This weekend I was reunited with my first companion and trainer, Sister Gomes! Her family was visiting the temple for the holiday weekend from Fortaleza and I'm so glad we were able to meet up! The best part was the fact that when we were companions my Portuguese wasn't so great so there was a bit of a gap in our friendship in that area. This time around it was so great to be able to talk talk talk and remember all our great mission days! :) I remember those first days together and we were like "Of Mice and Men". She was smart little George and I was big Lenny just following her around. I couldn't speak that great and I was going through major culture shock in our poor little area! She was so patient with me and we really had some great times juntas. She is married and has a beautiful little boy- it was fun to be moms together this time around. A whole other mission! :)
Missao Rio de Janeiro- Resende 2003
Mission Highlights with Sister Gomes: I remember during a visit to a members house their small dog peed all over my skirt in my lap and I couldn't really say anything. I just went up to the bathroom and washed up and later told her the story at home with my dictionary in hand! :) I haven't been fond of dogs in my lap ever since!
Making our "bolo azul" for baptisms! Walking the dirt roads of Porto Real and teaching every person we could in that little town. I remember we taught in the most random places and during the most random times. I remember sitting on buckets once teaching the discussion while a lady was chopping off fish heads in her sink! ha! But we definitely had some spiritual experiences together like being a part of the conversions of Dionisia and Sergio and Tatiane to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We went to Rio on our P-day and it was my first experience seeing the Corcovado and Pao de Acucar and I cried at how amazing it was. To see it after all my Dad had talked about it was really special and to be on my mission there. I remember she teased me a ton about crying how "beautiful" Rio was. :)
