Pray: He is there

Our week started off with a surprise! We had district council on Tuesday and we showed up super early because I made a cheesecake the night before, but discovered that our oven doesn't work so we had to go and cook the crust at the church before so it would have time to set in the fridge. Then some elders called us and asked us if we had medicine for headaches, so we ran back to our house to get some. On the way back to the church a car door opens in front of us and out steps sister Fillmore! It took me a second to realize who it was, we weren't expecting to see her! President was there too of course, they had just decided to stop by and join our district council and didn't tell anyone! I chose the right day to make cheesecake lol! It was cool to have him there and hear his insights as each companionship took a turn talking about one of our friends and a challenge each were facing. We had an exchange planned for after too and so president gave us a ride to the sister's area and bought us lunch! It was really fun, and he isn't very good at keeping secrets so we were getting all the inside info about transfers which was fun lol. 

Then divisions (exchanges) got started! I went with sister Braga, this tiny (shorter than me) really energetic Brazilian sister and we actually had a great time! We stopped to use the restroom in a KFC before dinner and then after dinner I realized I didn't have my phone. Where was it! Ok. Real quick. A little background on the area we were in. President is probably going to take the sisters out of this area because of the amount of dangerous or creepy situations that have happened and of all the cities in Portugal, this is probably one of the more dangerous. Portugal is an extremely safe country, but this area in particular was a little scetch. The only place I could think of where I could have left my phone was in the bathroom at KFC. So that was it. It had definitely been stolen. There was no other possible outcome. So I was pretty dang sure I was phoneless and I had put my pass for all the busses and trains inside the case, so I was without that as well. We decided to go check anyway. We said a quick prayer and headed over, I was desperately trying to gather up my faith. We got there and ran to the bathroom. It wasn't there. We then asked the workers if anyone had brought a phone and the manager just looks at us for a second and then asks "what does it look like." and then we knew! I described what kind of phone it was, that it had a picture of Christ on the back and the home screen was also a picture of Christ. She still seemed doubtful so I told her my Lisboa transport pass was inside the case as well and has a photo of me on it. She went back and came back with my phone!!! It was a MIRACLE! We ran out laughing with joy and gratitude and we stopped in the middle of the street to say a huge prayer of gratitude! It was just a phone. If worst came to worst I could just buy a new one and get a new pass as well, but God knew me and he took care of me. What is important to us is important to Him. The rest of divisions were pretty normal. The sister's house is the tiniest house I have ever seen and we slept on the floor that night and the next day there was some confusion with our schedules because I had been told I had a meeting with President over video chat that day, but we had another important compromisso at the same time. So sister Braga ended up going with sister Romney to our meeting and I stayed with sister Allred because she had a meeting too. Not long after we learned that our meetings had both been rescheduled for the next day and the other appointment fell through. So we had been all stressed out and worried and made these special arrangements... For nothing. It was hilarious! But it was good. Sister Allred made me Francezinha (a traditional dish from the north of Portugal that sister Braga had taught her to make) which was super yummy, and sister Allred is my friend so we had fun together. I helped her learn how to use the area book because apparently, nobody had told her how it worked! So that was cool. Though we are probably gonna get the app soon so I don't know how long she will use her new skills. 

The rest of our week was pretty normal. We had a lesson with a woman who lives in our area but works way out of it, but could only meet us at where she works because of her hours so we got permission to go there. We spent about an hour on the bus both ways. She works at a cool African clothing store (all hand made stuff) and I impulse bought a dress. I can't even wear it on my mission, it goes right to the top of my knees, but I just fell in love and couldn't resist, so that was fun. Lol. We also had felt to stop my a less active sister and she let us in and we learned that the day before her mother had passed away and that the next day was her birthday. She was super sad and we were able to share some scripture and words of comfort with her. Then the next day, her birthday we bought her flowers and a chocolate bar and left it at her door with a note because she wasn't home. She called us the next day though and told us how happy the flowers had made her. That is was being a missionary is about. Service. Loving your neighbors, serving them. It is in service that we feel real joy and it is when I most feel I am fulfilling my purpose as a missionary. 

God loves you all, he knows you personally and perfectly. He will always be there for you and with you as you turn to him. I love you all and hope your week is wonderful and full of joy! 

Love

Sister Hardy 

Also I found this emoji of a person praying. #mewhenilostmyphone lol. 🛐

Francezinhas and this sign I found (it made me think of you mom!)