Week #5 - It's My Last Week Here in the CTM!

*NOTE FROM MOM: Many have asked about what happened at the CTM yesterday. She told me she was counseled not to write home about it, but as it is all over the news now, it seems appropriate to address it here. This is part of an email all parents who had children in the CTM in Sao Paulo received: "This morning a man with a knife entered the missionary training center. Security guards were able to detain the man near the reception desk until the police arrived. He tried to attack the police and ended up being shot and killed by the police. None of the missionaries or MTC staff were harmed." (The story is on KSL and in the Church News.)

I spoke with Caroline before reading the above email and she told me about the experience (she had returned from being at the Temple right after it happened) and she sounded like herself. She told me, "Mom, the protection I feel right now is almost physical--like angels are literally hugging us tight and we are all happy, upbeat, and the work is going on." She told me she had been asked to sing "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" that evening at a devotional with all 350 missionaries. Her cute friend from PGHS, Natalie Gustaveson, was going to accompany her.  Thank you for all the prayers for missionaries to be safe! Miracles happen every day--especially when you a missionary.



Wednesday, February 5, 2020

My CTM instructor Irma Gisely

Oi friend and family! 

Crazy news... ITS MY LAST WEEK HERE! And I am so excited and nervous to be leaving the CTM. This week has been super long and fun. This week we had divisions which is when we pair up with other missionaries and prepare lessons to teach other missionaries here like they are investigators. It was so fun to hear people fluent in Portuguese and hear them talk super fast. I didn't understand them, but it was still fun to hear them. This week I have been able to speak more Portuguese and I have been able to speak from the heart. I am starting to be able to speak better. I have had more confidence in myself. I have been able to speak from the heart and not have to look at anything to speak Portuguese. I know that when I get to Brasilia, I will learn the language so much faster since I will be interacting daily with Brazilians. On Sunday, one of our branch presidency members was talking to us and told us that we need to learn as much Portuguese as possible in the CTM in order to have fun with your trainer. So this week I am going to try and memorize so many words, it's gonna be crazy!! I can't believe its my last week. My district is still super fun. I will miss them all so much. 

My study desk set up

This Sunday I found out I was going to teach Relief Society literally right before I taught... That was fun. And the best part is that our CTM President's wife was in my class. Talk about stress zone. I also bore my testimony in the Fast Sunday Meeting this week and that was fun. I was able to talk without reading anything and that was an awesome experience. My testimony has grown so much while being here at the CTM. Even though I am sad to be leaving, I have never been more excited to start my adventure in Braslia! 

Since it's our last week here, we have 3 TRCs a day... And they are getting easier and actually getting more fun!

Today was my last time going to the temple for the next 18 months... I was so sad and yet felt so much peace while at the temple today.

My wonderful district

I love you all so much and I love being here as a missionary! 

Something funny about this week... NO BUG BITES! Good news for me and bad news for you guys since I know you enjoy "Sister Guilott's weekly bug bite pictures."

Love,

Sister Guilott

Selfie with the comps

 

One of my roommates who left already - I adore her!