The People We Visited In Brazil

Most of our time spent in Sao Paulo, Brazil was with members that Ryan has kept in touch with since coming home almost 3 years ago. It was an experience for me, that I will never forget. These loving people gave us the absolute best they had to offer even if it wasn't what here in America, we would call very much. All of them remembered Ryan and expressed their love and appreciation for him, but I know that they gave much more to Ryan ( and I) than the other way around. Members that had nothing are now thriving in the gospel with great callings, and testimonies. Their lives have truly been changed by the gospel and their prayers are answered. The experience this last week strengthened my own testimony, it was very humbling and gratifying. They automatically loved me because I love Ryan and so do they, that was enough for them.

We left Skylee at home with my mom who was kind enough to come out here to watch her for the week. We were constantly on the go! I felt like we were serving a mission with all the appointments we had and walking around that we did. We built up some good mileage! The bus system is outrageous, but efficient. We had to take it quite a few times to get everywhere we wanted to when there wasn't anyone to drive us around. Sometimes the buses got so packed that you couldn't move. It's a different world there, or at least country.

In that short week we were there, I grew to love the people there as I know Ryan did when he sereved his mission. I did my best with portugese, I learned a lot, but have a long way to go. Thank you Ryan for taking me on a trip that has enriched my life so much already. I love you.

Driving in Macedonia

Here is just a small clip from a drive we took from Gilberto and Zerina's home in the Macedonia area of Sao Paulo. Here we were on a dirt road, but the streets weren't any better. Ryan started teaching them the gospel while he was there, then was transfered before they got baptized. It's common there that couples with children don't get married, they just live together but it's never official. Ryan got this family married, so they could be baptized and to see the family flourishing in the gospel was a great blessing.

Ryan and Brittney in Brazil

This was the first time that Ryan and I really had been away on a trip together. We had a great time. When we weren't running all over the place trying to visit as many people from the mission, we did some more tourist-like things. We went to the Sao Paulo Museum where it gives the history of the Brazilians, it was beautiful inside but they don't let you take pictures. We went to Santo Amaro's market place the first day we were there and it was a good culture shock for me. Complete craziness! It was like a huge swap meet in the states with lots of different vendors in the streets. An even bigger market was called 25th of May(but in portugese) it was just as crazy, but we got some good stuff!

Guarapiranga

Guarapiranga was Ryan's last area he served his mission in, and also the place we stayed for the week. This can give you a good idea of what it was like EVERYWHERE. The people were all very nice, but we made sure to stay inside at night. Ryan teased that I got the street on film and in this shot it's the only place where there wasn't trash, whatever.

Around Sao Paulo, Brazil

The home, neighborhood, market, and museum shown here are a little taste of what it was like around the city. We went to a large fruit market and got to try tons of differnent Amazon fruits, some were really good, and others I perfered they stayed in Brazil. The yellow home is where we stayed. Irma Rosa, and Jocelia her daughter were so kind to let us stay for the week, it was great. The city gave this All-American girl the shock of her life. It is really amazing how big the city is and how many people there are there. It goes on for what seems like, forever! For the entire week, I couldn't get over how chaotic everything was. From driving, markets, people, and how massive it was, it's a lot to take in. It was a great experience but I'm glad to be home in America!

Special for Nana and Papa

Here you go mom and dad, little Skylee is getting excited to see you soon. Don't mind my horrible singing voice, she doesn't know the difference :) First go down and pause the playlist at the very bottom of the page. Enjoy! Love you!