Aunt Cynthia

I have a mother daughter/son relationship with my nieces and nephews.  3 of them have been baptized, but they haven`t received from my sisters the support they needed to remain firm in their faith. I love my sisters, but not being a member doesn`t help at all. They never thought it was important wake them up on Sundays morning to go to church for example. They don`t have a testimony about it. It is hard to be far and not have the same influence over them and remember them that they are loved by a Heavenly Father and that their lives have purpose.

this picture was taken when I left Brazil

Flavio Rodrigo: He is 18 years old. I had become an aunt when he was born. Flavinho, as we call him, loves soccer. His dream is play for some soccer team in Italy or Spain one day. We don`t agree in this subject because we both don`t cheer for the same soccer team in my hometown. Flavio is very smart. He can learn very quickly many things. When He was around 15, he has figured out that he can dance and very well. I was always impressed by how well he could dance Brazilian style. But his purpose is enjoy the life in its fullness. I remember doing family scripture study with him and family prayer. Specially when something wrong was going on in our family. I love him so much. He has gotten his first job and I am really excited for him. I always tell him to behave at work and do his best.

Flavio Rodrigo VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Maria Eduarda: She is my copy: thin and smart. Du, Duda (or any other crazy nickname I had called her in the past) is really responsible and will hate anyone who crosses her mom`s way. She has an adoration for her mom, my older sister Joelma, who is also, Flavio`s mother. She has been graduated from high School when was 16 years old. Now, a year later, she is studying to be a Mechanic Technician. I wonder when she goes to College which field she will choose. She tried to become a top model but it didn`t work. She is also in her first job, working for a popular department store in Brazil. Whenever I have a chance, I tell her to be honest and do her best, not waiting someone to tell her to do something she sees that needs to be done. She makes everyone in our family proud. She inherit the cloths I couldn't fit in my suitcase when I moved.

Maria Eduarda VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Suellen Rayssa: Sylvia, my other sister is her mom. Suellen has been raised for my mom, to allow Sylvia to keep her job and for her dad`s mom later. Today, being 15 years old, she has had problems to progress at school repeatedly. I was too demanding with her in the past, asking her to do what was right in my view. Suellen is so beautiful in and out. I miss not being close to her to say as much as didn`t say in the past that I love her and that she is a special daughter of Heavenly Father. I talked to her over the phone today and I reminded her of this. But, to say the truth, I wish I was closer to have the opportunity to hug her strongly. The youth needs us to remind them of their spiritual values. Specially when they think they don`t have a skill or that they aren`t worthy. They usually can`t believe it themselves, unless someone believes it first. Su, has been back to school and we are setting up some goals, so she can feel proud of herself. 

Leonardo: He is the youngest and was named after my father. He is doing great at school and I sent him some gifts to recognize the good job he has done. Leo, has an adoration for Du, my niece. I think Du is his favorite member of our family. He is playing soccer too, and is excited to learn more and more. Recently, he had a “birthday party” to celebrate his 8th year of life and his dad`s sister had a surprise at her house, because she had promised him to bake him a cake: her house was full of kids from the neighborhood on the evening. The result of Leo inviting everybody to his “party”. There was no place to step forward or step back there on that night. Sylvia, his mom, always says he is going to be a dentist and I don`t know if it is his desire or her dream. I remember one night when he was a baby, I decided staying at home with him instead of hanging out with my lds friends. I wrote it in my journal that night.

Because my sisters are not members, I thought I would have the responsibility to nourish them spiritually. I do it as much as I can, but it is not so easy. I love being an aunt.