Hey yo's!
April has indeed FLOWN by. Way fast, way fast. I am glad you got the letter from Snakezao, whatever her name is. She is pretty crazy, her room is full of pictures of missionaries! I have no idea which picture she sent you, she took a lot! [Elder Jake's dad received an email with photos from a single young female in Elder's Jake's ward.] And now you know why she has your address, and not mine :) I am learning a lot of tricks to avoid awkward situations, for example, the thumbs up acts as a nice sheild for those who like to stand too close in pictures haha. N idea who the people are in the pixs, it was taking at a ward activity!
So this week has been good. The work here is really slow because of the way the city is, being a vacation spot. But it is good, I am having fun, and we are getting moving! Conference was really good, I loved it actually. Elder Costa from the 70 spoke to us, and I really loved hearing from him. Was great.
All of our investigators that we have have problems with not being married, or something worse. So its not moving too quickly. But we found one family who is married! We taught the first lesson, and it went really well. They were very accepting, and seemed golden. So, we went back to teach them about the BOM, as we ran out of time the previous appointment. She was waitnig at the door and told us she didn't want us to come in, or to to hear the messages any more. I got her to let us in to speak real quickly, but she stood at the door, with her hand on the door, not willing to shut it. Very clear we needed to be fast. So we taught her about the BoM and invited her to read it. She said she would and would pray about it. IF she got an answer, she and her family will go to church, and later be baptized. If not, she would not come to church, and we are not welcome back. So we are fasting and just waiting til Sunday to find out... The family is so good! I hope Fancisco and Neide can pull through!
Yes, we do look super German. Everyone keeps asking us if we are twins as well! So, we are in Ala Praia Grande, it is one of 4 wards in praia grande I think. One of them is a branch. We live in the area of the branch, but we arent the missionaries there. Elder Faria and Elder Perry, who live with us are. So we have the priviledge and honor to walk to our area every day. Our area is HUGE. And we can't take the bus cause we dont have money sufficeint! So we walk a lot, and really far. So Avenida Kennedy has been in every area I've passed, I think. Haha, not sure why, but yes, from what I've heard it is from John F. I don't know my street address! I'll find out later!
The ward here seems pretty helpful. and has the craziest characters ever! The 2nd counselor, Jeff, is the number one fighter on "Street Fighter 4" XBOX live, in THE WORLD. Thats super random. Also one thing I love a ton here in Brazuil. is that you always call people by their first names. It is freaking cool. Something I'm gonna wanna keep up ;)
This area is alot diferent because it is so populated with apartment buildings, nice ones too! And a lot of them are time share, so no one lives there! which makes finding really hard.
Money to eat healthy? You're joking right? I have NO MONEY! Luckily I had saved excess from other areas where we didn't have to take the bus, but here that is not the case. I eat one meal a day, and I eat a lot. Just the lunch the members give us, cause we dont have money for others. If I remember correctly, this is the same diet as a professional sumo wrestler. One huge meal per day. But for now, I think my weight is staying the same. I ahve been running a lot with Elder Finlinson, which is freaking amazing. However, the Bishop did just give us over 100 hot dogs left over from something the other day. I am so sick of hot dogs! but I am currently health problem free. I hope...
Mother's Day call, no clue. Ill figure stuff out and let ya know! But, of course, I'm gonna wanna talk to Ross and Katie some how! I think you guys call me though.
Mom- thanks for the great letter, and for everything! I love you!
J! You passed the sacrament! That's way sweet! And camping! How was that? Have fun at outdoor school! Let me know how it goes!
W-Did you have fun at the pinewood?! I liked the pictures, your car was sweet! Also imminent is an excellent word choice, no matter what other people say! [On Sunday am, This am, A and W were playing together. Then W yells from the other room, "Mom, A's making imminent threats." S cracked up and said, "W, do you have any idea what that means?"]
Razors, slash a new razor itself. Mine broke. So a razor, with a bunch of replacement heads. They are super spendy here. Hmmm socks, not ankle one, but not crew. Inbetweeners haha, for the heat. I hate long socks with all of my heart. the lowcut socks though some times get weird looks from the ward. Peanut butter, reeses, energy bars? haha I dunno what else. I need shirts, but it may be easier to buy those here. My clothes are ridiculously huge. Mais para frente I'm gonna need another pair of shoes and garmets, but more like at one year, so no worries. Hmmm not sure
Well. love ya all!
Elder Jake
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Praia Grande - new area
Hey Family!
This keyboard is horrible! ITs driving me crazy! But Ill do my best to get out what I can! MAybe I shoud just buy my own and carry it around.
This week wss good! I LOVE this area. It is so open! It is completely flat, and the tall buildings are spread apart, and you can see for miles! That is something that was not true about the other to areas, not even close. For the first time in a while I don't feel closterphobic ;). Okay, it wasn't that bad.
The beach is also amazing, super great to see that much space, it just goes on forever! The Atlanic Ocean is gorgeous. However, it does look lot like the pacific. Quite similiar bodies of water.
It is a bit hot here. Its winter here, and I am just really grateful I'm not in here in summer! but it isn't too bad at all. I really kind like the weather!
So this week we had to rest a bit. Elder Finlinson is officially free from dangee fever, however you spell that! So did I waste my time sitting around? of course not! I mastered the rubiks cube and did some sweet puzzles and read a bit too! Too bad J didn't make that juggling suggestion earlier, I would have picked that up! We have also listened to vast amout of classical, and church music!
The ward here is super receptive, super friendly! They love missionaries, a ton. They loved the Lzs who left a ton more though, so we got our work cut out! The biggest problem in this area is marriage. No one is married. We have a load of people that could be baptized, want to be, just missing marrige. But its kinda complicated here, still gotta find out more info on that. Also, our ward, and especially the neighboring branch, is mostly women. The young womens president has got to be the most important calling here, cause I swear that the ward is 50% young women!
Thats not entirely true, but there are a ton here. And they are scary. There is a big need for snake repellant here, haha.
But luckily, the Elders Quorum is really strong in the ward, and the ward itself is really strong. So we got some great friends already, families that relly take care of us!
Weve got some characters too. Big Red. Big Red is not his real name, but I don't remember his name. We call him that cause he loves red. His car, his hair is dyed racing-red, his church shoes are red, his socks, his glasses! I have seen him three times, both in and out of church and he is always wearing red shirts as well! No clue why. He's an odd one though. But we love him. I think I'm gonna ask him about it this week.
Crazy eyes. Also not his real name. But he is a really cool guy, who is really insane. He sat next to me at church and talked endlessly. About everything! So I went along with it. (We were in the way back because the chapel was packed! and he wasn't makn too much noise). He compared suit quality, and doctrine, greek, portuguese, english, and who knows what else! He is just big kid, a really loved talking to him. Although the bishopric warned me not to let investigators sit next to him. He has such a good heart, but is absolutely in his own lil world. We have a lot in common :). He is named Crazy Eyes because he randomly sits up stright, wide-eyed to look at the speaker. or the fan. or the lights. And he refuses to tell me his name!
But anyways, when we showed up here, the lovely zls left nothing in the area book. Nothing! So we started from scratch, and knocked doors a ton, when Elder Finlinson was all healthy again. They finally gave us some names and stuff yesterday, so we will go find em and see what we can do!
But Elder Finlinson is way tight. We already have so many inside joks, its not even funny. Im really glad he was sick, we got the chance to really get to know each other really well, right at the start. It is the greatest blessing to be workin with a friend. I am pumped about this transfer!
Well, Elder M Russel Ballard is coming to the mission this week! But I don't get to see him. Our area was excluded from this party cause its so expensive to get us all up in Sao Paulo. But I'm sure that our zone conference will be sweet anyways!
Well, I love you all, very much! Ran out of time again. This keyboard really cripled me today. But Congrats Mom on the award! I love you! My mom rocks! I am really proud, and absolutely agree that you should be included in that group!
W, you asked for twenty cookies! Excellent choice! J,you rock Write me an email boy! A! I love you! S, thanks again for th great letter! Sorry I didn't get back to ya, but I love hearing from you! You'll be first next week! :)
Love you all!
-Elder Jake
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note to his dad:
Hey Pops!
I was going to send you a sweet voice recording of me speaking Portuguese,but this email doesnt hold that kind of video file, or so I'm told. So I am sorry!
But I am working very hard. Just like you would do if you were here again! President Richardson seems to really like me, he has told me, as well as my leaders in the mission, and in the stake I served in, and others, that he thinks I am an "exceptional missionary". This has much more to do about you and mom, and all the other people who have helped me in my life, than it does me. I owe it all to you guys, and your great example that I will ever be correndo atras!
Eu estou muito animado sobre meu novo companeiro, e minha area nov, mas vou flar mais sobre isso na carta para a familia!
Voce ouvio algum coisa sobre Harvey Unga? saindo os Cougars? Espero que nao!
Voce serviu qual anos? E porque eu nunca vi uma foto de sua missao? quero ver se voce tem!
Parabems on sua discourso na igreja! Estou feliz voce usou meu testemunhos! sei que foi muito bom, seus discoursos sempre sao!
E bem legal que J e um diacono! Queria estar la! Mas, tudo bem, estou feliz por ele!
Mas, tenho que escrver a famili, te amo!
-Elder Jake!
Note
This keyboard is horrible! ITs driving me crazy! But Ill do my best to get out what I can! MAybe I shoud just buy my own and carry it around.
This week wss good! I LOVE this area. It is so open! It is completely flat, and the tall buildings are spread apart, and you can see for miles! That is something that was not true about the other to areas, not even close. For the first time in a while I don't feel closterphobic ;). Okay, it wasn't that bad.
The beach is also amazing, super great to see that much space, it just goes on forever! The Atlanic Ocean is gorgeous. However, it does look lot like the pacific. Quite similiar bodies of water.
It is a bit hot here. Its winter here, and I am just really grateful I'm not in here in summer! but it isn't too bad at all. I really kind like the weather!
So this week we had to rest a bit. Elder Finlinson is officially free from dangee fever, however you spell that! So did I waste my time sitting around? of course not! I mastered the rubiks cube and did some sweet puzzles and read a bit too! Too bad J didn't make that juggling suggestion earlier, I would have picked that up! We have also listened to vast amout of classical, and church music!
The ward here is super receptive, super friendly! They love missionaries, a ton. They loved the Lzs who left a ton more though, so we got our work cut out! The biggest problem in this area is marriage. No one is married. We have a load of people that could be baptized, want to be, just missing marrige. But its kinda complicated here, still gotta find out more info on that. Also, our ward, and especially the neighboring branch, is mostly women. The young womens president has got to be the most important calling here, cause I swear that the ward is 50% young women!
Thats not entirely true, but there are a ton here. And they are scary. There is a big need for snake repellant here, haha.
But luckily, the Elders Quorum is really strong in the ward, and the ward itself is really strong. So we got some great friends already, families that relly take care of us!
Weve got some characters too. Big Red. Big Red is not his real name, but I don't remember his name. We call him that cause he loves red. His car, his hair is dyed racing-red, his church shoes are red, his socks, his glasses! I have seen him three times, both in and out of church and he is always wearing red shirts as well! No clue why. He's an odd one though. But we love him. I think I'm gonna ask him about it this week.
Crazy eyes. Also not his real name. But he is a really cool guy, who is really insane. He sat next to me at church and talked endlessly. About everything! So I went along with it. (We were in the way back because the chapel was packed! and he wasn't makn too much noise). He compared suit quality, and doctrine, greek, portuguese, english, and who knows what else! He is just big kid, a really loved talking to him. Although the bishopric warned me not to let investigators sit next to him. He has such a good heart, but is absolutely in his own lil world. We have a lot in common :). He is named Crazy Eyes because he randomly sits up stright, wide-eyed to look at the speaker. or the fan. or the lights. And he refuses to tell me his name!
But anyways, when we showed up here, the lovely zls left nothing in the area book. Nothing! So we started from scratch, and knocked doors a ton, when Elder Finlinson was all healthy again. They finally gave us some names and stuff yesterday, so we will go find em and see what we can do!
But Elder Finlinson is way tight. We already have so many inside joks, its not even funny. Im really glad he was sick, we got the chance to really get to know each other really well, right at the start. It is the greatest blessing to be workin with a friend. I am pumped about this transfer!
Well, Elder M Russel Ballard is coming to the mission this week! But I don't get to see him. Our area was excluded from this party cause its so expensive to get us all up in Sao Paulo. But I'm sure that our zone conference will be sweet anyways!
Well, I love you all, very much! Ran out of time again. This keyboard really cripled me today. But Congrats Mom on the award! I love you! My mom rocks! I am really proud, and absolutely agree that you should be included in that group!
W, you asked for twenty cookies! Excellent choice! J,you rock Write me an email boy! A! I love you! S, thanks again for th great letter! Sorry I didn't get back to ya, but I love hearing from you! You'll be first next week! :)
Love you all!
-Elder Jake
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note to his dad:
Hey Pops!
I was going to send you a sweet voice recording of me speaking Portuguese,but this email doesnt hold that kind of video file, or so I'm told. So I am sorry!
But I am working very hard. Just like you would do if you were here again! President Richardson seems to really like me, he has told me, as well as my leaders in the mission, and in the stake I served in, and others, that he thinks I am an "exceptional missionary". This has much more to do about you and mom, and all the other people who have helped me in my life, than it does me. I owe it all to you guys, and your great example that I will ever be correndo atras!
Eu estou muito animado sobre meu novo companeiro, e minha area nov, mas vou flar mais sobre isso na carta para a familia!
Voce ouvio algum coisa sobre Harvey Unga? saindo os Cougars? Espero que nao!
Voce serviu qual anos? E porque eu nunca vi uma foto de sua missao? quero ver se voce tem!
Parabems on sua discourso na igreja! Estou feliz voce usou meu testemunhos! sei que foi muito bom, seus discoursos sempre sao!
E bem legal que J e um diacono! Queria estar la! Mas, tudo bem, estou feliz por ele!
Mas, tenho que escrver a famili, te amo!
-Elder Jake!
Note
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tranfers!
Hey Wonderful people!
Thanks for the great letters, as always, they gave me quite a nice jolt of love and enthusiasm!
So I do indeed know a lil touch about transfers. I left. I am far away from Diadema now, haha. I got tranferred to the Baixsada. (Not sure I've ever seen that word written. Might be spelled wrong. In fact I know that it is haha). Anyways, in our mission, there are three sections, ABC, Sao Paulo, and the Baixada. A lot of missionaries don't ever make it to all three, I'm entering my third today!
Anyways, a lil about my new situation . . . My new companion is Elder Finnilson, (hope thats right) from Payson Utah! He looks like Ross, kinda, or at least like we could be related. He's the same height, blond hair, blue eyes and yeah, we'll get a lot of German jokes out here. He is a way cool guy. I can already tell we are gonna be good friends. He has about eight months on the mission, and yeah, I dunno what else. Just seems way fly, and is always happy. Ever when he has dangee fever, which he currently has, haha, so we may spend a little time indoors recouperating.
But we are opening this area, or whitewashing it as it is called in the english world. I have no idea what its like, but from what I hear the ward is super good! So I am pretty pumped.
So the beach is in our area, or more, the beach IS our area haha, its right on the beach. Pria Grande. It is WAY flat, exact opposite of the ginormous hills of Diadema (the stake I was in before). This place reminds me of Kingsburg, not really sure why yet, but I feel so comfortable, so happy here already.
The drive here was about an hour and a half on the charter bus, which was AMAZING. Air conditioned, CLEAN, didn't smell bad, hahaha. And the views were amazing, some of the most beautiful views I've seen in my life. Here it isn't as beautiful as the drive, but that;s alright. I am super pumped to be here, with a new adventure ahead.
PS its hot here, where as in Diadema, I was busting out the sweater every day, it got down to a freezing 60 all day haha. I'm so weak now. That used to be perfect.
So, my last week with Elder Rocha had its ups and downs, but the last few days were really good. I saw some really big changes in him, and in me as well. But the last family home eveing we did, with Tiago and his group of friends, went really well. Elder Rocha started to cry. This is not a man that has ever shown any emotion like that at all . . . ever. I was really touched, and suddenly, everything I went through with him was worth it. He apoligized for the things he did, and said. Every bad feeling I had ever had for him vanished. It was a really great way to end a really hard two tranfers. I am really grateful for the times I had with him, as hard as they were.
Its a lot eaisier to say that now. Gotta work on that mind set more during the hard times, instead of just at the end. But hey, Im learning :)
Oh gloria. I have no time! Transfers are insane!
The chocolate eggs, of which I have eaten a ton, everyone seems to have extras, are actually pretty good. Some of them really good! They ain't German, but what can ya do. My eyes seem to be better, and my clothes are all good still, just big. And dirty, haha but I'm doin my best to take care of them!
I will have to write more next week, no time on tranfers! I gottta write dad!
Love you all!
Elder Jake!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wonderful Easter Weekend
Hey beloved people!
This week was grrrreat! I really enjoyed it! It was good. Let's start it out. So Tuesday, after I left the lan house, it hit me that Ross was gonna be a Dad! I couldn't stop smiling. That is so INSANE! I am going to be an uncle! There is a girl who always calls me uncle, probably cause she can't say my name. But she and I are good friends. (She's 6ish). Anyways, last Tuesday when she called me uncle, it felt REALLY wierd! Haha, this is nuts!
I told President about Ross and Katie having a kid in my interview. He was pretty excited for me! My interview with him on Wednesday was really good, I really enjoyed it, and he helped me out a ton. Helped me realize things I'm doing well, and things I can improve! I was really grateful for that. Was so pumped to get to work after that!
Well conference was amazing! I absolutely loved conference. We went to the stake center (my building) and we watched as a stake. Some people watch it on the internet, but not many people get it on TV, though some of the wealthier members do. Anyways, all the Elders from the stake went there and we had a littl party in the "Sala dos Gringos" ( the english room). We watched all 5 sessions there, they were live, we are 4 hours ahead of you guys so our preisthood session started at 9 pm! But it was way fun! It was all the Americans, a few Brazilian missionaries, and one or two members. It was a blast. I really enjoyed the talks too!
.JPG)
Saturday was a really english day. I did two divisions with Americans, one with Elder Guthrie, one with Elder Tyree. Elder Tyree and I taught english, and Elder Guthrie and I bought Subway. So good. Made my week. And then had 6 hours of english talks! It was crazy, but fun. I really liked the talks, there is definitely I difference in the way I look at conference. But I think it was Elder M Russel Ballard that said that the youth of today will lead the families and the church of tomorrow. Leading the church is one thing, but leading a family?! Thats nuts! I gotta step up my game to get ready for that! Maybe it was because of Ross and Katie that that seemed really real to me. Good thing I gotta a bit of time! Sunday was another great day of conference. Was really kinda sad when it was all over, I really loved that spirit/atmosphere. Although I was having a hard time sitting down during the last one, so its good we got to leave and get some work done!
Well, nothing super-exciting happend this week, but I really had fun. I can see the Lord making big changes in me, and for that I am really grateful, and really excited. I am really learning how to be a better person, and I am learning how to deal with challenges and stuff. It's about time, right? But it has been a good day today. The only thing is I haven't had any time to write any letters, which is always frustrating, but maybe I can sneak one out later on tonight!
Our Easter Egg - somewhat like a gigantic "Kinder-egg"
Close-up of the Easter egg
Easter! Almost forgot! Was pretty normal, no baskets or candy spread on my floor though. Most likely because of the cochroach problem. But a few sisters from the ward did give us some chocholate. Here, almost everyone gets these massive kinder-eggs with more candy onside. Its pretty fantastic. I got one! Pumped! 
W's homemade missionary plaque for Elder Jake.
He made it because the official one hadn't been ordered last Fall.
D- Hey, thank you so much for that letter! That letter got me through some really rough days. Sorry I haven't been writing as much as I should. I have been super busy, but you should get a letter any day now, and you got another on the way! I'm getting better at making time for letters, usually because of mad multi-tasking skills! So they will be coming more frequently from now on. The advice you give is priceless, just remember I am super grateful for all you taught me slash are still teaching me! but I'll write about that more in the next letter! 1 2 3 4!
This week was grrrreat! I really enjoyed it! It was good. Let's start it out. So Tuesday, after I left the lan house, it hit me that Ross was gonna be a Dad! I couldn't stop smiling. That is so INSANE! I am going to be an uncle! There is a girl who always calls me uncle, probably cause she can't say my name. But she and I are good friends. (She's 6ish). Anyways, last Tuesday when she called me uncle, it felt REALLY wierd! Haha, this is nuts!
I told President about Ross and Katie having a kid in my interview. He was pretty excited for me! My interview with him on Wednesday was really good, I really enjoyed it, and he helped me out a ton. Helped me realize things I'm doing well, and things I can improve! I was really grateful for that. Was so pumped to get to work after that!
Well conference was amazing! I absolutely loved conference. We went to the stake center (my building) and we watched as a stake. Some people watch it on the internet, but not many people get it on TV, though some of the wealthier members do. Anyways, all the Elders from the stake went there and we had a littl party in the "Sala dos Gringos" ( the english room). We watched all 5 sessions there, they were live, we are 4 hours ahead of you guys so our preisthood session started at 9 pm! But it was way fun! It was all the Americans, a few Brazilian missionaries, and one or two members. It was a blast. I really enjoyed the talks too!
.JPG)
Sala dos Gringos
Saturday was a really english day. I did two divisions with Americans, one with Elder Guthrie, one with Elder Tyree. Elder Tyree and I taught english, and Elder Guthrie and I bought Subway. So good. Made my week. And then had 6 hours of english talks! It was crazy, but fun. I really liked the talks, there is definitely I difference in the way I look at conference. But I think it was Elder M Russel Ballard that said that the youth of today will lead the families and the church of tomorrow. Leading the church is one thing, but leading a family?! Thats nuts! I gotta step up my game to get ready for that! Maybe it was because of Ross and Katie that that seemed really real to me. Good thing I gotta a bit of time! Sunday was another great day of conference. Was really kinda sad when it was all over, I really loved that spirit/atmosphere. Although I was having a hard time sitting down during the last one, so its good we got to leave and get some work done!
Love those Subway sandwiches!
Well, nothing super-exciting happend this week, but I really had fun. I can see the Lord making big changes in me, and for that I am really grateful, and really excited. I am really learning how to be a better person, and I am learning how to deal with challenges and stuff. It's about time, right? But it has been a good day today. The only thing is I haven't had any time to write any letters, which is always frustrating, but maybe I can sneak one out later on tonight!
Our Easter Egg - somewhat like a gigantic "Kinder-egg"
Close-up of the Easter eggEaster! Almost forgot! Was pretty normal, no baskets or candy spread on my floor though. Most likely because of the cochroach problem. But a few sisters from the ward did give us some chocholate. Here, almost everyone gets these massive kinder-eggs with more candy onside. Its pretty fantastic. I got one! Pumped!
I think maybe my vision might be going. I have been reading a ton, way more than ever before, and I've had a head ache for a while now. But I'm just gonna pray that goes away and that its just cause I need to drink more water, which I shall do.
Mom- I love you, sorry I have been leaving out these little bits. Quote? [I had asked for a quote I often said for an event later this month.] You have said a lot of really wonderful things, and helped me a lot. For me, you have always been there. The words I don't remember, but the fact that you were there, and I could talk to you. I will never forget. I will never forget some of the hugs you gave me. Those hugs, perfectly timed, did more than any amount of words could ever do. I will think more about a specific quote and let you know next week!
S - You are in the musical! Congrats! Thats way sweet! I will try to get to your email from last week, but as always, I'm rushed. Maybe I'm just a really slow typer. I dunno, I gotta fix this problem somehow...
J! Happy Birthday! How the heck are you? You are 12! You are gettin the preisthood! That is super excitng bro, you are going to dominate as a deacon. You will be an excellent deacon. What did you do for the birthday? Get anything sweet? Thanks for being such a great buddy! Did you like conference? I was looking for you guys, but I didn't see you! You gettin any bigger? How's the piano coming? What else you up to?
A - nice prank :) haha that is kinda funny! How is school? How is life? Thanks for being a great sister! You are cool [A's April 1st trick - On April 1st, after W went to bed, he came back spitting mad hollering that Ella (the cat) peed on his dalmation pillow. Five minutes, he is hollering, "that's not funny, A!". She had poured some water on W's pillow as a trick! After getting A to understand that she wasn't to do that again, I told it was a pretty fuuny prank!]
W- Thanks for picking up the slack with the clean-up eating. It's an important job, and someone has to do it! [W must be in a growth spurt. Though small, he is eating tons of food, even finishing S' dinner when we went out to eat.] Thanks for the sweet missionary plaque! Hope you hung it up in the church! I'd fix your spelling, but I dont remember. My English students taught me how to spell the word "15" the other day. And I already forgot! haha I'm losin it! And the sad part is I never had it...
W- Thanks for picking up the slack with the clean-up eating. It's an important job, and someone has to do it! [W must be in a growth spurt. Though small, he is eating tons of food, even finishing S' dinner when we went out to eat.] Thanks for the sweet missionary plaque! Hope you hung it up in the church! I'd fix your spelling, but I dont remember. My English students taught me how to spell the word "15" the other day. And I already forgot! haha I'm losin it! And the sad part is I never had it...
W's homemade missionary plaque for Elder Jake. He made it because the official one hadn't been ordered last Fall.
Ross and Katie- Congradulations again! I absolutely want to help pick the names. Ive got some good ones. Bolt, for a guy or girl. Or Zamuel, could call em Z. But were you guys sweating bullets when all they talked about was the importance of families at confernce? Or are you guys already completely prepared for that? I am a bit nervous for that moment in my life, and it is way, way down the road!
D- Hey, thank you so much for that letter! That letter got me through some really rough days. Sorry I haven't been writing as much as I should. I have been super busy, but you should get a letter any day now, and you got another on the way! I'm getting better at making time for letters, usually because of mad multi-tasking skills! So they will be coming more frequently from now on. The advice you give is priceless, just remember I am super grateful for all you taught me slash are still teaching me! but I'll write about that more in the next letter! 1 2 3 4!
Well, I love you all! Thanks for the great letters! Im gonna send some photos now!
-Elder Jake
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Jake's email(s) from March 30
This letter was split in multiple emails. And I felt handicapped by not having my computer. So here they are in one email. Maybe I was still stunned because our oldest son and his wife announced that they were going to be parents! I threatened Elder Jake to not use the "g-word" or I wouldn't send him any more peanut butter. Obviously, he doesn't listen very well -- never has!
Hello People!
Thanks for another great letter, Grandma! Its great to here from my mom and the wonderful insights she has to pass on to her children . . . and grandchildren!
This week has been a crazy one, that's for sure.The Lord has really been helping out a lot, and I'm really grateful for that and the prayers of all you great people!
First off, we had three baptisms! So sweet! Fabio, Thiago, and Suelen. Fabio´s wife was baptized the week we showed up, and we have been working with him ever since. He finally accepted the invitation to be baptized last week, about two hours before the baptism! Was a little rushed, but thats all good! He is a really good guy. He told me he was worried because now he had to do everything right. He didn't have excuses now. I told him that he did not have to be perfect, we haven't been asked to be perfect. We just got to do our part, and trust in the Lord.
Suelen was a gift from the Lord. One day she showed up at church. She is currently engaged to a missionary serving on the other side of the country. They dated for quite some time before his mission. But she said she finally wanted to hear the message, and we were able to teach her everything last two weeks and baptize her on Saturday as well. She was just super happy to be baptized. Just smiling and being pumped. She has a very surprising letter to write to her boyfriend this week. Hope he sits down for that one, shes never expressed intrest to him!
Thiago is a stud. He is about 26. Super great guy, has been dating slash engaged to a member for about two years. A few weeks ago I shared a message about the BoM with his girlfriend and about of other single adults with whom we ate. I had no idea he wasnt a member! But hes been STUDYING about the gospel. He had a list of questions for us. And basically, in answering his questions in that one lesson, we taught him EVERYTHING he needs to know to be baptized. That was the second lesson! He took us out to a NICE restauraunt after the baptism. He has been really a great friend to me, helping me order and stuff since I had no idea what anything was! Im used to rice and beans everyday! That man has taught ME an insane amout.
,+Thiago,+me.JPG)
1004 - Fabio, Elder Rocha, Suelen (that's her son Jefferson), Thiago, me, and Guilerme, a ward kid who asked me to baptize him! Fly kid! He LOVED the CTR ring, Mom. Thanks!
Hello People!
Thanks for another great letter, Grandma! Its great to here from my mom and the wonderful insights she has to pass on to her children . . . and grandchildren!
This week has been a crazy one, that's for sure.The Lord has really been helping out a lot, and I'm really grateful for that and the prayers of all you great people!
First off, we had three baptisms! So sweet! Fabio, Thiago, and Suelen. Fabio´s wife was baptized the week we showed up, and we have been working with him ever since. He finally accepted the invitation to be baptized last week, about two hours before the baptism! Was a little rushed, but thats all good! He is a really good guy. He told me he was worried because now he had to do everything right. He didn't have excuses now. I told him that he did not have to be perfect, we haven't been asked to be perfect. We just got to do our part, and trust in the Lord.
Suelen was a gift from the Lord. One day she showed up at church. She is currently engaged to a missionary serving on the other side of the country. They dated for quite some time before his mission. But she said she finally wanted to hear the message, and we were able to teach her everything last two weeks and baptize her on Saturday as well. She was just super happy to be baptized. Just smiling and being pumped. She has a very surprising letter to write to her boyfriend this week. Hope he sits down for that one, shes never expressed intrest to him!
Thiago is a stud. He is about 26. Super great guy, has been dating slash engaged to a member for about two years. A few weeks ago I shared a message about the BoM with his girlfriend and about of other single adults with whom we ate. I had no idea he wasnt a member! But hes been STUDYING about the gospel. He had a list of questions for us. And basically, in answering his questions in that one lesson, we taught him EVERYTHING he needs to know to be baptized. That was the second lesson! He took us out to a NICE restauraunt after the baptism. He has been really a great friend to me, helping me order and stuff since I had no idea what anything was! Im used to rice and beans everyday! That man has taught ME an insane amout.
,+Thiago,+me.JPG)
1004 - Fabio, Elder Rocha, Suelen (that's her son Jefferson), Thiago, me, and Guilerme, a ward kid who asked me to baptize him! Fly kid! He LOVED the CTR ring, Mom. Thanks!*******
P.S. I am SO PUMPED for confernce this week! We will get to watch it in English. Organ music makes me trunky haha its a really good sign that church stuff reminds me off home (Good job, Mom and Dad!) haha sorry this letter is so weird. I'm tryin to send pictures to you guys, but its not working. Hope you liked the captions Elder Guthrie wrote up last week. I had to send them on his comp.
P.S. I am SO PUMPED for confernce this week! We will get to watch it in English. Organ music makes me trunky haha its a really good sign that church stuff reminds me off home (Good job, Mom and Dad!) haha sorry this letter is so weird. I'm tryin to send pictures to you guys, but its not working. Hope you liked the captions Elder Guthrie wrote up last week. I had to send them on his comp.
********
Anyways... i spoke with the elders of Alex's mission, but I haven't heard anything else yet. I am indeed planning on burning a tie. It should be great! It'll be the first day of next transfer! This transfer is only 5 weeks, instead of the normal 6 because it gets the Americans out of there a few weeks early. (Americans go home two weeks before the 2 year mark). Just cause of the visa issue.
Anyways... i spoke with the elders of Alex's mission, but I haven't heard anything else yet. I am indeed planning on burning a tie. It should be great! It'll be the first day of next transfer! This transfer is only 5 weeks, instead of the normal 6 because it gets the Americans out of there a few weeks early. (Americans go home two weeks before the 2 year mark). Just cause of the visa issue.
6 months...Thats comin up fast. Crazy! Sounds like you guys are tearing up the house in a fantastic way!
I want pictures! And of the Mc house as well!
So time to go, love you all! -Elder Jake
This one didn't arrive until after the PS. I was a bit confused. Since I was on the computer, I quickly emailed him assuring I am still called MOM and asked if he meant to end the email so quickly. Below was his quick response.
*********
I love you too!! and I sent a second half, and a third, did ya get it? you guys are fantastic. Thanks for everything mom! sorry if the letter was a lil weird!
*********
I love you too!! and I sent a second half, and a third, did ya get it? you guys are fantastic. Thanks for everything mom! sorry if the letter was a lil weird!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Letter from March 23, 2010
[My computer has been in the shop so I feel off-step with everything.]
Hey!
So thank you again for the wonderful letters! They make my day, my week every time! This week has been a lil crazy, but I took notes so I could remember some things to tell you!
Tuesday was a fantastic day! I loved it. I dunno why, but I was just in an amazing mood, and was so pumped to be on a mission. Really random, but it was one of the best days on my mission, and really I dont know why, nothing exceptional happened!
Wednesday, we were at lunch, and this sister there was leaving for her mission the next day! I was pretty excited for her. I shared a message about enduring to the end (something I needed to perfect). Anyways, at the end of the message, she started talkin about the mission ahead of her and got a lil overwhelmed and started crying. She was havin a hard time leaving everyone behind. I said something to the effect of, "Why are you crying? You're gonna get home before I will!" She found that quite funny, as did everyone else. That helped her perk up a bit, and I hoped we left a bit of enthuiasm for her.
Thursday was Zone Conferece (with 1/3) of the mission. It was way good. It was about the Book of Mormon! I love that book!. Then, the President announced the speakers for the day. Elder Mieo, sister Martinez, and ... I said "Elder L" under my breath and grabbed my Bom as the President echoed my words "Elder L".
I am not gonna lie, I was a lil nervous. I haven't done a whole lot of public speaking in portuguese. And I was speaking on the Book of Mormon! Missionaries talk about it all the time, I had no idea what I could say that would help the 70 missionaries in front of me with much more experience. But the Lord helped me out; I started out a little shaky. But then as soon as I started to speak, I felt so calm, and so confident that the Lord would help me. I spoke ( what I thought at least) really clearly, and with confidence, and "power and authority." I felt the spirit really strong as I testified about that book, and the power it brings is. I felt really good afterwards, and I was really grateful for the Lord, because if I had to do it alone, it would not have gone so well. Would have failed haha
I even had a few younger missionaries ask me how long it took me to be this good at Portuguese. I told them 5 months. But it was really a testimony of the power ofthe gift of tongues to hear that. The Lord really helps missionaries out.
Thursday night I saw Gustavo. Gustavo stopped me on the street about two weeks ago to ask about the church. Thursday, he pulled over his car on the side of the road and got out to talk to us for like 15 mins. He is awesome, and speaks really good English! He even remembered where I was from! Thats nevered happend before!
I have started to make friends with a ton of people on the street! I love talking to them, and they often honk or wave, even if they don't accept the message at first. Really starting to connect with people in this language!
So Friday, I was in the kitchen at about 7 30 and I kinda just had enough with this house. I grabbed a chair and sat down next to the ZLs, woke em up and said, "We need to talk." It was a pretty bold move, but I learned the day before that with the Lord, I can do all I need to. I told them we needed to change this, I needed to start following the rules as companionship, and I needed them to start setting an example.
That night we had a "house council". We decided to change things and start following all the rules, and to help each other out. We set up somethings to help us do this. (Its not easy with 4 elders haha, we like to talk to late sometimes). But it was good, and we are doing it well, despite some grumbling from a certain companion.
That night, after the council, the LZs had 5 or six appointments marked for the same time, so we helped em out. I went with Elder Guthrie and we went to teach at a members house, their non-member friend. We got there and Elder Guthie asked me if I could teach a lesson by myself, and I said I could. So he left to teach one of the other lessons, while I stayed with the family there. Was cool. I loved teaching it alone. Its a lot harder, but also pretty fun!
So thats just a few of my weekly highlights. My companion is really struggling, and is really stressed. He isn't happy, and Im pretty sure he hates me haha. But I am doing my best, and I have really learned to be happy no matter what! His mood doesn't change mine anymore, which is def a good skill to have! I am doing my best to help him out, as lil as I can do.
I called Alex last night. I was going to call him Friday, but President didn't get back to me until yesterday morning! But he lives outside of the mission. So President talked to the mission president there, and they decided I should call him, and let him know what was going on, and also talk to the missionaries who will visit him. Also, President of Sao Paulo Norte said i should expect progress reports from those missionaries as well, which is good! So that's the status. I didnt get ahold of him. but I left my number with his mom or wife or somebody. So we are doing our best :) Thanks for the reference! I really love doin this, and helping Bro B and Alex out!Thanks Bro B!
Dad! Number 3 in the high council! nice work! Haha thats really cool.And that is cool Bro T is there too. I was thinking about him this week actually, I really like his form of leadership. He is such a good guy and just always makes you feel like your important, and makes ya wanna do your best. Thanks for the sports update! And you can tell Kristin I just put the address on a letter to her, its ready to be mailed tomorrow! And yeah, I could use some pilot pens, those nice g-2s would be sweet. and peanut butter.maybe reeses cups haha whatever And thanks a ton for the comics! I love gettin those reminds me of the times we read it together. Thanks for all your encouragement and love!
Mom-Thanks for the letter! Ill check it agian to see if I missed any questions, but thank you so much!
Well, Time be running!
Love you all, have a great week!
Hey!
So thank you again for the wonderful letters! They make my day, my week every time! This week has been a lil crazy, but I took notes so I could remember some things to tell you!
Tuesday was a fantastic day! I loved it. I dunno why, but I was just in an amazing mood, and was so pumped to be on a mission. Really random, but it was one of the best days on my mission, and really I dont know why, nothing exceptional happened!
Wednesday, we were at lunch, and this sister there was leaving for her mission the next day! I was pretty excited for her. I shared a message about enduring to the end (something I needed to perfect). Anyways, at the end of the message, she started talkin about the mission ahead of her and got a lil overwhelmed and started crying. She was havin a hard time leaving everyone behind. I said something to the effect of, "Why are you crying? You're gonna get home before I will!" She found that quite funny, as did everyone else. That helped her perk up a bit, and I hoped we left a bit of enthuiasm for her.
Thursday was Zone Conferece (with 1/3) of the mission. It was way good. It was about the Book of Mormon! I love that book!. Then, the President announced the speakers for the day. Elder Mieo, sister Martinez, and ... I said "Elder L" under my breath and grabbed my Bom as the President echoed my words "Elder L".
I am not gonna lie, I was a lil nervous. I haven't done a whole lot of public speaking in portuguese. And I was speaking on the Book of Mormon! Missionaries talk about it all the time, I had no idea what I could say that would help the 70 missionaries in front of me with much more experience. But the Lord helped me out; I started out a little shaky. But then as soon as I started to speak, I felt so calm, and so confident that the Lord would help me. I spoke ( what I thought at least) really clearly, and with confidence, and "power and authority." I felt the spirit really strong as I testified about that book, and the power it brings is. I felt really good afterwards, and I was really grateful for the Lord, because if I had to do it alone, it would not have gone so well. Would have failed haha
I even had a few younger missionaries ask me how long it took me to be this good at Portuguese. I told them 5 months. But it was really a testimony of the power ofthe gift of tongues to hear that. The Lord really helps missionaries out.
Thursday night I saw Gustavo. Gustavo stopped me on the street about two weeks ago to ask about the church. Thursday, he pulled over his car on the side of the road and got out to talk to us for like 15 mins. He is awesome, and speaks really good English! He even remembered where I was from! Thats nevered happend before!
I have started to make friends with a ton of people on the street! I love talking to them, and they often honk or wave, even if they don't accept the message at first. Really starting to connect with people in this language!
So Friday, I was in the kitchen at about 7 30 and I kinda just had enough with this house. I grabbed a chair and sat down next to the ZLs, woke em up and said, "We need to talk." It was a pretty bold move, but I learned the day before that with the Lord, I can do all I need to. I told them we needed to change this, I needed to start following the rules as companionship, and I needed them to start setting an example.
That night we had a "house council". We decided to change things and start following all the rules, and to help each other out. We set up somethings to help us do this. (Its not easy with 4 elders haha, we like to talk to late sometimes). But it was good, and we are doing it well, despite some grumbling from a certain companion.
That night, after the council, the LZs had 5 or six appointments marked for the same time, so we helped em out. I went with Elder Guthrie and we went to teach at a members house, their non-member friend. We got there and Elder Guthie asked me if I could teach a lesson by myself, and I said I could. So he left to teach one of the other lessons, while I stayed with the family there. Was cool. I loved teaching it alone. Its a lot harder, but also pretty fun!
So thats just a few of my weekly highlights. My companion is really struggling, and is really stressed. He isn't happy, and Im pretty sure he hates me haha. But I am doing my best, and I have really learned to be happy no matter what! His mood doesn't change mine anymore, which is def a good skill to have! I am doing my best to help him out, as lil as I can do.
I called Alex last night. I was going to call him Friday, but President didn't get back to me until yesterday morning! But he lives outside of the mission. So President talked to the mission president there, and they decided I should call him, and let him know what was going on, and also talk to the missionaries who will visit him. Also, President of Sao Paulo Norte said i should expect progress reports from those missionaries as well, which is good! So that's the status. I didnt get ahold of him. but I left my number with his mom or wife or somebody. So we are doing our best :) Thanks for the reference! I really love doin this, and helping Bro B and Alex out!Thanks Bro B!
Dad! Number 3 in the high council! nice work! Haha thats really cool.And that is cool Bro T is there too. I was thinking about him this week actually, I really like his form of leadership. He is such a good guy and just always makes you feel like your important, and makes ya wanna do your best. Thanks for the sports update! And you can tell Kristin I just put the address on a letter to her, its ready to be mailed tomorrow! And yeah, I could use some pilot pens, those nice g-2s would be sweet. and peanut butter.maybe reeses cups haha whatever And thanks a ton for the comics! I love gettin those reminds me of the times we read it together. Thanks for all your encouragement and love!
Mom-Thanks for the letter! Ill check it agian to see if I missed any questions, but thank you so much!
Well, Time be running!
Love you all, have a great week!
Busy week - Letter from March 16
Hey!
So I have noooo time today! But Thank you for the letters, Ill get out what I can!
You want my daily schedule? Here it is. I wake up at 6 or 6 30, work out, make some AMAZING food. Today I made some exceptional eggs and toast.Then I study (after shavin and whatnot) til about 10 or 11. (Usually alone, but sometimes my comp joins me -- which makes my day). And then we go eat!
Every day we have lunch at a member's house. Lunch is always the same! Rice and beans. But I'm really gettin to like em. Then we walk all day, going from appointment to appointment. We have "appointments" all day. We dont really mark them, we just show up. A little annoying, but hey! that's alright.
Thats pretty much all we do. We find new people to teach by making contacts on the road in between appointments. And we visit them later in the week! And then we come home, I shower, and sleep. And read the good books a bit before bed usually. Thats pretty much it, but its a good life!
Pictures I think I will just email every week except this one because of the lack of time.
Loved the pictures! Send some more of the house, and of the McAllister house too!
This week I taught principles of the gospel at church! My comp told me about ten mins before, just said,"Hey, you're teaching." A little annoyed, but it went well, and I really enjoyed it!
I have been LOVING English class! And its amazing how they ask questions that tie directly into the lessons, I already taught the first and second!
I WILL CALL ALEX FRIDAY! pORTUGUESE ISNT sorry for the caps. Portugues isn't a prblem. I love talking on the phone in Portuguese, most people hate it.Portuguese is going well, I'm getting better and better!
Sunday we were making contacts and this lady we contacted followed us. And sang one line of a hymn over and over. For a long time. Quite hilarious!
This week was better, and I am really finding ways to have the time of my life!
Love you all! Write me! :)
Elder Jake!
So I have noooo time today! But Thank you for the letters, Ill get out what I can!
You want my daily schedule? Here it is. I wake up at 6 or 6 30, work out, make some AMAZING food. Today I made some exceptional eggs and toast.Then I study (after shavin and whatnot) til about 10 or 11. (Usually alone, but sometimes my comp joins me -- which makes my day). And then we go eat!
Every day we have lunch at a member's house. Lunch is always the same! Rice and beans. But I'm really gettin to like em. Then we walk all day, going from appointment to appointment. We have "appointments" all day. We dont really mark them, we just show up. A little annoying, but hey! that's alright.
Thats pretty much all we do. We find new people to teach by making contacts on the road in between appointments. And we visit them later in the week! And then we come home, I shower, and sleep. And read the good books a bit before bed usually. Thats pretty much it, but its a good life!
Pictures I think I will just email every week except this one because of the lack of time.
Loved the pictures! Send some more of the house, and of the McAllister house too!
This week I taught principles of the gospel at church! My comp told me about ten mins before, just said,"Hey, you're teaching." A little annoyed, but it went well, and I really enjoyed it!
I have been LOVING English class! And its amazing how they ask questions that tie directly into the lessons, I already taught the first and second!
I WILL CALL ALEX FRIDAY! pORTUGUESE ISNT sorry for the caps. Portugues isn't a prblem. I love talking on the phone in Portuguese, most people hate it.Portuguese is going well, I'm getting better and better!
Sunday we were making contacts and this lady we contacted followed us. And sang one line of a hymn over and over. For a long time. Quite hilarious!
This week was better, and I am really finding ways to have the time of my life!
Love you all! Write me! :)
Elder Jake!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ola Amigos!
The V family got baptized! That is so freaking cool! Haha that absolutley made my day! I am way glad to hear that. I wish I could have been there, but hey, thats alright! Congradulations! They are going to be such an amazing family and influence for the people there!
That is really crazy about the hymn thing at church. cause the EXACT same thing happened in our ward on Sunday! cRazy! [After the organist played the entire first verse, she realized she was on the wrong page.]
I am super pumped about the house windows and such, Send me some fotos! or photos! qualquer um.
This week has been crazy as usual, but I am really starting to have a blast here. Really getting to relax. Elder Guthrie has helped me relax a ton and in turn, I am helping him with getting up and such. Tomorrow we are going to play basketball! He's become a great friend, and we have some good times.
This week our investigators aren't doing so well. I am not sure what we need to do better, but we are trying! But at lunch I shared amessage about the Book of Mormon, and its power in my life. I really felt I should, even though they talked about it during Sunday School and priesthood (taught by the elders quorum president, who we were eating with). But I shared it anyways. And then at the end, the pres asked one of the other guys there, (there were about 6 single adults there Id never met), if he had a Bom. He said no. And that night he said he really wants to be baptized! So we will do that for him!
Maria Do Carmo is amazing. Her and her family are fantastic people! SO strong! She still wants to be baptized on the 9th of april, but she has been reading the Bom every day. She works on Sundays, but its with an odd guy who needs watchin after. So it needs to be done, even on Sunday. SO she asked if she could get three Sundays a month where should could get off early to go to church! SO legit!
As requested, the lil notes shall now be presented.Will be better next week. But, have the kids write an email everyonce in awhile!:
Mom, that is really cool about the 10k, super great.
S: You got your letter, but I love you anyways :)
J: You made french toast for the neighbors?! That is awesome! I am way impressed,that is way good
A! Nice job with your state fair project! I'm sure it was great, send me pictures! And M&Ms ;)
W! Sounds you too are being quite the lil missionary, and being a great example to your friend!Keep that up! And don't kick girls! unless they deserve it a lot
...Katie and Ross! Yeah, katie, email that to me if you can. And Elder Bradreich is in my Zone! SWEET! Thanks for that great letter Katie! and Ross, what on earth are you studying now? E´plain that, and why haha
Sorry to be so short, not much to write about this week! But I love you all! thank you for the letters! Even if I don't have to time to reply, I print em off and they are a huge boost! Also the snail mail letters, really make my day, and today was the first time in 2 months I had to reply to some! Sorry people! thank you!
Can you send me a lil leather bound BoM? in english. LIke small. Pocketsized. Maybe? LOve you all!Bye!
Elder Jake!
The V family got baptized! That is so freaking cool! Haha that absolutley made my day! I am way glad to hear that. I wish I could have been there, but hey, thats alright! Congradulations! They are going to be such an amazing family and influence for the people there!
That is really crazy about the hymn thing at church. cause the EXACT same thing happened in our ward on Sunday! cRazy! [After the organist played the entire first verse, she realized she was on the wrong page.]
I am super pumped about the house windows and such, Send me some fotos! or photos! qualquer um.
This week has been crazy as usual, but I am really starting to have a blast here. Really getting to relax. Elder Guthrie has helped me relax a ton and in turn, I am helping him with getting up and such. Tomorrow we are going to play basketball! He's become a great friend, and we have some good times.
This week our investigators aren't doing so well. I am not sure what we need to do better, but we are trying! But at lunch I shared amessage about the Book of Mormon, and its power in my life. I really felt I should, even though they talked about it during Sunday School and priesthood (taught by the elders quorum president, who we were eating with). But I shared it anyways. And then at the end, the pres asked one of the other guys there, (there were about 6 single adults there Id never met), if he had a Bom. He said no. And that night he said he really wants to be baptized! So we will do that for him!
Maria Do Carmo is amazing. Her and her family are fantastic people! SO strong! She still wants to be baptized on the 9th of april, but she has been reading the Bom every day. She works on Sundays, but its with an odd guy who needs watchin after. So it needs to be done, even on Sunday. SO she asked if she could get three Sundays a month where should could get off early to go to church! SO legit!
As requested, the lil notes shall now be presented.Will be better next week. But, have the kids write an email everyonce in awhile!:
Mom, that is really cool about the 10k, super great.
S: You got your letter, but I love you anyways :)
J: You made french toast for the neighbors?! That is awesome! I am way impressed,that is way good
A! Nice job with your state fair project! I'm sure it was great, send me pictures! And M&Ms ;)
W! Sounds you too are being quite the lil missionary, and being a great example to your friend!Keep that up! And don't kick girls! unless they deserve it a lot
...Katie and Ross! Yeah, katie, email that to me if you can. And Elder Bradreich is in my Zone! SWEET! Thanks for that great letter Katie! and Ross, what on earth are you studying now? E´plain that, and why haha
Sorry to be so short, not much to write about this week! But I love you all! thank you for the letters! Even if I don't have to time to reply, I print em off and they are a huge boost! Also the snail mail letters, really make my day, and today was the first time in 2 months I had to reply to some! Sorry people! thank you!
Can you send me a lil leather bound BoM? in english. LIke small. Pocketsized. Maybe? LOve you all!Bye!
Elder Jake!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tough Week But Good in Many Ways
Hey!
It is always so great to get your letters! It always pumps me up, and makes me excited to get some work done.
This week has a tough one, but it has been good in many ways. Today we went to the temple. I loved it so much! My comp didnt want to do a session, so I got to do one with Elder Brewer from my MTC district. (Also from my BYU ward/ building.) Also Elder Schmidt was with us, my roommate. That was awesome! It was so great to talk to them before going into the temple, but as soon as I went in, I felt amazing. I felt every single fear, and stress leave my body. It was a absolutely wonderful experience. I even understood most of it while I was in there! I have never felt so much at home on my mission, like I was sitting in God's living room. I loved it so so much. It was really hard to leave there, really hard. But that temple trip was exactly what I needed.
But afterwards, we went to the local buffet and ate well. I saw Elder Alves, and he said they baptized three people I was teaching with Elder dos Reis, and him. Maria Claudia asked if I could baptize her, she really wanted me too. But Elder Alves' comp did, which was great for him! She wrote me a letter, and a lot of people in that old ward have been askin about Elder Grandão. Its nice to know that I made an impact on a least a few people there, even if just a lil.
So I'll tell you a bit about my week, and why it has been important to my mission.
Last Thursday i think I just died. I got dressed and was just sitting on my bed, completely overwhelmed, tired, and feeling like I wasnt doing any good here. Elder Guthrie (ZL) came into my room, shut the door, and said, "Lets talk". I told him of my frustrations, and how I was stressed I wasn't doing all I needed to. We talked for a really long time.
To sum it up, he told me a few really good things. He told me that a lot of missionaries come on their missions to pass the two years and go home. He told me that one of the first things he noticed about me is that I wasn't one of them. I came here with a purpose. He told me how much of an impact I had made on my district in the MTC. (He trained one of the guys from my district.)
But then he told me that I am forgetting one thing, I am forgetting who I am. He said I bet "Jake" was never stressed, and loved everybody for who they were. And that I needed top do that. I needed to combine Elder L, and Jake a lil more. He taped "Jake" on the back of my name tag. That has actually made a huge difference.
I had become so frustrated with my comp at times, I had completely forgotten to love him. And I remember my phrase from college, "Optimism - Its Fun." I was able to stop stressin about stuff I couldn't change, and really looked for the good in my days and in my comp :)
But that didnt last forever,a few days later I was havin a hard day, I was doing my best, but just wasnt cutting it. I was just hoping I'd get a transfer or something. I remeber this moment really well. I was walking down the road, so discouraged with everything, and this thought came into my mind: "Remember the eternal perspective." I got this lil grin on my face, that i couldnt get rid off. I looked up into that beautiful Brazilian sky and said "You're good."
I knew I shouldn't have prayed fopr humility." Haha
I know God is watching us all, and he knows exactly what we need to grow, even if we don't like it that much at first. This knowledge has changed my days, I am really having a good time now, which is exactly what I should be doing, hard times and all. So all in all, this week has been a great experience. Well, one I'm very glad I've had! And Im lookin forward to this next one!
Gotta run.
Love you all!-Elder Jake
It is always so great to get your letters! It always pumps me up, and makes me excited to get some work done.
This week has a tough one, but it has been good in many ways. Today we went to the temple. I loved it so much! My comp didnt want to do a session, so I got to do one with Elder Brewer from my MTC district. (Also from my BYU ward/ building.) Also Elder Schmidt was with us, my roommate. That was awesome! It was so great to talk to them before going into the temple, but as soon as I went in, I felt amazing. I felt every single fear, and stress leave my body. It was a absolutely wonderful experience. I even understood most of it while I was in there! I have never felt so much at home on my mission, like I was sitting in God's living room. I loved it so so much. It was really hard to leave there, really hard. But that temple trip was exactly what I needed.
But afterwards, we went to the local buffet and ate well. I saw Elder Alves, and he said they baptized three people I was teaching with Elder dos Reis, and him. Maria Claudia asked if I could baptize her, she really wanted me too. But Elder Alves' comp did, which was great for him! She wrote me a letter, and a lot of people in that old ward have been askin about Elder Grandão. Its nice to know that I made an impact on a least a few people there, even if just a lil.
So I'll tell you a bit about my week, and why it has been important to my mission.
Last Thursday i think I just died. I got dressed and was just sitting on my bed, completely overwhelmed, tired, and feeling like I wasnt doing any good here. Elder Guthrie (ZL) came into my room, shut the door, and said, "Lets talk". I told him of my frustrations, and how I was stressed I wasn't doing all I needed to. We talked for a really long time.
To sum it up, he told me a few really good things. He told me that a lot of missionaries come on their missions to pass the two years and go home. He told me that one of the first things he noticed about me is that I wasn't one of them. I came here with a purpose. He told me how much of an impact I had made on my district in the MTC. (He trained one of the guys from my district.)
But then he told me that I am forgetting one thing, I am forgetting who I am. He said I bet "Jake" was never stressed, and loved everybody for who they were. And that I needed top do that. I needed to combine Elder L, and Jake a lil more. He taped "Jake" on the back of my name tag. That has actually made a huge difference.
I had become so frustrated with my comp at times, I had completely forgotten to love him. And I remember my phrase from college, "Optimism - Its Fun." I was able to stop stressin about stuff I couldn't change, and really looked for the good in my days and in my comp :)
But that didnt last forever,a few days later I was havin a hard day, I was doing my best, but just wasnt cutting it. I was just hoping I'd get a transfer or something. I remeber this moment really well. I was walking down the road, so discouraged with everything, and this thought came into my mind: "Remember the eternal perspective." I got this lil grin on my face, that i couldnt get rid off. I looked up into that beautiful Brazilian sky and said "You're good."
I knew I shouldn't have prayed fopr humility." Haha
I know God is watching us all, and he knows exactly what we need to grow, even if we don't like it that much at first. This knowledge has changed my days, I am really having a good time now, which is exactly what I should be doing, hard times and all. So all in all, this week has been a great experience. Well, one I'm very glad I've had! And Im lookin forward to this next one!
Gotta run.
Love you all!-Elder Jake
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