Three months in the mission and I still can’t make rice!

Sister Jones and Sister Conrad

OLÀ!!!!!!!!

This week was good!! Still use the map A LOT but we have been able to find all the addresses we need and some days I don’t even need the map to find an address so yes progress!!! But other days we look like tourists as 2 Americans wonder around the city looking at every street sign HAHA but é vida. ~

But this week was good! We had TWO meals this week, which doesn’t happen often, and they were both so good so it was a great week. . People here eat A LOT its really funny. We get a lot of Brazilian food which is literally just rice beans and meat but some how the way they make it is SO GOOD!!! I think after my mission I need to move to Brazil because the food there is literally incredible. 

Also it’s really good that we had meals because I Sister Conrad and I are literally a joke in the kitchen. So like I mentioned last week we tried rice and literally failed so hard. So we literally dedicated our hour of almoço to making rice 4 different days this week and still failed. But don’t worry we asked an investigator what we are doing wrong and I think we learned. SO this week we are going to buy more and we are going to make rice and it will be amazing. HAHAHA yea our lives may be a tad pathetic but its okay. When I return home I will now how to make rice!! Just wait. ~

Also this week we realized we have close to no investigators that are progressing in Mafra. It’s no secret that Mafra is the hardest area in the mission. I tried really hard not to believe that but its true. The people here are not the most receptive and so we will give a few lessons but not many to people before they drop us or we have to drop them because they aren’t keeping commitments. That’s the hardest because there are people I LOVE that just won’t do anything so we can’t waste our time on them but its really hard to accept that at times. 

We have some in other areas that have much more potential so we decided we need to buy bus passes so we can visit these people more often. But bus passes in Mafra are SO expensive so we will probably be starving by the end of the month but tudo bem because I am so excited about the fact that we can visit anyone any day we want!! Its so freeing and I think it will help our work a lot!! YEA!!

Also this week we basically decided that we need to dedicate a lot of time to inactive members in the branch. We only have 2 fully active members in Mafra and then 1 in a city fairly close. But we have literally so so so many inactive members. It’s hard because a lot of them have been offended by people in the church, but still have a testimony. But we are trying to visit them a lot more and are really focusing on bringing the spirit back to their home. AND THEN YESTERDAY at church LUCAS and ALICE came to church!! For Alice it was her first time in over a year!!!! When she walked in I was shocked because Sister Santos and I worked with her every week for 6 weeks and saw no progress but but AHH!! and the Lucas came too! He is 19 and has a really strong testimony but the only member in his family and he’s just kinda lazy so it’s hard for him to wake up in time. But he is awesome and we are focusing on helping him be prepared for the priesthood. But I already have such a love for all the menos activos and really want to help them so I am excited and ready to really try to reactivate them!! 

Also this week has been a week of cão (dog). Which is a huge bummer because bother Sister Conrad and I HATE dogs so it’s the worst. Literally every time we see a dog in the street we freak out a little bit and I swear every person we teach has a dog it’s the WORST! Also really funny when 2 young adults are screaming in the street because a dog keeps coming up to them. We are way to similar its actually a problem hahaha

A few answers to questions Mom asked:

I don’t get as many emails as much but I still get a lot more than I expected. A lot are the same people every week but sometimes other people surprise me and so it’s really nice. 

I already miss the temple so much so I know in a few more months I will miss it so much. Already can’t wait to go when I return. 

Also okay I was thinking about things for Christmas I want pictures!! Literally so many of anything! Funny family pictures selfies literally any pictures that are old or recent. Pictures are gold here and I regret not bringing that many so much!! Also idk if you guys know how to do this but videos on a flashdrive. Like The Best 2 Years or good Disney movies on a flashdrive so we can watch on Pday. You will probably have to ask people how to do that and if you cant figure it out its totally fine. Also last thing is I want things that are sentimental and maybe cheesy?? I know that’s lame but Christmas here will be so different than at home so I want things that will remind me of home and notes and cards from you guys are great always. Okay I know that’s a lot so I don’t need all of that haha I feel greedy right now 

  

BUT YEA! That was my week. Nothing too exciting to report on. Its hard out here in Mafra but we try everyday to work harder and be better and try to find the people that the Lord has prepared for us. 

Happy Dios de Bruxes!

Olá!!! Happy Halloween!!

Crazy that it is already Halloween!! Also crazy that 2 years ago today I got back surgery to fix my broken back! Now here I am 2 years later in a foreign country walking A LOT everyday. Miracles are so COOL!!!!

But this week was CRAZY! Basically a week of autocarros and traveling haha

On Monday after my colega left me (sounds a tad dramatic but its true) I stayed with the sisters in Benfica (Lisboa) for the night and went and taught with them. IT was pouring like CRAZY but it was also really cool to see how other people teach and I feel like I learned so much. And the people we taught were so nice I already love them and I don’t even know them! 

Then on Tuesday we went to Seite Rios to find my new companion. Her name is SIter Conrad and she is SO CUTE and SO COOL! I already love her and she is a great teather. She is from Utah and has almost 1 year here. She is the exact same age as Mackenzie with the same birthday and everything!  I am learning a lot.   She is such a powerful teacher and a great missionary and I am learning so much from her. This transfer will be so good. We are also a lot alike in a lot of ways, like apparently neither of us know how to make rice, and us grocery shopping together is a little pathetic also HAHAHA pray for us please! 

Navigating Mafra is really really hard but we have a map and so I study that a lot. We had a lot of traveling this week so we didn’t have too much time in Mafra so this week we will definitely work hard here!! 

Then on Wednesday we had to return to Lisboa for Counsel de Missão because Sister Conrad is a STL. It was really cool and I feel like I learned a lot but also felt really out of place because I don’t know anything about being a missionary haha

Then on Friday we went to Cascais, sister Conrad’s old area, because she had a baptism. It was really special to watch the baptism and see how happy he was. But we had to take 2 busses to get there and one was like an hour long and the road was SO WINDY- like Ortega and the bus was just flying around these turns. I was pretty close to losing my lunch, and my dignity, but it all turned out okay. 

Then yesterday we went to Mem Martins for the primary program. The spirit there was so sweet and their ward is HUGE! I am so used to our 7-10 people every week so I was so blown away when they had like 70 people it was crazy!! Then after we ate at Enivaldos and Andreas house. Love them so much and their food is always SO good!! 

But yea this week we did a lot of traveling- and also a lot of prayers. Trying to lead an area when I only have 6 weeks of experience in Mafra, and Portugal in general is REALLY difficult. But Sister Conrad is awesome and I am so excited for this transfer!! We already have "Soarin flyin" from high School Musical as our ringtone and we listen to Musica de Natal every morning so of course we get along really great. I do exercises everyday but a lot is just stretching or jumping jacks or yoga poses because really early in the morning, haha

Also I have started to dream in Portuguese recently and sometimes I can speak without thinking before hand its so crazy!! But I still have a ton I need to learn but its cool to see my progress every once in awhile. 

Have a great week and an awesome Halloween!!! (kind of jealous because they don’t celebrate here) . We saw a few people in costumes today but its not really a thing like America and they don’t have trick or treating. Kind of sad. But its fine its not like we could celebrate it anyway haha 

SIster Jonesy 

Sister Santos and Sister Jones

European Chocolate is a major weakness!

Sister Conrad and Sister Jones with Halloween decorations from Grandpa and Grandma Wright

Zone Conference 2016

Everyone needs to talk like sloths here and my life would be so much easier!

Ola’ friends and family!!

Wow this week was awesome! Not gonna lie it had some real lows but also had some real highs at the same time so it is all good over here in Portugal!!!

We had transfer calls last night and I am getting a new companion!! Sister Santos is going to the Azores so I am staying in Mafra and my new colega is SIster Conrad. She is an American but we won’t speak English ever hahahha I hope. I am staying with the Lisbon sisters tonight and then get my new comp tomorrow.  I am so scared to lead Mafra because while I know my way around I don’t know streets so when people tell me where they live I have so idea. We are definitely going to have to be using a map. 

Last Monday for P day we had Pday for our zone and we watched Zootopia and I literally only understood the sloths it was so funny. Everyone needs to talk like sloths here and my life would be so much easier. But an elder that has like 9 months on his mission said he didn’t understand much either so its all good hahaha I felt a lot better!

THIS WEEK I SHARED THE GOSPEL WITH SHEEP! We were in an area we had never been in before and we were having like no success and I saw sheep and I was like wait we have to go over there. So I went over there and at the top of my lungs I was like "BAAAHHHHH" And they all looked up and then came running in my direction. Luckily there was a fence so I was safe hahaha and then we talked for like a solid 5 minutes and they were the most receptive thing people we talked to all day. I don’t think we will baptize any of them, but it lifted our spirits and helped us keep going that day. I also learned that I can speak 3 languages (English, Portuguese (kinda), and sheep).

We had 2 investigators in church yesterday and one is marked for baptisms so this transfer will bring MILAGRES I know it!!!!!! 

Okay I am sorry but because of transfers we are in Lisboa agora so I don’t have anytime or any pictures this week but I have so much I want to share so next week for sure!!!! 

Love you guys and love this country and love this Gospel and love working hard!!!

Introducing the newest BYU Cougar!!

Madalyn spent the past year at BYU Idaho and had the best college experience! She loved her time there...the people, the scenery, the campus, the teachers and all the opportunities that the Idaho campus offers!  It truly is an consecrated University.  However she had this feeling that post mission she was suppose to be in Provo.  So she went on a limb and applied for BYU Provo campus and turned in all her paperwork and essays the week before she left on her mission.  We got notice on Friday night (actually I checked it on Saturday morning) that she was accepted into BYU Provo!  When I opened the admissions decision it took my breath away.  As a mom I had mixed emotions....I also LOVE BYUI, but I know that Madalyn felt she needed to be in Provo.  She does not know why, but she is following the prompting and will attend BYU Provo after her mission.

I emailed her acceptance letter to her and she opened it today.  Here is her response:

"I cannot believe I have been admitted to BYU! I am wearing a BYU sweatshirt right now so its perfect!!!! ahhhh okay dont really know how I feel because I LOVE REXBURG! But I think Provo is the right place for sure. "

She also has the same mixed emotions!  As a mom I am proud of her obedience to follow her feelings.  This will stretch her socially and educationally, but I know that this is where she is suppose to be and am happy for her!  Now to figure the whole Provo housing/classes thing out!  Maybe I will finally go to a football game in Lavell Stadium with my cougar daughter!
 

UM MEZ EM MAFRA!!!

Ola Família e Amigos!!!~

 This week I realized I have been in Portugal for ONE MONTH!!! Time literally flew by so fast it’s so crazy!! It’s the last week on our transfer this week, which is just so crazy to me!!!

This week we had zone conference on Tuesday and it was SOOOO fun!! We combined with another zone so there where 3 people from my district from the MTC there! It was so fun to so them and we already know so much more Portuguese! They were so blown away that I never speak any English. The elders live together and one of their companions speaks English so they always speak English and I was like wait no we NEVER speak English. But it’s good. I am so glad I have a Brazilian collega because I am learning so quickly!!! 

But it was really weird speaking English with a few people during conference because I was like “no we have to speak Portuguese”!!!!! Its one of our mission rules to never speak English even if we can and I know I will learn so much quicker if we are obedient!! 

Then after conferencia we had divisions in Mem Martins!! We had to travel for like 3 hours to get to Mem Martins from zone conference so we wouldn’t really do much Tuesday night but Wednesday it was me and Sister Carr. Sister Carr arrived 6 weeks before me so it was 2 "trainees" together. It actually boosted my confidence a bunch because when I don’t have anyone to rely on I can speak a lot more than I think I can. So it was so good and it was also pouring rain so I think people took pity on us and talked to us. hahaha

At Zone conference I learned that Mafra is the only area in the whole mission that hasn’t had a baptism for a whole year. It is also the smallest group (or branch) in the mission. I would compare Mafra to Ladera in size and we cover a huge area but it’s really far from the church so we don’t really have any investigators there.  We visit people but they aren’t progressing so its really frustrating.  Also we haven’t had any new investigators in 2 weeks and don’t have many people to teach.  The mission president was like "You are really getting a European mission experience in Mafra" and I didn’t realize what he meant until I was in Mem Martins. People there are SO much more receptive its CRAZY I was like wow they will actually talk to us??? Haha I love Mafra SO much but I am glad not every area is like Mafra. But we still try hard every day to find new people to teach!!!! 

My companion has already been here for 3 transfers so she is pretty sick of the area and doesn’t really feel motivated to work. Its really hard trying to work hard when she is always making excuses for why we can’t do things. Its hard also because I don’t really know how to find new people to teach because I don’t have any experience really and don’t know how it works here. I don’t really know what to do about it but I just want people to teach!!!! It’s the last week of the transfer and she thinks she is going to get transferred but I think she will stay. It’s really rare to transfer in the middle of training. While I don’t want to lead, I want someone excited about our area and ready to work too so I don’t really know what will happen. 

Our monthly allowance is 180 a month (so like 200 US dollars) for food and the 70 or 80 for transportation. I don’t remember exactly. We normally end us spending a little more for transport but last month it was fine. I think this month it will last all month too. But it really just depends on the area. Transport is really expensive here but we have enough for most of our things. We don’t really eat out that much. Just at bakeries so it’s pretty cheap. 

To answer my mom: yes I still say “like” hahaha but also “tipo” is how you say “like” in Portuguese so I just use both now hahaha!

Yesterday we went to Seixal (another city in our area) and it was rainy but it was so pretty there! It’s like tropical and SO green! Like Hawaii but not as nice and it wasn’t warm either. But we literally had to hike to get to places in dirt roads in church shoes it was so funny. Also any sister who is going to be serving a walking mission PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE buy Cole Hahn Oxfords with the Nike bottoms. They are literally saving my life! I love them SOOO much they make walking on cobble stone streets all day enjoyable!! (This is not a sponsored email) But it was SO pretty and so different from Mafra ahh I love Portugal!!!!

Also Huge shout out to the Sheppard for dropping off a package at the mission home! Literally love the American candy and can’t wait to make those brownies!! Means so so much!! 

Also shout out to my grandparents for all the Halloween decorations! We are going to have a FESTA!!!! Hahaha

Love Mackenzie’s hair so much it looks so good!! I want to chop mine so bad because its at such an awkward length right now and with the foggy mornings and nights it always looks so not done. hahah but  tudo bem short hair is a lot more work!! 

Okay sorry this week was actually not that exciting!!! But we are in Mem Martins agora for P day de zona!!!! Going to be SO FUN!!!

Okay love all of you so much!

Zone Conference October 2016