Cicero and Patricia with their three kids.
(From far left to right) Tiago - 1st Counselor in the Branch Presidency; Charles - the Branch Mission Leader; President Jose Helio; Sister Lima; Sister Cornwall
and Eleomar in the front

Wow, what a week.

Patricia and Cicero were baptized!!! It was marvelous. Cicero had travelled Sunday afternoon, and didn't get back until Wednesday night (which makes missionaries pretty nervous) but we talked to Patricia everyday and she was so great. When we talked to her Monday night, she said - I made my decision, I'm going to get baptized. Presidente José Helio of the branch had told a story in sacrament meeting about a man who said he would tight rope with a bicycle, and asked the crowd if they thought he could, and they said- yeah we believe it. Then he asked if they thought he could do it pulling someone behind him, and the crowd said - we believe you, but we don't trust you. Patricia totally got it and realized that she believed, even knew everything we taught her was true, but she wasn't trusting enough to follow through. She was so strong, and when we talked to Cicero, he also felt that it was the right thing to do. But then we didn't know if Cicero would have to work on Saturday; we prayed and prayed and when we got back from the conference with Presidente Andrezzo, we got to their house at 8h30 in the van with the Elders, and we asked Patricia anxiously if Cicero was home - and he was!!!

The baptism was probably the most rewarding I've ever been to. The entire branch has been asking about them, and apparently everyone already knew their names. There were a ton of people, and everyone got involved. There was a lovely little reception afterwards, and then the Branch Presidente interviewed the both of them. Sister LIma and I were a little under the weather, but it was pretty blissful for us. Then Cicero said he had to work Sunday morning, and so we prayed, realizing that having unshakable faith is seeing beyond the obvious, normal circumstance. And guess who went to church in a shirt and tie, with his beautiful wife, and three darling kids (João Pedro 6, Leticia 3, and Pedro Henrique 1 1/2) - it was miraculous. We really did so little. They were received so well, and they are just so grateful.

Wednesday night after our visit, we asked Cicero to give the closing prayer, and he thanked Heavenly Father for me and Sister Lima, he was so kind. Honestly, our mission was worth it just for this family. It was a little bit sad just because the branch adopted them so well that I felt like I lost 5 children, but it's better that way. Thank you everyone for your prayers. there is a power in prayer that I am only beginning to understand.

And we met the Andrezzos. They are darling. They are different from the Vecchis, but they were certainly called to take the mission to the next level. I feel so privileged to have been able to work with them for a few weeks.

Sister Lima and I are so full of gratitude. We are going to take care of ourselves, and then get back to work. We have the family of Veronica and Guilherme and Rosane, they need prayers this week . . . would you mind? I know there is a lot of faith and power when our investigators receive your prayers.

love love love,
Sister Cornwall

Sister Andrezzo - Mission Mom; Sister Morgan - Senior Missionary; Sister Lima; Sister Cornwall

Some p.s. chats to Sister Cornwall's parents:
It was nice to meet the Andrezzos [the new Mission President and Mission Mom], finally. And I'll just brag a little. When I met Sister Andrezzo, she said - oh good to meet you Sister Cornwall -- the famous. I thought that was interesting. But then in my interview with Presidente he said that his son had told them that I was the best of the best [their son had been an A.P. in Sister Cornwall's mission back in Jan.] , and if he could pay me to stay, he would. I was incredibly flattered. They are incredibly lovable, and I am just so glad to have been able to meet them and work a little bit with them.

Also, I was sick this week. Sister Lima and I got a virus and ended up with diarrhea on Friday night, and then Saturday morning we woke up feeling lousy, but we went the second mile and did a visit, and . . . Sister Cornwall threw up on the street on the way home. It'll be a good story. We've been taking it easy (we really only went out on Saturday for the baptism) and we've been eating so little because we're just nauseous. But hey, we'll live.

Thanks for being so great mom and dad. Love, Rach

Whew, it was another busy week this week.

We are working so hard, and we're hoping and praying that that will have fruits on Saturday for the baptismo of Patrícia and Cicero. They are changing, and feeling the spirit and you can see the hope that this will help them transform their lives, I know it will.

This week was interesting in that it was one of those weeks that helps you see your weaknesses a little more clearly. After all this time, there are a few basic things that still need adjustments. But this life is constant healing process. We are always going to be going through something, sometime, and seeking out our Heavenly Father's help. We shared Job 23:8-10 a few times in our messages this week, and I was taken aback by how grateful everyone was; essentially it talks about how when we are going, going, going, sometimes we don't see the Lord, BUT He knows our path, He knows what we're going through, and though He will try us and refine us and cast some light on our weaknesses "we will come out as gold." Amen.

We had a fireside last night where we watched 17 miracles about the Willie/Martin Handcart Companies. Not a dry eye. It was important for me to watch that. Here's what I wrote afterwards

He let me come. He let me come and serve Him and make such a tiny difference. He let me give a little of myself so that I could finally find Him and be nearer to Him and see His hand and His miracles. He sends me His Holy Spirito so that I can be comforted and assured that He is right there and He will never abandon us. I know He loves me and cares about who I am, and where I go and what I become. He cares about my desires and hopes and dreams. He knows that sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven
.
I'll do ALL He asks me to do. The rest of the world just doesn't matter. This is the gospel and power and glory of Jesus Christ. It's why we do what we do. We are so incredibly imperfect. But He will bless our weaknesses and kiss our heads when we falter so incredibly. But that's why He gave us His son. That's why that infinite sacrifice was so essential. We will live in Christ. We will live by His grace and mercy. We will find peace and rest in Him. He will redeem us. He will allow us to turn to Him of our own free will just so that WE can have the pleasure of having been the ones to decide to make it happen.

Our families will be forever. We will have eternal glory and happiness with our Father and with our Savior. I have no doubt of that. This is the truth. I am so loved and so blessed to be here serving my Savior Jesus Christ. THis is it. I am so grateful.

Please pray for Patricia and Cicero. It'll be a lovely week.

love love love,
Sister Cornwall

In response to a question regarding how long it takes to get 'snail-mail' and how much longer folks ought to send a USPS letter, Sister Cornwall responded...

I think this is the last week! And honestly, because I'm so far from Salvador, I'll probably just get it on my way out.

love you, Rach
A few 'stealth' photos of Jequie borrowed from the blog of the Morgan's (the senior missionary couple) in Sister Cornwall's zone.

Whew this was one of the most exhausting, and certainly the most spiritual week of all of them. Sister Lima and I are just wasted from having so many incredible experiences.

First we had a Family Home Evening where we invited everyone to do one thing everyday to show love in their home - a little note, a little present - something. I really lucked out because Sister Lima is REALLY good at these kinds of things. We have written on the mirrors, the windows, the fridge, there are notes stuck everywhere, and ribbons and such scattered throughout the house. Beyond that, couples in the ward spent the week doing cute things, and there were a few glowing couples at Church on Sunday. So I'll invite everyone to do SOMETHING for someone else in your household until next Monday. You will love it.

So those activities brought a special spirit. We were both feeling a little frustrated on Wednesday because after a full day of looking for new people to teach - nothing. Then we said a prayer at home at 6h30 at night, asking for help, and found one family of 10 and another of 5. It was pretty amazing. We also had a Family Home Evening with a family in the ward where only the dad isn't a member. We watched a few videos from the Church's site, and the son who got home from a mission in Manaus bore testimony and hugged his dad and the rest of us just sobbed. It was really special.

Patricia and Cicero went to Church! They loved it and were so well greeted. I am so grateful for them and their faith.

One incredible lesson that I learned yesterday during sacrament meeting was that we are going to be tested, we are going to shake and lose our balance a little, but we can stick it. If we trust in the enabling grace of Jesus Christ, we won't fall. Our trials are to make us a little humbler, humble enough to ask for help, and then he will help and make all the difference. That is real freedom and joy and happiness. It's true.

love, love, love,
Sister Cornwall

View across the street from the church.

p.s. Photos are care-of this blog kandllight.blogspot.com

I'm staying in Jequié! With Sister Lima! Miracles are real. We could not believe it when we got the call. We are incredibly excited to work and work and work some more.

This morning we were just talking and talking, and we realized that we are living Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon. Jequié is at a crucial point where it will either join with the neighboring stake (and lose a lot of independence) or it will grow and divide and become a district (and then a stake, and then a mission!) But this week was incredible. Last night was this glorious moment - the first productive branch counsel in a really long time. There's the 15 famílias program that was designed exactly to divide and last night we spent almost the entire evening just talking about people - everyone was working together and they were seeking out Divine guidance and the Spirit was so strong - it was marvelous. Going back to the part about Jacob 5, verses 49-51 talk about how the Lord of the vineyard is ready to rip things out and start all over, but the servant asks to spare it a little longer. And the Lord of the vineyard allows it - just a little longer. Sister Lima and I know that our work over the next 7 weeks will determine a lot of the future of Jequié. But we have been so blessed.

We met Patrícia and Cicero this week, a beautiful couple from Ceará with three little kids. They are really marvelous. We have been so so blessed, and we're excited to bring families into the "vineyard," if you will.

Also, I gave a talk at church (and we taught Gospel Principles, and sang in the choir, missionary life is the best.) I talked about how this past week I had a dream with Jeffrey R. Holland; we drove around a little bit and chatted etc. Cool. Then I woke up and decided that God probably wanted to tell me something. I decided to look for a talk by him, and found "Faith to Answer the Call" that talks about the faith of early pioneers that did so much and risked so much etc. His main invite was to create a reservoir of faith, reading, praying, studying, searching our soul, searching the heavens for a testimony that will be rock-ribbed, furnace-refined faith. It was really great.

We are thrilled to be here, and to do the Lord's will and invite His spirit to be ever stronger in our lives. (p.s. I am in love with Sister Lima, she is one of the most Christ-like people I know.)

love love love,
Sister Cornwall

Map of the state of Bahia, Brazil

Well, Here we are.

The first week in the ol' Jequié branch. I think when I heard branch, I was thinking there would be like 15 people . . . not really. The Jequié branch actually used to be a district. It was two branches, but because of lack of growth, it was combined. There are about 100 people that go every Sunday, and they are really great people. It's always so interesting to work in an area for almost a week, hear so much about the area, and THEN go to church on Sunday already having formed a few ideas, heard a few names, and then you have to go and piece everything together. It can be kinda fun.

One of the things that I had already perceived that was pretty much confirmed on Sunday was that despite the fact that some of these people have been members for a very long time . . .they don't really get it. That's actually true in most of the wards, but Jequié is so cut off, that it's a little more so. It's actually a really cool city - and reminds me so much of Monrovia; it's in a valley and it has mountains! I haven't seen mountains for so long. We have a nice house that is on the 4th floor with lots of huge windows. I love windows. And we can see the mountains. In the morning it's actually a little cold and in the afternoon - it's pretty hot. And dry. But I've already been through that.

Also, I have . . . Sister Lima. Goodness gracious. It is a blessing from God that we are companions. I think I mentioned that she is only serving short term. She served eight years ago in São Paulo and she is . . . incredible. She moved to Salvador three years ago, and within a month she was called as Relief Society President. She's single obviously, but she serves so well. She also was not released from her present calling (stake primary president) and she has decided to stick around for one more transfer. To describe her, she's like a tiny 36 year old Brazilian Bonnie Young (Bonnie, did you come home from your mission yet? - if so, write me darling.) Also, for those of you that know her, she has a few facial features that for some odd reason remind me of Jodi Bell. She is incredible. She has this burning testimony, she's a member 17 years and lost her mom 3 years ago. She is solid and fun and hilarious. We are both feeling grateful to be together.

Sister Lima & Sister Morgan

There is also something else very special here in Jequié: the Morgans. They are senior couple that is serving here. They are incredible (mom, they also have a blog: kandllight.blogspot.com) they've been here for four months I think, and are from Arizona. This morning (when we all played soccer together with the two other pairs of Elders) Sister Morgan and I were talking about how different things are here. They are an incredible resource. We talked to the Branch President (in a miraculous meeting - everyone has been trying, trying trying to arrange a meeting with him, and haven't been able to. but Thursday night I felt like we should visit seminary; there wasn't seminary but Presidente José Hélio was there,) and we talked about the programs 15 famílias/unidos em propósito [united in purpose] and the sanctification of the branch and its leaders. We are all recognizing that this is the key moment for this branch. I feel so blessed to be able to be here. This past week has been a LOT of really pushing my enthusiasm for all the Jequieences so that they feel that it can happen. LOTS of positive thinking. But honestly, there is so much potential. It's gonna happen. We don't know what's going to happen at the end of the transfer next Monday, but it doesn't really matter.

This letter contained significantly more information than inspiration, but I studied a lot about submission this week. When we submit ourselves to our God, and commit ourselves to do His will - hey, He'll give us a power to help enable us to get through. I needed to learn about that this week.

love love love,
Sister Cornwall

File photo of Jequie from the internet

Photo from the Morgan's blog

Photo from the Morgan's blog

Dear everyone!: 

Well, today is my last full day in Mussurunga, there's an emergency transfer (not on my end) and I'm going to Jequié! The hottest city in the mission! [No kidding! See the nick-name for Jequie] But it will be awesome. Sister Lima (a short term missionary) will be my companion. And it's a branch there, I think I've always wanted to work in a branch. I am pumped. The assistants actually called me last Wednesday, but we've got our final conference tomorrow morning, and if I'd gone last Thursday as was originally planned, I'd have missed it. So I go tomorrow afterwards. I'll bear my departing testimony because we won't have conferences my last transfer. Weird right?

This last week was a little funny with the quasi-transfer (i'm actually already packed, I've been living out of a suitcase since Thursday morning) and we also had the Manaus Brasil Temple dedication! [See LDS info page.] Saturday night we had several visitors/pesquisadores that watched the commemoration/celebration, which was really cute. It was interesting to see a representation of the culture of another Brazilian state; the states here are all so diverse, and Manaus is in the middle of the Amazon, [See map - note Sister Cornwall's mission is just below the Recife Temple on the east coast.] but there were TONS of people. Salvador will need to really work to have the dedication necessary to earn a temple here. But it was really entertaining, and I felt the spirit - even though there were some silly/slower moments. But the people of this church are so good. 

Sunday morning was divine. We didn't have Sacrament Meeting, just the first session of the three. Sister Smart and I went all chic because we didn't have to go pick up pesquisadores, and we were headed straight home afterwards. It was so special to be in such sacred circumstances; they were all people that I already knew, but there was certainly an added reverence. And Raymond went in a shirt and tie, which was special. I know that the Lord wants us to feel His peace, and the way that he can teach us about Godliness. I am grateful for the desire that I have to raise myself to the standard. I studied all about temples this week in the pre-dedication build-up. It is a special place. The Lord wants us to receive his doctrine through covenant. We are able to have a strength greater than our own force of will, and the temple is the only place holy enough for us to be able to get to a level of Godliness on this earth that we need in order to understand Him at a greater level. We need the power of God in this life. We need to understand better in order to be better. I like that. I MISS the temple. While we waited they passed footage outside and inside various temples . . . baaaahaaa, I was filled with an incredible . . .homesickness, is probably the best word. I know that on a mission we live a consecrated life, such that we can feel the spirit to a similar degree as to when we're in the temple . . . but sometimes that spirit doesn't include the calm, and the cleanliness, and the good smells, and such. The temple is real growth. It is what will make the biggest difference in our lives. We can make it there.

This will be quite an interesting week. It'll be quite an adventure. I am sad to leave my dear Salvador. I really love this city. A lot. But hey, there are people that are waiting there right?

love love love,

Sister Cornwall

Mom, that sounds like so much fun (your trip that is.) Our family is great, and I'm glad that it all worked out. each new member of the family is another little something that factors in. Interesting. I already have my itinerary. And although I'll probably be tired, I really do want to go to the temple SOON!

Thanks mom. I was thinking about Jeff all day. All the contacts I did on the street, I managed to talk about him somehow. Even Presidente Vecchi sent congratulations (I'd written him in my letter.) Jeffrey is married. WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!! But I'm so happy.

Well,

This week was really nice. Raymond [Bill Gates cousin] was baptized!!! It was really special. He got sick, his doctor told him he couldn't stop smoking all at once like that. But he was totally firme forte. It was a really nice day. His two daughters came to church on Sunday, and they seem really nice. He's a good guy. Bispo baptized him, and before the baptism gave a pretty good, firm word to Raymond's youngest son who's 18. I'll send pictures another day.

President extended a really great invitation, for every missionary to sanctify his/herself. For 40 days we will "fast" from things that could hinder us from feeling the spirit constantly in our lives. He is inspired.

The rain has let up a little bit, and Sister Smart and I are ready to see some miracles. We've been so blessed, and we're just gonna try and keep work to earn the blessings of our father in heaven.

I know that we have true prophets here on the earth. There are many good good people who have already, or are presently living here on the earth. I recognize that. but the fact that the heavens are open, we know the plan of God, we have His light and truth to guide us, and we are able to hear from him. It seems like something so simple, but I know the priesthood is real and makes all the difference for us to communicate with our father that is in heaven.

love love love,

Sister Cornwall