Changes

For many years I've enjoyed being associated in the planning and conducting of the Brazilian Missionaria reunions.  It seems right to bring about a change, so we sent out this notice to our 70+ Brazil Mission U.S. sister missionaries . . .

BRAZILIAN MISSIONÁRIA
ANNOUNCEMENT

     After consulting with Sister Geri Bangerter it has been decided to simplify our reunions by combining our efforts with the April, Brazil Mission Reunion.  As you may know the Brazil Reunion is held typically on the Thursday prior to general conference in the early evening.  It will continue to be held in the Alpine Stake Center near the Bangerter farm.  Kim Russell has all the sister contact information and will notify us of the details.  It will also be published in the Brasulista.
     In April there were more sisters that attended the reunion than has been typical.  We hope that you will all make an effort to continue to gather in Alpine to greet Sister Bangerter, renew friendships, catch up on news of Brazil and meet Brazilian guests that join with us each year. 

We thank you for your interest and support these many years and
look forward to continuing our friendships in April.
If you have questions please call or write to:
Maureen Daines Hodgen, 801-292-6182, plumbob@utahweb.com
Phyllis Merrell Miller, 801-295-8426, pmmiller@q.com
Mary Etta Watson Parkinson, 801-566-7563, mewparkinson@comcast.net


My motivation in being associated with the group was to encourage gathering of the sisters to get to know one another.  There is a broad span of years among our group.  Many of the sisters I had known only be their great reputations that had remained in Brazil when I was in my first assignment in Santos.  Sister Mills used to refer to them often with great admiration.  Now I do also.  Of special note was Carol Wheeler, a nurse, who shared responsibility as a missionary for the Relief Society for part of her mission.  She accompanied Sister Bangerter and a Brazilian sister to establish the first Relief Society organization in Brazil beginning with visiting teaching.  That was news to me when I read Sister Beck speak of it in the March 2009 Ensign.  http://lds.org/ensign/2009/03/focusing-on-the-lords-work-of-salvation?lang=eng&query=%22four+sentences+in+portuguese%22   

At our April Brazil Mission Reunion I was impressed to notice the many sisters in attendance.  Previous reunions there were only two or three sisters among the many, many elders attending.  It has seemed since April that we should simplify.  We want to be respectful of Sister Bangerter's generous time in always being with us at our reunions.  She's always been willing to travel to West Bountiful for our reunions.  She comes with much memorabilia to remind us of our times in Brazil.  Now she will do it just once a year close to her home and we can all benefit together.  This transition will be good.  In addition we made much progress locating former Brazilian sisters missionaries in Brazil.  There'll be some saudades but it will be good. 

Life has many opportunities.