And then there were 7...

Bom dia família!
Guess what happened this week--another emergency transfer!! We now have an extra elder--so they are in a tripla. Our district our suddenly became 7. We´ll see what happens at transfer calls this Sunday!
This week was pretty good, like all the others. I got kicked by a random man in the street and then a lady yelled at us for five minutes and said we are annoying and told us to go to inferno. At least we know we are persistent and working hard!
We had a division in São Domingos this week--with Sister Kropf and Sister Juilfs! So fun to see another of my ex-companions. I ended up doing the division itself with Sister Kropf. It was wonderful. She is sooo cute. She´s 19, from Boise, and is so driven to do the work! She knows that we have something that every single person around us NEEDS, and she doesn´t let anything stop her from trying to share it. She knows, like Sister Burton said in conference, "You have something to give,and are willing to give it.. with no thought of what you will receive.THAT is what disciples do!" She really is a true disciple and I learned so much.
This week we worked with Bea, the 12-year-old who is bringing her friends to church. She wants to be a sister someday! It was so cute--yesterday she said a prayer and asked "please help me to prepare so one day I can be a sister too". I love her so much!
All our recent converts are progressing so well :) Maria went out yesterday to help us teach! Edgar was confirmed in church, and he took it really seriously. We are hoping to help them keep learning :)
This next week is going to be kind of crazy---we are goign to a castle today, we have mission council tomorrow, zone meeting on wednesday, a division on thursday, a ward activity on saturday, and transfers on Sunday! Hopefully I will get time to email next week, but if not, I love you all!
Have a fabulous week! I want you all to read your scriptures and pray--really pray like you never have before-- this week. Because one of the most wonderful things about the mission is the relationship I am developing with Heavenly Father. We can count on Him for anything! And I want all of you to feel that as much as I do. Will you do that please?
I love you so much!
Com amor,
Sister Gidney
P.s. Did I mention last week that Edgar had to get baptized 7 times before he went all the way under? (2 Kings 5:10?)

99 bottles of Brisa on the wall...

Querida família,
So Sister Wach informed me this morning that today is our 99-days-left mark... Not sure how I feel about that...
First of all--Happy birthday Jeremy!!! I can´t believe you are 18!!!
This week was excited, to say the least!
On Tuesday we went on a division to Póvoa. I´m not sure where it is--we just got on a train that stopped there. It was so fun! I was with Sister Larsen. She is super cute and it was a really good day. ALSO she made us tacos with REAL taco seasoning from AMERICA. So delicious. I learned a lot from her. She is also hilarious.
On Wednesday, we were in the capela waiting for our investigator, and there were some of the jovens there, including Ianik with his VIOLIN. So I played it for about 5 minutes, then I realized that I am reaaaally out of practice.
On Thursday we had our noite de integração. We played a game called "The Garden of Eden". It´s kind of like Mafia, if you´ve ever played that. Here´s how it goes. There are cards with the "roles" written on them, and each person draws a role without anyone else seeing. There´s the prophet, apostle, temptor? satan I guess, the devil´s angel, Adam, Eve, and then everyone else is just a "member " of the garden. You play each round, where everyone closes their eyes (you have a referee directing it all). In silence, the "special roles" each play their turn. The prophet opens his eyes and learns the role of another player, then closes his eyes. The apostle chooses someone to "warn of sin". Then the devil/his helper choose someone to "tempt". Then everyone opens their eyes, and the person who was tempted is expelled from the garden--UNLESS he was warned by the apostle. Then everyone debates and votes on who they think the devils are. The person with the most votes--whether the devil or not--is also expulsed. The point is to expel the devils before everyone else is kicked out-- or the devil wants to eliminate everyone else. Also if either Adam or Eve gets kicked out, the other is too. I was the devil on the second round and I won, so Idon´t know if that is good or bad.
Friday we had ward council, interesting and productive as usual.
Saturday we had a miracle. Maria do Carmo´s housing contract is expiring, so she has been looking for a new house. We were worried that it would be far from a church and then she would slip through the cracks. We did a fast on Thursday and part of it was for her to find a good house close to an LDS church. We visited and found out that, right as we were ending our fast, she got a call about a really good house--that is not only close to the church, but in our ward. And not only in our ward, but still in our AREA. Fasting. It´s real.
Yesterday, Edgar got baptized! We have been teaching him for a couple of weeks, and he really really loves Jesus. We actually street contacted him a few months ago and lost contact, but not too long ago he showed up at the church during district meeting and gave us his phone number. And yesterday he got baptized! Keep him in your prayers, because he is completely changing his life :)
Lately I have been really feeling like an instrument in the hands of the Lord. And by that I mean that I have been feeling completely helpless to do ANYTHING for anyone. It is very strange-- I am trying to help people and things are jsut happening and people are coming to church and it´s kind of just like a wave that is washing over me and I´m not really ever sure what is going on. Haha.
Two more weeks this transfer! Happy birthday again to the best brother ever!
I love you all tons!!
Com amor,
Sister Gidney
P.s. Me with Sister Larsen,and Edgar´s baptism.He´s the one on the left. The one next to me is Valet, who baptized him.

ZOOper week

Querida família,
This week was so busy!
Last Monday we went to the ZOO! It was SO awesome!! There was a little cable car that went above the whole thing, and a lot of animals, AND a dolphin show!! We went with the Elders and with two jovens, Brendo and Ianik. It was the best. I want to go again.

On Tuesday we had a division with the Sisters in Sacavém, Sister Salies and Sister Gutzwiller. I went with Sister Gutzwiller. She is adorable. She is from Utah and just barely turned 20. She was a huge example to me of service and charity and just always trying to help everyone. I learned a LOT from her.
I also got my "trunky call"! They call everyone 3 or 4 months before your release date to ask which airport you will fly home to... I can´t believe how fast the time is going.

On Wednesday we were teaching a woman named Nezaré. Unfortunately she is moving to Angole, but she wants to be baptized. Side note, she got shot in the head and the bullet stayed in her skull for two years before she had surgery to remove it.
Also on Wednesday, Elder Bluemel had to go to the hospital for back problems. He is in his last transfer and is wearing out. So if you want to pray for him, he would appreciate it.
On Thursday, it was Sister Derrick´s birthday! We started out the day by going to zone conference. We found out that we would be getting another dupla in Odivelas--again! So many changes... It is kind of hard on the area for so many missionaries to go and come and areas to open and close, so I hope it all works out for the best.
When we got back, we threw a surprise party for Sister Derrick!! So many white lies went into the party... especially to get her there. But she was so surprised and so happy! Lots of the ward came, and we had a lot of food and fun. She was so happy :)

On Friday we spent a lot of the day prepping for the new sisters--including dividing the area and making an area book.
Saturday, the new sisters arrived! It is kind of hard adjusting to have four of us in the house again, but it will be fun.
For lunch, we got to go to the Adriano´s house. They are a family whose parents were some of the first church members, and Irmão Adriano is one of President Fluckiger´s counselors. They live in our area. We also worked with the daughter that afternoon to visit some menos ativos.
We saw a bunch of trash cans that I think caught on fire because they were all melted. Either that or they just collapsed in the HEAT WAVE. Suddenly it is 900 degrees here (as Katy would say). More ice cream! (Don´t worry--we sweat out all the calories).
Yesterday was miraculous. The Church was FULL! Relief Society had twice as many sisters as usual. The recent convert, Bea, who we are working with, brought THREE of her friends. All in all we had 7 investigators there (more than I have ever had before!), the elders had 8, and there were at least 10 less active members there. It was so incredible because the ward had an invitation activity, to go and find these brothers and sisters and invite them--and with the ward acting together, we had a huge miracle!!
Also in church there was an American family. I was talking to the 14 year old daughter and asked why they were here. She said, "We´re going to live here for about a year. Because my dad is WORKING ON THE TEMPLE" They are finally starting!! I am sooo excited!!!
Also, I had no idea until this morning, but HAPPY FATHER´S DAY yesterday to the BEST DAD EVER!! I love your emails every week, and your jokes :) Love you!
I hope you all have a fabulous week! I love you all TONS!!
Com amor,
Sister Gidney

Telepizza

Querida família,
This week was action packed and full of adventure! I got that package so thank you!! I have been reading the conference ensign every day :)
On Tuesday we had a division with the sisters of alverca. Guess who I was with--Sister Cutler! Little strange to be with my trainer again, but it was really fun. We had so many miracles! We marked two people to be baptized, and marked a wedding! It was really fun to see how we´ve both improved since our first transfers. Also, her companion´s name is Sister Bacon, so that is awesome.
The assistants came to our district meeting this week. Sister Derrick accidently laughed while drinking from her waterbottle and water came out her nose.
There is this awesome member, Marina, who helps us all the time, and this week she got her mission call!!! She is going to Capo Verde on August 6--she barely has two months to get ready!
On Saturday we got Telepizza. It´s the portuguese pizza place. It was alright.
Yesterday in sacrament meeting was one of the cutest things I have ever seen. There is a little 2 year old girl named Didi. She has curly hair and the chubbiest little cheeks. She was eating cereal stars and then decided to share. With everyone! She would take a piece of cereal from the bowl her mom was holding, walk up to a row and give it to the first person. They would say thank you and she would smile and walk beaming back to her mom, grab another piece, and take it to the second person on the row. She continued, her curly head bobbing, one person at a time, up and down every single row. She came back when the cereal was almost gone and asked her mom, "Quem falta?" (Who is missing one?) and then continued until she had given away all her cereal. It was so adorable because she was so happy just to share--even though she didn´t have a lot. That is like us--we can share our few small talents or an hour or two of time, and even though it may not seem like a huge contribution, it will brighten the day of hundreds!
Here is a picture of Marina´s mission call opening with the missionaries.

Congrats to everyone on graduating and finishing school! Have an awesome summer--set some goals for things you want to do or learn!
Also before I forget, yesterday we saw this guy with a baseball cap, that in the brim, there was a hole with a little electric fan inside. To fan him while he walks!
I love you all TONS!!! Have a great week!!
Com amor,
Sister Gidney

Titanic 2

Querida família,
I´m just going to make a list of things that happened this week.
--Zone conference. It was really good--we have a new zone leader and because our zone is so small, we are a little group of friends. We picked a "theme" for the trasnfer altogether as a zone, to help us fulfill our purpose. It is probably the best theme anyone could have: One with Christ!
--Speaking of themes, I picked my scripture of the transfer. Alma 57:21,26-27. I was thinking about how Elder Kearon said we need to be "exactly obedient and full of faith" and this is the perfect example of both! ("We are as the armies of Helamen..")
--Maria do Carmo (that is the ACTUAL spelling of her name, finally) got baptized yesterday!! She was really, really nervous, and scared of the water. We went down to the font and she wouldn´t get in for about ten minutes. I guess because of some health condition she can´t get in hot water, and so she said it was too hot (usually they say it´s too cold) but luckily the ward was REALLY supportive. The young men and the elder´s quorum president started running up and down the stairs to bring down huge cauldrons of cold water and ice. The whole time, with the bispo standing in it. Finally, she got in the font, and was baptized amidst the ice chunks. And just like Jesus, she "Saiu logo da água" after she was baptized (she left quickly. It says that in Portuguese, Matthew 3)
--We have this wonderful ice cream place by the metro. I am addicted
--We are going to have a wedding!!!! The elders have been teaching a Brazilian couple,Marcília and Cláudia. They are going to be married on June 28 and Cláudia wants Sister Derrick and I to be her bridesmaids!!! (Bridesmissionaries?) I am so excited.
--Saw some cool miracles and worked a LOT. I am so tired.
I am really grateful this week for the example of the other missionaries. The elders in our district are always helping everyone, and our zone leaders are really excited about the work. It helps a lot, especially when all I want to do is take a nap! :)
I hope that you all have a wonderful week! Happy end of school and happy graduation to Jeremy!! (And also to Katy from elementary school and Emily from junior high).
Love you all tons!
Com amor,
Sister Gidney
P.s. PIcture of Natália´s baptism and another of Maria´s :)

double digits?

Querida família,
I think about a year happened in the last week. First of all, what everyone is wondering... Transfer results! It came as a big surprise... Sister Derrick and I are BOTH staying for a third transfer! And we will be doing divisions in different zones (Lisboa Oeste and Sacavém instead of Lisboa and the Açores), so that is kind of fun. BUT I am kind of sad because I REALLY want to serve on Madeira, and I am running out of chances. I don´t know if that´s a bad thing to pray for, but... Also our district leader is staying, Elder Bluemel. I am glad becuase I think he is going to be an apostle someday. This is his last trasnfer so I can hear all his wisdom before it´s too late.
Now for the week. Last P-day we went to Belém! It was sooo beautiful and so fun. THere are some awesome historical sites--this huge memorial to all the awesome people in portuguese history, and this little tower. And also, the best pasteis de nata in all of Portugal. We went with the sisters in Lapa and with our elders. It was awesome.
This week we had a division with the Sisters from Benfica, Sister Call and Sister Azevedo. They are so cheerful and uplifting. I was with Sister Call. She is a powerful missionary and carries the Spirit with her. I felt so happy with her and was so grateful to learn from her.
This week we also had mission tour. Elder Patrick Kearon from the 70 came and we had a huge joined zone conference, as well as mission council with the liderança. It was INCREDIBLE. I felt so happy and uplifted and learned so much. We also came up with a new mission "slogan": Exact Obedience and Full of Faith. Which leads me to my new transfer theme scripture: Alma 57: 21, 26-27. When we are obedient and have faith we will see huge miracles. My favorite part about learning from Elder Kearon is that it was interactive, and he just TALKED to us. He didn´t treat us like little kids or like we didn´t know anything, but he honestly cared. And I want to apply that now. It was really nice.
We also started a mission-wide Ramada. Okay not really but we all made lists of things that we want to stop or start so that we can have the Spirit more and we are doing a 40 day fast from those things. Today is day 3.
On Saturday, the ward had a flower party. There was dancing and music and this bean dish called feijaoda. I ate too much.
Sunday was a surprise birthday party for Ianik, a jovem in the ward. It was set up by his best friend Brendo (a recent convert. Elvis is his step-dad). They invited us over and it was really fun!
Also, our investigators are progressing. Maria finally is starting to understand why baptism is necessary and she is really starting to grow in her relationship with Heavenly Father. She finally understood that baptism is necessary to enter into God´s kingdom, and that it is what God wants her to do. She, however, was having some trouble trusting in the Lord because of the recent tragedies in her life. She spoke with Elder Bluemel and now is firmly committed to be baptized next week. She came to all three hours of church and is praying like she never has.
Also, the fourth of july is this trasnfer. I think that is my new favorite holiday.
Well I am running out of time but I love you all TONS! Have a great Memorial Day!
Com amor, Sister Gidney

40th birthday

Querida família,
This week was pretty miraculous. And also super awesome. On Tuesday, there was a HUGE celebration because it was the 40th birthday of the Church in Portugal! The youth put on this huge presentation, kind of like the ones they do at temple dedications. And WE GOT TO GO. I was so excited. It started out with Portugal in 1400´s, when they were exploring and discovering the world. There was a caravela ship and an adventurer. It continued to show some of the cultural aspects of Portugal, including some songs and dances! There were 8 dances, and then they sang Fado. Then, there was a movie about independence day--when Portugal rebelled and came out of the dictatorship. I didn´t know about it exactly--turns out it was a peaceful rebellion, with the soldiers marching with flowers on their guns. There was no bloodshed at all! Less than a month later, the Church entered! A mission president and 4 elders transferred from Brazil (talk about an emergency transfer..) arrived and began to teach. They had two "elders" (A couple of RMs who actually served here last year) do a little skit. Then there was a video interview with the first mission president, Presidente Bangerter, and a few of the very first converts. There was a flag presentation and some hymns and then the grande finale and then it was over. It was sooo cool! At the end I just wanted to stand up and say "Yeah! Portugal!"

Some other fun events:
Sister Derrick got the stomach flu or something on Thursday so we had to stay inside all day. It was actually super boring. I was kind of half expecting it to be a nice little break but I was sooo happy to leave the house again the next day.
Had to give a talk in sacrament meeting yesterday. It was "missionary Sunday". Sister Derrick spoke on perservering to the end, Elder Bluemel spoke on "this is Christ´s Church" and I spoke about "The importance of all of us serving together in love". The topics were assigned. I mostly spoke about how we can be united through service and love.

Some fun people:
I´m not really sure why this happens, but we have this one investigator who whenever we visit her in house, she seems to not be wearing clothes. We went over on Saturday and she was wearing this towel-shirt-thing? and that was it. All I know is I am NEVER sitting on the chair she was in.
There is this recent convert named Gutinha who we visited. She is 13 years old, but looks like she is about 9, and acts like she´s 25. She was asking us a lot of really weird questions like "How did Satan get into the garden of Eden to tempt Adam and Eve?" "Are the giants in the Bible the children of humans and seraphim?" I was like, I don´t even know what a seraphim is. Read the Pearl of Great Price. But if anyone knows... Let me know. We´re seeing her again tonight.
Jorge! He got confirmed yesterday! He walked to the front of the room without his cane or anything! We also taught him about the priesthood and he asked, "So what would my duties in the priesthood be? How can I be prepared to recieve it?" He thinks he doesn´t know a lot, but he is learning so quickly.
Elvis: Yes, that is really his name. He is the boyfriend of the mom of two recent converts. The mom is a member too, for like 16 years, but she was inactive until recently. They want to get married so he can be baptized. They have been working on getting their papers (they´re brazilian) for MONTHS. Last night we went over and they said, "We will have all the paperwork ready for us to be married by the end of June!" I hope I stay here so I can see the wedding!
Tavares. So we met this guy named Tavares like... 5 weeks ago and have been trying to get a lesson with him ever since, but every time we set something up, something happens and it falls through. He randomly showed up to church last week though and so we have been praying really hard to meet with him to teach him. Last night, our plans fell through and we started heading down the street, to an area we don´t visit a lot. All the sudden, there he was! We taught him the first lesson right there and he said "Hey I really need to talk to you to get some help from God. Can we set up a time to meet every day this week?" Umm... Yes. We set up a time and he said, "Perfect. Now every day I can drop what I´m doing and learn about God". It was a miracle.

It was a pretty busy week. This week is the last week of the transfer so we´re going to work super hard. We´ll see what happens with trasnfers??
I hope you all have a fabulous week!! Love you tons!
Com amor,
Sister Gidney