Mission Week 73: April 23, 2018

April 23, 2018

My week was wild!! i spent the whole week- Sunday to Saturday in Foz and then in Londrina to do divisions with the Sisters! I did a division with Sister Bott, which was awesome! It was such a crazy week and I'm exhausted but I'm happy and doing well! In our area here in Maringa we have divisions planned with Sister Alston and her companion! SISTER ALSTON IS GOING TO HAVE 9 MONTHS IN THE MISSION NEXT WEEK! I TRAINED HER WHEN I HAD 8 MONTHS AND SO I'M GETTING OLD! BUT IT WILL BE GOOD TO SPEND TIME WITH HER THIS WEEK! We have lots of baptisms marked this week! Such a blessing!

(Sister Tyson was able to visit Foz do Iguaçu this week. It is a world famous waterfall.)

It was so cool because at the waterfalls, I was speaking to people in English, Portuguese and Spanish from all parts of the world! It was soooo fun!!!! It was such a great reminder that Heavenly Father loves and really does create beautiful things!

I am sooo glad that you guys are well...I'm sorry I am writing less and less details every week it's just soooo busy and I don't have much time, but I'm doing well too and am trying to help the sisters and the people in my area to progress towards baptism. 

The members are soooo wonderful here in my ward. They have a weekly box full of treats, shampoo, household products, and cards from the Relief Society sisters every single week for me and my companion and have asked us to make a list of things we want and need for them so that they can help us out every week! What a dream! One of the men in the ward is bringing us pizza tonight just because! Soooo kind and have such a desire to serve here with us and to find and teach their own friends about the gospel! Such a great area and companion to have to finish my mission! I am sooo blessed!

Today Presidente Pereira, in Zone Conference, talked about the importance of receiving revelation in our lives and in our areas to have more success. he talked about the Book of Mormon and about the importance of prayer, obedience, and hard work! I loved that he used Presidente Nelson's conference talk to teach us to be better disciples of Christ! I LOVE MY SAVIOR SO MUCH AND KNOW THAT HE IS GUIDING THIS WORK THROUGH REVELATION!

The area president of Brazil did a Facebook broadcast about the Book of Mormon inviting all of the members in Brazil to read the Book of Mormon daily in families and to send their testimonies written to the church headquarters in Sao Paulo to be documented for future generations here in Brazil!! So cool!! I love the Book of Mormon and have learned sooo much- I never want to stop reading it in Portuguese!

Mission Week 72: April 16, 2018

April 16, 2018

I AM DOING GREAT! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY NEW AREA IN PARIS MARINGÁ! SOOOO MUCH FUN!! THE HOUSE IS GORGEOUS AND THE MEMBERS ARE SO GREAT! THEY HELP SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!! My new area is such a blessing! The zone is awesome and I am sooooo beyond happy!!!!!! The members are amazing!!!

We are in Foz today to do divisions and to go to the famous waterfalls today!!!! I am soooo excited!!!!

Last night we stayed in Cascavel and I was able to do a family night with K. and S. and all of our (mine and Sister Teixeira's) recent converts-- J., E., T., etc!!! It was sooooo wonderful to see everyone and to share my testimony with them again for the last time in the mission field!! It was such a blessing and rare opportunity to go back to my old area with the same companion!!!! 

My heart hurts and my stomach aches just thinking about leaving this behind... I feel like I'm not strong enough to leave here...but I'm trying to be calm and accept that I'm doing the best I can and that I will never stop being a missionary... my tag is engraved on my heart!!!! I am soooo excited to see you guys though! Thank you for all that you guys are doing to make my transition easier! I love these people and love the Lord sooo much for sending me here!!! I'm soooo grateful for your support and love through all of this!!! I have so many stories to tell!!!

 

Thought from Sister Tyson

 

Mission Week 71: April 9, 2018

April 9, 2018

I WAS TRANSFERRED TO MARINGÁ TO BE THE SISTER TRAINING LEADER THERE! SISTER TEIXEIRA WILL BE MY COMPANION AGAIN!!! AND I WILL SEE THE GREAT WATERFALLS IN FOZ DO IGUAÇU!!!!! PRESIDENTE CALLED ME AND WILL LET ME GO THERE!!! I WILL GET TO DO DIVISIONS WITH SISTER BOTT AND SISTER ALSTON- I'M THEIR STL!!!!

 THIS WEEK WE BAPTIZED A CUTE LADY NAMED B. AND IT WAS SOOOO WONDERFUL!!!! SHE LOST HER HUSBAND 3 WEEKS AGO AND WE WERE ABLE TO FIND HER, TEACH HER, AND BAPTIZE HER THIS WEEK!! SHE IS SOOOOO HAPPY AND WAS BEAMING ON SATURDAY AT HER BAPTISM!!!

After the baptism, we had our activity for the branch and we did a really fun activity with ice cream at the end and it was a blast!! I was so glad it turned out well!

I traveled to do emergency divisions by myself this week to resolve housing contracts and to work with realtors in other areas to help Presidente sign contracts- I was the official representative with all of the paperwork--- it was chaotic and I got way stressed out this week, but it worked out great and I was able to really learn more about how important it is to rely on the Lord- he cares about even the smallest details in our lives and hears even our simplest cries for help! There were soooo many angels in my life this week! I can't wait to tell you lots of the great stories that are too long to write here and that will be much more touching to tell you all in person next month!!! SOOOO GRATEFUL!

I also went to Tupã again to do divisions last minute- i felt strongly that I needed to leave my own area again to go there to help the sisters with the work- it turned out to be a great and much needed division- I was able to learn lots and receive guidance from Heavenly Father. I love these sisters and love the chance that I have to serve them and learn from them.

T.- my recent convert-- shared his testimony yesterday in our sacrament meeting and we all cried- he shared his conversion story and about how 2 sisters changed his life by bringing the gospel to him. He talked about how he had been praying to God just like Joseph Smith prayed in order to find the truth- and God sent Sister Pinheiro and I to his street to knock doors... such a beautiful way to end my time in Planalto--- seeing my recent converts sharing their testimonies at the pulpit!! I am so grateful and sooooo humbled!!! I've been a teary wreck this weekend!

I will go to Londrina today- I'll get there at 4:30 and then meet up with Sister Teixeira- I will stay in Londrina until Wednesday night and then head to Maringá- because we have a leadership council on Wednesday morning with Presidente--- my last leadership council!!!!
 

I AM SO IN LOVE WITH BEING A MISSIONARY!!! I couldn't be more happy!!!

Thank you for your support and for your weekly love! You are both in my prayers and I am so grateful for you both! Thanks for the wonderful updates! Send my love to all!

I know that Christ lives and that He loves us- and that Heavenly Father is in the smallest details of our lives- I am so grateful for these beautiful moments and months here in this beautiful country and for everything I have learned and will learn! I will always be indebted to you both and to my Heavenly Father for giving me courage to do this! This mission is by far the hardest thing I've ever been through but if I could serve 18 more months, I'd start tomorrow!! With that being said, I cant wait to sleep between you both on may 17th!!!! hahahaha love you so much!

Thanks for everything! You are all in my prayers! Have a great week!

xoxoxo

-Sister Tyson

Sister Tyson & Sister Correa

Mission Week 70: Happy Easter & General Conference!

April 2, 2018

HAPPY EASTER AND HAPPY CONFERENCE WEEKEND TO ALL!

Thank you so much for this email and for all of these great updates- so happy to hear that your week and weekend was great! I love the pictures of everyone at Gunner's grave and all of the Easter fun-- Allie's hair is still gorgeous... I need to get to a salon fast!!! hahaha but soooo happy to hear these updates!

I CRIED WHEN ELDER SOARES WAS SUSTAINED AS AN APOSTLE OF GOD! I BURST INTO TEARS AS WELL AS MANY OF THE OTHERS PRESENT WITH US AT THE STAKE CENTER! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BLESSING AND BEAUTIFUL BRAZILLIAN ACCENT THAT I WILL LOVE TO HEAR FOR YEARS TO COME AS HE SPEAKS TO THE CHURCH!! I LOVE THAT HIS SUSTAINING IS A SIGN THAT THE WORK IS MOVING FORWARD HERE IN MY BELOVED BRAZIL!!!! SOOOO BEAUTIFUL! 

Conference was beautiful! I loved the solemn assembly!!! So incredible!!! I got goosebumps immediately when President Nelson opened his mouth at the pulpit for the first time as the new prophet of God and I loved his talk about revelation! He is truly the mouth piece of God! I was stunned by how fast he walked as he entered into the Conference Center as well!!! wow--- he will live forever! hahaha

I watched all four sessions at the stake center with lots of treats that the members gave us and i watched all in Portuguese this time! It is so weird that I have been serving so long that it was my 3rd General Conference in the mission! haha but I loved it and felt sooooo happy this weekend!

Yesterday we had an Easter lunch with members before the Conference- and they went all out-- rice, beans, lasagna, baked chicken and potatoes, and yummy deserts!!!! And then they made us Easter bags full of candy to eat at the conference! a family super humble but so kind!!!!! All four of us sisters got all done up for the conference! Soooo fun!

This week I was doing my divisions in Bauru Centro again-- and I had to do it alone as the only Sister Training Leader-- but I took Sister Correa with me to divide with the younger sister! We were able to help that companionship baptize on the day of the division! The first baptism of the new sister since she got into the mission!!!! We baptized on a Wednesday night!!! Sooooo incredible to see the Lord work miracles!!!

I was able to visit R.- a less active young adult who I reactivated in Bauru Centro when I was serving and I was able to visit N. and her family for the last time as well and I sobbed as I hugged her and told her that I loved her--- she was sooo sweet as she cried and said, "it's okay Sister Tyson, you are my sister and whenever I get sad, I remember what you taught me to do- I close my eyes, cry a little bit, and say a prayer- and Jesus always brings you back to me." I LOST IT! I LOVE THAT LITTLE 10 YEAR OLD GIRL AND HOPE THAT SHE ALWAYS STAYS TRUE TO THE THINGS THAT WE WERE BLESSED TO TEACH HER.... SUCH A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT!!!

Then RO., V, and other great members in Bauru took us all to a Pizzaria to celebrate my mission and the sisters first baptism!! Soooo great! I love all of these wonderful people!!!!!

Then, on Friday, we went back to my area in Prudente and baptized four people!!!! It was such a miracle!!! We were blessed to baptize MC who is 15 and a friend of the young women in the ward--- a man named M who was so excited to be baptized, D who has been coming to church for a few weeks now and finally made the decision to follow Christ, and A. who is the sister in law of Irma T.  who is my missionary mom who takes care of me here in my area!!!! Soooooo much happiness and so many prayers of gratitude this week!!!!!

Mission Week 69: March 26, 2018

March 26, 2018

We baptized LC this week and he is an older man who was sooo sweet leaving the waters of baptism this week!!!

Sister Anjos was transferred on Friday afternoon and the companion of her new companion is now my companion. Her name is Sister Fanny Correa from Buenos Aires, Argentina. We will be companions for the next two weeks until the regular transfer happens. She was trained by Sister Costa and she has 5 months in the mission. She is soooo sweet!!! She is still learning the language, but she is full of energy! I love her already! We have already marked two baptisms for Friday night and we are so excited!!! 

I was sad that Sister Anjos was transferred after only 1 month together because the same thing happened the last time we were comps in Cascavel- we stayed as comps for just 3 weeks and then I was  transferred to help sisters in Sao Paulo... but at the same time, we were happy to make the change to help these sisters and to help our Presidente. 

 

Our next transfer will be on April 8th and I think that I will be transferred to my last area!! I haven't heard about travel plans yet but Presidente talked to me this week at our Zone Conference in our interview and got super emotional... he said that he wants me to stay and that he knows that our family is waiting but that he is going to miss me... it was sooo sweet and I was able to tell him how much I love him. He joked with me and told me that he just needs 30 more days-- haha but I explained to him that 2 months ago I was planning on staying an extra transfer but then I realized that I have a mission after my mission and that my family also is important and needs me too. and I told him that I am giving everything I have now so that I never have to look back and wonder, "what if?". he said that he would never make me feel pressured or anything but that he gets sad when he thinks about my flight plans.... (that's why I think he wouldn't let me see them yet)... I felt happy that he was able to express his feelings but I didn't feel differently about my decision to go home in May. It was a very special moment! I am soooo grateful for such a great Presidente...I am seriously going to miss my mission mom and dad soooo much!!

 

I will do divisions in Bauru Centro this week! I travel tomorrow until Friday again-and I will take Sister Correa with me... I am the only sister training leader in Sao Paulo for these few weeks so I have lots to do--- and Presidente wants me in the areas with the sisters--- so... like always I'm running lots but am excited to help and to see the Bauru gang again this week!

 

I miss Conference and Easter with you guys!!! I will be working hard to bring people to the Conference and we will watch it at the church with the members--- I always like to bring treats for the missionaries in between the sessions--- its so weird saying that...that means that I've been in the mission for a long time if i have a "General Conference tradition" hahahahaha this week I will have 1 year and four months already!!! In 50 days I'm there with you!

 

 

Mission Week 68: March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

This week was a challenging one... I did splits in Tupã again and it was good but challenging--- I am in the hottest part of the mission and it is killing us! I'm not baptizing nearly as well this month as I was baptizing last month, but I am giving it everything I've got and am praying tons. This week I thought a lot about the Nephites who were blessed by the Lord and then started to become prideful and then were warned, suffered, thrown in the refiners fire, repented, and were blessed again. I see this happens a lot in the mission and with me too. sometimes we are so quick to forget the Lord in the good times, and so slow to repent and rely on Him again. I find that even with almost 16 months in the mission, sometimes my prayers are more sincere when I am struggling and then when I'm doing great, I'm slow to remember that HE IS THE ONE THAT IS MAKING ALL OF IT HAPPEN. I am learning so much and this is a growing process. I still struggle and am still being put through the refiners fire- but I'm grateful because like I always say- all diamonds started from dust and rock and had to be melted down, heated up #itssohothere, and molded to become beautiful. So grateful to be here! I love this gospel and my mission and the Lord soooo much more than ever! I am pushing myself to my limits and I get way stressed out--- but I know when I trust in the Lord and let Him strengthen me, I SERIOUSLY HAVE NO LIMITS!!! Soooo grateful for even the difficult moments because they give me the chance to be better and to remember Him!

I will have my Zone Conference tomorrow!! Look for pictures!!

Mission Week 67: March 12, 2018

March 12, 2018

WE HAD A GREAT WEEK IN BAURU WITH TWO COMPANIONSHIPS!!! ITS SO AMAZING TO WORK WITH THESE SISTERS AND TO FEEL THE LOVE THAT THE LORD HAS FOR THEM! I ALWAYS GO IN TO MY SPLITS IN PRAYER AND FAST AND I LOVE THAT THE LORD INSPIRES ME TO HELP THESE SISTERS IN THEIR AREAS AND IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES! SUCH A GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!

We were able to baptize two men in our area even though we were gone until Friday! The sisters who are in our area serving really listened to us as we talked them through things on the phone during the week and were able to firm up our baptisms!!! We know that God really had His hand in this and we are sooo grateful this week!!! One man who is 23- his name is B. and the other man is in his 50's and is named M! Soooo exciting!

Mission Week 66: March 5, 2018

March 5, 2018

This week I traveled to Londrina with Sister Pinheiro and she went to train a new sister from Mexico- she was excited to train again. She will leave the mission in May with me!

My new companion is Sister Anjos again!!!! Such a blessing! She is great and I was heartbroken when Pres. only left us as companions for three weeks in Cascavel! Now she is my comp again in Planalto and we are both as happy as can be! She is from the Bahia...love her lots!

 

I stayed in Londrina for the training of the new missionaries and it was so fun!!! I helped with the arrival of the new missionaries and spent the day in Londrina with the Pereira's! I loved helping the new missionaries this week again! It was soooo fun! And then that night I went back to my area with Sister Anjos!!

 

MY NEW CONVERT T. BLESSED THE SACRAMENT! THAT MAN THAT WE BAPTIZED WHO MADE CONTACT WITH ME IN A BAR!!!! I CRIED WHEN HE SHOWED UP WITH A WHITE SHIRT AND TIE AND BLESSED THE SACRAMENT! MY HEART EXPLODED!

 

I AM IN LONDRINA AGAIN TODAY WITH ALL OF THE MISSION LEADERS TO HAVE A P-DAY WITH PRESIDENT AND THEN OUR LEADERSHIP COUNCIL TOMORROW!

 

I AM DOING SO WELL, MOM AND DAD.... I CANT BELIEVE I ONLY HAVE 10 WEEKS LEFT AND YET SO MUCH FIRE TO DO EVERYTHING!!! I LOVE THIS LIFE!!! I AM SOOO HAPPY AND LOVE SEEING THE WORK PROGRESS! ITS ALL SO BEAUTIFUL!

 

I know that Christ lives and loves us and that He is guiding this work!! I'm soooo grateful to be here as His instrument!!! Soooo beautiful and I'm sooo blessed!

Mission Week 65: February 26, 2018

February 26, 2018

Editor's Note: We emailed back and forth with Sister Tyson today. She is doing great! Her companion was getting transferred and she had to travel to Londrina to pick up her new companion. She will update us next week with who that is.

Here are some pictures from her recent baptisms. She is so happy and loves her mission!

Mission Week 64: February 19, 2018

February 19, 2018

Hey mom and dad---

About the work this week here in planalto...

This week was good--

My mãezona here in the area (the irma that takes such good care of me) had made me that birthday cake and did a party for me but I had to travel her name is "T." and she felt so bad that I wasn't able to make it to my own party that this week she fed us lunch on Wednesday and did a surprise party for me again!!!  She bought me a beautiful cake and candles (SPARKLERS- LIKE THE FOURTH OF JULY WHICH IS STILL MY FAVORITE!!)!! She was sooooo sweet!! I love her sooo much!! It made my heart happy! She added mom on FB this week-- check her out. 

Oh and this week I spent a day in the ER... I got way sick this week and ended up doing blood and urine tests in the hospital on Thursday-- I was throwing up and was so tired.. I didn't want to eat... I thought it was because I am low on iron...but Sister Pereira sent me in to test everything--- SHE WAS SOOO STRESSED ABOUT IT THIS WEEK POOR GIRL- and I was put on a IV... it wasn't a big deal- its a pretty normal thing here in Brazil but anyways the doctor said that I am dehydrated...even though everyone here teases me that I don't go anywhere without my water bottle! haha He also said that indeed my iron was low.... I received a blessing from the branch pres and am feeling better now... a little stressed but doing well!!!! No worries!!

SATURDAY MORNING WE BAPTIZED OUR GOLDEN BOY- T. 31 YEARS OLD!!! SUCH A HAPPY DAY! HE IS GREAT AND SERIOUSLY HAS SOOO MUCH FAITH! THE LORD IS GOOD AND BLESSED US WITH SUCH AN AWESOME CONVERT! HE WILL RECEIVE THE PRIESTHOOD NEXT SUNDAY!!! HE IS SO HAPPY AND IS DOING WONDERFUL!

Also, we confirmed 4 people this week!! We were running around on Saturday and Sunday to find all of the people who weren't confirmed yet and we were so happy that it worked out to confirm more people! Great people and great youth who now have the Holy Ghost! Our goals as Sister Training Leaders are being reached so we are happy campers this week! Our mission baptized a ton this week and are maintaining our place as the #1 baptizing mission in the southern region on Brazil!!! We are in third place in the entire country!!! Sooooo exciting!!!

We did a fast as leaders in the mission- Pres called us to ask us to fast and it was great! This week was a great week in the mission with lots of great successes! And then we felt inspired to do a fast with the companionships who we lead- the sisters were great and the fast really gave us the strength to meet our goals for the week. My testimony was strengthen that fasting really does allow God to work miracles. He loves us and gives us strength when we are willing to sacrifice for Him- it is sooooo hot, so going without water here is extremely difficult, but we were blessed because of our willingness to follow our leaders and put our faith in Christ. I thought a lot about how Christ went 40 days and nights fasting in the hot sun- and how much I want water when we are working in the hot sun, but its amazing how much God strengthens us when we do our part. GREAT EXPERIENCE!

We did a ward activity on Saturday night- lots of hot dogs and lots of little kids! It was chaotic but we had a great turn out and it was a fun night- lots of recent converts and investigators too!!!

Mission Week 63: February 12, 2018

February 12, 2018

Today me and the sisters are at a members house- her name is V.- she lives alone in a mansion and invited us to spend time with her today. Because of Carnaval all of the internet houses are closed-- and she is feeding us and everything! She is  great!!! 

I am doing well and am so happy to hear that you guys are close to me! Mais ou menos! hahaha

 

This week was good-- we stayed in our area to help the sisters here and it was good! We worked super hard and it was a hot week here!!!

We found lots of great new families to teach and we batized 2 men this week- R & N! 

R. is 26 and N. is in his fifties! Lots of interesting stories that I will share with you guys....

And we were blessed with a golden investigator too!!

This week was good- we did a meeting with all the leaders of the branch and set up visits for the investigators who are progressing and for our recent converts--- to help create more integration and friendships--- and more activities in our branch--- we are excited- we are planning our activity for the whole branch on Saturday....YOU WON'T BELIEVE THAT I LET THE SISTERS NAME IT- "HOT DOG NIGHT"....NEEDLESS TO SAY, I'M A LOT MORE EASY GOING NOW A DAYS... HAHAHAHA!

The mission is good! Heavenly Father blesses us so much! We were trying to contact a reference that we got and ended up stopping at a bar to ask for directions-- in the bar- a man with tons of tattoos stopped us and asked us what we do-- we explained our purpose as missionaries and he invited us to share a message with him the next day at his house-- his name is T. and we felt so good about him-- after all- he made contact with us!!! Hahaha and then we went to teach him...

He explained his whole life story-- he was married, has two young sons, --- and then they ended up getting divorced. he ended up moving out and went to live  completely alone to be close to his kids still.. he is so great and says that he wants to find a person to share his life with and to live the gospel-- he has so much faith and truly is repentant! HE ACCEPTED THE INVITE TO BE BAPTIZED ON THE SPOT!

 

Then, T. went to church and loved it! We took the Elders Quorum Presidente and YM's Pres. to visit him and we taught him all together! The Spirit was sooo strong and soooo cool to give these men a chance to create friendship with T. who is their same age, to take responsibility, and to share their testimonies! 

Mission Week 62: February 5, 2018

February 5, 2018

THIS WEEK WAS GOOD-  we had an awesome mission conference here in Prudente with Presidente and great divisions in Bauru! M. & H. were soooo kind and picked me up late at the bus station and super early the next day with food for my bus ride! They are Matheus' parents and they are so good to me!

This week we will stay in our area- our baptism of the week feel through and we feel like its best to stay in our area this week. I'll be happy to have a week without getting on another bus hahaha. It will be good to be able to focus on finding and teaching people in our area-- and I am feeling a bit disconnected with this branch and the members and our recent converts because I am always traveling- so it will be a good week.

THIS MISSION IS THE HARDEST THING I'VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE-- SO MANY DOWNS BUT SO MANY MORE UPS... I CAN'T BELIEVE ITS ALREADY FEBRUARY AND I'M DOING THIS.........I know that I am nothing..I've been reminded of this so many times during these 14 months...the LORD IS EVERYTHING AND HAS STRENGTHENED ME BEYOND MEASURE... and I have a wonderful support system here in Brasil and at home with you guys! I am learning lots and love my Savior for everything he has done to lift me up and give me the strength to serve him. This week I will give a talk in Sacrament Meeting- I am the concluding speaker so it has to be 20 mins...lol.. but I love the theme---the Love of Christ--- the branch president said that when they prayed, he and his counselors knew that it was my topic... I am excited to share some of the love that I have felt from the Lord in these 14 months in this branch.. I hope they will be encouraged to share the love of Christ with others even long after I leave this area!

Have fun in Bolivia! WELCOME TO SOUTH AMERICA! hahaha

Sister Tyson

Mission Week 61: January 29, 2018

January 29, 2018

MY BIRTHDAY WAS WONDERFUL!!!

My companion and the other two sisters in my house made cake and made my bed with little gifts and notes. It was sweet- and they planned a big party for me at the district meeting that day- the elders all brought lots of soda and the sisters brought my cake and lots of snack foods- it was a surprise and they all sang to me-- so sweet! The entire zone was there and it was so precious! Especially because I am new to the zone!

Then my phone was ringing off the hook- missionaries from all of the mission and members were calling me to wish me a happy day! So many emails of love and cards too!

SISTER PEREIRA CALLED ME! It was so kind, she was so sweet and said that she had had my b-day marked in her phone for months and that she loves me like her true daughter and that she and Presidente love me and are proud of me. We talked for awhile and it made my heart happy to think that she would take the time to wish me a happy day! So sweet!

Then a ward member- Irma T. who is like the missionary mama here made me a yummy cake but I didn't know she was planning it and ended up traveling the night of my birthday to Marilia to do divisions and so I didn't get to eat cake at her house-- but I thanked her and felt happy!

MY B-DAY WAS SOOOOO HOT-- WE WERE SOOOO HOT AND THE SUN WAS KILLING US- BUT IT WAS SO HAPPY!

Then I traveled to Marilia- a city close to Bauru- and did my division with Sister Costa who was Sister Alston's companion in Bauru- the sister you guys met on that facetime call with Mateus' family-- it was sooo fun! Sister Costa will end  her mission this transfer and was super emotional saying goodbye to me... I know I can call her whenever but it was hard. shes a great sister and has always been a great friend to me! She even took me out to acai ice cream for my birthday during the division-- we found lots of great people and mark more baptisms in her area- it was lots of fun and lots of hard work. She is a great sister! We stayed with them in division for 2 days and then on Friday we went with them to their zone conference with Presidente in Marilia. 

Even though we already saw the conference in Marilia- we will have our zone conference here in Prudente tomorrow- should be a good day!

When we got home on Saturday we were exhausted but went to work in our area--- WE BAPTIZED THREE PEOPLE ON SATURDAY NIGHT! SOOOO WONDERFUL-- G. 10YRS OLD, J.A. 50, AND L. 18!!! GREAT PEOPLE THAT WE HAD FOUND LAST WEEK!!

Mission Week 60-January 22, 2018

January 22, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER TYSON!

THIS WEEK WAS BUSY!

We baptized J. (14)- he and his family moved in to the house next door to ours 2 weeks ago and we stopped to talk to the family- we ended up finding out that all of them were baptized in Londrina years ago but moved a lot and never found another chapel in the new city and so they ended up becoming less active. SUCH A GREAT FAMILY AND WE WERE SO BLESSED TO FIND THEM- even though they live next door to our house and we all live so close to the church!- the family has a mom- L. and dad, R.- and J. 14 and his siblings are J. 22 and J. 17 who has a son R. who is 2! We have created a great friendship and J. WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO WASN'T BAPTIZED! HE ACCEPTED AND WAS BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY! We are reactivating the family and they were all in church on Sunday! Sooo great! They are happy!Tonight we will have family night at their house with another active member family! And they are so great they always bring us dinner in take out boxes every night so that we can eat dinner when we get home! Such good people with great hearts!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

MY CHRISTMAS CAME IN THE MAIL FROM YOU! I LOVED MY STOCKING! AHHHHH! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! I AM BEYOND THANKFUL! I WAS NEEDING MASCARA AND TREATS! LOVED DADS SASSY GUM TOO! THANK YOU THANK YOU! I GOT LOTS OF CARDS TOO! OH AND SUMMER ENDSLEY SENT ME A NICE CHRISTMAS EMAIL THAT I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT- I THANKED HER, BUT PLEASE THANK HER AS WELL!

I CUT MY HAIR! ITS A LONG BOB! I LOVE IT AND PRESIDENTE DID TOO-- IF I MAY!

I AM HEADED TO BAURU THIS WEEK TO DO DIVISIONS! SOOOO EXCITED!

WE HAD LOTS OF PEOPLE IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY SO THAT MEANS MORE BAPTISMS THIS WEEK! WE ARE SSOOOO HAPPY WITH EVERYONE'S PROGRESS!!!! 

Mission Week 59: January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

This week was a good and hard week for me....

We did divisions in Tupã again with another dupla and it was awesome! We marked lots of baptism dates and received revelation to help them! It was such a cool experience! We were happy with their progress and were happy to stay with them for a few days to learn and help them out. Great sisters with lots of potencial! 

We got home to Planalto and rushed to confirm people to bring to church- it was chaotic but we managed to teach and find more people to bring to church. Unfortunately our baptisms for the week fell through--- C. (who said that she knew I was sent to her for a reason) hadn't talked to her husband about her decision to be baptized and so when we went there to take her to the interview--- she said that her husband was really mad and that they had fought about her baptism and that she thought it would be better to wait until he cooled down. We assumed because we had asked her several times that her husband was on board, but we never talked to him because he travels for work--- and then she dropped the bad news on us. We tried everything but ended up not having her baptism this week- I have faith that this upcoming week will be better for her.... sad times...but happy that she still wants to progress!

 

 

Mission Week 58: January 8, 2018

January 8, 2018

Hey everyone! Mom and dad!

I missed your faces this week!!! 

This was another good week in the mission! We baptized two young women- (both 12 years old) A. and N.! They are so great! I don't have pictures this week but I will try to send you some if I can! We found them both recently- my first week here in Planalto and they were both baptized and confirmed this week! Both great girls with lots of potential! 

My divisions in Tupã went well and we stayed with them all day on Wed and Thurs- they are good sisters- we did some good training with them and feel like Presidente will be happy to know that they are progressing in obedience and in the work. We had a good experience there and I just love being with the sisters.  It was amazing to do companionship study with these sisters and to have received revelation from Heavenly Father to help them individually. The Lord seriously guided my divisions this week- such a testimony builder of the power of fasting and praying with specific names and areas in mind! The Lord is so merciful! 

We returned to our area on Friday morning and went out to work- we are lucky to have Sister Marshall and Ferreira in our area to help us keep the work going in our area while we travel- we marked more baptisms for this week as well! So exciting! Sister Pinheiro (my comp) isn't feeling great so we talked to Sister Pereira and ended up having to stay inside on Saturday and Sunday (yesterday) to let her rest. We travel so much and have so much going on that it is hard to take a minute to eat right, sleep well, etc, and so it was good to have some time to catch our breath this weekend knowing that we are going back to Tupã again this week to do divisions again with the other companionship that lives and works there as well. Should be great!

 

This week another miracle happened! THE LORD IS SO MERCIFUL! 

So, last week we were knocking doors and met a woman named C.- She accepted our invitation to come to church and she came last week! She was well greeted and treated by the members and really had a great experience- she was in the new members sunday school class and the topic was the word of wisdom- I ended up sharing my testimony about how grateful I was for this commandment. Afterwards she told me that her heart was touched by my sincerity and testimony.

Then we went to do our divisions in Tupã and the other sisters in our area went and taught her- they marked her baptism date and were so excited! 

Sister Pinheiro and I got back into the area on Friday and were exhausted but went to visit her for the first time as a companionship. C. was super great and told us that she is planning on moving herself, husband, and 11 year old daughter to the united states this upcoming year. we were excited and she and I talked a bunch about what her transition will be like and about how becoming a member of the church now would help her adjustment there in the states. We had a great conversation and she was soooo great and then we read with her in the Book of Mormon. We explained to her about Lehi's vision and she was amazed. She said that she already has a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true and is reading by herself. So awesome!! 

My companion shared the most sincere testimony of the Book of Mormon that I have seen her share during our two weeks together as companions and in all of the other times before that I have seen her teach- she even got emotional which really isnt like her--- then it was my turn.....I shared my testimony that I have NO DOUBT whatsoever that the Book of Mormon is the word of God- that it is the most true book that was ever written and that will ever be written- I talked about my experiences and difficulties and how the Book of Mormon has changed my life and the lives of those who I have served up until now---

C. with tears in her eyes thanked us for bringing her the truth-- she was so sweet and said, "for these last two weeks I have been praying so hard to find the truth- to find a church that would be the best fit for my family and that would leave me without doubts-- I was praying to know if going to the united states would be the best change for my family and I prayed that God would send me a sign; a messenger... I was looking for some sunshine to show me the way." We listened quietly and then she said to me, "when you came to my door that day last week, I first saw your smile and then your name tag- you invited me to visit the only true church and promised that I wouldn't regret my visit that it would bless my family to find the way back to God and then you took down my address and phone number and left," then she said, "I felt so strongly that you were that messenger..sent from God during a week that I was praying harder than ever for a sign-- then I saw your blonde hair, bright smile, and thought 'God is funny..He actually sent a ray of sunshine to my door!'" we all laughed and cried together!

I explained to her about how she had been the answer to my prayers! That I had been transfered during the middle of the transfer from an area and people that I loved and that it was hard for me to understand why God was doing this- transfers of this kind were rare or never as missionaries, but that I had just trusted that He knew why He had sent me to this area in the right timing-- and that hearing this was an answer to my pleads with the Lord to know why He had moved me again. I felt so strongly that the Lord knows me- that He loves us and that He knows better than we do- that my plans are nothing and so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I was reminded to trust Him and to show gratitude in the difficult moments. SOOOO MERCIFUL-- I start to complain or to question and He is always here to tap me on the shoulder and said, "I havent given you any reason to doubt me before now- so just trust me! Oh ye of little faith..."

 

Love,

 

Sister Tyson

Mission Week 57: January 3, 2018

January 3, 2018

THANK YOU FOR THESE GORGEOUS PICTURES! THE WEDDING LOOKS LIKE IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!! SOOOOO MUCH HAPPINESS IN MY HEART SEEING THIS TODAY!

SORRY THAT I AM ONLY GETTING ON TODAY-- BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY- THERE WASNT AN INTERNET HOUSE OPEN ON MONDAY OR YESTERDAY SO TODAY IS THE DAY!

I AM DOING DIVISIONS IN AN AREA CALLED TUPÃ WITH MY NEW COMPANION.

I just wanted to take the minute, I have to explain the transfer- yes I was transferred without notice in the middle of the transfer- Sister Sadleir from California was a Sister Training Leader as well in Sao Paulo and went home a few days after Christmas-- finished her mission- and President called and transferred me to be with Sister Sadleir's companion (another sister training leader) to work in Sao Paulo. I was soooo sad to leave Sister Anjos and to leave everyone that I love in that area and zone..my recent converts were all crying and the members as well... my heart hurts still... I don't know why I am back in Sao Paulo exactly but I am trusting that the Lord has a reason.  He has never given me a reason to doubt and so I am just trusting and moving forward. 

I am serving in a branch (for the first time)- my area is called Planalto and it is in Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo--- my companion is Sister Débora Pinheiro from Fortaleza- she has 1 transfer more than me--- we are living in 4 sisters-- Sister Marshall who was also trained by Sister Penni- from Michigan-- sooo great--- and her companion is Sister Ferreira, my old companion! I don't know much about the area or branch yet but next week, I will write more details...

We are in divisions today and I am happy to be helping the President and the Sisters! It's cool to enter other areas and receive revelation that can help these Sisters! I love it!

I LOVED SEEING ALL OF YOU ON CHRISTMAS! WAS SOOOOOO WONDERFUL AND I LOVE YOU ALLLL SO MUCH! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!

Tell everyone that I love them! Love these fotos!!!! Congrats on putting on a wonderful wedding!!! 

-Sister Tyson

Brazil Londrina Mission Christmas 2017 Can you spot Sister Tyson? :)