Week 15- The Important Things in Life

¨Being of good cheer makes it possible for us to turn all of our sunsets into sunrises.¨ -Elder Marvin J. Ashton

Hola, Mom, Dad, hermanas, familia y amigos,

Como estás? Another week has passed and I am still here in Kokuere preaching the Gospel with Hermana Astle. Nothing epic has happened this week, such as contracting a dangerous deadly disease, or going to a bicentenario celebration in Asunción but it was a good week nonetheless. We have been working with a lot of less-active members and have had some little miracles happen everyday. It is sad to me how people can feel the Spirit and join the Church by being baptized and promising to always take Christ’s name upon themselves and then forget or just not fulfill their end of the bargain. Hopefully we will be able to remind them what they felt at baptism and they will want to return to church.

So surprise? We had dropped our investigator Ismael because he didn’t seem to be progressing- he couldn’t commit to get baptized. However, his aunt has told us that he still talks about it all the time and asks her questions about the Gospel. Unfortunately, that has not resulted in him taking the step to come to church (as it stands, he has been once) but we are going to teach him again this week and hopefully he will progress. Hopefully he will take the lunge (or the plunge) into the baptismal font and change his life for the better! If people could only understand the blessings that their Heavenly Father has for them...they would be lining up at the font and the only fear they would have would be how clean the water is! (this is Paraguay, ya know). This week we are praying for some golden investigators. To all of you in Kokuere who want to get baptized, where are youuuuu?

I don’t know if I will ever get used to the poverty here and the living conditions in which some people live. And yet people are happy here. Of course there are still stresses here, one of the biggest being “how will I feed my family?” But little kids laugh and smile, even if they have nothing. I guess you can’t miss what you have never known. Kids are perfectly content to play soccer in the street barefoot with a plastic bottle as a ball. One thing I have learned from Paraguayans is that life is not about the money, the toys, the gadgets, the electronics (one of the members here once asked me what an iPod was), the social status, or seeing how many things we can do in a day to fill up our planners. No. Life is about sitting in a chair sippin the tereré and talking with your family. It’s about spending nights together, just talking and just being together, because that is what is most important in life. When you take away all of the other “stuff” that always seems to be so important at the time, what are you left with? Relationships you have built and wisdom you have learned. And guess what? That is all you will take with you after you leave this life, too. So maybe we can learn a lesson from the Paraguayans- to slow down, look around, watch the sunset and relax. Because “men are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25) and isn’t that what we all really want anyway?

Speaking of family, I have considered asking permission from my mission president to watch the show “Extreme Couponing” this Wednesday, June 1st on TLC because my sister is going to be on the show!! But I don’t think they have TLC here nor do I think the mission president would approve. Becca, I am so proud of you! I am also happy to say that I have couponed with Rebecca Davidson and have been there to witness her shopping transactions in all of their couponing glory. Also, feliz cumpleaños to my Dad and Little Jo! I love you!

Well, that’s all for now. Until next week...

Mucho amor,

Hermana Brittner

PS Only in Paraguay is a bathroom considered nice if it has a working light and toilet paper.

Week 14- Every day in Paraguay is a brand new adventure!

Hello Mom, Dad, sisters, family and friends!

As all of you are getting out your sunscreen and bathing suits, we are approaching winter here in Paraguay. The weather has been perfect- not too hot, not too cold, which apparently isn’t usually the case here. In the winter, it is supposed to rain a ton and get pretty chilly with the high humidity. At least I will get a break from the mosquitoes for a while! So transfers or “changes” as they are now called are this week. Keep your fingers crossed that Hermana Astle and I get to stay together in Kokuere. We are pretty sure we will which will be great.

We had some cool experiences this week. We have been working a lot with people who are inactive in the church- trying to figure out where they live and get to know them so we can teach them. Directions are usually like this, “Go down that road and turn left and keep going until you see the yellow house with the Palm tree in front.” There are no house numbers and no mail system that I know about here (which is why all mail goes to Asuncion) but usually there are street names. Anyhow, we were contacting and I just felt like we should talk to this mom with her baby and another girl and her baby. We did and turns out they are members but inactive! We set up an appointment later with Flia. Aguiar and went to their house and there were 10 people there. They wanted us to sing for them, they wanted us to read to them, they just wanted us to be there! I’m not talking about just little 5 and 6 year olds. The 40 year old mom, the old grandma with huge glasses that magnify the size of her eyes so it looks like her face is just eyeballs, the 20 year old daughter with 2 kids, and the 13 year old boy that really wants to come back to church, and in total there were ten people standing around us. So we sang and read scriptures and extended commitments to them to help them come back to church. It was so great!

Another amazing experience happened on Sunday at Church in Sacrament meeting. Last week, we had a lesson in Relief Society about sharing our talents so we decided to do a musical number in church. My companion played the piano and I sang a solo, “Yo sè que vivè mi Señor!” - Ì Know that my Redeemer Lives!- the Especially For Youth version in Spanish and it was amazing. The Spirit in that room was SO strong that after I finished singing, the next person who gave a talk, a 20 year old that is about to leave on his mission, couldn’t even speak!!!!! Literally, he couldn’t even speak. He just kept repeating ¨Yo sé que vive mi Señor¨and ¨él es mi amigo fiel¨which are lyrics to the song. It was amazing. Every single person in the branch, about 40, came up to us and thanked us and told us how beautiful it was. Hopefully the Spirit from the song will increase the love and missionary work in the ward so that we can get some new investigators! I love the power music has in bringing the Spirit into a room. I am so glad that I could share my testimony- that Jesus Christ truly does live, through music. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church that holds all of the Priesthood keys we need. We have a living prophet who leads and guides us. Yo sè que vivè mi Señor.

Oh, and by the way, we have it recorded on our cameras. haha... the stake president was there and we asked his permission and he was like, no hay problema!

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before, but everyday here in Paraguay is like a brand new adventure. There is really no other way to describe it. You never know what the day will hold as you step out the front door. One thing that is always true is that as American hermanas we get stared at wherever we go and frequently get snaked. What does it mean to get snaked you ask? Well, that is when a dirty old Paraguayan man, or teenager, or even a woman sometimes, literally hisses like a snake at you. Literally. Then it is usually followed by an attempt at English like, Hello, how are you? Or, my all time favorite, ¨Cómo se dice mi amor en tu idioma?¨, which translates to, How do you say my love in your language? Or any such whistling, hooting, waving, or whatever. Anyway, the Elders always ask us if we get snaked a lot and of course, being two blondes it is a daily occurrence. This week though, we decided to count how many times it happens a day just to have an idea so we can be prepared with statistical information the next time the elders ask us. Haha. So, it turns out the average is about 12 times a day. Sunday was a really special day because we got snaked 8 times before 8 am just on the way to church! Wow, it is so interesting being an American in a foreign country.

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Brittner

Week 13- Happy 200 Years Paraguay!

`Keep your face to the sun and let the shadows fall behind you`

Hello Mom, Dad, sisters, friends and family!

This weekend Paraguay celebrated 200 years of independence from Spain. Pretty cool time to be here! I got to go to a huge expo-fair type thing in Asuncion with over 200,000 people there and represent the Church at a booth with 3 other companionships. We got called the night before last minute. We were very lucky to be chosen. There were women doing dances in traditional Paraguayan dresses, everyone was wearing soccer shirts from Paraguay and there was a parade with tons of horses. Jenna, you would have loved it. We missionaries contacted up a storm! Give some missionaries a crowd and we will talk to everyone! It was cool! My old companion Hermana Van Dusen was there too which was sweet. We went out and contacted on our own (with only one month’s experience) and we’re able to understand enough to get by. I love talking to people about the Gospel because it can truly help everyone in their lives.

Cool story: I was walking around the expo and these two American girls came up to us to say hi. I looked at one of them and she said, “I think I know you.” I looked and said, “Did you go to BYU?” It turns out it was my friend Mica from BYU! It was so cool!! She worked at the BYU Bookstore too and we played intramurals together too. She is doing an internship here. My companion was like “you would know someone in the middle of a huge fair in Asuncion.” Everywhere I go (in the world) I know someone. It is so cool! She is going to add the picture she took to Facebook. I love my awesome friends!

As far as Kokuere goes, we are starting from scratch because everyone we were teaching is no longer interested or stopped progressing without us. That’s what happens after dang dengue. We had a couple days where it seemed like no one wanted to listen. I was thinking, “what is this, Europe or something?” Even Ismael just wasn’t ready for baptism which is sad because he was really bueno. We found a man who has 8 kids and he seemed pretty interested so hopefully he will become a new investigator for us. So pray that we will find the people who are truly searching for the Gospel and wanting to make changes in their life. Most people are willing to listen and have free Bible lessons but getting them to commit to something is a different story. It’s the Paraguayan way- to be so tranquilo, just sitting on the sidewalk sippin the terrere and saying `adios` to everyone who passes. I love them for it but it makes it hard for them to change and progress in the Gospel.

Something that I am learning- that all of the so-called little things- like reading the Book of Mormon, praying and going to Church, those are the things that really build our faith. Because faith is an action- we have to be doing something if we want our faith to grow. So when we are not doing these things, we are not growing and learning as our Heavenly Father would have us do. We are not inviting the Spirit into our lives. So do the little things!

My health is doing a TON better. I am still napping but doing the rest of the missionary schedule. I really have been blessed with a quick recovery. Thanks for your prayers and love! I appreciate them. Next Monday night we find out about transfers-changes and if I will be staying or leaving the area and if I will still be with Hermana Astle. I hope I stay in Kokuere with her! If I do, we are going to take this place by storm and hopefully we will be having a ton of baptisms.

Interesting tidbit:

-This week I taught a girl who was 15 and married and had a 1 year old. Some more culture shock for me.

Love,

Hermana Brittner

Week 12- Another Epic Week In Paraguay

Dear Mom, Dad, Sisters, Family and Friends,

Hello! It was so good to talk with you yesterday, family. Of course it wasn’t long enough but it was great while it lasted! I love you all and I am so happy to have each one of you in my life!! I am so lucky to have great parents and beautiful, wonderful sisters! Becca, Happy Mothers Day to you! I forget to say that. And Nana and Grandma B- Happy Mothers Day to you! I love you!

So I have completed 3 months on my mission this past week and will complete one month in Paraguay this week. Time flies! I am feeling MUCH better now and hopefully this week we will be able to work a full day. Dang Dengue!! (pronounced dang-ee).

Some entertaining highlights of the week:

- Zone conference, which consisted of leaving at 5:30 AM and being squished in between Paraguayans on a collectivo (bus) to get to Asuncion in time. It was a great conference though. We watched Elder Holland’s MTC fireside. I love that man. Whenever he talks, it is so powerful. They always introduce new missionaries at zone conferences. The elder introducing me was saying what I like to do in my free time: “jugar futbol” or play soccer. When he said that the whole room got quiet and I was wondering if he had said something wrong (he was speaking Spanish). But no- it’s just that none of the hermanas play soccer here. I think this got me major points with the elders. Haha. Afterwards a Latino elder came up and was like, “Hermana you play soccer?” Haha. Too bad mission rules right now are no playing soccer- EVER. It is so sad. Something about focusing on the work or something.

-In Sunday School, I looked over and there was a little 3 year old boy holding a bird in his hands. It looked like a pigeon wrapped in a paper towel and a washcloth. The boy is petting it and rubbing it against his face lovingly. I couldn’t believe it. His mom seemed totally okay with it. I started laughing out loud. I mean, seriously? Haha. Then in sacrament meeting the branch president said, ''Do not touch the birds. They are being poisoned and will die soon.'' Apparently they have a bird problem at the church and so they are killing them off. That’s why the bird was so mellow.

-We have one good investigator right now- Ismael. He is 24 and looking for God. We asked him if he had prayed to know if the Book of Mormon is true. His response: ''I prayed with a sincere desire to know...and then I fell asleep. And then the next night I prayed again, and I fell asleep again.'' So our goal this week for him: stay awake long enough to get an answer!!

I wanted to share why I chose to serve a mission.

It never ceases to amaze me- the power of the Atonement. How could it? What a beautiful miracle. Someone as perfect and divine as Jesus Christ could love me- not only could He love me but He does. And the hope of the Savior- ''the light of the world'' that is the only hope- the anchor for us in our lives (Ether 12:4). We must anchor ourselves to Christ and never leave Him. In the midst of a world spiraling out of control, it is Christ who says, ¨Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest'' (Matt 11:28-30). Whatever your trials, your problems, your weaknesses- yoke yourself to Him, even the Savior Jesus Christ and He will give you rest. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior- He died for me and He lives again. Go to Him and He will bring you rest.

That is why I am on my mission, to preach the Good News and invite others unto Him.

Well, that’s all I have time for!! I love you all. Thanks for the support and letters! (It takes 3 weeks typically for them to get to Paraguay).

Oh and Kelli B- You are engaged!!! I am so happy for you. I can’t believe it! I fully approve and only wish I could be there. I gotta see pics (esp of the ring!)

Love,
Hermana Brittner

Week 11- Dengue :(

A few words from Mom- Last week Jamie's letter said there was a "bug" going around and that she wasn't feeling well. Apparently the "bug" was a mosquito carrying the virus "Dengue" and she got infected. It's tough to be so far away when your daughter is so ill but we know that the Lord has been watching over her and has surrounded her with people to care for her. Knowing Jamie, she won't be down too long. She is too anxious to continue the work she went there to do! We are confident that she will recover fully but we would appreciate you keeping her in your prayers. Bobbie Brittner

Dear Mom, Dad, Sisters, Family and Friends-

Another week has passed by and I can hardly believe it. I have been debating on whether I should tell you this, but I have been sick with Dengue. I figured I would tell you because I am doing a ton better now and you don’t have very much reason to worry anymore. The good news is I don’t have a parasite! So that’s it. I am sick with Dengue- which is an illness you get from mosquitoes and they are having an epidemic of it here. Basically what happens is you get a high fever, severe body aches and nausea, lose your appetite and spend the next 1-2 weeks in bed sleeping and recovering from being sick. You also get an itchy red rash. Welcome to Paraguay! Haha. I am so Paraguayan I even get their illnesses.

Mom, PLEASE do not worry about me. I am well taken care of here. I have been sick for about 11 days now. I am doing better now and hopefully by the end of this week I will be out working and get all of my energy back. The remedy was to drink 3 liters of fluids everyday and sleep a lot. I don’t know what it is with me and getting sick at the beginning of important life events. Apparently I am the 8th missionary either this month or this year to get Dengue- I’m not sure which and now that I have had it, my body is immune from it for a while. I don’t know how I got so lucky as to get it. Haha. I wore bug spray and took all the precautions...but it always makes you appreciate your health a whole lot more when you don’t have it!

The night I got sick the elders came over and gave me a Priesthood blessing and I knew I would be okay- promising a swift recovery and strength to fulfill my calling. The nurses, Presidente and Hermana Madariaga (my mission president and wife) have been great. They even had me stay over at their house one night and use the internet and watch movies (Mr. Krueger’s Christmas!) and the housekeeper made us food. The members from the branch have visited and brought over food and my companion has been like an angel, always taking care of me. As missionaries, my companion can’t leave, unless somehow she went on splits so she has just been hanging around the house and she is almost done reading “Jesus the Christ” now, an 800 page book. There isn’t much to do when you are sick as a missionary. I have read a lot of Ensigns and Liahonas and written a lot of letters. I am just grateful for all of the help I have gotten while I have been sick and for all the support of the branch and support from the missionaries and mission president.

We all have trials on our mission and I guess this was just one of mine. I am so glad it’s almost over! I hope that the President allows Hermana Astle and me to stay in Kokuere so we can continue working with our investigators because we haven’t been able to work at all since I have gotten sick. We have a lot to do!

If you want, you can send me a get well package but it will take 4 weeks to get here! Haha. I am in good spirits and I am doing fine. I am taking it easy and not overdoing it. I know that you will worry Mom, but please don’t. I just appreciate your prayers and support. I can’t wait until we talk about Dengue in my public health classes at BYU because I am going to stand up as a first-hand witness and say, “I got that on my mission in Paraguay!” This is one of those really good mission stories you like to brag about and talk about after it happens but you don’t actually want to live through it. Haha.

Mom, I was thinking about what you wrote about Elder Russell M. Nelson’s talk at Stake Conference about baptisms, and the question: how many other baptisms has your baptism resulted in? I’ve come to the conclusion that it is impossible to see where the influence of ONE righteous life begins and where it ends. Because every righteous life influences SO many people. I think of all the EFY kids I taught, of all the primary kids you have had an influence over, of all the callings one holds, of all the talks one gives...and there is no saying how we may have influenced someone’s testimony. And then they go on to serve a mission, etc., and it goes on and on. It’s amazing- the gospel in action. You just never know. Just think of all the people who have influenced your life for good and they don’t even know the full impact they have had. Of course, our influence in the family is the most powerful because those are the people who are most near and dear to us. That is why it’s so important to live what you believe because people are always watching and they can know through our example and actions our testimony of the Savior.

Christ lives and He can heal us of whatever infirmities, illnesses, sadness, depression, anything. I know this to be true!

Alma 7:11-12

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptation of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”

Much Love,

Hermana Brittner