June 20, 2011 Letter

Dear My Family,

I hope this email finds you all in excellent health and extreme joy!

Today, for the first time in forever, since the MTC, I lifted weights. We went to Patricks, our recent converts house. hes got a really simple bench press and some simple weights. It was great haha, I miss it. it was, however, sad to see how much strength Ive lost! Its gonna take a bit to get back into shape post mission. I gotta make some plans to get start now. I made some rough plans this morning, but I will make a final draft. My body is really needing that de-stresser. It really makes a difference. I just need to find or rather make time. That and a huge list of other things that Im not doing but should be....shoot. haha

This week was nuts. I was busy with a ton of stuff, and I think I missed the Spirit of missionary work a bit. I was distracted by my to-do list and other stuff, and wasnt opening my mouth to share with other people the blessings that I have. I really love sharing the gospel, and when I don´t, its like havent eaten all day, I lose strength and energy. Its kinda crazy. The harder I work, the more energy I have. The Lords good like that.

I was once again impressed with a recent convert this week. Cida, who was baptized a month or two ago, told me all about her desire to share the gospel! She said she was sharing it with everybody! She said she got off the bus WAY after her stop so that she could share her testimony and give a pass-a-long card to the lady sitting next to her. She also said that when the delivery man showed up with her propane, she spoke with him for awhile about the church, and gave him a pass-a-long card. She said at the end of the conversation they were both crying! The delivery guy! Also, she has prayed for got to show her who to invite to a Family Home Evening in her home. She had 40 people there! a bunch of less active members, active, and a half dozen investigators. Hallelujah. She is such an incredible example. How simple it is for us to share the gospel! we make it so complicated sometimes! I hope that I can follow her example here on the mission, and definetely after the mission. I know the Lord is so happy with her.

Fátima was baptized on Tuesday! It was awesome. President Richardson baptized her, as he was with us when we found her. It was a great service. I loved it. The water was extremely cold. Also, people from both wards were there. So rad.

I am so happy that I have the scriptures in my life. Was a sweet blessing to have the words of these great Prophets. It sounds crazy taht reading a book can bring us that much closer to God, but its true. Those aren't normal books! Another thing that I wanna do better is read more of the scriptures. I'm trying to read a bit more each day. I wanna finish the Book of Mormon soon!

Im excited for this week, we are hoping to baptized Adriana and a few of the other relatives of Ranildo. Should be a wonderful day.

Well, I love you all, I hope you guys dont ever forget that! Have a great week and keep sending me your missionary experiences as well! I love hearing those.

Love, Elder Jake

June 13, 2011 letter

Hey hey hey!

You letters were awesome! Thanks! I also freezing right now. Its kinda cold today, and the guy in the Ln House decided to turn on the fan, haha. But whoa, sounds like you guys are going to be super busy!

A few things that got me pumped from your letters today: Youth football will no longer hold games on Sunday! Woohoo! I gave a lil yell when I read that. I am glad that the Ds and demais outros Mórmons set a great example for me to follow, and it paid off!

K, J, P and D walking in first at graduation! Yea! These guys are my heros. Any plans mission yet? I guess in the US you have to wait til 19, but still.

Nick is coming to São Paulo. I would love to meet with him. He is an incredible leader, would great to be able to be able to see him. Will have to talk with my nez President, but I think its probably unlikely that he would let me. But hey, I can try!

The deck is done! Yea!

The missionários brought someone to dinner! That's genius. I don't know if they´ll be in the ward when I get back, but I have have a good list of referrals in mind. And I'm super anxious to work with them, teach in the American world. Give the "France person" a big hug and tell him I get those weird looks all the time! I love missionary work.

I love my family.

Well, this week, I was taken by surprise with the great faith of our investigators. A few weeks ago we discovered that almost all of our teaching pool lived outside of our ward boundaries. Shoot.

SO this week, having already let them know they would have to switch wards, dropped the ax. We invited them all to go to this other ward, 2 recent-converts, one investigator who will be baptized this week, and 3 other investigators (All living in this other ward) . As we invited them to do this, I was impressed with how easily they accepted. They all have family and friends in our ward. However, they said they would go to the other ward! What faith! they understood it was what the Lord wanted, and did it. So sweet. I think I had a harder time with it than they did.

I went, in division, to their ward. When we got there, they was no one aside from our little band in the Priciple of the Gospel class. Quite hard to integrate when there in no0 one else! SO i called the first man I saw in the hallway and told him to grab a few members. He did, and very well. He got the Bishop, the Stake President, the elders quorum president himself), a member of the high council and his wife from the Relief Society, the Ward Mission Leader and maybe two more men.

I was so impressed! Our little band who we have grown to love much was extremely well received. I cant express my gratitude. They were recognized in Sacrament meeting, Patrick received the Holy Ghost, and they anounced Fatima's baptism. Woohoo! Then, a family invited Fatima to a FHE at their home, and the bishop marked an interview for Patrick and Sebastião. Man, I love those ward members. I am so glad, and so grateful it went so well.

We are praying and working hard to baptize a few families this month. They are great! We will hopely be able to baptize Ranildo and Ione, and one of their two daughters, Angêlica on the 26. Great family. Also their relatives who live undernealth them will hopefuly be baptized the same day! We also have Robson and Tamires! They will get marries on the 25th, and we pray be baptized on the 26th as well, Should be a wonderful day! Pray that it goes well!

I love this work. Our brothers and sisters need so badly what we have. And we have to share it! I hope and pray that I can be a great help to the missionaries when come home, as well as when Im in school, so that many others can continue to hear this fantastic message.

I love you guys!

Elder Jake

May 30 letter

Here we go!

Well its the start of a new transfer! This week was good, odd but good. ahhh. I have no idea how to sum up my weeks anymore haha.

Well, Id like to talk about the upcoming week actually, and the people we are teaching. Patrick. Stud. I may have told you about him last week. But he is a friend of Fernando and Sebastião. He has struggled for a long time with drugs. But he has been reading the Book of Mormon everyday, and it has been helping him so much! Yes! He is a champion. He will be baptized this week.

Sebastião´s neighbor who lives in the front of his house, Fátims is also listening to our messages. She will also be baptized on Sunday! Or maybe Tuesday. We shall see. But she also has a ton of faith. We explained to her the blessings of abstaining from, coffee, and the other substnaces of the Word of Wisdom. Spoke to her of how God wants us all to be free, with addictions, we are not free. She agreed to let us take her coffee and throw it out! What a great amout of faith! Woohoo! She has a relapse, but she has now overcome! Halelujah.

Also, we have Adriana. She smokes, and drinks coffee. We, once again, taught her about the Word of Wisdom! She accepted! gave us her copy, and we made a goal with her to stop smoking! She (I hope) is on her way through her first day without smoking in many many years! Woohoo!

I have really seen the change in these people who have been able to set aside addictions, even small ones. There is a light in them. Its wonderful!

I love being a missionary. I love seeing other people doing it as well. Sister Richardson just took about 27 Books of Mormon and some DVDs to pass out to her friends and acquaintances! So cool.

And my lil sister S. What a sweet example! I am so proud. She wrote a letter to a less active friend! AND she gave a Book of Mormon to a friend at school! I am so excited to be that kind of missionary when I go home! Im jealous, haha! S, if everybody did what you did, how many people would be blessed and brought into the fold of Christ! My sister is my hero. Wohoo!

Well, I love you guys, and I love my mission. Its not easy, but it is sure doce (sweet). Oh how i love my life.

Love ya! Elder Jake

May 23, 2011 Letter

Hey! I loved your letters! They are always such great boosts for me, help me to keep going!

How was my week? To sum it up in one word I could easily say tiring. We spent 3 days in Zone Conferences, and all of Monday preparing. We woke about 5 am three times. and to bed a lil later than usual. With no p-day. We spent a long time away from our area, but it was worth it. It was a spiritually strengthening week! And it was great to interact with the other missionaries and talk with them and feel their love and excitement for the work.

So I am feeling strong and full of energy? haha no. But after the 4 hour power nap Om planning on taking today, Ill be great! Woohoo! Yes mother I am taking my vitamins, and using my retainer :)

So one of my favorite parts of the week. Sebastião. He is our recent convert. He is so incredibly strong, and firm in the gospel. He received the preisthood on Sunday! him and Fernando, another recent convert. Two men that are making a huge difference. They are bringing all their friends and family to church. They feel so strongly that their responsibility is to bring all who are willing to the church, to Christ. The two of them were very different a few weeks ago, always in the bar, in the street, living very worldly lives. But now, they are helping others to leave behind this all. They have such a great vision of the growth of the church. They will be leaders. They will help the Lord do His work here in São Paulo. That made my week.

Another highlight was walking home from church with them, and all their freinds and family who were there with us. And hearing Fernando say some thing to the effect of, "our group is growing. Next week there will be more, and pretty soon we wont fit in the chapel." Hearing that, and seeing these two men in shirt and tie with all their friends and families behind them. That was a great moment. An answer to prayer.

Another highlight was in the car with President going to and from the meetings. He really is an inspired man. I am grateful for him. Was great to discuss with Him the mission, and what we can do to improve!

Stuggles? Asside from the incredible tiredness that is overwhelming my body, I am just tired of myself haha. I get so frustrated with my weaknesses. In this new position, I have the blessing and oportunity of having all of my weaknesses magnified, and pointed out, often in front of large groups of people. Things I used to think I was good at, I realize now that thats really not quite true. So my goal this week, love myself! I focus so much on loving others, I just cant forget to love myself. And trust in God.

Yesterday, in attempt to find some strength, I did the evaluation in the back of chapter 6 PMG. As I realized my weaknesses, I realized a few other things. There are a few things that I have grown to truely believe. To know. One of them is that God is real. That He Loves me, and hears my prayers. I cannot deny that. That has given me so much comfort. And I know He is always willing to help me. As I talk to Him sincerely, I draw myself to Him.

The other thing I have grown to know is that the Book of Mormon is true. I love it. Everytime I read it, I feel Gods love, and that I'm not alone. I know it contains the words of God. I know its teachings will bring us Home.

God is so kind and giving. He has let me know these two things, and with these two tools, I can do anything. I can overcome my weaknesses. I can make miracles happen.

I love you guys! Have a splendid week!

Love, Elder Jake

May 16, 2011 Letter - 23 children?!

Hey!

My head is spinning! I got a ton of stuff on my mind! This week I haven't had to time to think! I got to the point where I didnt have time to go to the bathroom! We have been super busy. And I love it.

Thursday, we had a Leadership Training. We showed up late, and we had the keys to get in! We even left 2 and a half hours early! But anyways, I was really off. I felt really insecure and unqualified. I was studdering and not getting my point across clearly. I got pretty down. but i just kept praying and asking for help. I left during the meeting and went to the bathroom to kneel down and pray. I asked sincerely for His help.

My companion and I were asked to give a training and a demonstration, teach a lesson in front of all of the leaders. yeah. As we started teaching, I felt so strongly the presence of Gods help. I knew he was with me. The lesson went extremely well. I was completely impressed with the Spirit that was with us, and the words that were put in our mouths.

President used that lesson to teach many teaching skills. It was at that meeting that i truly gained a tesemony that the Lord is with me. Might have changed my life.

The lunch with Ward and Helida [an uncle and aunt] was awesome! I loved seeing them! It was also SO COOL to talk to Helida in Portuguese. It was a really fun lunch, and a great time we had. They really are great people. President and Sister agreed on that. My family is so cool. Also, I decided I need to have about 23 children.

I was able to do a division in my old area! Woohoo! It was a fun division, we were blessed greatly by the Lord. That confidence that I found in Him made a great difference. Will continue to make a differnece!Well, I gotta go, but I love you guys a lot. I really am grateful for my awesome family! have agreat week!

Love, Jake

April 25 letter

Hey hey hey!

Happy Easter! Easter here was super normal, but a good day. I am really grateful for the Spirit at church. I was a lil bit down. I was sad that we didnt get the baptism we wanted, but mostly because of the retention rate.

As I looked around I was so crushed because of the people that werent there. It has been hard to see that in this area. The program was put on by the YM/YW, and as I sat there listening to the music and words, I was overcome the Spirit because of the people were there. As I looked at these youth, ,many are the only members in there family, or at least active member. Many are recent converts, almost all are converts.Those who arent are rocks for those coming in. Many of them have brought there families into the gospel, and or friends. There is so much strength in the youth. I felt their power, and dedication. Made me once again grateful for the things that go right, and the blessings I do have. And now, it makes me grateful for the Savior and that He forgives me of my weaknesses, and strengthens me!

Well to answer your questions! Our area is about 1 hour to 1 hour and 1/2 away from the mission office, by bus. So, with divisions and office duties, I am on the bus abut 9 hours a week! Woohoo! We are in division for two days every weeek, and these divisions could be anywhere in the mission, so we do get to travel a bit! We are pretty much normal missionaries, we just have meetings on Tuesdays. I really like that. Not much has changed from the other assignments, just now I have to be at a few more meetings. I am grateful that we spend the majority of our time working in our area, or that of another set of missionaries. I love the work.

This week we were really looking for someone to baptize this week. We made a list of all the people who had been to church, who coulde be baptized. It was a crazy week. We came so close! I thought we had it! But it was not the will of the Lord for this week. However, as we finished the week off, much fasting and prayer, our prayers were answered. A man showed up at church. He had been to going to church for two months in another chapel, but wasnt baptized because he didnt have many friends there. Then, last week, a recent-convert invited him to go to church (I dont think he knew that this man, Sebastião, had been going to another ward). So he found a closer ward, and already has a great friend. I believe he will be baptized Saturday.

Its incredible how the Lord works miracles, but always on His schedule, and not ours. I am once again humbled by the fact that I have very lil to do with these miracles. I am simply an instrument in the Lords hands he uses to do a few things here and there. I just hope I can be a lil more humble, and willing to follow the Spirit, so I can do more for Him. Hes done so much for me.

I am going to have to go now, I don't feel very well! But I love you guys, thank you for the wonderful letters!

Love, Elder Jake

April 18 Letter

Dear Family!

Happy Birthday DAD! And Happy Aniversàrio to Mom and Dad! You guys are great examples to me, and I'm so grateful to have yous in my life!

This week has been super busy! It was the last week for Elder F. Rocha. It was really hard for him to give up the mission. Everyone says that, but on tuesday, that was put to the test. While taking with President about the upcoming transfers, President looked into his soul haha and asked him to stay one more trasnfer. Without needing to think, he accepted. I was impressed. He decided to call his parents and ask them what they thought. Because His parents are recent converts, and mainly because of the Spirit, he and Pres felt he should go home. It was a great example to me of the immense desire to serve the Lord. I hope I can finish my mission with the same energy and devotion as He is/did.

Well, my new companion is Elder Augusto! Super cool guy. From Belém do Pará. He was the one who took my spot in my last area. I am way excited to learn with him, and work like crazy.

Well, this weekend was the baptism for Fernando and Yasmine! Woohoo! Such a cool couple! They willl be powerful members in the church. I am so happy for them. Ill send a picture later when I have more time!

I have been blessed this week to have the Spirit use me as a tool this week a few times. Makes me feel so humble, and grateful. He puts thoughts in our mind that are insane to use, and then it works out bettter then we imagined. He is so wonderful. I need so much to be able to trust in Him more. But I am grateful for His patience and love.

Well I gotta go! I love you guys, thanks for your prayers! I am so excited to be able to pray with my family once again. This week I had the chance to be with my trainer. And I was so grateful to be able to kneel down and pray with him. Imagine my family then! Woohoo!

Love you guys, sorry to be so short!

Elder Jake

PS this week, as I prayed, I felt like I should try to be more like Grandpa J. I had been kinda quiet, and as I prayed about it, felt like Ishould follow his example, and talk to everyone, try and complement everyone. An exammple I have in many others, but a few stories came to my mind that Mom told me of him. So pumped for my fam! Love ya!

April 11 Letter

HEY GUYS!

Its been a good week, I am starting to get the hang of things, and things are starting to calm down a bit. Just in time for the end of the transfer. When my experienced comp will go home, and I will be left to take the reigns. Holy. Its gonna be a roller-coaster! This is our last week together, and I still feel like I have so much to learn from him, and in general! But I guess Ill just do it, learn from my many mistakes, and always try to be a touch better.

This past week. NOSSA. Time already. AHHH. SO this past week, I have been praying and fasting to get a larger desire to baptize, and to fulfill my purpose. Some of the great help I have gotten from the Lord has been great. I have decided to do a few more things. Study chapter 3 and 10 of PMG more, in the morning, and at night, reading out loud, to improve my accent and fluency in reading. Study the language more. Something I have rarely done sadly. And also I want to do contacts on the bus more. I am always on the bus, and rarely talk to the hundreds of people around me. New Goal. Something Ive been putting off.

Sunday was an incredible testimony meeting. It was so spiritual. I loved it. PS, I "play" the piano in our ward haha its tight. Its computerized, so I just push a button at the begining of each verse. Anyways, in this meeting, I was super comforted by the Lord. I was so worried about my many weaknesses, and HE let me know to relax, and remember that life has its ups and downs. And I will have to pass thorugh struggels, but it just is part of the plan. Just keep truckin along, and smiling. It'll work out. Ill find that confdence, that faith, desire, whatever I need. Just do you best and relax!

Well, acabou! I gotta fly! Love you guys! Next week is transfers so I dunno how the email sitch will be, just send your wonderful letters, and Ill send what I can! Got the packeage! Its waitin for me in the office! Thanks! Love ya! Pres gave the okay on Ward. Fill ya in better next week!
Tchau!

Elder Jake

March 28, 2011 letter

Alrighty! I have a lil more time this week! Woohoo!

Last week I did have a great letter for ya, but as it was sending the computer froze up a bit and then my time ran out! I was a tad frustrated, but mostly because I knew y letters had been so short the weeks before!

Well, I got the shoes! They are great! Seem way sturdy, and light. And not too bad lookin either! Im diggin'em. Showed up on the day my 4th pair of shoes wore through in the sole! Crazy. Nice timing! And nice shoes. Also came with a sweet lil bag that I'll be using from now on for divisions! Thanks! I dont think I need anything else for now!

Shoot. I cant remember what information you guys actually because last weeks letter didnt get to you. I might repeat a few things.

My comp! Elder F. Rocha. Super tight guy. One more Mineiro (from Minas Gerais) that I will be sending home. He is one of my favorite comps though. Really excited, I havent seen him down yet. And always has an answer for everything, which even if he's just pullin it out of the fire, haha sounds good. I an learning a ton with him! I am working a ton on the way I talk to people, letting them feel my love, even when I may be frustrated with them. I need to not show my frustration, and my comp is way good at that. Way good.

Pink eye? Well, Sister Richardson will probably kill me cause I havent gotten it treated yet. But it is 95% gone. I just havent had time! But It is going down, you cant tell anymore. PS, my comp just put anti-septic gel on his eyes! He is so worried about getting it haha. But he hasnt so I guess its worth it. We had a few investigators who got it as well and tried to use it as an excus to not go to church. Drove me a lil crazy, but most of them went! Wohoo! Thats faith!

Marc and Michelle! I had gotten your email the day before (P-day is now on Mondays). I had a lil wish in my heart that I would be in the office when they came by, but I didn't think it was going to happen. My comp got a phone call during the meeting on wednesday and so we left to answer and as I let the bathroom, I saw them. They did indeed look American. I was really excited to see them Really made my day. They are so cool. The office elders also had the same comments. They are a really special family. I could feel their love for me and the work. Lifted me a ton. Tell em thanks! and those easter peanut butter eggs are gone-my FAVORITE treat from the USA. The peanut butter is a third gone as well. Dont have any bread, but I do have a spoon!

I have five mins or less. Shoot.

Basically I am loving the mission! Its been pushing me a ton these few weeks, and I have been able to push away feelings of insecurity and incapability. The Lord has been filling me with his love and spirit! I am greatful for the opotunity to serve the Lord, and His children, missionaries and investigators! and members!

Ilove you guys! You guys are the best!

Elder Jake

The non letter from March 22, along with a wonderful gift

Here is Jake's letter from this week -

Hey guys!
I think my email got lost. I am so sorry! I Dont have time to retype it! AHHHHH! I love you gys., it was such a good email too....
Jake

Today, I received this wonderful email from my cousin Michelle. She and her husband had lived in Brazil for five or so years, then returned to the US a few years ago. They went down to Sao Paulo to visit good friends, etc. And they made a wonderful effort to find Elder Jake. Every missionary parent needs amazing and thoughtful family members like Marc and Michelle. This is the email:

Hi!

I have to tell you that I'm so glad we got to see your Jake! We went to the mission office Wednesday and they told us that Jake was in a training at a church all day and that the church was close. So we found it and parked and when we went up to the gates, they were both padlocked with no one in sight to open them for us. So we stood out there for a bit, then, of all the missionaries that were there that day, Jake happened to be returning from the restroom and saw us down the hall and he said he thought "hey they look American". So he came down and opened the gate for us. Can you believe that coincidence?

What a great young man and missionary son you have. He had just gotten pink eye so his eyes were bloodshot but he said that they were going to give him some drops. I could just feel the Spirit so strongly around him. I told Marc that it was as if he had a shield of the Spirit around him and in just standing near him, you felt that impression and love of the Spirit. It reassured me that Heavenly Father loves his missionaries, and in particular, your son. He was stumbling to find English words which is a great sign for his Portuguese:). We gave him some peanut butter, salsa, and Reese's Easter eggs. I felt bad though that he'd have to carry them home with him on the bus.

We took a picture with him that I told him I'd send on to you, so I'll do that soon after I load our pictures. As we drove away, I became very teary, even though Jake doesn't know us well, but as a mom too and in feeling the Spirit and knowing that your son was okay and must be doing amazing work for our Heavenly Father in spreading the message of the Gospel.

I also go to meet Sis. Richardson at church on Sunday and she is really great. They have 12 children, with just their last 3 there now. Their son is at BYU and Jessica knows him and he is getting ready for his mission in Texas. I liked her a lot! I guess Jake will have a new mission president for a few months when they go home in July.

Love,Michelle