Tio Jake

WhooHoo!

Hey guys, I'm a Tio!

I can't lie, I'm pretty excited about that. I've been telling people about that all week! I also really like the name. Beautiful name, way pumped!

This week we have a nice four day leadership training in Sao Paulo. I'm pretty excited about the training. I am pretty sure I'm a nerd, but I have really loved to learn from the scriptures. These meetings are so great because they are so focused on the scriptures. The spirit is so strong, and I learn, and understand so much during these meetings. I've come to the conclusion that I am leader because the Lord knows how much I need to learn, and that I need these extra meetings.

We have had two days, and they have been great. Even though today I showed up an hour and a half late! Crazy traffic. I for the first time in my life realized how stressful it can be to be stuck in traffic. I also realized that faith and joyfully waiting (D&C123:17) is a lot harder when put into practice. But I was able to repent and relax, and find joy, and got to the chapel with a smile. I was doing my best, and I just relaxed and left it in the Lord's hands. Getting stressed and annoyed with the millions of people around me didn't change anything! I relearned that we can find a reason to be sad, or upset, or annoyed every single day of our lives. But where's the fun in that?! We have to push away the natural man, and find the reasons to be happy, relaxed, and full of the spirit each day.

I dont know why it was so crazy, but there were a lot of people late today, and President even excused us (at least thats what they tell me - I wasn't there . . .) saying that the traffic was horrible. Lil lesson I learned in rush hour traffic today.

A lot of the thought process came from an awesome talk from the stake president in my new area. He talked about joy, and how being happy and joyful is not a sign of immaturity, but a sign of spirituality. Pretty sweet talk.

My area has some GINORMOUS hills, Its pretty crazy. But its also completely diffferent that Santo Andre. It is poorer. The members of the two wards we are working in are great. I am excited to get to know them a lil more. I am zone leader still, and we are taking care of two stakes. Which is crazy. But Its pretty fun as well. My comp is a pretty fun guy. We work well together, and we have fun. He used to be a heavy metal singer, and he had a band. I told him SoP was pretty much the same thing.

This training we are focusing a ton on the Gospel of Christ, and on Love. Showing the love the Savior has for them through our wordsa and actions. I am excited to learn these things, and to realize how much more I have to learn. I am also really grateful to see the leaders in the mission. Man, I am surrounded by great men. These Elders are incredible. I am taking notes, and doing my best to follow their examples.

I have also learned how to let my weakness become strenghts. (Ether 12:27). I used to think that this meant I would lose my weaknesses, that I would be able to overcome them. And while many times thats true, I realized that sometimes the Lord, instead of changing who we are, or removing our weaknesses, he uses our "weaknesses" for our good. For example. I was somehow reminded of Johnny Cash this morning. While he may not be the greatest example of a man of God, the principle is the same. People really liked his music because it was a lil slower and had a different, groovy sound. When asked in an interview, why he decided to play his songs so slow, he responded that he simply couldn't play faster. His weakness became a strength.

Well I am just unloading a lot of thoughts right now. I dont really know our investigators right now, so its hard to tell you about them. We did have a baptism on Saturday however. That was pretty cool. Even though I didn't know the kid. Its always great to watch that ceremony.

Well, I love you! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Elder Jake

Transferred to Sao Bernardo

Dear My Family and my other people friends, and especially my mother who turns 29 (Again) today!,

Happy Birthday Mom!

Well, one more crazy week! Thanks again for your great letters!

It has become increasingly hot in Brazil, and doesn't show sign of coolin down, but its all right, its all part of the gig.

So I got transfered! I kinda knew it was gonna happen because of interviews with Prez-Man a few weeks ago, but it still was kinda hard. But I feel good about it, I feel like I was needing it a bit. I left Santo André, and I'm heading to São Bernardo. Next door neighboor. Its also the same zone that I started out in. Which is pretty tight. Its been a long time since I've been here. But this zone is HUGE! Its one of the biggest in the mission, 2/3 bigger than santo André.

My new companion is Elder Muniz. He's a pretty cool kid. He's from somewhere in Brasil that I can't remember, and is in the process of "dying." I never really wanted to "kill" a missionary, but Im sure it'll be an adventure, and Ill hopefully get free stuff from him ;)

I'm gonna miss Elder Arêas. He was a lot of fun, showed me how to have more fun with the work, that the lessons don't need to be all serious and all. I feel a lot more like myself now. More sincere. Lil more crazy. We had a blast. But Ill see him next week in our 4-day training(!).

Yesterday, with Elder Arêas, I was knocking doors. It was my turn, and the door opened and I didn't see anybody. Then I looked down. And saw the shortest women I have ever seen. I did my very best, I wanted to teach her so bad! Elder Areas had to walk away, He was trying so hard not to laugh. Said it was one hilarious scene, as she came úp to my mid-thigh. Everyone here things I am ginormous! And next to her, it was too much for Elder Arêas.

I did get the pictures last week, and I liked them a ton! Thanks!

Sorry the letter was so short last week, it was just a crazy day, and we got to the lan house at 5:50! (p-day ends at 6)

Halloween doesnt exist here, just on TV. They all think its super crazy that the kids just knock on the door and you give em candy. And they´re right. But Its also awesome haha.

Alessandras baptism was awesome! Her and her family are so legit. I loved teaching them so uch! I feel so great about what the Lord did with her family.

I have really been focusing on faith and relying on the Lord. I realized how little faith I have, and how I dont rely on Him as I should. I am praying and doing my best to work on that. My interview with Prez-Man, we mainly just talked about that, relying on the Lord. I'm not really sure how to do it yet, but Im prayin I figure it out sooner or later. But I am making progress, and Im sure it'll come sooner or later.

I am glad you got the photos! Did you get any videos? Not sure if it worked to send them. [In the picture cd, Elder Jake sent a dozen random brain scans.] And the Brain Scans I thought would been an excellent birthday gift for W and others, being as it costs a ton to mail things that aren't flat. I looked for to weeks while walking to find a good x-ray to send home to you guys. I was quite pleased to find those.

I decorated my first christmas tree yesterday. It was super small (and fake-as real ones dont exist here haha) but it was fun. I am pretty excited to get to work here. Should be an awesome transfer! Thanks for it all! love you all! Have a super week!

Love, Jake

Short missive

Hey Family!

Sooo I have a massive four minutes to write this week :)

Well, just to let you know, I ain't dead, and I'm having a blast. I've been learning a ton. This week I realized I was trying to do everything alone, I wasn´t relying on the Lord. Sister gave a talk on faith the other day, and I realized how much I need to let him carry some of the Lord. Its amazing how much happier I am realizing that. I am really grateful for the Spirit which has been teaching me so much these past weeks. Its great to be a member of the church, and to have the help of the Lord.

Well, I love you!

Have a fantastic week! Elder Jake