Don't Do Dumb Things

Unto all peoples and all dedicated disciples of the strange Elder Angus Chronicles: Pay heed to the great words presented in the subject of this letter. These are the very words a wise leader once told me that we should live our life by. In reality, it was actually just a phrase he used teaching us about safety in scouting activities, but I like to think it extends  to all parts of life. :P

Anyway,  I'll just let y'all know first off that I really love my family, even if it is in my own strange way. They probably understand the gravity of this statement more than anyone else, just because they are the sole witnesses of the "sealed portion" of this letter. >:P Of this I will say no more. However, I will say that my love for others has been sky rocketing as well. Each week we receive a letter with the names of all the people baptized in our mission during the week, and although I'm in a different area now, I always search for the names of people I taught. You have no idea how happy I was this week to see the names of a family show up! Yahoo! ... Unfortunately I'm sitting at a public computer, so these shouts of joy were oppressed into mental jubilee (I like this word). 

This week has been substantially colder. When people say it feels cold here, they're not lying. For this my faith in God has strengthened dramatically, because only he could help someone like me leave the cozy confines of my bed at 6:30 in the morning. Unfortunately, for all the cold you feel here, it never drops below freezing, which means no snow here. :( Oh well.  However, along with the cold this week, we've also done a few things differently.  Mainly: contacts. This week alone, we did over 120 street contacts. O.O I wouldn't believe this number myself had I not been doing all of the contacting. Just for all of you to understand how big of a change this is, think about me. How much do I talk? How many people do I talk to? How often do I leave my comfort zone? If you know the answer to all these questions, this is one more witness to the power of God. Truly there is no other explanation for how someone like me could walk up to a group of five strangers in conversation and invite them all to be baptized. Hehehe That was a fun contact. 

Anyway, I'd like to leave you all with a thought, knowledge vs. wisdom. In a world like today, knowledge is somewhat easy to come by. With all of the professional courses one can take, you could learn just about anything from underwater basket weaving to astrophysics. Wisdom, however, is more important, because wisdom defines how we use our knowledge. Many people that I've met think that knowledge gives them power. In this they are right! Knowledge is power! But I have a step more. Wisdom is happiness. How can we think that God doesn't exist, that work is more important than family, that worldly desires are greater than service and charity, or that the so called "worldly wisdom" is greater than the commandments of god. To be learned is good, but only when we hearken unto the council  of our Lord, Savior, and God. Jacob 6:12 "Oh be wise! What can I say more?" 

Well, "that's all I've got to say about that."

Elder Angus

Oh, and thank you for everything, prayers and letters alike!

Words of the week:

Piada (Pee-ah-duh) Means joke.

Trocadilha (Troh-kah-dil-yuh) Means pun. I've learned a few of them, but I always forget. Maybe I'll give you guys one next time. 

Tongue of Swords

Bah! Que coisa maravilhosa! Here in the mission, there's truly nothing greater than the opportunity to listen to the prophet and apostles during general conference. Even when it's in a foreign language, you can feel the power of their words, and the strength of their message. I've heard many stories of people who'd been entirely converted just listening to the conference, and I do not doubt the likeliness of that story. I just hope that some of our investigators felt the same.

Anyway, this week's adventures were pretty interesting. This week we've been changing our game. One technique being contacts. Normally we don't do a lot, but this week we've been talking to practically everyone. I'll be talking to one person, my companion jumps over to talk to the next, and then we begin to leap frog. But, the best part about it is the contact itself. We don't cover our purpose with fancy doctrines or comforting words. We speak frankly and to the point. "Hello! Pleasure to meet you! My name is ... and I've been commissioned of Christ to baptize his brethren. Would you like to be baptized?" >:P What I think is more impressive is the number of people that accept. 

Anyway, Just like the Lord taught, we should always speak simply and with clarity. This way, no one should misinterpret our purpose, nor misunderstand the truths we carry. Unfortunately, this is a lot harder than it sounds. However, I've already been witness time and time again that you don't need a lot of detail to be converted. In fact, sometime a simple truth such as that of the Book of Mormon or that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God is sufficient to help us know where God wants us to go and in whom he wants us to trust. Over the past month, we've been struggling with an older woman who's been fighting against baptism for quite some time. She's a great person, for sure, but she'd always had fear that she'll sin afterward, and that she'd disrespect God by being baptized. For many weeks we'd taught her about the purposes of baptism and all of the commandments, but it wasn't until two simple truths were stated that she finally made up her mind. 1. God is our father and 2.He only wants the best for us. Maria was baptized yesterday, between the two sessions of conference.

Many times we begin to have fears and doubts, questioning the things we've learned simply because our minds have been stuffed so full of info that our mind is beginning to explode. When a house is built, it needs a good foundation. If we try to build an enormous mansion if we don't lay the foundation first, nothing will work out right, and the house would likely collapse. Likewise, if we don't have a firm testimony or belief in the simplest of doctrines, that God is our Father and that Jesus Christ, his Son, was sent to save us from our sins, no other doctrine will make sense, and it'll all fall into ruin.

I know that God is our Father. I know that Christ suffered for our sins. I know that he lives and loves us all. I know the book of Mormon is true, and I know that Christ visited that young man, Joseph Smith, to restore his only true church to the earth. And of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. Thanks for all the prayers and the love/candy. 

I'd give you all chocolate if I had any still.

Elder Angus

Bom de mais (bong gee my-s) Direct translation is "good of more," but the closest phrase we'd have to this would probably be "gooder than good."

Pics:

- Baptisim of Maria

- A Lovely Nutella Meal (I just had to post it) >:P

Pity the Fool

Given the date of today's correspondence, I couldn't let a good pun run on past... Even if it is a pretty sad pun. >:P Anyway, Just so y'all know, I won't pull any tricks or who-dat's during this letter. (Or will I?) heheheh.

Well, it looks like things are getting even better around here. Sometimes even when we least expect it. In the entire mission (Brazil Porto Alegre North), I've seen many miracles happen. For example, after tons of revelations and simple councils, the mission has gone from 20 or 30 baptisms each month to 80 and now 110! The Lord is truly hastening his work, and the converts are some of the strongest we've ever seen. Just this week, we were passing by in the house of a member when a young man, Marcos, passed by to ask for money. After a few minutes (or hours) or discussion, we found out that many times he would normally use this money just to buy drugs. However, this time things changed for him. We taught him a little about Christ, repentance and baptism, emphasizing the enabling power of Christ's sacrifice. The very next day, he called at us in the street and told us excitedly that he had completely lost the desire to do drugs, and that his life had already begun to fill with a perfect love and hope in Christ. He'll be baptized here on the 14th and he's really excited!

Just like Marciano, Marcos was another miracle I had the pleasure to see. One more prodigal son that returned to the warm embrace of his redeemer. Many others we've been teaching as well have seen a greater light, felt a little better, and had greater hope in all things. For me, just seeing those who open their hearts to God and completely change their lives for the better is the greatest thing I can receive here on the mission. (although, I can't deny that Skittles are pretty good too) >:P

Anyway, I'd like to bear my passover/Easter testimony. I know the my Redeemer lives. God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, and I know that through his sacrifice, all of us may arrive clean and with no imperfections in the presence of God. Through his sacrifice, you and I can be lifted from the weak and terrible state of our natural man and become children of the most high God, powerful, happy, and ready to help all others do the same. I know that God and Jesus Christ love us, and I know that he shall return. Be of good cheer, do not dismay, for we are never left comfortless. If we seek him, he will come. This testimony I bear in the sacred name of our savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Anyway, good luck with April fools day. I'll be praying for everyone's safety and trust...

Elder Angus

Palavra da semana:

Pascoa (pah-sko-ah) Meaning passover or Easter. Here it is the day where everyone parties. However, no one leaves home on black Friday. Only us missionaries are in the streets.

Spirit Walker

Recently I've been feeling the power of the Holy Ghost with more power than ever before. There's a definite transition you begin to see and feel as you go from doing what a missionary does to being a missionary, and one of the most evident changes is the presence of the spirit in all that you do. Over the last few weeks, my companion and I have been seeking to follow all of the advice and council that we can, given by the prophet and mission leaders. Now, at times it feels as if we're walking side by side with Christ in search of his lost sheep. What a pleasure it is to embark is the service of God!

But, as for more details, I'm finally getting around to doing things I normally didn't have time for. Things such as make breakfast, write return letters, anything other than gaze sleepily into oblivion, etc. As well, the mission work is exploding. In fact, this week was the baptism of the same man I talked about last week. What was a miracle contact, became a miracle transformation. Marciano was born and raised in the streets, and thus had a life filled with drugs, violence, and all kinds of wickedness. In fact, he'd been ready to take his own life and sink into depression and oblivion. Then, just two weeks after two white-shirted young men come walking down the street, he's pressing forward in righteousness, reading the scriptures daily, and has the brightest hope and love of the Savior Jesus Christ than anyone I've ever seen. He's absolutely overjoyed with the happiness he's found and is firmly established to do all that God asks of him. :D

Truly the power of God is great and the blessings he offers are even greater. In Alma 36 (of the Book of Mormon) it describes a transformation very similar, being that of Alma the younger. He, as well, lived a life that was really full of darkness and iniquity, and at one point in time, he became tortured by the thoughts and memories of all that he'd done. Then, after calling upon Christ and repenting of all that he'd done, he was filled with such joy that he couldn't even express. Afterward, he continued strong in his faith and realized a great many miracles among all of the people.

Here on this Easter week, we too should remember all that Christ has done for us, not just that he suffered and died for us, but that he lives, and because he lives we too can conquer death! "For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son that all who would believe on his name might be saved." (Almost exact quote from John 4-ish)

I love all of you and thank you for all you've done for me. Maybe some of you will finally start getting letters from me in a little bit... I hope.

Anyway...

Elder Angus

Word of the week:

Alface (al-fah-see) Meaning lettuce. Unfortunately it isn't a potential pun in Portuguese. As well, we're not allowed to eat it as missionaries. >:D All these years I was against eating salads, and now I know why! 

Photos!

- Baptism of Lorenzo Last Week

- Baptism of Marciano Yesterday

- Sunset in Rio Pardo

- Me Cooking >:P

(Note: I had to guess which baptism was which because they pics don't always come in order of how he has listed them...lets hope my investigative skills got the pictures in the right order -Breanna)

Tripping on Miracles

Wow, it's amazing how much time you can waste just dazing of in thought. The even more incredible thing is how I can waste time just to write that I'm wasting it. :P What a world.

Anyway, I was transferred! Tuesday I arrived at the bus station and received a little paper sending me all the way to Rio Pardo (a little north of Santa Cruz do Sul) and I thought, "Bah, not a city." Turns out the new area is almost exactly the same type of city as Ivoti. Only here, the church and the missionaries have been around for years without growing. That is, until my companion and I arrived. My new companion, Elder L. Santos, is a really strong bona-fide Fortelezan and recently born. But, despite these qualities, he brings the spirit like no other into the lessons we teach. He's truly a power house.

But if anything has been more prepared than my companion, it is this city. Ever since we've arrived here it's been nothing but miracles. Almost every family we speak with, I feel as if I already knew them. Almost every lesson we teach, the people are ready to commit and to change. Even in the days that seem the worst, we're finding the best of people. 

For example, the second day I was here, we had a meeting with someone a mile or two away. So, we left early and walked the distance to his house, just to find that he wasn't there. :l So we tried knocking on a few doors, talked with a few people... nothing was happening. We decided to begin searching for another contact. In fact we ended up searching for an hour in vain in the wrong neighborhood until we finally encountered a road we thought was right. Then after walking a while, nothing but trees and grass on both sides, we came across a house just as a man was exiting the house. We talked with him, asked him if he knew the missionaries, and he invited us to enter. That very moment, he'd been praying to better his life. People had passed by just moments ago trying to kill him, and he himself was ready to do the same. Then, in a moment of sincere prayer, two young men with ties came walking down a deserted street. :D  He's now getting ready to be baptized this next Sunday, and is extremely excited!

Truly we are tools in the hands of the Lord as we do as he says, and we get this wonderful opportunity to serve our part in the miracles that he performs. Thanks everyone for the food, love, and letters. The weather here is starting to get colder, but the fire is getting ever hotter.

Até próximo!

Elder Angus

Word/Phrase of the week:

Palavra/Frase Seminal - (pah-lah-vrah/frah-zee seh-mee-now) Meaning word/phrase of the week. Inception! >:D

Rip Tide

Bah!!!!! I'm getting transferred! Okay, in reality, I did see this coming. In fact, this entire week my companion and I have been joking that one of us will be transferred even after just two weeks together. But it's amazing how fast time flies. To think that I've already completed six months in my mission is crazy. ... Then again, I still have another year and a half. :D *does little irish jig out of pure joy* 

Anyway, I really don't have alot of time, so I'll jump right to it. This week we've received a higher padrão or level of excellence as far as our obedience is concerned. I won't lie, some of the rules established become very difficult to live, but after you live them, it really begins to show greater fruits. We've been searching alot for new investigators this week and we've truly been blessed. Almost everyone we've been meeting with lately seem like I've known them before, which made me try every little bit harder to help them. One family we found recently is really excellent. It consists of a mom, two daughters and one son, who haven't visited a church in a really long time. When we arrived there, they were extremely receptive to both us and our message. We invited them to go to church this Sunday and asked if they wanted any rides to get there when it rains. The mother then turned to me and said, "Don't worry about the rain. Church is a compromise. If you'd walk to work or walk to school in the rain, there's no reason you'd put off church just because of the rain." They went this Sunday and they are really growing fast. Now I'm just sad I won't be around to see the baptisms. Oh well, there's alot more work to be done else where as well. >:D

Well, if there's anything I want to say to all of you right now is that we should never place our priorities on worldly things. Jaqui, our first convert here said that she's passed through all ways of life, but the same things always brought her happiness. In her own words, "People are searching for happiness in things that don't give us happiness." We should take a look at our lives, our goals, our intentions, and then see what it is that truly brings us happiness. For me, it's my family, my knowledge, and my God. Nothing could be more important than these, and I wouldn't sacrifice any of these for something of lesser value. We can search for riches, search for excuses, or search for fame, but nothing can bring us greater joy than a family, united in a home, striving to live the words of God.

Thanks everyone for the prayers, the letters, and the support. It's always a great surprise when you open a box and find military rations. XD Okay, thankfully I haven't gotten those yet. Anyway, until next week.

Elder Angus

Word of the week:

Engraçadinha (en-grah-sah-gee-nyah) Smart Aleck/Dork, like me! >:P

Photos:

- City of Ivoti (Part)

- Baptisim of Ari Luis (From Last Week)

Wake Up Call

>:D This week makes me smile. Mostly because the beginning of this week, we planned on something unimaginable happening, and then it happened. One of our investigators, the father of a member, had been progressing very well until about a month or two ago when he decided he didn't want any more. In fact, he pretty much rejected all that we had taught him and reverted back to the way he was (but he did still give us lunch). Then, this week, we stopped by for lunch and another member that just moved into the branch was there. To keep it simple, she's single in the army reserve, and she gave him a nice big wake up call to reality. 

He got baptized! >:D

Truly this one was a miracle, because the likeliness that he would've accepted us to teach again was slim, let alone be baptized. Then, during the middle of the week, we got a call that he was going to early morning seminary, and that he wanted to be baptized. That very day, we arrived in his house, talked with him, and challenged him for the weekend. He accepted. \'o'/

Anyway, that's just the better news of the week. For the better part of this week, we did a lot of walking. In fact, we actually walked over to a neighboring city once. As well, we've been doing contacts in the dark, improvising on essential items (for cooking, sleeping, etc.), and talking to everybody. Unfortunately, very few people even pass us on the streets, so that doesn't get us very far. 

Well, I guess if there's any moral for my story, never doubt anything. Even the things that appear impossible are highly probable when the Lord is on your side. Anyway, I've about written my mind dry today. Thanks for all of your support! It's nice to know I have a little fan club, somewhere. 

Elder Angus

Words of the week:

Português - faxina (fah-shee-nah) The weekly house cleaning. Usually people here save it for one day each week, and it's really rough.

Mission - só agua (soh ah-gwah) Means "just water." When we find people are already completely prepared by the Lord for baptism, we use this phrase. Other quirky ones are "just add water" and "nothin' but water." :P