So apparently, once a year, it rains "formiga." In other words, there is a huge migration (or infestation) of these huge female sauba ants (I think that´s what they are, but I don´t know what the English word is!). In my mind, I´m thinking, "WHAT A NIGHTMARE!" But all of the Brazilians here in the interior of São Paulo state are thinking, "GET A BOWL! HURRY!" I told my companion, Sister Chaparro (she is from Fortaleza, the north east of Brazil, very far from here) that I was going to tell my family about this, and she said, "No! What are they going to think of Brazil!?" So, I think it should be fair to say that this ant thing is not a normal practice in all of Brazil, and it is not a food that people eat every day. After all, it only rains huge ants once a year anyway.
So first, I ate the "boonda." Then, I ate the head. AH! Then, I ate the body, which took the most courage because it has the LEGS on it! The best way that I can describe it is that it is CRUNCY. Really, the flavor isn't anything too strange. It is like the shell of popcorn. Ha ha! Some people cook them with bacon and farofa, which may even be quite enjoyable. I think I have changed a lot since being here in Brazil.... I willingly ate a bug.... And I even saw them ALIVE before I ate them. AH!
So besides eating weird things, these past two weeks have been crazy but good. My companion is an adorable Brazilian from Fortaleza, and she has already helped me so much with my Portuguese. I was talking to her the other day, and I said, "I understand everything you say. Did you know that?" Of course I said all of this in Portuguese. Then I kept talking to her, and I realized that, with every other Brazilian, I have to ask them to repeat themselves a LOT. However, with S. Chaparro, when I am paying attention, I understand her the first time she speaks 95% of the time... What a blessing this is! It makes it so much easier for us to work together and get things done! It is CLEARLY a blessing from the Lord (especially since she has a different accent because she is from the north). I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to understand her and that she would get annoyed with me. It turns out that I DO understand her (thanks to the Lord!) and she is VERY patient with me. I am happy!
My new area is beautiful and the people are even more beautiful. I was also blessed to be welcomed in so lovingly by the branch here. Since it is so small, everyone is LITERALLY family (related in some way or another!), and the members wasted no time in helping me feel loved here so that I can work my hardest! Also, they are going to make me teach them how to make cookies! Ha ha. It should be really fun.
I have also met many difficulties while adjusting to everything in this new area. I prayed so much and read the Book of Mormon with so much intent to find answers to how I could be the best missionary possible. I encountered an amazing verse in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi17:13 - "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led." I can testify that this scripture speaks the truth. When I read this, I knew that the Lord was speaking to me. I felt peace and confidence that everything would work out. There was no dramatic change in my life here, but the difference is that I was reminded that the Lord will illuminate our path when we are doing our best to keep the commandments and stay true to our convenants with Him. I feel an increased enthusiasm to stay true to the commitments that I made in signing up to be a missionary and serve the Lord. There is power in these promises that we have with our Father in Heaven. I am looking forward in faith for blessings that will come from God, and I hope for more direction. I know that Christ lives and that His church exists today on the earth - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know this.
Something that I am excited about - we might start a free English class here in order to find more people to teach. So cool! However, I don´t really know where to start. Does anyone have any ideas? What would be the best first thing to learn in a new language, in your opinion?
Thank you for the prayers and support. I love you all so much. I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be! Whoo!
Com amor,
Sister Williams
P.S. The other picture is a picture of our church building here. For now, it´s just a rented space because we only have a branch. We´re working on changing that! :)
