Very clever Acea, Maybe a little cruel, but I know you would do something cool because you are very very creative and that is why you do so well creating music and other neat things, who will you go with, what is her name?
Well I have some terrible news, the whole mission is terribly sad because of this; we learned in a leadership meeting on Tuesday that President Tanner will end his mission at the end of two years which is this July. We only have 4 months with him before he goes home. If you didn't know, President Tanner has a disease that weakens his legs and other parts of is body, sometimes he can't walk very well because his is in a lot of pain. When Elder Ballard and Anderson came to the mission they noticed he didn't look very well and they spoke with President Monson and he will be released in July. We will get another president, President Perrotti a Brazilian, I think he will be good because his was the church director of seminary here in Brazil and loves working with youth.
The work is progressing, this last Sabbath day we had many miracles happen. One is that we received a reference from a member and that she is very interested and we will plan to teach her and plan her baptism for the 11 of March. We taught a man whose name is Caio we found and we went to church, yesterday I was on a division with Elder Gilherme, the Zone leader, and we helped him mark the date 18 of March to be baptized. With our hard work the lord is giving us the blessings and we are seeing them in abundance. A few weeks ago I was not sure how we will succeed to baptize people this month but I knew it will work out and after the test of our faith we can see.
Thank you very much for the support and love
tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The mission field is a wonderful thing, and to feel the spirit of this work is wonderful.
We have been working to find the elect here in Perdoes and to find families to teach and help them receive the blessings of baptism and other ordinances of the gospel. We have been working as much as we can and we have found people that are receptive, the only thing to do now is help them recognize an answer that the Book of Mormon is true and the necessity to follow this answer. We are working with a young Woman, Katia who is the granddaughter of a sister in the ward, we have been helping her receive a desire to really pray about the Book of Mormon and see the importance of baptism and we will go with another member to help her feel the desire to really know. We found a family who the mom gathered all of the kids and husband to hear our lesson, I have never seen this on my mission, they accepted baptism and everything, but when we were marking the date for the to be baptism they were with doubt because they were baptized in the Catholic church and so on, we taught that a baptism is valid only with age of accountability, immersion, and with authority of God, we gave them the Book of Mormon and to pray to see if they need to be baptized again by whom that has authority of God and they accepted to read pray and visit the church. We continue to do our part to preach the gospel and with a little faith they will receive this answer from the Spirit and will be baptized.
That is wonderful that Acea will go to Eastern and didn't even take a test, did the rules change? It would be good if you can send me some of Acea's music and some piano music of hymns of the church and other songs. And I would love to see some pictures from the Priest Laurel dinner Dance, and who will he go with and how did he ask?
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
We have been working to find the elect here in Perdoes and to find families to teach and help them receive the blessings of baptism and other ordinances of the gospel. We have been working as much as we can and we have found people that are receptive, the only thing to do now is help them recognize an answer that the Book of Mormon is true and the necessity to follow this answer. We are working with a young Woman, Katia who is the granddaughter of a sister in the ward, we have been helping her receive a desire to really pray about the Book of Mormon and see the importance of baptism and we will go with another member to help her feel the desire to really know. We found a family who the mom gathered all of the kids and husband to hear our lesson, I have never seen this on my mission, they accepted baptism and everything, but when we were marking the date for the to be baptism they were with doubt because they were baptized in the Catholic church and so on, we taught that a baptism is valid only with age of accountability, immersion, and with authority of God, we gave them the Book of Mormon and to pray to see if they need to be baptized again by whom that has authority of God and they accepted to read pray and visit the church. We continue to do our part to preach the gospel and with a little faith they will receive this answer from the Spirit and will be baptized.
That is wonderful that Acea will go to Eastern and didn't even take a test, did the rules change? It would be good if you can send me some of Acea's music and some piano music of hymns of the church and other songs. And I would love to see some pictures from the Priest Laurel dinner Dance, and who will he go with and how did he ask?
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
How are you all doing?
I heard about Karyl it is wonderful to hear that she is okay and that she will get a new car. I hope you Dad will get better, it is helps you here in Sao Paulo the weather has been about 90-95 degrees for many weeks and will start to get a little bit colder in a month or so.
This week has been great, I feel that I am learning many things every day and it is great because this helps, in not only missionary work but also after my mission too. We are helping a great daughter of a member here in perdoes prepare to be baptized in the coming weeks, I feel that the lord is helping with our investigators and with our work, but I know that we need to work harder. Today I had the privilege to climb to the Top of pedra grande, about a 2 hour trip to the top in a pretty steep incline. It brought back the wonderful memories of the 50 miler and camping trip with the other young men in our ward, it gives my better feeling know that they are or preparing to serve missions and enter into this wonderful work.
Tchau
Elder Sands
I heard about Karyl it is wonderful to hear that she is okay and that she will get a new car. I hope you Dad will get better, it is helps you here in Sao Paulo the weather has been about 90-95 degrees for many weeks and will start to get a little bit colder in a month or so.
This week has been great, I feel that I am learning many things every day and it is great because this helps, in not only missionary work but also after my mission too. We are helping a great daughter of a member here in perdoes prepare to be baptized in the coming weeks, I feel that the lord is helping with our investigators and with our work, but I know that we need to work harder. Today I had the privilege to climb to the Top of pedra grande, about a 2 hour trip to the top in a pretty steep incline. It brought back the wonderful memories of the 50 miler and camping trip with the other young men in our ward, it gives my better feeling know that they are or preparing to serve missions and enter into this wonderful work.
Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
We both stayed in Perdoes for at least one more transfer, I will finish the training of Elder Inácio and I think I will leave but anything could happen. This last weekend We had the baptism of Antonio who is the dad of Uriel who was baptized the 15 of January, it was truly a miracle because his wife wasn't very interested never went to the church with him and he seemed he was without destion, but we said how are you feeling about your baptism this week, because it was marked a few weeks ago, there was silence, and he said, what time will it be. I was utterly trilled and we hurried to plan a interview and planed the baptism. The baptism was wonderful and we Had seen the gospel changed his life.
This week we had decided to work in a neighborhood we haven't worked in, we didn't have any investigators in that area. When I arrived here 3 months ago there was nothing resent the Area book, we only had old investigators 8 months ago, and the people we had baptized had been references from the members and in other areas in the city. We both agreed to work there, it has been a little rough be we know that there are people waiting to hear the Gospel we just need to go find them. We are thinking of more ways to use the members and we are creating a atmosphere of success to help everyone in the Branch help. There is much work to do and with the lords help we will do it.
Tchau
Elder Sands
This week we had decided to work in a neighborhood we haven't worked in, we didn't have any investigators in that area. When I arrived here 3 months ago there was nothing resent the Area book, we only had old investigators 8 months ago, and the people we had baptized had been references from the members and in other areas in the city. We both agreed to work there, it has been a little rough be we know that there are people waiting to hear the Gospel we just need to go find them. We are thinking of more ways to use the members and we are creating a atmosphere of success to help everyone in the Branch help. There is much work to do and with the lords help we will do it.
Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
This last week has really changed many things, one is that I have more energy and hope and faith to find the people that are prepared and waiting to be baptized. Last week was tough, but I look back now and see that Heavenly father was helping me learn many things with these hardships. We started out rough and end with not much success. Every appointment that we had fell through, 2 baptisms that were mark for this Sunday fell through, we only found 6 people, we had some days were we taught 2 people. I was thinking a lot what am I doing wrong, what do we need to do to find people ready to hear the gospel, how can we plan differently to be more effective, which neighborhood to work in, what do we need to do differently to receive revelation for our area, do I have faith to find these people? Then on Saturday we have the great privileged to learn from two apostles, President Jay Jenson, and other 70's. They spoke about the simple but powerful truth of the Restoration. They spoke about how we need to use the first vision to invite the spirit to change the hearts of people. For every person that has served a mission or has taught with the missionaries, when we retail the first vision of Joseph Smith you can fell the spirit stronger than the other parts of the lesson. Elder Ballard bore his testimony that is we trust in the spirit and share this experience with all the sincerity of our hearts, the spirit will enter and change the hearts of people. I felt hope and my faith grew knowing that we can find with the spirit and teach with the power of the spirit. We started this strong were we have found many great people, preparing to be baptized in a few weeks. 2 or 3 new investigators are good but our goal and our potential is to find 20 by the end of the week and help them prepare to enter the waters of baptism. we are helping the Dad of a young man we baptized a few weeks ago be baptized too and we are helping his mom enter the waters of baptism, what a wonderful work this is and how the lord helps us weak 19 year old boys do miracles and help our brothers and sisters return to the presence of our Father.
Thank you for the support and the love, I am very very excited that been has received his call to serve in West Virginia it will change his life, and really it doesn't matter where you serve but how you dedicate your mission to the Lord.
Tchau
Elder Sands
Thank you for the support and the love, I am very very excited that been has received his call to serve in West Virginia it will change his life, and really it doesn't matter where you serve but how you dedicate your mission to the Lord.
Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Oi familia tudo bem, tranqulio, ótimo:
These week have been great with learning, teaching and preparing people to be baptized. We Had many miracles at church this last week, we were scrambling to pass by the house of our investigators and help them come to church, many that we had invited did not turn up, but 3 or 4 of our investigators arrived and were spiritually feed and started there progression to be baptized in the coming weeks, it also helped us know who to focus on and what we need to teach to help them progress. Uriel the young man that we had baptized last week was confirmed and we have seen in a few week the lives of this family change forever because of the wonderful message of the restored gospel.
Dad thank you very much for the great ideas that we can talk about to help the work in Perdoes grow and how we can help retain and help our new converts endure to the end. That is so exciting that Sister strange is very close to enter the temple, can you give me her address I would like to write to encourage her and her family.
This Saturday we will be listening to two apostles Elder Ballard and Elder Anderson, this will really be a day our mission will change for the better, we are preparing a lot for Saturday, with a fast, and preparing spiritually so that the spirit can't be hindered in teaching us what we need to learn. Elder Anderson knows Portuguese and will be speaking it to us, but Elder Ballard I don't think speaks Portuguese, we heard in the multi-zone conference of an experience President Tanner told to us. He had a friend attend the dedication of the MTC in Sao Paulo in 1995 where Elder Nelson dedicated the MTC. While he was giving a brief talk he stopped and said that the faith of the people there was sufficient that they did not need a translator any more. The Friend of President Tanner said He can't remember what language he spoke, but he remembered that everyone understood every word that he spoke. That spirit and faith is what President Tanner wants us to have so that we can really hear the Will of God this Saturday.
Thank you so much for your love and support
Love
Elder Sands
These week have been great with learning, teaching and preparing people to be baptized. We Had many miracles at church this last week, we were scrambling to pass by the house of our investigators and help them come to church, many that we had invited did not turn up, but 3 or 4 of our investigators arrived and were spiritually feed and started there progression to be baptized in the coming weeks, it also helped us know who to focus on and what we need to teach to help them progress. Uriel the young man that we had baptized last week was confirmed and we have seen in a few week the lives of this family change forever because of the wonderful message of the restored gospel.
Dad thank you very much for the great ideas that we can talk about to help the work in Perdoes grow and how we can help retain and help our new converts endure to the end. That is so exciting that Sister strange is very close to enter the temple, can you give me her address I would like to write to encourage her and her family.
This Saturday we will be listening to two apostles Elder Ballard and Elder Anderson, this will really be a day our mission will change for the better, we are preparing a lot for Saturday, with a fast, and preparing spiritually so that the spirit can't be hindered in teaching us what we need to learn. Elder Anderson knows Portuguese and will be speaking it to us, but Elder Ballard I don't think speaks Portuguese, we heard in the multi-zone conference of an experience President Tanner told to us. He had a friend attend the dedication of the MTC in Sao Paulo in 1995 where Elder Nelson dedicated the MTC. While he was giving a brief talk he stopped and said that the faith of the people there was sufficient that they did not need a translator any more. The Friend of President Tanner said He can't remember what language he spoke, but he remembered that everyone understood every word that he spoke. That spirit and faith is what President Tanner wants us to have so that we can really hear the Will of God this Saturday.
Thank you so much for your love and support
Love
Elder Sands
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Oi familia:
Thank you very much for the some of the teachings of Elder Holland, it would be very neat to hear from him, I learn today that He Will not become Elder Ballard and Elder Anderson are coming but I am really excited to learn many things from them.
I am learning, many things, every day I am learning how to work better with more effectiveness more power and work more with the spirit. We are having a little trouble finding the people that are really prepared to hear the gospel but with our faith and work we will be lead to those that want to follow Jesus Christ through baptism and enduring to the end. Elder Inacio is helping a lot, he is new but his energy and excitement is very helpful and he has very many good Ideas to help our work progress. We are helping the parents of a young man we baptized, be baptized too, they are progress, accept all of the commandments and commitments, the only thing that is left to be done is to continues to go to church to reach the day of Baptism.
The Lord is helping us a lot and you can feel that he is helping the missionary work grow, have success and to perform miracles.
Dad I have a question, you are the word mission leader, what are some things that are working to move forward the missionary work there, and some ideas that are working to create more references, anything that you are seen that might be useful.
We have a Zone conference tomorrow and I will let you all know how it went what I learned, also I have sent some of the remaining pictures to that place in Gmail; some 60 photos.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Thank you very much for the some of the teachings of Elder Holland, it would be very neat to hear from him, I learn today that He Will not become Elder Ballard and Elder Anderson are coming but I am really excited to learn many things from them.
I am learning, many things, every day I am learning how to work better with more effectiveness more power and work more with the spirit. We are having a little trouble finding the people that are really prepared to hear the gospel but with our faith and work we will be lead to those that want to follow Jesus Christ through baptism and enduring to the end. Elder Inacio is helping a lot, he is new but his energy and excitement is very helpful and he has very many good Ideas to help our work progress. We are helping the parents of a young man we baptized, be baptized too, they are progress, accept all of the commandments and commitments, the only thing that is left to be done is to continues to go to church to reach the day of Baptism.
The Lord is helping us a lot and you can feel that he is helping the missionary work grow, have success and to perform miracles.
Dad I have a question, you are the word mission leader, what are some things that are working to move forward the missionary work there, and some ideas that are working to create more references, anything that you are seen that might be useful.
We have a Zone conference tomorrow and I will let you all know how it went what I learned, also I have sent some of the remaining pictures to that place in Gmail; some 60 photos.
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
I forgot to tell you that I got the package last week, thank you a lot for the ties, peanut butter, jelly, raisins, honey and plastic sacks. I am glad that Christmas was good there at home, it is very different on the mission but it is always a good time of the year in any place. I have good news, the 28 of January we are having a conference with Elder Anderson and maybe Elder Holland, I am very excited to hear a apostle live and not through a TV I am excited.
We are doing good here In Perdoes the work is progressing. We are helping one family enter the waters of baptism who are really golden, they accept everything we teach, we are planning to baptize the son this week to help his parents grow even more their desire to be baptized. we are finding more people who are just waiting to hear of the gospel, I received a letter from the Stake yesterday and in there there was a story about a conversion of a family, the father in this family started to have doubts in his Church and started really seeking for the truth, the missionaries passed by but his wife told them that they already had a Church, but years later they found a book written by Gordon B. Hinckley and were he speaks about the Book of Mormon, they find the Book of Mormon in a library and eventually they all get baptized. It really hit me again what we are here to do, bring the lost truth to people who are desperately searching or don't yet know that they are missing a part of something in their lives. This really is the truth Church of Christ and we are working together to grow this wonderful work, and that Heaven Father will guide us to his children that are ready to accept the true.
Thank you for all of your support and love
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
We are doing good here In Perdoes the work is progressing. We are helping one family enter the waters of baptism who are really golden, they accept everything we teach, we are planning to baptize the son this week to help his parents grow even more their desire to be baptized. we are finding more people who are just waiting to hear of the gospel, I received a letter from the Stake yesterday and in there there was a story about a conversion of a family, the father in this family started to have doubts in his Church and started really seeking for the truth, the missionaries passed by but his wife told them that they already had a Church, but years later they found a book written by Gordon B. Hinckley and were he speaks about the Book of Mormon, they find the Book of Mormon in a library and eventually they all get baptized. It really hit me again what we are here to do, bring the lost truth to people who are desperately searching or don't yet know that they are missing a part of something in their lives. This really is the truth Church of Christ and we are working together to grow this wonderful work, and that Heaven Father will guide us to his children that are ready to accept the true.
Thank you for all of your support and love
Tchau tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The mission Field is really great and really is white, hot and rainy. we have had a wonderful week in which we both learned a lot. Elder Inácio is doing great he has a good spirit to learn and progress. His is from Rio Grande do Norte and is very hot there and his is suffering a bit here because is it very cold for him here and the rain wasn't helping. I have never seen rain like this before, it rains hard for most of the day for days at a time, but a good thing happens it cleans all of you cloths and shoes.
We are helping and teaching a young man named Ureil be baptized this Sunday he is really good and really wants to be baptized and we are helping his parents be baptized too to help them really feel the powerful change the gospel brings and to return to live with heavenly father as a family. I am learning a lot with Elder Inácio with different ways to teach, setting a very good example for him and to work together to build up the kingdom here in Perdoes.
One question that you asked me was about Christmas here in Brazil. Christmas isn't as big as it is in the US; Brazilians always like to have parties with friends and family. I think New Year's here is bigger than Christmas, we had a Churrasco (BBQ) with our District in Atibaia (a city close by that has the rest of our district in it) and all night long was a war in the street with fireworks, and shouting, but it was good.
It would be good to send email on Tuesday because I am using Email 10:30 here in my time and leave in a hour or so and I love to hear from you guys a lot.
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
We are helping and teaching a young man named Ureil be baptized this Sunday he is really good and really wants to be baptized and we are helping his parents be baptized too to help them really feel the powerful change the gospel brings and to return to live with heavenly father as a family. I am learning a lot with Elder Inácio with different ways to teach, setting a very good example for him and to work together to build up the kingdom here in Perdoes.
One question that you asked me was about Christmas here in Brazil. Christmas isn't as big as it is in the US; Brazilians always like to have parties with friends and family. I think New Year's here is bigger than Christmas, we had a Churrasco (BBQ) with our District in Atibaia (a city close by that has the rest of our district in it) and all night long was a war in the street with fireworks, and shouting, but it was good.
It would be good to send email on Tuesday because I am using Email 10:30 here in my time and leave in a hour or so and I love to hear from you guys a lot.
Tchau Tchau
Elder Sands
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
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
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
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