Pão pão queijo queijo

Olá freinds and family!!!

This week was awesome! We saw some setbacks in the work last week, but this week the lord has blessed us like CRAZY! This weekend the ward put on a Churrasco which is a brazilian style barbeque (honestly so good!). There was really good food, music, dancing, karaoke, it was a blast! Some of the older women dragged sister Hoffman and i up to sing Mamma Mia with them, and it was so fun! The churrasco alsi turned out to be a great tool in the work! We invited everyone we talked to or taught, and we had 6 friends there! the members of the branch were so great at befriending them too! We met these two brothers Custodio e Daniel while passing by another potential and they are so cool! They arrived here from Brazil just over a week ago, but it had only been 2 days when we met them. They are very interested! They came to the churrasco and ended up being recruited to cook the meat and they made a lot of friends and then they came to church the next day and loved it!! Custodio told me he felt the spirit really strong and wants to learn more and come back next week! 

We had the funeral for Saryana this week. It was really hard for everyone, but the branch has such amazing faith. It is so beautiful to see the way God works among His children. We had an appointment fall through and realized we were near the home of Saryana's mother, so we stopped by and her son (who isnt a member) was there too. We shared the messafe of the plan of salvation wirh him and he was very touched. He came to church as well and really loved it. We have more people too who we are working with and who are truly incredible. They are all blessings in my life and i learn so much from each of them. The change we are asking them to make in their lives is so huge and difficult, but their faith is so strong. 

Dad wanted to know more about our branch, they are awesome!! I have begun to develop some really incredible friendships here. One of the meembers told me we would be friends forever. It was pretty funny actually. He has a particularly hard accent to understand, so i have never succeeded in having a great conversation with him, but one day he told me that i had joy in my heart and because of that he wanted to be my friend. It was really sweet, but i didnt understand what he was saying at all si i was just like, "obrigaadaa...." we were all laughing so much and sister hoffman repeated it to me so i could know what he said. We eat with members almost every day and it is so fun to get a taste of all their different cultures! I love them all so much!

Today we are in Belém for P-day. It is so beautiful!! It is super touristy which is a big change of pace from Barreiro. We are eating at a place called Pão pão queijo queijo (literally bread bread cheese cheese) and it is so good! I will never get tired of the food here.

Anyway. I am happy, i am safe, i am a missionary. All is well. This week ive been thinking a lot aboit light. The light of the world is Christ. And we all have the light of Christ in us. So how can we share that light with other people? Anyone seen the movie stardust? I think i could work a little like that. Whenever she was happy, confident, and full of love, she would glow. The same goes for us. Whenever we are happy, confident because of our faith in Christ, and full of love and the spirit, we will glow and people will be able to see. So how do we do that?? Easy, obey the commandments, pray in every moment, study the word of God, and smile!! Ive been giving it a try, and its amazing the difference i have felt. In myself and in the people around me! Life is easier walking hand in hand with Christ. His load is light and His yoke is easy to bear. I love Him. So infinitely much. He is my brother, my Savior, and my friend.

I love you all!!!

Síster Hardy

Thats so crazy about the snow!! The weather has been beautiful here, i got a sunburn last pday! Everyone is still walking around with their big puffy jacket on though. Its pretty funny, but makes me a little worried for summer! Lol! Its awesome too that you get to use your piano skills. I have been conducting the music every sunday at church, but in branch counsil they were talking about finding a member to do it which i think is an awesome idea!

I was so happy to read about how well everyone is doing! It made my heart so full! You guys are in all of my prayers. I will be sure to tell tanner happy birthday! I am going to buy some postcards today so ill be sending one of those too! I havent bought my birthday dress. We walked by that day and it was gone!!! I was heartbroken! But i am going to keep my eyes peeled. There are a lot of cute little stores, especially as you get closer to lisbon! 

Isnt the temple GEORGEOUS!! AHH!! i am so excited about it!! President wants all the sisters to have a chance to serve there, and i cant wait! 

I called tanner and sang happy birthday to him!! He says they arent getting my emails, so i sent it to him seperately, but he asked to make sure they are on the list!

I love you mom! I probably wont call today. I am going to try and call hailey. 😊 thank you so much for all you do for me!!! ❤

Your síster

I forgot some!

-Victor, so hip

-Fillipe, the cutest little karaoke boy ever!

-We studied at this beautiful old convent. Kinda ironic, a couple sisters talking about God at a convent.

- buying pastries at a famous pastry shop in belém!