Wednesday, May 29, 2013

We received Sierra's first letter yesterday:

Dear parents and Family and Friends,
Life here is amazing! So much has happened. After I was all set up at the MTC, I met my companions. Yes, I have 2 companions. There are only 5 girls in our district. I know both of my companions from EFY and Facebook.
The class we went into was only spoken in Portuguese!
Dinner was pretty good. Chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy on both, and veggies.
We get $8.00 a week on our ID card. It rolls over if we don't use it.
We then had classes with a class size of missionaries, and 1 investigator. I felt sorry for one woman, everyone kept making her so confused, so I took the mic and helped explain things for her. The Holy Ghost really helped me!
Afterwords, we met our zone leaders.
Not allowed: high fever, huge first pimple, 2 pump hand shake, gum, sunglasses
Allowed: casual handshake
We all got to bed by 10:15 and woke up at 6:30. Not too bad. Breakfast wasn't great.
Workshop was nice. LOVE the spirit!
Glad I have all my shot records. Sister Morrill had to get the yellow fever today.
I feel like I'm starting to learn Portugues! I can somewhat say a prayer in portugues now (using my notes) :)
I think PDAYS are on Thursday's in the MTC
How's life at home? Love and miss you all!
Sister Thomas
Tchau!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

One week before Sierra was to leave for the MTC in Brazil, we heard that her visa didn't come through, so she would be going to the Provo MTC. We were all disappointed at first, but I got to go with her and stay with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas and visit some aunts and uncles. It was also very exciting (and sad) to be able to drop her off at them MTC. What an amazing place! Since we were visiting family and friends, Sierra didn't want to be set apart until the day she was to go to the MTC. Early that morning, we got to meet the President of the MTC who set her apart, before we took her back later in the day to stay. It was a beautiful blessing. I know she will be a great missionary!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

How It All Began

Hey Everyone! So I thought I might as well start updating the blog. I have gotten many shirts, blouses, jackets and skirts. Yet many of my skirts need to be hemmed, so that's what my mom and I are about to go do! It is a rainy day here in Jacksonville, Florida. And I have 18 days, 21 hours, and 43 minutes before I leave for Sao Paulo Brazil!!!

For those of you who are wondering what this mission adventure is...let me go back to the beginning for ya.
My name is Sierra Thomas. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...AKA...Mormon. Many people call me Repunzel because I have never cut my hair and it's pretty long. Sister Missionaries used to only be able to start serving a mission at the age of 21, and Elders at the age of 19. I had been praying for so long that I'd be able to serve a mission sooner rather than later. I didn't want to go to College, and have a guy get down on one knee before I got to serve! In the October 2012 General Conference, they announced that the new age for the young men was 19 and the girls to 19! As soon as I heard this, I ran to the phone and called my bishop. "Hello?" "Hi, is Bishop Reading there?" "This is him." "HI! Did you see the new General Conference?" "Yes." "Did you see the part about the missionaries?!" "Yes." "When can I set up an appointment?!" After chuckling he told me to call his secretary and set up an appointment, and they'd help me get the ball rolling. I was so excited I could barely contain it. Heavenly Father truly answered my prayers that day. Not only did it answer my prayers, but it showed that God was speeding his work up. All my plans got turned around since then. Instead of heading out west to BYU-Idaho in January, I turned in all my papers for my mission. In December of 2012, I got my mission call to Sao Paulo Brazil. (If you would like to watch my mission call opening, just click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxxbnjompBE) My report day to the Brazil CTM (another version of the MTC) May 22nd, but will be leaving Florida May 21st. As I wrote above, I have gotten most everything I need, including very comfortable shoes with some inserts (since it's a walking mission) and tons of goodies. There's even a page on facebook in which I have been able to contact other members who are serving in my mission!

Today is Thursday, May 2, 2013 and I will be keeping this blog updated through my mom during the 18 months I have on my Brazilian Mission Adventure!
Future Sister Missionary,
Logging Out.