Just for being here.

There are a lot of things on my mission that haven't gone the way I thought they would. Right now I'm deffinatley not in the place that I thought I would be and I'm not speaking the way that I thought I would speak. There were lots of changes and lots of things that have been just confusing. But then I think to myself, since when was anything in my life ever "normal?" ...Why should it start now?

One night a couple of weeks ago I was walking with my companion to the bus stop. It was about 9pm and we were going home. We were talking about one thing or another and there was a woman sitting at the stop. We started talking about whatever we were talking about with her. She was very nice and turned very interested in what we do a missionaries. My companion turned to her and continued on talking and talking, when another young woman with her young son -about 2 years old- sat down on the other side of me. The first thing I notisted was the rocking boots she was wearing. It wasn't THAT cold out that night but none the less nice boots were on my mind. We talked to here a little bit as well and I could see that see was also interested in what we do. We didn't get to talk to her very much because the bus came at that momnet and in the mist of it all, we got separated. I felt bad that we didn't get her information. A week later I was sitting on the bus when a young woman came over and sat by me. I looked done and what did I see? Those rocking Boots! It was her! I started talking to her and she said that she was really sad that she hadn't given us her information and invited us over to visit her. We rectifided that misdeed and planned a day to visit. A few days later we showed up at her door. She looked out and when she saw us she smiled a big smile.We taught her about the Plan of Salvation and invited her to be baptised in 40 days. (she had to get married first) She was so wonderful. She started talking about how when she saw us that night it was like we had this brilliance about us and she said "and you, I didn't know where you were from and I knew that you weren't from here but still... you looked Brazilian... I don't know how to explain it, but you did."  I thanked her and felt kind of good about myself.

A week later we returned but things were a rush. She was moving. There were a lot of things that she needed to change in her life for her safty and that of her son. She was only 21 but seemed much older because of the trials that she had had in her life. She was very lonely and sad. She said that she realized after we had come over that she needed to make changes in her life. She shared her story and we all cried. We gave her a Book of Mormon and got here new address to send to the other missionaries in that state. She hugged each of us and she said never forget me because I will never forget you.

Sometimes we think that for someone to remember you you have to do something great and memorable. How would I do that? Well sometimes I sang. Was that why she would remember me? -Well, the day we were there I was sick and could barley talk much less sing. No, that wasn't why. Did I say something that was so deep and powerful that it left everyone in awe? -yeah... no. I'm glad when people ask me the same questions because I've had practice answering those. -makes me sound a little bit like I belong.

So, why?

 She'll litteraly remember me just because I was there. I was there serving a mission and doing what I knew how to do. It was a time in her life when God was trying to help her realize that she needed to change. -What we knew how to do was what she needed. This time really has nothing to do with us the missionaries, or anything that I do, but instead has everything to do with the fact that we are here... doing what we know how to do.

We do our best and He fills in the rest- just because we are here.
It's quite humbling.

I got the call that I will be transfered this week to a little town about 15 min away. --I could've gone anywhere in the whole state to finish my mission. but I'll end up staying in the same stake.

Area: Piçarras (pi-saw-haus)

I will go. I will do.

Tchau!
-Chelsea

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