Letter from Sister McCrery, dated 5/31/2010

Bom Dia!

What a crazy week! I'm sitting in a biblioteca in Oeiras, Portugal right now. This is my first P-day and this keyboard is weird. I love you and miss you all so much.

There is so much to write and tell about. I have been here less than a week and I have already experienced things some people don´t have the opportunity to be a part of during their missions. We had a baptism yesterday! Hahahah. Seriously. His name is Abilio, he is really great. A simple man, with a simple testimony. Now really I just got here but by the time I went to one lesson with him on Friday, It was his 3 time meeting with the missionaries, and we invited him to be baptized on Sunday. He wanted to!! So we went forward, it was great. I was a little apprehensive because I was afraid that maybe he didn't know enough, but I trusted that my training companion (Sister Brinkerhoff) knew better than I did. Now that I saw his baptism yesterday, I´m already starting to realize something that I should have already realized before i got here. That people do not need to know every thing before they take a faithful step and be baptized. If people are reading the Book of Mormon, Praying about it, and feeling good and right about all of it, they are ready.

Let me tell you a tiny bit about my companion. Intense would be an understatement. Hard working would be an even bigger understatement. This sister works. I mean really works. There is not a second in the day that we are not running around. She is super organized, has the memory of an elephant, and as she said today ´´I really don't even want P-day, I would rather just be out there finding people and working...´´ Uh ya....pretty incredible. We are very different. I wanted P-day today hahaha. Also I like to eat lunch and dinner (she would rather work). I think I have lost at least 5 pounds because we will eat and sleep when we are dead. hahahahhaha. I'm actually laughing right now thinking about it because it just goes to show that Heavenly Father really does know what or who we need in our lives. Sister Brinkerhoff is from SLC, Utah. This is her last Transfer, did I mention that? She didn't tell me, but I kind of figured it out and asked her. That means she has 6 weeks left in her mission. She said that we aren´t going to talk about it, and that no one really knows. I canºt really explain her as well as  I would like, but although it is super strenuous, I know that I will learn things from her. Her Portuguese is good but I know that it is going to be very difficult to learn the accent and proper portguese in this first transfer. It is so tempting speak English.

We teach people all the time. Ok well sister Brinkerhoff teaches people all the time. I don´t say anything. She has such a way with finding people who are prepared to receive the restored gospel everywhere we go, and then she follows up. She is guided by the spirit. I just follow her for now. We found a man on Saturday that is FROM GEORGIA! He is in the military and is living on the same street as our chapel! It was crazy to talk to him, sister brinkerhoff was having a really hard time talking to him about the gospel in English. He doesn't speak Portuguese! WOO HOO! NEITHER DO I!!!!!! hahaha. We taught him at his door, I helped a little this time by sharing my testimony. We invited him to church, and he came!!!! Sister Brinkerhoff had to translate for him during Church. We have 5 other people that we had invited come to church, it was a miracle.

People really are looking for truth, they just ``know not where to find it``. I am learning everyday about having more faith in that idea. That there are people that have already been prepared. We just need to find them, and teach them the basic principles so that they can feel the truthfulness and realize that it is the only way. It is powerful.

My area is really very nice! We are right next to Lisboa. We are near the beach I think. Well I mean I know we are, but we don't go there and we cant see it from our apartment or the chapel so.... But the weather is top notch! It always like 80 degrees it feels like. It is super humid compared to Utah. We have to hang our clothes to dry today and sister B. said it will take a couple days to dry. My skin feels great and tells me thank you everyday for not being in dry Utah anymore.

We have a couple other people that are investigating the Church, seeking for the truth, receiving our invitations to learn more, it is really wonderful. I need to be more bold, less afraid.

Yesterday at the baptism I was in charge of leading the music. Oh was it a sight to see. I learned how to lead music for the first time in the MTC. But never with a piano playing, and never with people counting on me to keep the tempo, all while singing in PORTUGUESE! It was such a train wreck, the sister playing the piano boasted right before she played that she had taught herself! And with our powers combined, the singing was less than wonderful... I was burning with that awkward feeling and thinking, oh now we are only on verse one.... hahahahhah When I sat down I was relieved and I was glad to be embarrassed, because if I'm not accidentally making a fool of myself all the time, I must not be doing something right. I mean come on, I'm in a country where I don't speak the language, and have no idea about the culture. It is bound to happen. Speaking of another funny thing, we had a man we met on the street come to the chapel to meet us a learn more, when i opened the gate to let him in, my companion was over on the steps not paying attention. When I shook his hand he pulled it up and KISSED MY HAND!!! I was shocked. hahahahha. I bet you can imagine how awkward I would be. I just turned around and walked him over to sister B. She went to shake his hand and in awkward anticipation I waited to see what she would do, as he pulled her hand up to his face she pulled her hand down and explained that we are very formal and don't do that. hahahahahha. I felt like and idiot. I don't even know how to say that! hahahah. Welp. You live and learn. Now I know.

My mission president is really great, so is his wife. She is so sweet and funny and is learning English.

Ok as far as cuisine here how is it? I have eaten PB and J in the chapel everyday.... and cereal. My comp bought me a pastry on my first day. Now I see how rare and special that was for her to take the time to do that. I probably wont eat at any cafe this transfer, she doesn't like to take the time. That's fine with me, I will have plenty of other opportunities in the next year and a half (less now) to eat food.

My apartment is quaint, it reminds me of my apartment with Claire, except different. I really do like it. My area is probably one of the nicer areas I could serve in I´m guessing. The Chapel is pretty new and the surrounding area is pretty well off I think. I don't really know yet. But the ward is a really solid ward. I don´t know how many letters i will get  out this week, because we have to clean the apartment a bit and then I need to sleep. Sister B. has a hard time packing it up packing it in at the end of the night because she wants to work work work. I need sleep. I don't think she does. hahahah I make a ton of jokes, but really she is great and inspiring.

I don't know my address but send letters to the office and I will get them sometime!!!!

I´m working hard. I´m happy. The Gospel is True. I love these people, they are really wonderful. Canºt wait to hear from you!

Love you!!!!

Irma McCrery

EU ESTOU AQUI!!!!

I´m here! 

 

...and this key board is wierd. 

 

Iºm in the mission office. 

It was a long flight across the sea. 

As we flew over Lisbon all I could think was... This must be the place. 

I am home. 

This is my mission. 

My Mission president is incredible. 

Lisbon is unbelievable. 

I love it. 

The president said that my companion is the best missionary in the mission. 

The best sister by far. 

She is from Utah!! 

And she is finishing up her mission. 

Iºm so excited to meet her tomorrow. 

Iºm happy. 

sleep deprived. 

 

I love you. 

I love this Gospel, itºs true and I get to tell the people of Portugal allllll about it. 

so Iºm safe...

 

Irma

Aaaaaah!

 (Stepper would like to apologize for the delayed posting of this letter from Lizzie. This letter came on Friday - which was 4 days ago. So all the "I leave in 4 days!" actually refers to TODAY, Tuesday. She's actually on a plane to Portugal RIGHT NOW. She called Bill's phone - while I was lamely stuck at work - and they had a nice, long conversation. Perhaps if we ask him nicely, Bill can tell us some of what she said! In the meantime, enjoy the LAST LETTER Sister Lizzie sent from the Provo MTC!)



Ok seriously.... I leave in 4 days.

 

It's crunch time. I'm going to Portugal in 4 days!!!!!!! Can you believe it? I cannot. I'm very excited.

My Portuguese is pretty good. Haha ok that doesn't really tell you much. Ok my Portuguese could be better but it could also be much worse. I have been given all the tools and grammar lessons to know how to speak Portuguese. I can talk to people about the Gospel, I can say please and thank you, and really that is all that matters. But seriously I love Portuguese. It is beautiful and that is what will help me learn faster when I get to Portugal. Also from the many many years of speaking in fake accents and imitating other people's speech patterns, I am most excited to learn the accent. I am starting to get the hang of it with some phrases and words. There are 2 elders that are native Portuguese speakers in the MTC right now. One is from Cape Verde (where one of my companions is going) and one is from LISBOA! Woo Hoo! They are both very nice and we try to speak with them in Portuguese whenever we can. Elder Kapata from Lisboa is heading out to Orlando Florida, Portuguese speaking! I thought that was a real treat. I find that I can understand much better than I can speak. So at least I might know a little bit of whats going on around me.

In fact it is really a miracle, I tell ya. Learning Portuguese so far has been remarkable. It is like being in a math class, learning new principles everyday and if you zone out for 5 minutes all of a sudden you don't know what you missed and you don't know the next step in the equation and you are behind forever and can never catch up because you missed the part about 2+2 actually equaling 4. Ok so it's like that, except we are here on the Lord's errand. So for me I am in this class all day learning Portuguese and not for one second do I zone out. Somehow I can hear everything my teacher is saying in Portuguese. Somehow I am not missing a minute. Somehow I am staying focused in listening. Somehow I am understanding that "para que+ present subjunctive= correct grammar!" Somehow I am doing this thing. I am learning, growing,and becoming more patient. Communicating my thoughts and feelings and the Gospel with other humans in a different language. I even joke around in Portuguese!!! It is brilliant. It is only possible through the Faith that I have that the Lord will take care of me if I just don't give up. If I just don't give up for a minute, he will bless me to do these things that I never thought I could do. It is really incredible. I love Portuguese because learning Portuguese is building my Faith in Jesus Christ.

Ok onto other stuff....

My family....
 

I love you. I miss you. I pray for you ( I really do. In Portuguese I pray for you so that English speaking angels will help you and Portuguese angels will help you). Thank you for your letters! I got a letter from Aunt Christy the other day that slipped into my bag and I found it late. She talked about the reunion. WHAT A BLAST! That will be so great. I hope that everyone is there and you just soak it up. Because I really don't miss a ton right now, but I do miss my family and nearest and dearest friends. Clinton and Elisabeth, you sent me a pie.... we laughed and laughed in my district because I am always making jokes about the pastries and bolos (cakes) I am going to eat in Portugal and I am getting pie's and doughnuts mailed to me from my family! hahaha. Bil and Stepper, thank you for saving me! You sent me all the stuff I needed it was perfect!

There is tons more to tell you about, but time is so short. I have 1 minute. Let me just say that Eu Etou Muita grata pela minha familia e minhas amigas. Thank you so much for everything while I've been here.

I'm so excited to go. Scared out of my brains, but I trust that the Lord will carry me through!!!!!!!

See you in Portugal!

Love Lizzie

Here I go...

Hello again!

Friday already? I know. I can't believe it. Ok this week was pretty eventful. Let me begin by saying thank you. Thank you for everything you all do for me, thank you for praying for me, writing me, sending me packages, and supporting. I feel so loved and comforted knowing that you think about me at least everyone once in a while. I saw Eric Taylor today as I was walking to breakfast. It was really fun. I forget that I know people outside of the MTC. I forget that the world still turns. It's really quite crazy.

Ok let me start with last Sunday...

I was sooo ready for sunday to come so that I could go to Sacrament meeting and be spiritually uplifted to start again. You might think, isn't that all you do every day sister McCrery? Well I do learn about the Gospel everyday. I learn more about life and how it all fits together. I learn how to tell other people the good news of the Gospel. But when I actually get to partake of the sacrament and re-commit to be better this week, start fresh...there is nothing better.

Right before sacrament meeting, one of my leader said "We are in charge of Prayer assignments and ushering for the Devotional on Tuesday and we talked about it and want you to say the closing prayer at the Devotional." Ok the devotional is where all 2000 missionaries get together and listen to a guest speaker. I would be saying the closing prayer after the Speaker... I felt soooooo blessed. What a blessing that I would be able to pray on behalf of the whole MTC after the speaker would talk.... So I was excited (Also we don't know until right before the devotional who is speaking... I will finish that thought later...)

Ok so after sacrament the sisters go to relief society to watch a speaker for all of the sisters in the MTC. It is some guest speaker every week and they are all very powerful and uplifting... last sunday we walked in and we found out Sheri Dew was there! Ok Stepper maybe you could explain how cool Sheri Dew is. But Sheri Dew is sweet. Cool. Amazing. Sheri Dew knows who she is, and helps others figure out who they are. So there I am sitting there minding my own business when this kind older sister taps me on the shoulder and asks if I would be willing to say one of the prayers! I said "OF COURSE!!" and thought "ok this is kind of strange two public prayers in one week, I can barely remeber how to pray in English...." So I was blessed to sit up on the stand while sheri dew spoke and closed with a prayer of gratitude. Ok her talk was amazing.

Then Tuesday rolled around and I was to give the closing prayer at devotional that night. I didn't really thik much of it, because frankly a prayer is a prayer whether by myself or in front of every single missionary in the MTC, I am still talking to my Heavenly Father telling him about how grateful I am and asking him to bless us. As we walked into the auditorium early there was an ever so familiar feeling in the air, there is a feeling in the MTC when poeple think the speaker may be an Apostle, that feeling was present and it was strong... As I waited up on the stand with my companion ( Irma Smith is a solo sister, so for events like deovtional we are companions and we stick together), the security gaurd came up to us and reminded us to be reverent as we sat up on the Stand and asked us if we knew who was speaking... I didn't know. Imra Smith heard a rumor..... But low and behold, 23 minutes later, in walks none other than Jeffrey R. Holland. An apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. A powerful man of God with the Authority of God and a special witness of Jesus Christ. He gave a powerful powerful talk to the whole MTC. The spirit was so strong the entire time. He was inspired to give us words of wisdom, to call us to be the missionaries we must be in these Latter Days. One of the most powerful things he said was this "I have not given up my life, I have not walked away from my wife and family at times, I have not done all of this for a fairytale! This is real. This Gospel is True. Don't you think for a second that it is not...."

 

Wow.

 

Here I am, practically sitting at the feet of an Apostle, listening to him testify of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with such power. The Holy Ghost Testified of his words.

 

I gave the closing prayer with gratitude and reverence for the serious blessing it was to be so close to this man of God, to hear him teach and to promise us blessings with our faithful service.

 

wow. I have 2 minutes...

 

I go to portgual in a little over a week. I'm nervous. excited. super excited. I got my flight plans I stop over in Paris!!! Ok I love you and will write more in a letter!

 

keep on keeping on

Prontos, sempre prontos!

Ola! 

Como vai? Muito Bem? Ah Muito bem. The sun is shining here, is it shining there?

Well I don't have a lot to say, this week. Well I do, but I can't remember it all. We have an intense week of Portuguese. My companions and I took the challenge of one of the teacher's here and went on a 100% English fast. What does that mean?-you might ask. Well it is pretty simple. We speak somente (only) Portuguese for 3 days. We eat sleep drink plan breath Portuguese. It was nuts, but we did it! I was so tired at the end of each night. Even if we wanted to talk to other people in the cafeteria or in the residence hall, we had to have our companion translate for us. It was always a mystery to me how it could really happen, how people could really learn a language in 9 weeks, well there I was speaking more Portuguese than I have EVER known in my life for three days. Was it a miracle? Absolutely. Just because something is a miracle does not mean it doesn't take hard work. Isn't that the truth. Miracles come after we have tons and tons of faith. When we have faith all things are possible.

The Lord is carrying me through this experience...let me repeat, THE LORD IS CARRYING ME THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE. When I just don't think I can keep speaking portuguese or studying or thinking or anything, somehow I do it. Before I know it, at the end of each day I am cozied up in my bed, hoping I did enough for the Lord, wondering where the day went.

So to continue in increasing faith in the Lord's ability to make us His instruments, we have made a district goal to speak only Portuguese for the rest of our stay at the MTC which is approximately 3 weeks, well less but I am rounding up so that I can be pleasantly surprised when I leave sooner. That's right my friends and family, 3 weeks of only Portuguese! Woo hoo!

Ok stepper hold on I have to to a favor for another sister I will send this, but then write part 2 in a minute....

Ok sorry part 2...

Where was I?

I yes, english fast. muito dificil mas muito importante para as pessoas de Portugal. Very difficult but very important for the people of Portgal.

Lyndsi Vela, MISSION TO LIMA PERU!!!!!!!! Get it gurl. You will love it. What a treat. The member missionary that helped me find the Gospel will be serving in Peru the same time I will be serving in Portugal. So spectacular.

I am happy. Can you tell? I hope so. Because this is the hardest work I've ever done, but I'm happy. I'll tell you why... Read alma 34 verses 14-17... I am happy becaue with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ I am encircled in the arms of safety. I am doing the Lord's work. I'm on the Lord's time. I'm happy. This Gospel brings happiness, not because it is a cool church or something. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So good. I don't have anymore time sorry it was short.

I won't be able to call home on Mother's Day I'm sorry. 2000 missionaries 3 phones. No good.

Happy mother's day.

Keep on keepin on.

Love Sister Liz.

 

Ola!

Note from Stepper: I am ridiculously late posting Lizzie's letter this week - please forgive me!

 

Well well well,

Here I am again, another P-day at the MTC. I only have 4 more weeks! I have passed the half way mark and things are really cookin. Yesterday we taught our first lesson in Portuguese in the TRC. It was something else. 45 minutes of pure Portuguese. So fun! It is pretty intense. People come to the TRC to volunteer as people who are interested in hearing more about the Church. Another reason why this week was nuts was because I KNEW THE VOLUNTEER! He was a friend of a friend from school. The whole thing was wacky because seeing people you know while being a missionary is just so foreign. It always takes a few minutes for me to recover. I forget that the world is still turning outside of these walls. hahah.

 

Ok let's see today I went to the Temple. So beautiful, so peaceful. I saw Ashley Peterson's mom there! Sister Peterson! It was great.

 

In other exciting news, L. Tom Perry one of the Twelve Apostles came to the MTC this week. It was powerful to be in the presence of one of the Lord's Apostles. He spoke directly to us about the importance of the Book of Mormon. Do you know about the Book of Mormon? Did you know that it is literally another testament of Jesus Christ. It contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What does that mean? Within it's pages all men are invited to learn of Christ and His Doctrine. Through accepting and living Jesus Christ's doctrine we are able to be happy actually, truly happy in this life and return to live with our Heavenly Father again after this life (which I think sounds wonderful!). Did you know that is why the ancient record of the American continent was translated by Joseph Smith? Not just so we could have something good to read (although it really is good to read), The Book of Mormon contains all doctrines that have been lost over time. The Book of Mormon contains a record of Prophets just like the Bible, who prophesied of Jesus Christ looked forward to Christ and followed the teachings of Christ. Do you have a copy of the Book of Mormon? You should. If you do have one that someone has given you, I urge--STRONGLY URGE you to pick it up off the shelf dust it off, and read a couple things. First Read- The introduction page. Second Read- Moroni 10:3-5. Third read- 3 Nephi 11. Maybe stepper could put a link up to LDS.org scripture page. I know WITHOUT A DOUBT, that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. I love it. You will love it. Not just because it is a good read but because it contains the answers to the questions of the soul. It contains those things that will make us truly happy if we will but follow it.

 

Now I heard the Tanya Stoke got baptized last Saturday... WOO HOO!

 

Wow this e-mail is scatter brained. I love my mission. I love it. This experience is shaping me into the woman that God NEEDS me to be. The woman I WANT to be. I am learning to overcome my weaknesses through Him. I am fitter, happier, more productive here. I leave for Portugal in 4 weeks, to tell everyone there the good news that Jesus Christ's Gospel is on the earth again and through Him we can be happy with our families in this life and in Eternity. THAT'S A BIG DEAL!!!!!! PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW? hahaha Ok I'm getting all worked up. My fingers are getting sweaty cause I'm typing so fervently.

 

Ok one more really important thing....

 

I love you.

 

Also there are these things called Bolos in Portugal. They are little cakes that I guess are really something special. My teacher assured us that in our monthly budgets in the field we are allotted a certain amount of money for Bolos. They are that serious about their pastries.... Now I know why I'm going there. hahah. Ok but seriously, can you imagine me just yucking it up with the local women as they teach me how to back bolos!

 

Ok well words of advice....

 

Read the Book of Mormon.

 

Budget Your Bolos.

 

 

I love you all so much.

 

 

Irma McCrery

 

 

Note from Stepper: Lizzie wrote during the week to let us all know that the MTC missionaries will not be allowed to phone on Mother's Day. My guess is that there are just too many missionaries there to accomodate the phone calls. And they're super encouraged right now to stay focused. She wanted me to send her regrest and her regards.