Reflections

Danny - "do they have the tradition of chocolate and Easter bunnies? or is it different?"

The tradition here some what reflects the American version, with a few differences. The bunny and the egg continue to be major icons of the season. Eggs also become a popular decoration, as people hollow-out eggs, paint them, and put them together in wreaths/baskets/etc. However, they don't do Easter egg hunts. Instead, everyone comes together for a big barbecue and present each other with large chocolate eggs. (Basically wonder-balls ranging from the size of your fist to the size of your head)  One thing that thankfully doesn't change, it is the time to celebrate Christ and His victory over death.

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This mother's day, I had the pleasure to see my family once more before the epoch homecoming. Everyone seems to be doing fine, and for that I'm extremely happy, but there is one thing that distresses me. It seems that while I've tarried away in Brazil, a cardboard figure masquerading my likeness has snuck his way into my home and my life. I have a doppelganger! D: !!!!! 

Hehehe, just kidding. I actually suggested to do something of the sort (a paper plate with my face) but it looks like they actually went through with it. What a loving, dedicated family. ;P (For his cousins wedding we made a cardboard look alike of Jess so that he could attend the reception.  I will attatch some pictures to this email.)

Anyway, with that on the side, we continue on to the week. This week we ended up doing things a little different, almost as if it were a "jump to the past." Instead of looking for entirely new investigators, we went back to continue where past Elders left off.  We visited with past investigators and inactive converts. As we began to teach them, we could truly see their desire was still there to search and know the gospel. Some were truly dedicated to follow Christ, others who are searching honestly to find him. But, with all of them, my mind always returned to the same question. "Why don't you go to church?" 

One of the men we taught, I can actually understand, for the very situation has been seen in Christs own teachings. He was an investigator about a year back, and he was labeled by the other missionaries as one of the best they've taught. Talking with him, we saw his true desire to do what is right and to be a good person. Beyond that, he has a powerful testimony of the truth of our message. He knows it's true, but yet he was never baptized. When he first went to church, he felt the spirit deep within, had desired it, wanted to follow it, and accepted a goal to be baptized. However, the moment he heard the word "tithing" his mind hardened faster than a fruit cake, and he didn't want to hear anything more. The missionaries tried to explain how important it was, and especially how it was different than any other church, but he wouldn't hear it. Just as the young rich-man who came to Christ asking him for guidance to eternal life. The man had obeyed all of the basic commandments of God, but when asked to make a sacrifice of his abundant goods, "he went away sorrowing."

It's been about a year since the man was taught, and he seems to be in much higher spirits, so it's my hope that he can open his heart once more so that the spirit can guide him on his path. 

It's interesting though, that this falls among two of the greatest laws of God; the law of Obedience and that of Sacrifice. Christ gave the best example of how we can live these two laws together as he sacrificed not just goods, but his own choices, doing "nothing of [His] own will, but the will of [His] father in heaven." It is a question between belief and faith. What am I willing to spend to get what I want? Where am I willing to go, to find something? What would I do for a Klondike Bar? Just as we ask all these questions, we must always remember this, "What am I willing to give up to receive eternal life?"  I know that if we trust in the Lord and do all we can to obey his commandments, we'll actually find out we're gaining a lot more then we profess to have lost. In fact, it's more than an experience, it's a promise.

Thanks everyone for the support, I hope everyone has a great week. So, until next time,

Elder Angus

phrase of the week:

-niga maluca(ni-guh mah-loo-kuh) A type of chocolate cake with condensed milk. Very delicious. (It also happens to be a literal translation of "crazy black person" so better use it in context) 

Look Out For That Tree

How are things going down there?

Fine.

Does the time seem to be flying by?

That would be an understatement. I feel like I wrote Y'all yesterday.

How old is the young boy Dirceu?(This is the boy that he had a picture of last week)

12

Do you have to get their parents' permission to baptize if they are younger then a certain age?

If they are younger than 18, they cannot sign for themselves, so they need permission from their parents or legal guardian. Many missionaries had parents with hardened hearts and weren't baptized until they reached 18 years of age. 

 

Oh yeah, I forgot the last few times, so here OOOOoooo0000 <- (These are those tighter hugs that just squeeze the puddin' out of you :P)

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Just now I had a flash back to the movie Avatar, as I remembered the many great battleships taking down "home tree." This week we had the privilege to do something similar as we helped one of the members take down the largest tree I have ever seen. The bishop, the priest quorum, my companion and I all teamed up to take down this beast and didn't come out on top until after about eight hours of hard work. Luckily, this member cooks really well so we were greatly rewarded. ;) 

Anyway, let's get to the juicy stuff. This week was really good. For one, we had tons of surprises. We had unexpected service projects, tons of random gifts, lots of sudden rain storms, and best of all, investigators that went to church on their own, walking in heavy rain. One of the other cool happenings was the experience of a family we started teaching very recently. They are a very young family with a shy kid about two years old. We first met the father late one night while we were heading home.  We decided to speak with a man standing alone on the sidewalk. After talking a little, we learned he was there to cool off after a lot of heavy problems at home, so we testified of the power of the gospel to him and we marked to visit with him the next day.

When we visited with his family, they received the message very openly and had a great desire to change. One thing I saw in them was their faith and desire to act on what they learned, even without knowing the ending, or even when expectations were highly negative. We taught the restoration and invited them to pray.  When we returned, we learned that they had said their prayers and those prayers were answered. When we asked them how it went, the man humbly explained that he'd "gone to converse with the Lord" and that the Lord had spoken to him in a small calm voice.  The Lord explained to him that the pathway shown was truly of Him, and that he shouldn't trust in the understandings of men but always seek the confirmation of God. Shortly after, he explained that another voice came, that he described simply as "the enemy", who came to say that he wouldn't disappear just because he'd found the truth, but he'll always be there to tempt and to lead him astray.

When he finished explaining, I just stared for a little while, impressed with the great witness he had received. Then my jaw finally returned and we began explaining to him the witness he'd received from God and the opposition there will be in all things. As he said, he still doesn't know everything, but he is ready to act on the faith that he has.

Of course, not everyone has such great faith or sensitivity to hear the words of the Lord, but I'm so grateful that the Lord has never failed to fulfill his promises and answers all prayers made in faith with real intent. To some He speaks, to others He sends his servants, and to many He changes their lives, but above all, He touches their hearts  and minds bringing a silent but strong confirmation of peace and understanding. I know this not just because I've been  a witness to so many such responses, but because it was such that brought me to this very path and work of salvation. I testify that God lives and this is his work and his kingdom granted unto all who will open up unto Him. I know that there is no other place I'd rather be than right here, right now, and of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Well, thanks everyone for your prayers and support. I am coming into the final stretch of my mission, so your prayers are needed more than ever.  Y'all have done so much for me, if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. 

But, until next time,

Elder Angus

phrase of the week:

frio de renguear cusco (free-oo gee heyn-gay-ar koos-coo) Meaning really cold. It's a southern slang, where if translated literally, it means "cold enough to make a dog limp."

Necessary Repetition

Are you being transferred or staying put?

Staying Put

How are things going with this family? (This is the family he talked about last week)

They are well. The kids were going to baptized this week, but their mom had a huge health issue this weekend, so they had to take her to the hospital. But last we heard, she is alright. They're really elect people.
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It's interesting how when you want someone to remember something, you end up repeating it to them a hundred times. I thought a little about that when we had stake conference this week, because it seemed that among the many speakers they had, only two topics seemed to be made clear: Missionary work, and family history. Probably something important to remember ;)

Anyway, with that said, this week was really good. We were able to help a lot of people, listened to a great many stories, and ate a lot of food. We even had a baptism at the last minute. This Saturday, we were preparing a family to be baptized, when we passed by a past investigator that was playing soccer with some members. When we saw him, we thought, "what the heck, why not" and we promptly invited him to be baptized Sunday with the others. To our surprise, he answered with a simple question, "Can I?" With a smile on our face, we let him know everything he needed to, and sent him off. When Sunday arrived, the family we were preparing for the baptism had a health problem and weren't able to do it, but this other young man simply said, "alright, I'll be baptized alone then. :)

This week, we also had the opportunity to teach a new family with a great interest in our message. The father is the cousin of a recent member here, and had been invited to attend the sessions of our stake conference. As he attended, he felt the spirit and mentioned something that is really true. He said, "I think the 'Mormon' church is something special I'd never seen before. The members value for every soul, and the desire to help everyone is greater than that of any other church I've gone to." As we taught the restoration afterward, he practically taught himself and promptly accepted everything we shared with him.  Best of all, him and his wife are very desirous to follow the commandments of God with all their heart.

The next few weeks should be really cool as we continue to help these wonderful families come into the gospel and find more investigators as we go. I thank God always for this great opportunity that He has given me to help him in his work and his glory. Truly this church is the church of Christ, for it does just as he did, dedicating its all to save as many souls as possible, and bring them to the light.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. Sorry I can't write as much as I'd like to, but I hope that what I've been able to write each week will suffice. So, until next time,

Elder Angus

fotw:

O Trabalho de Slavação (oh trah-bah-lyoh gee sal-vah-saoong) The Work of Salvation

photo!

- Baptism of Dirceu 

Someone Ate All My Chocolate!

Were you able to see the blood moon?

They put it in the newspaper, but we never woke up to see it. In the mission field, sleep is very precious. ;)

 

The sister missionaries are moving in to our home next week.

Leave some food downstairs for them to eat. If they're anything like us, they'll arrive home late with the munchies. (But then again, ya'll eat dinner, and here we just eat lunch)

Did you forget your dads birthday?

I didn't forget Dad's birthday, I just forgot to write to him in all the rush. Happy Birthday Dad (April 16th) and happy anniversary (April 18th).

In Portuguese the birthday song is a little different. The translation would go as follows:

Congratulations to you

on this special day!

Many more happy moments

and even more years of life!

(Honestly, I think it a little more creative than ours)

 

ROTFLOL XD.  Woah!  Grant got huge.  No wonder Grandma got confused. ;)  kkkkkkkkkkk (This is in reference to a picture that was sent to him of our Easter dinner party.  Grant is Jess's younger cousin and Grandma called him Jess when she saw him this last Sunday)

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This week was a week best to remember our Savior and his triumph over death. It also means tons of chocolate, because the tradition here is to buy large quantities of chocolate to give to friends and family.  At the same time, it also happens to be a national five-day holiday that sends everyone we're teaching to the beach or to some other place... 

:l 

Anyway, despite the unexpected traveling, we were still able to help out a lot of people. One of the families we are teaching is showing great progress that I've never seen in another family. This family is very humble, but they are also very diligent. When we first talked to them, we could already feel their great desire to receive and follow the gospel of Christ.  They had been inactive in church simply because they never felt the churches they visited were right. We taught them the restoration and left them a Book of Mormon to read. When we returned, we were surprised to learn they had not only read what we marked, but all fighting over the book to read more. So, this week we left a book for everyone to read, teaching quickly and inviting them to church the next day. When we arrived to walk to church together, they were not only all ready to go, but they'd been reading into the third chapter already while they were waiting. In that moment I gave a great big smile, while my heart did a silent "boo-yeah!"

Woah! Time went by quickly. Maybe I should have learned how to type faster before the mission. Oh well. Happy late Easter to everyone, and remember that Christ and his acts are not something to be remembered on a calender, but eternally.

Elder Angus

Phrase of the week:

KKKKKKKKK (kah kah kah kah...) Meaning hahahahaha. Honestly, I don't know why, but that's just the way it is.

Pain Is Good

Have you lost weight?

I think so. Maybe not. It's been a while since I weighed myself.

How are your shoes?

Pretty beaten. I'm on the second pair since the beginning of December, but there's only a scratch in the leather and a hole in the ball of the foot. I'll probably put duck tape to take out a few more weeks, but I'll probably buy a new pair. (They're cheap here, about $15 for a work shoe)

What are you planning to do for Easter?

I don't know. I guess we'll find something to do. If I get my box today, I guess I'll eat a lot of chocolate. ;)

Are the people there nice to you when you come to knock on their gates?

Sometimes. In fact, they are that type where many don't want anything, but let let us off kindly with a few excuses. Some people hide, others send their kids to lie that they aren't there (I'm glad you never did that... I think), and others just shake their finger then ignore us. Very few bite back, so for that I'm glad. :)

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This week we did a lot of service, including a deep cleaning of a member's very short attic, so we're basically aching all over. However, pain is good, because if you're not in pain, it means you didn't do anything. As weight lifters say, no pain no gain. Although directed mostly to your muscles being exercised and sometimes ripped, the phrase actually extends to just about every part of life, because going up implies climbing, and easy street implies descent into who knows what.

Anyway, this week is finally starting to get cold, and the fan is being quickly switched for a blanket to sleep at night. In addition many investigators have decided to stop investigating, so we had the privilege to renew our teaching pool, and therefore, meet a lot of new people. One family we found was really special. John and his wife are a simple family that had really difficult pasts. John, specifically, had gone through a life living on the streets and saw his life go from the worst conditions ever, to the point he is today, with a small home of his own, and a loving family. How he said he did it? By faith. 

Growing up in the streets, he never had the chance to learn anything. As he put it, his best grade in school was a 0% and he never got any better. He grew up sleeping in front of churches, begging for food, and getting a few jobs here and there cutting wood or other chores. Finally, when he was already a man, he decided to better his life, so he applied to be a fireman. For three months, he sat with many other high school and college graduates listening to the instructions given, and watching  them read  the thick manuals. He could only sit there and pray for God to help him. When it came to the very last day, they all took the exam, and courageously, John told the chief his situation, and stated that he needed someone to read the test to him. So the chief read as John prayed and sought God for every response, one for one until the exam was completed. When the exams were all completed and graded, the other students averaged about 50%, but John, by his faith and courage, scored the only 100%. He did it.

As we began teaching John, this same faith showed itself in his desire to follow anything the Lord asks of him, and the miracles that are manifest in his life each day. After teaching about the Book of Mormon, we challenged him to read it, promising that if he believed, God would help him. Sure enough, the next time we arrived, he had been able to read and understand an entire page, and was starting to rocket through the text. John, like many others, is an example to me, helping me always remember that faith has unimaginable power if we just allow it act within us. 

Thanks for everything and all you do. Until next time!

Elder Angus

phrase of the week:

fogo nos ossos (foh-goh nohs oh-sohs) Meaning fire in the bones, or the Brazilian equivalent of "fired up."

Faith and Reason

Did you have a baptism this week?

No. :( Unfortunately we were unable to visit (or find for that matter) the young man this week, and another young man that would have been, had a little fall this week, but we'll do all we can to help them out.

How is he capable of supporting his family? Did he stop going to school and start working? (This is in reference to the young boy of age 14 he talked about in his last letter)

No. He still goes to school, but he works in the morning, and his mom and sister work as well. In Brazil, the minimum wage is less than half that of the united states, so normally both parents are always found in the work field. 

How did you like conference?

I liked it a lot. However, after all is said and done, we can see that the work is being accelerated, and we need to buckle down and work harder than ever. Then again, I don't know if I'd like it any other way.

Please tell Drew his first son should have the name Sherlock ;) jk I may miss the wedding, but I'll be there before the first kid.-----

Hello once more!

This week was a really good week because we had the opportunity to hear our beloved prophet and apostles speak world-wide. It's interesting, that when we try talking to people about the magnitude of these events, they don't really recognize or understand it until much later on. It's funny, because one of the members here had the opportunity to know the prophet Gordon B. Hinkley personally, but didn't go because he only had two weeks as a member, thus didn't understand the importance nor the privilege it would have been to meet him. Now, he regrets it. (Just another reason that we should never put things off until tomorrow, because some opportunities are once-in-a-lifetime.) 

Anyway, this week was interesting. A week or two ago, we made contact with a woman that showed a lot of interest in hearing our message. As she told us later, she was curious to know more about "the Mormons".  The only thing she knew about us was the nickname and the film about "kolipoki." (The Other Side of Heaven) Teaching her, however, is a lot different than most people I've already taught. For one, she's a high-level missionary in the Seventh-Day Adventist church, and has studied the Bible for years, even in Hebrew and Greek. She is trying her hardest to open her mind to other ideas, and although she hasn't yet achieved it, she tries her best to understand others and their motives. 

Because of this, teaching her has become a challenge, yet doesn't require much more than that which we've given to any other investigator. Although she is very well instructed, our message is truly unique and we know it is true without the shadow of a doubt. Beyond that, being that it is true, there is nothing in written scripture that contradicts the message nor the gospel of Christ which it manifests. So as a natural result, she often finds herself in inner conflicts between what we've taught her, and the doctrines and one-sided interpretations she's been fed after so many years. But in truth, there is one thing she knows and it is something we know she's been avoiding for quite some time, which is "ask of God." (James 1:5) 

She, like many others, is lost in the fight between her invested past and her possible future (what economics would call "sunken cost"). What's worse, is that past was highly built by the endless teachings of "wise men" and "masters of the law." But she, like all the others, needs to ask God if what we said is true, for if not, that anchor of human reason will weigh her down to the point of complete prevention, where she will no longer follow nor hear more. The Savior knew this as he expressed to his disciples when He asked, "What do men say that I am?" After various (and off-mark) responses, he asked "Whom do you say that I am?" Whereas Peter declared him the Son of the living God. Christ's next words then become some of the most important guidance He has given, when He said "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjonas, because flesh and blood hath not shown this unto you, but my Father which is in Heaven." 

Whether it be a personal testimony about The Church of Jesus Christ, or the teachings we receive each and every day, we need to trust in that which our Heavenly Father has shown us to be true. It is for that reason that I'm here, and I know without doubt that what is taught and what I've learned is true. Therefore, |I invite all others who have not yet opened their hearts unto God to obtain this same testimony to do so, and I promise it will be given them. 

Thank you for everything, and until next time...

Elder Angus

Phrase of the week:

Pai Celestial (paee seh-les-chee-al) Heavenly Father. Now you can pray in Portuguese ;) 

Photo: 

- My companion and I

Home Away From Home

If you are always on foot do you not get the chance to visit with people out in the country side?

Rarely. Sometimes we can get rides with members to go visit truly elect people or references, but it's rare. 

Is it starting to get cold down there?

Not yet. :( In fact, Campo Bom is known as the hottest part of the state, and the state is know as one of the hottest of the country. The funny thing is that where my companion is from (Amazon region) is nowhere near as hot as it gets here, nor does it ever get cold. Basically, every Brazilian will have a lot to get used to here.

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I felt like I was at home this week, because we ended up doing a lot of the labor I'm used to doing back home but in larger quantities. Something my mom would be glad to know is that we basically helped prepare gardens for a whole bundle of folks, picking weeds, hoeing out grass, etc. With all the work, I think I fulfilled my garden duties at home for at least the next few years, but I doubt Mom would let that slide. :P 

Anyway, Hello everyone and welcome back. Besides the physical labors of the week, we were able to talk to many people. Something interesting that I've been able to see is that those who are generally more open to change, more curious, or have greater desires to follow God are those that are young. Many times when we teach a family, it seems that the young people (ages 12-30) are almost always open to the gospel, but when we return, the parents have suddenly hardened their hearts and have no more desire to hear us, and therefore no longer permit their children to hear our messages. The worst part about it is that their children will grow up seeing this same example, and will become just as closed to change as their parents. However, there are those rare blessings that God will give to help that child have a chance. 

For example, there are a few young men we are teaching that are really excellent. One is a young man about 14 years old. In his family, the father had left some time ago, leaving him, his mother, and his sister to fend for themselves. Under these conditions, this young man has grown to be the "father" of the family, supporting his mom and sister, and doing everything he can to help them. With that, the mother has given him the liberty to do what he needs. We came to know him when a friend of his (a member) brought him to seminary to see how it is. After that, we began to teach him.  Although he still doesn't understand everything, his desire to know and follow Christ is through the roof. If everything ends well, he'll be baptized this week. 

The other two young men are friends that have left home to live on their own. One is 17, the other 18, and have left home because they felt the example their parents gave was terrible and no longer wanted to stay. So, they dropped out of school to get jobs and rent a place together. That was a while ago, so now they're already a little better off. When we began talking to them, they seemed more like those rebellious young teens most people expect, but after a while, we found out they really wanted to have a better life, and something greater to follow. They live about forty minutes from the church on foot, but until now have unfailingly walked there for the last few activities and meetings. They still are rather rebellious, but never will that get between them and their goals. 

Anyway, if everything goes right, we'll be filling up the baptismal font a lot these next few weeks. Thanks everyone for all the prayers and support. I'll make sure to pray for all of you too.

Until next time,

Elder Angus

wotw:

casa (kah-zah) House/Home. It's funny when Spanish Elders teach because they always pronounce this wrong. :)