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!

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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.

World Cup

What do they do in Brazil for father's day?

They do about the same thing, just that father's day came about a month ago in Brazil. but, now that I know it happened there, happy father's day Dad!

Do the kids there play soccer in the streets?

Yes, they do. Mostly they go to one of the many soccer fields that every city has, but it is not uncommon to see a bunch of kids passing a ball around on the street. Usually playing keep-away.

What does your companions accent sound like?

His accent is really strong, but he doesn't recognize it. Some people understand me better than him 8l But it's funny that way. ;P

Mom, the mow hawks here aren't thos big tall ones you see, but they shave the sides and just let the hair hang down. So, instead of the hair sticking up, it just lays flat. Google search Neymar and take a look at his hair.

Hey, tell Maddi that Elder Kinney is in the mission. It's been five months already, but I didn't realize until recently. When I get to talk to him, I'll say y'all said hi.

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This week the FIFA World Cup has begun, and there is tons of excitement in the air. Decorations fill the streets, flags of Brazil in every home, and high tension as the various countries go off in this great tournament. For Brazil, this is a wonderful age and one of the greatest parts of the year. However, for the missionaries, this means that the work becomes a lot more difficult. Luckily, the streets only empty here in the south when Brazil is playing, so we still manage to get something done in between the spaces. =)

Anyway, with that said, this week didn't have a lot of great highlights as the battle is becoming extremely difficult. Many of the people we speak to are always marking for 'another day,' the excellent families that we are teaching disappear come Sunday, and those that have been progressing well have been greatly discouraged by the constant opposition of friends or even family. All in all, the fight has become difficult, but that's just the way it is. Something I've come to recognize here in the mission is that the greatest blessings come after the greatest difficulties, and the greatest victories will be given us only if we prove faithful and strong during a long passage of failure. For that I cannot and will not become discouraged, for I know that if things are as difficult as they are now, it's because the rewards and blessings we seek in this area will be great and marvelous, and therefore require a lot of faith.

And something huge is about to happen. When I first arrived in the mission, we were in something we refer to as the 'old age.' Characterized by little work and low results. Then, we revolutionized the mission to it's standing today in the 'new era' as we all stepped it up a notch to work much harder, and show our faith that miracles can happen. Now we are entering into the 'power\golden era' as everything we've been doing until now will be doubled, and so will the miracles. So, although there's not much to say about this week other than that I'm well and excited, it's that great things are about to happen. It might just be my spidey senses, but I can feel it coming. ;)

Well, until next week then. Thanks everyone for the prayers and the support. They are always a great help.

Elder Angus

Word of the week:

impogado (im-poh-gah-doo) Meaning excited and motivated. Anxious to get going. 

When You Can't Find a Way, You Make a Way

Are you still teaching Jose?yes, but he seems to have more interest in learning then following. :/ But, we'll do what we can to help him follow!

Wow, today I grabbed a really slow computer, so sorry if my letter runs a little short, but I'll do what I can. This week was really cool. Elder Boeno's already at home and has added everyone in the ward on facebook, meanwhile my new companion and I are working our butts off! Elder Guimarães is from Belém Pará, and is relevantly new in the mission. However, he is really animated and never stops working. Certainly President knew I'd need someone like that to keep me from getting trunky like the various others I've seen. When I finish the mission, I'm gonna go out kicking!

Anyway, this week we were able to help out a lot of good people. One family was really cool to find, as they remind me of my own family. We had made a contact with one of the daughters the day before, and we passed by to teach the first lesson. The family, like mine, consists of the parents and four children, three girls and one boy, with the boy being third (like me, poor guy). However, we were unable to teach past the first five minutes when they suddenly had to leave, but the mother simply said, "Sorry, we have to go, but I like you guys, I felt good these few minutes. Can you come again tomorrow?" Our obvious response, "Of Course!" We passed by to finish the lesson, and they accepted really well.

There are others that received us really well this week. In a family of recent converts, we're helping the last non-member of the family to quit smoking, and although it is difficult, we're getting her to smoke one less each day. Yes!  There's also a family that moved here from the northeast that has an accent as funny as my companion  Although they don't understand everything we say, they accept all of it. Best of all, all the blessings we promised them are being fulfilled, a job, peace at home, etc. If I had more time, I'd explain it all, but let it be known that I'm really excited. Great things are about to happen.

Anyway, I better close before this computer logs off on me. Thanks for all the loving support! Y'all are the best!

Elder Angus

wotw:

moicano (moee-kah-noo) Meaning mohawk. It's the popular hairstyle here, just that they don't use hairspray nor gel, they just let it flatten out. :/ If I had hair to spare, I'd give it a try after the mission. ;P

Endure to the End

And thus passed the final week of Elder Boeno in the mission field. He received permission from President to go visit his past areas and say goodbye. So, most of the week we were running around the state visiting the various cities that he already passed. We traveled al ot, ate even more, and I had the opportunity to see how throughout his mission he had touched the lives of a great many people. 

However, just because we didn't have a lot of time in our own area, it doesn't mean we didn't get anything done. In fact, we were finally able to finalize the long work, and baptize two wonderful families. The story behind one of these families I find really special. 

Homero and Brenda are some really cool little kids. They have gone to church since they were children, and they love the gospel. When we arrive to teach, they pull out notebooks, ready to learn, but they pretty much have taught themselves. The only reason they hadn't been baptized when they were of age, was that their family had been partially inactive for quite some time. The father had always wanted to be the one who would baptize his children, but he couldn't get himself to be righteous enough to do so. So, we challenged him, we set some goals, and we saw a miracle happen. In a matter of weeks, that father changed everything, abandoning all his sins and returning to activity in the church. Then finally, this very week, he accomplished his dream to baptize and confirm his children. The baptism was very special, and the spirit we all felt was immense, as we all felt the happiness of the father and each of his children.

Sometimes we end up in situations like this father, stuck in a corner and thinking that there's just no way out. Many righteous desires, unable to fulfill them. But, the solution is a lot simpler than it seems, we need to realize that just as we got ourselves in, we can get ourselves out, but when we fall in some holes, we'll need some assistance from above.  We should never be ashamed to ask for Heavenly help, or even help from our family here on earth.

With that in mind, thanks for all the help all of you offer me. If there's anything I can do for you, just ask.

Elder Angus

phrase:

... sorry, I can't think of a good phrase. My mind just keeps on wondering... oh wait! que viajem (kee vee-ah-jem) "What a trip," in the sense of someone who's train of thought has traveled beyond the limits of 'normality.'

Photos:

- Baptism of Homero and Brenda

- Baptism of Luciana