week 76 Sexta-feira :)

September 29, 2014


Oi!

 Well...it turns out I have a little time to email today :) But I'll be home on Friday so I will keep this really short!

 Coming home is a bitter-sweet thing. I love my mission and I will definitely miss this a lot! But as I've learned my entire mission Heavenly Father knows what is best for me, He knows me better than I know myself :) and so I will keep singing "I'll go where you want me to go".

 I guess the last thing I want to mention is last night I finished O Livro de Mormon! My goal since coming to Brazil was to finish it and a lot of people basically told me I wouldnt be able to, but I set the goal which means I had to try! I know Heavenly Father helped me to understand what I was reading and I am so grateful that He gave me the ability to finish. I believe in the gift of tongues. 

 Well...have a wonderful week! I love you all so much and thank you for all of your help and support! See you soon :) Tchau, ate mais!

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 75 Vai com Deus

September 22, 2014

Oi!

 Well this week was definitely not the best week, but I've decided I'm not going to focus on that, and I'll only focus on the miracles :)

 We had zone conference this week and it was so great! We had a few small classes and in one of them we were given 5 minutes to write a  talk on repentance, and we were told that President Young would chose one of us to share our talk. Imagine my surprise when I am called to give the talk! But it went well :) Then imagine my surprise when we walked into church on Sunday and our bishop asked me to give a talk! I was so nervous and worried that no one would understand me. But I prayed and felt so much comfort that everything would be ok. Heavenly Father answers our prayers, no matter how small :)

In case your wondering, I am pretty sure this is my last opportunity to email all of you, because next Monday we will be going to Vitoria. I just want to say how much I love my mission. In Preach My Gospel it talks about how our purpose is to help others come unto Christ. But the miracle of a mission is that as you are helping others come to Christ, you become closer to Him also. You learn that He really is our Savior and also our brother. And as you learn about Him, you learn about yourself too and realize you do need His help every minute of every day. I am so grateful I decided to serve a mission. Its been a crazy, fast, hard, but amazing 18 months and I have learned so much. People keep telling me that my mission is basically over but really its just begun. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, we have a living prophet, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, my family is eternal, Heavenly Father loves us no matter how many mistakes we make, and Jesus Christ is my Savior and He knows exactly how to help me because He's been through everything I am going through. I am sad to go home but I know Heavenly Father has a plan for me when I get there.

 Well I really hope that made sense :) I hope you all have a great week, I love all of you so much! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- "vai com Deus" means "go with God" everyone here says it :)

week 74 Verao... 17 months

September 15, 2014

Ola!

 Well...guess what? Its basically summer (verao) here which means its is unbelievably hot! Seriously I feel like I'm melting ha ha.

 We did a lot of tracting this week because we dropped all of our investigators last week. Tracting when it is really hot is so hard but I know Heavenly Father definitely heard and answered my prayers. I would pray to just have an opportunity to get out of the sun for a little while to teach a lesson, and with in a few minutes someone would let us in. Definitely a miracle to me. 

 I think one of the highlights of the week was yesterday we had a lesson with our investigator Rodrigo and his family (who are all members). Well all the adults were all talking or cooking and I was left alone for a few minutes with Rodrigo's 7 year old daughter- Isabella. She talked to me for a little while then decided she wanted to sing, so she went and got 2 hymnbooks and then we sang together. The spirit was so strong while we were singing. I am so grateful for hymns and how much they can help us feel the spirit. 

 Well I think that's it for right now. I hope everyone is having a great week! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

week 73 Luz?

September 8, 2014

Alo!

Well today definitely started a little different...the computer lab we usually use was having problems with the internet, so we tried to find another one close by. Nope...there wasnt one. Then we tired the church...nope. But here I am now, emailing all of you. Being a missionary is full of adventures!

One adventure this week. We were on exchanges with the sister training leaders and around 6 pm we were in the middle of a street contact when all of the sudden all the electricity in Cacheiro went out! But not just in Cacheiro but in the entire state of the Espirito Santo! It was out for about 40 minutes and during that time we walked to visit our recent convert Iago. Heavenly Father definitely helped me to walk in the dark with out tripping over anything. (I just a little bit clumsy ha ha).

I think one of the best parts of this week was in our lesson with Iago. It turns out Iago, his mom, and step dad are going to be sealed in the temple in November! I am so happy for them :)

Another  highlights this week was a less active family we have been working with for 2 months came to church this Sunday! We had stopped visiting them for about 3 weeks but this week we stopped by to see how they were doing, invited them to church, said we would call Sunday morning and then they came! It was so great to see them there and I know if they keep coming they will be so much happier! Going to church every week really does help us through the rest of the week.

Well I hope you all have a great week! I love you all so much and am very grateful for all of you. Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kc Davis

week 72 Looke-che-me

September 1, 2014

Alo :)

Well we had quite the week...it was a great week! We had interviews with President Young. He said he wishes I could stay longer and help with other missionaries. A part of me wishes I could stay too. President Young interviewed me in English and let me tell you my English was pretty bad! I said the prayer at the end in English and almost couldn't pray in English ha ha. Hopefully this means my Portuguese is getting better :)

 I think one of the miracles this week was we found a family to teach! We really have only taught the wife and the 2 little girls because the husband works. She loved the first vision and read it again after we left. They came to church Sunday and Sister Belo and I got a little nervous when our Bishop started talking about tithing for the 5th Sunday lesson. But they liked it! I am so grateful for this opportunity to teach this family. 

 I am so grateful for the gospel! I know it changes lifes and helps us have so much happiness! The gospel of Jesus Christ is true.

Well I hope you all have an amazing week! I love you and am so grateful for all of you. Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- last night we had a lesson with our investigator Rodrigo. Almost everyone in the room tried to speak English. "Looke-che-me"...look at me...ha ha :)

Week 71 Os dez mandamentos...

August 25, 2014


Alo!

 Well its been another week...it went really fast! We were able to teach a lot of lessons this week and meet some of our goals so that was great!

 So this week I found one thing I can teach really well here in Brazil... os dez mandamentos! (10 commandments) In WA I learned some hand signs to help me remember what order the commandments are in. This week we taught Iago (our recent convert) and an investigator the commandments and it went really well. It felt so good to teach! 

 One night I was feeling a little discouraged and I looked at quote on our wall that I've read probably a hundred times. But this time it really hit me- "voce nao e invisivel para seu Pai Celestial. Ele ama voce." -Dieter F. Utchdorf. In English :) "You are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you." I am so grateful that Heavenly Father will always be there to help me. Sometimes being a missionary in Brazil is very lonely, especially when people choose to not understand you even when you speak clearly. But I know I am never alone. Heavenly Father loves me, and will always listen to me when I pray. 

 Well I hope you all have a great week! Keep on smiling :)

Com amor, 

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

week 70 Ultimo transferência...

August 18, 2014

Alo!

 

Tudo Bem?! How is everyone doing? Well...this week starts the last transfer of my misson...I'm not sure how I feel about that ha ha. We got transfer calls last night and we are both staying in Cacheiro.

Things that happened this week: 

Sister Belo's birthday was Thursday. I made a cake for district meeting and then we had cake again that night. 

It rained a lot! For almost 4 days we didnt see the sun. 

We got to help make some decorations for the ward activity next week. It was suppose to be this week but got cancelled because of the rain. We always ask after almoço if we can help and usually people say no. So it was kind of nice to get to help someone, even with something as simple as decorations for the ward activity.

Last thing. Yesterday a member of our ward found out that I basically have 2 missions. She asked- 'wouldnt it have been easier to stay in WA?' I have been thinking a lot about that question. Yes. It would have been easier to stay in WA. But there is a reason Heavenly Father sent me to Brazil. There are things I couldnt have learned in WA that I have learned here, and things that I learned in WA that I couldnt have learned here too. In the end Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, even if it doesnt make sense to us at the time. I am grateful for my mission and the things I have learned.

Well I hope you all have a great week! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

week 69 16 meses

August 11, 2014
Alo!

 Well...I'm not sure what to say this week because I cant remember much of what happened ha ha...I do remember for some reason this week I was really hungry and thirsty all the time and really tired...hopefully this week will be a little bit better ha ha :)

 One great things this week was we taught more lessons than we usually do, which was great! I love teaching about the gospel and getting to share my testimony!

 The sister training leaders came to our area this week and I got to spend the day with Sister Peterson who was in my MTC district. The amazing thing? We spoke in Portuguese basically the whole day. I definitely believe in the gift of tongues. I have learned a lot of Portuguese in a short amount of time, it a miracle. Heavenly Father definitely blesses us when we have a desire to do what is right. 

 I finished Alma this week and can I just say, I love the book of Alma! It has so many examples of missionaries and good leaders who have strong faith, always trust in the Lord, and always are thinking about the welfare of others. These examples make me want to be better. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the things I learn from reading it.

 Well I hope you all have a great week! Good luck to all my nieces and nephews who start school this week :) Keep on smiling everyone!

Eu amo voces muito!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- I hit my 16 month mark yesterday...time is going so fast! 

week 68 Pia de batismal...

August 4, 2014

Ola!

 Tudo bem?! We have definitely had some adventures this week. I think the best part of the the week was our investigator, Iago, got baptized and confirmed! He is a really great kid and I know this was the best decision he could have ever made. 

 Iago's baptism ended up a little bit stressful because of the pia de batismal...when we got to the church the font looked clean, so we started filling it up...it wasn't clean. Then we realized the drain wasn't working. So using a bucket and some rags we cleaned and emptied the font. Well today, I looked at the font (hoping the drain was working) and it was still completely full of water! So while my companion was emailing I emptied part of the font. Can I just say, you never realize how much water is in a font until you have to empty it by hand ha ha. I think I will be sore tomorrow. 

Last comment for today...I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. I can really say that I love that book! The Book of Mormon has helped me so much lately. There are some days when we come home and I am exhausted and a little discouraged, but then I read the Book of Mormon and I feel so much better. 

Well, I hope all of you are having a good week! Keep on smiling :) I love all of you so much!

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- Picture...Iago, his mom- Samara, and Johnathan (Iago's step-dad). 

week 67 Paralelepipedo...

July 28, 2014

Oi!

Well this week was just like any other week...except...its been raining for 3 days now. But all is well :)

We had a great lesson with our 9 year old investigator Iago this week (his parents are already members). The spirit was so strong and it looks like he will be baptized this weekend! Just seeing this family smiling and so happy filled me with joy! The gospel is true and does improve our lives. 

This week we also went to a party for a missionary coming home. Let me just say...it was weird. It was weird knowing that that will be me in 2 months. But as I keep telling everyone, I still have lots of time! I am here to work for the next 2 months, there is a lot that needs to be done in the next 2 months and absolutely no time to be trunky :)

Another short story for this week...we walked into the chapel yesterday and the RS president came up to me and said they needed me to play the piano for sacrament meeting! What?! Well I really didn't know what they hymns because the titles are in Portuguese, but I prayed and was able to figure out what the hymns were. I only played with one hand but I guess that is better than nothing. That was definitely an example to me of how Heavenly Father will always help us. 

Well have a great week everyone! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.-Sister Belo and I have been learning lots of new words this week, Portuguse for me and English for Sister Belo. Paralelepipedo-paving stone. Really hard work to pronouce but I can now :)

week 66 Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked....

July 21, 2014

Ola!

Happy almost Pioneer day! As the subject line of this email suggests we walked, and walked, and walked, and walked this week. Our bishop wants us to find a lot of less actives and since our area is huge we end up walking a lot. But we did find some less actives so that was great!

Yesterday we had a noite familiar (FHE) with a less active family and our bishop came with us. It went really well and the wife and husband really want to come back to church. But its a hard transition, especially since the husband suffers with depression and hasnt left their house in a long time. But I really think that they will come back, they just need some good friends to help them. The miracle was what happened after we left. It was about 8:30 and to get to our house is a 45 minute walk so we were trying to walk really fast when suddenly a car pulled up next to us...it was the family we had just visited! The husband left the house! So amazing.

Lets see, the other thing that I will mention is I am still working on my goal to finish the Book of Mormon in Portuguese before I get home. I finished Mosiah last night so that was exciting. I am understanding a lot more and I dont have to use my english scriptures side by side with my Portuguese ones as much. So I guess my Portuguese is getting a little better. I know its only with Heavenly Father's help that I've been able to learn this much Portuguese. 

Well I hope you have a great week! Keep on smiling everyone!

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 65 Bem-vindo Sister Belo!

July 14, 2014

Oi!

Well this week we had transfers. My new companion is Sister Belo, she is from Brazil and has been out for 7 months. President Young told me at the transfer meeting that he felt that I needed to be senior companion. I am grateful for this oportuntity.

So this was really the first official transfer meeting I've been to since last time transfers were just at the bus station. So imagine my surprise when one of the AP's stands up to conduct the meeting and announces that "Sister Davis and Elder Thomas will now bear their testimonies"...What?! It went fine but I was definietly nervous. But I guess my Portuguese is getting better because the missionaries I knew at the meeting said my testimony was perfect. Heavenly Father definitely helps me a lot. I know He will never let me fail as long as I am trying my hardest.

Also I tried something new this week...figado de boi...liver! So gross! That is not something I really want to eat again.

Well I hope you are all have a great summer! And...HAPPY BIRHTDAY to my awesome dad! I love you dad! Keep on smiling everyone :)

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

Week 64 Fica!

July 7, 2014

OI!

Tudo bem?!

One of the best parts of the week was we got to meet our new mission president and his wife- the Young's. They are awesome and I love them already! We are actually in the mission office today because the departing missionaries had to get interviewed (my companion is headed home) so I got to talk to Sister Young for a long time. I am so excited to learn from them. I know Heavenly Father put the Young's into my life for a reason. He has a reason for everything.

Oh! By the way...did you know Brazil celebrates the 4th of July? Ha ha, actually Brazil was playing in the world cup on the 4th of July and we had to be in our house for most of the day. But there were some fireworks and lots of parties going on, so really everyone celebrated with me and they just didnt know it :)

We have transfers this week and I am staying in Cachoeiro. I am happy I'm staying (fica=stay).

Annnddd....HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! I love you so much!

I hope you all have a great week...keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 63 Plaqueta

June 30, 2014
Oi todos pessoas!

We had a pretty good week, slow, but good. I have been trying to focus on the small miracles I see everyday, so here are a few :)

-I lost one of my nametags when I got transferred and was a little sad. Well Heavenly Father definitely answers even the simplest of prayers because I found my nametag...in my suitcase and in a pocket I had already looked in. But I found it :) That experience definitely reminded me that Heavenly Father is mindful of all of us and He loves us so much!

-I finished Jaco (Jacob) in O Livro de Mormon! 

-I made a perfect pizza for a FHE we had last night with our ward missionary- Lorenna and her family who are not members of them church. I got volunteered to make the pizza by my companion. Most of the food I've tried to cook here hasn't turned out the way it is suppose to and so finally cooking something perfectly was exciting!

Yep. Lots of small miracles. I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father and the help He gives me everyday. Being a missionary is not always easy and focusing on the small miracles helps so much.

I hope you all have a great week! Keep on smiling :) 

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- I like Baylee's...I mean Sister Davis' idea about everyone sending us their conversion story! Please do!

Week 62 2 meses em Brazil!

June 23, 2014

Ola!

I really cant believe its already Monday, last week went really fast! I think the best thing that happened was I accomplished my goal of finishing 2 Nefi this week. I had to read a lot but I finished it! 

Last week our bishop called a few new ward missionaries. One of them, Lorena, has helped us a lot this week. She is 19 and joined the church last year and wants to serve a mission. I really have a testimony that missionary work is so much better when members are involved. Lorena introduced us to some people she knows and we were able to teach them and one of them came to church on Sunday! That was awesome.

Everyone here is watching the world cup and so usually when we go into a house the tv is on. Yesterday we visited a less active and the U.S was playing Portugal. Well right before we left I glanced at the tv right in time to see the U.S. score! Ha ha I might have yelled a little bit, it was pretty exciting :)

Today marks my 2 month mark in Brazil. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity to come here. It is definitely different then the WKM but I love it :)

that

's about it. I hope you have a great week! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- yesterday we met another drunk man, and he kissed my hand....gross!

Week 61 Cartas!

June 16, 2014

Ola!

 

This week was kind of different. We had zone conference and then the next day Brazil played in the World Cup. We have to stay in our apartment 2 hours before the game, during the game, and 2 hours after. So that was kind of weird, but I made the most of the time and studied a lot! I am so grateful for that extra time to study. Really though, I love studying about the gospel!

 

Zone Conference was in Vitoria so we had to ride a bus for 2 1/2 hours there and back, it was a long day. But it was awesome! There were 3 zones at this conference and I got to see so many people I know. I really didn't understand much of the actual meeting but that's ok. After the meeting we got our mail! Thank you mom, Baylee, and Sister Rasmussen for the letters, that definitely made me happy!

 

I read a talk this week by Jeffrey R. Holland and part of it really stuck out to me...`Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness can change the world.` I know this is true. I may not speak Portuguese but I can love people and show them love by my actions. A lot of people make fun of me because I don't understand a lot of Portuguese and I`ve really had to just keep smiling this week. I know Heavenly Father understands how difficult it is to learn a language and I am grateful for the love He shows me. These experiences also teach me that its so important to love everyone, no matter what trials or difficulties they have.

 

I hope you all have a  great week! Keep on smiling!

 

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 60 14th month Nao beijos por favor!

June 9, 2014

Oi!

Well we had another interesting week, full of lots of walking and lots of prayer.

Everyone here is getting ready for the World Cup and so over the course of this last week people have been painting curbs, poles, and some of the streets with green and yellow paint. Its kind of cool to see, people here are definitely proud of their country.

My district here has 2 American elders and this week we were talking and they warned me about drunk men and that we shouldnt talk to them. Well last night we were walking and a drunk man stopped us and started talking to us. Long story short, he was very excited that I'm American and we got his information so we can see him a different day and we were trying to say goodbye and he kissed both of us on the forehead....gross!!!!!! Ha ha I am so glad I at least had some kind of warning. 

We had conferencia da estaca (stake conference) this week. It was a broadcast and it was in Portuguese. I understood some of it, but definitely not everything. Elder Ballard and Elder Scott spoke. One of them talked a lot about how Heavenly Father is our loving father. I know this is true! Heavenly Father loves us so much and I am so grateful that He loves me enough to answer my prayers and listen to me all the time. He has answered so many of my prayers.

Well I hope you have a great week! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 59 Cachoeiro

June 2, 2014

Oi!

Well this week ended up being really crazy. I got transfered to Cachoeiro, and so did my companion- Sister Leite. So we got doubled in and we are opening a new area too. There is usually 4 sisters covering this area but for some reason there is just us. So we have been busy with trying to figure out our area. Definitely an adventure!

I think one of the best parts of my week was at the transfer site (which was a bus station) I got to talk to some of the members of my MTC district in Provo! That was so awesome! It is really cool to see how the elders I talked to have changed in almost 14 months.

We had almoça (lunch) with our bishop and his wife this week and I shared the spiritual thought at the end. After I finished the bishop asked me- "do you know the reason you are here?" I said I dont know yet. He responded with something like- "there is someone here only you can reach, someone only you can help." I know there is a reason I am in Brazil right now, I may not know that reason until after my mission. But Heavenly Father has something for me to do here.

Well I hope you have a great week! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo vocês!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

Week 58 Tchau Marcilio!

 May 26, 2014 


Oi!

Well, we got transfer calls last night and I am getting transfered. But that's ok, I am really hoping I'm not in a trio this time. The strange thing here is that when you get transferred you have no idea where you are going or who your companion is going to be. So this will be exciting!

The sister training leaders came to our area on Wednesday and we went on exchanges. One of the STL's is sister Peterson from my MTC district in the MTC! That was great because I was able to ask her some of my questions and get some more suggestions on how to study Portuguese. I also was able to help teach 2 of our lessons which was really nice. I miss teaching so much and in my trio right now I don't really get to teach or talk.

We had a baptism this week- Nelton. I really don't know him at all, but we were able to do service for him. I think when you serve others you are able to love them more. 

Oh, before I forget...I made pancakes last Monday. They were interesting ha ha but my companions liked them and they loved the syrup I made.

I think that is pretty much it. I know Heavenly Father is helping me so much, and I am so grateful that he answers my prayers. Have a great week and keep on smiling everyone!

Eu amo voces!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

week 57 Macaco

May 19, 2014

  Oi!

Well Brazil seems to get more and more interesting every week. Like this week....I saw 3 monkeys (macacos) in a tree. Monkeys....outside of a zoo...weird. We also ate fried bananas this week, they are actually really good. And thats just two of the interesting things this week.

So my Portuguese is getting a little bit better, it is definitely hard. But I know Heavenly Father helps me everyday. Even with just recognizing a few words in a sentence.

We have been doing a lot of walking so I have a lot of time to think. One of my companions and I kind of had a short conversation about how this is the work of the Lord. If this was my work I probably would be home right now because it is hard. But its not my work, its His and He has given me the amazing calling of being a missionary and I'm grateful that I get to assist in His work.  When I feel like giving up because I'm tired, or frustrated I just have to do as Henry B. Eyring said and "REMEMBER HIM". He is my Savior and I am never alone while doing His work. 

 Well I think thats about it. The only other thing I can think of is that I'm making my companions pancakes today. They are really excited ha ha, hopefully they turn out good!

 I hope you all have a great week! Keep on smiling!

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 56 Vitoria Brasil...

May 12, 2014
Oi! Tudo bem?!

Well its been a really crazy week. I left the CTM on Tuesday and flew to Vitoria, that is when I really started to realize that I dont speak Portuguese. Trying to have a conversation with my new mission president and his wife was so hard. But everything has worked out so far.

I am in a trio with a sister from Brasil and one from Argentina. We use lots of hand motions because we really dont understand each other very well.

I think the best parts of my week were the small miracles that happened-

1. Our office secretary (they dont have senior missionaries here, just a companionship of elders working in the mission office) is from the U.S., was  a visa waiter for 6 months and speaks English! 

2. One of my zone leaders and my sister training leader are from the U.S., so I can always call them if I need help. My STL was actually in my MTC district in Provo so I know her really well.

3. I got to skype with my family yesterday! That was the best part of my week. I am constantely reminded of how important families are and I am so grateful for my family! I love you all so much!

4. Heavenly Father has answered so many of my prayers. I hit 13 months this week and this week has been stressful with not knowing the language, not understanding anything, and feeling completely lost most of the time. But everytime I feel like I cant do this, like its too hard and have prayed for help Heavenly Father has comforted me and helped me keep going. Prayer works.

Some interesting things that have happened- I woke up one morning and my eyes were completely swollen, they arent swollen anymore but that was really weird... We had a pizza with hardboiled eggs, some kind of meat, corn, peas, and onions on it. It was actually pretty good. 

The work here in Brazil is really different than in the states but I am grateful that Heavenly Father has given me the chance to serve here. Yes, its hard. But everything will work out the way its suppose to. I know Heavenly Father has a reason for everything.

Well I have to go but I hope everyone has a great week! Keep on smiling!

Eu amo vocês!

 -Sister Kaycee Davis

week 55 Sister Davis Arived!!!!!

May 6, 2014

We are very grateful to have Sister Davis with us in the Brazil Vitória Mission.  She arrived from the CTM in São Paulo.  Although a little tired due to an early plane flight, she was anxious to begin her service in the mission field. 
President and Sister Araújo

week 54 Sao Paulo.....que!

April 30, 2014

Oi!

 Well this week has definitely been different. Last Monday I went to the mission home for the departing missionaries dinner and testimony meeting. Then Tuesday I was on an airplane for about 16 total hours. The funny thing is I flew from Pasco to Minniapolis with an elder who was heading home...so techniquely we were companions for a couple of hours. Can I just say it is so weird to be by yourself for almost a whole day when you have been within sight and sound of someone for an entire year. The best part of the whole trip was talking to my mom and dad at JFK, finding out I have a new nephew, and seeing Baylee once I got to Brazil...by the way we did not plan to match at all ha ha, it just happened.

 The rest of this week has been full of studying Portuguese. Seriously all we do is study, all day long. But my Portuguese has gotten a little better. I am the worst in the class and its definitely frustrating trying to teach in Portuguese because I know exactly what I want to say in English but cant say it in Portuguese. But I know Heavenly Father will help me with the language because He wouldnt have sent me to Brazil with 6 months left if there wasnt something for me to do here. Everything will be fine, I just need to be patient.

 I think the best thing about being back in the MTC (ha ha not many people can say they went back to the MTC, weird) is that we have devotionals twice a week. Last night President Pinon (an area 70) came and spoke to us. We had to wear headphones and listen to the interpreter but it was a really good talk! He talked a lot about the missionary purpose which is so important to remember as a missionary, I definitely need a reminder every once in a while. He also said something I really liked- 'The Lord is molding your heart right now...learn to be molded and become what He wants.' I know that everything we go through hard or easy is for a reason and will help later. There is a lesson to be learned in everything we go through and we can either choose to be happy and learn the lesson or be miserable. I choose to be happy and learn. Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and He loves us so much, I know He wont let me fail as I work hard.

 Well I think thats it for now! I still am kind of suprised every day when I look out the window and see Sao Paulo ha ha. Have a good week everyone and keep on smiling!

 -Sister Kaycee DavisEu amo voces!

week 53 part 2 BRAZIL!!!!!!!

April 23, 2014

Oi!

Well I made it Brazil! It still doesn't even seem real that I'm finally here. Baylee and I found each other right after we landed here in Sao Paulo...the crazy thing is we are wearing the exact same thing ha ha...we must be twins or something.  From the airport we drove to the CTM, which took 2 hours. By the way drivers in Brazil are crazy! Seriously all of us in the car thought we were going to die multiple times. But all is well so far and I've already learned a lot. Its beautiful here and I am excited to get to work. My time as a visa waiter is finally over, I'm a little nervous about the language but I know Heavenly Father will help me. Well I have to go! Have a great week and keep on smiling!

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kc Davis

Week 53 I'm leaving on a jet plane...

April 21, 2014

Oi!

 Well this will be my last email from the WKM. I never thought I'd have a hard time leaving Yakima but its so hard to say goodbye to people who I've grown to love in these last 7 months here. I know Heavenly Father had a reason for having me stay in the WKM for a year and now He has a reason for sending me to Brazil. He has a plan for all of us :)

 We had a pretty fun week though. On Saturday we got involved with two pranks...the other sisters in our district pranked the elders and we helped with that. We put string all over there apartment...you had to crawl everywhere and sprayed perfume and moved a lot of there stuff around. It was fun :) Then about an hour after that we helped the elders prank the sisters...confetti in the air conditioner vents in the car :) Now there is confetti all over the car but it was fun. And no one expected us to get in on both of the pranks ha ha. 

Oh...I also turned 21 yesterday. Not my best birthday but that's ok.

 I think our biggest miracle this week was we had 2 investigators come to a Relief Society activity and they both liked it! It They weighed our purses at the activity and it turns out sister Steen and I have the heaviest bags out of the whole Relief Society, I did not expect that.

 Well I think that's it! My next email will be from Brazil! Have a great week everyone and keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- Our district took a lot of pictures after district meeting and lunch. We spelled out 'Yak City'. 

week 52 fishing line

April 14, 2014

Oi!

 This week was pretty great :) We were able to do a lot of service which is awesome! I love service :)

 I can't remember if I told all of you but last week we got a new investigator, Linda. Well this week we saw her twice. The first time we saw her we taught the Restoration and it went really well. We got home that night and were talking about the lesson and it turns out that Sister Steen and I had both had the feeling during the lesson that we should put her on date for May 4th. But neither of us did because we wanted to be united in the decision. So we went back the next day and invited her to be baptized and she said yes! She didn't even question it like a lot of people do. So awesome! And then she came to church on Sunday! I am excited to see what happens :)

Our zone leaders also thought it would be funny to prank us about 10 times during the week. On my year mark after we finished planning that night we went outside to take a picture. I pulled on the door handle and it was really hard to open...the elders had tied our door handle with fishing line to a tree, a rock, and a light pole haha. Luckily it wasn't tight enough so we could still get outside. But that was definitely surprising. 

 Well I think that's about it. This is my last week in the WKM and I am a little bit sad, but I am really excited to get to Brazil too! Also...I turn 21 on Sunday and its going to be Easter...should be a great week!  Have a good week and keep on smiling everyone :)

Eu amo voce!

-Sister Kaycee Davis 

P.S.- Pictures...The fishing line that was holding our door shut. 

Week 51 Harmonicas and singing

April 7, 2014

Ola!

We had a really great experience this week with our recent convert Angie. Angie lives with and takes care of an older couple in the ward- the Glenn's. We stopped by 2 Sunday's ago and it turns out brother Glenn use to play the harmonica but really cant know because he cant get enough air. Well it just so happens that my district leader also plays the harmonica. So this week we took the elders with us and went to see Angie and the Glenn's. As Elder Johnson played the harmonica we sang. The spirit was so strong and it was great to see the Glenn's smiling because they have been really lonely lately. That was probably the best thing that happened this week :)

General conference was definitely one of the highlights of this week! I felt like so many of the talks were directed right at me and I got some answers to some questions I had in my head. I love it went that happens.

This week marks my 1 year mark (on April 10th)! Time has gone so fast. My mission hasnt been what I expected at all, I didnt think I would end up in the WKM for a year and then get my visa. My mission has been hard, just like every mission is.  But...even with all the hard parts of being a missionary I have learned and experienced so much good. I know what real joy is now. I know the power of the priesthood is real. I know what the atonement is and that its for me. I know Heavenly Father is always mindful of us. I know I have changed as a person and I want to change more. I know the path that I want to be on for the rest of my life. I know I want to be a missionary forever. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I still have 6 months left and I am excited to learn more :) Being a missionary is the best!

Well I hope you all have a great week! Keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

P.S.- It must be almost Easter or something...Hi we're missionbunnies from the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints! (these bunnies were on the front porch of a house we knocked on...no one answered the door.)

week 50 Red Paint

March 31, 2014

Ola!

How is everyone doing? We had kind of a busy week which was good.

We had specialized training and interviews on Friday and it was great. During my interview President Ware basically told me when I am leaving (oh, the date got switched to April 22nd) and that they are going to miss me. I am going to miss serving in the WKM. 

Specialized training was about using the Book of Mormon more often in our teaching. The B of M can bring the spirit and teach a lot better than I can. I am grateful for the training because I was wondering what I could do to improve my teaching.

There is a less active family in our ward who we see every Sunday. We have been asking for weeks if we could do service for them at their farm. We'll finally Brother Gibson agreed, just because I'm leaving and they like me. So on Saturday we painted a water truck...the whole thing...bright red. It was a lot of fun! Brother Gibson was really impressed and said that he didn't expect us to be as hard of workers as we are and he said that "your daddies taught you right" or something like that :) I love doing service. We used oil paint and if you don't know, that kind of paint does not come off easily...Sister Steen and I looked great at women's conference covered in little red specks ha ha. 

Also women's conference was great! It was cool to see so many women and young women together :)

Well, I think that's about it for the week!...oh...except...Baylee got permission to call me this week when she found out she got her visa! So that was exciting to get to talk to her! The phone call started like this...me: "hello this is Sister Davis" Baylee: "Hi! Sister Davis this is Sister Davis!" It was awesome to get to talk to each other :)

Have a great week everyone and keep on smiling!

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 49 SURPRIZE

March 24, 2014

Oi!

We had a pretty good week! We definitely had some ups and downs...but mostly ups :)

Up...we found a new investigator after 6 weeks of not having a new investigator! We thought that he and his wife were golden! Down...we went back on Sunday and they dropped us. They are Catholic and really don't want to change. I think someday they will be ready, it just wasn't the right time.

Up...we had stake conference on Saturday and Sunday. Elder Pieper of the 70 came and spoke. The Ware's also came and spoke. The main topic was hastening the work. One thing Elder Pieper said was- "the Lord acts through those who are on His side." I know that's true, but we also have to let Him work through us. We have to follow promptings we get. I know as we pray for the chance to have missionary opportunities with the intent to act on them, the He will lead us to where we are suppose to be and give us the chance to share the gospel.

Up... the biggest up of the week....ready??? President Ware called us on Wednesday anddddddd I GOT MY VISA!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhh!!!!! I'll be leaving onApril 15th to go to the Brazil MTC for 2 weeks and then will go to my mission in Vitoria! I really didn't think that my visa was ever going to come. Its a little bitter-sweet to be leaving the WKM, I will miss it. But Heavenly Father knows where He needs me and I will go where ever He wants me to go. I am excited for whatever comes next :)

UP.....We had a cool experience this week. We were tracting and a lady answered the door and we introduced ourselves. Then she started crying and told us how her grand daughter is only a month and a half old but is terminally ill and isn't going to live much longer and how she is having a really hard time and so is the rest of her family. So I asked if we could share a scripture with her. We did and then we prayed with her. I could tell from looking at her that she was so much calmer. She was comforted. She said that she knows God sends angels on the earth and called us angels. It was a great experience  :) Moments like that make me love being a missionary :)

Well, I hope you all have an amazing week! Keep on smiling :)

By the way...I forgot to mention...we found Jesus this week ha ha. We were walking and I looked down and saw that paper :) A lot of people we tract into tell us that they found Jesus already...but we literally did this week!

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis

week 48 Verde

March 17, 2014
Oi! And Happy St. Patricks day!

Well this week was a little crazy with transfers and an unexpected Doctrine of Christ training that we had to go to, a Zone breakfast, and a Relief Society activity. Busy week.

We had a few miracles this week...1. we got to do a lot of service! I love doing service! 2. a family just moved into our ward and the wife served a mission about 7 years ago...in Brazil! She said she would do language study with me. That is going to help me so much :) 3. I saw Josh Perez (from Las Cruces) at the Doctrine of Christ training. He's doing great just so all of you know :)

One thing I've learned lately is how as missionaries we can't do this work by ourselves. Believe me, I've tried. But right now the work in our area is so slow and we don't know what to do. So I encourage all of you to go out and open your mouth! Every member a missionary! In the scriptures it promises if you open your mouth it will be filled. I challenge all of you to put that promise to the test...and tell me what happens :)

The Doctrine of Christ training was so good! One thing that President Ware told us was to make Christ the center of our circle (life). "When you focus on Christ in the center of your circle all the sweet things in life become sweeter." I know this is true.  Life IS better when we let Christ help us, and He does help us when we let Him in.

Well have a great week everyone and keep on smiling :)

Eu amo voces!

-Sister Kaycee Davis