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

Small and Simple Things

Is it hard to serve with a companion who is going home?

Somewhat. There are some that get really trunky, but Elder Boeno is still actively working. The only great difficulty is the routine. After two years, it get's difficult for them to wake up at 6:30 to study once more. And it's true, you get tired of the routine. But, I'll try my best not to be one of those missionaries.

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This week was a little complicated, but definitely an experience. We had a few young men preparing for baptism this Staurday, and they all simply gave up a day before the baptism. Sometimes it makes me want to just shake the nonsense out of them or lend them a little confidence, but unfortunately their choices and respective valor are things that they must do for themselves.  I just hope they don't just give up forever.

Anyway, besides them, there were a lot of things that happened this week. A few over-protective parents, object lessons misinterpreted as Gothic worship, and more. However, today I'll talk about a new investigator called Jose. We met Jose when all our commitments fell through and we started knocking on doors. When he answered the door, he gave us one of those "Not again" looks, then left to attend us. We explained simply our purpose and he invited us in. What I thought would be one of the really skeptical investigators turned out to be a miracle.

When we left the house, we left him a passage to read, and invited him to pray. When we returned, he did what no other investigator had done before, he read several times, pondered over it, and even made a written summary just to see if he fully understood. When we arrived, he was really excited and sat us down, saying simply, "Thanks for everything you've just taught me. I want to show you what I found."

It's not every day you find someone who values the truth as much as this man did. When we learn the basic sciences and mathematics, we don't hesitate to take time to buckle down and study hard. However, it's rare to see one who will do the same with the spiritual truths that God has given them. Jose may not know this, but he taught me more than I taught him, because now I know to more greatly value every written word that God has given.

Anyway, this next week will be the last week for Elder Boeno, so it will be inherently crazy. I hope there will be a lot of photos to send. But, until next time,

Elder Angus

Phrase of the Week:

Copo do Mundo (coh-poo doh moon-doo) Meaning World Cup. The games are getting close, and everyone's excited. I just hope we can still work when it all goes down.

Serial Killer (Don't look at me...he has weird titles for his emails sometimes)

Who are the people in this picture? 

They are other missionaries in the district. This photo was taken by the members in the picture. They gave us all lunch. :P

Where in the world are you now?

Vista Alegre Ward, Cachoeirinha, RS

Who is your new companion and where is he from?  Give us the low down on him.

Read ahead for the "low down."

Preston Ross... graduating. 

What! Already!? The world is going to be weird when I return home. 

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Another good title would be Dejavu, as something I've already done, I'm doing again. Two years ago, I "killed" (terminated the mission of) Elder Bueno in Ivoti. Now, I've been transferred to the city of Cachoerinha to "kill" the one and only Elder Boeno. As he put it, I'm "an official expert on killing Buenos." :P 

According to Mother's request, I will give a quick "down-low" of my companion. Elder Boeno is from Curitiba - PR, Brasil. He's a really cool guy and is fully animated to work hard, even when his mission is coming to a close. That's what we call endure to the end!

The new area seems like one of those "higher stakes, higher rewards" situations. The problems and situations are in high concentrations, but the people we are finding and the help we are receiving from all of the members is tremendous. To start, the young men here are all very active and excited to help out in the missionary work. For example, just this week, we filled almost all our time visiting people with three of the young men in the ward. Beyond that, many of them are actively inviting their friends to go to church and participate in activities. Probably for this reason, most of the baptisms for the last few months were young men and women. 

The regular missionary work is also moving forward. This week we found various people prepared of God to receive his message. One which was really special was a young woman and her mother. We first made contact knocking on doors, when the young woman came to meet us at the door. Seeing as her parents weren't home we marked to return later. About two days later, we met with her and her mother, and they were very receptive. They had already visited many churches, but had never decided to become firm in one of them. As the mother said, they like to "take the truths they find in each church, and forget what remains." As we began teaching, they paid really good attention to our message, and had really good questions. Many times the phone rang, people knocked on the door, etc., but these disruptions didn't take away their attention. At the end, the daughter offered a kneeling prayer so powerful that everyone felt the spirit really strongly. When we opened our eyes, we looked at her and we knew that one of her prayers had just been answered. 

As we get further into this new chapter in the Adventures of Ambassador Angus, there will be many great and new stories, but for now, thanks for all the help and support. You guys are the best!

Elder Angus

PotW:

Show de Bola (show gee boh-lah) Meaning well done, cool, or literally, a demonstration of soccer.

Pictures

Here are some pictures of "Jess" at our cousin Drew's wedding reception and actual pictures of Jess during a transfer.

Did anyone else notice that his smile seems to be exactly the same in every picture? Ha ha ha. :)