Saturday, June 26, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
World Cup Beginnings - from June 15, 2010
Hey People!
Well today is the first Brazil game in the World Cup, and people are pretty excited, despite the dissappointing selection of brazilian players haha like I have any clue whats goin on. Although, every one talks about it, so you actually hear a lot, and I'm learning a ton about the cup, and these random teams that won't exist when I'm back, and soccer. Pretty fun, I wanna play!
This week. Well, well start with Wednesday. We had interviews with President. It was a really good interview. Somehow, we got on the subject of school, and football, which i wasn't planning on, but I took the oportunity to ask some questions. I told him that I would be coming home mid-season, and that I didn't know how that would effect things with eligibility and playing/being on the team that year. He told me that the earliest I could go home was Sept 14, unless I wanted a dishonorable release? That last part took me off guard, and he thought it was pretty funny. I told him that wasn't currently my plan - haha.
But he then told me not to worry about it. He told me to do my best as a missionary, and we would figure it out later. Then he talked a lot about the blessings of the Lord, and that I wouldn't miss out on any blessings because of my mission, but they would be multiplied, more than I will know. He then told me to trust in the Lord, and just keep running at that shut door, trusting the Lord will open it. Great advice, if not taken literally. He talked about how many times he has gone into impossible situations, having no idea how to get out, but he just kept pushing forward, and the Lord helped him out. He said a lot more, but that is pretty much the idea. Then, he stopped and told me, "Elder, that was a message from the Lord, not from President Richardson." I felt that, the spirit was really strong. It was all stuff I had already heard and knew, but it was great to hear it again, and feel the spirit as well.
So after President had built up my faith in the Lord he told me that he did not want the two areas to become one. He wanted us to do the work of two areas, have the numbers for two areas.
AHHHHHHH! haha its been a tough week, but we are pushing forward, trying really hard to do our best. the Branch is doing great, but the ward, doesn't have much progress. And I feel like thats pretty much all me, I gotta step it up. So I'm doing my best :)
Wednesday night, we had a lesson with Sandro and Dani. An awesome couple, we are really strong. He will be an excellent elders quorum president (this is one of our goals to baptize a elders quorum pres for the Branch). Anyways, we invited them to be baptized, and they accepted. So I invited them to get married. And we hit a wall. haha. They said yea, we will get married in December! We wanna have a big party, and her family lives on the other side of the country, so we gotta plan way in advance.
Well, I remembered the things President said, I trusted in the Lord, and ran towards that door. After a few mins of questions, trying to understand the situation, the Lord opened the door, and I asked em if they would be willing to get married on paper, and then have the church wedding in Dec, and then the temple wedding the following year. really complicated, but they accepted! Haha I was so speachless after that lesson, so grateful for the Lrod showin me what to say. They should be married any day now :) Baptism is on the 18 of the next month, with his lil sister who is waiting for that day! So pumped!
Also we have Beuno and Erika, and their daughter Bruna. He goes every week, but the other two hadn't. So in our lesson on Thursday, he started off on some long tangent, and it was Elder Perry's turn to teach. So I took the oportunity to teach the bored-out-of-her-mind 9 year old Bruna about every picture in the back of the Book of Mormon. She loved em! She, was really excited to go to church! And at church, she also had a blast. Her parents didnt want to stay for the baptism, but she convincced em. That girl is a good force now, has a load of friends at church, and is keeping her parents excited. Kids have so much power.
The baptism was great! Carlos has changed a lot, and he will be a great member. His lil bro will be baptized next week, and hopefully soon after, the father and mother as well!
Sunday, we did a division (after all the other divisions we planned for the week fell). I went with Fabio, our ward mission leader, and contacted references from the church site. we took his motorcycle! Not gonna lie, I loved that, I gotta get me one of them... Missionary work is so much easier on a motorcycle! haha
Well, I gotta go, I love you all!
Love Jake!
Well today is the first Brazil game in the World Cup, and people are pretty excited, despite the dissappointing selection of brazilian players haha like I have any clue whats goin on. Although, every one talks about it, so you actually hear a lot, and I'm learning a ton about the cup, and these random teams that won't exist when I'm back, and soccer. Pretty fun, I wanna play!
This week. Well, well start with Wednesday. We had interviews with President. It was a really good interview. Somehow, we got on the subject of school, and football, which i wasn't planning on, but I took the oportunity to ask some questions. I told him that I would be coming home mid-season, and that I didn't know how that would effect things with eligibility and playing/being on the team that year. He told me that the earliest I could go home was Sept 14, unless I wanted a dishonorable release? That last part took me off guard, and he thought it was pretty funny. I told him that wasn't currently my plan - haha.
But he then told me not to worry about it. He told me to do my best as a missionary, and we would figure it out later. Then he talked a lot about the blessings of the Lord, and that I wouldn't miss out on any blessings because of my mission, but they would be multiplied, more than I will know. He then told me to trust in the Lord, and just keep running at that shut door, trusting the Lord will open it. Great advice, if not taken literally. He talked about how many times he has gone into impossible situations, having no idea how to get out, but he just kept pushing forward, and the Lord helped him out. He said a lot more, but that is pretty much the idea. Then, he stopped and told me, "Elder, that was a message from the Lord, not from President Richardson." I felt that, the spirit was really strong. It was all stuff I had already heard and knew, but it was great to hear it again, and feel the spirit as well.
So after President had built up my faith in the Lord he told me that he did not want the two areas to become one. He wanted us to do the work of two areas, have the numbers for two areas.
AHHHHHHH! haha its been a tough week, but we are pushing forward, trying really hard to do our best. the Branch is doing great, but the ward, doesn't have much progress. And I feel like thats pretty much all me, I gotta step it up. So I'm doing my best :)
Wednesday night, we had a lesson with Sandro and Dani. An awesome couple, we are really strong. He will be an excellent elders quorum president (this is one of our goals to baptize a elders quorum pres for the Branch). Anyways, we invited them to be baptized, and they accepted. So I invited them to get married. And we hit a wall. haha. They said yea, we will get married in December! We wanna have a big party, and her family lives on the other side of the country, so we gotta plan way in advance.
Well, I remembered the things President said, I trusted in the Lord, and ran towards that door. After a few mins of questions, trying to understand the situation, the Lord opened the door, and I asked em if they would be willing to get married on paper, and then have the church wedding in Dec, and then the temple wedding the following year. really complicated, but they accepted! Haha I was so speachless after that lesson, so grateful for the Lrod showin me what to say. They should be married any day now :) Baptism is on the 18 of the next month, with his lil sister who is waiting for that day! So pumped!
Also we have Beuno and Erika, and their daughter Bruna. He goes every week, but the other two hadn't. So in our lesson on Thursday, he started off on some long tangent, and it was Elder Perry's turn to teach. So I took the oportunity to teach the bored-out-of-her-mind 9 year old Bruna about every picture in the back of the Book of Mormon. She loved em! She, was really excited to go to church! And at church, she also had a blast. Her parents didnt want to stay for the baptism, but she convincced em. That girl is a good force now, has a load of friends at church, and is keeping her parents excited. Kids have so much power.
The baptism was great! Carlos has changed a lot, and he will be a great member. His lil bro will be baptized next week, and hopefully soon after, the father and mother as well!
Sunday, we did a division (after all the other divisions we planned for the week fell). I went with Fabio, our ward mission leader, and contacted references from the church site. we took his motorcycle! Not gonna lie, I loved that, I gotta get me one of them... Missionary work is so much easier on a motorcycle! haha
Well, I gotta go, I love you all!
Love Jake!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Haven't slept in a lesson for a week!
Hey hey hey!
Its been another crazy week here in Praia Grande! With the teaching pools of the two previous areas, we are staying really busy. Really busy. We hardly have to plan at nights, because we are booked so far into the future. We do however, have extremely long and intense weekly planning sessions to get everything in! AHH! there is so much to do! But its good :) and this week has FLOWN by!
The drowsinesss off dengue I think has officailly left, I havent fallen a sleep in a lesson in about a week! haha so awesome. I'm quite proud of myself! And yes mom, I have been looking back to the blessing I got from President Lundgreen, and it has been a good strength.
That is interesting you have been thinking about how grateful you are that we didn't have an overabundance of money growing up. I too am way glad that is how I grew up! But this week, I have been really grateful for the abundance I grew up with. This week, I have had the pleasure of visiting some less active families who live in extremely humble homes. Homes where you pray before going in that it won't fall down while your in there, haha. These people dont know how lil they have, and that is so amazing to me. I often forget how much I have! They are so happy with what they have. These families are suffering from a lot of sickness, and from poverty, but they are okay with it. Its just part of life, so they make the best of it! Doesnt mean they couldnt use a lil cleaning haha we could use Dad and the kids to help clean up like they did at the Yeagers house! But I am so grat and proud of our home, it is so freakin huge! haha
We found this awesome couple yesterday, real young. They got married in october, just like ol Ross and Katie, I even talked to them about that a lil. They are really cool. We got a reference from a guy in the branch, which lead us to there house, but was definitely not the man.But it worked out super good. Anyways, she talked about not wanting to have kids in this world, its too scary of a place. "Oh, do we have a message for you."
They loved the message, and she said she loved reading, and had been looking for a new book! She said she would read it it by our next visist. The whole thing! Crazy! Well see :) But they both are really humble, and actually married. So fantastic haha keep ya updated.
We are actually teaching a lot of families right now, which is so cool. Families are where itis at! I love teaching families, and the gospel just works so well within the family!
Sunday we had a stake conference broadcast from Salt Lake City! I didnt realize these people spoke Portuguese! Elder Christopherson spoke really really well! (even though he learned spanish i think). But it was a great message. We took a bus there with the branch. I love how tight knit and friendly the branch is. They are a solid group of people for sure, just so happy to be members :)
With the World cup coming up, we have to be at home for the Brasil games. So we will leave earlier in the mornings to do work, then com back and study during the games. which will be hard. Its really cool, when the Santos ( the local pro team) score a goal, you can hear it through the whole city, it is so cool. Every house has people screaming! They are super united in this soccer thing. The world cup will be a hundred times crazier Im sure. If the US beats Brasil by some miracle, I will have to stay home for about a month i think haha or more
Mom-That is really sweet abut your new client. That guy sounds really interesting. I found you a client here who wanted his story written haha he thought that was the coolest job! I kinda think its cool too. And the new calling seems like its been going good? way to stay nice and busy! Thanks for the support and love and great letters! Loveya! Thats also super sweet about the missionaries! Tell Lynette congrats! and keep me UPDATED on the others!
S! You passed your driver's test! CONGRAULATIONS! thats so INSANELY RAD! Haha and nice work on the choir concert, Im sure it was super good as well!
J - way to be astud with the trumpet! I bet you are super good. also, get those grades up so you can play football! And stop falling in love, you are too young! Thanks for being such a good bro! You are a really cool kid, and I cant wait to hang out! HEY. Why dontyou WRITE ME PUNK!
A - sounds like you are an excellent lil business manager! That is really good! I would be more thatn happy to work for you :) Love ya
W - You are a really odd kid haha and quite funny, there is this kid im teaching who reminds me of you, he loves to sing and all, and its really weird. You guys should hang out.
Dad- Thanks for that great letter again! I really loved the BoM story, it made my day! Also, keep up the good work with the library stuff!Im glad to see that the states too starting using the yellow tunics, its been here in Brasil for awhile (from what I hear).They are CLASSY.
Well people, love you all! tchau tchau!
Elder Jake
Its been another crazy week here in Praia Grande! With the teaching pools of the two previous areas, we are staying really busy. Really busy. We hardly have to plan at nights, because we are booked so far into the future. We do however, have extremely long and intense weekly planning sessions to get everything in! AHH! there is so much to do! But its good :) and this week has FLOWN by!
The drowsinesss off dengue I think has officailly left, I havent fallen a sleep in a lesson in about a week! haha so awesome. I'm quite proud of myself! And yes mom, I have been looking back to the blessing I got from President Lundgreen, and it has been a good strength.
That is interesting you have been thinking about how grateful you are that we didn't have an overabundance of money growing up. I too am way glad that is how I grew up! But this week, I have been really grateful for the abundance I grew up with. This week, I have had the pleasure of visiting some less active families who live in extremely humble homes. Homes where you pray before going in that it won't fall down while your in there, haha. These people dont know how lil they have, and that is so amazing to me. I often forget how much I have! They are so happy with what they have. These families are suffering from a lot of sickness, and from poverty, but they are okay with it. Its just part of life, so they make the best of it! Doesnt mean they couldnt use a lil cleaning haha we could use Dad and the kids to help clean up like they did at the Yeagers house! But I am so grat and proud of our home, it is so freakin huge! haha
We found this awesome couple yesterday, real young. They got married in october, just like ol Ross and Katie, I even talked to them about that a lil. They are really cool. We got a reference from a guy in the branch, which lead us to there house, but was definitely not the man.But it worked out super good. Anyways, she talked about not wanting to have kids in this world, its too scary of a place. "Oh, do we have a message for you."
They loved the message, and she said she loved reading, and had been looking for a new book! She said she would read it it by our next visist. The whole thing! Crazy! Well see :) But they both are really humble, and actually married. So fantastic haha keep ya updated.
We are actually teaching a lot of families right now, which is so cool. Families are where itis at! I love teaching families, and the gospel just works so well within the family!
Sunday we had a stake conference broadcast from Salt Lake City! I didnt realize these people spoke Portuguese! Elder Christopherson spoke really really well! (even though he learned spanish i think). But it was a great message. We took a bus there with the branch. I love how tight knit and friendly the branch is. They are a solid group of people for sure, just so happy to be members :)
With the World cup coming up, we have to be at home for the Brasil games. So we will leave earlier in the mornings to do work, then com back and study during the games. which will be hard. Its really cool, when the Santos ( the local pro team) score a goal, you can hear it through the whole city, it is so cool. Every house has people screaming! They are super united in this soccer thing. The world cup will be a hundred times crazier Im sure. If the US beats Brasil by some miracle, I will have to stay home for about a month i think haha or more
Mom-That is really sweet abut your new client. That guy sounds really interesting. I found you a client here who wanted his story written haha he thought that was the coolest job! I kinda think its cool too. And the new calling seems like its been going good? way to stay nice and busy! Thanks for the support and love and great letters! Loveya! Thats also super sweet about the missionaries! Tell Lynette congrats! and keep me UPDATED on the others!
S! You passed your driver's test! CONGRAULATIONS! thats so INSANELY RAD! Haha and nice work on the choir concert, Im sure it was super good as well!
J - way to be astud with the trumpet! I bet you are super good. also, get those grades up so you can play football! And stop falling in love, you are too young! Thanks for being such a good bro! You are a really cool kid, and I cant wait to hang out! HEY. Why dontyou WRITE ME PUNK!
A - sounds like you are an excellent lil business manager! That is really good! I would be more thatn happy to work for you :) Love ya
W - You are a really odd kid haha and quite funny, there is this kid im teaching who reminds me of you, he loves to sing and all, and its really weird. You guys should hang out.
Dad- Thanks for that great letter again! I really loved the BoM story, it made my day! Also, keep up the good work with the library stuff!Im glad to see that the states too starting using the yellow tunics, its been here in Brasil for awhile (from what I hear).They are CLASSY.
Well people, love you all! tchau tchau!
Elder Jake
Thursday, June 3, 2010
[The spelling is becoming more and more creative!]
Hey family and friends!
I love you people!
I have had a weird week, but it has been good! With the two areas together, we walk a ton! Its also been kinda hard for me, cause my heart is more in the ward, and I only get to work there half the time now! I never thought that would be an issue haha but I am learning to love the branch a lot too!
The Branch has its own list of problems. Its about 80 people, and about ..2, yeah, 2, men. There are a few others that come and go, but arent active, or worthy to hold callings (because of smokinga dn things like that). Also, the Elder who was here before me, was known to baptize lil girls. Which isnt bad, but the branch definitely needs men! So we are working on that, making some changes and trying to activate the Elders Quarum President is on top of the list. It is hard though, to focus on men, when the young women here are exceptional missionaries! The YW organization gave us 30+ referals Sunday! So we are sorting through thoughs [:-)] starting with the men on the lists. The branch could use priesthood of any age! But these girls are really excited to share the gospel, which is really dang cool.
Well, with the two units, the ward and branch, meeting at the same time on Sunday, we do divisions with the ward members. I went with Adamastor, one of the coolest guys ever, and Elder Perry went with the Branch President. It was super, super weird to be "alone" at church. Adamastor was doing his own thing, running around as the YM Pres, and so I was just with the Preisthood who happened to be in the same room as I. I still felt so weird! haha It was an interesting experience, and will continue to be so for the next while. Next week, we will switch.
So for now, Elder Perry and I will continue to work together, until further notice. But President is still looking for the pre-greenies for us. I guess its kinda hard to find someone during the world cup! But he is still looking, and seemed pretty confident he was gonna be able to do it.
Brasilians freaking LOVE this soccer thing. The streets are getting painted green and yellow, and there are banners going up. Its pretty cool, not gonna lie.
Elder Perry is a cool guy. I know it wasnt the Presidents intention for us to work together, but I am starting to see that it was the Lords. He is a great guy, a lil weird, but Im learning to love him. He has a lot of lil quirks, and sometimes it just leaves me speachless, or laughing, but I am really grateful to be working with him for sure! It is pretty good times.
Saturday night, the branch had a talent show! I was happy to sing "nearer My God to thee", and I was totatlly satisfied with my contribution. But the branch wasnt. I was asked to MC as it was starting! So I did my best. I had a lot of fun with it, but it was hard. My time filling skills are severely limited in Protuguese! As we got to the last act, I was extremely pleased to find out the one of the participants went home to grab something. So I had to stall. I startd thinking. I had an endless amount of jokes that I didnt have the vocabulary to tell. Haha. So the Primary Pres got up and lead the audience in some silly lil primary songs, and then turned the time back over to me. I got up there, and thinking as fast as I could, I decided to sing a Sons of Promise song. I sang "Love Potion", in as many parts as I could manage. Hahaha it was ridiculous, and musically horrible, but they loved it, even though they didnt understand anything, At least I think they loved it, they pretended to if not haha. It was fun, and brought back many great memories. I even had taken off my tie previously ( to give to a kid for the Primary modeling show thing) so it was just like old times. Haha I cant beleive I actually did that.
Did you guys know how legitimate the Book of Mormon is? Man, I can not get enough of that book haha, the stories are so good! I am learning so much from the stories, and I am very frustrated with myself for not being a faster reader. Its good though. You guys should check it out. It has so much power, and I can really see how it was written for our days. I really love the empasis that Alma puts on mothers, in regards to the sons of Helaman (I think it was Alma who worte that, I dont remember). The family is super important, and I can see that Satan is really trying so hard to take down the family, and "make a mockery of the law of chastity". And the Book of Mormon talks about all of it! Man I wish I understood more about that book! But I know that its true, and with a lil self-patience, that is enough for me.
Yesterday was the first day I finally felt like I had my energy back. Much apreciated! I am tired of falling asleep in lessons! haha The good rest is starting to pay off. And yes Mother, lots of liquids too! Sounds like youguys are staying really busy! And nice work Mom and Dad balancing it all! also, 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, is amazing. I love that place haha
Mom- Good luck with your Indianna Jones leap from the lions mouth! I'm sure you will do great, and I was thinking the same thing about the responsibilities about to hit me in the face.
S-check your mail
J! I havent heard from you in FOREVER. How is the diacon life? Are you loving it? Be proud of your freckles. I think they must be a true sign of power. you excited for home-schooling?
A- Write me you silly lil girl!
W-Thats rough about the hot dogs and the soda haha
No more time! Hope you al have a great week! Thatll be fun is Kari makes it to finals, give her congradulations if she does! If not, give her some consoling words that I would give. . . With a straight face.
I love you all, tchau tchau!
Elder Jake
Hey family and friends!
I love you people!
I have had a weird week, but it has been good! With the two areas together, we walk a ton! Its also been kinda hard for me, cause my heart is more in the ward, and I only get to work there half the time now! I never thought that would be an issue haha but I am learning to love the branch a lot too!
The Branch has its own list of problems. Its about 80 people, and about ..2, yeah, 2, men. There are a few others that come and go, but arent active, or worthy to hold callings (because of smokinga dn things like that). Also, the Elder who was here before me, was known to baptize lil girls. Which isnt bad, but the branch definitely needs men! So we are working on that, making some changes and trying to activate the Elders Quarum President is on top of the list. It is hard though, to focus on men, when the young women here are exceptional missionaries! The YW organization gave us 30+ referals Sunday! So we are sorting through thoughs [:-)] starting with the men on the lists. The branch could use priesthood of any age! But these girls are really excited to share the gospel, which is really dang cool.
Well, with the two units, the ward and branch, meeting at the same time on Sunday, we do divisions with the ward members. I went with Adamastor, one of the coolest guys ever, and Elder Perry went with the Branch President. It was super, super weird to be "alone" at church. Adamastor was doing his own thing, running around as the YM Pres, and so I was just with the Preisthood who happened to be in the same room as I. I still felt so weird! haha It was an interesting experience, and will continue to be so for the next while. Next week, we will switch.
So for now, Elder Perry and I will continue to work together, until further notice. But President is still looking for the pre-greenies for us. I guess its kinda hard to find someone during the world cup! But he is still looking, and seemed pretty confident he was gonna be able to do it.
Brasilians freaking LOVE this soccer thing. The streets are getting painted green and yellow, and there are banners going up. Its pretty cool, not gonna lie.
Elder Perry is a cool guy. I know it wasnt the Presidents intention for us to work together, but I am starting to see that it was the Lords. He is a great guy, a lil weird, but Im learning to love him. He has a lot of lil quirks, and sometimes it just leaves me speachless, or laughing, but I am really grateful to be working with him for sure! It is pretty good times.
Saturday night, the branch had a talent show! I was happy to sing "nearer My God to thee", and I was totatlly satisfied with my contribution. But the branch wasnt. I was asked to MC as it was starting! So I did my best. I had a lot of fun with it, but it was hard. My time filling skills are severely limited in Protuguese! As we got to the last act, I was extremely pleased to find out the one of the participants went home to grab something. So I had to stall. I startd thinking. I had an endless amount of jokes that I didnt have the vocabulary to tell. Haha. So the Primary Pres got up and lead the audience in some silly lil primary songs, and then turned the time back over to me. I got up there, and thinking as fast as I could, I decided to sing a Sons of Promise song. I sang "Love Potion", in as many parts as I could manage. Hahaha it was ridiculous, and musically horrible, but they loved it, even though they didnt understand anything, At least I think they loved it, they pretended to if not haha. It was fun, and brought back many great memories. I even had taken off my tie previously ( to give to a kid for the Primary modeling show thing) so it was just like old times. Haha I cant beleive I actually did that.
Did you guys know how legitimate the Book of Mormon is? Man, I can not get enough of that book haha, the stories are so good! I am learning so much from the stories, and I am very frustrated with myself for not being a faster reader. Its good though. You guys should check it out. It has so much power, and I can really see how it was written for our days. I really love the empasis that Alma puts on mothers, in regards to the sons of Helaman (I think it was Alma who worte that, I dont remember). The family is super important, and I can see that Satan is really trying so hard to take down the family, and "make a mockery of the law of chastity". And the Book of Mormon talks about all of it! Man I wish I understood more about that book! But I know that its true, and with a lil self-patience, that is enough for me.
Yesterday was the first day I finally felt like I had my energy back. Much apreciated! I am tired of falling asleep in lessons! haha The good rest is starting to pay off. And yes Mother, lots of liquids too! Sounds like youguys are staying really busy! And nice work Mom and Dad balancing it all! also, 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, is amazing. I love that place haha
Mom- Good luck with your Indianna Jones leap from the lions mouth! I'm sure you will do great, and I was thinking the same thing about the responsibilities about to hit me in the face.
S-check your mail
J! I havent heard from you in FOREVER. How is the diacon life? Are you loving it? Be proud of your freckles. I think they must be a true sign of power. you excited for home-schooling?
A- Write me you silly lil girl!
W-Thats rough about the hot dogs and the soda haha
No more time! Hope you al have a great week! Thatll be fun is Kari makes it to finals, give her congradulations if she does! If not, give her some consoling words that I would give. . . With a straight face.
I love you all, tchau tchau!
Elder Jake
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