April 15

Holy Cow! I had so much to do today, this internet time started as an hour, then an hour and a half and is now going on 2 hours! I had a lot more to report to President Milder being a senior companion now and then I had to read everyone´s blog reports. Thanks for all the updates and pictures! I was in heaven seeing my beloved family!

Laura--I don´t really know what that means, but I´m praying for you adn the twins.

Nat--I´m so excited it´s going to be a girl! That´s hilarious about Sam and his girlfriend! Watch out.

Joy--What a dirty little trick. You know how guilable I am! And it´s even worse via email when you can´t see or hear the tone of voice! But, I will forgive you. :) I´m glad the boys are all growing well and developing their abilities and talents (acting, playing instruments, grunting, etc). :)

Life is good. I´m kinda stressed out about training and all, but with faith in every footstep...:) My companion, Maria Sena is very sweet. Actually, she´s a lot like me! HAHAHAHA! In the good ways and not-so-good. It´s really funny and Heavenly Father works--giving me a junior who is the same way I was when I arrived. God really does have a great sense of humor! :) I´m learning a lot about working hard, setting a good example, teaching, and following the Spirit.

This morning I studied patience which is a celestial virtue (according to Pres. Monson). I am grateful for this opportunity to develop more patience with others and myself. It is wonderful to see how God counsiled the sons of Mosiah in Alma 26 to have patience in afflictions and if they would, they would be blessed greatly. That promise was fulfilled and they were instruments in the Lord´s hands in brining millions of souls into Christ´s fold! Wow! What a great example! I never knew the virtue of patience was so powerful. This week, I´m really focusing on developing more patience.

The work continues forward. We are living in 8 sisters in Cuiabá right now and commuting to our area of Verdão. It´s kinda rough, not going to lie, but what a blessing to exercise patience! We study and plan in every corner of the apartment--kitchen, hallway, bedroom, etc. It´s pretty funny. Hopefully, we´ll find an apartment soon in Verdão and get to move there.

I´m excited to see Mom and Dad at Stake Conference. (Want to go teaching with me and my companion?!) That´d be a blast! But, like Mom, I don´t want to break any rules. But, we do have a goal to teach 20 lessons with members every week so as your calling is to serve Dad and be a witness of Christ, maybe you could kill two birds with one stone and go teaching with us! HAHAHA!

I´m glad the baby blessings went well adn everyone had fun at Conference weekend. Holy Cow! Emily is getting so grown up!

I would have to say one of the biggest miracles of late is that I got transferred to Verdão. We (Sis. Barboza and I) had been working with Estella (less active) and her family (two sons and husband), but they weren´t in our ward boundaries so we didn´t have permission to continue. I prayed a lot that something would happen for us to continue working with them if it was according to God´s will, because they had gained a trust and love for me and I for them. Then, what would you know, but I got transferred to their area! YEA! I am so happy and grateful for the opportunity to continue working with them. Truly, God hears and answers our prayers. I´ll keep you all posted on their progress. We´re going to mark their baptismal dates this week.

Well...I´m working hard and truly striving to be 100% obedient to be worthy of the companionship of the Spirit. Thank heavens for the Atonement and the opportunity to repent and do better every day!

Well, I love you all so much. Thank you for being such a wonderful, supportive family! May God bless you all!
Love, Sister Ellis III

P.S. Is it true, Dad, that the Church doesn´t ´allow´ Conferences with just the Sister Missionaries? I heard from Sister Cavalcante that y´all did Sister Zone Conferences in MBSPN.