Tasha Arrives at Brazil MTC!

We received the following from the Brazil MTC:

Dear Parents,We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise totake good care of your missionary.They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.

It sounds like she is in good hands and we are excited for her to finally be in Brazil. The MTC states that NO packages should be sent to the Brazil Missionary Training Center. All packages must be sent directly to the mission where Tasha will be serving not the MTC. They ALSO Strongly ENCOURAGE SENDING HAND WRITTEN LETTERS. Also, please DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BY FEDEX, DHL, UPS, or other private carriers. Only use the US Post Office.

Her mission home address is:

Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission

Sister Tasha Bierman
R. Dr. Luiz da Rocha Miranda, 159 8° Andar

Parque Jabaquara

04344-010 Sao Paulo - SP

Brazil

Prayer works!

Bom dia!!!

Ola familia e amigos! Como vai? Tudo bem?

Well this week has been absolutely CRAZY! WE'RE GOING TO BRAZIL!!!! TOMORROW!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It's nuts. 5 of us in our district got our visas, 3 are still waiting so we are still praying. But I am so grateful for the wonderful example of our teacher Irmao Cangelosi who taught us to pray with faith for the things that we need. Everyday we pray, and if we didn't pray for our visas, he would have us get down on our knees and pray for them again. It taught us that we can't just sit around and wish for the things that we need, but that we need to pray for them and do all that we can to obtain the blessings we need. We need to show the Lord that we are willing to do what it takes, but that we are always willing to accept the Lord's will. Because He is in charge, and although we may not know why things happen the way they do--God does and he has a very specific plan for all of us. The Lord blesses those who SEEK Him.

Other happenings of this week...I've been practicing "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" for a few weeks so that I could audition for a special musical number at a devotional or fireside for the MTC. Elder Udall and I have been really working at it and were planning on auditioning this week. They tell you to audition early so they can fit you in somewhere before you leave because so many people are so talented here. So I figured I still had like 4 weeks left...BUT then my visa came on Tuesday! And I didn't know what to do because I was sure that they already had all of the musical numbers lined up, but I had practiced and I have this huge fear of auditions, so i decided to buck up and audition and come what may. I was going to see this thing through. So we auditioned, and we got a YES! But they didn't know if they could fit us in...well I have the opportunity to share that wonderful song at the Senior Missionary Orientation today! Wish me luck, I hope the Spirit will touch their hearts through the song :) 

We had another really powerful sunday yesterday. I love sundays so much! Our district sang "A Child's Prayer" (in portuguese and english) in sacrament meeting as our farewell. There were some really good testimonies born. My roommate Sis Arslanian said something that was really profound: "I don't understand how the Gospel blesses us, but I KNOW THAT IT DOES." This is the truth and the most honest testimony one can bear. Many people want to know how it works or how we know, and oftentimes we don't have the answer, but like Nephi and so many others of the Book of Mormon... we can say: "I do not know all things, but I know that the Lord knows all things and I trust in Him." Sister Barlow and I taught our district meeting yesterday on the Power of Prayer. So fitting for this week. Prayers have the power to change the world, but it takes effort and thought on our part. I hope I can be better at it.

Oh yeah, this week we got to hear from....ELDER RICHARD G SCOTT!! Oh my goodness, what a blessing that was. I love hearing from the Apostles of the Lord! 

Always remember, "When you have done your best, you will sure still have disappointments--but you will not be disappointed with yourself."Be strong. Keep the Faith. And ALWAYS put your trust in Him.

I love you all,Tchao!

Tasha's Visa Arrived!!!

Hi Everyone:

We have some exciting news. Tasha called on Wednesday to let us know that she had received her visa....Yippee!! She will be flying out on Tuesday and arriving at the MTC in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Wednesday morning. She is so excited. There were quite a group that received their visas this week including her companion so there will be 7 of them traveling together for which we are grateful. It was so great to hear the sound of her voice and know that she is doing well. She could only talk for 5 minutes and it is amazing how quickly 5 minutes passes.

For those of you wanting to send her letters, please note the new address in Brazil.

Sister Tasha Anne Bierman
Box#28, Dist 37-A Brazil MTC
Brazil Sao Paulo South Mission
Rua Padre Antonio D'Angelo, 121
Casa Verde, Sao Paulo, SP
Brazil    02516-040

This is the MTC address and she should be there for a couple of weeks. I believe that it takes about a week for a letter to reach her so write her right away and she will get it while she is in the MTC.  Please do not send any packages to the Brazil MTC because  she will not be there long enough to receive them.  I will post the mission home address shortly and you are welcome to send packages there.  It is my understanding that they take about 4 - 8 weeks to arrive.   She loves to get letters and feels bad that she doesn't always have the time to respond back to everyone. Thank you all for your support for her.

TRUE HAPPINESS comes from TRUE REPENTANCE (Alma 27:18, Mosiah 4:11-12)

Ola FAMILIA e AMIGOS!!!
Como vai? Tudo bem, aqui!!! MUITO bem, actually :)
This week FLEW by. Like literally, FLEW. I can't believe it's already P-day again. This last week we taught around 10 lessons and studied and learned and studied and learned....and slept...they turned off the AC last weekend, so this weekend...can you say SAUNA? We missionaries are all like little miss Goldilocks...we always want juuussst right. Lol.

So I had the opportunity of speaking in sacrament meeting yesterday (which was AMAZING). They don't tell us in advance who the speakers are, but they tell you right then. And yep it was me :) Good thing I prepared! I was asked to speak on true repentance, which fit in perfectly with my book of mormon reading this week about the misssionary experiences of Alma and the Sons of mosiah. The people of Ammon are a HUGE example to us of people who truly repented and became truly converted. They were so converted that they refused to defend themselves against the lamanites and they were willing to be slaves for the nephites to make up for all of their murders. In Alma 23:5 it said that "as many as...were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away." WOW. I think we could all learn from their example.

Other thoughts, at service this friday a custodian was asking all the missionaries if they thought the MTC was Prison or Paradise. Most of them were saying prison! Can you believe that?! PARADISE is how I feel about the matter, SERIOUSLY, it is amazing here, I love it SO much!!
Other things, so everyday I have at least 2-3 people come up to me and say that I look really familiar, but we've never met each other before and I don't recognize them at all...? Strange huh? Well my companion claims it's because she thinks I look like Kate from "Lost"...which I think is a huge complement! I love Sister Barlow so much. She is amazing in everyway! And such a good friend!

Final thought, for the day because I don't have much time...
WE are SO blessed to have the Gospel in our lives!! I think we take it for granted a lot, but the Book of Mormon clearly teaches us that this is the way to have true happiness. I know that this is true, I challenge all of you to NEVER FORGET IT!

Also, in sacrament meeting yesterday the thought came to me :"Christ can only be our Savior if we accept Him." We accept him by having FAITH in Him--which leads us to REPENT, thereby accepting and UTILIZING His Atonement for us. I hope and pray that all of us can be more accepting of Christ, increase our faith in him, and continually repent to become more like Him.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thank you for all your prayers and know that I pray for you everyday.

Com amor,
Sister Bierman ;]

Eu tenho muito FRIO!!!!

How are you enjoying WINTER? That is exactly how I feel here, it is so cold! I wish I would have brought some of my scarfs or something lol. But then the rooms are warm, so that's not bad. But the heater in our room doesn't work, so it's cold at night. My alarm clock says it's 68 degrees, but it feels so much colder than that. It's really strange to be experiencing cold when it was so NOT planned on lol.. But I must say that, ok I know it's crazy, but I'm loving the scenery here in Provo. The mountains are breathtaking with half snow and half fall colors, especially Mt. Timp, and overlooking Utah lake is simply amazing! This morning it was really neat to see the sunrise hit Mt. Timp and the Mtns behind the temple were covered in snow and reflecting pink. Add that and the gentle glow of the temple and it was simply breathtaking! And then to turn around and see Utah lake and the pink and purple clouds over it. Love. Just love.

I came across a better theme scripture for my mission this week. It's one that I've leaned on for strength before, but really struck me this week. Check out 2 Timothy 1:7-8. For God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of LOVE, and PEACE, and a SOUND MIND. I am not ashamed of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And I WILL be bold and INVITE others to come to Him and PARTAKE of His REDEEMING LOVE by repenting and changing and coming into the fold of GOD. This is something that I get a little nervous about because I have never been one to push something on others, or try to pursuade them that I know the right way, or infringe upon their personal decisions. I cannot simply be comfortable with teaching others about Jesus Christ in His gospel and NOT invite them to come and partake of the wonderful fruit! This week's theme seems to be HAVING FAITH TO INVITE OTHERS TO BE BAPTIZED. Why is it so important to not only share the message, but to invite them to be BAPTIZED? Because inviting them to be baptized is how we committ them to CHANGE and have something for them to work toward, it's a goal and a process, and a demonstration of our willingness to follow Jesus Christ. This is hard for me because I feel like I need to teach others EVERYTHING there is to know about the Gospel, when I don't even know that. I need to stop thinking that people must have a perfect knowledge of everything before I can ask them to change, because it is only by FAITH that miracles are wrought and who am I to know the intent of God and the workings of the Spirit in others hearts. I need to take a leap of FAITH to help them take a leap of FAITH and COME UNTO CHRIST. The Savior was not shy or timid about INVITING others to come unto Him, but he invited ALL to come partake of His redeeming love. He taught with boldness and let people choose to accept Him for themselves. My goal is to follow the example of the Savior and NOT HESITATE to invite others to come unto Him through baptism. The Savior invites ALL to come unto Christ--as His representative--SO DO I!

I encourage all of you strive to be more active in INVITING others to come unto Christ. Their salvation is on the line. Help them partaked of His redeeming love, and peace, and joy, and LIFE. You can do it, just SHARE His love! We may not be able to understand all that others go through or why, but the Savior does. Because He has been there. He understands, "He only one." In our own Gesthemane's, WE ARE NOT ALONE. What a blessing this is in our lives, to know that we ALWAYS have someone to turn to! I am so grateful for His willingness to obey the Father and sacrifice Himself for us to be free and healed and cleansed.

I love you so much. All of you back at home are such a huge inspiration to me. Our family picture is the bookmark for my Book of Mormon and it reminds me why I am here and why I need to share what I have with the world. Thank you for all your prayers and support, I need it and feel it. I pray for you.

Te amo,
Sister Bierman

Eu agradeco-te, O Deus, para os profetas!

WASN'T GENERAL CONERENCE AMAZING!? The Spirit here at the MTC is amazing! I loved every bit of conferece, all of the talks were so direct and straight from God! I had so many talks that I loved, it's hard to choose a favorite! Some of my favorites include: "Do the right thing, at the right time--without delay!"- Elder Alonso, "All beings who have bodies have power over those who do not!" -Pres. Packer, ''Compared to God we are nothing, but TO God we are everything.'' -Pres. Uchtdorf, ''Take those things that rob us of our time and instead devote our time to the things that matter most--the things of God.'' -Elder Ardern (this one I especially liked because I can really see the truth of it here at the MTC. We get up 6:30 and until 10:30 we are dedicating our time to the Lord, not wasting one second. I cannot belive how much we can get accomplished here, and how little I accomplished at home. I challenge ALL OF YOU to COMMIT YOUR TIME TO THE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST), "We must LOOK UP and STEP UP and then we will CHEER UP!'' -Elder carl B. Cook....and SO MANY more! Mom, could you send me the talk by Brother Matthew O Richardson? He talked to fast, but it was so important! Thanks! I hope that all of you enjoyed and got as much out of conference as I did. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to hear from prophets of God.

As for other news, the Portuguese is coming along...today during laundry we were trying to talk to an Elder from Sao Paulo so he could help us practice, boy do we have a lot more to learn! But he has only been here 7 weeks and he already speaks amazing english, so there is HOPE! Our teacher, Irmao Williams, told us that we speak portuguese better now than he did when he left the MTC! That is very encouraging. He says that at the Brazil MTC they speak to you in English, not Portuguese. I am so blessed to be here in Provo. I know the Lord has much in store for me, as long as I am obedient and strive to serve Him the best I can. I can''t wait to see what He has in store for me and the people I will meet!

I love the BOOK OF MORMON! I am learning so much reading so much! I am only 130 pages in, but I have been more enlightened from this Book now than I ever have been in my life. Are YOU reading the Book of Mormon? Are you "drinking deeply and often from it''s pages?" (Pres. Eyring)

I've decided that the theme of my mission thusfar is 2 Nephi 31:20. It has brought me great comfort and strength everyday and I strive to exercise my faith. Mom, will you tell them this is the scripture they can put on my plaque?

We said goodbye to Sister Pedersen this week. It was really emotional at first, and Sister Barlow had a hard time adjusting to that gap in our companionship, but things are going great now! We are closer than ever and feeling the wonderful power of the Spirit in our lives everyday and every lesson. We have a new investigator, Tiago, and already we have had such amazing experiences: feeling the Spirit guide us to TEACH PEOPLE--NOT LESSONS. I have felt the power of the Spirit place words and scriptures into my mind at the moment I need them most. I know that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is real. It''s power is beyond anything we can comprehend. All we need do is seek His help and live worthy of His presence. I know that it is through the gift and the power of God and His Spirit that we can speak and understand so much portuguese in just 3 short weeks. You would think we had been here months!

Among other things...the missionaries here are definitely romantically deprived. We watched "The Testaments'' last night and everytime there was flirting or kissing involved, the whole gym errupted into cheers. Oh my goodness, it was hilarious. Poor Elder Bruce was like, "Two years, man.'' Oh how I love being a missionary and the all the blessing that I receive from the Lord. I hope all of you are recognizing His hand in YOUR life.

I know that this is the true church of Christ, and I know that this is His work!

I love you all so very much,

Sister Bierman