Switzerland of Brazil!

 Song of the Week - My Sweet Lord by George Harrison 

 * the email your about to read will again be super long..... so sorry my life is just that cool * 

( in all reality im just a yapper so feel free to glace threw ) 

Also big news I hit 6 months on Wednesday .. light work. No but actually this is a huge win for me. Lol I think I have been saying since I started my mission I just gotta make it to 6 months and now im here and im like whoa. That was the longest / quickest and funnest/ joyful/ Hardest/ at times worst experience of my life ahaha  but we made it fam  and dont worry here to stay, only can go up from here ! 

Fun facts about my new area Nova Friborgo 

☆ There was a town in Switzerland called Friburgo, and the people there imigranted to brazil way back idk when. And they settle in my area and called it Nova ( New ) Friburgo ,becuase it reminded them of there town in Switzerland / Switzerland aps

☆ literally so gorgeous the whole town is surrounded and on top of mountains 

☆ ITS ACTUALLY FREEZING AT NIGHTS AND IN THE Morning im talking 60s.... been crazy. The weather here is actually incredible tho the days are in the 80s low 90s with a breeze, been an absolute blessing compared to lavras. I think it helps alot im up in the mountains.

☆ these next few points are more just crazy/cool things that have happened this week.. for example having one of our less active members come to church and he decided to sit right next to me and during the whole meeting blew kisses at me and was thinking he was being sneaky when we was taking pics.. but he unfortunately left the sound on.  

☆ Theres a Schizophrenic member in our ward who comes with his dad hes probably 23-26. Well during the whole meeting he was screaming and crying on and off yelling all this outlandish stuff... was really funny at frist wont even lie. but then I thought of christ, and his Atonement and I thought about His plan for him and for us. The whole time I was just thinking about how grateful I am for my savior and how amazing it is he has the power to heal us all, and when this life is over we will all be perfected. 

☆ there is another young man in the ward who is probably 14-16ish who has autism who passed the sacrament to me. He dad walked with him the whole time helping him. Was very humbling, and was very powerful. My heart was full with the love of our savior.

Weekly  

Oi gente tudo bem?! 

This week has been crazy! Ill start off with just saying how much I love lavras and everyone there. Said some really hard goodbyes. My last night there I was able to say my goodbyes to some of the most amazing people.. also the costas were so sweet and threw us a pizza party for me and sister paget because we are leaving....... truly just the most generous people. Threwout my whole stay in lavras I can say confidently the members have always made me feel like there family. I will love them forever  

Then I started my INCREDIBLY long journey to my new area.... Tuesday I spent my new years eve in juiz de fora, was so fun! Most importantly I got to see my mommy... SIS ROCHAAAAAAA was everything I needed and more. I missed my cat  ( i call her cat lol super long story on why but if you want to know you can email me and ask ) moral of the story love her so so so much. 

Wednesday

Woke up at 5 to get on a bus at 6! Was chill, gotta travel with sister jones, for 3 hours. Once we arrive in petroplios things just went down hill. This was the point of my journey where I had to travel ALONE..... guys i was actually stressing. My Português is no where near good and I was without internet because my phone doesn't have a chip. So all I had to rely on was the elders screenshot they sent me of my departure times. And no shocker the times they sent were wrong. ( I have story after story about how the office elders have literally messed up the most simplest task without fail..... #putsistersintheoffice #sistertebbsforoffice )

Well on the schedule it said my bus wasn't supposed to come for a other 4 hours so I sat down but then I kept having the impression to look for my bus port and ask to see if the schedule was right, well so glad I did because due to the holiday it was a different time and the bus I was supposed to be leaving on was getting ready to leave the bus port and it was the only departure time for that day so like i HAD to get on it. The guy at the station ran after it for me and helped me with my bags and I was able to thankfully get on it in time! I said so many prayers of thanks.... again spiritual promptings are real

Then after another 3ish hours I arrived in Teresópolis where I met my new comp Sister Almedia. We got lunch then sat at the bus port for 5ish hours becuase again elders did a terrible job with the times because our bus didnt leave until 630pm. I finally then arrived in Nova Friburgo around 10pm at night...  but good news i now FINALLY HAVE A MATTRESSES AND IT WAS THE BEST SLEEP IVE HAD IN A DANG LONG TIME  also my house here is CRAZY NICE and is huge and i feel like a pampered princess living in the Switzerland of Rio !! 

Rest of the week was spent getting to know my new area and the people. I will not lie been quiet the adjustment with companions..... i am the only american in the house and none of the people I live with speak an ounce of english. ( that I know of at least, if they do they usually keep it a Secret and not speak it ) Been very very very hard. But I have felt the gift of tounges so much already just this week. Im so very grateful , my Português is getting way better  one of my favorite quotes is " Pressure Makes Diamonds  " so imma about to become a fatty 105.6 carat diamond This transfer that speaks fluently.... stay tuned .

Want to make it clear, My new comp is actually really cool and we get along really well, shes super cute!! Shes from Fortaleza and speaks crazy fast Português with alot a slang, but shes super funny, has alot of attitude and she makes me laugh alot and she thinks im hilarious so slayyy!  she honestly reminds me alot of a Hot cheeto girl... best way I can discribe her..... respectively 

Happy new years!!! 2025??? 

( kinda important / Spirtiual so you should all read  ) 

 As I have reflected on my 2024 year. I am honestly just so shocked. Never In my life would I have thought I would've spent the last 6 months of it living as a missionary in brazil... However, this has been the best decision I think I have ever made for myself. Despite it being so incredibly challenging at times. My life before the mission was great, so grateful for everything I learned/experienced and At times I for sure miss it. but I didn't know my savior, I didn't know/understand his gospel or plan for me, I was very much in the world, I wasn't seeking what was of great importance/ value, I had to learn some super hard lessons to get to where I am at now. But looking back I could not be more proud of myself for taking the leap of faith I had to be where I am at now. Everything I learned this past year has helped me be the person/ missionary I am today. Something 2024 has taught me is how to be humble.. like seriously humbled and turning to the lord, allowing god and jesus christ Atonement to mold you. I have relyed so much on my savior this year and refocusing my life to him. At times his plan was so incredibly scary and hard for me to follow, and accept. it may not have been what " I wanted or thought was best" but i can testify that when we aline our will with his will, the refining power I have seen/felt take over my life has been incredible. The peace, joy, faith, confidence and knowledge I have received has been worth more then anything else this world could've have given me. I have so much gratitude for my savior, and his infinite atonement. 

IT IS because of his atonement we can overcome the world... 

Im thankful for this life, for the opportunity to grow and learn each and everyday, and to fully live and experience all the incredible things and places it has to offer. IM thankful for this incredible world we live in, and that I have the privilege to explore it everyday!!! Most importantly I am so incredibly thankful and blessed for the family I have and people god has put into my life  I love you all more then you could comprehend..  

So excited for what 2025 has to offer!!!

I love you all and I hope you all have an amazing week to the start of this new year!!! 

Love, Sister (Hal) Tebbs