Monday, May 31, 2010
Dengue Fever and a New Comp
Dear People,
You people are awesome! This week has been a lil bit of a roller coaster. So lets jump right in...
So Wednesday, we went and did the baptisimal interviews for Leonardo, Roseli, and Lucia. I was with the DL, ELder Sena, in division. The schedule was so ridulous, we crossed our ginormous area 5 times! It was the only way to do it because of the schedules of those being interviewed, and other appointments. Everyone got in, but it was a long day haha. And they all passed! Really great!
Thursday we had Zone conference. It was really good, as always. Its always super great to see those other great missionaries, and to hear from the leaders. Elder Godoi, of the area presidency was there. He talked a lot about traps of the mission. Lil ways to use our time better, and get more baptisms and such. Really liked it. He also said that one of the biggest reasons we got sent to Sao Paulo was to to learn from President Richardson. I really felt that, he is a good president, and I have learned quite a lot from him. I can see how he is helping me out a ton. Least thats what I thought thursday...
Friday night, I came down with dengue fever! Woohoo! That was great haha. Felt like I got hit by a semi-truck. and like someone was trying to take my eyes out with spoons. But after sleeping all Saturday and Sunday I was all good. Now Im just stuck with a wonderful full-body rash. haha Super crazy. I dont really mind, at least it gives me something interesting to write in the journal!
Sunday, we had the baptisms! It went really well, I even had the opportunity to baptize Roseli. Afterwards, she told us she would remember us and be grateful for eternity. That is a wonderful thing to hear, not going to lie. She is a wonderful woman, truly saw the light in her eyes afterwards. Thats what this is all about!
So, for the climax. Transfers! We got tranfer calls at about 11:30 Sunday night. Elder Finlinson got transferred! AND so did Elder Faria, from our house. But no missionaries got tranferred here... which leaves me and Elder Perry with two areas! They are both ginormous! Crazy!
I was pretty sad about Elder Finlinson leaving, he was my favorite companion for sure, I really liked working with the kid. We had a blast. Hes the kinda guy I will def hang out with post mish. Anyways, yesterday morning I got a call from President... He told me that Elder Perry and I, in a week or so, would both get companions. But they would be young men who arent actually missionaries yet, but are waiting for calls. So he broke it down from me. He said you will be training, a brazilian, who never even went to the MTC. He told me the mission went down six missionaries this transfer, and that he knew he could trust me to take care of the area.
Pray for me hahaha
I am excited, but I am definitely nervous a bit. My "carefree" days are over, its gonna be an adventure! Haha
But everything here is good, I am still having a great time, and now, I'm gonna go take a nap :)
I got the package! Not the second one yet, but thank you so very much! Was super great to get that! Winter clothes will definitely not be needing haha but thanks anyways! And a thermal blanket, please no haha I sleep in a sheet, if its not to hot!
I am really excited about the deck, thats gonna be awesome! Sounds like your week was really busy, and really fun! Would have been great to see some of the performances, but I know you guys did great! I loved the pictures! Well, I am running out of time, I love you all! I hope J does play football! haha
Love you all!
Elder Jake
Sunday, May 23, 2010
No ordinary missionary!
Ola meus amigos estranhos!
This week was pretty good, we are getting some stuff moving! So just a few lil bits of random for ya...
Lucia is doing great! She is progressing and all, she stopped smoking! She is a fairly stubborn woman, so when she made up her mind to stop smoking, she stuck to it! Her baptism is all ready for this sunday!
Roseli is also ready. She loves the missionaries quite a lot, and is so excited to be baptized! What a great lady, she has so much faith, and studies the scriptures ridiculously well! sometimes leaving the missionaries running behind her tryin to catch up! haha She keeps us sharp, and on our toes.
Leonardo is a fly cat. He is 15, and we found him through a soccer night.
Side story--> Every thursday night, the ward has youth soccer at the church. A ton of people show up. They made a new rule last week, that the non-members had to heara message before they played. So we taught 14 young men last week, and one was Leonardo.
He has been going to church for awhile, and even seminary. His grandma is a member, but his parents arent, and don't want anything to do with the church, but tonight we have an appointment with him, and we will invite him to be baptized this sunday as well!
Another side note. I was really tired this week, as often happens to missionaries.When we were teaching Leonardo the 2nd time, I fell alseep during the lesson! But many missionaries do that, and we all know Elder Jake is not an ordinary, average missionary! I fell asleep WHILE TEACHING. I know, thats ridiculous. haha only me... haha but I am doing great now!
So thats way cool that President Farias is in contact with you guys, he is a great help for sure! I am also glad to hear my parents are concerned with my eating. Haha, but dont worry! You know me, I am not going to go with out food! We made plans! We have as many family nights as we can, which fulfills the mission purpose extremely well as we intergrate members and investigators, and we eat really well! Also, we have had this problem, where the sisters just want you to keeping eating more, and more, and more at lunch! So, we came up with a genius idea. "We have to go right now, so can we take some home?" We no longer have to eat til we wanna vomit, no longer go hungry at night, and, even better, the sister loves how we love her food so much that we would take some home! Life is good here in Praia Grande :)
Yesterday, there was this kid in her moms arms when they were walking down the street. They were in front of us, and the kid, facing backwards was the only one who could see us. I Gave her a big smile and a thumbs up. She looked at me, and then began to vomit. A lot. haha! We just walked by and pretended that it wasnt my fault. I thought it was rather a funny experience.
So I lost my name tag for a few days a while back and I used Ross´ for awhile. No one noticed, except for one less-active guy. He thought it was pretty funny! I'm just glad President Richardson didnt notice...
W- Sounds like you are having a blast kid! You are always (at least from what i see haha) loving life! thats awesome! I love telling people stories about you and the other kids. freaking write me a letter! then you can get back to life kid!
[In my letter to Jake last week, I wrote, "Today, W is sick and stayed home from church. Earlier in the am, he and A were playing the game “Life.” Then took a break. After a while, W asked if he could “get back to Life.” I laughed. He didn’t understand why I laughed. When I explained why, his face just broke in a grin."]
A- Did you have fun performing? I bet you did, youve got an awesome stage presence, and a great smile, so i know evryone enjoyed watching you! I wanna see some pictures! Write me a letter!
J- I hear you are on a growth spurt! Thats way sweet haha and I am real proud you take the passing of sacrement seriously, its an important job! i hope you had fun on the campout! That campout was pretty fun when I went, I freaking love camping. There are a lot of people who camp here. But its usually because they are too drunk to find there homes. Not quite as cool haha Write me a carta!
S- You'll get your letter, but I guess I still love you
Mom- It seems like you and your lil dream team are doing a great job of showing the love of the savior, which is a great example for me. Thanks team ;). I really liked what Sister Entze said about skin cancer, I loved that attitude! Sounds like you are as usual juggling super well, Im learning a bit of that right now!
Ross, thanks for the letter man, Ill try andwrite you back today, if not, next week!
Well, love you people, dont do drugs, choose the right, have your dogs and cats spayed or neutered!
Elder Jake
In a separate letter to his dad, Elder Jake wrote -
This week was pretty good, we are getting some stuff moving! So just a few lil bits of random for ya...
Lucia is doing great! She is progressing and all, she stopped smoking! She is a fairly stubborn woman, so when she made up her mind to stop smoking, she stuck to it! Her baptism is all ready for this sunday!
Roseli is also ready. She loves the missionaries quite a lot, and is so excited to be baptized! What a great lady, she has so much faith, and studies the scriptures ridiculously well! sometimes leaving the missionaries running behind her tryin to catch up! haha She keeps us sharp, and on our toes.
Leonardo is a fly cat. He is 15, and we found him through a soccer night.
Side story--> Every thursday night, the ward has youth soccer at the church. A ton of people show up. They made a new rule last week, that the non-members had to heara message before they played. So we taught 14 young men last week, and one was Leonardo.
He has been going to church for awhile, and even seminary. His grandma is a member, but his parents arent, and don't want anything to do with the church, but tonight we have an appointment with him, and we will invite him to be baptized this sunday as well!
Another side note. I was really tired this week, as often happens to missionaries.When we were teaching Leonardo the 2nd time, I fell alseep during the lesson! But many missionaries do that, and we all know Elder Jake is not an ordinary, average missionary! I fell asleep WHILE TEACHING. I know, thats ridiculous. haha only me... haha but I am doing great now!
So thats way cool that President Farias is in contact with you guys, he is a great help for sure! I am also glad to hear my parents are concerned with my eating. Haha, but dont worry! You know me, I am not going to go with out food! We made plans! We have as many family nights as we can, which fulfills the mission purpose extremely well as we intergrate members and investigators, and we eat really well! Also, we have had this problem, where the sisters just want you to keeping eating more, and more, and more at lunch! So, we came up with a genius idea. "We have to go right now, so can we take some home?" We no longer have to eat til we wanna vomit, no longer go hungry at night, and, even better, the sister loves how we love her food so much that we would take some home! Life is good here in Praia Grande :)
Yesterday, there was this kid in her moms arms when they were walking down the street. They were in front of us, and the kid, facing backwards was the only one who could see us. I Gave her a big smile and a thumbs up. She looked at me, and then began to vomit. A lot. haha! We just walked by and pretended that it wasnt my fault. I thought it was rather a funny experience.
So I lost my name tag for a few days a while back and I used Ross´ for awhile. No one noticed, except for one less-active guy. He thought it was pretty funny! I'm just glad President Richardson didnt notice...
W- Sounds like you are having a blast kid! You are always (at least from what i see haha) loving life! thats awesome! I love telling people stories about you and the other kids. freaking write me a letter! then you can get back to life kid!
[In my letter to Jake last week, I wrote, "Today, W is sick and stayed home from church. Earlier in the am, he and A were playing the game “Life.” Then took a break. After a while, W asked if he could “get back to Life.” I laughed. He didn’t understand why I laughed. When I explained why, his face just broke in a grin."]
A- Did you have fun performing? I bet you did, youve got an awesome stage presence, and a great smile, so i know evryone enjoyed watching you! I wanna see some pictures! Write me a letter!
J- I hear you are on a growth spurt! Thats way sweet haha and I am real proud you take the passing of sacrement seriously, its an important job! i hope you had fun on the campout! That campout was pretty fun when I went, I freaking love camping. There are a lot of people who camp here. But its usually because they are too drunk to find there homes. Not quite as cool haha Write me a carta!
S- You'll get your letter, but I guess I still love you
Mom- It seems like you and your lil dream team are doing a great job of showing the love of the savior, which is a great example for me. Thanks team ;). I really liked what Sister Entze said about skin cancer, I loved that attitude! Sounds like you are as usual juggling super well, Im learning a bit of that right now!
Ross, thanks for the letter man, Ill try andwrite you back today, if not, next week!
Well, love you people, dont do drugs, choose the right, have your dogs and cats spayed or neutered!
Elder Jake
In a separate letter to his dad, Elder Jake wrote -
Hey Pops!
I hope you had a great week on the home front! Thats pretty cool of you to prepare two different talks, thats a great example of following the spirit, even if it means more work. Thanks for thanking them for me as well, I will never be caught up in all the thanking I have to do!
Thats crazy that so many of the high council are changing. Do you know why? If you could some how work your way up to become stake president in the next year and a half, that would be a wonderful blessing so i can get released before we travel. Haha!
Sounds like you are staying really busy, and having a bit of fun too! Thanks for being such a great example!
Thanks for the great letters, and for the support! I love you, have a great week!
Elder Jake
Friday, May 14, 2010
A Happy Mother's Day
[We had a great visit with Elder Jake via phone and were able to link Ross and Katie in as well. Everyone "together" for a short time = the best of Mother's Days.]
Dear People,
It was pretty awesome to talk to you guys, I really loved it. And dont worry it got ended abrubtly, I understood, and also had a lesson I had to get to! Its all good!
Its amazing how much a phone call can help, it was a great reminder of who I am, and of some things I needed to change. Families are truely the best thing on this earth, as annoying as they can be a times ;) haha thanks for that great call and for the love and support you guys give me!
That is way sweet Ward and Helida are thinking about coming to Brazil, I dont know for sure, but I am fairly confident President will allow them to visit me. I dont see a problem with that at all. In fact, I personally LOVE the idea! haha but maybe thats not all that suprising. Ill talk to him more down the road when plans are more finalized, and when he knows me better. I'm pumped though, itd be sweet if that could go down. That is crazy that the missionaries her mom sto´pped knew me! What are the chances of that!
I am glad Mom that you had a great mothers day! I completely forgot to wish you a happy mothers day! Happy mothers day! Sounds like W and A did a great job though, along with everyone else!
Well, not much to say, I said it all Sunday! But yesterday, I did a division with Elder Faria, from Rio, and it was great. It is always awesome to do a division with a Brazilian, I learn so much. They proly think Im crazy, I try to talk ALL day so that I can practice and use that tool. But we have a lot of fun. I have this friend here, Danilo. He is a RM, he is President Farias' son, and he goes out with us when he can. Super fly cat. Anyway, he has been helping me with my language a bit, and he tells me Im really close to losing the accent. He gave me some advice, along with his mother, and I am gonna work on it, and kill the accent :)
Anyways, yesterday one of our investigatiors gave us some great news! She, Roseli, told us that her "friend" moved out. He is an ex-communicated member, this is his third "amiga", andthey didnt have a relationship at this point. They didnt even talk for the past two months really. He would drive to church, and she and he son would walk. But because they were living together, she couldnt be baptized. Well, finally, he left! I am sad because I really liked this guy. Not sure whats going on with him, why he is strugglin so much, but I loved that guy, he was a good friend, and he left the area.. But the great part is she now can be baptized! When we invited her to be baptized, she got the biggest smile on her face and whole-heartedly agreed! So that sould be great! Anyways, Thats all I got for now, have a great week!
Love you all!
Elder Jake
PS - Mom, loved that article award thing! Congrats!
Dear People,
It was pretty awesome to talk to you guys, I really loved it. And dont worry it got ended abrubtly, I understood, and also had a lesson I had to get to! Its all good!
Its amazing how much a phone call can help, it was a great reminder of who I am, and of some things I needed to change. Families are truely the best thing on this earth, as annoying as they can be a times ;) haha thanks for that great call and for the love and support you guys give me!
That is way sweet Ward and Helida are thinking about coming to Brazil, I dont know for sure, but I am fairly confident President will allow them to visit me. I dont see a problem with that at all. In fact, I personally LOVE the idea! haha but maybe thats not all that suprising. Ill talk to him more down the road when plans are more finalized, and when he knows me better. I'm pumped though, itd be sweet if that could go down. That is crazy that the missionaries her mom sto´pped knew me! What are the chances of that!
I am glad Mom that you had a great mothers day! I completely forgot to wish you a happy mothers day! Happy mothers day! Sounds like W and A did a great job though, along with everyone else!
Well, not much to say, I said it all Sunday! But yesterday, I did a division with Elder Faria, from Rio, and it was great. It is always awesome to do a division with a Brazilian, I learn so much. They proly think Im crazy, I try to talk ALL day so that I can practice and use that tool. But we have a lot of fun. I have this friend here, Danilo. He is a RM, he is President Farias' son, and he goes out with us when he can. Super fly cat. Anyway, he has been helping me with my language a bit, and he tells me Im really close to losing the accent. He gave me some advice, along with his mother, and I am gonna work on it, and kill the accent :)
Anyways, yesterday one of our investigatiors gave us some great news! She, Roseli, told us that her "friend" moved out. He is an ex-communicated member, this is his third "amiga", andthey didnt have a relationship at this point. They didnt even talk for the past two months really. He would drive to church, and she and he son would walk. But because they were living together, she couldnt be baptized. Well, finally, he left! I am sad because I really liked this guy. Not sure whats going on with him, why he is strugglin so much, but I loved that guy, he was a good friend, and he left the area.. But the great part is she now can be baptized! When we invited her to be baptized, she got the biggest smile on her face and whole-heartedly agreed! So that sould be great! Anyways, Thats all I got for now, have a great week!
Love you all!
Elder Jake
PS - Mom, loved that article award thing! Congrats!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hanging on
[Elder Jake was having difficulties with the internet at the cafe. It kept shutting down on him.]
Alrighty Mama, Try number 4... I got about ten mins now. And then I got a meeting with the ward counsel, prolly shouldnt miss that.
Hey :)
This week was good, I really can't complain! So let's see where I can start.
We haven't had a whole lot of investigators, this area is pretty tough, but we are starting to get there, slowly, but we are gettin there! We had a great family show up to church, Airton and Leu. They are married! And a great family. He would be great friends with Del, reminds me a bit of him, which is awesome. We taught them the other day and they were super good, very excited. However, they do like to talk. A lot. They were both talking, at the same time, for most of the lesson. Its crazy! That's a situation that really pushes your language skills! I was grateful I was able to stay afloat there :) They are living here, but have a farm somewhere else that they go visit every once in a while, to take care of the horses, which I wanna visit, and they did invite us, so we'll see.
The Book of Mormon Lady didn't come to church, which I was really sad about. But the work moves on!
This other lady is Lucia. She is about 45, and all of her kids are members, I think. We found her in the address book. We taught her the second lesson, and then I invited her to be baptized. Worst invite I've ever done! I couldn't get the words out right, and I couldn't think. It was weird, and rather annoying. But then she accepted! Then, when I did a division with the LZ, I told them about it. He was shocked! He said she had been invited to be baptized loads of times, and had been an investigator for a long time. She had never even thought about baptism, just quickly answered no! I am glad I didn't know that.
I heard a quote once that said missionaries are capable of doing things they are not capable of doing, because they do not know they are not capable of doing them. Also really helped me learn that this is the Lords work, and even with the worst invite, he can touch the heart of a very stubborn woman. (She still is very stubborn, but also very ready to be baptized!).
Because we haven't had a ton of investigators to focus on, I have had a lot of time to think about improving myself as a missionary, to better help the people here. I have been loving the scriptures, and at times become a lil sad with the short amount of study time I have now that my companion wants to do comp study ;) I was really loving that load of personal study time, but I am also loving comp study, and I am learning a ton from this kid!
I, too, Mom have been thinking a lot about prayer this week! I have really been trying to pray more, even though this transfer isn't as hard. I am really impressed by the power of prayer, and how it can help me out in all situations, and let me feel the love of my Heavenly Father. Prayer is the greatest thing ever! haha! I am super grateful for that, and being able to pray always, even if just to say a quick prayer thankin the Lord for my blessings!
I'll call this week with info on the call!]
Love ya
Elder Jake!
Alrighty Mama, Try number 4... I got about ten mins now. And then I got a meeting with the ward counsel, prolly shouldnt miss that.
Hey :)
This week was good, I really can't complain! So let's see where I can start.
We haven't had a whole lot of investigators, this area is pretty tough, but we are starting to get there, slowly, but we are gettin there! We had a great family show up to church, Airton and Leu. They are married! And a great family. He would be great friends with Del, reminds me a bit of him, which is awesome. We taught them the other day and they were super good, very excited. However, they do like to talk. A lot. They were both talking, at the same time, for most of the lesson. Its crazy! That's a situation that really pushes your language skills! I was grateful I was able to stay afloat there :) They are living here, but have a farm somewhere else that they go visit every once in a while, to take care of the horses, which I wanna visit, and they did invite us, so we'll see.
The Book of Mormon Lady didn't come to church, which I was really sad about. But the work moves on!
This other lady is Lucia. She is about 45, and all of her kids are members, I think. We found her in the address book. We taught her the second lesson, and then I invited her to be baptized. Worst invite I've ever done! I couldn't get the words out right, and I couldn't think. It was weird, and rather annoying. But then she accepted! Then, when I did a division with the LZ, I told them about it. He was shocked! He said she had been invited to be baptized loads of times, and had been an investigator for a long time. She had never even thought about baptism, just quickly answered no! I am glad I didn't know that.
I heard a quote once that said missionaries are capable of doing things they are not capable of doing, because they do not know they are not capable of doing them. Also really helped me learn that this is the Lords work, and even with the worst invite, he can touch the heart of a very stubborn woman. (She still is very stubborn, but also very ready to be baptized!).
Because we haven't had a ton of investigators to focus on, I have had a lot of time to think about improving myself as a missionary, to better help the people here. I have been loving the scriptures, and at times become a lil sad with the short amount of study time I have now that my companion wants to do comp study ;) I was really loving that load of personal study time, but I am also loving comp study, and I am learning a ton from this kid!
I, too, Mom have been thinking a lot about prayer this week! I have really been trying to pray more, even though this transfer isn't as hard. I am really impressed by the power of prayer, and how it can help me out in all situations, and let me feel the love of my Heavenly Father. Prayer is the greatest thing ever! haha! I am super grateful for that, and being able to pray always, even if just to say a quick prayer thankin the Lord for my blessings!
I'll call this week with info on the call!]
Love ya
Elder Jake!
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