br />
I had another tender mercy. As we were waiting at the bus stop for the elders to arrive to do a baptism interview, some kid tapped me on the shoulder and I looked up and it was Jose! He is a member from Parnaiba and we would always invite him to make visits with us. At the time it seemed like he wasn’t sure if he would go on a mission, but I got to see him as he was on his way to catch a flight in Teresina! What were the chances that I would have been there at that 5 minute time slot, and that he would have seen me! Heavenly Father blessed me so much by allowing me to experience this “chance” encounter. In the attached photo, the two boys are from Parnaiba and are going to serve missions in Sao Paulo! The one boy only has the things he has on his back and his flip flops! What faith!!<br />
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This is it! I can’t believe it has come to an end! I have two types of feelings; one, that I know how much I am going to miss this, my beloved Brazil, the people, and the special feelings that come as a set apart representative of Jesus Christ. There is just nothing like it! The second feeling is just such a great sense of accomplishment. I did it, and loved it! I really put so much time, energy and focus into magnifying my calling as a missionary! It, to me, has been the greatest success in my life!<br />
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I ended my mission on a high! BAPTISM! Woohoo! Natalia is already excited to be a sister missionary one day! She is 10 years old, and is a little bit on the younger side, but it has been so neat to see on the mission how sharp and prepared some of these kids are. They are so pure in heart, and it’s great to know that they will be able to participate in the church programs like primary and young women’s! She is also neighbors with a member, so we know that she will always be in good hands. We also are just inviting everyone, I mean EVERYONE, to be baptized, and it has been truly humbling to see their hearts softened and accept the invitation. Inviting people to be baptized on the mission, always takes a leap of courage, but for that reason it is my favorite and one of the things I will most miss.
I had my last district meeting and it was actually the district “funeral”, because it’s a joke that I was dying as a missionary. It was funny!<br />
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This last week was just really special to me. I have wanted to talk to everyone, to plant as many seeds as I could about the gospel. I just wanted to run around like a maniac and do all that I could as my time as a missionary came to an end. But I am grateful that I really do have no regrets. I am grateful that the Savior helped me serve a diligent mission. My mission president looked at me and told me that he had seen a change in my heart, and I am so grateful for the work that the Savior personally did in my life and with my life. This year and a half flew by for me and hardly felt like a sacrifice; if anything it was the greatest gift anyone could have given me. I will forever be grateful.<br />
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To me it doesn’t matter if they remember my name or my face or even what I said. I just hope that the impressions of the Spirit will forever be written on their hearts in a way that they will never be able to deny the way that they felt, hearing the gospel truth!<br />
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Love you all,<br />
<br />
Sister Vance<br />
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<br />Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-11942228431373193652018-04-19T06:33:00.002-07:002018-04-19T06:33:55.548-07:00Losing Myself to Become More Like Me Than Ever Before<p>Family & Friends,<p>
<p>There is an old missionary myth that the more you get rained on, the more handsome your future husband will be. I’m not trying to brag or jump to any sort of conclusion here, but this past week we got rained on every day; pouring rain storms that left so much flooding! So, “Dear Future Husband, one day when you read this, don’t forget to thank me!” Haha, #KeepTheRainComing!<p>
<p>But really, there has been some pretty extreme weather. It hasn’t rained so much since 2009. There have been times when the water has been waist high, and there are fish swimming in it. I wish I was kidding, but it’s true. We were proselyting for more than 3 hours without shoes. It has been way fun, and definitely an adventure and struggle at the same time. But waist deep water can’t stop the work. When it’s raining or storming, missionaries can’t just take shelter and wait out the storm. It’s absolutely the best time for finding people to teach! They will let you in because of pity or yell at you to come into their house.<p>
<p>When we were proselyting barefoot, we found Janderson. A 26 year old man, we taught him about the Restoration and he found it interesting, but when we pulled out the Book of Mormon and started explaining it, his eyes lit up with interest and excitement. When we returned a day later, he had read everything (introduction, testimonies) and 13 chapters! We tried not to fall out of our chairs! We tried to play it cool with him, but left trying really hard not to make a scene in the street, because we became so excited and happy!<p>
<p>We had an appointment set for 8pm another day, and it was raining and storming a ton. When we showed up, the family was shocked. The grandma started running around to dry us off with towels, and had no shame of touching wherever she needed to get us dry! It must have been a bit of a shocking sight to see us show up, but when they said they thought we wouldn’t come, we responded and said, “but we told you that we would come, right? We mean what we say”. My companion and I have decided that we really have to SHOW them how important and sacred this work is. We aren’t messing around here! Someday, I just hope that these people we teach can see and understand how much we worry about them, how they are constantly on our minds, and how we are willing to do anything for them. We really do love them.<p>
<p>Victor, a 16 year old young man, has been receiving our messages. Saturday, we taught him the Plan of Salvation, and at the end he said, “did I ever tell you about the dream I had? The other night, I did what you have been teaching me to do, praying with faith and asking if these things I am learning are true. In my dream, I was walking in a grassy field and I looked up and saw a tree”. My companion and I already had goosebumps, and I was already getting emotional. He continued, “and when I looked up at the tree, I saw a light that said to me, ‘continue on the path that you are on’”. As he explained more, it was clear he had dreamed about the tree of life (1 Nephi 8)”! We read in the Book of Mormon about Lehi’s dream and it was so spiritual. What a miracle! Mighty faith brings about mighty miracles! It was so cool, because he understood and then was able to fully interpret his dream using the Book of Mormon. We have seen so many miracles this week that have felt like tender mercies from the Lord. I am excited to see what He has in store for me during my last week in the mission!<p>
<p>Because of the flooding, it has been sad because water has entered into houses as well and people have had to leave. We were invited to go to place where these people were staying. We made breakfast for them, played around and got to know a bunch of them. They were sweet and it was a humbling experience. We got 30 or more of them together and taught the Plan of Salvation. I have had many opportunities during my mission to teach groups of people and it is always a different experience. I always feel the power and authority of my calling as a missionary. I feel like I’m really preaching, haha! One man yelled out at the end, “I am so happy, everything seems so much clearer to me!” I thought, that just sums up the “Plan of Happiness” for me too, my friend. I love having the knowledge that we have, and the way it influences my daily and life decisions. I have been praying a lot recently about my life and what to do with it, haha, and this service project was an answer to my prayers. I have learned that whatever happens, my life needs to be FILLED with service. I feel myself thriving in joy in these situations.<p>
<p>I have learned on my mission that when people or God talk about “losing yourself”, it means abandoning all selfishness, all pride and our self-will. Once we do that, God really gives us back all of our personality … when we are wholly His, we will be more ourselves than ever before! You may have noticed that over the past 18 months I have still been crazy, always laughing and I have had fun and happiness on my mission. But I really feel like I have changed.<p>
<p>I feel like Christ and God’s love have really molded and shaped me. I feel more love within me, with more love to share. I feel more forgiving because I realize how much I have been forgiven. I am more patient because other people (including Heavenly Father) have been more patient and kind with me. I love to work hard here because I know that this is His work. I have learned obedience because of the perfect example of our Savior, and have seen the blessings of it here in the mission, and the miracles it brings. I have learned what real faith is and have learned how to nourish it and grow it on a daily basis. I have learned humility as I have realized that I need the help of the Divine in my life. I have seen that, no matter how much or how hard I have worked, sweated and even cried to help these people, He is always doing more and doing the job in the perfect way that only He can do it.<p>
<p>In the end, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, because I have felt and seen Him save me from myself over and over again. He is my King, my personal Savior and personal Redeemer. I am striving to live in such a way that when I return to Him and am in His presence, that it will feel familiar to be close to Him.<p>
<p>See you all soon; love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-48993473150527736482018-04-11T23:32:00.002-07:002018-04-16T23:08:53.845-07:00Right Place, Right Time<p>Family & Friends,<p>
<p>After I logged off of email last week, we decided to go to the grocery store. I wasn’t feeling too great. I thought to myself that maybe my stomach pain was because I had forgotten to eat all day. As I passed close to the open meat section, I had a feeling of slight dizziness. I thought it was just because of the smell of meat/blood. At the checkout, reality hit me hard. My companion handed me a grocery bag and I left the store running, looking for a place not filled with people. Then I remembered that I had to stay in sight and sound of my companion. Oh gosh, so yes, a sister missionary was found throwing up right in the entrance of the supermarket! I was just grateful that I had a grocery bag – until the wind picked up and while I was throwing up, the wind took the bag and wacked me in the face! Anyway, the struggle was so real! I vomited nonstop for the next couple hours. I couldn’t even take medicine without it all coming back up. So against my will, I was forced by Sister Melo to go to the hospital at 9pm. Our ward mission leader and his wife were there for moral support. Actually, they were there to take videos of me getting IVs and being dramatic, haha, but I love them. For the next 7 hours I sat in a chair, with an IV in one arm and my throw-up bucket in the other. It would have been okay if wasn’t for the male nurse trying to “Bible-bash” with us the whole time. I just wasn’t up for that! Then at 4:00am we tried to reach the church member that has a car, because we had made plans with him to get a ride home, and he wasn’t answering. We tried everything, and I thought we were going to have to walk home! Everything turned out okay and I am better now. It was karma, because I have joked my whole mission that if I gained weight on my mission, I would drink the water from the faucet to get sick and lose weight, haha!<p>
<p>Amidst the sickness, we saw many blessings! We had nine (9) investigators in church! Woohoo! I hope to see a lot of them baptized before the end of this transfer. I’m sure there will be many that I will only see photos (#plantingseeds). One of them, Livia, even bore her testimony. She was almost baptized last week, but her husband is in prison waiting to be judged, so it’s a bit complicated. But she will probably be baptized in a few weeks. She said in her testimony that “the sisters told me that Satan will work on me to try to make me give up. When I almost give up, I remember them saying that, and I promise that I’ll never give up!” It was so cute.<p>
<p>One morning this week, we were walking to a part of our area a bit far away. A “moto” stopped and the young woman introduced herself and said, “I have been inactive for years, and I need you to visit me. I am struggling … when can you meet with me?” It was a cry for help. I am so grateful that we were in the right place at the right time. She came back to church on Sunday, and we are working to help her get back on the path of happiness through living and applying the gospel of Jesus Christ.<p>
<p>When we were at the hospital, we started talking to another woman hooked up on an IV. Her name was Maria Jesus, and she was suffering. She had “bleeding” problems for months straight. I remembered the story of Jesus with the woman of “the blood issue”, and how she reached out to him to be healed! We shared this story with her, prayed with her and bore our testimonies and tried to comfort her. We talked to her for hours, sharing our blankets and our life stories. When we were leaving, it was sad to leave her there, but she said, “wow, who would have known that we would have met here; that I would make my first American friend in a hospital in Campo Maior, Brazil?” She was cute and we got her address. It was definitely inspired that we met her, and maybe Heavenly Father even let me get as sick as a dog, just to be able to help Maria Jesus a little through this trial and brighten her day. I know I felt better as I looked for ways to serve her. I have learned that when we <b>give<i></i></b> we always <b>gain<i></i></b>.<p>
<p>I know that when I am helping others, Heavenly Father will bless me to overcome any trial and tribulation that I may have while I am here on this earth. It is my responsibility to listen to the Spirit, be at the right place at the right time and always be willing to “turn out” when the natural man wants me to do the opposite. I am being so blessed here ... I love my mission because I am given the responsibility to serve and love random strangers every minute of every day. When I think about it, we all have that opportunity every day of our lives.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nd0CTy3dZXw/WtWPY_tghtI/AAAAAAAABjg/QZ8WmWEeHfsU6tf_2dIJDg09zWqRyHWewCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC03802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nd0CTy3dZXw/WtWPY_tghtI/AAAAAAAABjg/QZ8WmWEeHfsU6tf_2dIJDg09zWqRyHWewCLcBGAs/s400/DSC03802.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyXphOBfq3o/WtWPYmL0sMI/AAAAAAAABjc/IUtDIDkQJmA07IrKGsRkTFmAIc6X19UzACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC03832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyXphOBfq3o/WtWPYmL0sMI/AAAAAAAABjc/IUtDIDkQJmA07IrKGsRkTFmAIc6X19UzACLcBGAs/s400/DSC03832.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B6Dga_YAa_g/WtWPY9GdLxI/AAAAAAAABjk/SPdDAj51AeExUmJ-qLgCyXLoUV-ZGWfwwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC03843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B6Dga_YAa_g/WtWPY9GdLxI/AAAAAAAABjk/SPdDAj51AeExUmJ-qLgCyXLoUV-ZGWfwwCLcBGAs/s400/DSC03843.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-78636011118193158122018-04-06T07:35:00.000-07:002018-04-06T07:35:18.387-07:00The Hardest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do<p>Hello Everyone,<p>
<p>Last week we were warned about a crazy, one-legged lady with AIDS on the loose with her blood in a syringe, running wild in the streets injecting her blood into innocent victims. These types of situations are far too common here, and while they are just part of the crazy circumstances here in Brazil, I feel like I haven’t really lived without these experiences. But don’t worry family (or anyone), we have to be discriminating here and guided by the Spirit, so we will be safe but we make ourselves available to everyone and anyone seeking after the truth.<p>
<p>I keep writing that it’s 2016, and I am just way confused about that. It’s April 2018 already, and I don’t know if it’s a sign that I still haven’t realized so much time has passed and that I’m not at the beginning of my mission anymore. It’s been 1 year and 5 months, but I guess it still hasn’t hit me that I have been gone that long or that so much time has passed. We had zone conference this past week, and everyone asked me, “so, Sister Vance, what are your plans?” I responded, “plans for what?” haha, but was just kidding as I have definitely made some personal goals for when I return. The zone conference was just awesome. It was at President Melo’s house and it was so spiritual. It was one of the best ones yet, and that’s a good thing because it was my last! The closing hymn was “Called to Serve”, and of course I started getting a little choked up, and the mission president’s wife (Sister Melo) came by my side and she started to cry too! I love that woman so much! We are going to miss each other. Then I looked over at my companion (Sister Keuiele) and she was crying more than me, saying that she didn’t want me to go. It was cute, but I told her not to cry because we still have a lot of time together, and lots to do!<p>
<p>Speaking of Sister Keuiele, this week we were doing training together and talking about the people we teach. She then started to rant about how she was frustrated that not everyone will listen to us, pray, read the Book of Mormon, or go to church. She then started to cry and said, “if only they knew how much these things could change their lives for the better. I just want them to have what I have and know what I know. Why don’t they care about their own happiness? I would do anything to help them understand the truthfulness of the gospel.” I remember, many times, feeling the same way during my mission. As she was frustrated and crying, I felt the Spirit so strong. When she stopped, I smiled and said, “this right here is exactly what missionary work is all about. This is why we are here”. I just wanted to throw the training book out the window because the real desire to bring salvation and joy to others is everything you need to be a great missionary and a true disciple of Christ. The rest will come on its own.<p>
<p>The most important thing in missionary work is giving, and putting your whole heart into it, and loving each and every person in a way that you would do anything for them to feel peace and knowledge that we have through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that when this is our goal and purpose in the mission field, that at the end of it all, we will be the ones that come out of this the most converted and the most changed, but only if our focus is on others. It’s impossible to care about someone “too much”. Yes, as missionaries we are often disappointed or let down, but missionary work was never meant to be easy. If it’s easy, then you’re doing something wrong! It is filled with the lowest of lows because of the agency of others … but it is also filled with the highest of highs that make it all worth it in the end. There are moments when I say a silent prayer to Heavenly Father asking Him to help me never forget the complete joy that seems to completely fill me. Sometimes I try to take mental pictures when I start to see a physical change in the countenance of someone I love here. Only Heavenly Father truly knows how grateful I am for this opportunity. These experiences are so unique and precious to me … it is truly the hardest thing I’ve ever loved to do.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-63732460140200064752018-03-28T18:10:00.000-07:002018-03-28T18:10:48.716-07:00Everything Will Be Alright<p>Hello Family & Friends,<p>
<p>We’re here in Campo Maior – still completely lost, but at least it’s a little more interesting! There was a huge power outage in the whole northeast of Brazil that made it real fun to get home on Wednesday night, as the roads were completely dark (of course, all the other missionaries were warned except they forgot about us in Campo Maior, haha!). One day we were looking for the house of a member referral to visit, and instead of giving us an address, our directions were “ask the people around you where ‘baldy’ lives”. Haha, somehow we found the house. Only God knows how we were able to pull that off … seriously.
I saw my first wild monkey! I screamed and Portuguese went out the window. I started screaming “monkey, monkey” and no one understood! Apparently, they always hang around the mango trees behind the church, and I was just so happy about that.<p>
<p>Miqueias was baptized on Saturday night! He was a referral from his cousin. When we started teaching him, and invited him to be baptized, he said, “I won’t be baptized if I have to give up coffee!” Haha, we talked with him and since that day he has not had any coffee and was baptized. He was a little timid and shy with us at the beginning, but once we got a handshake down, he has just become our best buddy. He even asked if one of us could baptize him, haha! But, as usual, the baptism “pool” that they have here didn’t fill up because the water wasn’t working, and so YET AGAIN my companion and I filled it up with gallon buckets. My companion (her first baptism) was a bit alarmed, but at this point in my mission, it has really become the norm. Anyway, his mom and family were there and it was very spiritual and special.<p>
<p>This past week we made visits with a young man that returned home from his mission a bit ago. He asked each of us how long we had been in the mission, and I asked him to guess. He said, “9 months”, and I said, “what, is my Portuguese really that bad?” Haha, he told me that it wasn’t about my Portuguese, but was shocked to learn that I am in my last few weeks, because of the energy and excitement that my companion and I have. I have learned a lot about how important it is to always be positive. Usually in some of our lessons it looks and sounds more like a “pep talk” to help so many people that are discouraged. Being happy and excited about life is so contagious, and I truly feel like I have every reason to be this way in life.<p>
<p>My companion says that the Portuguese words I use most often translate to “everything will be alright”. She now copies me and it is our exact response to everything, knowing that when we are doing what’s right and doing our part, everything will work out! I love missionary work!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
<p>p.s. I am “raising” my “daughter the way I was raised by my trainer. Irmãs feet are hurting, so we offer foot messages after lunch! I love my trainer and will always remember what she taught me.<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-30136233894275255342018-03-25T14:09:00.001-07:002018-03-25T14:09:54.669-07:00Working for Campo Maior Miracles<p>Hello Family & Friends,<p>
<p>Well these past days have been interesting! We arrived in Campo Maior and wouldn’t have found our house if it wasn’t for the help of members. The house has been closed for a couple weeks, so it was filthy. Ahhh, home sweet home, haha. Baby tarantulas were found … also more than once I was taking a shower with a cockroach and it started climbing up my leg! Aghh! But we got the house back in shape a bit. I love my companion, Sister Keuiele … she’s Brazilian and so awesome! From the first night, we joined our beds and sleep side by side; mostly because we both get a little creeped out living alone with sketchy neighbors.
This past week I was in Teresina for three days for a training meeting and to pick up my new companion. It was so spiritual and fun. I was able to see 3 of my prior companions that were leaving to go home. The toughest goodbye was Sister Lucas; I love her so much – she is so amazing! I’m already missing her like crazy. We ate lunch in the president’s house and I haven’t been back there since the first day I got here. Wow, it was so strange. I remembered back to all the feelings I had on my first day. I was excited and anxious to get to work, but also stressed about the language. So much has changed, and it feels like I don’t even know that old version of me. That’s a good thing, haha! We ate Sister Melo’s famous cheesecake and I just felt so loved. We were all just sitting and chatting with President and Sister Melo. They brought out a huge mug of Brazilian style herbal tea, and we sat in a circle and were sharing it and passing it around and drinking out of the same straw, and it was the funniest thing ever. It was a great time, but also a weird feeling knowing that the next time I’ll be back will be for my last dinner with them on my last day!<p>
<p>When I was in Teresina, I got news that a man I talked to at the bus station a few months ago was baptized! Woohoo! Anyway, as fun as Teresina was, I was antsy to get back to our area because I felt like I didn’t have a purpose in my life … haha. I started that “pacing thing” again that I always do when I don’t have enough to do to keep me busy!<p>
<p>Honestly, the first few days in Campo Maior were very stressful. We didn’t even know where to start. I felt a huge responsibility on my shoulders. My new companion was even more lost than I, as it was her first few days in Brazil and all. So we just got to work, and I acted like I knew what I was doing, and asked every person we ran into for directions! It doesn’t help that road signs rarely exist here; lol, haha. But despite those struggles, we saw miracles. The members gave us a ton of new referrals of their friends and we are starting fresh with them. We had 5 investigators in church, and even more that members brought with them and we will start teaching this week!<p>
<p>The people of this branch are so valiant. They don’t even have a chapel but they use a rented out house, and visit people with us every day. This is the best area I could hope for to finish my mission. We are inviting everyone to be baptized and looking forward to it resulting in miracles!<p>
<p>I am really grateful for this week and all the new challenges and responsibilities. I love that Heavenly Father is always pushing and stretching me far away from my comfort zone. He is always asking for more, and I am working to give Him just that … my very best and more of me … more of my time, focus, energy and even more of my heart. We truly become converted only through, day by day, looking to do more and to become more. We can never take our foot off the accelerator! I love the opposition and new challenges that I face here every day. It makes me stronger, but also more humble and dependent on my Savior and my Heavenly Father.<p>
<p>I receive tender mercies every day here, with the inspiring and comforting influence of the Spirit. I received photos this week of a family that was less active when I visited them. The photos were of them at the temple! I couldn’t believe it and am so happy! I also learned this past week that my sweet dog back home, Sadie, passed away. I got the feeling that she passed away before I got the email from my mom. I was hoping she would hold on until I came home, but it will be okay. I love her so much and am so grateful for all the times she has comforted me in my life. She has been there for me, just to lay down next to me when I was sad or recovering from surgeries. I love that pup so much and will miss her a ton. I am thankful that Heavenly Father gives us loving influences throughout our lives to soften our hearts and bring joy and comfort to our days.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-58451320226160403952018-03-18T20:37:00.003-07:002018-03-18T20:37:58.436-07:00Nós Estamos Rezando Por Você<p>Hello Everyone,<p>
<p>I’m going to be a “mom”! Transfer calls came in, and I am going to train a new sister and I will start in a new area with her! We will be opening the area together, so stay tuned for many not-so-fun “getting completely lost” stories, haha, so pray that we will at least be able to find our house! But tudo bem, it’s going to be way fun. After going to Teresina for a trainers’ meeting, I will meet my new companion and then we will be off to our new area … Campo Maior. It’s about 2 hours from Teresina, and I will be returning to my beloved state of Piauí.<p>
<p>Our favorite interaction of the week was when a random man on the street asked us, “are you guys Mormons?” I said that we were and asked him if he was too. He said no, and I asked him, “why not?” He said that we were both beautiful and asked if Joseph Smith would let him marry us. We laughed awkwardly, and told him he was invited to visit our church anytime. He said he would visit if he could sit by us the whole time. We told him to visit church for God, not us, and said, “goodbye”.<p>
<p>This week my BFF Sister Lucas is going home! Last week in the district meeting we were asked to do a practice lesson. Sister Lucas and I were back at it. We taught about the Sabbath Day and Atonement, and we invited our “practice investigator” Sister Johnson to be baptized. It was so spiritual, and Sister Johnson got emotional, and it just flowed so perfectly and was so powerful. Sister Lucas and I still got it! I am so grateful to have practically spent my whole mission with her … she is so awesome. I am just looking for someone to give her a green card!<p>
<p>Saturday night we were walking through a park and we saw a young guy sitting on a bench. He was wearing a knee brace, so naturally I was curious. We started talking about surgeries, and I even whipped out my own battle wounds. We then started talking about the gospel. He had so many awesome questions, but also a lot of doubts. We then realized that we would have to start from the basics. We asked him if he believed in God, and he said that he is 50/50. Anyway, long story short, we taught him about prayer, the Holy Ghost and the Book of Mormon. We talked about how we can receive answers or confirmations that God exists. As we were getting up to leave, we asked him if we could do anything else to help, and he said very humbly, “pray for me”. The Spirit touched my heart. I asked him to open the Book of Mormon, and there he read what I wrote earlier … “Nós estamos rezando por você” (we are praying for you). Moments earlier, the Spirit had prompted me to write something I usually wouldn’t write in there. He looked up, touched, and said that “this is already a confirmation that God exists”. I felt so grateful in that moment for being an instrument in helping him feel that Heavenly Father really DOES exist, worries about him and loves him!<p>
<p>We have some investigators with a ton of potential, so I am excited to hear about their progress after I leave. I am sad to leave and I truly loved Sobral and the sisters here. It is the last time I will see a lot of these missionaries, as I am starting my last transfer. Sobral and the people there will always have a special place in my heart!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-85171384860819899292018-03-09T13:16:00.002-08:002018-03-12T12:32:07.447-07:00We Can Help Relieve Burdens Only He Can Heal<p>Hello Everyone,<p>
<p>Alberto was baptized on Saturday! He was one of Marcelio’s friends that didn’t support his baptism, but a few weeks ago he saw the light, wonderful example and happiness that Marcello has, and wanted to know more. It was really special to be part of it … Maurcelio is our secret weapon! He is helping so many people!
Usually the members here are so cutely stubborn, and never want us to wash the dishes or serve them. It is always a fight, but sometimes we win! This week we were eager to help and an irma let us help with the laundry. She had no shame and we were dealing with underwear and boxers. My companion is a little bit of a germophobe (understandably), and so she decided to help with something else. We were all laughing a bit about the situation and started whacking each other with them (you already know who started it). I called over my companion, and when she turned the corner, we sisters nailed her in the face! There was such a priceless look on her face! Anyway, we are always looking for ways to laugh and have a little fun.<p>
<p>John the Baptist came to church with us yesterday (yeah, you read that right). We walked to pick him up at 7:30am, because it is a bit of a trek, haha. Long story short, we told him the church was close, but every few minutes he was asking us like a little kid on a road trip, if we were “there yet”. We just kept reassuring him and promising him blessings. With an hour and a half left in church, he asked if it was over yet, and my companion laughed as I responded, “only a few more minutes”. Then he asked the bishop for a ride home, haha, I don’t know if we will be seeing our friend John the Baptist back to church, haha.<p>
<p>Thursday night at 3:00am, we got a call from Rafael. I answered the phone and could tell immediately that something was wrong. He told me that (his dad) Irmao Barretto had passed away in the hospital. I talked with him for a few minutes and reminded him to really pray as soon as he hung up. I hung up the phone, then I started to cry. I woke up my companion to tell her the news. Irmao Barretto is a recent convert of two months here, and is so special to me. I love that man! I called Sister Locust (my former companion who was part of his baptism too) to let her know. My companion, Sister Friedman, and I decided to say a prayer together, and after that it was just really hard for me to sleep. I was thinking about his family, but also thinking about the Plan of Salvation. I stopped and asked myself, “do I <i>really</i> believe all that I teach about life after death - about God‘s glorious plan”? I paused, and then my testimony kicked back into full gear, and I absolutely felt and remembered all that I have learned and all that I know. A warm feeling came over me reassuring me that “yes, Sister Vance, don’t doubt, you already know”. After that moment, I just felt peace and was smiling to myself wondering what kind of jokes he must be cracking up there, and how he must be loving not having to use his oxygen tank or hearing aids! His wife, Irma Rita, and he were married officially the day of his baptism, and she told us that the day he passed away he asked her to bring him his Book of Mormon. We had the chance to visit him in the hospital the day before. We didn’t have much time in our schedule, but we made it a priority and later realized that we felt like we should and were prompted to go. We followed that prompting, and looking back, I will forever be grateful and will always cherish being able to visit and see him before he passed away. I love being a missionary – usually we are always on the go, walking at a very good pace and with purpose, focused on being diligent. But while we have seen miracles because of that pace and diligence, the most special and priceless moments on my mission have been when we slow down a bit, and really focus on serving and ministering to the “one”, just as our Savior did.<p>
<p>His family had been baptized many years ago, fell into less activity, but were recently reactivated. The day after he passed away they invited us to visit them; I love them so much. We talked a bit, but everyone was understandably really sad and in shock. I must admit I was nervous to teach, because I really wanted to help, but I don’t always feel like I am the best with words of comfort. Besides that, it was a pretty large group of a dozen or more immediate and extended family members. I said a prayer in my heart and we just went for it. The Spirit was so strong as we testified of the Plan of Happiness. We laughed a little together, shared a couple of our favorite memories, and talked about Irmao Barretto doing missionary work up there (he LOVES missionaries). It was a huge success, and there was an overwhelming sense of peace. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father qualifies those whom He calls. I have never lost my dad, never been abused or had problems with drugs or been divorced. But because Jesus Christ suffered for all of this and for all of us; and because we as missionaries represent Him, He leads and guides us as we look and find ways to relieve the burdens that only He can heal. He saves us from ourselves.<p>
<p>I am nervous about transfers coming this week. I am praying to stay in Sobral for my last transfer. I love my companion and I love this place.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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<p>Well, I stepped in poop more than once this week. Haha, sorry to start off that way, but I feel like that is the best way to describe our week. Everything basically just went wrong this week and life was a struggle, but as we were on the downward spiral, we had many (and I mean many) good laughs. We traveled to Tianguá for exchanges; one sister ended up in the hospital, and we ran into another jealous girlfriend (at least this time she didn’t cuss us out). I was called selfish by an investigator because I talked about how there <i>will<b></b></i> be life after death, and if we do what is right we will receive the greater reward. “The beautiful flowers, and this life you have, isn’t enough for you? You want even more? You are ungrateful and selfish” (ouch). Brazilians don’t have much of a filter (love it). They are also so loving; they are affectionate and love to hug. For us it has been great to hug the women and irmas, but with men here, it has proven to be a real struggle. We are constantly on the swerve; men here just go for it. They shake your hand and want a kiss on the mouth! Just yesterday I was looking the other way and a guy just landed one on my shoulder. Sister Johnson is scared to death about all this and said, “I am just so nervous that I am going to have my first kiss here on the mission.” You need to keep your head on a swivel here I guess, haha.<p>
<p>Anyway, last week we had a family home evening and an activity that was planned by our new ward mission leader. He is an ex-Stake President, and is on top of everything! It feels like none other than CEO Cary Vance (Dad) is here! I called the ward mission leader asking him for help to give rides for some of our investigators. He was on it and showed up in 5 minutes. I am pretty sure he got freaked out because he looked up and saw about 12 people just running to jump in his car. I yelled, “irmão, we’re bringing the whole neighborhood”! One woman didn’t want to go because she was embarrassed about her clothes. My first thought was to switch clothes with her, but then I realized there was no way I could do that because she only had belly shirts (dresses the size of shirts). But it’s the thought that counts, right? We found other clothes for her, but it was funny to realize that I want to do anything for these people. I love them!<p>
<p>We have gotten rained on a ton recently, so I got kind of sick. I was still fine, but then that “time of the month” hit, (I know, TMI) and it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Anyway, we were sitting on a metro, and I was sitting there with just the worst face. I wanted to take off my badge because I wasn’t representing Christ very well in that moment. But then the cutest old man sat by my side and pull out a drawing of a sick, grumpy man and asked me if I was “feeling this way”. I said, “yeah”, laughing. Then he turned my “frown upside down” by turning the drawing upside down (it was a picture of a princess). He told me I was a beautiful girl, and moments later he was gone. It was cute and such a tender little mercy. I felt so loved in that moment. Heavenly Father uses other people and so many ways to touch our heart. He loves us all so very much, and I know that He loves me.<p>
<p>Hope all is well back home. Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-21973673301119056752018-02-22T11:33:00.003-08:002018-02-22T11:33:49.597-08:00We Are Most Precious To Him<p>Hello Family & Friends,<p>
<p>I’m not sure what is more alarming, our investigator’s girlfriend wanting to fight or the scorpion in the kitchen rag that almost killed my companion at the crack of dawn. As for the catfight, we were just sitting there in the house of Luis Carlos, teaching the gospel, when I decided to ask him what is stopping him from completing the invitations that we give each time (reading scriptures, etc.). His brother sitting next to him said under his breath, “the girl”. So I asked innocently, “is it your namorada (girlfriend)?” Wow, I don’t think there has been a question asked in my mission that was so UNINSPRIRED.<p>
<p>All I heard then was, “get my name out of your mouth Dona Maria!” I said, “uh oh” under my breath to my companion, then came face-to-face with Harley Quinn’s twin, purple hair and everything. She just started going crazy, cussing us out (I only knew about half the words she was saying). I was just trying so hard not to laugh. She was just waving her arms all over the place, going nuts, and when I looked over at Luis Carlos he was just sitting there all relaxed, like this happens all the time. She went back inside, and then the sassy brother (who like us a lot) started yelling things back in her face, taunting her. Then she came out again, and I just thought she was going to try to pull out my hair or something. I don’t even know what I would do (turn the other cheek?). Haha, the whole thing was hilarious and after we left and turned the street corner I was laughing on the ground for ten minutes.<p>
<p>We tried 9 different ways to kill the scorpion, but he kept resurrecting himself, so we decided to soak him in bug spray and light a match (when I say “we”, I mean “me” … haha). I just get a little too excited about these things. Now he is laminated and will be one of my many souvenirs I take home with me. We thought about calling President Melo, but earlier last week during zone conference he said, “we are here to suffer on this earth; even more and especially on the mission”. He said, “your mission will be all sunshine and rainbows … after it’s over!” Haha, wow, I love my mission president (#StraightOuttatheAmazon)! The last time I talked to him about scorpions he told me he would buy us a rooster to eat them (thanks, but no).<p>
<p>This past week we got a new ward mission leader, and he is so excited and will work so well with us. I have come to appreciate the importance of really magnifying church callings and church service. I love seeing great and powerful leadership, especially men who really understand the responsibility they have as priesthood holders.<p>
<p>Last week I was reading in the Book of Mormon, and when I came to Jacob 5 I just had no desire to read it. It looked completely boring. It talks about the gathering of Israel and I just wasn’t up for reading 77 verses about that. But I gave myself a quick pep talk and just went for it. Honestly, I have never felt the Spirit so strong while reading a chapter in the Book of Mormon. I applied the olive trees to my life and the lord of the vineyard to my Heavenly Father. The lord of the vineyard refuses to give up on the one thing that is “most precious to him”. He tries everything to save the good olive tree, and at times tries to imagine (and cries out in despair), “what could I have done more for my vineyard?” But he continues every possible way to help and save it, until finally he has success … <i>“and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.”</i><p>
<p>I can’t express the thoughts and feelings that the Spirit put into me, but I know that each one of us are like the olive tree. Heavenly Father will do all things that are possible for us to THRIVE. This is His joy, and for that I am eternally grateful.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-65914333841765745552018-02-16T22:50:00.000-08:002018-02-16T22:50:18.014-08:00Just Talk To Everyone<p>Hi Everyone,<p>
<p>Another year, another sketchy carnival here in Brazil. Nothing drastic, just people running around a little more drunk and nude than usual! The real party only happens in the big cities, like Rio de Janeiro. I don’t know if I ever mentioned this, but all Brazilians seem to discriminate against the northeast of Brazil. It is known for being very poor, extremely hot, and the only good thing they have to say about the northeast is that the beaches are nice; which as missionaries doesn’t do us any good, haha. Even the “Paulistas” (sister missionaries from Sao Paolo) try to convince all of us Americans that where they live isn’t like this. Brazil is so enormous that every state is basically like another country with their own customs, so they go through somewhat of a culture shock because people here do whatever they want, haha.<p>
<p>This week our electricity went out, so for many days and nights nobody slept very well, not having a fan to keep cool and keep away the mosquitoes. I may or may not have taken a shower twice in the middle of the night! After a few days, an irmão from church got a desperate call from the sisters pleading dramatically to check it out. Long story short, someone had opened our electrical box outside and had cut the lines! It was done on purpose too!<p>
<p>But this week has been really fun and interesting. We had a leadership council in Teresina, and it is always such a spiritual experience. I always leave just feeling so pumped and excited to work even more! One of my favorite things to do is make contacts. I love just walking up to people and trying to find ways to get to know them or talk to them about the gospel, and have them feel the Spirit in those split seconds. Our taxi driver in Teresina now wants his daughter to also serve a mission like us. The woman at the bus station who was worried if they would let her take her dog with her, now knows about temples and realized that she lives within 5 minutes of one in Recife! One man started talking to us about Donald Trump, but we turned it into a conversation about religious freedom in the 1800s in America. We even recited the First Vision to him and taught him about The Book of Mormon. It is so cool! Truly I have learned how to turn any topic into a gospel principle. I love just being real and authentic with these people, but also just talking to anyone and everyone, and I love having an excuse as a missionary! We are allowed to be annoying and talk to people in whatever moment! I never want to take off this missionary badge (even though I know the power is not in the badge). I am just putting my parents’ nickname (#ChattyKathy) to good use here, and we are just really opening our mouths, and the Spirit helps us make each contact unique … unique to the specific needs of each person. I love missionary work!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-71286998276228319492018-02-05T11:28:00.000-08:002018-02-05T11:28:25.987-08:00You Cannot Do Wrong and Feel Right<p>Hi Everyone,<p>
<p>Sister Freeman and I both have our first American companions, and we are just loving life. I must admit that I am feeling a little bit old right now, because I live with sisters that have only a few months in the mission. As I hit my 15 month mark this past week, I was feeling a bit like, “where in the world has all the time gone?” Once again, I swear that time in the mission goes by way faster than in “real life”.<p>
<p>On Sunday, Mauricelio bore his super strong and solid testimony in church. He just nailed it! But the best part was that I was able to be hear his testimony so many times when he made visits with us. We visited one “irma” named Cristina, and we have been working to get her to church, but she suffers from depression. Through the testimony of Mauricelio and the Spirit, when we passed by on Sunday morning, she was all ready to go! Miracles! We visited others, and each visit we made with Mauricelio, the people we invited were at church on Sunday! Members truly have so much power and are an essential part of missionary work.<p>
<p>This past week we were teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ – more specifically about faith and repentance. In a lesson with Flavia, I was in the middle of explaining the importance of repentance, when the Spirit reminded me of a story I have long forgotten. I shared with her an experience I had during my rebellious adolescent, pre-teen years. I was doing something I should not have been doing, and I remember that I woke up one night looking for my cell phone on the bedside dresser. But I realized that it had been replaced by a refrigerator magnet that my dad left for me. It read, “You cannot do wrong and feel right”. That was like a smack in the face – but one that was needed and very true. If I remember correctly, I think I even had the audacity to go and ask him where my phone was, which surely led to another one of those frequent PPIs (personal priesthood interviews), haha. I remember his office all too well, because I spent a lot of time in it.<p>
<p>Anyway, I am so grateful that the Spirit brought that back to my remembrance, because that kitchen magnet is the truest thing ever. My companion and I were able to testify that repentance really is always positive; that only through repentance and righteousness can we experience JOY. Joy is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life. I know that any unrighteous person or worldly thing may experience any number of emotions or sensations in this life, but they will never know joy. Truly, truly … wickedness never was happiness, but I am so grateful I know that God’s greatest gift to us is the joy of trying again … repenting. Because no failure ever need be final.<p>
<p>Last week we met with another investigator, Jean, who we returned to teach again after a couple months break. He almost didn’t want to meet with us, because he was embarrassed of his weakness for drug use, and for not completing the invitations we gave him. But we returned, and read the parable of the Prodigal Son. As we read, we discussed the thoughts that most likely went through his head as he was preparing to go home and face his father … knowing these were some of Jean’s thoughts as well. These were thoughts of shame and embarrassment; even suicidal thoughts. As we read, I couldn’t help but get emotional. I felt the story applying not only to Jean, but to me as well. I know that repentance both puts us on the right path and keeps us there. I love the opportunity to repent, and am so grateful to my Savior for that opportunity. I am thankful not to be lost anymore, and I know <i>“that the thing which will be of the most worth unto (me) will be to declare repentance unto this people, that (I) may bring souls unto (God), that (I) may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father”</i> (D&C 16:6). I love that, my mission scripture, and I still have a ton of work to do!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-12857480295641858932018-01-31T11:43:00.001-08:002018-01-31T11:43:11.959-08:00Staying in Sobral<p>Hello Family & Friends,<p>
<p>Last week we had the baptism of Mauricelio and, of course, as Satan always tries to disrupt, the power went out in the church. But that didn't stop or ruin anything! After the baptism, we asked Mauricelio how he felt, and he said, "Different". He was so happy and he is a powerhouse! I am already saying that he will be Elder M. Silva when he goes on his mission!<p>
<p>This week an amiga offered me what looked like a raisin, and she thought it was cute to inform me only after I ate it that it was rear-end of a giant exotic ant here! Apparently, it is really expensive, haha. This past week I was sung, “Happy Birthday” at least 30 times. It still feels awkward and I always think, “should I sing along or just dance a little with my arms or hands, or just stay quiet with that uncomfortable smile on my face?” Either way, it’s a struggle, but these members are precious. I think I felt most loved when, after telling one Irma that I was totally full, she tried to stuff dessert down my throat. I started screaming/crying and then was choking and laughing … she was way too determined!<p>
<p>I may or may not have prayed for rain on my birthday, just hoping that God would have mercy on me during my special day, to give me a break from the heat and the hot sun. He came through … woohoo!
Another 6 weeks is up and it’s transfer time again. I will be staying in Sobral, but my lovely companion will be transferred two hours away, but still in the same district. So I will see her every week, and as a Sister Training Leader will get to talk to her on the phone every night to check in. I was so happy about this because it is her last transfer before she goes home. We have been living together and/or companions for 13 months! She saw me start my mission in the field and I will be with her to the end of her mission. I love Sister Lucas so much!<p>
<p>I am so happy to be here in Sobral, and I know that this is exactly where I should be! There are just so many things in my head and so many things that we still need to do here; and I am just so happy that we are always so busy! I love Brazil and we are seeing so many miracles in our ward. Our bishop said that my companion and I are the perfect companionship, and that the best time of missionary work in the ward has been now with us sisters. He hopes that President Melo keeps receiving inspiration to keep sisters here! Woohoo!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-67802145087511857502018-01-24T10:04:00.000-08:002018-01-24T10:04:00.491-08:00Called of God<p>Hi Everyone,<p>
<p>First things first, I’m done being 20! None of you have seen me when I was 20 … haha, you missed out! Just kidding, nothing has changed; I refuse to get old! But it is kind of weird that I am growing up … life is complicated that way.<p>
<p>When we were in church this past Sunday, one of the sister missionaries started passing out and fainting, because she took medicine for her knee without eating anything, even though I told her that she needed to eat something. Anyway, the irmas in the ward were going nuts and we live on the same street as the church, so they helped her walk back to our house and I was nervous trying to call for Sister Melo. My companion and I were waiting at the door of our house to help her in the rest of the way, because members can’t enter our house. But then we went to walk her back to her room and I looked back and there were literally 12 irmas following behind us, all worried. They started opening our fridge saying that she needed to eat something and then they got all concerned when they opened it, because it was basically bare, except for a lemon and an orange, haha. Anyway, long story short, it was the biggest hassle carefully trying to usher them out and now the whole ward thinks that we go hungry and don't have anything to eat. I was dying.<p>
<p>This past week two of the sisters were sick, so Sister Johnson (the new American) and I were companions for most of the week. She speaks well for so little time here, but she is still in training. It was interesting to be hitting the streets with another gringa because I have never had an American companion!<p>
<p>Last week we watched the broadcast of Russell M. Nelson, and it was so cool to really feel the confirmation that he is called of God to be our prophet. I loved how he talked so much about missionaries and even about the church here in Brazil! Woohoo! I am so lucky to be a part of this work here!<p>
<p>I love you all, and I am grateful for this life I have been given for these 21years, to grow and to have each one of you be a part of it!<p>
<p>Love you!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
<p>- Photo #1 - This is Mauricelio, our "eleito" investigator, at church for the 3rd week in a row!<p>
<p>- Photo #2 - This is the cutest girl from Mozambique, Africa that my friend sent to me for my birthday, because he knows that I am crazy obsessed with African children! So adorable!<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-16609262436074119592018-01-16T23:25:00.000-08:002018-01-16T23:25:16.899-08:00Tudo Vai Dar Certo<p>Hi Everyone,<p>
<p>This past week we had exchanges with the other sisters up in the mountains in Tiangua. We are usually so excited for these exchanges because it’s chilly up there, and there is hot water to take showers! But with our luck, we got there when the water stopped working. So another week, another few bucket showers! Haha, life is a struggle.<p>
<p>Maurcelio is still so awesome and was back at church with us this week, attended a baptism, and attended a youth activity. He says that every time he enters the church his excitement and desire to be a member and get baptized grows! His countenance has changed so much. I will never forget when we contacted him and talked about the love that Heavenly Father has for him. He looked up at us and asked, "I'm important to him?" He is truly discovering now for himself all the God has in store for him. He always says the most shocking things; I would just like to take a minute to quote him right now.<p>
<p>Maurcelio:<i> “My friends looked at me today and said that something was different about me. I told them that I am becoming a Mormon. They started laughing in my face and said that they will give me two months before I become inactive, and that they won't be friends with me anymore. I responded that, ‘it doesn’t matter if I lose you guys, because I will have Jesus Christ’”.</i><p>
<p>Maurcelio:<i> “When you guys started walking towards me, I thought you were Jehovah’s Witness and I almost got up and started running, but God held me down. Haha, and I am so glad He did because I have never felt happier in my life”.</i><p>
<p>Maurcelio:<i> "Serving a mission is something that I would be interested in.”</i><p>
<p>I can't even write or describe all the comments that he makes, but most of the time I just want to sprawl on the ground during the lessons because it just seems too good to be true! This kid is awesome and will be a powerhouse for sure! He will be baptized on the 27th!<p>
<p>This week we had companionship inventory, when we talk about our relationship with our companion and what we can do to be better. My companion, who I have known for my whole mission, looked at me and told me that she knows me well. But at the same time she feels like she doesn't know me because she says in all situations I act the same! She said she never knows if I am mad, sad or annoyed … because I am always the same. She said, “you will make a comment like, ‘man, that guy was rude’ but with a smile on your face!" Haha, I started laughing so hard because I told her that in the mission I feel like I have been in the same mood for the past year! I have just been blessed with an attitude of "tudo vai dar certo", or everything will be alright. When life is a struggle here, it just always is funny to me, and I just ALWAYS feel happy. I know that I only feel this way because I am striving to truly consecrate my life and while I am doing that, my difficulties fade away and the world just seems so much brighter and so much more hopeful. I love this work! The key to happiness is found in LIVING THE GOSPEL!<p>
<p>Love you!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-69872146500296920282018-01-12T11:28:00.000-08:002018-01-12T11:28:01.148-08:00"We Touched His Heart"<p>Family and Friends,Family and Friends,Family and Friends,<p>
<p>We started talking to a guy this week that was in the streets and he explained that he was an alcoholic because his wife died. There was still some alcohol in the bottle and we told him to "throw it out". Then he said, "okay, … no, I am going to throw it IN", and just went to chug the rest of it. Then the wind picked up and blew the alcohol right into my face and mouth! When someone asks me in the future about what my experience with alcohol was like, at least I will have a good story to tell! I was dying laughing and was using my hand sanitizer as mouthwash! Haha!<p>
<p>On a sad note, one of our investigators passed away this week. His name was Raimundo and he was married to Luzia. They have been going to church with us and had a baptism date for this past Saturday. His blood pressure ran high and he had 3 strokes and then went into coma in the hospital. But they didn't have room for him in the unit that he needed. It was all so sudden and such a shock to us. We have been teaching them for about two months. But as sad as it was, my testimony kicked in and we had powerful, spiritual lessons about temples and how Luzia can have the opportunity to be sealed with him for time and all eternity. I would try to explain more, but I can't put it into words how special these moments were for us, testifying as his whole family was there listening to us and the Spirit that was present. His kids were shocked that he had been attending church with us because for all of his life he had refused to attend. They all started crying as they heard that when we contacted him in front of his house and talked about the plan of salvation, that HE was the one that accepted our messages and asked us to teach him and his wife, because "what we said touched his heart". I have no doubt that another set of missionaries in the spirit world are finishing our work.<p>
<p>Maurceilio is an 18 year old boy that we contacted sitting in the road, and then when we went to teach him in his house realized that we had already knocked on his door! But the Lord has given us and him another chance to meet! He accepted the invitation to be baptized on the 27th and was at church on Sunday! His aunt, when she saw that he was reading the BOM, said a ton of bad things about our church and even said that we don't like black people … lies. He told us that, "I shut her up and said that, in fact, one of the missionaries that visited me is black, so you're wrong". Wow! My companion and I were just ecstatic because he is already defending the church! Investigators usually get disinterested when someone starts making things up like that about our church There are so many miracles and so many changes in the lives of so many here; and in my own life as well!<p>
<p>Love you!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
<p>p.s. Raimundo looks like a mad grumpy man in this photo, but he is the sweetest man ever!<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-86803499077267410602018-01-04T16:44:00.000-08:002018-01-04T16:44:19.106-08:00The Keystone of Our Religion<p>Happy New Year Everyone,<p>
<p>I can't believe 2017 is over; it was a great year filled with so many things! When I think back, I will always remember 2017 as the year I was a missionary for the entire year!<p>
<p>This week was so, so busy. Christmas night my companion and I traveled to Teresina for the leadership council, but we had to travel a day earlier because of the holidays. I won't lie, I wasn’t upset about it one bit, because I had the opportunity to visit my old area! It was cool because I showed up at Irmao Batisita’s and he started crying and said that he had been thinking about me that afternoon. We drank his specialty, mango juice, and I left with my mouth hurting because I was smiling so much. We also visited Irmao Gerry, a recent convert, and we went in to say hi to his mom, who I had had a few interactions with when I was there. She is very Catholic, but is grateful that we helped Gerry, and always offered food for us, but was never interested in the church. We walked in to surprise her, not thinking much of it, and when she saw us she buried her hands in her face and burst in to tears. We hugged her and then she explained that she had left her house in the hot sun many days, walking in the roads, looking for us and she had just missed us so much! I was shocked … I thought this women wouldn't even remember us. It was such a testimony builder to me of the work we are doing here. Sometimes we feel like we don't make a difference, and then go back and realize that these people are changed, and their hearts are softened through the work we do.<p>
<p>This week we also had zone conference, and we talked a ton about the Book of Mormon and the power that it has. It is the most powerful tool we have to bring us closer to Christ. I LOVE THAT BOOK. I have really come to realize how confused people are without the Book of Mormon. Churches that only use the Bible don’t have the complete answers about the Plan of Salvation and so many other things; we need them both … the Bible AND the Book of Mormon! Who wants to complain about God talking MORE to us through the Book of Mormon? Not me! Anyway, I could talk all day about that book, but let’s just leave it at this … it is the greatest!!!<p>
<p>One last thing … Irmao Barretto was baptized and married! Woohhoo!<p>
<p>Love you all,<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-80897502456660283452017-12-25T12:52:00.000-08:002017-12-25T12:52:17.615-08:00I Love My Savior<p>Merry Christmas Everyone,<p>
<p>Skyping with my family on Christmas was just awesome; the whole time I was just struggling hardcore to speak in English, and they were just laughing at my accent. These last couple weeks have just been so crazy and full of so many experiences. Yesterday we went around with my companion’s ukulele, and we sang and gave snickerdoodle cookies to the members. THE SPIRIT WAS STRONG, and it brought real joy to us and to the people as well.<p>
<p>Irma Luzia and Irmao Raimundo were at the ward activity this week and they loved it so much. Irmao Barretto will be baptized this week on Saturday. He is an older man and he smoked for 50 years, and only uses one lung because he lost the other one due to the smoking,g so now he walks around with an oxygen machine but he still has so much energy! He is so cute and so excited for his baptism!<p>
<p>We had a contact with a girl in the street this past week, and we were talking about Jesus Christ and we asked her who He was and she didn't know a lot. We talked about Him and His ministry, and then asked her if she loved us. She got weirded out a bit, and said “no, of course not”! We then explained that she feels that way because she just met us! You have to know someone to really love them, and we can come to know our Savior through repentance, prayer and striving every day to walk, talk, teach and serve as He did. My mission is forcing me, and I am allowing it, to change my life. For this I am so truly grateful. I love my Savior and want to follow Him.<p>
<p>Love you all,<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-91294672138599140452017-12-18T16:09:00.000-08:002017-12-18T16:09:53.137-08:00Merry Christmas!<p>Family and Friends,<p>
<p>We had transfers today and I am staying here in Sobral with Sister Lucas, and I am so excited! Irmao Barreto, one of our investigators, decided to be baptized and will be getting married on the 30th of December! We went to the courthouse this week to get his papers all ready for the big day. We are so excited!
This transfer, our district had only sister missionaries. Our district leader was in my group when I was in the MTC and everyone told him that it would be his "Gethsemane" … the hardest part of the mission because he would only have a group of sisters! It ended up being the most baptizing, with the best numbers of the zone! Woohoo!
<p>Also, a lot of our friends from the mission are going home today and we are so sad. We are seeing so many miracles and I am so excited for Christmas! There is no better Christmas in life than when you are on the mission during Christmas … truly doing His work!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-39928626172543341082017-12-05T13:54:00.000-08:002017-12-05T13:54:35.154-08:00<p>Family and Friends,<p>
<p>This past week went by so fast! We had zone conference with President Melo and his wife and, as usual, it was so inspiring! Earlier in the week, we ate lunch at an older irma’s house and she made us such good food, but then said she was going to take a shower and asked us if it would be okay. We obviously responded that it was, until we realized that the shower was in the kitchen, so we had dinner AND A SHOW! The things we see here are hilarious.<p>
<p>We taught Irma Virlene this week, and we have been working with her for a couple weeks now. She is the mom of a little boy and lives with a man that uses drugs. She suffers and wants God to help her. She reads the Book of Mormon daily, and loves going to church. In order to be baptized, she can't be living with a man unmarried. We have cried with her and tried so many things. She prays and tells us that she wants God to change her life. This week she received an invitation to go to Sao Paulo to live with her mom, but she said the house there is small and some other things. In the last lesson, she said "I just want God to set me free to change my life, and take me somewhere far from here." I just told her, "Irma, far away is Sao Paulo! He is offering you this right now!” It just is really hard as missionaries sometimes, because we see the way that God is opening doors for these people, but they aren't willing to walk through and recognize that God works in simple ways. They want their lives to change without exercising their agency, and they want God to do all the work! It doesn't work that way folks! I liked what President Melo said this week; "the blessings or miracles come after the trial/test of your faith. And what is a trial or a test? It’s work; it’s your own effort.”<p>
<p>Tuesday was the craziest day ever! We had an appointment set with a young guy named Wesley, and we were so pumped for this lesson. We planned out perfectly how the lesson would go. We were teaching about the Restoration and it was going so well (we were teaching him in the house of a recent convert), and right after that we taught him about the First Vision. The mom of the recent convert busted in and interrupted us, and just started yelling a ton of things that weren't true about the Church. We answered some of her fire and the doubts that she had, but the Spirit was already gone so fast, so we wrapped up the lesson and left. My companion and I were raging a bit walking down the streets, upset about what had just happened. Then, to top it all off, as we left we realized that our skirts were both soaked, because the kid that was jumping all over on the couch peed all over us. I was just thinking, “come on”, you have GOT to be kidding me! Haha, these things only happen to me, I swear! Anyway, my companion and I started murmuring like Laman and Lemual … about how back in those days missionary work was so different. People always saw huge miracles and people would have these spectacular dreams and revelations. That afternoon we were walking to an appointment, and the woman was in her house asleep, so that fell through. But if you have been reading my blogs, do you remember Neide? She is the woman that was super Catholic, and we contacted her and it was the wrong house but she started crying because she was really needing the message? We had returned a couple times, but she was never home. As we were walking back that day, I saw her sliding into her house and I just yelled "IRMÃ!!" She turned around with the biggest smile on her face. She welcomed us in and sat us down and told us that the two huge family problems that she was having were completely resolved (her son who left his wife returned home, and her depressed daughter that wouldn't talk to her invited her over). She said that when these things happened, she had felt right away in her heart that we were REALLY praying for her. She tried to track us down at the church one Saturday night but we weren't there, and then that night she had a dream with us in it. We had come back and were at her door in her dream, and when she woke up she knew that God would touch our hearts and bring us back into her life. I almost fell out of my chair! I wanted to scream and cry at the same time. We had an awesome spiritual lesson with her and she accepted the invitation to be baptized, but she needs to get married first. When we tried to set a date for December 23rd, she heard the 3rd of December by mistake, and even accepted that date. I love her so much. I am so thankful for the Lord’s involvement in the small details of our lives. It was as if He was saying to me, "don't forget how involved I am in MY work; I’ve got my fingerprints all over it." This story has touched my heart … miracles still exist, even and especially in times like today. I love this work; it’s addicting!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-64240635344738533172017-12-01T12:38:00.000-08:002017-12-01T12:38:16.133-08:00Working and Running for Miracles<p>Family and Friends,<p>
<p>This past week was one where is seems EVERYTHING happens, and it made for such spiritual and funny week. We went to Tiangua for divisions with the sisters, and as sister training leaders we are supposed to be examples and help them with training, etc. But this area is up in the mountains, and we got to travel there and it was so chilly! I was so happy about that, and we even had warm water to take showers. My companion and I were dying from happiness. Anyway, I was with Sister Frietas and it is basically a rule of the universe that something strange always happens during the division. There was an old man that we were talking to and out of nowhere he just started yelling, and then was totally hitting on us and he asked me to talk to him with my eyes closed because he couldn't handle looking into my blue eyes. Haha, he said so many other things that are written in my journal that made me cry from laughing. Then to make things worse, my skirt totally flew up in the air because of the wind and he just screamed "ahhhh, your legs are so beautiful!" Haha, we left shortly after. But my favorite moment was when we were walking home and we saw a man sitting on a bench, and Sister Frietas looked at me and said, “Sister Vance, I feel like we should talk to that man, but I want you to make the contact”. I accepted, and as I walked toward him, I was feeling pressure and trying to be prepared to finish off the day by having an example of a good contact. I said hello to the 25-year-old guy, and then reached for his hand that was closed on his lap. He opened his hand and I jumped back and let out a scream! I had come face to face with “Wolverine”! He had yellow fingernails, the size of rulers! I then apologized, and was still giggling, but was also so scared and I shook his hand and his nails passed on my arm. I apologized but couldn't talk anymore because I was still in a state of shock. My companion finished the contact and then we walked away. It wasn't so much the nails that creeped me out, but it was that it was so unexpected and he opened his hand so fast and it literally looked like “Wolverine”! Anyway, I was dying and wasn't the best example, but come on, it was ridiculous! But the day was filled with miracles as well, and we set four baptism dates that day! Truly miracles!<p>
<p>This past week my companion and I started going hard on exercises, and we got a little too excited about it and a little carried away. Because of it, the next two days we looked like weirdos limping around while proselyting, haha.<p>
<p>This week we had two divisions and Sunday rolled around and we weren't even close to the goals we had set for the week. We were lacking 11 new investigators. Sunday is also the worst day for missionary work because everyone just stays inside and is feeling lazy or hungover. Sister Lucas and I just went to work … and we started running! Haha, we said that we wouldn't come home until we completed our goal. We prayed and prayed … and miracles started appearing everywhere! We found 12 new people to teach on Sunday. It was awesome and there is truly no better feeling here in the field than when you are walking home and you can't even think or hardly walk anymore because you just worked and talked to everyone. It was just awesome. I am so grateful to know, not only how important faith is, but how crucial our works and efforts are in God’s plan. Sometimes we want things so badly and ask Heavenly Father to work miracles in our lives, but we aren't willing to work for it and do our part. But if we combine our work and power, with the overwhelming love and power of the Lord’s, we are unstoppable!<p>
<p>Have a great week and I hope Thanksgiving was awesome! We ate pancakes and dipped them in the drops of maple that an elder gave us. Haha, it was perfect!<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-18644631198457335232017-11-20T12:55:00.000-08:002017-11-20T12:55:20.571-08:00Buckets of Blessings<p>Hi Everyone,<p>
<p>I hardly have energy to type this right now, because I never feel like my words do my experiences justice! But I am loving Sobral. I love it here because it has been the first time in a year that I have seen mountains; they are so beautiful. I must confess that two times this week I got ready to go proselyting and my companion looked at me and said, “I am not going to go outside with you dressed like that!” Haha, I know I am a representative of Christ and all, but I have just lost all motivation and I just throw on whatever skirt that is the least hot and walk out the door. I just started laughing so hard. It has been hilarious how I just don't care anymore and it’s too hot here to even care! I am grateful for my companion, we are such good friends.<p>
<p>This past week we asked a member to make visits with us and she called us and asked if she could bring her 17 year-old friend along with her. We told her sure, of course, and we came to find out that her friend wasn't even a member! Haha, it was the coolest thing because our first lesson we taught was the Plan of Salvation, and the second lesson was on the Restoration. When we would leave every lesson she just was so curious and asked questions and became so interested in the gospel. She went to church the next day; it was a first here on the mission, but it was so cool!<p>
<p>My companion and I were praying together last week, and while we prayed, we specifically asked to be an answer to someone’s prayer that day. It is the hope and wish of every missionary, every day, but something felt different that day as we specifically asked. That day we ran into so many people that, when we talked and before we left, said that we were an answer to their prayers, and every time it touched my heart to know that our prayers were answered as well.<p>
<p>It was cute because Sister Johnson is new here, and is asking me a bunch of tips about things. It’s just funny because she asks and a lot of my answers are so not helpful because I just say, “give it time, have patience and everything will start to change for the better”. I got to thinking and I am so grateful that I had to learn a new language, and even a new culture, because I have had to learn so, so, so much patience. I have learned to just be positive in the moment, with hope for the future … it makes all the difference. So many things to say and so little time … I simply love you all and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving (we don't celebrate it here, but I am still remembering to be grateful every day for all that I have been given). Be thankful for running water because the water went out again this morning and we are back to bucket showers! Hahaha … I love my mission.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-53391940044639292292017-11-14T20:00:00.000-08:002017-11-14T20:00:17.760-08:00It Was Actually the Right House<p>Hi Everyone,<p>
<p>This week has been so fun. I am with Sister Lucas, who is awesome, and we have already knew each other as we lived together for 6 months earlier in my mission! It has been fun because a new American sister missionary arrived this week, Sister Johnson! She is so cute, and it has brought me back to how it was my first couple weeks in the field.<p>
<p>For the past two weeks the house has been out of water, so on Sister Johnson’s first day she had the privilege of taking a buckets shower! Haha, I felt so bad for her, but I must say that my hair never looked better than after the bucket shower. I recommend it, seriously. She looked at me and asked me how long it took me to get accustomed to life here. I asked, "Oh the language?" and she said no, everything! I started laughing because I forget how different it is here. But it’s been fun speaking a little English with her; usually I start in English and then the end of the sentence comes out Portuguese.<p>
<p>This week we were walking home from a baptismal interview with the elders and, as we were saying goodbye in front of our house. We turned and, right in front of us in the intersection, a motorcycle came speeding and a car came speeding from the other direction and just nailed the motorcyclist. He flipped about 5 times in the air and landed on the curb right in front of us. He started seizing for about 15 seconds and then just stopped, like he was dead, and I bent over and almost threw up because I was so nervous and couldn’t do anything. Because you can't ask them to get up or anything when they have had a serious injury you just have to leave them laying there to not cause more damage. It was just us in the road and two other people. I just froze and my companion and I got so freaked out. The other people called an ambulance and we had to run into the church on the corner to grab an irmao that was a doctor. The ambulance took about 15 minutes to come, and my goodness it was traumatic. These people aren’t even careful with motorcycles. They ride with flip flops with their whole family on the back. It was so freaky because death just looked like it was so easy, so fast, and could happen at any moment. It just struck me that anyone can die at any moment. My companion and I could hardly sleep that night and just felt so sick to our stomachs. But we included him and his family in our prayers. I hope he is alright.<p>
<p>Last Monday I said goodbye to the city of Bacuri, and it just hit me hard that I would never really see them again. I love that place. We had a family home evening and I was able to say goodbye to a lot of people. Agosto and Daniele, who were less active, and we baptized their nephew, came as well. We bought them white business shirts to use in church to be able to pass the sacrament. It was so cute because Irmao Agosto started crying as I was bearing my testimony and then said, "I didn’t even cry when the elder that baptized me was transferred. I love Sister Vance, she never seems to have a difficult day." He said a lot of things but that just shocked me, because I was thinking wow, I DO have difficult days. But the mission has taught me to turn out and to not think about my own problems and difficulties. It hit me hard when he said that, and I started to cry as well. But before I left, I gave a pep talk to each one telling them to always stay firm and help Adrianno go on a mission in a few short years. I was sad, but at the same time my excitement and my determination grows with every goodbye I say to people that have touched my life. One day I will make it to the celestial kingdom with each one of them. I am determined, and I know with each area and people that I meet, my kingdom is being more and more prepared, and one day when we all return, it will be a place so much happier with ALL the people that I hold dear to my heart!<p>
<p>Everaldo was baptized and was just so happy! My favorite part of the baptism was when one member came up to us and said, "do you both know that I worked with Everaldo for 15 years and I never imagined that one day he would be baptized?" That hit me hard, as I realized that we can’t and aren’t allowed to judge or question who will accept the gospel, because Christ works miracles in the lives of so many.<p>
<p>My favorite thing that happened this week was one contact that we made. It was with a woman and we clapped at her door and asked her about her daughter and said we had received a referral for her. It turns out it was the wrong house and she was a little cold with us, and said straightforward that she is Catholic. She was eyeing our name tags hardcore and really suspicious. We started to talk to her and she got a little more comfortable and we asked about her family. She started talking about her daughter and the problems she has in her life. She started rambling a bit and we were losing a bit of the topic. My companion spoke a bit, and I thought that maybe it would be good if I testified, but something just told me to be quiet and to just listen. She talked and talked … and we listened and listened. Then, at the right moment, I just started to testify … not teach about the plan of salvation, but just testify about the things that I know. I testified that we are daughters of a living Heavenly Father and that He has a plan for us and all our difficulties. She just started to bawl. She asked us if we could come back another day and for asked for our phone number. As we hugged, she looked at me and said, "This morning I woke up happy, because God knew that I would receive this special visit.” My companion and I left with chills up and down our spines in the 100 degree weather. It was awesome.<p>
<p>The Spirit is working with us here and I am so grateful because I would be one hot mess of a missionary without it. I love this work, and I love my Savior more and more with each passing day. I am working hard to get to know Him better and be His hands here.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458733318660923284.post-54445328341985212202017-11-09T05:23:00.000-08:002017-11-09T05:23:22.854-08:00A Testimony Transformed<p>Family & Friends,<p>
<p>To my sincerest displeasure, I am being transferred! The tears have already been shed, because I am really sad about this one. Two transfers in one place just isn't enough. I will be transferred to another state here in Brazil; I will be going to Sobral, Ceara! My companion will be Sister Lucas, whom I love and it will be fun!<p>
<p>This week we had a celestial lesson with Tatiani, a young single mom. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation, and at the end of the lesson, we usually invite them to pray to know if EVERYTHING we taught was true. I felt inspired to say, "Tatiani, if you forget about Adam and Eve and what we taught about them, I won't even mad about it, I just want to leave here knowing that you know one thing … that your Heavenly Father loves YOU. We would like to invite you to pray today and just only ask Heavenly Father ‘do you love me?’” When I was saying these words, I just felt the love of HIM running through my bones. I felt the love that He has for me, but I just felt the overwhelming love that He has for her. We taught this on my one year mark of being on the mission, and my mind was drawn back to my patriarchal blessing, in the paragraph that talks about my mission, and how I am serving her to help people come to know the love that our Heavenly Father has for them. That moment was sacred to me.<p>
<p>This past week on was on exchanges with a new sister that is in training. President Melo called, and like every new missionary, she almost peed her pants answering the phone. She chatted with President Melo, and then the minute she hung up, just wiped out in the road in a huge mud pile. I asked her if she was okay before I laughed my head off, haha, (usually it is other way around, the biggest change I have had on my mission). One important fact that you all need to know is that here the sewers are open in the road, haha. I helped her up and started walking by her side. I just couldn’t take it! She was just rotting with the smell of raw sewage! I was just dying and I telling her I am sorry, I love you so much Sister, but walking next to you just isn't going to work right now. Every time the wind blew, I just got a huge fog in my face of that awful smell! It was hilarious.<p>
<p>We contacted a man in the streets and tried to talk to him about the church, and he tried to convince us that we aren't really Mormons. He looked at me, pointed his big finger in my face and said, "No, you are a Catholic". Haha, we tried to explain but he didn’t let us, so I shook his hand and said, "Senhor, have a good afternoon, and I’m not Catholic and neither is my companion, BYE!" Haha, it was crazy. Also we had two different days of exchanges with the new sisters. In their house they have a shower outside, of course knowing me, I was all for a good cold shower under the stars (don't worry had a wall)! Haha, come to find out the old granny that lives above made a comment, "oh, I see that you are liking the outdoor shower, eh?" Haha, I wanted to scream!<p>
<p>I was with Sister Semy during exchanges and we knocked on the door of an old investigator and she said that she probably wouldn’t be home because she never is. As she came to the door, I had the biggest déjà vu of the same situation. I walked into the house, eyes wide open, with just the strangest sensation. We started talking to her and she just started balling. We were able to help her … I know I am meeting and finding the people that are needing our message.<p>
<p>This past week was a little stressful; we had some problems to resolve with our zone and some sisters. Our hair is falling out and we were just really stressed this week. I have learned that I get more worried about how others are doing, and those that I am responsible for, than myself. As we were talking about some of the problems with the zone leaders, I was talking normal and then I just got really worried and stressed about the situation and didn’t know how I could help. I looked at them and said, getting choked up, "I don't know what to do, and I love these sisters so much and pray for them multiple times every day." I feel Christ expanding my heart to love so many people.<p>
<p>Fransica was at church again this week, and will be getting baptized. Unfortunately, I won’t be there to see it all go down. It was cute because, before we taught her about the Word of Wisdom, she looked at us and said that she would quit smoking because she wants to be baptized pure and feel pure. I know that in the gospel, when we truly are becoming converted, all of our decisions in life are based on what Jesus Christ would do. The right things to do just seem like the right things to do. She was talking to one irmao at church yesterday and he asked if Fransica was liking the messages and everything. She grabbed onto me and said, "I love this girl right here; up there in heaven when I am there I will search for her and thank her and tell everybody that she was the one that saved me." It was special experience for me and became even more special when I received the news that I will be transferred and won't be at the baptism. But that I was able to help my amazing friend Fransica. She is my favorite person! You all need to meet her.<p>
<p>This past week an inspired friend of mine wrote me an email. He asked me about how I was and what changes I have seen in myself this year. He asked so many profound questions that my head started spinning and this week was full of reflection. I can't even describe the ways I have changed because at this point I don't remember who I was before my mission. That person has become a stranger to me.
My testimony hasn’t just grown, but it has been transformed. There is no going back now. I am obsessed and love my mission with all my heart. Sometimes my heart feels like it will burst, as there are too many things I want to say to describe my feelings, but I just don't have the words.<p>
<p>Love you all!<p>
<p>Sister Vance<p>
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Emily Vancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03543810747239811670noreply@blogger.com0