The Finish Line

I wanted to thank all of you for your prayers and support for Jess.  He is home now and adjusting back to family life very well.  He is in the mode to stay busy.  I don't know how long that will last but it is great to have his help in getting things done at home.  I asked him to write one last letter to all of you who have been reading his letters and supporting him through out his mission.   Jess will be giving his home coming talk in church this Sunday September 14th at 9am.  We would love to see you there.

We love you!

Debbie and the Angus Clan

________________________________________________________________________

I guess I knew this day was coming. Sometimes we go about our lives with the idea that we have infinite resources and infinite time to get done whatever it is we need to do. We enjoy the time we have and we go about as if it would never end. God's plan, however, is entirely different, for his desire is not for us to continue where we are, but to change and to grow. For this very purpose, everything has its beginning and its end, a purpose and a deadline, like a staircase where each plane we comfortably reach ends quickly and jumps to one a little bit higher. The mission was and is one of these steps, and it seems that that deadline has finally arrived.

It's no mistake that we as missionaries refer to this as “death,” for it is our final time to do an extraordinary work before we return to our home. However, it is 100% necessary, for even as physical death is a necessary step towards perfection and the resurrection, we must need an end to even the best steps in our lives, so that we can move forward and step up to a higher plane. 

The last week was riddled with many new and testimony building experiences. One of which was truly special. When we were visiting several of our contacts to find someone new to teach, we were undoubtedly  up to our necks in false addresses and missing people, until we arrived at one house situated right behind a small business and rather difficult to find. With no surprise at all, the man who gave the address didn't live there, but fortunately, the woman kindly invited us in. The lesson we taught was nowhere out of the ordinary as we taught her the Restoration of the church, but the moment we pulled out the Book of Mormon, the spirit just filled the room, and I didn't know why, until we invited her to read it and pray to know if it was true. In that moment, she responded something I hardly expected, “I know it's true. I've already done that prayer for this very same book.” Five or six years ago, she had made contact with sister missionaries who shared the book with her before losing contact. Then, after a while, she began to be passing a lot of difficulties and began to hunger for responses, so she began to pick up the Book of Mormon and read. The words touched her so much that she needed to know if they were true, and her prayers opened her eyes to see. Since then, she lost her copy of the book, but the moment we showed her that blue cover, she already knew that everything we said is true. We invited her to be baptized, and her response was simple and firm, “Absolutely.”

If you were to ask me what I've learned from this or from any of the experiences from the last two years, it would be difficult to explain. If I were to try, I'd probably end up filling a few bookshelves. But if there is anything I have learned, it is to be a missionary. I have experienced, even if it were only a small portion, of how it is to be like the savior. I have seen the greatness of his works,  have felt his love for each and every one, have sacrificed, suffered, and cried for many and have pressed froward nonetheless. Above all these few years have been powerful enough to change a few things from belief to pure knowledge. I know that Christ lives, that he loves us, and that he has made himself the ultimate sacrifice for all. By the power of his redemption, all men are free to choose for themselves, whether it be life eternal, or bondage and suffering. It is my prayer that all of us may ever walk in the path of the light for there have I walked, and no other path has been so great nor so sweet.

Surly I'm going to miss a great many friends and each of the homes I have created here, and I long for each of them to be blessed and to grow. But, for me there is more to do, and much more to learn. I must take the next step. I thank everyone who has prayed for me and helped me in any way. I know it must be hard to suffer through my letters each week, so it might be a good release now that the weekly updates are coming to an end. But let me just end with a simple remark of gratitude to all of you.

Thank you for listening.

Elder Angus

The Final Countdown

How is the Catholic family doing?  

They're fine, as far as I know. Unfortunately, they decided to stop for a while because the parents didn't want to continue when their kids won't. I understand the importance of family, but I still get a little sad when they don't look into how God will help the family. Oh well, we'll keep contact in case they change their minds. 

Is this the same family who felt the spirit testify when you were teaching them the first vision?

No, this was another family, and they're doing really well. They successfully abandoned coffee and cigarets in just a week, but are unable to go to church because of problems in the family (mostly the ex-husband) :( I hope we can help resolve the situation.

Did the girl who was living with her boyfriend continue with the lessons?

Unfortunately this situation got extremely complicated as they haven't decided to continue together or not, but while they're together, he rejects anything to do with marriage or the church, so it's very difficult for her. I hope she can make a right decision for herself because unfortunately I can't do it for her. (Maybe I'll write my own book of lamentations.

-----

As the days pass I wonder just what happened in these last two years. For me, it's almost as if it were a dream. As a new tradition, we've begun singing the hymns, in a regressive order, to count down the days (the only countdown that's still spiritually motivating). This week we didn't get hardly any progress with those that we've been teaching, but we've been able to reach out to more people, as a lot more are opening their doors to us.

However, with everything that happened this week, I don't know if there's much to talk about other then the fact that when you ask, it will be given, and when you search, you will find. The progress we've had personally and in this area, I think, are highly a cause of dedication and inspiration, seeking to do nothing for ourselves, but only for others, always asking God to show the way. Although many have given up on the search, we've found many this week that have a real desire, and this week may have been filled with the most simple yet spiritual messages that I've ever given. But, for lack of Ideas in what to write, I'll leave you all with my testimony.

Jesus Christ lives. I know this, for many times I have felt the Holy Spirit testify of this truth and have seen it in the eyes of those whom He has manifested this truth to. I know that He is actively working in His great work "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  I know that He has one true path, and although it is strait and narrow, where few enter in, the path has been mapped and shown unto all in his marvelous and restored church. Truly Joseph Smith was His prophet and did His work. Truly the Book of Mormon testifies of Him. I know these things are true, and above all, I know they are witnesses to the one great truth, that there is a God in Heaven that created the Earth and all that is in it.  He is our Father, and by His great love has given us a purpose, a path, and a direction to follow. For two years I have been called to declare these truths and this testimony to all that cross my path, but the day this call shall end, my work, and my testimony shall endure. I know these things are true, and I know it because of one day, when a fourteen-year-old me knelt down and made his first true and whole-hearted prayer unto God. How great was that moment, and how marvelous is this calling!

In just a few days, I'll no longer have a name-tag nor tie, but my duty to testify of Jesus Christ will not change, and it is my hope that I will never forget to extend my love and testimony to everyone that I meet.

9 Days - dd Graças Damos a Deus por um Profeta pp

Elder Angus

As in Adam, All Commitments Fall

Sorry this letter is late.  I have been out of town for the past 2 weeks.  I have put his last 2 letters into this one email.  Jess will be coming home on the 28th of August.  We are planning to have a welcome home party for him on Friday August 29th at 7pm.  It will be at our house and I know he would love to have you come and visit. Have a great week!

Deborah Angus

 

 

From Jess Angus sent August 4th.

This last week was pretty interesting. Although the situation of our area hasn't changed much, the members are getting really excited to help me out before the end of the mission. Literally, the members are making plans to get as much work done as possible in the next three weeks so that when I return home, I can return "wet with the waters of baptism." Basically they want me to go GH (Gloria dos homens/ glory of men) and you know what, I'm actually fine with that. Of course, I don't work for praises, but I just love the idea of finishing the mission with one final success and a blessing from the Lord. I hope it all goes well. 

Anyway, a lot of stuff happened this week. One of our investigators was living together with her boyfriend, and we were helping them get things together so they could get married, when her boyfriend simply states "I will not get married!" But, to our pleasant surprise, she responded firmly to him "I want to follow God and be baptized! Either you get married with me or I'm moving out!" He hasn't decided yet, but it makes me happy to see someone finally putting their priorities in good order. :) We also ended up helping the other Elders in their Baptismal service singing a special number, Savior Redeemer of my Soul, which ended up stuck in my head for the whole week. Finally, as we arrived close to the end of the week, our numbers were still really low, but we had tons of people to visit on the weekend. So, to help us out, the other Elders returned the favor and we did splits in our area, divided the area between the two pairs, and then we just went for it, trying to teach as many people as possible. We had little success, but we felt really good at the end of the day because we had never worked so hard. 

Anyway, I lost a lot of time because the computer logged off on me. So, until next time!

Elder Angus

wotw:

Salvador (sal-vah-dor) Meaning Savior.

Endure

Hello! Sometimes I wonder just how many people actually read my letters. With the state my English is in, they probably need a lot of patience with me. I'm kind of worried how it's going to be when I return home and start using English again, because the only English I use here is with a heavy Portuguese accent and grammar. In fact, it's actually pretty funny when I try teaching a Brazilian some English when I don't even remember straight for myself.

Anyway, this week was interesting. On Friday we had a division with the district leader.  The area they cover is the other half of the city of Montonegro.  It is completely different from our area. When I was there with his companion, almost everyone we talked to accepted us, and we ended up teaching about as many lessons in one day than I'd normally teach in one week in our area. Our district leader was equally surprised by the fact that it was so difficult to find investigators in our area. In the end we both learned from the experience and we move forward. As for the rest of the time, Elder Dickson and I are "putting our shoulders to the wheel." We found a few good families, and had some great experiences. With one family, we had shared our first message together with a Book of Mormon to read. On our return, she said that she had forgotten to read and pray that night and she had nightmares the whole night where the devil was slowly dragging her and her family into the fire. She felt horrible and couldn't sleep straight. But, she decided to read a little of the Book of Mormon, and she said that the moment she began to read, that horrible feeling disappeared and her dreams were peaceful and sweet. Once more, my testimony of the Book of Mormon has been strengthened, for through no other power could she be so readily delivered from that power unless it be the power of God.

There were a lot of other great families that began to show progress, but by the time Sunday arrived, they all "gave up" and returned to their regular life. I'm truly thankful for my family and all the efforts they made to take my stubborn self to church each Sunday, because now I know how important it was in my life, and I can see how difficult it was, and is, for even the best of people to make this simple but so important decision to go to church.   An act. so simple, that God used to change the lives of even the mightiest.

Well, I hope there's more to say next week, for my time is up. Four weeks until I see everyone once more, so there's a lot of work to do before that happens. Until next time!

Elder Angus

wotw:

acabando (ah-kah-bahn-doo) Ending. Like my time is ending, and so is my mission. I better get as much done as possible before it's too late.

Beginning of the End

Were the people there very sad when they lost the chance to win the World Cup?

More or less. Here, the population is really German, so there were a lot of people rooting for Germany. :/ But I'm sure that in other states, they were devastated. 

 Has anything great happened yet?

I guess so. Let's see if there's more to come.

Are you still teaching Carlos?

Yes, and he went to church! Finally !!!!

How big is the ward that meets there?

On record-500, Active-80 There are a lot of missing or inactive members. :(

It's weird to think that I've already been here for almost two years. Beginning tomorrow, it will be my last transfer of the mission, and I don't know if I'm excited or sad that I won't be staying for much longer. What will be interesting, however, is that President has decided I should finish the mission in another area. Today I'll be running from house to house to say goodbye before transfers tomorrow. Who knows where I'll go? If one thing is for sure, I'm going to miss out on a really good baptism. 

This week was good. In fact, I began to see a little more about the culture of southern Brazil.  When Brazil went against Germany in the semi-final, more than half of the people here were rooting for Germany. :P I guess tradition sinks a little deeper than patriotism. However, rather than go off talking about the World Cup, I'll get to the good stuff.

Now more than ever, I can see that I'm what Paul called "a planter" because it seems like whenever someone truly elect is found and ready for baptism, I don't get to stick around to see it. This week, Carlos went to church for the first time, together with his 8-year-old son. While they were there, he said he felt something really special, and he felt truly at peace going from class to class. His son seems to be even more excited despite the fact that we never taught him.  He began asking tons of questions, and before the end of Sunday School, he was already telling his dad that he wanted to get baptized. If everything goes well, he's going to be baptized on the 26th.

 

Other than that, we found a really special family about three days ago. When we were going house to house, we clapped hands at one of the gates and a woman came with the strangest look on her face. When we asked if we could enter and share a message, she simply responded, "I'd rather not let you in." So, we decided to sit on the porch and share it there. Apparently, she thought we were thieves or robbers 'disguised in sheep's clothing' but as we began to teach, the spirit touched her and she opened up completely. Her daughter, who'd recently been in a car accident, limped out front to see what was going on, and so ended up as part of the conversation. After tons of wonderful questions, we finally left them with a Book of Mormon and a desire to search for the truth.

How wonderful is this calling! I'm excited to see where I will go until the end. But until next week,

Elder Angus

Word of the week:

Alemanha (ah-leh-mahn-yuh) Meaning Germany. Congratulations on a game well played. :P

Children of God

I guess I'll start off by saying that I'm excited, maybe even without purpose. In fact, I can't really explain why it is that I'm excited, other than I know great things are about to happen. Once more, none of our investigators went to church this week, but something just feels different this week than others, because something inside me is ready to burst out. Like a horse that senses the storm before it comes, so do I feel something marvelous is about to happen. When or where, I cannot say, but that it will happen, I'm certain. 

Anyway, now that y'all know that, I'll get to the good stuff. This week we were able to find some wonderful families and help some great people take great leaps on the path of salvation. Carlos, a young man in his thirties, has passed through some great difficulties. He is a father of two, but has been divorced for about three years and lives alone. After these three years, he has come to feel a huge hole in his life, a hole that he didn't completely understand, or know how to fill, so a friend of his suggested to look for God and go to a church. Carlos had never gone to church, and he didn't know anything about God other than that he existed, so he didn't know what to do. One day, as he began working on a new construction project, he saw someone leave the project for a few hours and return in a suit and tie. He asked him why and the man responded that he went to church. Inquiring further as to which church, the man responded simply "I go to a church well known as the 'Mormons.'" When he said this, some great interest sparked up inside him, and they began to converse about the church and marked for them to visit together and discuss the subject more thoroughly. 

A week later, we had the privilege to visit Carlos by reference of this member. As we spoke to him, we can see that although he knows very little, or as he says "never even took a look at a bible," he has a great desire to learn, and even after one lesson, I can already see that his faith in Christ has increased over tenfold. Even with the few lessons we have been able to teach him until now, he has already accepted to dive in head first and prepare to be baptized just as Christ was. 

Carlos isn't alone among some elect children of God that we've been priviledged to find and to teach this week, but for lack of time, his story will suffice. Truly, a marvelous work and a wonder is happening among the children of men. If we but open our eyes, we'll be ready to see that we are never alone in our efforts to help our fellow man, fer God is on our side, making up the space for everything we cannot do. Although our efforts may seem little, and our head way minimal, the future is brighter than ever. I know that God lives and this is his work. How grateful I am to be part of it!

Hooray for Israel!

Elder Angus

word of the week:

taça (tah-suh) Basically meaning the trophy, the trophy that although the US didn't quite get to it, Brazil still has a chance to win! Go Brazil!

photo:

-the chapel in Vista Alegre, Cachoerinha

-Us with some of the best recent converts (the young man goes every week with us to do visits)

Unexpected

Does your mission president allow you to watch the World Cup games?

No. In the past they let us, but the area seventy asked that we not leave home during or after Brazil's games. However, with other games we catch a little here and there as we pass from house to house. Go USA!

----

This week seems somewhat upside-down, as everything that usually works isn't working, and the things that never work, are going outstandingly well. For example: Things that aren't working anymore - investigators at church, proselyting during the afternoon, techniques that help others stop smoking etc. and Things that are suddenly working - non-members going to church on spontaneous desires, proselyting in the morning, splits with the members all week, even the US doing well in the cup. All in all, I find myself lost with the sudden turn of events, but when I get a hold of it all, my companion and I will get some great work done. 

But what more is there to say about this week? For one, it's starting to get really cold again. For another, we're starting to see some progress in a really great family. This week, in fact, we'd arrived at their home to share a message and they started simply saying that they "liked us in all," but that they didn't want to "get involved in yet another religion." However, being that I'm a little stubborn, we entered anyway to share "one more message." The message we left was simply about two things, the love of our savior, and the love we had for that family. We explained to them that these were the things that took us to there home each week, and invited them just to go to church and see for themselves. The next day, we had an activity in the church and we were presently surprised to see a small car roll up and the whole family come out to greet us. Truly a miracle was made in this family, as a door that appeared to be closing was opened once more.

But that's about it for this week. Today will be Brazil against Camarones, so there will be a lot of excitement. Although we can't see the game, we know if Brazil is doing well just by the shouts of joy each time they make a goal. :)

Well, until next time then.

Elder Angus

wotw:

torcedor (tor-seh-dor) Meaning fan or someone rooting for a team. I don't know what's more interesting to see, the game itself, or the reactions of all its fans.