(Elder Mackrory)
¡Hola muy buenas a todos guapisimos! ¿Como están?
Don't worry about the Spanish, we'll get there. This week
was nuts. We'll start as we always do: 18 fuscas, total: 717.
On pday, we pretty much just chilled. We went to the store
and got our things, but that's pretty much it. At 6, when pday ended, we had
our usual mission-wide zoom meeting. I don't remember if we did any of the
usual things like review some standards or do a kahoot. President dropped some
crazy news on us. Our mission boundaries are changing! We are opening 6 new
areas in an new zone. This new zone actually covers where Elder Tacuche and I
went for his eye appointment. So we went to the new zone before it was cool.
Actually I've been there multiple times before because when we went to the
temple with Sheila and Camila, we got off the train in Bonsucesso to catch a
bus. But anyways, president said that the missionaries who were there (Rio
South mission) had already been taken out, and so were not getting new
missionaries. President would arrange an emergency transfer of 6 companionships
to go fill those areas. Crazy. This is where the crazy starts.
Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty normal days. Elder Reis
and I got a call Wednesday afternoon asking if I could be the pianist for zone
conference on Friday. Great job giving me enough notice to practice. Jk I'm
used to it. They asked me if I had sheet music for the EFY medley with “we'll
bring the world his truth” and “as sisters in Zion''. I didn't, but luckily
Elder Patterson hooked me up. Thanks bro. Turns out it's not difficult sheet
music, it's just loooooong. We didn't have a printer, so we sent a message to
president since we were going to see him the next morning for interviews. 10
minutes later we get a call from him to answer my question. First question he
asks: “Does this sheet music have copyright?”. Oops maybe it does. Yeah it
does. Saved by the bell. Now I don't have to learn 9 pages of sheet music in 36
hours. But I'm a little confused now. Why would president call just to ask that
question? As my mind tried to find a reason, president answered. He said,
“while I have you here…”. And proceeded to call Elder Reis to the new zone. So
I asked him, “so what's the name of our new area?”. And he says, “oh, no, Elder
Mackrory, you're going to stay here in Búzios”. Oh. Ok. Wait a second. “Who's
gonna be my new comp?” I asked. “You will be with Elder Flores, covering the
areas of Búzios 1 and Búzios 2.” Woah. “So then Elder Petersen Is out of here
too?” “Yep. Elder Reis and Petersen will be companions in their new area. In
fact, I was just about to call them”. “Alright then. Thanks president!”. Then
the phone call ended and we're speedwalking home so we can see the live
reactions of the others. We walk in during the phone call and Elder Petersen is
jaw to the floor speechless. I got a good photo. So yeah.
So basically Thursday was spent packing bags and giving me
the rundown of the area. Looks like it's gonna be fun! In the morning though,
we went down to Cabo Frio to have our interviews with the president. We also
did our district council that day to minimize travel. Super fun! The sisters
who did the training made little cards to remind us all of that they taught.
Then we got all our stuff that we ordered (box of copies of the Book of Mormon,
pamphlets, and my package). I got some pretty cool snacks and treats including
a soda I haven't had in 11 months(ish). Man, I love Dr. Pepper. And my mom.
Unfortunately with all the packing, I wasn't able to take any time to practice
for zone Conference.
Friday was zone conference! We took an uber because we
traveled with all the bags. We had a great time learning and socializing. After
it all, we went home, and Elder Petersen and Reis left after saying goodbye. So
that leaves Elder Flores and I. For my area, we didn't have anything marked,
but we did have something in his area with an inactive family. We visited them
and it turns out they're from Venezuela. And they don't speak Portuguese. So I
had my first lesson in Spanish! I think it went pretty well. Obviously Elder
Flores led the lesson and I staggered pretty often, but I didn't speak any
portuñol apparently. I was able to give a simple testimony and speak about
simple principles. Pretty neat and spiritually uplifting experience.
For those not familiar with the term, portuñol refers to the
way of speaking for people learning Portuguese from Spanish or Spanish from Portuguese.
Because the languages are so similar, speakers often just speak their own
language and substitute in the words they have already learned. It gets really
confusing to understand. So I’m really glad that I was able to avoid that!
On Saturday, we had lunch with an old Hispanic couple. They
made sopapilla (Is that how you write it?) And spaghetti and chicken and
beetroot salad. The couple invited a neighbor to have lunch with us. The whole
time the Old sister is walking around lecturing us about everything wrong with Brazilian
culture and how Venezuelan culture is so much better. She's doing all this is Spanish.
It was really runny. When she wasn't lecturing, she was shoving food onto my
plate faster than I could eat it. I don't know what happened or how it
happened, but apparently the sister was able to get her neighbor to commit to
living the Word of Wisdom. So that's great. So we gave our lunch message and
shared a little bit about the Book of Mórmon and she's interested in learning
more! So I echo my good friend in Chile by saying I love sassy, ornery, and
opinionated old Hispanic ladies. It's a party.
Other than that, not much happened. Was a pretty chill week
I would say haha.
SummaRio:
18 fuscas, 717 total
Our mission opened up a new zone with 6 new areas.
Copyright laws saved me from having to sightread 9 pages of
sheet music
My comp was transferred
My new comp's comp was transferred
We're taking care of two areas now
We taught a lesson in Spanish
We got a pretty cool reference from a sassy old Hispanic
lady who made us lunch
Tender mercy: we are always busy. As missionaries, there's
almost always too much to do. This makes it difficult to stay on schedule. But
this week we have made a point of being exactly obedient to the mission
guidelines to help us handle all the work. And we have not been late to any
appointment. We almost always arrive exactly on time. To the minute. Despite
what Google maps said, despite the rush hour traffic, despite everything, the
Lord has prepared a way for His servants to accomplish the thing which He has
commanded. And I'm so grateful for it.
Spiritual thought: related to the tender mercy:
1 Nephi 3:7
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I
will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the
Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a
way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanded them.
There is nothing the Lord has commanded which is impossible
for us. Even the commandment “be ye therefore perfect” is possible. Why?
Because without the Holy Ghost, without access to the atonement, nothing is
impossible. We would keep falling into further and further sin and ruin. The
simplest commandment cannot be fulfilled without help from The Savior. And so,
as follows, the most difficult commandment requires the same saving influence.
The only difference is time. We will be made perfect one day. Just remember
sometimes It takes a while, but that the Lord always prepares a way for His
earnest followers.
1. Van windows are funny
2. New comp!!!
3. Flowers
4. What kind of doctor was doctor pepper? A fizzician
5. Elder Petersen’s live reaction
6. Burned myself making popcorn
7. 50 cents for a giant doughnut isn't bad
8. Xila lost two legs???? How????
9. Rebeca eating dinner
10. District council
11. Elders choir
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