Dear family,
SO much to write this week! Last week was full of ups and downs again...this work is intense, let me tell you. But I should start at the beginning. With something I forgot to mention in my email last week. We have a washing machine finally! I have never been so thankful in my life for a washing machine!!!
Anyway, Tuesday we went to the Temple. And that had all kinds of new experiences for me. We had to take the bus, then the metro, then another bus to get there. And let me tell you about the metro. I don't know how many of you have ever been in a mosh pit at the front of a concert, but I have once, and it was insane, and all I wanted was to escape. Anyway, the metro was kinda like that. It was so packed that when the doors opened, people literally poured out, whether they wanted to or not. It was a fight, and I think I broke every mission rule in that 6-stop ride. Here's another way to put it...I didn't have to hold on to anything to keep from falling...there were people all around that there was no way to fall. I have never in my life been so crowded. Yuck. That is the Sao Paulo metro in all its 7am glory. Fortunately the return trip was in the middle of the day, so we didn't have to deal with that again! Anyway, the session in the temple was wonderful. I saw some people I know from my days at the good old CTM, which was pretty cool. The session was in Portuguese, so that was interesting. I understood the majority of it though, and I think it helps that I've been through it in English a bunch too. There was only one part where I got tripped up. But anyway, it was wonderful. There was our zone there, and another zone in which we've got some friends, so it was good to see them. Anyway, after the Temple, we enjoyed the rest of our p-day eating and relaxing.
Wednesday we taught Claudimere, the man who just appeared at church the Sunday before. We marked his baptism for this coming Saturday, which I think will actually happen, as he was pretty firm and is literally changing his life, which is why he found the church. Miracles happen so often here. I say that every week, but it's only because I see them every day. We also taught Eliane this week. We met with her on Friday, and ended up staying, teaching and answering her questions. In 2 1/2 hours, we covered the first three lessons, answered her questions, I shared experiences of my own about the Plan of Salvation, and I think I talked more with her than anyone else yet on the mission, except other missionaries. The Spirit was there so strong. We went back to her house yesterday and taught her the commandments, and taught the first lesson to her son, Felipe, and she was there testifying of the truth of this gospel and the church. More miracles.
We had another soccer game on Friday, which ended in a tie, so it was actually pretty quiet in the streets. There's another one today; I think Brasil is playing Chile. Should be interesting.
We learned this week that we really can't force people to do what they don't want to do, even though we know it's right. And it's heartbreaking to watch people reject the message that is staring them in the face, and reject the gospel that blesses the lives of their friends and family. We're still working with Regina, but although she goes to church and seminary on her own, she doesn't want to pray or do anything. It's tough, but we haven't given up yet. But it's complicated.
We taught with Ursula, a recently returned missionary in our ward. She served in Santa Maria, and got back just 2 weeks ago. So we taught with her last week, which was awesome. She is fantastic, and has so much energy for the work. We missionaries need more help from the members, always. Members literally make or break the work, even more than missionaries, because they are the ones who really keep people coming to church and such.
Sometimes I think about how my entire life is here in Sao Paulo, teaching the gospel. I'll never have this opportunity again. Sometimes it's weird to think that for right now, there's literally only one focus of my life. Everything else is on hold, and everything else is on the back burner. I get one day a week to write to you all, which is fine. There's no time to write more. It's so cool to be so focused on the gospel. I love it. I had more thoughts too (I have a lot of time to think about things as we walk), but now I don't really remember them.
D&C 128:8. It talks about welding our families together. :) This is something I am grateful for; to have been sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. You, my family, are so important to me. I can't even express it. And being far away, you have become more important to me. I pray for you all every day. Thank you for your prayers; I definitely feel them. I have 4 more weeks to be fluent in this language, and the prayers are definitely helping!!!! Also, thanks for letters and stuff. It's great to get mail and know that people love me! :)
Love,
Kawen/Karen/Karne/Sistah Ogden
SO much to write this week! Last week was full of ups and downs again...this work is intense, let me tell you. But I should start at the beginning. With something I forgot to mention in my email last week. We have a washing machine finally! I have never been so thankful in my life for a washing machine!!!
Anyway, Tuesday we went to the Temple. And that had all kinds of new experiences for me. We had to take the bus, then the metro, then another bus to get there. And let me tell you about the metro. I don't know how many of you have ever been in a mosh pit at the front of a concert, but I have once, and it was insane, and all I wanted was to escape. Anyway, the metro was kinda like that. It was so packed that when the doors opened, people literally poured out, whether they wanted to or not. It was a fight, and I think I broke every mission rule in that 6-stop ride. Here's another way to put it...I didn't have to hold on to anything to keep from falling...there were people all around that there was no way to fall. I have never in my life been so crowded. Yuck. That is the Sao Paulo metro in all its 7am glory. Fortunately the return trip was in the middle of the day, so we didn't have to deal with that again! Anyway, the session in the temple was wonderful. I saw some people I know from my days at the good old CTM, which was pretty cool. The session was in Portuguese, so that was interesting. I understood the majority of it though, and I think it helps that I've been through it in English a bunch too. There was only one part where I got tripped up. But anyway, it was wonderful. There was our zone there, and another zone in which we've got some friends, so it was good to see them. Anyway, after the Temple, we enjoyed the rest of our p-day eating and relaxing.
Wednesday we taught Claudimere, the man who just appeared at church the Sunday before. We marked his baptism for this coming Saturday, which I think will actually happen, as he was pretty firm and is literally changing his life, which is why he found the church. Miracles happen so often here. I say that every week, but it's only because I see them every day. We also taught Eliane this week. We met with her on Friday, and ended up staying, teaching and answering her questions. In 2 1/2 hours, we covered the first three lessons, answered her questions, I shared experiences of my own about the Plan of Salvation, and I think I talked more with her than anyone else yet on the mission, except other missionaries. The Spirit was there so strong. We went back to her house yesterday and taught her the commandments, and taught the first lesson to her son, Felipe, and she was there testifying of the truth of this gospel and the church. More miracles.
We had another soccer game on Friday, which ended in a tie, so it was actually pretty quiet in the streets. There's another one today; I think Brasil is playing Chile. Should be interesting.
We learned this week that we really can't force people to do what they don't want to do, even though we know it's right. And it's heartbreaking to watch people reject the message that is staring them in the face, and reject the gospel that blesses the lives of their friends and family. We're still working with Regina, but although she goes to church and seminary on her own, she doesn't want to pray or do anything. It's tough, but we haven't given up yet. But it's complicated.
We taught with Ursula, a recently returned missionary in our ward. She served in Santa Maria, and got back just 2 weeks ago. So we taught with her last week, which was awesome. She is fantastic, and has so much energy for the work. We missionaries need more help from the members, always. Members literally make or break the work, even more than missionaries, because they are the ones who really keep people coming to church and such.
Sometimes I think about how my entire life is here in Sao Paulo, teaching the gospel. I'll never have this opportunity again. Sometimes it's weird to think that for right now, there's literally only one focus of my life. Everything else is on hold, and everything else is on the back burner. I get one day a week to write to you all, which is fine. There's no time to write more. It's so cool to be so focused on the gospel. I love it. I had more thoughts too (I have a lot of time to think about things as we walk), but now I don't really remember them.
D&C 128:8. It talks about welding our families together. :) This is something I am grateful for; to have been sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. You, my family, are so important to me. I can't even express it. And being far away, you have become more important to me. I pray for you all every day. Thank you for your prayers; I definitely feel them. I have 4 more weeks to be fluent in this language, and the prayers are definitely helping!!!! Also, thanks for letters and stuff. It's great to get mail and know that people love me! :)
Love,
Kawen/Karen/Karne/Sistah Ogden
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