Thank you so much for the emails, I figured that because of the time difference I didn’t get it time. That is so exciting E estou muito animado that Levi is engaged. It feels as if it is a pretty big prank, but I am very excited to hear to good news. All I ask is to send a picture to my mission Home, because I will get it in about 6 weeks.
The CTM is different than Provo. First of all, this CTM is a fortress with 20ft high wall, razor wire and spikes on the walls, with motion detectors, and a Israeli security firm that protects us. Don’t worry the Brazilian people are very nice, e muito Bom. The food is much better, different and much healthier. The teaching is different, with all native teachers. We learn grammar and then we apply everything in teaching and practicing. TE is wonderful because we get real advice on things we need to improve. This last Friday we went out proselyting in Casa Verde. It was difficult at first to speak to the brasileiros, but I could feel the Lord was helping me speak to the people with the spirit. We talked to several people that were Catholic and didn’t want anything to do with us but still were very friendly. Many people in Brazil say they have Books of Mormon, most of our time we committed people to read it, pray about it, and go to church that Sunday. We did talk to a few people and I felt the Book of Mormon in some way will change their lives. It is truly wonderful to share the truth of the gospel to the people of Brazil.
The language is coming faster than I thought possible, the gift of tongues is real and we couldn’t do this work without it. The cool thing is the help the Brazilians give you, and we in turn teach them a little bit of Ingles.
I love you both, Levi and minha Irmá Julie; ok, Spanish seems awkward and Portuguese seems natural. Levi did you now a Lopez family in Argentina, I know an elder here that might have remembered you
This gospel is wonderful and I feel the blessings and I know you guys are too. Eu amo todas pessoas em Brasil e voces. Até Logo tchau tchau.
Elder Sands
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Brazil is a wonderful, hot and rainy country. It is great to be here studying the gospel in Portuguese and learning to speak with the native speakers. We are getting to know people in Portuguese before we teach a lesson, is it difficult, but it is easier when you just say the language from the verbs and words you know.
This Friday we are going out into the neighborhood around the CTM and handing out some os Livros de Mormon. It is getting us ready to work and get used to the language; I hope they will understand the importance of the Book of Mormon and the Gospel we are there to share with them.
This past week I have done the most learning so far. Irmão Zamboi, one of my teachers, has been teaching us about learning, growing, changing yourself inside rather than blaming others for not learning, and to apply the principles of the gospel in your life. Every day I learn, and it is great to set goals for learning and to meet them, showing the lord you want to learn and he then helps you do that.
We are able to go out on P-day around the neighborhood and go to shops, mail letters and just talk to the people. The Brazilian people are so nice that they do like to have fun and help you if you just try and open your mouth.
The Food is always wonderful, what I have discovered is that some foods taste a little weird by itself but when you mix it with rice, it is fantastic. I also love this fruit call goiaba which the closest taste it compares to is a current berry but has a lime green skin and dark red on the inside, Levi might have had some. The candy and chocolate is good, but when you mention peanut butter all of the Brazilians go crazy.
This church is true and that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet to translate the Book of Mormon, We need to read it and apply the principles in it in our lives, and we need to develop a testimony of it and a love for it.
I will assume you still love me, I didn’t get your letter this week, I write at 1:00 my time which is 4 hours ahead of Washington time. Are you getting my Emails? I am collecting pictures to send and even some great landscapes for mom.
Até logo, tchau.
Elder Sands
This Friday we are going out into the neighborhood around the CTM and handing out some os Livros de Mormon. It is getting us ready to work and get used to the language; I hope they will understand the importance of the Book of Mormon and the Gospel we are there to share with them.
This past week I have done the most learning so far. Irmão Zamboi, one of my teachers, has been teaching us about learning, growing, changing yourself inside rather than blaming others for not learning, and to apply the principles of the gospel in your life. Every day I learn, and it is great to set goals for learning and to meet them, showing the lord you want to learn and he then helps you do that.
We are able to go out on P-day around the neighborhood and go to shops, mail letters and just talk to the people. The Brazilian people are so nice that they do like to have fun and help you if you just try and open your mouth.
The Food is always wonderful, what I have discovered is that some foods taste a little weird by itself but when you mix it with rice, it is fantastic. I also love this fruit call goiaba which the closest taste it compares to is a current berry but has a lime green skin and dark red on the inside, Levi might have had some. The candy and chocolate is good, but when you mention peanut butter all of the Brazilians go crazy.
This church is true and that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet to translate the Book of Mormon, We need to read it and apply the principles in it in our lives, and we need to develop a testimony of it and a love for it.
I will assume you still love me, I didn’t get your letter this week, I write at 1:00 my time which is 4 hours ahead of Washington time. Are you getting my Emails? I am collecting pictures to send and even some great landscapes for mom.
Até logo, tchau.
Elder Sands
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
It was good to talk to you guys. I was a little down that night, we were tired, hot, and weary but I am glad we were only stuck in Dallas for one day. At the airport we were a little bored, but we were able to talk to some great people about life and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We also meet a lot of Brazilian members that were flying down to São Paulo and were able to understand a little and talk a little to them.
We were soon on the 9 and a half hour flight, I was sitting with a Brazilian and spoke a little too. I told him I was a missionary for the church but it was hard understanding him and talking with him. Then we made it to the airport and went through customs and I exchanged my money for 16 Reals. We then got on a bus to the CTM/MTC in São Paulo. I was hot, I was sticky and I needed to shave but we were all so happy to finally be in Brazil.
The food here is wonderful, different some times, but wonderful. The rice and beans is served in every meal and it is really tasty. For Breakfast we eat paninees, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. The Guadana is wonderful and it doesn’t really taste like the ginger ale and apple cider mix we had with the Crumps, but it is good.
The Learning and teaching here is different, it is wonderful to be able to speak the language with any Brazilian and they are very nice. They are a bit crazy and full of energy but great people. We also have one Brazilian in our room with his companion from Peru who is learning Portuguese. It is cool to see many Argentinians here as well. There is an Elder Lopez that says he remembers you, but he was speaking in Portuguese at the time so I don´t know for sure.
We are learning a lot more grammar but also focusing on getting to know investigators and teaching to that need. It is hard sometimes with the different situations that we have, it really teaches us to rely on the spirit and also know how to teach to answer their questions.
Wednesday is my P-day. On P-Days we get to go to the temple, it is beautiful and a wonderful time to learn and be edified. Also we get to go out and shop look around and talk with people. The ties down here are very cheap 15 reais for 2 ties or 4-6 bucks a tie.
I got to go but this gospel is true and the work is real and wonderful.
Elder Sands
We were soon on the 9 and a half hour flight, I was sitting with a Brazilian and spoke a little too. I told him I was a missionary for the church but it was hard understanding him and talking with him. Then we made it to the airport and went through customs and I exchanged my money for 16 Reals. We then got on a bus to the CTM/MTC in São Paulo. I was hot, I was sticky and I needed to shave but we were all so happy to finally be in Brazil.
The food here is wonderful, different some times, but wonderful. The rice and beans is served in every meal and it is really tasty. For Breakfast we eat paninees, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. The Guadana is wonderful and it doesn’t really taste like the ginger ale and apple cider mix we had with the Crumps, but it is good.
The Learning and teaching here is different, it is wonderful to be able to speak the language with any Brazilian and they are very nice. They are a bit crazy and full of energy but great people. We also have one Brazilian in our room with his companion from Peru who is learning Portuguese. It is cool to see many Argentinians here as well. There is an Elder Lopez that says he remembers you, but he was speaking in Portuguese at the time so I don´t know for sure.
We are learning a lot more grammar but also focusing on getting to know investigators and teaching to that need. It is hard sometimes with the different situations that we have, it really teaches us to rely on the spirit and also know how to teach to answer their questions.
Wednesday is my P-day. On P-Days we get to go to the temple, it is beautiful and a wonderful time to learn and be edified. Also we get to go out and shop look around and talk with people. The ties down here are very cheap 15 reais for 2 ties or 4-6 bucks a tie.
I got to go but this gospel is true and the work is real and wonderful.
Elder Sands
Thursday, April 21, 2011
NOTE: 1 NEW PICTURE! CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO THE RIGHT TO VIEW THE PICTURE ALBUM.
Dear Parents,
We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.
They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.
The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.
Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.
Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”
Please accept our love,
President Donald L Clark and Sister Zaza Clark
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . .
DO NOT SEND PACKAGES to the Brazil Missionary Training Center. All packages must be sent directly to the mission where your missionary will be serving not the MTC. If you have already mailed a package to the Brazil MTC and it arrives after your missionary has left for the field, please understand that the package cannot be forwarded to his or her mission and will be returned to you. The only other option is for us to open the package and forward the letters and photographs, giving the rest of the content of the package to the missionaries that are here.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE SENDING HAND WRITTEN LETTERS. Please write your missionary´s first and last name. Your missionary will provide you with his district and box number. Also, please DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BY FEDEX, DHL, UPS, or other private carriers. The cost to get this type of correspondence is exorbitant.
Dear Parents,
We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.
They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.
The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.
Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.
Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”
Please accept our love,
President Donald L Clark and Sister Zaza Clark
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . .
DO NOT SEND PACKAGES to the Brazil Missionary Training Center. All packages must be sent directly to the mission where your missionary will be serving not the MTC. If you have already mailed a package to the Brazil MTC and it arrives after your missionary has left for the field, please understand that the package cannot be forwarded to his or her mission and will be returned to you. The only other option is for us to open the package and forward the letters and photographs, giving the rest of the content of the package to the missionaries that are here.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE SENDING HAND WRITTEN LETTERS. Please write your missionary´s first and last name. Your missionary will provide you with his district and box number. Also, please DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BY FEDEX, DHL, UPS, or other private carriers. The cost to get this type of correspondence is exorbitant.
Friday, April 15, 2011
This has been a great week but also a little crazy. On Saturday my companion Elder Peterson went home to get surgery on his knee, and on Tuesday 5 Elders in our district went to the Brazil MTC leaving just four Elders this week, Elder Dimond my new companion, Elder Buchanan, Elder Clay and myself Elder Sands. Also on Tuesday night we had the great blessing of hearing from Elder Rasband. He talked about the great gift of the Holy Ghost and how to always have it with you. I learned that when we listen, and then do what the spirit directs then we will be lead to who the Lord has prepared, and that he can count on me to fulfill this great responsibility.
Then on Thursday we got our visas. 3 of us anyways, poor Elder Dimond is still waiting for his visa and is the only one left in our district. We are praying he will get his soon. I will be leaving to Sao Paulo on Tuesday the 19. I will try and call you at 7-7:30 Texas time.
Today, Friday I had the wonderful blessing to go to the Provo Temple, what a wonderful experience, and it is much bigger than the Spokane temple, I almost got lost in it if it weren’t for my companion steering me in the right direction. We even saw our teacher Irmao Canan on his day off in the temple, that was really exciting.
The Provo MTC has taught me many things, patience, charity for everyone, kindness, studying by the spirit, and trusting the Lord to help me out.
Also during our last TRC, when we taught, the lesson was everywhere by we knew we were being directed by the spirit, and that let us know we are doing the right thing.
This is the true gospel of Jesus Cristo and was restored on the earth again by Joseph Smith the prophet, the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I invite all who read this to read it and pray to know if it is true, if you do not have a copy two missionaries will be happy to take one to you. Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on the earth today. And Jesus Christ is my savior and the savior of all mankind and we need to follow his example and have faith in him, repent of our sins, be baptized with one who has the authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and heed it's promptings, and endure to the end.
I will next write from the Brazil MTC!
Love,
Elder Sands
Then on Thursday we got our visas. 3 of us anyways, poor Elder Dimond is still waiting for his visa and is the only one left in our district. We are praying he will get his soon. I will be leaving to Sao Paulo on Tuesday the 19. I will try and call you at 7-7:30 Texas time.
Today, Friday I had the wonderful blessing to go to the Provo Temple, what a wonderful experience, and it is much bigger than the Spokane temple, I almost got lost in it if it weren’t for my companion steering me in the right direction. We even saw our teacher Irmao Canan on his day off in the temple, that was really exciting.
The Provo MTC has taught me many things, patience, charity for everyone, kindness, studying by the spirit, and trusting the Lord to help me out.
Also during our last TRC, when we taught, the lesson was everywhere by we knew we were being directed by the spirit, and that let us know we are doing the right thing.
This is the true gospel of Jesus Cristo and was restored on the earth again by Joseph Smith the prophet, the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I invite all who read this to read it and pray to know if it is true, if you do not have a copy two missionaries will be happy to take one to you. Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on the earth today. And Jesus Christ is my savior and the savior of all mankind and we need to follow his example and have faith in him, repent of our sins, be baptized with one who has the authority, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and heed it's promptings, and endure to the end.
I will next write from the Brazil MTC!
Love,
Elder Sands
Friday, April 8, 2011
It is Elder Sands, sorry you haven't heard from me in a little while, but because of General Conference we did not get a P-day last week. This past week and a half has been wonderful. I got here and really couldn't believe I am here at the Missionary training center. I meet my district and almost all of them are going to Campinas. The days are made with studying, class time, and more studying, which isn't so bad because you have the spirit of learning that is very hard to get with all of the distractions in the outside world.
The language is going great, the first day our teacher Irmao (brother) Slater only spoke in Portuguese, it was difficult at first, but because we have been trying our best to speak the language all the time the lord is blessing us for our efforts with the gift of tongues. General Conference was wonderful, I loved Sister Stevans talk about how we need to be more like children found in Mosiah 3:19, I made it a goal to be more humble, patient, full of love, and willing to submit my will to the lords.
My companion Elder Peterson is wonderful, he is an elder with few words, but I am learning mountains from him, it humility, brotherly love, and patience. I need to tell you what is going on with us. He has been recovering from an ACL tear for 4 mouths and unfortunately he re torn it on the second day hear. After spending hours in the doctor’s office he has torn his ACL, MCL and his meniscus. He is leaving tomorrow to get surgery on it, and hopefully in 3 mouths he will be here again. I am very sad but will pull through.
Five elders in my district have their visas but not me and they leave Tuesday. I will be praying for it and hope it will come soon. I have been able to talk with Elder Lee a bit and he also got his visa and is leaving Tuesday. So I will have to see what will happen.
I am learning much and doing much; on our first TRC contacting in Portuguese it was rough the first time but got better by the third time. And we taught with the spirit and testified of the truthfulness of this gospel and we looked into their eyes and watched how the spirit was working on them, even though they were just volunteers.
It is great to hear from you and thank you for the letters, for right now just dear elder me because we only have 30 minutes and it is not that much time.
Thank you much I love you and will be out here for two years in service to the Lord.
Love,
Elder Sands
The language is going great, the first day our teacher Irmao (brother) Slater only spoke in Portuguese, it was difficult at first, but because we have been trying our best to speak the language all the time the lord is blessing us for our efforts with the gift of tongues. General Conference was wonderful, I loved Sister Stevans talk about how we need to be more like children found in Mosiah 3:19, I made it a goal to be more humble, patient, full of love, and willing to submit my will to the lords.
My companion Elder Peterson is wonderful, he is an elder with few words, but I am learning mountains from him, it humility, brotherly love, and patience. I need to tell you what is going on with us. He has been recovering from an ACL tear for 4 mouths and unfortunately he re torn it on the second day hear. After spending hours in the doctor’s office he has torn his ACL, MCL and his meniscus. He is leaving tomorrow to get surgery on it, and hopefully in 3 mouths he will be here again. I am very sad but will pull through.
Five elders in my district have their visas but not me and they leave Tuesday. I will be praying for it and hope it will come soon. I have been able to talk with Elder Lee a bit and he also got his visa and is leaving Tuesday. So I will have to see what will happen.
I am learning much and doing much; on our first TRC contacting in Portuguese it was rough the first time but got better by the third time. And we taught with the spirit and testified of the truthfulness of this gospel and we looked into their eyes and watched how the spirit was working on them, even though they were just volunteers.
It is great to hear from you and thank you for the letters, for right now just dear elder me because we only have 30 minutes and it is not that much time.
Thank you much I love you and will be out here for two years in service to the Lord.
Love,
Elder Sands
Monday, February 28, 2011
This week wasn’t very exciting, we were all sick!
This week I go to Bahía Blanca and then we have interviews too. But even though we don’t have much time this week we have some amazing investigators!
Have a great week, Chao
Elder Sands
This week I go to Bahía Blanca and then we have interviews too. But even though we don’t have much time this week we have some amazing investigators!
Have a great week, Chao
Elder Sands
Monday, February 14, 2011
I didn’t send a good recording but I wasn’t feeling well today. I’ve been fighting my health.
It would seem that we we’re able to move out finally.
So we’re going to have two baptisms this week. Two ladies are ready and so we’re going to go on with it.
I have to go, have a great week.
Elder Sands
It would seem that we we’re able to move out finally.
So we’re going to have two baptisms this week. Two ladies are ready and so we’re going to go on with it.
I have to go, have a great week.
Elder Sands
Monday, February 7, 2011
Well still we’re very complicated with the house it’s such a pain! I’m can’t stand missionaries that break EVERYTHING!
I did get transferred but only to the other side of the area so I lose all of my investigators but I get all of the investigators of the other Elders that live with us. I’m now with Elder Palma from Lima Peru.
So I don’t really have much time at the President sent a huge letter so I ran out of time but I love you all and have a great week! chau!
Elder Sands
I did get transferred but only to the other side of the area so I lose all of my investigators but I get all of the investigators of the other Elders that live with us. I’m now with Elder Palma from Lima Peru.
So I don’t really have much time at the President sent a huge letter so I ran out of time but I love you all and have a great week! chau!
Elder Sands
Monday, January 31, 2011
This week was awesome and yet still really messed up. First the messed up part. We still aren’t out of this apartment and it is just a black hole when it comes to time. Thankfully we had more time than last week but still we lost a lot of hours to the house problems. We still have a lot to do but we should be moving Wednesday if all goes according to plan.
So as for the awesome part Marisa got Baptized! She’s so amazing and very humble and sensitive to the spirit. She said that when we put our hands on her head she felt like a fire! The spirit is sometimes something instant in terms of the way that we feel it.
So now we have some more investigators that are progressing. We have this Catholic lady Marta that is way prepared but her husband has dementia so it makes it a little difficult for her to come to things, but she was really impressed with how one member acted in the hospital as a volunteer and she was so impacted that she let us in and wanted to know what was it about that woman that made her that way. She loved the restauración as we shared it with her. She later told us about how she was having a terrible time after we had been by and she knew that it was Satan that didn’t want her to accept this!
There’s also another kid named Damian that we may be able to baptize this week because he’s been going for a year and a half and he never got baptized but now that he’s moved from Buenos Aires to here, it seems as though he wants to get baptized. We’ll find out soon on that!
The Lord is very merciful!
Have a great week, I love you all!
Elder Sands
So as for the awesome part Marisa got Baptized! She’s so amazing and very humble and sensitive to the spirit. She said that when we put our hands on her head she felt like a fire! The spirit is sometimes something instant in terms of the way that we feel it.
So now we have some more investigators that are progressing. We have this Catholic lady Marta that is way prepared but her husband has dementia so it makes it a little difficult for her to come to things, but she was really impressed with how one member acted in the hospital as a volunteer and she was so impacted that she let us in and wanted to know what was it about that woman that made her that way. She loved the restauración as we shared it with her. She later told us about how she was having a terrible time after we had been by and she knew that it was Satan that didn’t want her to accept this!
There’s also another kid named Damian that we may be able to baptize this week because he’s been going for a year and a half and he never got baptized but now that he’s moved from Buenos Aires to here, it seems as though he wants to get baptized. We’ll find out soon on that!
The Lord is very merciful!
Have a great week, I love you all!
Elder Sands
Monday, January 17, 2011
Not much that happened this week as my comp and I we’re both sick on and off. We found out that something got in the water on this side of the city and has been affecting a ton of people, but we’re starting to get over it.
Officially we started to fix the house. Today was crazy. I had to pack up again and we’re playing musical chairs with the rooms in the house. Hopefully it’ll be done soon, it’s really a huge problem because it all takes so much time. We do at least have some options for a house! We still have to do a little bit of investigating in that so we’ll keep praying.
As for investigators, we do have the one lady that I talked about. She went to church yesterday with her family! She’s so ready to get baptized!
Thanks for everything have a great week! Chau
Elder Sands
Officially we started to fix the house. Today was crazy. I had to pack up again and we’re playing musical chairs with the rooms in the house. Hopefully it’ll be done soon, it’s really a huge problem because it all takes so much time. We do at least have some options for a house! We still have to do a little bit of investigating in that so we’ll keep praying.
As for investigators, we do have the one lady that I talked about. She went to church yesterday with her family! She’s so ready to get baptized!
Thanks for everything have a great week! Chau
Elder Sands
Monday, January 10, 2011
This week wasn’t one that i would like to repeat. I got really sick on Wednesday night and after that and Thursday it didn’t really let up until late.
On Friday we had to stay in the house for several hours while some people came in and fixed all of the glass in the house. It’s been way complicated and we still haven’t really started anything. We did however have a miracle happen the son of the member who is helping us fix up the house, his wife wants to take the lessons and we’ve gone by to start that on Saturday. Today we go back again. We don’t know if they came to church yesterday because they said that they might go to a different ward.
That’s pretty much it for this week! Hopefully this week will be a bit more routine in that we get to teach a lot more!
Have a great week Chau!
Elder Sands
On Friday we had to stay in the house for several hours while some people came in and fixed all of the glass in the house. It’s been way complicated and we still haven’t really started anything. We did however have a miracle happen the son of the member who is helping us fix up the house, his wife wants to take the lessons and we’ve gone by to start that on Saturday. Today we go back again. We don’t know if they came to church yesterday because they said that they might go to a different ward.
That’s pretty much it for this week! Hopefully this week will be a bit more routine in that we get to teach a lot more!
Have a great week Chau!
Elder Sands
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wow, an exhausting week! We covered three areas pretty much all week long, it was crazy! I was with another Elder all week long because Elder Carter, an ex comp of mine, was sick and since my comp can’t walk, we we’re on "Divisions" all week which allowed us to more or less keep on working as "normal." Anyway after we did a whole bunch of walking and trying to work three areas which literally take up a third of the city, we are both very tired to say the least.
There is an Elder that had to go to Bahía Blanca so that when the next available plane that goes to the states comes, he can get there easier as he has to go back for an operation. He was with us until we went with Elder Sweany who is Elder Carter’s comp and we dropped him off with Elder Carter once he was feeling better. After that we were once again not able to do much because Elder Risenhoover can’t really walk at all.
All of the members were out of town or with family because New Year’s here is kind of like the biggest holiday that they have all year.
And with all that, here is the big news, I got called on Thursday night and was told that I’m getting transferred in 3 hours to Mar Del Plata to replace the Elder that has to go to the states. There wasn’t any room on the buses until Sunday night so I was able to stay and say a goodbye to everyone in the ward yesterday! I’m going to miss Villa Floresta a lot. The members have been really incredible. They helped us out a ton and even though we didn’t find anyone completely prepared to accept the gospel, I know that we did help a lot of people there and that they are in a position to listen more to the spirit because we did our best and some day they will get baptized and others are now returning to activity and getting the blessings of the gospel more completely in their lives.
Well, I had more to say than I thought I would. Have a great week and thanks for everything!
Elder Sands
There is an Elder that had to go to Bahía Blanca so that when the next available plane that goes to the states comes, he can get there easier as he has to go back for an operation. He was with us until we went with Elder Sweany who is Elder Carter’s comp and we dropped him off with Elder Carter once he was feeling better. After that we were once again not able to do much because Elder Risenhoover can’t really walk at all.
All of the members were out of town or with family because New Year’s here is kind of like the biggest holiday that they have all year.
And with all that, here is the big news, I got called on Thursday night and was told that I’m getting transferred in 3 hours to Mar Del Plata to replace the Elder that has to go to the states. There wasn’t any room on the buses until Sunday night so I was able to stay and say a goodbye to everyone in the ward yesterday! I’m going to miss Villa Floresta a lot. The members have been really incredible. They helped us out a ton and even though we didn’t find anyone completely prepared to accept the gospel, I know that we did help a lot of people there and that they are in a position to listen more to the spirit because we did our best and some day they will get baptized and others are now returning to activity and getting the blessings of the gospel more completely in their lives.
Well, I had more to say than I thought I would. Have a great week and thanks for everything!
Elder Sands
Monday, December 27, 2010
This past week was difficult as not much happened due mostly to lack of time on our part and on the part of the people.
This coming week is also going to be interesting because my companion can’t walk. He has some serious knee problems and this week we’re going to be getting every test that we can think of. This will allow the president; my comp and his parents to make the best decision. So with all of that in mind I’m a bit frustrated.
Elder Garcia and I we worked so hard and nothing really happened. We saw a lot of good people get really, really close to making covenants with our Heavenly Father and then get cold feet or not do their part to receive the blessings. However the work of the Lord moves on.
Again this week we will be in clinics and hospitals probably all week! It will be interesting to see what doors the Lord opens in this different setting, so I’ll let all of you know how it goes.
We’ve already received a lot of support from the members here who are already trying to make plans so that we can still teach but it’s going to be difficult but then again, nothing worthwhile in life is easy! So we’ll really all we have to get the spirit and do all we can to help all the people we can!
Thanks for everything and Have a great week.
Elder Sands
This coming week is also going to be interesting because my companion can’t walk. He has some serious knee problems and this week we’re going to be getting every test that we can think of. This will allow the president; my comp and his parents to make the best decision. So with all of that in mind I’m a bit frustrated.
Elder Garcia and I we worked so hard and nothing really happened. We saw a lot of good people get really, really close to making covenants with our Heavenly Father and then get cold feet or not do their part to receive the blessings. However the work of the Lord moves on.
Again this week we will be in clinics and hospitals probably all week! It will be interesting to see what doors the Lord opens in this different setting, so I’ll let all of you know how it goes.
We’ve already received a lot of support from the members here who are already trying to make plans so that we can still teach but it’s going to be difficult but then again, nothing worthwhile in life is easy! So we’ll really all we have to get the spirit and do all we can to help all the people we can!
Thanks for everything and Have a great week.
Elder Sands
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
It’s Christmas! And it’s really, really hot down here. Yesterday it got up to 96 degrees! Anyway I figured I’d give you all the gift that is the dearest thing I own.
I KNOW that God lives, He loves us more than we can imagine and He wants the best for us. His son Jesus Christ also loves us so much He gave more than just His life for us, He gave all He is for us! He wants us to be perfect so that we can become like Him and have the same happiness that He has. He’s given us the prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon so that we can know how we can do our best to achieve this perfection. He has also given us a prophet, even Thomas S. Monson who leads us as the mouthpiece of God. I KNOW all of this because I’ve done what I could to be ready and prepared to receive an answer from God by His Spirit. He answered me! I KNOW that it is all true and that with the help and through the atonement of Christ we might all be with our Father in Heaven again someday.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Love Elder Sands
I KNOW that God lives, He loves us more than we can imagine and He wants the best for us. His son Jesus Christ also loves us so much He gave more than just His life for us, He gave all He is for us! He wants us to be perfect so that we can become like Him and have the same happiness that He has. He’s given us the prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon so that we can know how we can do our best to achieve this perfection. He has also given us a prophet, even Thomas S. Monson who leads us as the mouthpiece of God. I KNOW all of this because I’ve done what I could to be ready and prepared to receive an answer from God by His Spirit. He answered me! I KNOW that it is all true and that with the help and through the atonement of Christ we might all be with our Father in Heaven again someday.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Love Elder Sands
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
First off I’m writing today because my comp was sick yesterday and by the time he felt better, we had to go to an appointment, so I’m letting you know I’m fine and you’ll get everything next week.
Chau!
Elder Sands
Chau!
Elder Sands
Monday, December 6, 2010
This week was slow. The only people that seemed to be there were members that are less active.
I’m devastated to think how the gospel could change some peoples, so many people’s lives, if only they would listen for a half-hour!
But something interesting that did happen, my last comp Elder Vazquez contacted me to tell me that he is going to a different area a little bit early so he gave a report. Some of the investigators that he and I were teaching when I left, many have been baptized! The mother and daughter of Andre; Nilda and Coti, the lady from the Dominican Republic; Gorgina, the granddaughter of one of the members; Sofia (and her dad too!), the daughter of a less active family that we were working with; Natalia (I had only met her like once), and a random contact that I remember meeting one night in the busy part of downtown; Norma (and her daughter!), all baptized! So he didn’t really want to go but then again I didn’t want to either. It’s wonderful to know all of these people and the happiness that they now have and to think that so many more could feel that same way, have those and more blessings... if only they would listen. How many of us are listening to Him when he calls. I pray that we might always hear Him when he’s trying to help us, comfort us and guide us.
Have a great week and I love you all. Chau!
Elder Sands
I’m devastated to think how the gospel could change some peoples, so many people’s lives, if only they would listen for a half-hour!
But something interesting that did happen, my last comp Elder Vazquez contacted me to tell me that he is going to a different area a little bit early so he gave a report. Some of the investigators that he and I were teaching when I left, many have been baptized! The mother and daughter of Andre; Nilda and Coti, the lady from the Dominican Republic; Gorgina, the granddaughter of one of the members; Sofia (and her dad too!), the daughter of a less active family that we were working with; Natalia (I had only met her like once), and a random contact that I remember meeting one night in the busy part of downtown; Norma (and her daughter!), all baptized! So he didn’t really want to go but then again I didn’t want to either. It’s wonderful to know all of these people and the happiness that they now have and to think that so many more could feel that same way, have those and more blessings... if only they would listen. How many of us are listening to Him when he calls. I pray that we might always hear Him when he’s trying to help us, comfort us and guide us.
Have a great week and I love you all. Chau!
Elder Sands
Monday, November 29, 2010
Well this week wasn't the most interesting. We did a ton of walking again yesterday. Our ward boundary is a little interesting so we have a neighborhood that is really far. So we went out there to see what is was like. We walked 20 something kilometers in like 3 hours.
So we now have the date set for Alejandro and Irene for December 11th! We're also going to baptize Domingo and maybe Jorje. We're really excited for all of these people who are accepting the Lord in their life, it's really amazing to see the changes in their lives!
As a side note I went and gave a talk yesterday. I'll give all of you some advice don't ever write the notes for your talk in the same spot where just a minute earlier you cut up an onion! jajaja yeah it's just as it sounds. Nevertheless the talk went well.
The Lord loves us infinitely, always remember that!
Thanks for everything.
Elder Sands
So we now have the date set for Alejandro and Irene for December 11th! We're also going to baptize Domingo and maybe Jorje. We're really excited for all of these people who are accepting the Lord in their life, it's really amazing to see the changes in their lives!
As a side note I went and gave a talk yesterday. I'll give all of you some advice don't ever write the notes for your talk in the same spot where just a minute earlier you cut up an onion! jajaja yeah it's just as it sounds. Nevertheless the talk went well.
The Lord loves us infinitely, always remember that!
Thanks for everything.
Elder Sands
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