Hey yous!
I hope the real world is treating you eople real nicely, we do live in an amazing world! I realize that more than ever as I am shut out from it. I will start out by answering some questions.
Visas. Well, Mom asked me what Ive heard offically on visas. The answer: absolutely nothing. They haven't offically told anyone anything! "Knowledge" just circulates through rumors. Lately there has been a few "legit rumors" ( or so they are called) going around that we wont leave for Brazil til febuary. They are "legit" because they came from some girl at the barbershop whose uncle has a guy in his ward that works for the church travel office, or somethin like that. Legit.....haha!
Here is what i do know! The first batch of Brazilain missionaries hit there 9 week mark! They are bein shipped out! To Georgia (atlanta) and Tennesse. And more Brazilian-bound missionaries come in each week. There are about 170 of us now, I think. With about 35 comin in on wednesday. So I have no idea where I will be for Christmas! Im just praying its not here!
As far as being welll fed. The food here is just that. Food. However I'm sure we could use it to build extra bunk beds or cabinets. It does weird things to you. haha but its food. I Am preetty dang careful with what I eat, so as to stay heathy and avoid some of the "issues" other elders have.
It is starting to rain here a bit, which is great, in a way. Its funny, the MTC has covered walk ways, so my companion walks under there, and I walk about 4 feet over in the rain. I like rain! But rain and more drastically snow means that we are shut out from the field. Which is not good!
I am doing well here, still tryin to find an out let for my energy. We are not allowed to play any games. Not sure what that means. But other thatn gym, when I usually run a ton and do some sprints, when aren't allowed to do much. Not that great. I miss being in shape. But I am having fun, and I sing a lot. That is my main outlet to get me to relax. My district keeps tellin me to try out for devotional special musiccal number, but thats not gonnna happen. I got to much to do with ye ol district and portuguese, oh and that gospel thing.
Anyways, this week was pretty good. I super enjoyed the devo on tuesday, it was William Walker. He is in charge of the temple district. He just talked about the history of latter-day temples, and talked about a ton of them, and the ones being built right now. I Loved it. I loved gettin a bit more construction in my day.
Afterwards we had our normal post devo district recap. Those are absolutely my favorite meetings each week. The spirit is so strong and all the Elders bare testimony. It is great. I bore my testimony about how fantastic my family is and that I never have to say good bye to them because of the legit gift of eternal families.It was a really great meeting.
I also talked to my branch presidents counselor, who knows my mission president very well. He said that my mission president liked to give the Elders an opportunity to go to the temple once a week! Unfortunatley the area authority told them that was too much. so now it is down to once every quarter. Still awesome.
This week I have realized more than ever how extremely blessed I am. My life is super great! I am so greatful for the home I grew up in. For the wonderful state of Oregon, and all my friends there. Grateful I got to go to BYU and meet so many amazing people who still have a fantstic influence on me! I am also extremely grateful for Diane and the rest of their family. I AM so blessed to have them in my life. I learned so much from all of them, and they continue to bless me. Not to mention I wouldn't have had the mney to be out here if it wasnt for Mitch and Jacqui who gave me the best job I've ever had! Words cannot explain how grateful I am for them. My life is really really good.
Yesterday was a rally hard day for me. I became so overwhelmed and so incredibly frustrated with myself, and I was really missing my friends and family. It was a really hard day. My teacher asked me to stay after class cause she knew something was wrong. She listened and talked to me, and told me how pleased my Savior was with my decisions. It was really great. I am so blessed to have her here, one of the bigest blessings of the MTC for me. She is a great friend to me.I am so pumped she convinced her husband to move here from Sao Paulo! (they are both brazilian). But life is good :)
I loved the temple today! It really helped me relax as I am still stressin, always worried I'm not doing what the Lord wants. But I am workin on it ;)I love you all! Talk to ya later!
Elder Jake
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A Mom's Birthday Gift
[These types of letters are some of my favorite gifts. It makes me laugh remembering frustrating days 10 plus years ago when I would tell my husband, "If that kid goes on a mission, I get to go straight to the celestial kingdom!" Obviously that was more about my own inadequacies as a parent. But it is also a great example of hanging on and taking things step by step, continuing to love and be surprised by the joys your children bring. --Elder Jake's Mom]
Dear Mom,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I would love to buy you a wonderful Brazilian gift, but it turns out I’m still in Provo! So here’s the best I got: I am so happy to be here. It has taken me three weeks to find this joy, but I am so happy to serve the Lord. I have learned to put everything in the Lord’s hands, and I know he will in turn bless me with so much happiness! I know stronger and with more surety than ever before that this church is true, God is in every aspect of this church, and in every aspect of this world! My testimony of Joseph Smith has grown vastly as well, it is fantastic.
Well, here at the MTC, we have some excellent devotionals! L. Tom Perry (one of the apostles) spoke, and a few others. I have learned so much from them, they are awesome.
My favorite day of the week might be Sunday. I love the Spirit, and the time we have to work! And then right after the fireside, we get to watch the Joseph Smith movie. I truly love that movie. It makes my day.
I am proud that you are feeling strong! [Referring to my recovery from mono.]That’s great! And that you finished the room. I’m sure it looks great!
How’s W’s soccer team doing? [Elder Jake was the soccer coach for his youngest sibling's team before he left on his mission. He did a great job, even ate a grasshopper in front of a couple players.] How are they doing without me? It sounds like everyone is doing great and had great costumes!
I will keep working hard; I love working hard.
My district is really awesome. They are all so different, but so great. Our district is closer than any other district, we have a great time and work really hard. My companion is a quieter guy, but he is strong. He has a great heart. He is awesome. I am grateful for him. My roommates are also great, I have a lot of fun with Elder Jackson. We have a ton in common. He keeps me loose.
Well, I’m pretty sure this schedule is insane. We spend all day every day in class. It’s nuts but we get to mix it up by going to bigger classrooms. Haha, it’s crazy. I’m going crazy. It’s a great thing I have such a desire to serve.
Well, I’m going to shine my shoes. Thank you so much for everything! Your letters, as well as Dad’s, are so encouraging and uplifting! You have such a great spirit, and are an awesome mother! Thank you for everything!
Love, Jake
Dear Mom,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I would love to buy you a wonderful Brazilian gift, but it turns out I’m still in Provo! So here’s the best I got: I am so happy to be here. It has taken me three weeks to find this joy, but I am so happy to serve the Lord. I have learned to put everything in the Lord’s hands, and I know he will in turn bless me with so much happiness! I know stronger and with more surety than ever before that this church is true, God is in every aspect of this church, and in every aspect of this world! My testimony of Joseph Smith has grown vastly as well, it is fantastic.
Well, here at the MTC, we have some excellent devotionals! L. Tom Perry (one of the apostles) spoke, and a few others. I have learned so much from them, they are awesome.
My favorite day of the week might be Sunday. I love the Spirit, and the time we have to work! And then right after the fireside, we get to watch the Joseph Smith movie. I truly love that movie. It makes my day.
I am proud that you are feeling strong! [Referring to my recovery from mono.]That’s great! And that you finished the room. I’m sure it looks great!
How’s W’s soccer team doing? [Elder Jake was the soccer coach for his youngest sibling's team before he left on his mission. He did a great job, even ate a grasshopper in front of a couple players.] How are they doing without me? It sounds like everyone is doing great and had great costumes!
I will keep working hard; I love working hard.
My district is really awesome. They are all so different, but so great. Our district is closer than any other district, we have a great time and work really hard. My companion is a quieter guy, but he is strong. He has a great heart. He is awesome. I am grateful for him. My roommates are also great, I have a lot of fun with Elder Jackson. We have a ton in common. He keeps me loose.
Well, I’m pretty sure this schedule is insane. We spend all day every day in class. It’s nuts but we get to mix it up by going to bigger classrooms. Haha, it’s crazy. I’m going crazy. It’s a great thing I have such a desire to serve.
Well, I’m going to shine my shoes. Thank you so much for everything! Your letters, as well as Dad’s, are so encouraging and uplifting! You have such a great spirit, and are an awesome mother! Thank you for everything!
Love, Jake
Pixs from the MTC . . . or as W writes it "Empty Sea"
Classic Elder Jake! From left: Elder Jackson, Elder Caldwell (comp), Elder Jake and Elder Goodwin.
Hello Strange People in the Real World!
[Sorry - I posted this on the family blog.]
Hello Strange people in the real world!
First off, Happy Birthday Mom!I am very grateful for all you do! I will send you a letter today, but it will proly not make it by your birthday, sorry!
It sounds like everyone had a fantastic lil halloween! It was a pretty normal day here for sure, exept there was a lot of Candy sent in packages. But it made for a busy night for me cause there was some homesickness associated with this holiday. But all is good!
This week was pretty crazy. I was working with an Elder, me and the zone leaders and the president. He was thinking about going home. It is crazy how much the spirit helped me out! It was all spirit all the time. I just did what I felt and I saw wonderful blessings. It is kind of personal, so I wont share, but just know that the Lord put me in some extremely random places, places I would normally never go, and it paid off, I was able to bless some missionaries. the church is true!
Well this sunday, we split the branch! The MTC president was in our sacrament meeting and he got up, announced the split and then told us to get up and mive right then. We finished testimony meeting in a seperate room with just the new branch. This split was absolutely inspiried. The new branch presidency is fantastic. They have a sense of humor! They are full of love and enthusiam. Much more like the ferociously fantastic leaders I left in oregon city. but not quite that good. It was truely an answer to my praywers as everyone in this place just seemed so depressed! We are spreading the happiest message of all time, why we got to be all depressed and lame?!
Also this week the speakers at devotional were hilarious! They were from the mtc doing something, but out of no where humor is alive at the mtc. now i dont have to bang my head on my desk every day. This has been an amazing change, and helped me be myself!
Well today I went to the temple! Every P-day we get to go to the temple, and I absolutely love it! But today I wanted to go do initiatory, and i was very excited, most of the district was doing it. But the whole way up to the temple I thought I should do a session. I kept convincing myself that all temple work is important, so it didnt matter! But as we got to the door, my companion said "lets do a session". So we did. as i was standing in line for a name, I felt like I was supposed to meet someone in the dressing room. I was looking all around for Ross or grandpa, but I couldnt see them. Then, out of no where, my good friend and Bishop from last year walked up to me and shook my hand. It brought me a lot of joy to see this great man again and tell him about my mission. The encounter was breif but I got to thank him and it completely made my day. I was reminded once again, that following the spirit will always lead to a better outcome for me, for everyone. Lately the spirit has promted me to do a lot of hard things and I was begining to dread getting promtings.I almost was ready to pray for no more inspiration! haha no really, but this was a good testimony builder. It was a small miracle, but it was absolutely wonderful.
Well, the food here is pretty much cancerous, but at least there is food. I dont complain, but it will be nice to have some good ol home cooked beans and rice in brazil! I have been eating very healthy here, as healthy as I can, but I have lost 15lbs! crazy! Better than everyone else i my district who have all put on weight, some of them more than Ive lost.
It has been great to see Michael Doman around here, he's a DL as well and he is doing great! But he leaves wednesday, which is depressing. Its getting pretty stagnent up in here, but its okay. I have done the only thing I can to make it, and thats work really hard. Pray like its all up to him, and work like its all up to me. One of my favorite quotes.
I wouldnt mind a harmonica, with maybe a lil book to teach me how to play it. The only instruments here are the Piano, and i cant really carry baby around!
Thanks for forwarding the emails of those missionries! They are great to read!Super jealous of Brandon though. Can i get adams emails? also, Can someone send me Brandons address? That'd be bomb. Thank you!
As far as the language, it is coing okay, not that great though. I want it to be coming faster! I am trying to be patient with myself! Its not easy..
MY companion is pretty cool guy, but he seems real depressed this week, which is annoying. BUt im doing what I can :)
Also I have the weirdest dreams ever here. IT is so bizarre. Even when I fall asleep in class ( which I am getting very good at not doing-which is a mirale in and of itself) I have the weirdest dreams!
Anyways, enough randomness, Good bye yous!
Elder Jake
Hello Strange people in the real world!
First off, Happy Birthday Mom!I am very grateful for all you do! I will send you a letter today, but it will proly not make it by your birthday, sorry!
It sounds like everyone had a fantastic lil halloween! It was a pretty normal day here for sure, exept there was a lot of Candy sent in packages. But it made for a busy night for me cause there was some homesickness associated with this holiday. But all is good!
This week was pretty crazy. I was working with an Elder, me and the zone leaders and the president. He was thinking about going home. It is crazy how much the spirit helped me out! It was all spirit all the time. I just did what I felt and I saw wonderful blessings. It is kind of personal, so I wont share, but just know that the Lord put me in some extremely random places, places I would normally never go, and it paid off, I was able to bless some missionaries. the church is true!
Well this sunday, we split the branch! The MTC president was in our sacrament meeting and he got up, announced the split and then told us to get up and mive right then. We finished testimony meeting in a seperate room with just the new branch. This split was absolutely inspiried. The new branch presidency is fantastic. They have a sense of humor! They are full of love and enthusiam. Much more like the ferociously fantastic leaders I left in oregon city. but not quite that good. It was truely an answer to my praywers as everyone in this place just seemed so depressed! We are spreading the happiest message of all time, why we got to be all depressed and lame?!
Also this week the speakers at devotional were hilarious! They were from the mtc doing something, but out of no where humor is alive at the mtc. now i dont have to bang my head on my desk every day. This has been an amazing change, and helped me be myself!
Well today I went to the temple! Every P-day we get to go to the temple, and I absolutely love it! But today I wanted to go do initiatory, and i was very excited, most of the district was doing it. But the whole way up to the temple I thought I should do a session. I kept convincing myself that all temple work is important, so it didnt matter! But as we got to the door, my companion said "lets do a session". So we did. as i was standing in line for a name, I felt like I was supposed to meet someone in the dressing room. I was looking all around for Ross or grandpa, but I couldnt see them. Then, out of no where, my good friend and Bishop from last year walked up to me and shook my hand. It brought me a lot of joy to see this great man again and tell him about my mission. The encounter was breif but I got to thank him and it completely made my day. I was reminded once again, that following the spirit will always lead to a better outcome for me, for everyone. Lately the spirit has promted me to do a lot of hard things and I was begining to dread getting promtings.I almost was ready to pray for no more inspiration! haha no really, but this was a good testimony builder. It was a small miracle, but it was absolutely wonderful.
Well, the food here is pretty much cancerous, but at least there is food. I dont complain, but it will be nice to have some good ol home cooked beans and rice in brazil! I have been eating very healthy here, as healthy as I can, but I have lost 15lbs! crazy! Better than everyone else i my district who have all put on weight, some of them more than Ive lost.
It has been great to see Michael Doman around here, he's a DL as well and he is doing great! But he leaves wednesday, which is depressing. Its getting pretty stagnent up in here, but its okay. I have done the only thing I can to make it, and thats work really hard. Pray like its all up to him, and work like its all up to me. One of my favorite quotes.
I wouldnt mind a harmonica, with maybe a lil book to teach me how to play it. The only instruments here are the Piano, and i cant really carry baby around!
Thanks for forwarding the emails of those missionries! They are great to read!Super jealous of Brandon though. Can i get adams emails? also, Can someone send me Brandons address? That'd be bomb. Thank you!
As far as the language, it is coing okay, not that great though. I want it to be coming faster! I am trying to be patient with myself! Its not easy..
MY companion is pretty cool guy, but he seems real depressed this week, which is annoying. BUt im doing what I can :)
Also I have the weirdest dreams ever here. IT is so bizarre. Even when I fall asleep in class ( which I am getting very good at not doing-which is a mirale in and of itself) I have the weirdest dreams!
Anyways, enough randomness, Good bye yous!
Elder Jake
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Hello Out There!
Hey!
I hope evryone is doing great out there! The mission life is crazy, not gonna lie, but I kinda like it!
Thank you so much for all the letters and the suit coat! What a glorious gift. And the package as well, thank you very much!
Also, thank you mom for that wonderful message you sent me in your "I know" section. It was exactly what Ive been needing, I reread it a few times already, Tahnk you :)
This week has not been easy, mission life is really hard work, but I wouldnt want to be anywhere else. I have grown up so much in the last few weeks, its insane, but really nice. I'm still the same guy, but just a bit better ;) I am glad I have been able to learn to listn to Lord and the promptings of the holy spirit. That is what I have gained most from this experience so far, the ability to hear and follow even the smallest promtings.
Last week I had the promting to get out of bed and go out in the hall way. I was praying and just waiting for at least an hour, possbily longer. I knelt outside of one of the doors praying to kbnow what to do. after about a half hour I knocked on the door. Nothing happened. After a long time more of praying, I went inside my room and went to bed. That week in interviews I found out that one of the Elders in that room was having a really hard time that night, being really homesick. I wasnt sure why I was there, but yesterday, with tears rolling down his face, his companion thanked me for being there and praying for him during one of the hardest times the two have them have ever faced. It was a really humbling experience. I learned again, as I have many other times, to trust the spirit, it wont lead anyone astray.
I also was promted all week to ask one of the Elders in my district all week if he was worthy. this was something I realy did not want to do, because I was certain he was worthy and is a great missionary. During the interview I was again promted to ask h8im, and so I did. He broke down into tears. He told me he was worthy, but that he didnt feel qualified to for the work, felt like he was a horrible misionary. I was able to talk to him and help him work out everything. Hed been holding this all in ever since he got here. I know that the words of comfort and encouragement I gave him were not mine. The spirit was speaking through me.
Also this week, during our post devotional district meeting (the devotional speaker was l. Tom Perry!) we go around and bare testimony on what we learned and felt during the devotional and the week. I wanted to start out cause I had what I thought was a well worded and elequent testimony Id thought up. It totally fell flat, I wasnt speaking with the spirit, but through my own words. At the end of the meeting I had the opportunity to share my testimony again, but this time I spoke with the spirit. Afterwords I sat down and started taking notes on my own testimony. I had never before had those thoughts, they were absolutely of the spirit.
I am very very lucky to be in this district. I love these Elders so much, I look up to all of them and they all answer my friends on a daily basis. I am so grateful I get to leaarn so much through my calling as distirct leader.
It seems like the family is doing very well! I am so grateful for the letters, and I will get to them very quickly. I miss you and love you all! But i dont miss you too much ... ;)
Thank you for everyhing! have a great week! send me letters from the sops!
Elder Jake!
I hope evryone is doing great out there! The mission life is crazy, not gonna lie, but I kinda like it!
Thank you so much for all the letters and the suit coat! What a glorious gift. And the package as well, thank you very much!
Also, thank you mom for that wonderful message you sent me in your "I know" section. It was exactly what Ive been needing, I reread it a few times already, Tahnk you :)
This week has not been easy, mission life is really hard work, but I wouldnt want to be anywhere else. I have grown up so much in the last few weeks, its insane, but really nice. I'm still the same guy, but just a bit better ;) I am glad I have been able to learn to listn to Lord and the promptings of the holy spirit. That is what I have gained most from this experience so far, the ability to hear and follow even the smallest promtings.
Last week I had the promting to get out of bed and go out in the hall way. I was praying and just waiting for at least an hour, possbily longer. I knelt outside of one of the doors praying to kbnow what to do. after about a half hour I knocked on the door. Nothing happened. After a long time more of praying, I went inside my room and went to bed. That week in interviews I found out that one of the Elders in that room was having a really hard time that night, being really homesick. I wasnt sure why I was there, but yesterday, with tears rolling down his face, his companion thanked me for being there and praying for him during one of the hardest times the two have them have ever faced. It was a really humbling experience. I learned again, as I have many other times, to trust the spirit, it wont lead anyone astray.
I also was promted all week to ask one of the Elders in my district all week if he was worthy. this was something I realy did not want to do, because I was certain he was worthy and is a great missionary. During the interview I was again promted to ask h8im, and so I did. He broke down into tears. He told me he was worthy, but that he didnt feel qualified to for the work, felt like he was a horrible misionary. I was able to talk to him and help him work out everything. Hed been holding this all in ever since he got here. I know that the words of comfort and encouragement I gave him were not mine. The spirit was speaking through me.
Also this week, during our post devotional district meeting (the devotional speaker was l. Tom Perry!) we go around and bare testimony on what we learned and felt during the devotional and the week. I wanted to start out cause I had what I thought was a well worded and elequent testimony Id thought up. It totally fell flat, I wasnt speaking with the spirit, but through my own words. At the end of the meeting I had the opportunity to share my testimony again, but this time I spoke with the spirit. Afterwords I sat down and started taking notes on my own testimony. I had never before had those thoughts, they were absolutely of the spirit.
I am very very lucky to be in this district. I love these Elders so much, I look up to all of them and they all answer my friends on a daily basis. I am so grateful I get to leaarn so much through my calling as distirct leader.
It seems like the family is doing very well! I am so grateful for the letters, and I will get to them very quickly. I miss you and love you all! But i dont miss you too much ... ;)
Thank you for everyhing! have a great week! send me letters from the sops!
Elder Jake!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Email -- "Oi"
[Elder Jake has always had very creative spelling; however, this is more reflective of his thick fingers trying to type fast. I will leave most of this is Jake's original form -- because illustrates part of his crazy charm.]
Hey Buddies!
How is everything? They really dont give you anytiome here, i had to set up my email and now I have very little time to write!
Thank you so much for the package! it wqas awesome! I was very happty to have that stuff, and to get your letters!
I'll get the business out of the way before I run out of time. I would love it if I could get my priesthood line of authority mailed to me, that would be really great to have. Also a four generation pedigree chart. And I would love it if you guys would reply to my emails through DearElder so that I will have more time to type, and I can read your letters before hand. That would be great! I am am also going to reply to the kids letters via snail mail. SJ really needs to write me! She can just use dear elder as well if she wants, but real letters are pretty nice too. Also I want a picture of Joseph Smityh, but one of him being jovial, playing with kids or doin somethin lighter. I already have one of him bein all serious and spiritual ;) Thank you! Also the guys in the distric want some of my cds... so send me some :)
Okay, so the Mish. I love it here! The first week was a touch stressful, but i really learned a ton, both with the language and the the gospel, but also with being a leader. hopefully Ill have time to share some of these stories. the best way Ive heard the this place described is like trying to drink from a firehose. But the spirit abnd the joy here make it worth it. I still pray all the time for strength to make it through and not go crazy in that lil 12 x12 room. With 14 elders and a teacher.
We got 24 new brazilian bound visa waiters this week. My whole district ahd been emailed prior to gettin here to fill out the new visa application and turn it in online, but I wasnt so yesterday i went to the travel office because I hadnt heard anything. (You're not supposed to go there unless you are called down, and they are usually really on top of it). Long story, short i got it figured out, but I will proly be the last member of the district to leave.
Sunday was the best day, I just loved being able to relax and enjoy the spirit. I held ourt first distrct meeting where i was in charge and it was good. Unfortuneatly The speaker, from the branch presidency, spoke for about about 2 hours, when he was only given 30 mins. I was a lil frustrated cause me and my district had so much to do, and he was really blunt and was calling missionaries out for things they were doing wrong, and in not a very polite way. He finished by telling me i had to wear long socks and I had to take the ring off my shoe. i have had that ring on there for 5 years! and its not in the white handbook at all. But I prayed for humility and tried really hard to be Christlike. It was hard, but I was able to look past it and learn from his lesson :) it was a good learning experience, not easy, but i did it,
I dont have much time left but I want you to know I have truely learned to follow the spirit this week, and have several good stories from this, but you only get one :)
I noticed that a few guys from my district had bracelets on, and they are specifically banned in the white handbook. So i prayed to know how to tell these guys. One night whuile i was praying for another missionary, for another reason, I got the promting to go into the bathroom. I was just going to go when i finished my prayer, but i felt l;ike i had to go then. So i went and i ran into Elder J, one of the ones with the bracelt. I asked him about the bracelt and he saisd that his siter had made it for him, with brazilian colors. He told me he knew it was forrbidden, but it was kinda like the ring on my shoe. THe next night while i was praying, i left the ring on his desk and when i woke up i found the bracelet on mine.
BYE!
Hey Buddies!
How is everything? They really dont give you anytiome here, i had to set up my email and now I have very little time to write!
Thank you so much for the package! it wqas awesome! I was very happty to have that stuff, and to get your letters!
I'll get the business out of the way before I run out of time. I would love it if I could get my priesthood line of authority mailed to me, that would be really great to have. Also a four generation pedigree chart. And I would love it if you guys would reply to my emails through DearElder so that I will have more time to type, and I can read your letters before hand. That would be great! I am am also going to reply to the kids letters via snail mail. SJ really needs to write me! She can just use dear elder as well if she wants, but real letters are pretty nice too. Also I want a picture of Joseph Smityh, but one of him being jovial, playing with kids or doin somethin lighter. I already have one of him bein all serious and spiritual ;) Thank you! Also the guys in the distric want some of my cds... so send me some :)
Okay, so the Mish. I love it here! The first week was a touch stressful, but i really learned a ton, both with the language and the the gospel, but also with being a leader. hopefully Ill have time to share some of these stories. the best way Ive heard the this place described is like trying to drink from a firehose. But the spirit abnd the joy here make it worth it. I still pray all the time for strength to make it through and not go crazy in that lil 12 x12 room. With 14 elders and a teacher.
We got 24 new brazilian bound visa waiters this week. My whole district ahd been emailed prior to gettin here to fill out the new visa application and turn it in online, but I wasnt so yesterday i went to the travel office because I hadnt heard anything. (You're not supposed to go there unless you are called down, and they are usually really on top of it). Long story, short i got it figured out, but I will proly be the last member of the district to leave.
Sunday was the best day, I just loved being able to relax and enjoy the spirit. I held ourt first distrct meeting where i was in charge and it was good. Unfortuneatly The speaker, from the branch presidency, spoke for about about 2 hours, when he was only given 30 mins. I was a lil frustrated cause me and my district had so much to do, and he was really blunt and was calling missionaries out for things they were doing wrong, and in not a very polite way. He finished by telling me i had to wear long socks and I had to take the ring off my shoe. i have had that ring on there for 5 years! and its not in the white handbook at all. But I prayed for humility and tried really hard to be Christlike. It was hard, but I was able to look past it and learn from his lesson :) it was a good learning experience, not easy, but i did it,
I dont have much time left but I want you to know I have truely learned to follow the spirit this week, and have several good stories from this, but you only get one :)
I noticed that a few guys from my district had bracelets on, and they are specifically banned in the white handbook. So i prayed to know how to tell these guys. One night whuile i was praying for another missionary, for another reason, I got the promting to go into the bathroom. I was just going to go when i finished my prayer, but i felt l;ike i had to go then. So i went and i ran into Elder J, one of the ones with the bracelt. I asked him about the bracelt and he saisd that his siter had made it for him, with brazilian colors. He told me he knew it was forrbidden, but it was kinda like the ring on my shoe. THe next night while i was praying, i left the ring on his desk and when i woke up i found the bracelet on mine.
BYE!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
First report from the MTC
Received Oct 21, 2009
Mailed Monday, Oct 19, 2009
Hey Family!
The MTC is CRAZY! Amazing but crazy. My handwriting is bad cause I’m writing on my leg as I wait for laundry! and its bad to start with. We will get to email next week. I have little time, so I will hit the big topics.
I have been called as District Leader! It’s a lil overwhelming because the guys in my district are all so great and I have more responsibilities, which means less time to keep up with these guys who so hard, and know so much more than I do in both the language and the gospel/teaching. But I am very grateful for the experience, because I get to interview these great men and learn so much for them!
Companions – They are all so great in my district. Loads of fun, and so smart, and all with such a passion for the gospel and the language. My comp is Elder Jesse Caldwell. He’s about 5’8”, 140 lbs – perfect to use for a bench press. But he is a good guy, from Utah (with 50% of the rest of this place). He is from Brigham City. He is a bit quiet, a lil bit of his hick accent comes out when he speaks Portuguese, but we have fun, and we work hard.
The MTC is a super great place. I love the Spirit, and the great people here, food isn’t too bad! But it doesn’t sit well. Haha. It is great to see all my friends from school. The first person I saw when Pete dropped me off was Noah, my roommate. He was my host and helped me get settled.
I am kinda going crazy here. We spend so much time indoors, in the same classroom. I am truly being tried. Haha, I twitch a lot now. I just pray a lot. I know the Lord can help me get through this, and the Spirit and knowledge we gain here is absolutely invigorating I get so excited. (This makes it harder to sit still. haha) But I love the experience; the trials are far outnumbered by blessings! I only think about the gospel, and the language. That is about it. It’s wonderful.
I was getting a lil’ stressed, but my comp and I were teaching another companionship yesterday and I began bearing pure testimony. The Spirit was so strong and it absolutely made my day. The Lord will help me in all of this!
Language – The language is going okay. We are already praying in Portuguese and bearing testimony. It’s a bit overwhelming at times, especially since I have less time to study, but it’s really awesome to see how far we have come. Tell Kevin and Justin and others to study PMG! [Preach My Gospel]
Visa – The visa situation is crazy. As you know, almost 50 elders came here last Wednesday instead of Brazil. There are tons of other visa waiters here already! My ZL has been have 3 weeks and only 3 people have left. We may be here a while. You can tell the Brazil Elders cause their pants rarely match their one suit coat. We did, however, have one elder from our district get his visa today, and he’ll leave soon. So there’s hope! But I don’t mind being here. Our building is nice and has a colored wall in our room! and new mattresses! and our bathrooms are nice. Our building was just remodeled, finished Tuesday. There are still boxes from the iron and microwave and other stuff in the tras.
Life here is good, I’m loving it. Just missing actually moving, haha.
Tell everyone hi! Have the kids write me. (US mail – email doesn’t come for a while and is limited!) Tell JJ to make sure he practices! SJ needs to write me! Have a wonderful day!
Love, Elder Jake
PS My email will change, not allowed to access gmail.
Mailed Monday, Oct 19, 2009
Hey Family!
The MTC is CRAZY! Amazing but crazy. My handwriting is bad cause I’m writing on my leg as I wait for laundry! and its bad to start with. We will get to email next week. I have little time, so I will hit the big topics.
I have been called as District Leader! It’s a lil overwhelming because the guys in my district are all so great and I have more responsibilities, which means less time to keep up with these guys who so hard, and know so much more than I do in both the language and the gospel/teaching. But I am very grateful for the experience, because I get to interview these great men and learn so much for them!
Companions – They are all so great in my district. Loads of fun, and so smart, and all with such a passion for the gospel and the language. My comp is Elder Jesse Caldwell. He’s about 5’8”, 140 lbs – perfect to use for a bench press. But he is a good guy, from Utah (with 50% of the rest of this place). He is from Brigham City. He is a bit quiet, a lil bit of his hick accent comes out when he speaks Portuguese, but we have fun, and we work hard.
The MTC is a super great place. I love the Spirit, and the great people here, food isn’t too bad! But it doesn’t sit well. Haha. It is great to see all my friends from school. The first person I saw when Pete dropped me off was Noah, my roommate. He was my host and helped me get settled.
I am kinda going crazy here. We spend so much time indoors, in the same classroom. I am truly being tried. Haha, I twitch a lot now. I just pray a lot. I know the Lord can help me get through this, and the Spirit and knowledge we gain here is absolutely invigorating I get so excited. (This makes it harder to sit still. haha) But I love the experience; the trials are far outnumbered by blessings! I only think about the gospel, and the language. That is about it. It’s wonderful.
I was getting a lil’ stressed, but my comp and I were teaching another companionship yesterday and I began bearing pure testimony. The Spirit was so strong and it absolutely made my day. The Lord will help me in all of this!
Language – The language is going okay. We are already praying in Portuguese and bearing testimony. It’s a bit overwhelming at times, especially since I have less time to study, but it’s really awesome to see how far we have come. Tell Kevin and Justin and others to study PMG! [Preach My Gospel]
Visa – The visa situation is crazy. As you know, almost 50 elders came here last Wednesday instead of Brazil. There are tons of other visa waiters here already! My ZL has been have 3 weeks and only 3 people have left. We may be here a while. You can tell the Brazil Elders cause their pants rarely match their one suit coat. We did, however, have one elder from our district get his visa today, and he’ll leave soon. So there’s hope! But I don’t mind being here. Our building is nice and has a colored wall in our room! and new mattresses! and our bathrooms are nice. Our building was just remodeled, finished Tuesday. There are still boxes from the iron and microwave and other stuff in the tras.
Life here is good, I’m loving it. Just missing actually moving, haha.
Tell everyone hi! Have the kids write me. (US mail – email doesn’t come for a while and is limited!) Tell JJ to make sure he practices! SJ needs to write me! Have a wonderful day!
Love, Elder Jake
PS My email will change, not allowed to access gmail.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
He has begun!
Of course, Jake couldn't wear the standard white shirt on his flight. He chose to wear his favorite (and brightest) shirt. He changed to his white shirt after he arrived in SLC where Uncle Aaron and cousin Peter picked him up.
To update those who are unaware, the entire group of American missionaries scheduled to begin at the Brazilian MTC today had been rerouted to the Provo MTC. Originally we have been told he will stay there until the visa comes through. We will have to wait until Jake sends us the first letter to see if there are any changes. We will keep you updated.
Jake's current address is:
Jacob Garner
MTC Mailbox # 309
BRA-SPS 1215
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
All Together Again
After many stops and stalls, Elder Ross arrived at the airport at 10:20 pm. The family had its own struggles traveling the snowy roads to the airport, at one point sliding off the road into a snowbank. Thanks to a couple of good Samaritians, we were able to get pulled out and own our way.
Here we are together!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Mother's Note
For weeks, even months, our family has been waiting for this day . . .at least we hope its this day that Ross comes home. Its been a nail-biter wondering if the Portland weather will cooperate and allow his plane to fly in.
We have had a slam of snow and ice storms for the past 11 days. It was supposed to be warmer by now . . . I have monitored the Atlanta flight Ross is taking today. On Sunday night, it was diverted to Boise, then landed four hours late - in the early morning hours. Yesterday's flight was canceled. Many prayers have been said, not only for our missionary but for all the holiday travelers who are having their holiday plans altered.
Before I went to bed last night, I checked on his original flight out of Romania. I couldn't go to sleep until I knew he was in the air - the plane left 115 minutes late. Yikes! We think he made his Paris connection.
Now for the final leg of his journey, the flight has been delayed, first for 30, then 50 minutes. They should be lifting off momentarily - fingers crossed.
What a crazy adventure - and yet we are so grateful for Ross' service. We know it has blessed him as well as his family.
We have had a slam of snow and ice storms for the past 11 days. It was supposed to be warmer by now . . . I have monitored the Atlanta flight Ross is taking today. On Sunday night, it was diverted to Boise, then landed four hours late - in the early morning hours. Yesterday's flight was canceled. Many prayers have been said, not only for our missionary but for all the holiday travelers who are having their holiday plans altered.
Before I went to bed last night, I checked on his original flight out of Romania. I couldn't go to sleep until I knew he was in the air - the plane left 115 minutes late. Yikes! We think he made his Paris connection.
Now for the final leg of his journey, the flight has been delayed, first for 30, then 50 minutes. They should be lifting off momentarily - fingers crossed.
What a crazy adventure - and yet we are so grateful for Ross' service. We know it has blessed him as well as his family.
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