Dear Friends and family!
Well, I guess "the news" from D will come in a future letter, which I have not yet received! I'll proly get it tomorrow in interviews. I'm guessing she's engaged.
Two months ago in the temple, I felt the strong impression that I should stop writing D. I wasn't really sure why, but I thought it was because she wasn't the one I was supposed to marry, that I should just let her go and not worry about it. I haven't been able to get a letter out to her yet, but looks like now my letter will be a lil different! If you had told me this would have happened a few months ago, I dont think I would have imagined how excited I am for her right now. I can honestly say I'm happy for her. And what a lucky guy, haha. Hope he's not super lame... ;) And I hope the Mc family doensn't think they got rid of me because of that lil detail. Its not that easy!
It amazing me how massive and amazing the plan of the Lord is. He's good! I am reminded again how important it is to trust in him, even when you don't know why he does things, or tells you things, even when its a hard thing to do, like stop writing one of your best friends.
Well, to answer some questions about my residence. The house is super small. Its really low as well. I hit my head one the door of our room if I'm not careful, and the shower head is super small, hits just above the chin. I thought I already told you this, but I feel like Buddy the Elf in this house! Its pretty far away from everything, but its a cozy lil place. Can't complain, super easy to clean. There isnt hot tap water in any place Ive ever seen in Brasil, but the shower is hot. And we got ourselves a nice washing machine to wash our clothes out front. And our new neighboors love to talk to us, and give us hugs, haha!
Thanks for the message from Sis Perez! And Ally is 18?! Seriously?! Crazy... to me shes still 16...
Halloween isn't celebrated on this date, or really at all.
Alessandra is super strong! We are really excited for her baptism, as is she, and the ward!
The Primary program was great, nothiong out of the ordinary, just a few talks that were insanely good. Ridiculously well written and delivered.
The struggles I feel as a missionary lately come from the fact that the calling is great, and the servant is weak. I feel pretty under qualified, and I am put with companions who are well-qualified, and at times I feel impatient with myself. But I have been praying and working towards humble confidence. I feel like I'm on a teeter-totter, trying to balance myself in the middle. When one sides down, Im egotistical, when the others down, insecure. I've realized this week how similar the two are. The both come from thinking to much about yourself, and not enough about others. I'm going to work beter on that, one of my goals. Finding that balance by looking to others.
This week we did a division with the Assistances. (I can't spell anything anymore.) But it was really fun, and I really enjoyed myself. I was with Elder Poffo, who is brazilian. It was a great experience. I learned the most though from the Spirit. I took a lot of notes on what the Spirit was teaching me. There were so many things which the spirit made so clear to me, which before I never really understood. I dont have time to share them today, but maybve next week!
J! Hang in there, home-schooling is kinda hard at times. But, it'll be worth it. Just keep working hard! How did you like football? Seems like you just started!
A-way to tear up! Keep working hard, and get those grades up! Im proud!
W- way to help out a brother from another mother. Jose. Solid name. I know about 10,778 people with that name. The best way to help any group of people is by pulling up one person at a time. way to be a great friend.
Mom-thanks for the great letter! Thanks for everything, and for the prayers. This week has been much better than the previous weeks, and I know a large part of it is because of the prayers you and Dad have said! Send D a hug, and C, too, haha and the rest of the fam!
Love you all, way overtime :) Have a great week!
love, Elder Jake
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Photos
Captions by Elder Jake
View of Sao Paulo on top of a fatty bank.
At the Primary activity
with Joaohinzo
with Elder Harris on front of a massive Catholic church.
Burning a white shirt -- celebrating the one-year mark.
New neighbors, funny people, one year mark
Dear My family and Friends,
Thanks for your great letters! Lets get this party started.
We have new neighbors! The family who lives in the main part of house (we live in the basement) is on a temple mission now, and they rented the house to a Chilean family! They are also members of the church, and don't speak Portuguese! I am having a lot of fun with them, and I'm practicing the Spanish I never learned, haha.
Yesterday we helped them move some furniture. It was pretty crazy. We were trying to get a couch from the second floor to the first. It didnt fit down the staircase. It pretty interesting. The wife came in and saw us and her husband trying to make it work and said more or less "I know a joke. A Braslian, and Chilean, and an American were trying to more a couch..." It pretty much was a joke. We ended up tying a garden hose to the couch and lowering it down from the balconcy. They are a super friendly, and hilarious family. We comunicate with a mixture of spanish, portuguese and english. I'm loving it. Its pretty cool to learn a bit of Spanish as well, its pretty similar, and I'm picking up some phrases pretty quickly.
Alessandra is doing awesome! She will be baptized on the 31st. Her and her husband (who was less-active) are going strong. They stopped drinking coffed, and are just loving the church. They met President Richardson on sunday when he spoke at stake conference. President asked Manoel if he was receiving the lessons. He said, "Yeah, they come by about once a MONTH!" the look on presidents face was pretty funny, and Manoel got a kick out of it. Glad someone did haha
They are the only real investigators we have right now, we dropped the majority of our teaching pool this week. The area looks like its just falling apart! They all stopped progressing, and so we had to move on. So for this, the week was a lil stressful.
I really liked the story dad shared from President Monson. [It was actually Elder Holland.] I felt like my car has kinda broken down. But I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this week!
As Zone leaders the work is pretty much the same. We just have to follow-up at night by phone, and do divisions. I like divisions a lot, I always have. Its pretty fun to mix things up.
I have been thinking a lot about Sister Lauren this week. We met a family (cousins of Alessandra) who remind me a ton of Lauren and her mom. Its weird. But I have been thinking about the superb missionary she is, and some lessons I learned from her in my life. Super good friend. Taught me a lot, especially how to laugh, and have fun.
That Primary activity went to last week was the rehearsal for the program. I'm excited for it, it'll be Sunday.
Well, on my one year mark, I was on a division, and wasn't gonna do anything, cause I was gonna wait for my comp to come back to party, but a member sent me a pizza! Made my day! Then the next day, I celebrated with Elder Areas by buying another pizza, and burning a shirt.
Well, I love you all, I have to go!
Love, Elder Jake
Thanks for your great letters! Lets get this party started.
We have new neighbors! The family who lives in the main part of house (we live in the basement) is on a temple mission now, and they rented the house to a Chilean family! They are also members of the church, and don't speak Portuguese! I am having a lot of fun with them, and I'm practicing the Spanish I never learned, haha.
Yesterday we helped them move some furniture. It was pretty crazy. We were trying to get a couch from the second floor to the first. It didnt fit down the staircase. It pretty interesting. The wife came in and saw us and her husband trying to make it work and said more or less "I know a joke. A Braslian, and Chilean, and an American were trying to more a couch..." It pretty much was a joke. We ended up tying a garden hose to the couch and lowering it down from the balconcy. They are a super friendly, and hilarious family. We comunicate with a mixture of spanish, portuguese and english. I'm loving it. Its pretty cool to learn a bit of Spanish as well, its pretty similar, and I'm picking up some phrases pretty quickly.
Alessandra is doing awesome! She will be baptized on the 31st. Her and her husband (who was less-active) are going strong. They stopped drinking coffed, and are just loving the church. They met President Richardson on sunday when he spoke at stake conference. President asked Manoel if he was receiving the lessons. He said, "Yeah, they come by about once a MONTH!" the look on presidents face was pretty funny, and Manoel got a kick out of it. Glad someone did haha
They are the only real investigators we have right now, we dropped the majority of our teaching pool this week. The area looks like its just falling apart! They all stopped progressing, and so we had to move on. So for this, the week was a lil stressful.
I really liked the story dad shared from President Monson. [It was actually Elder Holland.] I felt like my car has kinda broken down. But I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this week!
As Zone leaders the work is pretty much the same. We just have to follow-up at night by phone, and do divisions. I like divisions a lot, I always have. Its pretty fun to mix things up.
I have been thinking a lot about Sister Lauren this week. We met a family (cousins of Alessandra) who remind me a ton of Lauren and her mom. Its weird. But I have been thinking about the superb missionary she is, and some lessons I learned from her in my life. Super good friend. Taught me a lot, especially how to laugh, and have fun.
That Primary activity went to last week was the rehearsal for the program. I'm excited for it, it'll be Sunday.
Well, on my one year mark, I was on a division, and wasn't gonna do anything, cause I was gonna wait for my comp to come back to party, but a member sent me a pizza! Made my day! Then the next day, I celebrated with Elder Areas by buying another pizza, and burning a shirt.
Well, I love you all, I have to go!
Love, Elder Jake
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Bringing 11 people to church
Hi Family!
This week was a pretty solid week. We were able to bring 11 people to church sunday! I almost cried with the immense alegria. It was pretty awesome.
First, Alessandra and Manoel, and this couple we found knocking doors. He's a member, she isn't. Anyways, we went to her house Monday night, and we asked her how the reading went. She replied that she was full of questions, and when she opened the Book of Mormon, it answered all of the questions she had at that time. She conitinued to tell us that as she prayed that night, she felt the same peace. She was so happy! I asked her if she believed the Book of Mormon was true, and she said yes! I asked if she believed if the church, and she said she did. The spirit was really strong, I was so happy. I don't know if I have felt the spirit that strong yet on my mission. It was a really cool experience.
It is really hard to focus on this email. Everything is closed today because its a holiday, so we are using the computers in an English school of one of the members. I'm using this little laptop and I'm afraid Im gonna break it. And the member, being really cool, we are all talking a lot, so its difficult. But Ill do my best!
Today was a great p-day! We went to the chapel to open it for the primary because no other priesthood holder could make it. There were a couple brothers there, but they are recent converts. Anyways, we started out by playing some soccer. I really loved that. Its been about 6 months since I played any sports. Then, we went to McDonalds. Then, came back to the church, and played som games with the primary. It was really fun. We played this one came, DO You Love your Neighboor?, which is kinda like musical chairs. Anyways, during one of the parts of the game, I got up to switch chairs and almost destroyed poor Irma Zilma. She went flying! She stepped in my path and lost the battle of physics, and went flying. haha I felt pretty bad, but she thought it was pretty funny and we had a good laugh. I was a lot more careful after that...Haha but it was great to play with some kids again. It reminded me of the family. Was a blast.
Well, you asked what I've learned lately. I think what I've really been learning is to love people that I don't know, and equally important, show my love. I have really been trying to feel the love I should for these people. Something I will continue to develop for the rest of my life I suppose, but I have been trying to make some leaps in this. I don't even know what else I've been learning, Its so hard to describe. I feel like I'm learning everything, and nothing all at once. The more I learn, the more I realize that I have more to learn. I have such a long way to go!
I will hit on year this week. Not sure how I feel about that. I dont feel old, I still feel really new on the mission. I am still learning so much, which I am totally fine with. I hope I can continue to do that.
What parts of the Brazilian Culture have I adopted? Well, Ive always been extremely impressed with the love the Brazilans have. They are such a warm, happy, unconditionally loving, and joking people. This is a trait I really hope to take away from Brazil. I can't really explain it, but it is something I will try to make part of me, and then take it home. I love Brazilians.
In the next few months, what do I want to learn? That list is extremly long. But I'm focusing on my teaching, improving the way I share the gospel. I'm just studying a lot PMG and some other things. Also Portuguese, I wanna improve a lot my speaking ability. As I am starting to forget English, I'm gonna need at least one language when I return...
And also I have a question, why Jacob? Why did you choose this name? Well, my time has run out. This letter was quite uninformative. Sorry! But I'm hungry. And my companion is complaining, as usual ;). He gave an incredibly powerful talk on Sunday. I was taken back. I gotta step up my game! haha Well I love Santo Andre, I love the members, I love the work, and I love you guys as well!
Tchau tchau!
Love, Elder Jake
This week was a pretty solid week. We were able to bring 11 people to church sunday! I almost cried with the immense alegria. It was pretty awesome.
First, Alessandra and Manoel, and this couple we found knocking doors. He's a member, she isn't. Anyways, we went to her house Monday night, and we asked her how the reading went. She replied that she was full of questions, and when she opened the Book of Mormon, it answered all of the questions she had at that time. She conitinued to tell us that as she prayed that night, she felt the same peace. She was so happy! I asked her if she believed the Book of Mormon was true, and she said yes! I asked if she believed if the church, and she said she did. The spirit was really strong, I was so happy. I don't know if I have felt the spirit that strong yet on my mission. It was a really cool experience.
It is really hard to focus on this email. Everything is closed today because its a holiday, so we are using the computers in an English school of one of the members. I'm using this little laptop and I'm afraid Im gonna break it. And the member, being really cool, we are all talking a lot, so its difficult. But Ill do my best!
Today was a great p-day! We went to the chapel to open it for the primary because no other priesthood holder could make it. There were a couple brothers there, but they are recent converts. Anyways, we started out by playing some soccer. I really loved that. Its been about 6 months since I played any sports. Then, we went to McDonalds. Then, came back to the church, and played som games with the primary. It was really fun. We played this one came, DO You Love your Neighboor?, which is kinda like musical chairs. Anyways, during one of the parts of the game, I got up to switch chairs and almost destroyed poor Irma Zilma. She went flying! She stepped in my path and lost the battle of physics, and went flying. haha I felt pretty bad, but she thought it was pretty funny and we had a good laugh. I was a lot more careful after that...Haha but it was great to play with some kids again. It reminded me of the family. Was a blast.
Well, you asked what I've learned lately. I think what I've really been learning is to love people that I don't know, and equally important, show my love. I have really been trying to feel the love I should for these people. Something I will continue to develop for the rest of my life I suppose, but I have been trying to make some leaps in this. I don't even know what else I've been learning, Its so hard to describe. I feel like I'm learning everything, and nothing all at once. The more I learn, the more I realize that I have more to learn. I have such a long way to go!
I will hit on year this week. Not sure how I feel about that. I dont feel old, I still feel really new on the mission. I am still learning so much, which I am totally fine with. I hope I can continue to do that.
What parts of the Brazilian Culture have I adopted? Well, Ive always been extremely impressed with the love the Brazilans have. They are such a warm, happy, unconditionally loving, and joking people. This is a trait I really hope to take away from Brazil. I can't really explain it, but it is something I will try to make part of me, and then take it home. I love Brazilians.
In the next few months, what do I want to learn? That list is extremly long. But I'm focusing on my teaching, improving the way I share the gospel. I'm just studying a lot PMG and some other things. Also Portuguese, I wanna improve a lot my speaking ability. As I am starting to forget English, I'm gonna need at least one language when I return...
And also I have a question, why Jacob? Why did you choose this name? Well, my time has run out. This letter was quite uninformative. Sorry! But I'm hungry. And my companion is complaining, as usual ;). He gave an incredibly powerful talk on Sunday. I was taken back. I gotta step up my game! haha Well I love Santo Andre, I love the members, I love the work, and I love you guys as well!
Tchau tchau!
Love, Elder Jake
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Conference week!
Hi Guys!
Well this week has been a blast. I am learning a ton, and having a great time. I dont even know where to start.
Conference was really great! I once again started out with a sandwich from the ever expensive Subway, which was incredible. Unfortunately, there was a massive confusion with the conference, whether or not we could listen to it in English as missionaries. I, being the American ZL, had to sort that out. I, the leaders of the stake and mission, and even the President, trying to figure out why everyone was saying we couldn't watch in English. And of course, all the English-speaking members of the stake were coming to me because they wanted to watch it, and for some reason it was up to me to figure out why it wasn't set up! It was crazy, some of the leadership was kinda difficult to work with, and I still dont know why, but we watched most of it in Portuguese. There were some people upset, but what can ya do!
I did my best to put that aside, and enjoy the sessions. It is a lot harder to focus in Portuguese, especially since its not the same voice, and all, but I found it easiest if i didn't look at the screen. I found myself lip reading in English, and hearing Portuguese. So I did some doodling while listening. But I loved it still the same.
Luckily, we were able to watch the preisthood session in english. Elder Uchtdorf's talk was an answer to a lot of prayers. He explained humility in a way that made sense to me, and I was able to make some goals. I really liked what he said about how humilty doesnt come from thinking less of yourself (something I do too often), but it comes from thinking less about yourself (my favorite pasttime ;). I cant remember any other notes at this second, but I know that leaving the sessions, I felt so great. Felt so happy to be a member, and so determined to do what I can to follow the Lord. I'm really excited to read the talks!
I have been learning a ton from my companion. He is a super outgoing guy. He can get anybody to laugh. He is an incredible teacher as well. The first few days I didnt really teach very much, he kinda just did everything. But, I talked to him about sharing the load, and now we are doing really well. I have so much to learn. But I have been doing my best, and I've seen a few of my strengths come out. Thanks for the note about tenacity, Mom. I taught Elder Areas that word this morning. It is my favorite word in the English language.
In seeing that my companion was such a great missionary, I made a ton of goals this week. A ton. A bunch of lil things to step up the work on my side. One thing Ive done is clean. I haved loved cleaning this week. kinda weird, and I know you just fell out of your chair mom, but I have been able to think and receive a lot of help from the Lord as I do these tasks. I have never seen a missionary house so clean! Elder Areas and I have cleaned the whole thing from top to bottom. Today I washed the legs of the table. Which really needed it haha.
One of my other goals has been my thoughts. Something I came up with before conference, been conference definitely helped. Ive been trying really hard to not only always working, but always thinking, and praying, about the work, and how to improve it. (Almost always, you gotta break out and sing some soprano every once in awhile). This has made the week go by really fast, and as I try to improve this skill, I think Ill be able to get alot more done in my life.
My week is completely jumbled inside my mind. What cha gunna do.
Well, I love you people, and my time has run out I have really been thinking a lot about 1 nephi 16:16 i think, that talks about keeping to the "most fertile parts of the wilderness". I really liked this phrase, and how we can do that by following the ball, or the scriptures.
I love you, have a great week! Break a leg, and arm, but don't break anything valuable.
Tchau tchau!
Elde Jake
Well this week has been a blast. I am learning a ton, and having a great time. I dont even know where to start.
Conference was really great! I once again started out with a sandwich from the ever expensive Subway, which was incredible. Unfortunately, there was a massive confusion with the conference, whether or not we could listen to it in English as missionaries. I, being the American ZL, had to sort that out. I, the leaders of the stake and mission, and even the President, trying to figure out why everyone was saying we couldn't watch in English. And of course, all the English-speaking members of the stake were coming to me because they wanted to watch it, and for some reason it was up to me to figure out why it wasn't set up! It was crazy, some of the leadership was kinda difficult to work with, and I still dont know why, but we watched most of it in Portuguese. There were some people upset, but what can ya do!
I did my best to put that aside, and enjoy the sessions. It is a lot harder to focus in Portuguese, especially since its not the same voice, and all, but I found it easiest if i didn't look at the screen. I found myself lip reading in English, and hearing Portuguese. So I did some doodling while listening. But I loved it still the same.
Luckily, we were able to watch the preisthood session in english. Elder Uchtdorf's talk was an answer to a lot of prayers. He explained humility in a way that made sense to me, and I was able to make some goals. I really liked what he said about how humilty doesnt come from thinking less of yourself (something I do too often), but it comes from thinking less about yourself (my favorite pasttime ;). I cant remember any other notes at this second, but I know that leaving the sessions, I felt so great. Felt so happy to be a member, and so determined to do what I can to follow the Lord. I'm really excited to read the talks!
I have been learning a ton from my companion. He is a super outgoing guy. He can get anybody to laugh. He is an incredible teacher as well. The first few days I didnt really teach very much, he kinda just did everything. But, I talked to him about sharing the load, and now we are doing really well. I have so much to learn. But I have been doing my best, and I've seen a few of my strengths come out. Thanks for the note about tenacity, Mom. I taught Elder Areas that word this morning. It is my favorite word in the English language.
In seeing that my companion was such a great missionary, I made a ton of goals this week. A ton. A bunch of lil things to step up the work on my side. One thing Ive done is clean. I haved loved cleaning this week. kinda weird, and I know you just fell out of your chair mom, but I have been able to think and receive a lot of help from the Lord as I do these tasks. I have never seen a missionary house so clean! Elder Areas and I have cleaned the whole thing from top to bottom. Today I washed the legs of the table. Which really needed it haha.
One of my other goals has been my thoughts. Something I came up with before conference, been conference definitely helped. Ive been trying really hard to not only always working, but always thinking, and praying, about the work, and how to improve it. (Almost always, you gotta break out and sing some soprano every once in awhile). This has made the week go by really fast, and as I try to improve this skill, I think Ill be able to get alot more done in my life.
My week is completely jumbled inside my mind. What cha gunna do.
Well, I love you people, and my time has run out I have really been thinking a lot about 1 nephi 16:16 i think, that talks about keeping to the "most fertile parts of the wilderness". I really liked this phrase, and how we can do that by following the ball, or the scriptures.
I love you, have a great week! Break a leg, and arm, but don't break anything valuable.
Tchau tchau!
Elde Jake
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