Oi todo bem
Christmas went very well it was good to talk with everyone, I am sorry if I acted a little Crazy i was very excited to talk to everyone. Here for Christmas we went to the house of a member of Saturday and there we had a feast and had a secret Santa type thing, a member that owns close store gave Elder Cunha and I cuflfing which are a little fancy but now a I need to get a shirt so that I can use them. Sunday we had sacrament meeting and after we went to the house of another member to eat lunch and use Skype because Elder Cunha didn't talk to his family yet. Sunday was our p-day which we couldn't do many thing but it was nice to be in an area were the members are great and almost adapt you into their families.
Transfers came and we finally found out what would happen, Elder Cunha was transferred and was called to be Zone leader and I was called to be.....a Trainer, yea I was surprised too. we went to Campinas to get our companions. we had a wonderful training about this new program of training which is 12 weeks and it is two hours of companions study every day. My companion is Elder Inácio he is from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte he is wonderful and has a desire to work, In the training I was feeling a bit overwhelmed but really what President Tanner said is that we have been chose by the lord to train these missionaries and I feel that the lord well help a lot and we will see many miracles in Bom Jesus Dos perdoes.
I have a question about my debit card I can't get money from the ATMs here I wasn't sure I my card can or if you blocked it or because of the bank here in Brazil
Tchau, tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Feliz natal estou muito feliz para vocês
This is always a wonderful time of the year but here is brazil I don't believe it is almost Christmas, it is almost 100 degree almost every day, and it has rain almost every day for the past few week, but singing Christmas hymns every day for personal and companion study is helping a lot.
About the package put in it whatever you want, peanut butter, Oreos would be nice if there is room in the box. One thing, can you put 5 ties of mine that I left in this package I don't have very many and it is very difficult to buy them here for a reasonable price
This week were are preparing two people to be baptized, one (Danel) is a friend of a return missionary of two mouths we are working with his concerns and doubts. We talked with him yesterday and Said he wasn't sure about baptism and wasn't really sure about what he wanted in life. We didn't read for a few days and didn't pray. I said to him that how do you expect to get an answer if you are not doing you part. We need to fulfill are part so that the Lord can do his, but his is bond by eternal law that he can't keep his end of the promise if we don't first do ours. The spirit was there and he has more real intent to know if these things are true and to be baptized this Sunday.
The other person is an older woman of 86 years, whose daughter is an active member, she is really fun and very smart and has healthy mind, many missionaries taught here and visited the Church many times, and right now it is just a matter of baptism.
About the rain one day we were going to a house of an investigator who lives a long ways outside of the city, we took the wrong road and Elder Cunha said to take a sort path through the wilderness, we crossed a river and hiked through brush 4 feet high, but we made it on time to the house of the investigator, but we were completely wet.
I can use Skype the Wednesday before Christmas the day of the 21 of Dec I hope we can work something out so that I can speak with you and with Julie and Levi, let me know what I need to do to use Skype and tell me a time that is good for everyone it would be better in the morning or early afternoon the time difference is 5-6 hours but check to be sure
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
This is always a wonderful time of the year but here is brazil I don't believe it is almost Christmas, it is almost 100 degree almost every day, and it has rain almost every day for the past few week, but singing Christmas hymns every day for personal and companion study is helping a lot.
About the package put in it whatever you want, peanut butter, Oreos would be nice if there is room in the box. One thing, can you put 5 ties of mine that I left in this package I don't have very many and it is very difficult to buy them here for a reasonable price
This week were are preparing two people to be baptized, one (Danel) is a friend of a return missionary of two mouths we are working with his concerns and doubts. We talked with him yesterday and Said he wasn't sure about baptism and wasn't really sure about what he wanted in life. We didn't read for a few days and didn't pray. I said to him that how do you expect to get an answer if you are not doing you part. We need to fulfill are part so that the Lord can do his, but his is bond by eternal law that he can't keep his end of the promise if we don't first do ours. The spirit was there and he has more real intent to know if these things are true and to be baptized this Sunday.
The other person is an older woman of 86 years, whose daughter is an active member, she is really fun and very smart and has healthy mind, many missionaries taught here and visited the Church many times, and right now it is just a matter of baptism.
About the rain one day we were going to a house of an investigator who lives a long ways outside of the city, we took the wrong road and Elder Cunha said to take a sort path through the wilderness, we crossed a river and hiked through brush 4 feet high, but we made it on time to the house of the investigator, but we were completely wet.
I can use Skype the Wednesday before Christmas the day of the 21 of Dec I hope we can work something out so that I can speak with you and with Julie and Levi, let me know what I need to do to use Skype and tell me a time that is good for everyone it would be better in the morning or early afternoon the time difference is 5-6 hours but check to be sure
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Ola familia tudo bem:
The work is wonderful and in this season of Christmas everything will be good. Here in Perdoes we are working here to bring soul unto heavenly father. We are having some difficulties finding people, but we are receiving a lot of references from the members here, references boas. We taught a young man yesterday who is a friend of a returned missionary, he accepted baptism and we will be teaching and working with him to baptism him in two weeks. One thing that I am working on is making those relationships of trust and friendships with investigators and with the members. As a missionary you really have to show joy and a positive attitude to inspire and lift those around, members, missionaries, investigators every one.
How did thanksgiving go, and Acea's birthday, here In brazil it does not feel like the Christmas Season, it is hot and rainy. Almost every day we have some short of rain fall and with this hot climate you can really feel the heat. I am feel like I am lacking snow but I am glad I don't have to shove for two years. I have a question are the Elders still living in our house or because of the downsizing of elders in the ward our house wasn't needed?
I have a question. I found a man here that repairs the church Buildings here near Campinas, I first ran it to him in June my first Area, and a I bumped into him again, and he said that he had a Companion whose name was Elder Hainsworth from Spokane Washington, I said I will ask a few people to see if Brother Hainsworth served in Curitiba Brazil. Could you ask him if he remembers having a companion named Elder Feliciano? That would we pretty neat if it was indeed him.
I have found out that I might be able to use Skype on Christmas Eve that Saturday to talk to you but I will make sure and let you know, can you send me anyways what I need to know to use Skype?
Love Elder Sands
The work is wonderful and in this season of Christmas everything will be good. Here in Perdoes we are working here to bring soul unto heavenly father. We are having some difficulties finding people, but we are receiving a lot of references from the members here, references boas. We taught a young man yesterday who is a friend of a returned missionary, he accepted baptism and we will be teaching and working with him to baptism him in two weeks. One thing that I am working on is making those relationships of trust and friendships with investigators and with the members. As a missionary you really have to show joy and a positive attitude to inspire and lift those around, members, missionaries, investigators every one.
How did thanksgiving go, and Acea's birthday, here In brazil it does not feel like the Christmas Season, it is hot and rainy. Almost every day we have some short of rain fall and with this hot climate you can really feel the heat. I am feel like I am lacking snow but I am glad I don't have to shove for two years. I have a question are the Elders still living in our house or because of the downsizing of elders in the ward our house wasn't needed?
I have a question. I found a man here that repairs the church Buildings here near Campinas, I first ran it to him in June my first Area, and a I bumped into him again, and he said that he had a Companion whose name was Elder Hainsworth from Spokane Washington, I said I will ask a few people to see if Brother Hainsworth served in Curitiba Brazil. Could you ask him if he remembers having a companion named Elder Feliciano? That would we pretty neat if it was indeed him.
I have found out that I might be able to use Skype on Christmas Eve that Saturday to talk to you but I will make sure and let you know, can you send me anyways what I need to know to use Skype?
Love Elder Sands
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thank you for the Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you have a good time with eating turkey, and the apple and pumpkin pie. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACEA, FELIZ ANIVERSARIO!!!! You will be 16 years old, and that means you can get out there into the world and date all of the righteous young women que alegria.
This past week has been great, a little difficult but great. We are starting almost from scratch, the other elders left a few good people that we are preparing to be baptized but we are slowly building up our teaching pool. The members here are wonderful, they are the most excited and helpful members that I have known on the mission, because they want to help, they want to build up the branch, we have been given many references of friends and family which helps with the integration of present converts to always stay active in the church. There is one thing that I am learning from Elder Cunha and it is to be excited, to really be excited for the work. He is always jumping with joy and shares that joy with everyone and especially with the members, the members need to be your best friend and we help them see the vision of the Branch, but with every goal we need to have faith and not doubt.
One thing I want to say but don't worry too much, we have a rat living in our house. He comes and goes through a little crevice in a door and we got a good look at him on Monday. I took a video which really shows the size; about 8 inches, just pray for us that we can kill him without any problems.
Have a good week and good thanksgiving
Tchau tchau
This past week has been great, a little difficult but great. We are starting almost from scratch, the other elders left a few good people that we are preparing to be baptized but we are slowly building up our teaching pool. The members here are wonderful, they are the most excited and helpful members that I have known on the mission, because they want to help, they want to build up the branch, we have been given many references of friends and family which helps with the integration of present converts to always stay active in the church. There is one thing that I am learning from Elder Cunha and it is to be excited, to really be excited for the work. He is always jumping with joy and shares that joy with everyone and especially with the members, the members need to be your best friend and we help them see the vision of the Branch, but with every goal we need to have faith and not doubt.
One thing I want to say but don't worry too much, we have a rat living in our house. He comes and goes through a little crevice in a door and we got a good look at him on Monday. I took a video which really shows the size; about 8 inches, just pray for us that we can kill him without any problems.
Have a good week and good thanksgiving
Tchau tchau
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
We had transfers this week and us both were transferred, I was transferred to perdões an area close to my second area of Itatiba. My new companion is Elder Cunha he is wonderful, he is really excited to work and we will have miracles here in perdões. We are opening an area and the two elders that left didn’t really leave anything for us, no information of investigators, no information about the area, but we found out the members are really excited to work and almost begged us to let them work with us, and that is what we are going to do, the work really can’t move forward much without the missionaries and the members working together, giving references to the missionaries, making friendships with investigators, etc. I am glad you are worried for me but don’t worry I gave that story to show how much Elder Coelho has helped me grow and really become successful. And I have overcome a lot of weaknesses with teaching, working in the Field, planning, all types of thing that are need to become senior companion.
Your question you asked last week or two about Halloween here in Brazil, it is not the same thing with the gathering of candy at every door, it is only parties because it is part of the American culture they have adopted, but Stores sell costumes which are used for parties.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Your question you asked last week or two about Halloween here in Brazil, it is not the same thing with the gathering of candy at every door, it is only parties because it is part of the American culture they have adopted, but Stores sell costumes which are used for parties.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I am glad that life over there is wonderful and I am really seeing the blessings of the Lord in your lives, and I am glad to see Ben almost ready and I know this is the will of the Lord because of the accident. I will make a video but this time in Portuguese; it is a lot easier and you can use the gift of interpretation of tongues. Just kidding, I will make a video and help him really do his best to get out on the mission, hey who knows maybe he will come here in Campinas Brazil. Those pictures of Acea are very good and I think the bottom one you took in the sink with the spoons and forks, hey you could come here and take all of my pictures that would be really good.
I am glad you can see a change in me, it is sometimes hard to see it in yourself because you also see all of you weaknesses. A few weeks ago we had a companionship inventory which we just talk about things we can do better. Like I said before, the purpose the Mission President put me with Elder Coelho is really to speed up the progress to get to ready to be senior companion, and in that inventory he let it all out, all of the weaknesses. I was almost a the point of a breakdown of confidence because I knew what he said was true and that I need to change, but with the help of the Lord I am overcoming these weaknesses and they are becoming strong.
We are having a lot of miracles here in São Manuel, at first we weren't having much success, but with the help of the Lord we are finding, teaching, and baptizing the elect. Last Saturday we had a wonderful wedding were the wife was preparing to be baptized with her daughter, and that night we had a beautiful baptism were two choice daughters of Heavenly Father entered the waters of baptism to further the happiness and piece that has changed their lives. We are preparing a young woman this week and next week two more, a dad and daughter will be baptized. One thing I am learning is when we do our part the Lord will always do his part, when we do all that we can do the Lord will do all that he can do.
I will let you know if I will be transferred next week
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
I am glad you can see a change in me, it is sometimes hard to see it in yourself because you also see all of you weaknesses. A few weeks ago we had a companionship inventory which we just talk about things we can do better. Like I said before, the purpose the Mission President put me with Elder Coelho is really to speed up the progress to get to ready to be senior companion, and in that inventory he let it all out, all of the weaknesses. I was almost a the point of a breakdown of confidence because I knew what he said was true and that I need to change, but with the help of the Lord I am overcoming these weaknesses and they are becoming strong.
We are having a lot of miracles here in São Manuel, at first we weren't having much success, but with the help of the Lord we are finding, teaching, and baptizing the elect. Last Saturday we had a wonderful wedding were the wife was preparing to be baptized with her daughter, and that night we had a beautiful baptism were two choice daughters of Heavenly Father entered the waters of baptism to further the happiness and piece that has changed their lives. We are preparing a young woman this week and next week two more, a dad and daughter will be baptized. One thing I am learning is when we do our part the Lord will always do his part, when we do all that we can do the Lord will do all that he can do.
I will let you know if I will be transferred next week
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
It's great that you liked the DVD, that has all of the pictures I took up to two weeks ago, If you have any questions or want to know the story behind anyone just ask. I did a little digging about Christmas, If I stayed here in São Manuel I found Skype access but I will have to see if I will be transferred into another area or not.
Thanks for the uplifting encouragement I am learning a lot and learning how to really overcome my weaknesses as a person and as a missionary. My companion (Elder Coelho) is the best, he has taught me more things than my trainer taught me, not about learning Portuguese or learning how to do the basic teaching or techniques but really to speak well, teach with power, and work effectively to find, teach, and baptize children of our Heavenly Father. It has been hard but through the Lord my weaknesses are becoming strong.
This Saturday we will be baptizing a mother and Daughter after her wedding. The wedding and Baptism of Marsia has truly been a miracle, it has be challenging to track down all of the documents required, countless hours of waiting for the Bus, and overcoming every obstacle the enemy has put in our way, but you can feel the love the happiness in the lives of this family and with baptism starts their journey to return with God again and that makes it worth it.
Things are looking up in São Manuel with the help of the members and the cloud of distrust, hopelessness, defeat is starting to dissipate and the light of the gospel and the missionary work is starting to shine through.
An interesting story for you, on Sunday we were making our way to an area in São Manuel a little far, and on the way two ladies going to church stopped us and asked us to check to see if a man that was sleeping on the side of the road was dead. We went and find out he was drunk, very drunk. We helped him up and walk to a park to site and rest and with him was half liter of liquor, my companion asked for it 3 times and finally he gave it to us and right now we have liquor in our apartment, but don't worry we will trough it away where it belongs.
If anyone wants to know anything just ask I will be glad to answer.
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
Thanks for the uplifting encouragement I am learning a lot and learning how to really overcome my weaknesses as a person and as a missionary. My companion (Elder Coelho) is the best, he has taught me more things than my trainer taught me, not about learning Portuguese or learning how to do the basic teaching or techniques but really to speak well, teach with power, and work effectively to find, teach, and baptize children of our Heavenly Father. It has been hard but through the Lord my weaknesses are becoming strong.
This Saturday we will be baptizing a mother and Daughter after her wedding. The wedding and Baptism of Marsia has truly been a miracle, it has be challenging to track down all of the documents required, countless hours of waiting for the Bus, and overcoming every obstacle the enemy has put in our way, but you can feel the love the happiness in the lives of this family and with baptism starts their journey to return with God again and that makes it worth it.
Things are looking up in São Manuel with the help of the members and the cloud of distrust, hopelessness, defeat is starting to dissipate and the light of the gospel and the missionary work is starting to shine through.
An interesting story for you, on Sunday we were making our way to an area in São Manuel a little far, and on the way two ladies going to church stopped us and asked us to check to see if a man that was sleeping on the side of the road was dead. We went and find out he was drunk, very drunk. We helped him up and walk to a park to site and rest and with him was half liter of liquor, my companion asked for it 3 times and finally he gave it to us and right now we have liquor in our apartment, but don't worry we will trough it away where it belongs.
If anyone wants to know anything just ask I will be glad to answer.
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
My materials are good I don't have any problems, the only thing that broke was the screen from my shaver and I will replace it with the new one I have. If you are to send a package peanut butter with candy from the US would be good, maybe some black socks and other things you would like to send and be sure to only use US postal service.
This last week went very well, we are getting everything ready for a wedding the 5th of November, with documents they need to show before, with invitations, it is some work but work that is well worth it so that Marcia can be saved and bring the gospel into her home and to heal this family. It has truly been a miracle and we can feel the love and happiness that has flooded into their lives. We are working with another couple were the Sister (Janaina) is a member and will marry with Adriano the 19 of November he will be baptized the same day with his daughter. On Saturday we were able to go to the temple in Campinas just to see and make a goal with them that in one year they will enter and be sealed, we were able to go into the waiting room and teach them a little about the purpose of temples and where they just get a taste of the spirit and the desire to make it to the end. I have pictures and I will try and send them when I get to a computer that actually works with my camera.
I can use Skype but the problem is being able to find a computer on Sunday that has Skype, but I have to wait to see if I will stay here in São Manuel or move to a different area, because transfers are on the 15 of November, But My companion said that I can call two days before Christmas to arrange for my call or on Skype but I will know more in a few more weeks.
Eu Amo todas de Vocês Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
This last week went very well, we are getting everything ready for a wedding the 5th of November, with documents they need to show before, with invitations, it is some work but work that is well worth it so that Marcia can be saved and bring the gospel into her home and to heal this family. It has truly been a miracle and we can feel the love and happiness that has flooded into their lives. We are working with another couple were the Sister (Janaina) is a member and will marry with Adriano the 19 of November he will be baptized the same day with his daughter. On Saturday we were able to go to the temple in Campinas just to see and make a goal with them that in one year they will enter and be sealed, we were able to go into the waiting room and teach them a little about the purpose of temples and where they just get a taste of the spirit and the desire to make it to the end. I have pictures and I will try and send them when I get to a computer that actually works with my camera.
I can use Skype but the problem is being able to find a computer on Sunday that has Skype, but I have to wait to see if I will stay here in São Manuel or move to a different area, because transfers are on the 15 of November, But My companion said that I can call two days before Christmas to arrange for my call or on Skype but I will know more in a few more weeks.
Eu Amo todas de Vocês Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
I am very excited for you, a great mission leader and a bishop it makes all of the difference. If you can always have investigators with members, which is essential for lasting conversion which the Beacon Hill ward does wonderfully. I guess you can talk about me, but really talk about the joy and the blessing to help people really change their lives and follow Christ by serving a mission.
I am in São Manuel which is pretty small only us two in a city of 50,000 more or less. São Manuel only has a small branch of about 40 active, but things here aren't the greatest, a branch that hasn't grown in 20 year, we have 300 people baptized here in this city but all have left the church for one reason or another, but they didn't really have a firm testimony and the members weren’t in the conversion process. The members really make all of the difference when a ward or branch is unified and willing to work the lord blesses the ward, but when there is no unity people leave. Yes I gave a talk a few weeks ago which went well everyone understood and the spirit was there.
Here in Brazil there was no winter only hot. Some times during the “winter” it got chilly during the night but not too bad. Here is the state of São Paulo it is dry the same thing in Spokane, but this past week it only rained for 7 day it only rained and got pretty humid.
My Companion is wonderful I am learning everything I need to really know to be a good missionary and senior companion, I have learned more things from Elder Coelho than my trainer, he is hard and lets me know when I do things wrong but I learn every time and do better.
We marked two wedding these past two weeks, and what a miracle it has been, we will see 4 people enter the water of baptism in just a short few weeks and I will let you know how it went.
I will find out about Skype and telephone, I heard we can use Skype but everything is closed on Christmas and it is on Sunday and we can't buy the internet time like usual, I will tell you when I find out.
Also I sent a DVD of all of my pictures on Monday and it should arrive in a week or so, let me know when you get it, it has 200 pictures with some video, I hope you will like it.
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
I am in São Manuel which is pretty small only us two in a city of 50,000 more or less. São Manuel only has a small branch of about 40 active, but things here aren't the greatest, a branch that hasn't grown in 20 year, we have 300 people baptized here in this city but all have left the church for one reason or another, but they didn't really have a firm testimony and the members weren’t in the conversion process. The members really make all of the difference when a ward or branch is unified and willing to work the lord blesses the ward, but when there is no unity people leave. Yes I gave a talk a few weeks ago which went well everyone understood and the spirit was there.
Here in Brazil there was no winter only hot. Some times during the “winter” it got chilly during the night but not too bad. Here is the state of São Paulo it is dry the same thing in Spokane, but this past week it only rained for 7 day it only rained and got pretty humid.
My Companion is wonderful I am learning everything I need to really know to be a good missionary and senior companion, I have learned more things from Elder Coelho than my trainer, he is hard and lets me know when I do things wrong but I learn every time and do better.
We marked two wedding these past two weeks, and what a miracle it has been, we will see 4 people enter the water of baptism in just a short few weeks and I will let you know how it went.
I will find out about Skype and telephone, I heard we can use Skype but everything is closed on Christmas and it is on Sunday and we can't buy the internet time like usual, I will tell you when I find out.
Also I sent a DVD of all of my pictures on Monday and it should arrive in a week or so, let me know when you get it, it has 200 pictures with some video, I hope you will like it.
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
I was wondering if Bishop Wilhelm would be released, it's great that Bishop Borders is the Bishop. That is very neat that Acea got to play for Richard Elliott. I bet his was very excited and I hope he learned a lot.
The mission is wonderful and as always not the easiest thing in the world to do. We work hard in the sun and the heat but don't find those people that really want to give up every vice and sins to really follow Jesus Christ and be baptized and stay firm, and endure to the end. We are teaching two couples that are ready to be baptized but have to get married first but with faith and patents they will be married in the near future. My companion is wonderful and I am learning more things than I did with my trainer, to really be the best missionary I can be, in teaching, planning, and everything. I stayed in São Manuel for a least one more transfer and next week we are having a multi-zone conference and I will tell you how it goes.
I have been thinking a lot about happiness and how to really obtain it. As a missionary you are really about to see the people you teach be happy there potential, I think we can just see a little bit of what Heavenly Father sees in us, we teach the gospel which by living it we receive true never ending happiness, but when people don't see that we, us missionaries the message we have, is really the answer to their prays for a better live is truly is heart breaking. Only by living righteously, overcoming our mistakes and weaknesses can we truly have peace and happiness in our lives but we first need to show this happiness with everyone.
I will send my pictures for the plaque and on DVD for you guys the pictures for the plaque I will sent are the best they are going to get.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
The mission is wonderful and as always not the easiest thing in the world to do. We work hard in the sun and the heat but don't find those people that really want to give up every vice and sins to really follow Jesus Christ and be baptized and stay firm, and endure to the end. We are teaching two couples that are ready to be baptized but have to get married first but with faith and patents they will be married in the near future. My companion is wonderful and I am learning more things than I did with my trainer, to really be the best missionary I can be, in teaching, planning, and everything. I stayed in São Manuel for a least one more transfer and next week we are having a multi-zone conference and I will tell you how it goes.
I have been thinking a lot about happiness and how to really obtain it. As a missionary you are really about to see the people you teach be happy there potential, I think we can just see a little bit of what Heavenly Father sees in us, we teach the gospel which by living it we receive true never ending happiness, but when people don't see that we, us missionaries the message we have, is really the answer to their prays for a better live is truly is heart breaking. Only by living righteously, overcoming our mistakes and weaknesses can we truly have peace and happiness in our lives but we first need to show this happiness with everyone.
I will send my pictures for the plaque and on DVD for you guys the pictures for the plaque I will sent are the best they are going to get.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thank you for you wonderfully inspiring letter Acea and I am glad you like General Conference, I loved Elder Holland’s Talk, Elder Christofferson, Elder Scott foi muito bom. Acea I am sorry that I have not sent many pictures and they aren't very good I will do my very best to send them. I only have email right now and I can't even take the pictures from my camera in this area, but I will probably send a DVD of all of my pictures. If I had more time and not serving the Lord I would have perfect pictures, it is important to send picture to share the experience of the mission but a mission is not only about the pictures. You will understand it is not so easy on your mission.
General conference was great Acea. Yes I watched all 10 hours in Portuguese, It was great and a privilege but of course I didn't understand 100% perfect but I understood what the spirit spoke to me. I loved Elder Scotts talk, it was helpful to me to learn Portuguese better and comforting to, because he speaks Portuguese fluently Elder Scott translated and recorded himself speak in Portuguese which inspired me. And a neat fact, all of the talk for general conference are translated in Brazil by one brother in writing he is the stake president of the Stake itatiba my last area and had the privilege to talk to him, what a spiritual giant and very humble.
So great news, we are helping a couple marry and we sent for his birth certificate two weeks ago, and because of the post office strike going on right now we received it on Monday and we will mark a date and baptize him in the near future, a elect, a eleito is a person that accepts everything and desires to be baptized which he really is.
I had a question, for Christmas would it be possible to make a conference call with you and Levi and Julie?
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
General conference was great Acea. Yes I watched all 10 hours in Portuguese, It was great and a privilege but of course I didn't understand 100% perfect but I understood what the spirit spoke to me. I loved Elder Scotts talk, it was helpful to me to learn Portuguese better and comforting to, because he speaks Portuguese fluently Elder Scott translated and recorded himself speak in Portuguese which inspired me. And a neat fact, all of the talk for general conference are translated in Brazil by one brother in writing he is the stake president of the Stake itatiba my last area and had the privilege to talk to him, what a spiritual giant and very humble.
So great news, we are helping a couple marry and we sent for his birth certificate two weeks ago, and because of the post office strike going on right now we received it on Monday and we will mark a date and baptize him in the near future, a elect, a eleito is a person that accepts everything and desires to be baptized which he really is.
I had a question, for Christmas would it be possible to make a conference call with you and Levi and Julie?
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Man! I hoped that picture would do it and, what you said is great, but the hard part is trying to explain that to my Brazilian companion. I will keep on trying but it is going to take longer. I looked at one picture before and looked fine even when I zoomed in. I don't know.
I have not been to the Campinas temple yet, only 3 zones get to go that are in Campinas, I almost when two times, I was in one zone that would go in august but I was transferred, and I was transfer to the Area of Sousas which is the area of the temple which was 15 minutes walking distance from our house and I was to go the 2nd week there but was transferred again and have been very far away right now 4 hours away from Campinas.
Last Sunday we had a baptism of a young man named João Lucas who has been wanted to be baptized for some time but his dad gave permission just last Saturday. He is truly elect and excited and motivated to endure to the end.
This is the last week of this transfer, President Tanner is back and we are making good progress with two couples, one Adriano last Wednesday said that he truly wants to be baptized the one thing that we are waiting for it to get him married with I think will happen next transfer, he even went on visits with member helping them with rides and really getting excited to learn and grow in the Gospel.
One thing that I have been noticing with my speaking abilities is that the people that want to listen to us, care to learn and are receptive, understand me perfectly but the people that don't really care to listen or keep commitments don't understand me very well, and they don't understand my Brazilian companion.
I will work on the picture situation and let you all know whether I have been transferred or not.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
I have not been to the Campinas temple yet, only 3 zones get to go that are in Campinas, I almost when two times, I was in one zone that would go in august but I was transferred, and I was transfer to the Area of Sousas which is the area of the temple which was 15 minutes walking distance from our house and I was to go the 2nd week there but was transferred again and have been very far away right now 4 hours away from Campinas.
Last Sunday we had a baptism of a young man named João Lucas who has been wanted to be baptized for some time but his dad gave permission just last Saturday. He is truly elect and excited and motivated to endure to the end.
This is the last week of this transfer, President Tanner is back and we are making good progress with two couples, one Adriano last Wednesday said that he truly wants to be baptized the one thing that we are waiting for it to get him married with I think will happen next transfer, he even went on visits with member helping them with rides and really getting excited to learn and grow in the Gospel.
One thing that I have been noticing with my speaking abilities is that the people that want to listen to us, care to learn and are receptive, understand me perfectly but the people that don't really care to listen or keep commitments don't understand me very well, and they don't understand my Brazilian companion.
I will work on the picture situation and let you all know whether I have been transferred or not.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Well president Tanner is coming back next week, it was a little strange without him but I know that the mission needed the council of Presidente Pizzirani, I learn a lot from him and will use it for the rest of my life.
This week went good and bad. We are working with a wonderful part member family. The husband has a desire to be baptized but has a strange concept that he is not even ready to go to church, but we got him to commit to come this week and also to a dedication of the newly built Church building in Botucatu. We are also helping them marry so that he can be baptized. We also are helping a elect lady marry so that she can be baptized too. But the sad part is one lady Andreia I talked about last week she was doing well with the smoking but she didn't read at all has no desire to go to church because she is going to another church, that is the hard part about Brazil almost everyone has a religion and they all think that if a church preaches about Christ it doesn't matter which church you go to, and if a man preaches about Christ they have authority. It is hard but we really find the elect that truly what to follow Christ and be baptized.
This last week when we were finding people to teach we ran across an older lady in her 70's that was chopping down a fairly large tree with a machete in such a way that it would have fallen on her if we didn't help. We insisted and we helped, we secured the top of the tree and went to work hacking at it, we eventually succeeded and taught her about the restoration.
I will send the picture soon; just hold on a bit more.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
This week went good and bad. We are working with a wonderful part member family. The husband has a desire to be baptized but has a strange concept that he is not even ready to go to church, but we got him to commit to come this week and also to a dedication of the newly built Church building in Botucatu. We are also helping them marry so that he can be baptized. We also are helping a elect lady marry so that she can be baptized too. But the sad part is one lady Andreia I talked about last week she was doing well with the smoking but she didn't read at all has no desire to go to church because she is going to another church, that is the hard part about Brazil almost everyone has a religion and they all think that if a church preaches about Christ it doesn't matter which church you go to, and if a man preaches about Christ they have authority. It is hard but we really find the elect that truly what to follow Christ and be baptized.
This last week when we were finding people to teach we ran across an older lady in her 70's that was chopping down a fairly large tree with a machete in such a way that it would have fallen on her if we didn't help. We insisted and we helped, we secured the top of the tree and went to work hacking at it, we eventually succeeded and taught her about the restoration.
I will send the picture soon; just hold on a bit more.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
I can’t believe that Tommie passed away, it seems unreal but we all know where he went and is now and the hope we have. But he will be serving a mission in a different way.
Congratulations Acea, you conquered a task that seemed overwhelming only to those who aren’t willing to work for it. And more importantly your gospel knowledge has grown and capacity to learn and retain more has grown, parabems
I did take the picture, the problem now is finding a place I can send it, but I will do my very best to send it in the next few weeks.
Well It difficult to say anything really interesting, the same things occur every day, find, teach, and baptize. We are working with a wonderful lady who is a great friend of a member in Branch (who gives us a lot of oranges because she pick oranges for a living) Andreia, this lady, came to us and said I really want to quit smoking but have never succeeded, we started out slowly but she has done wonders, she started out with 40 cigarettes a day mais ou menos, right now 5 and every day a little less. We also are working with a young man 12 years old who wants to be baptized really bad, he has read the Book of Mormon all of the way through, but the only difficulty is his dad hasn’t given him permission until now and we hope to baptize him this Sunday.
I don’t have really crazy stories but I will try, our house is by a lot of trees and a stream, every night we get a lot of mosquitoes, my first nights here my arms were covered, and I had a tough time sleeping, now every night we have the fan on and cover my arms and face in bug stray. There is a song in Portuguese a returned missionary from Recefe made sobre the live of a missionary it is funny because everything he says is really true, in one part he sings about a person asking him to do magic, here in São Manuel we get that a lot, yesterday we had to kids come up to us and say faz magica (do magic) i think they were a little disappointed when we said we didn’t know how.
This is what happens here is São Manuel and I will hopefully send the picture soon, but I am doing the best I can with this, finding a nice background you will like. Understanding the way you want me to take it, and the time I have to take it. I have it now and I will send it.
Elder Sands
Congratulations Acea, you conquered a task that seemed overwhelming only to those who aren’t willing to work for it. And more importantly your gospel knowledge has grown and capacity to learn and retain more has grown, parabems
I did take the picture, the problem now is finding a place I can send it, but I will do my very best to send it in the next few weeks.
Well It difficult to say anything really interesting, the same things occur every day, find, teach, and baptize. We are working with a wonderful lady who is a great friend of a member in Branch (who gives us a lot of oranges because she pick oranges for a living) Andreia, this lady, came to us and said I really want to quit smoking but have never succeeded, we started out slowly but she has done wonders, she started out with 40 cigarettes a day mais ou menos, right now 5 and every day a little less. We also are working with a young man 12 years old who wants to be baptized really bad, he has read the Book of Mormon all of the way through, but the only difficulty is his dad hasn’t given him permission until now and we hope to baptize him this Sunday.
I don’t have really crazy stories but I will try, our house is by a lot of trees and a stream, every night we get a lot of mosquitoes, my first nights here my arms were covered, and I had a tough time sleeping, now every night we have the fan on and cover my arms and face in bug stray. There is a song in Portuguese a returned missionary from Recefe made sobre the live of a missionary it is funny because everything he says is really true, in one part he sings about a person asking him to do magic, here in São Manuel we get that a lot, yesterday we had to kids come up to us and say faz magica (do magic) i think they were a little disappointed when we said we didn’t know how.
This is what happens here is São Manuel and I will hopefully send the picture soon, but I am doing the best I can with this, finding a nice background you will like. Understanding the way you want me to take it, and the time I have to take it. I have it now and I will send it.
Elder Sands
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Thank you very much Levi for sending the invitation it looks very nice.
This week has forever changed my life and even the way I think. On Monday we went to Campinas to receive training and interviews with our new mission Presidente Pizzirani. He is wonderful, not very hard on the rules but very excited and really got me motivated to really work and baptize. He mostly talked about how to really set goals and plans to make our goals a reality. 4 things a goal needs to have, first very specific, second is it measurable, third is it realistic, and forth is it a challenge where you stretch and grow and rely on the Lord for help.
He gave an example of these 4 principles with a question a Brazilian had with learning English. The goal specific is to learn in one year, every day study 45 minutes; this is both specific and measurable. every day learn 10 different verbs with is very doable, if you learn 10 verbs in English for one year you will know 3,650 verbs and you can speak any language fluently with that many verbs.
He really inspired me to set these kinds of goals and a desire to fulfill them. One last story he told us that change the way I look at preaching the gospel. One Elder in Brazilia, where President Pizzirani served as a mission president, arrived in an area that was the hardest in the mission, the ward didn't help the Bishop didn't care, and that area is very nice and no one had success there for over one year. The first thing that Elder did was pray and made promises with the lord that he will not return to the house until he found one of the elect (a person that is prepared to receive the Gospel). Every day we went out and talked with people, not made contacts with people only for the numbers but the goal to find the elect. every day he found one, every week he started out with 3 investigators coming to church , next week 6, next week 10, 13, 15, 20, everyone in the ward was surprised, and he was baptizing every week. 2, 3, 4, people every week.
This got me thinking and changed how I find, teach and feel about this work.
This Gospel and Church is the church of Jesus Christ, he is our Savior and redeemer of the world and he guides this work. Joseph Smith really saw Christ and Heavenly Father and restored the fullness of the gospel on the earth again. only by living the gospel and be baptized can we truly have never ending happiness, there is no other way, And if you read the Book of Mormon with a desire above all else to know if it is true, you will receive that answer as it will change your life. This is my testimony that there is no other way, only through the Church of Jesus Christ with authority of God on the earth.
Tchau, Tchau
Elder Sands
This week has forever changed my life and even the way I think. On Monday we went to Campinas to receive training and interviews with our new mission Presidente Pizzirani. He is wonderful, not very hard on the rules but very excited and really got me motivated to really work and baptize. He mostly talked about how to really set goals and plans to make our goals a reality. 4 things a goal needs to have, first very specific, second is it measurable, third is it realistic, and forth is it a challenge where you stretch and grow and rely on the Lord for help.
He gave an example of these 4 principles with a question a Brazilian had with learning English. The goal specific is to learn in one year, every day study 45 minutes; this is both specific and measurable. every day learn 10 different verbs with is very doable, if you learn 10 verbs in English for one year you will know 3,650 verbs and you can speak any language fluently with that many verbs.
He really inspired me to set these kinds of goals and a desire to fulfill them. One last story he told us that change the way I look at preaching the gospel. One Elder in Brazilia, where President Pizzirani served as a mission president, arrived in an area that was the hardest in the mission, the ward didn't help the Bishop didn't care, and that area is very nice and no one had success there for over one year. The first thing that Elder did was pray and made promises with the lord that he will not return to the house until he found one of the elect (a person that is prepared to receive the Gospel). Every day we went out and talked with people, not made contacts with people only for the numbers but the goal to find the elect. every day he found one, every week he started out with 3 investigators coming to church , next week 6, next week 10, 13, 15, 20, everyone in the ward was surprised, and he was baptizing every week. 2, 3, 4, people every week.
This got me thinking and changed how I find, teach and feel about this work.
This Gospel and Church is the church of Jesus Christ, he is our Savior and redeemer of the world and he guides this work. Joseph Smith really saw Christ and Heavenly Father and restored the fullness of the gospel on the earth again. only by living the gospel and be baptized can we truly have never ending happiness, there is no other way, And if you read the Book of Mormon with a desire above all else to know if it is true, you will receive that answer as it will change your life. This is my testimony that there is no other way, only through the Church of Jesus Christ with authority of God on the earth.
Tchau, Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
I am sorry it is taking so long to get the picture, it is a little difficult to find a spot with a nice background that you will like, and my old companion was tired of taking pictures, but I will take a picture here in a praça (park or square) that has very beautiful gardens. But I don´t know if I can send it while I am here because my companion told me the computers don´t work with the cameras. You can tell people I am on my mission really and steer them to the Blog
Well we have had a few changes in the mission, we have a new mission President, Presidente Pizzirani, President Tanner was not realized but had to go back to the US to have surgery on his leg, and He was hoping to be back by December or January. It is interesting the different between Brazilians and American Presidents. Brazilians are more prone to rules, whereas Americans and Especially President Tanner is a lot more calm leaving it up to the missionaries to choose to be obedient and only the rules that anything that will damage our ability to receive the spirit, the reputation of the Church and as a missionary in Missão Brasil Campinas we should not do.
Other things about the mission and Brazil; we receive an allowance like every other mission every 15 days of 90 reais (60-70 dollars) but in some places more expensive 100 reais to 150 reais. Here in São Manuel we get 100 R$, but most of our money goes to transportation on buses. The buses aren’t too expensive, but when you have to travel a lot for meetings and interview it quickly adds up. We get some money for food, but mostly from money members give us to eat.
The food here is wonderful, we do eat rice and beans every time we eat with members, but with other foods too, chicken is very popular because it is cheap, but also beef is really good too. We also drink a lot of soda; I love orange Fanta and Guarana, muito bom. And dad we eat a lot of Ice cream too, it is the same thing in the US and very cheap to.
This is just a little about the mission in Missão Brasil Campinas for you.
I will do my best to take the picture for the plaque soon
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Well we have had a few changes in the mission, we have a new mission President, Presidente Pizzirani, President Tanner was not realized but had to go back to the US to have surgery on his leg, and He was hoping to be back by December or January. It is interesting the different between Brazilians and American Presidents. Brazilians are more prone to rules, whereas Americans and Especially President Tanner is a lot more calm leaving it up to the missionaries to choose to be obedient and only the rules that anything that will damage our ability to receive the spirit, the reputation of the Church and as a missionary in Missão Brasil Campinas we should not do.
Other things about the mission and Brazil; we receive an allowance like every other mission every 15 days of 90 reais (60-70 dollars) but in some places more expensive 100 reais to 150 reais. Here in São Manuel we get 100 R$, but most of our money goes to transportation on buses. The buses aren’t too expensive, but when you have to travel a lot for meetings and interview it quickly adds up. We get some money for food, but mostly from money members give us to eat.
The food here is wonderful, we do eat rice and beans every time we eat with members, but with other foods too, chicken is very popular because it is cheap, but also beef is really good too. We also drink a lot of soda; I love orange Fanta and Guarana, muito bom. And dad we eat a lot of Ice cream too, it is the same thing in the US and very cheap to.
This is just a little about the mission in Missão Brasil Campinas for you.
I will do my best to take the picture for the plaque soon
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I am so excited for Levi and Julie and for the whole family, and those pictures are so wonderful, even the picture Levi kissed Julie. I am so glad that everyone could make it. Don’t worry about me I can feel a little of the love, spirit, and excitement that occurred; way to go.
Well I have been transferred again and I am about 4 and a half hours away from Campinas, in a small town São Manuel. My new companion is Elder Coelho da Silva, a brasierio, who is a great missionary. The trip over wasn’t as long as your but 4 hours wasn’t that bad, we slept in the house of the Zone leaders last night to catch the bus to São Manuel at 9a.m. This town is pretty old and old in the mission, right now there is branch here and the capela (chapel) is a house, but we well change that pretty soon.
Thank you for the confidence in me, I am always learning to be patient with the process of becoming the best missionary I can be. I have been thinking lately, I haven’t had as much success and other missionary in the field in terms of baptisms. This is a baptizing mission and there are people who really want to be baptised, but were to find them. It is normal to baptize 3, 4, 5 in a week and more in a mouth, but me only two. But these are two, I started really pondering over this, and the scripture in Doctrine and Convents 18 came to mind. “if you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto the children of men and bring just one soul how great should be your Joy, How great shall be your Joy if you can bring many souls unto God” How great shall be my joy with two souls children of heavenly father that are on their way to return to his presence, and After this how much desire I had to really find those people that are ready to receive the gospel, and too to really rely and have trust in the spirit. The thing I have been think has been a little lacking is using the spirit in finding, we have found some elect and it is possible, but now the trick is to develop this.
Thank you much for the pictures and the love, tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Well I have been transferred again and I am about 4 and a half hours away from Campinas, in a small town São Manuel. My new companion is Elder Coelho da Silva, a brasierio, who is a great missionary. The trip over wasn’t as long as your but 4 hours wasn’t that bad, we slept in the house of the Zone leaders last night to catch the bus to São Manuel at 9a.m. This town is pretty old and old in the mission, right now there is branch here and the capela (chapel) is a house, but we well change that pretty soon.
Thank you for the confidence in me, I am always learning to be patient with the process of becoming the best missionary I can be. I have been thinking lately, I haven’t had as much success and other missionary in the field in terms of baptisms. This is a baptizing mission and there are people who really want to be baptised, but were to find them. It is normal to baptize 3, 4, 5 in a week and more in a mouth, but me only two. But these are two, I started really pondering over this, and the scripture in Doctrine and Convents 18 came to mind. “if you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto the children of men and bring just one soul how great should be your Joy, How great shall be your Joy if you can bring many souls unto God” How great shall be my joy with two souls children of heavenly father that are on their way to return to his presence, and After this how much desire I had to really find those people that are ready to receive the gospel, and too to really rely and have trust in the spirit. The thing I have been think has been a little lacking is using the spirit in finding, we have found some elect and it is possible, but now the trick is to develop this.
Thank you much for the pictures and the love, tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
That you for the letter Julie, and Parabens for your casamento por eternidade (marriage for eternity). Welcome to the family again, and I would love to see some picture of your reception and other events.
This is the last week of my second transfer here in Missão Brasil Campinas, time is never enough to get things done sometimes. Oh and I have exciting news, we are preparing two teenagers for baptism this Sunday and they are different than any other investigators we have had, they expect everything, read all that we have them read and when we asked them about baptism they were sincerely excited for their baptisms.
The process I am going through to become a true missionary is coming along, line upon line, lesson upon lesson, conversation upon conversation. Being like Ammon I have learned does not happen overnight but a process, a process that if build upon principles of the gospel and diligence we will become a powerful, successful, Christlike servant of the lord. But and the same time you can be successful day one, when you have the desire, goals, consistently grow and learn, practice, learn from mistakes and struggles, let the Lord mold you into the instrument he want and needs you to be, align your will with his, and work diligently, we are successful.
My Portuguese is becoming better every day, and as I look back at the beginning of this transfer I have progressed a lot. The funny thing is English I harder for me to speak than Portuguese. I say phrases and pronounce words for my Elder Martins my Brazilian companion, but a conversation is difficult. I have seen that as I have worked and only speaking in Portuguese the lord has blessed me with the gift of tongues and has taught me the lessons I needed to learn and still need to learn.
Até mais
Elder Sands
This is the last week of my second transfer here in Missão Brasil Campinas, time is never enough to get things done sometimes. Oh and I have exciting news, we are preparing two teenagers for baptism this Sunday and they are different than any other investigators we have had, they expect everything, read all that we have them read and when we asked them about baptism they were sincerely excited for their baptisms.
The process I am going through to become a true missionary is coming along, line upon line, lesson upon lesson, conversation upon conversation. Being like Ammon I have learned does not happen overnight but a process, a process that if build upon principles of the gospel and diligence we will become a powerful, successful, Christlike servant of the lord. But and the same time you can be successful day one, when you have the desire, goals, consistently grow and learn, practice, learn from mistakes and struggles, let the Lord mold you into the instrument he want and needs you to be, align your will with his, and work diligently, we are successful.
My Portuguese is becoming better every day, and as I look back at the beginning of this transfer I have progressed a lot. The funny thing is English I harder for me to speak than Portuguese. I say phrases and pronounce words for my Elder Martins my Brazilian companion, but a conversation is difficult. I have seen that as I have worked and only speaking in Portuguese the lord has blessed me with the gift of tongues and has taught me the lessons I needed to learn and still need to learn.
Até mais
Elder Sands
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
PARABENS MEU IRMÃO E CUNHADA AMADOS. It is so exciting to see (hear) the joy, love, challenges, success, of your engagement and marriage.
This week has been great! We had the baptism of Adriano and he is truly elect, he was prepare to reacive and live the gospel with are the people that really desire to be baptised. We found another elect family that came and watched Adriano be baptised, and they are learning, and living the gospel. We taught the word of Wisdom yesterday and even though they have some problems with café, fumo (smoking) they sincerely accepted to live this mandamento.
The Mission is exciting and what we do helps share the gospel. My companion is a little energetic and gets excited and works hard with that, and the people we teach feel this excitement and have desire to do but a little lack of the rules of the mission. This is the balance I am trying to find and Improve, to have that excitement, fun, and being friendly but also be 100% obedient, humble, kind, loving and powerful when teaching. The best example of this is Joseph Smith, in the film “Joseph Smith, The prophet of the Restoration”, is perfect to explain this. He had the power and authority and power of a prophet but still played with the kids, had that fun with his fellow brothers, lived with that Christ like optimism and excitement, and joy of the gospel. Many missionaries are fun to be around, are excited, but have a distaste for the rules, and there are missionaries that are completely serious who work hard but don’t make those friendships and the atmospheres of trust that are so very important with working with the members and helping people be baptised. Many people only think you can be one or the other, but there is a balance that is necessary to find. Like all thing I am improving on this. Teaching with love power, conviction, and excitement is also so thing I am working on too.
But one thing that I am learning with Elder Martins is that rules are important and are here for a reason, Missionaries that don’t learn to not only do them, but love them they will not love to keep the commandments when they return home, all things, I am learning, has a time a place, but we have to find those times place and method to use them.
It is so wonderful and excited to see many people in the stake serve missions, this is the joy the gospel brings.
If anyone would like to write me and has a Washington Quarter to please send it with the letter. A brother here has many US Quarter and need this one to complete the collection.
Tchau, tchau
Elder Sands
This week has been great! We had the baptism of Adriano and he is truly elect, he was prepare to reacive and live the gospel with are the people that really desire to be baptised. We found another elect family that came and watched Adriano be baptised, and they are learning, and living the gospel. We taught the word of Wisdom yesterday and even though they have some problems with café, fumo (smoking) they sincerely accepted to live this mandamento.
The Mission is exciting and what we do helps share the gospel. My companion is a little energetic and gets excited and works hard with that, and the people we teach feel this excitement and have desire to do but a little lack of the rules of the mission. This is the balance I am trying to find and Improve, to have that excitement, fun, and being friendly but also be 100% obedient, humble, kind, loving and powerful when teaching. The best example of this is Joseph Smith, in the film “Joseph Smith, The prophet of the Restoration”, is perfect to explain this. He had the power and authority and power of a prophet but still played with the kids, had that fun with his fellow brothers, lived with that Christ like optimism and excitement, and joy of the gospel. Many missionaries are fun to be around, are excited, but have a distaste for the rules, and there are missionaries that are completely serious who work hard but don’t make those friendships and the atmospheres of trust that are so very important with working with the members and helping people be baptised. Many people only think you can be one or the other, but there is a balance that is necessary to find. Like all thing I am improving on this. Teaching with love power, conviction, and excitement is also so thing I am working on too.
But one thing that I am learning with Elder Martins is that rules are important and are here for a reason, Missionaries that don’t learn to not only do them, but love them they will not love to keep the commandments when they return home, all things, I am learning, has a time a place, but we have to find those times place and method to use them.
It is so wonderful and excited to see many people in the stake serve missions, this is the joy the gospel brings.
If anyone would like to write me and has a Washington Quarter to please send it with the letter. A brother here has many US Quarter and need this one to complete the collection.
Tchau, tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Oi Familia tudo bem? Como vocês estão.
I sound like you had a wonderful time I hope Acea, sometimes things aren’t perfect, but we can still find that joy and learn from things. Things are always good If we want them to be, happiness and joy is a choice we make not is circumstances we find ourselves in. for my I would much rather have that hope and fun rather than looking for things we don’t like.
The work is moving forward here in Itatiba. This city is the city of hills, and hills, and a small hill in the near distance, but one thing is my strength is increasing, and some times and the rate of my ability to speak Portuguese. I also have really exciting news, we are helping another wonderful brother enter the waters of baptism on Saturday night. It is exciting because he can now progress, sentir este felicidade and receber the holy ghost sempre (always). We have found people, taught people, brought people to church, but only those who are truly prepared and elect have the desire to know for themselves if these things are true and a desire to be baptised. We haven’t had a lot of baptisms but I know that these two people are firm and truly have a desire to live the gospel and that brings me much joy.
My Mission life in the first few months really is the ground I am building my mission off of, every day I truly realize that I don’t do things that great, I have many weaknesses, and I have my own challenges as well. With teaching, every time I teach I realize I can do better and need to do better, some time I feel like I haven’t learn anything. But the one thing that is hard is teaching in Portuguese and no one understands, they look at you funny and my companion then re-explains everything I just said. But I am grateful for this; to break me down so that I can be molded into the instrument the Lord can then thrash the wheat of the harvest. I learn and improve from these things; some Elders I see don’t learn from their weaknesses and never improve. I know in whom I can really trust, that he has strengthened me and continues to strengthen me and is slowly but surely making my weaknesses become strong.
One thing I have been really focusing on is teaching with much more excitement, power and effective ness with questions, scriptures and love to. One great example I learn from a lot is the gospel principles teaches in the Ward. She is Italian and shows that excitement that makes me feel like that we can baptize hundreds. This is what I am working on, and I can see how much I have improved in just a few months, this is exciting and oh if I can just show you these people and where they were and where they are going then people will realize how great this work is.
Até next week, tchau tchau
Elder Sands
I sound like you had a wonderful time I hope Acea, sometimes things aren’t perfect, but we can still find that joy and learn from things. Things are always good If we want them to be, happiness and joy is a choice we make not is circumstances we find ourselves in. for my I would much rather have that hope and fun rather than looking for things we don’t like.
The work is moving forward here in Itatiba. This city is the city of hills, and hills, and a small hill in the near distance, but one thing is my strength is increasing, and some times and the rate of my ability to speak Portuguese. I also have really exciting news, we are helping another wonderful brother enter the waters of baptism on Saturday night. It is exciting because he can now progress, sentir este felicidade and receber the holy ghost sempre (always). We have found people, taught people, brought people to church, but only those who are truly prepared and elect have the desire to know for themselves if these things are true and a desire to be baptised. We haven’t had a lot of baptisms but I know that these two people are firm and truly have a desire to live the gospel and that brings me much joy.
My Mission life in the first few months really is the ground I am building my mission off of, every day I truly realize that I don’t do things that great, I have many weaknesses, and I have my own challenges as well. With teaching, every time I teach I realize I can do better and need to do better, some time I feel like I haven’t learn anything. But the one thing that is hard is teaching in Portuguese and no one understands, they look at you funny and my companion then re-explains everything I just said. But I am grateful for this; to break me down so that I can be molded into the instrument the Lord can then thrash the wheat of the harvest. I learn and improve from these things; some Elders I see don’t learn from their weaknesses and never improve. I know in whom I can really trust, that he has strengthened me and continues to strengthen me and is slowly but surely making my weaknesses become strong.
One thing I have been really focusing on is teaching with much more excitement, power and effective ness with questions, scriptures and love to. One great example I learn from a lot is the gospel principles teaches in the Ward. She is Italian and shows that excitement that makes me feel like that we can baptize hundreds. This is what I am working on, and I can see how much I have improved in just a few months, this is exciting and oh if I can just show you these people and where they were and where they are going then people will realize how great this work is.
Até next week, tchau tchau
Elder Sands
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