Week 71- "I AM..."

 June 25, 2012

I am the hope of Israel.

I am Zion’s youth in Latter-days.

I have been called by a Prophet of God.

I have been endowed with power from on high.

I have been set apart by the Priesthood authority of God.

I am one of 52,000 full-time missionaries.

I wear a black name tag everyday.

I am a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am a Christian soldier.

I am a defender of truth, helper of the hopeless. I stand in holy places.

I fight for righteousness.

I am a full-time missionary.

I am a Mormon.

We have seen a lot of miracles here in Piribebuy this week. We had a training meeting with President Madariaga and he called us to repentance (in a kind and loving way). Basically, he encouraged us to work towards our daily and weekly number goals and be more diligent in accomplishing them. He gave us a lot of pointers that we are excited to implement into our area. It seems like we just rush from place to place, teaching, contacting, finding, yet we never have enough time.

Santiago came to the ward baptism we had on Saturday and church on Sunday, even though we weren’t able to teach him this past week. Although he has been an “eternigator”, I think he is ready to get baptized. He has a few doubts and fears, especially about being completely submerged in water to get baptized (you may laugh but here in Paraguay, baths do not exist, and only the rich have ever been in a swimming pool. Occasionally people swim in streams or the river, but they never really swim with your face under water and therefore, many have a great fear about putting their whole face in the water). We will see what can be done to build his faith.

The baptism was for 8-year-old Benjamin, whose dad recently became the new Elder’s Quorum president. We are very excited about that, because our branch has been without one since I got here! The baptism was great, with missionaries being the main show. We gave talks, sang a duet, led the music and provided the refreshments. We are working on helping the ward members become self-sufficient in this aspect- so it’s not just “the missionaries” responsibility. We are not a one-stop baptism organizer, despite what the members might think!

Beatriz did not go to church last week and we learned that she had recently started a new job. She has been looking for work for months and finally found something she loved, cooking food. We were really worried about her, because she is a new convert. She told us she would talk to her boss about not working on Sundays. Sunday, we were sitting in Relief Society and in she walks! It was such a happy moment! After class, we found out that she had quit her job so she could keep the Sabbath day holy! Wow, I was so impressed with her! She is a really strong convert, one of the strongest I have met and I continue to be inspired by her.

We had a cool Family Home Evening with the Valazquez family. We used candles to represent the authority of Christ. We lit one that represented Christ when he was on the earth and then he gave it to his Apostles (we lit other candles). When the great apostasy came, we blew out all the candles and we sat in the room in darkness (spiritual darkness) and then when I was reciting the First Vision in Spanish, Hermana Greer lit a candle, as Joseph Smith later restored the Gospel and the authority to the earth again. It was really cool. I love the restored Gospel and I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that it is on the earth again.

In church, I gave a talk about unity in the branch. I basically dropped cane. That is a missionary term for “called them to repentance”. My companion said it was good, although none of the members complimented me on it. Lol. Well, we are supposed to tell them what they need to hear right?

The weather changes a lot lately. Half of the week it’s super freezing and the other half is pleasant and all you need is a light sweater.

Love you all!

Hermana Brittner

PS. I love EFY (Especially For Youth)!! I am so excited Taylor is going to Santa Barbara! Just today I was telling my companion how awesome the cafeteria is there. Lol!

Week 70- More Miracles in Piribebuy!

June 18, 2012

What I’ve learned since being in Paraguay: If you feel like there’s a bug on you, there is.

We experienced a miracle at church yesterday! The young couple, Liz Mabel and Luis, came to church with their two-month old baby. Luis was planning on working on Sunday but after a powerful lesson about Sabbath Day Observance, he finally committed to coming and was true to his word! We are very excited for him. Hermana Greer made him a promise from God that if he observed the Sabbath Day, his family would always have enough to eat. It was really cool. We are now focusing our lessons with them on receiving and recognizing an answer to know if the Church is true, the importance of marriage and some Word of Wisdom issues. If they truly have the desire, it will happen. It all depends on them.

We also had another investigator, Santiago, come to church. He is what we would call an `eternigador` because he has investigated the church for a long time with the elders and still hasn’t gotten baptized.

We had a sweet Relief Society activity this week that we helped out with. We talked about visiting teaching and the importance of making those visits each month.  Hermana Greer and I did two demonstrations- one of a terrible visit, which was really funny which I really enjoyed, and one of a good visit. The bad visit included not preparing a lesson, asking for food, laying across the chair and talking about nothing of importance.  I really hope it inspired the hermanas here to get more involved! Visits to members are so important for the growth of the ward!

I don’t know if I have mentioned before but there are a lot of older women in our branch, who speak primarily Guarani, so the majority of our lessons in Relief Society on Sunday are taught in Guarani. I can understand, more or less, what is going on because they mix in Spanish words every now and then and I know a few Guarani words. I’ve gotten use to it and it seems normal now.

Thought I would tell you a little bit more about where I live. In 1869, Mariscal Lopez, a famous Paraguayan military guy, named Piribebuy the capital of Paraguay. I’m not sure when they changed it to Asuncion. The town I am in was also a site of a huge battle in the triple alliance war. The Brazilians attacked the Paraguayans and the women and men fought and died here to defend their country.

The water and electricity randomly go out in our house. It happens at least a few times a week in Piribebuy and makes you appreciate running water and light when it eventually comes back on. When you walk out our front door and turn left, you run into a cemetery, which is in the middle of a neighborhood. It’s a constant reminder of those who have passed on. Even more strange, all of the coffins are above ground and some are stacked 3 high.  Actually there is cement placed over the coffin, so it’s a cement outline of the coffins.

 I am not sure who our miracle baptism this weekend is supposed to be, but we will see!! We started working in a new area and I am really excited! We basically killed our old area- we had talked to EVERYONE. We started looking through the area book to find new investigators and I love it- it’s like a treasure hunt! I sort of feel like Sherlock Holmes. haha

God is real. He loves you and He is there for you. Don’t ever forget that. All you have to do is get on your knees and talk to Him.

Love you all!! Happy Father’s Day! Enjoy the heat. Down here the weather is quite nice!!

Hermana Brittner

PS: Dani Edgar is going on a mission!!! WHOO-HOO Always knew she would go!! Congrats! She is going to Taiwan!!

Week 69- A Juicy Story!

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:19

12 de junio, 2012

Stomach, liver, other assorted guts. No, I am not talking about the BYU cadaver lab. I am talking about the dispensa (the neighborhood corner store) that is in front of our house. Walking in to buy saldo (cell phone minutes, because they don’t have phone plans here- it’s pay as you go), I get the surprise of seeing a recently slaughtered cow lying on the counter. The lady who works and lives there has her hands covered in blood. She looks up, smiles at us and asks how she can help us. She laughs at the look on our faces- surprise, disgust, interest? Who knows? I mean, this is Paraguay. I should be used to these things by now. She laughs and asks what we would like to eat. I say, “not that” and I look down to see the liver, the stomach (green inside), the other organs, and four huge black hooves still attached to the legs. How do you eat that? I ask. You take off the hooves and boil it of course! How could I be so silly? Of course! No, there is no mat, no gloves, just that old cow sitting on the counter where they set the other products they sell at the dispensa. And this is where they sell the good meat, according to our neighbors. I am pretty sure germs don’t exist here and that’s why it’s okay. The lady behind the counter calls her granddaughter to get us our saldo. I hand her a 20 mil Guaraní. The butcher lady takes it, reaches into her little plastic cup full of change and hands me back an old 10 mil Guaraní, covered in cow’s blood. Well, that’s the meat of the story. (Haha)

What has been happening in Piribebuy? We have been talking up a storm and fighting back discouragement with our second week of no investigators at church. Our district leader has given us an awesome promise- that if we look through the binder of old investigators, we will find a golden investigator who will be baptized this month. I am excited for this. We have been working with 16 year old Liz Mabel who has a 2 month old baby and her boyfriend, Luis.  They have had a rocky life but they are as sweet as can be and want to change. Luis works a lot to pay for the milk and diapers for their son.  Liz Mabel just barely finished elementary school but every time I see her, she has a big smile on her face. They didn’t come to church because they went to her mom’s but we had a really cool Family Home Evening last night with them. We went to the Flia. Valazqyuez house and tied up President with thread on a chair and said that is what sin does to us. We then took scissors and cut him free and that represented the Atonement. We then watched a movie about Christ. I hope that it had an impact on them and made them want to change for the better.

Our recent convert Beatriz is doing great. She received a calling to pass out the Liahona (church magazine) to members. We also had ward council for the second time and it was very effective. We chose 15 names of members to work with. Our branch is struggling with ward unity and the leaders are struggling with visits. We are holding an activity on Thursday to explain and encourage the relief society sisters to do visiting teaching visits. I think it will be successful at helping them realize how important it is.

The reason we couldn’t email yesterday is because the internet was down at the two cybers in our area and we had waited till the last minute to email. To avoid this in the future, I am asking that those who email me will email me on Sunday nights or early Monday morning so that we can send our emails out earlier. That would be great.

Happy Father’s day to all those dads out there! A special hug goes out to my Dad, Jason and all my uncles!

PS They have milk men here in Paraguay still! They drive around on little motorcycle carts with jugs of milk in the back and people wait in their houses with jugs so that the milk man will fill them with milk!!

PS. Congrats to Jimmer on getting married!  Only wish he had chosen to experience mission life first!

Love,

Hermana Brittner

Week 68- What is a Hero?

June 4, 2012

What is a hero? Lately I have been thinking about what true heroes are. True heroes aren’t the people who receive praise from the world, who are rich, who have the biggest house and cars, or who are on the front cover of the most magazines. They aren’t the people who suit up for big sport teams or sing in front of millions of people. True heroes may not even be known outside of their own hometown. To me, true heroes are people who quietly live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are the people who sacrifice and work for the cause of truth, who put the needs of others before their own. True heroes do not look for recognition of man, but rather, they are concerned with what God thinks. They are those who endure to the end of their lives, never tiring of doing what is right and helping others. They may experience turbulent trials and difficult circumstances. They may experience ridicule from others because of their beliefs, but they never give up the faith. My parents are true heroes. Members of the Hillcrest 1st ward who always serve tirelessly for the benefit of others are true heroes. My young women and primary leaders, the bishopric... are true heros.  You are a true hero. I am a true hero. And I am grateful for every true hero in my life who continues to be faithful in this great work, who continues to live the standards of the Gospel, who gives me a beacon by which I am guided, a standard by which I live by and an example by which I live. May Heavenly Father bless you and strengthen you as you go forward in this work.

We had a crazy week here! One trip to Asuncion and two trips to Caacupe and we also walked to two areas that are super far. We walked to Itagua which took us over 30 minutes but it was a scenic, pretty hike. The problem is that we decided to go in the middle of a huge rainstorm! Do not ask me why, but it made for quite the story, stomping through the mud and walking in the rain. When we finally arrived at the member’s houses, they thought we were crazy. The good news is that we got a return date for a lunch appointment on Wednesday. Hopefully it won’t be raining then! I love being a missionary because I see parts of Paraguay that only the locals and Mormon Missionaries ever see. It really is a blessed land here- everything is so beautiful and green. This area is very clean and rich. Quite different from the Paraguay I have seen and known in the past year.

We are officially searching for new investigators. We are always doing that but it’s at the point where everyone has either gotten baptized or is not progressing. We didn’t have anyone come to church on Sunday which was pretty disappointing. Please keep us in your prayers that we will be able to find a family to teach. I want to bring a family the blessings of the Gospel.

The chill is setting in which makes it more difficult to work because people start going to bed as early as 6: pm because it’s too cold to do anything outside. June started and so has the cold!! My area is supposed to be one of the coldest areas around because there are so many streams and trees. Should be interesting! So when you are at home and sweating in your big houses, you can just think of me and how much I suffered in the heat a few months back. Just say to yourself, “What would it be like if I had to walk around in this heat for 5 more hours, preaching the Gospel, looking for someone to invite me into their house to listen?” Yes, the heat traumatized me, but it was all worth it! Hopefully I will survive the cold easier!! Haha.

I am looking for the little miracles in the work. They are all around us, we just have to look for them. Like the fact that we had a pretty good church attendance, even though it rained. The testimony meeting was really powerful and I just love having church in Spanish. I went on splits with one of the Young Women on Saturday for the first time in this area (my “daughter” is growing up!) and I realized how comfortable and used to everything in Paraguay I have become the culture, the language... It was a good experience.

Funny quotes of the week:

-Said to my companion by the ward mission leader, when he went to do visits with us, “Hermana Brittner walks so fast because she has such big feet.”

-Said by a 95-year-old Paraguayan lady, to my companion, “You could be Paraguayan,” then looking at me, “You couldn’t be Paraguayan- you are too tall!”

I love this work and I love the changes that come into people’s lives as they accept Christ and the restored Gospel. No matter what changes they have to make to their lifestyle, it is worth it because it shows on their face that they are happier and more at peace with life, when they are keeping the commandments. I love my Savior and I hope to be able to serve Him all of my days.

Sincerely,
Hermana Brittner

Week 67- Finding our way around Piribebuy!

28 of May, 2012

One of the things Hermana Greer thought was strange when she first arrived here was the fact that there are really no concrete directions to get anywhere. This area is better- they actually have street names and street signs but numbers do not exist. The postal workers walk on foot when they have to deliver something and just ask around the neighborhood until they find the people they are looking for. So do the missionaries. It goes something like this: “Go up two blocks, turn right next to the corner store, go straight for 3 blocks then you will see 3 houses on the left, it’s a white house with green gates and lots of plants.” I guess I have gotten used to these directions, because it doesn’t seem to phase me anymore, but my companion is still getting used to it.

This week the weather has been great, except for two rainstorms. We went out to work in the rain and an American lady stopped us.  She was a missionary from another church and she was contacting us to invite us to her congregation! Well, I wasn’t going to let her go without inviting her to our church and explaining about the Book of Mormon. So that’s just what I did and I’m pretty sure I saw little flames shoot up in her eyes at the sound of the Book of Mormon. It was a short conversation! I am so happy to be serving in Paraguay where that isn’t a common occurrence. I have heard it happens quite often in the States. I am just glad I don’t have people attacking my beliefs all day long. Anyhow, I came away with a stronger testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I know that it is the word of God and there is nothing anyone can say or do which would lead me to think otherwise. I have seen too much, traveled too far, and been too blessed, to not believe in it. The Lord has restored the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth today and given us a living Prophet to guide us.

Relief Society and Young Women were combined on Sunday because so few people showed up. The teacher, Mercedes, shared a story and talked about the importance of record keeping. She shared a story of a renowned violinist who had a chance to study at a great school but chose to give up the opportunity and sell his beloved violin to serve a mission. By the end of the story my companion and I were both crying. I thought about how much my mission means to me- how much it has changed me and how it has given me a greater perspective into the Gospel and this world. I thought about how it has taught me to love another people more than I love myself. I thought about how little I have had to sacrifice to serve a mission and how much greater the blessings have been that I have received. I am eternally grateful for all the experiences I have had here.

Earlier today while I was emailing pictures, I sat next to people speaking German. It was pretty weird to hear something that wasn’t Guarani or Spanish. We dropped Lujan and Ruben and Lela and we are now looking for new people to teach. We had a miracle on Sunday- two investigators came even though it was raining! Liz and Julio, who are 15 and 11 and kids of a less-active lady we are working with. Unfortunately, she chose not to come and her son Julio could only come because he didn’t have a soccer tournament due to the rain. I guess that was one good thing about it raining!

One of the highlights of the week was going to our Saturday lunch appointment at a ranch. The forest that surrounded their home was beautiful! We had an awesome lesson where we acted out the 10 commandments (minus the 8th one). It was pretty hilarious and the best act was when one of the boys acted out not praying to graven images- he pretended like he was praying to a thermo of terere/a pitcher of tea.

Anyhow, that’s all!! Love you all! I love that Hermana Young and Sara Crase ran into each other in Provo-small world!

Also, congrats Franklin for successfully finishing your mission- we will have to have a jam session when I get back.  Also, Happy Birthday to my little sister, Jodie!!

Sending my love your way,
Hermana Brittner

Week 66- Che Paraguay...Soy Paraguaya...I am Paraguayan

21 de mayo, 2012

     This week Beatriz was baptized and it was perhaps one of the most spirit-filled events of my mission. It was great! Beatriz is the most ready investigator I have worked with on my entire mission. She easily accepted the Word of Wisdom and the decision she made to quit drinking coffee wasn’t even difficult. She is so great and was definitely chosen. Before she found the gospel she was sick and unhappy with her life. She has done a complete 180 and she kept saying over and over again in her testimony at her baptism, how happy she is, how she knows this is the true church and that the Book of Mormon is true. She is also the only investigator I have ever had who completes all of the reading assignments we give her without a problem. Reading is not a past time here in Paraguay. In fact, many Paraguayans don’t even know how to read. This makes it very difficult to learn in the Gospel.  But Beatriz is super great and reads a ton. I think baptisms are a lot like weddings. A lot of the time the ‘behind the scenes’ stuff seems to be going wrong  and falling apart but the person getting baptism (or the couple) is blissfully unaware because they are so happy about this next step they are about to make in their life. At her baptism we sang the Primary song about baptism and the President of the branch baptized her. Apparently the door that leads to the font was locked and the brethren were thinking of all sorts of ways to hoist our little investigator over the panel of glass and drop her into the font (crazy huh?). Thank goodness that they figured out how to open the door. It was a wonderful service. It puts everything into perspective and makes everything worth it when someone accepts Christ through baptism. Her confirmation was equally wonderful, blessing her with the strength to have a calling and that her three children would be able to experience the blessings of the Gospel as well.

     Yesterday at Church I spoke about temples. It was so easy for me to talk for 10 minutes on a Gospel subject in Spanish that it’s ridiculous. I wish someone would have told me that it would be this easy when I was freaking out at the MTC (Well, I guess lots of people did.) lol

     We have been watching “The District 1” dvds as part of the training program, which are based on the lives of missionaries on the states. They show lessons they have taught and how they work with the ward... Every time I watch it, I laugh at how organized they are in the states!! South America is not like that! The church is pretty new down here, only about 30 years old, and our branch council this week (when we have it) consists of the branch president, the ward mission leader and a hermana who works in the primary along with my companion and I. That was the attendance from the entire branch. The funny part is that I was thrilled we were finally having it and that attendance is actually better than what I have had in other branches. I would just like to say that missionaries in South America have different trials than those working in the states. I appreciate so much the openness and faithfulness of the people here to accept us into their homes. I am sure it’s not like that in the states.

When I think about leaving South America it makes me really sad and even more so when I think about leaving my beloved people of Paraguay. I’ve been talking to Hermana Greer who served in Colorado for a bit before arriving here, and I keep asking myself, “Since when did America become atheist?” A country founded on the very right of religious freedom now cringes at the sound of the word God (unless they are using it in vain). People strive to forget about the very Creator of their souls who has given them everything, our Heavenly Father. I am not trying to be negative. I love America and have never been more proud of the freedoms and advantages we enjoy as Americans, but I have gotten use to a different type of society here which is a society based on the faith of a creator bigger than they are- who they rely on for food, health and happiness. When we ask people if they have faith in Christ, they openly reply, yes! Some people even have a tone of ‘duh, who wouldn’t?’ in their voice. I love the Paraguayan people and their faith, some of it misplaced, but nevertheless, they are believers, young and old. It was something that surprised my companion when she first arrived.

Sara Crase, you are engaged!!!! Wowwww I am so excited for you! Thanks for the last dearelder and I hope to hear more about your engagement!! Pictures please. I am really bummed though, because although I will arrive in the states in mid August, I will have just returned and I will not be able to attend. The good news though is that you will be living in Provo still. So no worries there.


Love you all,
Hermana Brittner

Week 65- A Baptism, Family Home Evening and a Monkey!

“If we spend our days waiting for fabulous roses, we will miss the beauty and wonder of the tiny forget-me-nots that are all around us.” -President Uchtdorf, Nov. 2011

May 14, 2012

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!! It’s people like you who make this world a better place. It was great hearing from my family yesterday, always a treat. Mother’s Day in Paraguay is celebrated tomorrow, not sure why it is different.

This week was very busy. What I am realizing is that it is a blessing to have so many progressing investigators but it’s also a lot of work! My companion keeps asking if things are always like this and of course, I tell her no. We are very blessed right now to be working with so many interested people. It’s tricky because the new missionary training program that missionaries do their first 12 weeks in the field adds an extra 1 1/2 hours of studies into the morning and it really cuts into our proselyting time. We have two investigators that are supposed to be baptized this Friday. We have been praying that everything works out. They are on opposite sides of our area and we are supposed to see them both everyday. My companion started singing, “Over the river and through the woods, to Lujan’s house we go," because it is such a hike over there. Did I mention that my area is very hilly? Every other street is up, down, up, down, so yes, I am getting super fit.

The highlights of the week were the baptism of Kuka, the ward mission leader’s son, a family home evening with Ruben and Lela and petting a monkey. Yes, petting a monkey! Let me explain in order...

Kuka just turned 8 and it was really cool to see a dad baptizing his son. It’s not terribly common here to see a worthy, active Priesthood holder baptizing his son and there was a great spirit there. Four of our investigators came- Ruben and Lela and a new couple we are working with- Fernando and Maria. The event was of course chaotic for me, as we lacked another witness for the baptism and the baptismal clothes were a disaster and we started 45 minutes late. I should really be used to this by now but all is well that ends well, right? Kuka is now a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We had Family Home Evening with Ruben and Lela, the young couple we have been working with. We watched the 1980´s church movie, “Families Can Be Together Forever,” which I really like, regardless of how cheesy it is. The Spirit was strong, as we all shared our testimonies. Ruben and Lela have become regulars in Sacrament Meeting but for some reason still aren’t ready to be baptized. Keep them in your prayers.

Here’s the monkey story, definitely a highlight! We found this awesome new investigator named Carlos who wants to change his life for his kids and has already read a ton of the Book of Mormon. His family has a pet monkey named Moni.  I petted Moni and then it was Hermana Greer’s turn. Moni immediately attached himself to her arm and started bearing his teeth as if he was about to bite her. Yes, it was frightening, but according to Carlos he is very nice to people he knows. Moni also has a pet chicken which he has raised and treats like a daughter. Yes, a monkey with a pet chicken, only in Paraguay! Also, Moni eats mandioca and bread, not your typical monkey food!

Other highlights of my week include teaching the Plan of Salvation to the primary kids because their teacher didn’t show up. I just love the kids here! Another highlight was watching how my new companion reacted to her first crowded, colectivo/bus ride. It doesn’t bother or surprise me anymore because I am use to it, but I have to admit that they are quite unusual. First of all, after district meeting in Caacupe, we have to wait from 15 minutes to an hour for the bus to pick us up to take us back to our area. When we get on there is absolutely no breathing space at all. All the seats are filled and people are crammed in the aisle. There are at least 5 people touching you, as you are all squashed in between each other in this tiny colectivo. The worst part is when new people get on and try to jam in, or people have to get off and push through the huge crowd of people to the exit. It’s quite an entertaining experience.

Well, love you all! Keep the faith!
Hermana Brittner

Week 64- Life is great in Piribebuy!

“And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.” Ether 12:18- The Book of Mormon

Hello, My Dear Family and Friends:

This was a great week, a busy week, and a stressful week. We saw a lot of miracles here in this little town and the weather has been absolutely perfect. Things have been pretty crazy training and whitewashing at the same time. My ‘daughter’/new missionary and companion, Hermana Greer, already speaks pretty good Spanish and has absolutely no fear of talking with people.  She will yell at people across the street in order to stop them and talk to them about our message (she said she had to do that in Colorado because if you didn’t, people wouldn’t talk with you).She had a bit of a hard time adjusting from teaching the American way, the more analytical way of thinking, to what the Paraguayans need, simpler and more focused on how you feel about things. She is also obsessed with fruit trees- there are tons in our area and all in season. She talks about them a lot and dreams about them. It’s very entertaining. We have a huge mango tree in front of our chapel and our new house has a mandarin tree, grapefruit and banana tree in the backyard.

Speaking of our new house, we finally moved out of the house the elders had previously lived in. It’s such a breath of fresh air to have space to be organized and have everything clean. Our house is complete with a backyard and attic- pretty chuchi! We are very happy and very blessed to be there. Thanks to President Valazquez and his family and our Ward mission leader and his family, we moved in without a problem (I have now seen a table being thrown over a banister to get it down from the second floor). The branch members here are great and always willing to help us. I feel very blessed to be here. 

We have some really awesome investigators right now!! Lujan, who is 13 years old, is getting baptized on Saturday. She prayed and received an answer that the Book of Mormon is true! How cool is it that the God of the entire universe listens and answers our prayers? Beatriz, who is a sweet lady, is progressing well. We taught her about Sabbath day observance and she told us that she is not going to go grocery shopping on Sundays ever again, even though it’s what she has been doing her whole life. We also taught her about the Word of Wisdom and although she has had coffee her whole life she is giving it up cold turkey. She said she falls asleep at night dreaming about her baptism. She reads the Book of Mormon like crazy. When she had a doubt about there being only one true church, we assigned her 2 Nephi 28 in the Book of Mormon to read and she said she found her answer in there.Ruben and Beatriz are a young married couple we are working with and they came to church again!! He has a lot of doubts about the Word of Wisdom and he doesn’t want to get baptized a second time ( he was previously baptized in another church) because he believes it’s a sin to be baptized twice, but they also prayed and know that this church is true. We still have some work to do with them, but I have a feeling they will be getting baptized soon! 

We had zone conference this week and it was really focused on talking with everyone and doing our contacts. The AP’s are really funny so during the whole meeting we laughed constantly. Lots of my friends and old companions were there, including Hermana Pingel, Hermana deVries and Hermana Van Dusen. It was so great to see everyone. I found out that Leonardo was baptized in Villa Hayes last Saturday and I am so excited for him! After, we went to the temple and it was a great experience, as always. The whole session was in Spanish and so my daughter/new companion had to listen to it in Spanish in her second week in the country. Yep, she is guapa. 

I feel very well taken care of in our new house and with so many lunch appointments. The food here is so good! And let’s be honest, in my book, an area is only as good as the lunch appointments. haha Also I am still living the good life with my two packages from Mom and Katrina and Lyndon. They are like the gift that just keeps giving :) and filling my stomach.

I am so busy, focused, and a little stressed with all the work that has been going on that I don’t have time to think about anything else. I love it here and I feel like I’ve really found my niche in Piribebuy with my mission daughter. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for this time in my life to grow and learn and help others do the same. I thank Him everyday for this opportunity to serve Him. It has been and will continue to be, one of the greatest adventures of my life. 

Love you all,

Hermana Brittner

PS. Kristen Hoopes, you are going on a mission!!!?  Wow, I am so happy and excited for you :) And thanks Alicia, for the letter and I’ll write you back soon!