WEEK 7: July 30, 2018

Sister Hammond in front of the Porto Alegre temple

Oi! Todo Mundo Bem?
Hey yall! I am here! I am doing it! I am in Porto Alegre. Literally because my first area is in Porto Alegre! My companion is a Brazilian which is helping me learn the language really fast! The food here is all meat that is deep fried which is yummy... but doesn't exactly help me walk without weary. We have to walk a lot because that's the mission! It is so good to finally be doing the work and actually helping people! I am so grateful to be here! Our ward is amazing and everyone is so kind. I am not really able to speak to them very well but I am trying. It is hard when you can't really talk to anyone around you, but I have faith that God wouldn't have called me here if I was incapable of learning Portuguese. I am happy to be here doing the work of the Lord!

This week I have started studying the Matthew! I think it is amazing that Jesus himself went about serving others and preaching the gospel. It is so important for me as a missionary because we are taught to follow the example of Christ and that is what I am trying to do! I invite all of you to read about Christ and read in Preach My Gospel about Christlike Attributes and pick one to work on this week! Email me about your progress if you want because I would love to hear! I know that if you focus on becoming like Christ you will see blessings in your life!

I love you all! Thanks for the prayers and support!
Love,
Sister Hammond

Sister Hammond with Sister Lins, her trainer

P.S. Everyone does the cheek kiss thing here which is different. It is a different culture 150%. One interesting thing is that here, in my mission, they have a rule that you have to always walk around with a Book of Mormon in your hand because people are less likely to rob people from the church. It is something to get used to. Also,everyone is very blunt here. Like if you are fat they will tell you (lots of people tell my comp that she’s fat) or if you’re ugly they will say that too. They just say whatever they are thinking no matter what it is. It is strange but maybe good? I don't know.

Preach My Gospel - How do I Develop Christ-like Attributes
(This is a link to it.  Also, the word "Matthew" is a link to a really nice video.)