These are Alissa's letters from the past couple of weeks.  

August 8, 2013

OI FAMILIA e AMIGOSSS!!!  

Here I am! Safe and sound in Sao Paulo.

Our flight was delayed in salt Lace City for 9 hours- so Delta shipped us out to MI where they booked us a hotel (Provided transportation, breakfast and meal money) and then We got on the 7pm flight for Brasil. We got here this morning at 6 and... let me just say, I don't think I am in Kansas anymore.

The MTC here is very VERY different. The food is authentic and delicious. There are only 240 or so missionaries staying here as opposed to the 2500 at Provo. Also? no one understands English. So that's good... We walked the streets today. There are palm trees all over, people people people. Street vendors, and drive in stores. culture shock? absolutely. I have already tried 3 brand new foods. One pudding that looked like old milk- but tasted... like. I can't really describe it. That, and this weird tofu but not tofu delicacy and some really delicious fruits. I ALREADY LOVE IT SO MUCH!

But on the plane- an elderly lady turned to me and started speaking some language I have never heard.... she kept going off and saying something about Florianopolis, Mormons, and her Daugher? that is when I realized she was speaking Portuguese. AND I KNOW NOTHING. Hopefully this total immersion will force me to learn faster.

THIS IS ALL THE TIME I HAVE.

ALL IS WELL En BHRAZIL

August 5, 2013

Dearest family and friends-                                             

This is the last message I will send while still in the states. How thrilling is that!???

I am leaving tomorrow morning at about 6:30 for the SLC airport- from there we will fly to the Detroit airport- and then Fly down to Sao Paulo. I think We will be getting off the plane at 7:30 the next morning- So I am pretty much thrilled out of my mind. I LOVE FLYING. I am also excited for the infinite past tense irregular verbs I will be able to memorize in 12 hours.

Well folks, I left for my mission absolutely and totally expecting to come back the same person. I thought I would be a bit more cultured, a bit more open about sharing the gospel, and have a bucketload of experiences under my belt. But other than that...I didn't expect ME to change. ha.  I have already changed. My desires, my hopes my dreams.... In about three weeks I feel like a different person.

Yesterday I went to a devotional and Elder Bednar was talking about the Character of Christ. He opened up the scriptures and talked about Christ's example- Even after his Atonement in the garden, Even after three of his most devout disciples fell asleep, and one of his dear apostles betrayed him with a kiss, even after he went to the Garden of Gethsemane and suffered for all the pain, all the doubt, sickness, sorrow, guilt, loneliness, physical pain, of all humanity-even to the point where he sweat great drops of blood. After suffering more than any human could bare. After all of this, wouldn't we all have turned in? Look at me. Look at what I have just done. Look what I am going through. But No. Christ took the time to heal an ear, he didn't pray for his own strength- he prayed for those around him- "Father forgive them- for they know not what they do." This really struck a chord with me. How much do I do- because I want to do it? How much of my life has been centered on helping myself go further, in improving my self for my own gain, for working to help... myself? In that moment I realized how much more... How much I could do if I didn't focus on my own problems, my own desires, and my own success. For those few blissful seconds, I realized that I had to change. I have to change. No longer can I walk around absorbing, watching people, just enjoying life for myself. No longer can I just meander about in my own mind quite happy to be alive. Nope. Not me. not anymore. Not when the possibilities to help are endless, not when I only have a certain amount of years left, and not when I am a devout follower of Jesus Christ.

I am a new creature. I am consumed with this work, with helping, assuring, teaching, finding, lifting, and loving.

There is no more fulfilling work than this. Focusing on everyone else's needs, focusing on where God needs me when, and what I need to be doing with that precious time and talents I have been given.

I am 100% sure that I am going to Brazil right now for a reason. It maybe some person that I am supposed to meet, it maybe the experiences I will be facing, It maybe... just the right place for me at this time. Either way- I am not afraid, I am filled with love for the Brazilian people and I just can't wait to teach about the Savior and his ministry, about his restored gospel, and about the Book of Mormon.

I love being a missionary. I love serving with my whole heart. I Love God, and I can feel His spirit guiding and directing me. I have never been happier, and I have never been part of a more fulfilling work than this.

Today is my last day learning in the Provo MTC, the last day teaching Milton and Marcos (They are really our teachers pretending to be investigators who speak only Portuguese) Last day with these lovely sisters of mine, and the last day being able to gorge myself on the infinite juice options during all meals of the day.
So I guess this is it, eh? 

Goodbye Provo, Goodbye wonderful Friends, and Goodbye AMERICA!

'thas been a great 19 years, nao?

July 31, 2013

Well. the unthinkable happened. A miracle really.

My visa is here.

Yeup.

Uhm.

For the record I was not expecting it to come for another two or three months. But here it is- in my hand. 

I am dying inside. I can't believe it.

I have been in the MTC for two weeks today.
I turned in my VISA to the consulate that has been taking almost years for visas to come through and it had been in the first stages of process two weeks ago.

How? Why? I am not sure.

I am overwhelmed- it still has yet to hit me.

But I will be leaving on Tuesday for the Brazil MTC to finish my language training.

I do have to say a few more things though.

1. How in the world did I luck out with Sister Ennis as my companion? I have been questioning it for quite a while now. She is a great friend, a great studier, the perfect ying to my yang. We laugh, joke, and can bring the spirit TOGETHER. it is quite A miracle that I was given her- and I kept wondering, how... why is this so great? Isn't a mission supposed to be unfathomably hard- but with her? and in Provo? Ha. Nope it has been heaven.

Looks like God's plan for me is different than I had expected (suprise!)

2. Good thing we have studied so hard haha. If we hadn't... I wouln't be ready for this. Good thing we still have a week- but... I will be fully immersed in a week, and uh... Yeah. Good thing I have sister Ennis.

I swear I have met her before.

3. Also- I am really glad God is behind this. I don't think I would be able to do it alone.

Love

and tears of confusion and happiness

-Sister Mitchell

July 30, 2013

BOM DIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second week is almost over here at the MTC, and I am loving life.

Yesterday, the Sisters in my District made a momentous discovery. On every floor of our living abode, there are these things called "sharing shelves" On these shelves, sisters put goodies that they don't want anymore. (most of them are from packages or maybe they just loaded their suitcases with edible goodness) Anyway, there are sharing shelves, and the six of us.... I won't take official credit as being the ringleader... but we ended up going to all 5 floors of our building and picking up all of this free, delicious, food!!! Brilliant. We took it back to our room on the first floor, and had a wonderful time enjoying the genius of it all. We now have a sweet box, that is constantly being replenished by others unwanted treats.

Portuguese is coming along great. I honestly have not learned more in my life. My teacher doesn't speak in English, so it is definitely a good thing that the language is coming so fast. But, the spirit can be felt in every aspect of life here. I constantly feel directed and inspired. My mind has been opened to remembering and learning like never before in my life. I can understand Portuguese in less than two weeks!? That would be impossible without the guidance of the spirit and being set apart as a missionary. I am so happy all the time- I can't help it. This is where I am supposed to be. I am surrounded by people who are trying to do good, trying to learn, dedicating years of their life to God and to serving people, and bringing them back to Him.

Life here is great. Scheduled, used well, and practically perfectly exhausting haha. They have many different food options, so that is good. (I miss your home made delicious creations though mahmm) Sister Solano lov3es running, so I have been going on splits with her and running around the MTC campus. I love walking around and seeing so many people focused and loving life.

We are teaching an Investigator named Milton right now. He is from Brazil and loves mathematics and science. He doesn't believe in God, or in Jesus Christ- specifically that he is the Son of God. He doesn't believe in faith or in believing things that can't be "seen" He just wanted to hear about the church. He likes learning and wants to know more. It has been a little difficult trying to explain to him how I know these things to be tre in Portuguese. But I have this love for him. I can't even explain it. It is as if my whole soul is just filled when Sister Ennis and I teach him. I want him to experience what I have, to feel the happiness that comes from the divine. To feel the love of God and to know what I know. But haha, it is one thing to have that love, and another thing to try and share it in a language that is not English. Sister Ennis and I gave him the Book of Mormon, along with Moroni's promise that when he reads it and prays about it, he will know for himself. He is quite skeptical- especially since he hasn't prayed since he was a kid. But I don't doubt him. I am excited for our next lesson.

Also- you should know, I tend to just speak in Portuguese, and think what I said right after. Opposite of sister Ennis who will take more time to think through and speak word... by word... by word... Which is perfect. Because He knows exactly what she is trying to say- as opposed to me... who is just full of bubbling happiness and love that I can't really make sentences extremely well. But I trust it will come in time. As long as he gets the gist of what I am saying, right? Besides, the spirit is the real one testifying and teaching him, not me.

The weather is lovely, the people are wonderful, the food is almost moderately comparable to mom's, the devotionals are inspiring, the work is satisfying, I am constantly exhausted, but I couldn't be happier.

My district has gotten really close- I guess that is what happens when you spend 10+ hours a day studying a language, eating together, and teaching around each other. I love them all though. SO many different personalities, and so much laughter, and yet sincerity and spirituality. It is a wonderful mix.

I think my visa will take a few more months to come in, which means I will serve in state for that time- reassignments come in only 4 weeks! and then I will really be out in the field helping the work of God go foreword! HOW WONDERFUL.

Also. Here.

My favorite scripture,

to end on the best of notes.

Romans 8:38-39

I love you all and miss your smiling faces

OVER AND OUT!

July 23, 2013

BOMDIA!

This is Sister Mitchell checking in from the Missionary Training Center.

What Can I possibly say about the MTC? How can I describe it?

 I think it is a mix of boot camp, church, and Harvard. Actually no, ha it is like none of those ane all of those- indescribable really. Everyone here puts their heart and soul into learning and helping and I absolutely adore it. I was expecting to work this hard- But Inevitably the hard I imagined was not this kind of hard. We wake up at 6 and we are constantly learning, serving, absorbing, trying, crying and helping until lights out at 10:30. It is absolutely the most exhausting work I have ever done. My whole body just sinks into that mattress every night- My mind has never taken in this much information in my life- and my whole spirit just feels so filled it is about to bust. I can't wait for the night I dream in Portuguese...

I love it SO MUCH. Honestly- I can't describe it. The work is so rewarding.

My companion is named Sister Ennis- we were meant to be companions. Right when I saw here we hit it off and it has just been up-hill from there. She is a soccer player and has a wonderful personality- I will attach some pictures at the bottom if I can. We try to talk in as much Portuguese as we can muster. Taking that Portuguese class helped, even if I didn't realize how much I learned- I was able to jump in and begin right of the bat. Which has been a HUGE blessing. But she is great, be basically already know eachother's life stories.

I can't believe it has only been a week. I feel like I have been here my whole life! okay no- that is an exaggeration... I feel like I have been here for a month. The food is great, the people are even better, and the whole atmosphere of this place is intoxicating. I don't want to stop learning. We don't get graded, people aren't watching us- everything is based on our honor, and our own desire to be obedient and honest. How great is that?

Being here has helped me find me. I thought I knew myself before- but this closeness with God. This improvement, constant self reaching and making goals- drawing people to Christ and discovering truth. I don't think I will ever be the same. I can't express how close I feel to God here. He is the center of this work, and is the center of my desire to serve.

Elder Bednar gave a missionary fireside and one thing I LOVED in the devotional a few days back was an answer to this question

 "How do I know if it's the holy Ghost or just me?"

His wonderful answer was "quit worrying about it"

"Get to work, press foreword with faith in Jesus Christ and you WILL be in the right place at the right time. Inspiration and direction come when we are doing- not sitting, waiting, and analyzing."

He concluded with the words "You be a good boy/girl. Honor your covenants, Keep the commandments, and press foreword with faith in Jesus Christ and you move foreword God will guide your steps- as ou open your mouth it will be filled. your utterances will be inspired abd you will be in the right place at the right time."

The amazing thing is the overwhelming feeling that those words were true.

God increasingly reusts us to think what He would think and do what he would do.

I can only email and write on Preperation days (sorry) But I love you guys! This is where I am supposed to be. This is the work I am supposed to be doing.

No longer is it Alissa doing and trying to figure this out. I feel myself being guided, directed, and inspired. I can not even express the joy that I feel here.

All my Love and happiness

Sister Mitchell