This week we had splits and it was an adventure. First, our sister leaders are in Cachoeira do Sul, a city that is a 3 hour bus ride from us. Where I'm at, things are really spread out and it's lots of tiny cities in the middle of nowhere. But it's really green and pretty. So on Wednesday night, we took a bus at 7pm to their area. We got there at about 10:30pm. We were hungry so we made Brazilian pancakes and a cake (because they had a cake mix so we wanted to use it). We studied in the morning and Sister Feliz made healthy french toast (whole wheat bread and without cinnamon because we didn't have any) and we studied the scriptures at a round table while enjoying our breakfast. It was so wholesome and I felt like I was in a book club. And I realized the power that we have, 4 young people dedicating their lives to serve their Savior and learn more about Him every day. We saw lots of miracles that day in splits. At night, we talked about why we came on the mission and it was super special. I'm here because I want to share the joy I have with others and because I know that there are so many people who don't have the knowledge we have about our Heavenly Father's plan. I'm grateful that I know that we have a Savior who died for our sins, our pains, and our difficulties and that because of Him, we will live after we die and we have the chance of returning to live with our Father in Heaven. Because of Him, we can have hope even in the most difficult of circumstances. Because of Him, even though we're imperfect, one day we can be whole.

Love you all,
Sister Dobbs

Sister Felix and Pena

His Love and His Timing

This week was great! For Valentine's Day (which by the way, they celebrate in June here), we made cookies again and now Sister López is a pro and she'll bring my mommy's recipe back to Colombia. In exchange for teaching her how to make cookies, she taught me how to dance.

We found this sign on a random light post and it says: The Bible says we didn't bring anything with us to this world and we can't take anything with us, so seek God and read the Bible. Brasil é muito crente.

A Venezuelan Family, Ender and Yesnia, had us over last night and made arepas. 

#selfiesunday (idk if people even still say that but I'm in the mission bubble so I wouldn't know

This is xis. It's basically a flattened burger but with a fried egg, lots of mayonnaise, corn and peas. And it's yummy. 

Our church is so pretty!! (E é verdadeira, também)

I love the mission. It humbles me every day. I often want things to happen in MY timing, but I'm learning to trust in HIS timing. Trials teach us patience and other Christlike attributes.  The mission makes me realize how blessed I am to have the gospel in my life. I know that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior and He died for us, even knowing that most people wouldn't accept His sacrifice. He will forgive us as many times as we sincerely repent. And I'm so grateful for that.

This week, make a goal to draw closer to your Savior, in some small way, and thank Him for what He did for you. Then, go and share the Savior's love with someone else. Send someone a text about what you learned or felt at church on Sunday, talk to a stranger in the grocery store or at the bus stop about the gospel. Share this message of love with others. It's almost like we're being selfish if we don't.

I love you all!
Sister Dobbs

Welcome to Brazil: We Have Really Big Lizards

While people are sending me pictures of snow, it's 40 degrees Celcius here (with humidity), which is over 100 and we're dying. I am tanner than I've ever been in my life. When we teach people, we just sit outside and I try to focus on feeling the spirit and not on the mosquitoes biting my legs or the sweat dripping down my back. I miss air conditioning! It's rare here. People usually just sit outside where it's *slightly* better or use fans. But, it's a good time. There's nowhere I'd rather be.

We were walking through centro and I passed a house and saw something in the corner of my eye. It was this huge lizard climbing into his hole. I was shocked. I've only seen things like that in the zoo. I thought for a sec, I had imagined it, but 10 minutes later, when we were walking back, he was outside his hole and I got a pic. I'm a little scared knowing that things like this exist here, but I'm just hoping they're friendly. #dragonsarereal #onlyinBrazil

This week we made cookies for a youth activity (which ended up not happening because the bishop was sick and couldn't go), so we brought them to his house. They were a huge hit and everyone's asking for the recipe. I also made a cake for a noite familiar (family home evening) last week so I am the picture of domesticated bliss.

I ate liver this week. The texture was weird and I'm not a fan.

Here's a pic of our district and zone. I love them a ton!

My faves:

The ladies

Yesterday I spoke in sacrament meeting but there were only 2 speakers so the 1st counselor told me, take as much time as you want. I ended up speaking for almost 20 minutes, but it's chilling. I talked about the importance of repentance and the plan of happiness.

Eu amo estar aqui. Eu amo a missão. Tenho a oportunidade de convidar todas as pessoas a seguirem Cristo e aproximarem mais a Ele. Eu O amo com todo meu coração e sei que Ele nos ama porque deu a vida Dele por nós. Por meio da Expiaçao de Jesus Cristo, podemos voltar á Nosso Pai Celestial e viver com nossas famílias para sempre, com a alegria eterna, que Ele tem. Isso é minha meta. Isso é o que eu quero, para mim, para minha família, e para todos os filhos de Deus.

Love,
Sister Dobbs

3rd Area, 2nd Sister López, and 1 Miraculous Week

Hey y'all!! LOTS of updates, especially since I didn't email last week so buckle up, you're in for a ride.

FIRST, I was transferred! After 5 incredible months in Passo Fundo, I was transferred to Venâncio Aires, in Zona Santa Cruz. I'm about 2 hours from Porto Alegre. It's a small city and super tranquilo. It was mostly settled by people from Germany, so most of the people we talk to have German ancestors, grew up on farms speaking German and then moved to the city and learned Portuguese later in life. It's kinda fun. Last Monday, I spent the whole day traveling because it's a 5 hour bus ride to Porto Alegre, then 2 more hours to my area. #goodtimes

My new companion is Sister Lòpez from Bogotá, Colombia! My 2nd companion with that last name! She's also the missionary who trained my trainer, so we say that she's my "grandma." I'm so so excited to be with her! She's so sweet. She's got 1 year and 2 months on the mission. I already love her so much and she is such an example of Christlike love to me. Everyone we teach, I can tell that she loves them so much.

Going back to Passo Fundo, we had a week of miracles. Lais, the sweetest 13 year old girl in the world, was baptized! I was so happy for her. It's really hard meeting people who have had such a difficult life. Lais has had a difficult home life and it makes me really sad to hear what she's been through. But it was such a special experience to help her. Baptism is a fresh start. She has changed so much. She used to be always angry with people, but she's much calmer now. She's learning to control herself. And her faith is growing every day. She started a study journal of the Book of Mormon where she writes her favorite verses. There is a light in her eyes that wasn't there before. She smiles and laughs a lot more. This is conversion. And conversion is one of the most special miracles there is.

I love you all so much. I LOVE being here. I love being a missionary.
Sister Dobbs

LOVE being here. I love being a missionary.
Sister Dobbs

Lais

Combined district foto (I love these guys)

Yennifer got her Young Womans medallion on Sunday! You guys, this girl is incredible! She was baptized in October and in less than 2 months, she finished personal progress and read the whole Book of Mormon. I've never seen someone as dedicated as her and she's got such a strong testimony. I'm a proud momma #maiororgulho

Sister López!!! e Venânico Aires