...without captions. But we're pretty sure this first one is Romário's baptism. :)
Saturday, December 6, 2014
As últimas doze semanas
Wednesday December 3, 2014
Oi fam!
As I already told you guys, I´m training Elder A. Sousa. The training program is called The First Twelve Weeks, and I always tease him that instead of doing the first twelve weeks we are going to do The Last Twelve Weeks. I´m guessing he doesn´t appreciate it that much, but that´s what you get when your companion is finishing up the mission.
We started off the transfer really well. Romário was baptized on Sunday. Really a miracle. A great example of why we do street contacts, even if it´s one thing that most missionaries don´t like doing. Romário was a street contact of me and Elder Grandberg two weeks ago. We were just standing outside of the church talking to everybody that walked by, and he was one of the few people that accepted a visit. He is a great guy. 20 years old and always looking to do the right. I´m really hoping he will go on a mission here in a year.
We also had great progress we Luciclea and Fernando. They went to church on Sunday, and Fernando told us he wanted to wait a year before getting married. Luciclea wasn´t too excited about that because she is really anxious to get baptized. She treats her book of mormon as if they were the original golden plates. She doesn´t let anyone touch them, or write in them, or do anything with them. It was funny because a lot of times we mark chapters to read with a pen, and in our second visit, we tried marking a chapter and she got mad at us. She hasn´t let us touch her book again. Anyways, after Fernando told us that at Church we went to his house and taught a really inspired lesson about the Law of Chastity and Families, and he accpeted the marriage invite again. They just need to find some documents to mark the marriage.
Another cool expierence this week was with Ana. Ana is the girlfriend of a recently called misisonary, and we have been teaching her at the house of her boyfriend. She accpeted baptism for december 13, but then we found out that her dad was completely against it. Everyone got a little bit disappointed, and she told us it wouldn´t be possible to go to her house to talk with the family. But then last night we were on splits with members, and my companion was teaching her. When we were waiting for him to come back, I did a street contact with a guy passing by, who turned out to be her older brother, who got way excited to invite us over to his house. So it looks like now we have an in with the family.
As you can tell it´s been a great week. I´m loving every second and am so grateful to the Lord and all he has blessed me with.
Love you all a ton.
Evan
Semana de Milagres
Monday November 24, 2014
Oi fam!
A semana passada foi maravilhosa! Literally a week of miracles.
The biggest miracle week was the mighty change of heart that Alison (it´s a guy´s name) had. We have been teaching him from quite some time now, and were almost ready to give up. He´s an awesome guy, 20 years old, studying law, and loves studying stuff on the internet. That last part led to a lot of doubts, a lot of questions. A lot of times he seemed a lot more set on believing in Greek gods, then in believing in God and his son Jesus Christ. Slowly but surely he started reading the book of mormon. He started going to Church every once in a while, and he started believing in the gospel. But he kept looking for something else. We took him to the temple about a month ago and he told us that he felt a strange energy there. But then he had some problems with some members he didn´t like, and stopped going to church for a couple week. He also had a lot of questions about the commandments, especially the law of chastity. He kept trying to justify his way out of living up to God´s standards. This week during a split, one of our zone leaders taught him with us, and after that lesson we had all lost hope that he was going to make the changes in his life that he needed. But we prayed and went back on Friday, and as soon as we finished the opening prayer, he told us, `The only thing that lacks for my baptism is to understand better the fall of Adam and Eve` So we read two chapter of the Pearl of Great Price with him to help him understand, found out he was keeping all of the commandments, and marked a last minute baptismal interview for him to be baptized on Saturday. When the Zone Leader did the interview, he told us, `That isn´t the same person I taght on tuesday`
It was so cool to see such a mighty change of heart. Now we´ll keep working with him. Who knows. Maybe in a year or two he´ll be a mission of his own.
Alison´s story reminds me a lot of one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon. Mosias 5:1-5
1 E então aconteceu que, tendo o rei Benjamim assim falado a seu povo, mandou investigar se seu povo acreditara nas palavras que lhe dissera.
2 E todos clamaram a uma só voz, dizendo: Sim, acreditamos em todas as palavras que nos disseste e também sabemos que são certas e verdadeiras, por causa do Espírito do Senhor Onipotente que efetuou em nós, ou melhor, em nosso coração, uma vigorosamudança, de modo que não temos mais disposição para praticar omal, mas, sim, de fazer o bem continuamente.
3 E também nós mesmos, pela infinita bondade de Deus e manifestações de seu Espírito, temos grandes visões do que está por acontecer e, se fosse conveniente, poderíamos profetizar sobre todas as coisas.
4 E foi a fé que tivemos nas coisas que nosso rei nos disse que nos levou a este grande conhecimento, pelo que nos regozijamos com tão grande alegria.
5 E estamos dispostos a fazer um convênio com nosso Deus, de cumprir a sua vontade e obedecer a seus mandamentos em todas as coisas que ele nos ordenar, para o resto de nossos dias, a fim de que não recaia sobre nós um tormento sem fim, como foi anunciado pelo anjo, e não bebamos do cálice da ira de Deus.
Always remember that people can change. That God can change us.
Elder Grandberg was transferred. I am going to miss him. We had a great transfer together. I found out that I will be training again. The 9th transfer I will be studying the first 12 weeks training program. Excited, but a bit nervous at the same time. New missionaries always have some surprises up their sleeves. I know I did. But I´m excited. I´m guessing he will be my last companion unless something goes really wrong ;).
Love you all!
Abraço,
Evan
A semana passada foi maravilhosa! Literally a week of miracles.
The biggest miracle week was the mighty change of heart that Alison (it´s a guy´s name) had. We have been teaching him from quite some time now, and were almost ready to give up. He´s an awesome guy, 20 years old, studying law, and loves studying stuff on the internet. That last part led to a lot of doubts, a lot of questions. A lot of times he seemed a lot more set on believing in Greek gods, then in believing in God and his son Jesus Christ. Slowly but surely he started reading the book of mormon. He started going to Church every once in a while, and he started believing in the gospel. But he kept looking for something else. We took him to the temple about a month ago and he told us that he felt a strange energy there. But then he had some problems with some members he didn´t like, and stopped going to church for a couple week. He also had a lot of questions about the commandments, especially the law of chastity. He kept trying to justify his way out of living up to God´s standards. This week during a split, one of our zone leaders taught him with us, and after that lesson we had all lost hope that he was going to make the changes in his life that he needed. But we prayed and went back on Friday, and as soon as we finished the opening prayer, he told us, `The only thing that lacks for my baptism is to understand better the fall of Adam and Eve` So we read two chapter of the Pearl of Great Price with him to help him understand, found out he was keeping all of the commandments, and marked a last minute baptismal interview for him to be baptized on Saturday. When the Zone Leader did the interview, he told us, `That isn´t the same person I taght on tuesday`
It was so cool to see such a mighty change of heart. Now we´ll keep working with him. Who knows. Maybe in a year or two he´ll be a mission of his own.
Alison´s story reminds me a lot of one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon. Mosias 5:1-5
1 E então aconteceu que, tendo o rei Benjamim assim falado a seu povo, mandou investigar se seu povo acreditara nas palavras que lhe dissera.
2 E todos clamaram a uma só voz, dizendo: Sim, acreditamos em todas as palavras que nos disseste e também sabemos que são certas e verdadeiras, por causa do Espírito do Senhor Onipotente que efetuou em nós, ou melhor, em nosso coração, uma vigorosamudança, de modo que não temos mais disposição para praticar omal, mas, sim, de fazer o bem continuamente.
3 E também nós mesmos, pela infinita bondade de Deus e manifestações de seu Espírito, temos grandes visões do que está por acontecer e, se fosse conveniente, poderíamos profetizar sobre todas as coisas.
4 E foi a fé que tivemos nas coisas que nosso rei nos disse que nos levou a este grande conhecimento, pelo que nos regozijamos com tão grande alegria.
5 E estamos dispostos a fazer um convênio com nosso Deus, de cumprir a sua vontade e obedecer a seus mandamentos em todas as coisas que ele nos ordenar, para o resto de nossos dias, a fim de que não recaia sobre nós um tormento sem fim, como foi anunciado pelo anjo, e não bebamos do cálice da ira de Deus.
Always remember that people can change. That God can change us.
Elder Grandberg was transferred. I am going to miss him. We had a great transfer together. I found out that I will be training again. The 9th transfer I will be studying the first 12 weeks training program. Excited, but a bit nervous at the same time. New missionaries always have some surprises up their sleeves. I know I did. But I´m excited. I´m guessing he will be my last companion unless something goes really wrong ;).
Love you all!
Abraço,
Evan
Monday, November 17, 2014
Deixa a luz do sol entrar
Oi família!
What a great week it has been. It´s hard to believe that it´s P-day already. The time really just flies by. We had a great week. Lot´s of great people we are teaching, lots of great experiences.
We found an awesome family. Tatiane, Luiz e Ana Luisa. There Dad has been working a ton, so we still haven´t met him, but the other three all went to church and all loved it. Luiz and Ana Luisa are 9 year old twins and a great to be around. Reminds me of you Amy and Lisa. I know you are both older now, but when I left I think you were 9 and 11, so just about the same age.
It´s crazy that this is the last week of the transfer...
Jacquelaine was confirmed yesterday. She is so fun, and a new light has truly entered into her life.
I´ve been studying a lot of Church history lately. It´s really interesting and I´ve learned a lot. I respect a lot the early church leaders. They traveled and worked for years to establish this great work that will move on through the centuries.
We met another great guy named Romario as well. He is 20 and lives here with his cousin. He went to church on Sunday and liked it a lot. We just need to get him really involved these next few weeks.
Love you all.
Evan
What a great week it has been. It´s hard to believe that it´s P-day already. The time really just flies by. We had a great week. Lot´s of great people we are teaching, lots of great experiences.
We found an awesome family. Tatiane, Luiz e Ana Luisa. There Dad has been working a ton, so we still haven´t met him, but the other three all went to church and all loved it. Luiz and Ana Luisa are 9 year old twins and a great to be around. Reminds me of you Amy and Lisa. I know you are both older now, but when I left I think you were 9 and 11, so just about the same age.
It´s crazy that this is the last week of the transfer...
Jacquelaine was confirmed yesterday. She is so fun, and a new light has truly entered into her life.
I´ve been studying a lot of Church history lately. It´s really interesting and I´ve learned a lot. I respect a lot the early church leaders. They traveled and worked for years to establish this great work that will move on through the centuries.
We met another great guy named Romario as well. He is 20 and lives here with his cousin. He went to church on Sunday and liked it a lot. We just need to get him really involved these next few weeks.
Love you all.
Evan
Monday, November 10, 2014
The Time Machine
Oi fam.
I have decided that the mission is like a time machine. You step into it and time just starts flying by. It seems like everything that has ever happened before is a fairytale, and anything that will happen in the future just a daydream. And the time just passes and passes and passes. Weeks, months, transfers, all blurred into one. But the time machine is good. As time passes, you grow a lot, learn a lot, and change a lot.
This week flew by. It´s been really hot again lately. I don´t think that will change for the rest of the mission. Just got to fight through it I guess. My body is just tired. I´m pretty sure I got dehydrated and was with a low fever about half the week, but I just worked through it and am 100 percent again. It´s funny to see these new missionaries all excited with a ton of energy, and me just feeling like an old man. I´m still excited, I still love the work, but I just don´t have the energy I had before. (Is that what you always felt like when we were mountain biking dad? ;) Sorry couldn´t resist.)
But the week turned out really good. Jacquelaine was baptized yesterday. We have been teaching her for about a month now, and she has loved church and loved everything, but was always really shy about baptism. Anyways, with the help of a lot of members, she finally accepted, and we had a great baptismal service yesterday. She is 17 years old and is doing this completely by herself. But the young women and yw leaders love her, so she has a new family in the church.
We have a lot of great investigators. Luciclea and Fernando went to church with us this Sunday. They loved it. Sadly, they aren´t legally married and just live together, but we will try to get them married here in the next few months. That´s a big problem with a lot of people we meet.
Love you all a ton. Any tips on how to stay motivated in the hot brazilian sun as you finish your mission are welcome :). Tenha uma boa semana!
Abraço,
Evan
I have decided that the mission is like a time machine. You step into it and time just starts flying by. It seems like everything that has ever happened before is a fairytale, and anything that will happen in the future just a daydream. And the time just passes and passes and passes. Weeks, months, transfers, all blurred into one. But the time machine is good. As time passes, you grow a lot, learn a lot, and change a lot.
This week flew by. It´s been really hot again lately. I don´t think that will change for the rest of the mission. Just got to fight through it I guess. My body is just tired. I´m pretty sure I got dehydrated and was with a low fever about half the week, but I just worked through it and am 100 percent again. It´s funny to see these new missionaries all excited with a ton of energy, and me just feeling like an old man. I´m still excited, I still love the work, but I just don´t have the energy I had before. (Is that what you always felt like when we were mountain biking dad? ;) Sorry couldn´t resist.)
But the week turned out really good. Jacquelaine was baptized yesterday. We have been teaching her for about a month now, and she has loved church and loved everything, but was always really shy about baptism. Anyways, with the help of a lot of members, she finally accepted, and we had a great baptismal service yesterday. She is 17 years old and is doing this completely by herself. But the young women and yw leaders love her, so she has a new family in the church.
We have a lot of great investigators. Luciclea and Fernando went to church with us this Sunday. They loved it. Sadly, they aren´t legally married and just live together, but we will try to get them married here in the next few months. That´s a big problem with a lot of people we meet.
Love you all a ton. Any tips on how to stay motivated in the hot brazilian sun as you finish your mission are welcome :). Tenha uma boa semana!
Abraço,
Evan
Monday, October 27, 2014
a vida está ótima
Oi fam!
Life is good in Vinhedo. I´m honestly just loving it here. Great comp, great members, great area, great mission.
We are teaching a really cool guy named Allisson. I think I told you all about him last week, but Saturday we took him to the temple and he told us as we were driving home, `Eu senti uma energia estranha lá.´ Translated thats "I felt a strange energy there." I guess that's one way to describe the Spirit :). But it was a really spiritual experience. As part of the temple trip, the Sisters from the city next to us also brought 4 investigators, two of which were baptized yesterday. I was able to do the baptismal interview of them, Ivani, and her son Matheus. It was a really special experience to do a baptismal interview in the temple, and really set the background to get them excited to enter the temple a year from now. After the interviews, the other investigators, Raimunda e Cleber asked for a priesthood blessing so they could stop smoking so that they could be baptized soon. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had. I felt prompted to tell Raimunda that she would no longer have desire to smoke if she continued following the gospel. Thery are a young couple that are waiting for some documents to come through so they can get married, but pretty soon, it should all work out.
Since Loveira (the city of the sisters) is just a branch and doesn[t have a baptismal font, Matheus and Ivoni were baptized in our chapel. I had to go early to fill up the font, and get everything all ready, and then when they got there, they asked me if I could baptize them. I didn't have a towel, or a change of clothes, but I was honored to baptize them and everything worked out just fine. Matheus is 19, and told me he wants to serve a mission.
We are also teaching Jacquelaine, a young women who is 17, and she loved church on sunday, and even better, the young women leaders loved her. If everything goes as planned she should be getting baptized in the next week or two. We are trying to get her Dad to come to church as well, but up until now he is kind of resisiting. But he'll come around.
Well I guess that'a the highlight reel of the week. We have a lot of other great people as well. I'm loving life and hope all of you all as well. I just close things off with a scripture that I really liked this week in Mosias 26:29-31;
29 Digo-te, portanto: Vai; e o que transgredir contra mim,julgarás de acordo com os pecados que houver cometido; e seconfessar seus pecados diante de ti e de mim e arrepender-se com sinceridade de coração, tu o perdoarás e eu também o perdoarei.
30 Sim, e tantas vezes quantas o meu povo se arrepender, perdoá-lo-ei de suas ofensas contra mim.
31 E também vos perdoareis uns aos outros vossas ofensas, pois em verdade vos digo que aquele que não perdoar as ofensas de seu próximo, quando este se confessar arrependido, trará sobre si condenação.
Eu sei que Cristo nos ama e está ansioso a nos perdoar. Ao perdoar uns aos outros, vamos encher-nos com o puro amor de Cristo e sentir a sua luz em nossas vidas. Sempre lembre-se que ninguém é perfeito, que devemos ser unidos em nossos luta contra o mal, e que devemos aceitar as fraquezas dos outros, buscando ajudar em vez de criticar, curar em vez de ferir, amar em vez de odiar. Amo todos vocês e espero que tenham uma semana excelente.
Abraço,
Evan
Life is good in Vinhedo. I´m honestly just loving it here. Great comp, great members, great area, great mission.
We are teaching a really cool guy named Allisson. I think I told you all about him last week, but Saturday we took him to the temple and he told us as we were driving home, `Eu senti uma energia estranha lá.´ Translated thats "I felt a strange energy there." I guess that's one way to describe the Spirit :). But it was a really spiritual experience. As part of the temple trip, the Sisters from the city next to us also brought 4 investigators, two of which were baptized yesterday. I was able to do the baptismal interview of them, Ivani, and her son Matheus. It was a really special experience to do a baptismal interview in the temple, and really set the background to get them excited to enter the temple a year from now. After the interviews, the other investigators, Raimunda e Cleber asked for a priesthood blessing so they could stop smoking so that they could be baptized soon. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had. I felt prompted to tell Raimunda that she would no longer have desire to smoke if she continued following the gospel. Thery are a young couple that are waiting for some documents to come through so they can get married, but pretty soon, it should all work out.
Since Loveira (the city of the sisters) is just a branch and doesn[t have a baptismal font, Matheus and Ivoni were baptized in our chapel. I had to go early to fill up the font, and get everything all ready, and then when they got there, they asked me if I could baptize them. I didn't have a towel, or a change of clothes, but I was honored to baptize them and everything worked out just fine. Matheus is 19, and told me he wants to serve a mission.
We are also teaching Jacquelaine, a young women who is 17, and she loved church on sunday, and even better, the young women leaders loved her. If everything goes as planned she should be getting baptized in the next week or two. We are trying to get her Dad to come to church as well, but up until now he is kind of resisiting. But he'll come around.
Well I guess that'a the highlight reel of the week. We have a lot of other great people as well. I'm loving life and hope all of you all as well. I just close things off with a scripture that I really liked this week in Mosias 26:29-31;
29 Digo-te, portanto: Vai; e o que transgredir contra mim,julgarás de acordo com os pecados que houver cometido; e seconfessar seus pecados diante de ti e de mim e arrepender-se com sinceridade de coração, tu o perdoarás e eu também o perdoarei.
30 Sim, e tantas vezes quantas o meu povo se arrepender, perdoá-lo-ei de suas ofensas contra mim.
31 E também vos perdoareis uns aos outros vossas ofensas, pois em verdade vos digo que aquele que não perdoar as ofensas de seu próximo, quando este se confessar arrependido, trará sobre si condenação.
Eu sei que Cristo nos ama e está ansioso a nos perdoar. Ao perdoar uns aos outros, vamos encher-nos com o puro amor de Cristo e sentir a sua luz em nossas vidas. Sempre lembre-se que ninguém é perfeito, que devemos ser unidos em nossos luta contra o mal, e que devemos aceitar as fraquezas dos outros, buscando ajudar em vez de criticar, curar em vez de ferir, amar em vez de odiar. Amo todos vocês e espero que tenham uma semana excelente.
Abraço,
Evan
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Fall Update :)
Here are Evan's letters from the past few months. Sorry I haven't kept them very current. He also sent a short note a few weeks ago saying he will be home February 17! I knew two years could go by fast but didn't know these two years would go by so amazingly fast. We just dropped him off at the MTC. :)
October 20, 2014
A volta para paraíso
Oi fam!
October 13, 2014
O fim se apoxima
Oi fam!
September 29, 2014
Quick!
hey fam,
September 22, 2014
Mucanças
Oi fam!
September 15, 2014
Stand Strong
Oi família!
Como vai!
This week has been pretty great! Elder Barbosa´s knees are dead. He´ll be getting emergency transferred to a tiny area next week, which I´m kind of sad about. We have been working great together! But to finish things off strong we have a goal to baptize three people this weekend. Gustavo and Osmar e Rita.
We haven´t been able to work a hundred percent because of we walk all day, the Elder Barbosa´s knees give out, so as far as finding people we are kind of stopped, but we have a good teaching group, and my companion is willing to make the sacrifice to follow up with these people.
We have had a little mission drama in the house. The other companinship has been fighting all week, but we had a good talk last night, and things seem to be better.
I´ve been studying the Book of Mormon. I have a goal to finish again before the end of the mission, and I´m focusing my whole study on stregthening my ability to feel and follow the Holy Ghost. One thing I´ve noticed is the diligence required to receive revelation. I think one of the most repeated promises in the scripture is "ask and ye shall recieve, knock and it shall be opened unto you." Variations of this promise are found in several places. To receive revelation we have to look for it, diligently look for it. I've been trying to make a list of things every week that I need help with, and throughouth the week, diligently study and pray in order to receive personal revelation. A lot of the times I forget to look for this revelation because life is so good, and I don't feel like I need much revelation to get through life happy, and maybe I don't, but I'm not here just to get through life happy, but to bring God's eternal plan to pass, and for this to happen, I need a lot of revelation. I really like the scripture in 1 Nephi 10:17-19
17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.
18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
September 10, 2014
Oi de Brazil
Oi fam!
It´s been an interesting and fun week. New transfer, new companion, same area. I´m back with Elder Barbosa! I don´t know if you all remember, but he was my first companion when I got to Brasil, and now we are zone leaders together! It´s nuts. When I saw his name at transfers, I have to admit that I got really nervous. That first transfer together was tough, but it was more me adapting to brasil then any problems in the companionship. But now we are getting along great! The only problem is his knees. He has some serious knee problems which makes working difficult. But we are planning our days well to teach the people that are prepared.
All in all it´s been a good week.
We have a great teaching group, with five people visiting church Sunday. And we plan on continue working hard to find more people and help the people we have.
Scripture thought for the day from 2 nephi 33
And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, likeunto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
May we always speak with the power of the Holy Ghost to edify those around us, and may we soften our hearts to feel it´s whispers guide us in our daily life.
Love you all,
Evan
August 11, 2014
Cansado en Campinas
Oi familia,
Estou muito cansado agora, mas, faz parte da missão. I think the last 6 months of a missionary really defines him. The first year and a half we are constantly learning, trying our best, and excited, but then you kind of start to get the hang of things, and everything depends on your desire and execution. The last 6 months we still learn a lot, but a least for me, I feel like the first year and a half I served, but it also served as a wonderful learning experience, and now I just have to give everything I have to the Lord, and let him finish off my mission the way he wants me too.
The week was another tough one, at least in terms of the work. It´s a lot harder to find people here then I´m used too. It´s pretty much central campinas, not dead center, but close enough where everyone is always busy, doesn´t have time to talk to us on the street, and doesn´t have time to listen to our lessons. Slowly but surely we are building up a teaching group though.
Luana is one of our most promising investigators right now. A lot of problems to overcome, but a lot of desire as well. That´s all I can ask for. We can help people change, but we can´t help people desire to change, they have to desire it on their own. Luana is about 22 years old, has two kids, and currently lives with her Mom, but is still dating this guy who publicly cheats on her. Anyone, they are planning on living together again, but she really doesn´t want too, and I really hope she doesn´t. She needs to move on with life. But let´s see where things go.
Other than her we are really looking for people, desperately, but maybe I just need to desire it more and God will provide a way. It´s interesting how much our desires have an influence on our lives, and on our eternity. I really like these scriptures in Alma 41
3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should bejudged according to their works; and if their works were good inthis life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they shouldalso, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them forevil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order,every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality,corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inheritthe kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom ofthe devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other—
5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the otherto evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil whenthe night cometh.
October 20, 2014
A volta para paraíso
Oi fam!
Como vai?!
I´m back in paradise! I was transferred this week to Vinhedo, again! I´ve never been so happy about a transfer. Back to my favorite city in the mission. There are two wards here, so I´m in the other ward, but it´s so good to be back and to see so many familiar faces. I honestly just love it here.
Also news, President gave me a break from being Zone Leader, and now I´m District Leader again, which I love. District leader is a lot more fun for me because I get to work a lot closer to the missionaries, and get to know them a lot better. Plus, I feel a lot less pressure and a lot less stress then I was feeling before. All in all, I´m thinking I´ll probably finish out the mission here in the city. The only downside is that it is on the other side of some hills of the campinas airport, so airplanes pass by quite frequently. But I guess that just makes me more excited to finish out strong the mission.
We have a great teaching group. We marked four or five baptisms during the week, only one of them went to Church. We are in part of the city quite a ways away from the chapel, so the hardest part is getting people to church. But with the help of the members we´ll figure it out. The people here are so much more receptive then campinas. Needless to say, I´m pumped to be back.
My new companion is Elder Grandberg. He´s Brazilian, from Santa Catarina, and has 4 or 5 months out on the mission. He´s a sweet guy. Fun, friendly, always smiling. It´s been fun to work with him. We are teaching some sweet people, namely Alisson, Lucas, and Samuel. Alisson is studying law, and has some crazy questions. But what he´s seen so far he´s liked. He has searched a lot of religions in his life, and he told us that what he has seen so far seems closest to the truth. Now we just need to help him feel that it is the truth. Lucas is 19, and we had a great first lesson for him. I have high hopes with him, and honestly see him as a future missionary. We have quite a few other people as well, all of them with a ton of potential.
We had a really good Zone Conference about simplicity. Big problems require simple solutions. A lot of times we complicate things, but if we just think simply, and stick to the basics, the big stumbling blocks turn into a lot of little pebbles we can clear away one at a time. I really liked that, and need to apply it more in my life. The doctrine of Christ is simple. Faith, Repentance, and Covenant Making. If we stick to the basics, it will all work out.
Love you all. Hope everyone has a great week.
Abraço,
Evan
O fim se apoxima
Oi fam!
Como vai?
One more transfer down. Three to go. Wow does time pass by quickly! I´m getting transferred to what should be my last area. I´m really excited. Transfers are always a great opportunity to reavaluate and make the necessary changes to continue improving. These last two transfers in Campinas have probably been the most challenging of my mission, for various reasons. One was the constant switch of companions and roomates. In three months in the ward 10 different missionaries passed through. The constant changes made it dificult to get into a groove. The church has a really good book for stress management they have given to missionaries, and it says it usually takes about 6 weeks to adapt to a new situation, so constant changes makes adapting a little bit hard. I´m hoping I can finish out my mission in the same area with the same companion so things can really start flowing. But we´ll see what happens.
In spite of the challenges, I learned some powerful lessons these last few months.
1. The Power of the Priesthood.
I don´t know if I´ve already told you all about Catia. We found her knocking doors one day, and started teaching. She started progressing really quickly, and after a couple weeks of teaching her she told us she has suffered from life long depression, and the day we knocked on here door she was strongly considering suicide, but completely changed her mind when we knocked. Catia never got baptized, but she improved a lot. However, after a couple months of visiting she fell into really bad depression again, and completely isolated herself from the world. We were finally able to visit her again this week and she didn´t listen to anything we said and was completely lost in her depression. After paciently listening for an hour, we offered to give her a blessing. She accepted, and after praying, we laid our hands upon our head, and as we gave the blessing, the room filled with the spirit. She was healed, if not for just a moment. The love of Christ surrounded us in that moment and the sadness and grief that had enveloped left. We haven´t been able to go back yet, but I know, at least for a moment, God poured out his love upon her through the Priesthood.
2. The need not to give up.
I knew I would probably be transferred this week, and after a lot of trials, I was about ready to call it quits in the area. But through a lot of prayer and the help of my companion, I kept going. Exhausted, tired, frustrated, hot, but I kept on working. Miracously we found 7 new investigators this week. Not an amazing number, but a significant accomplishment for us. A couple of them went to church this week, and I hope they all accept the glad message we have. Goes to show, sometimes we just need to give a little more then what we have.
I love you all. Hope you all have a great week and enjoy the cool fall weather.
Abraço,
Evan
September 29, 2014
Quick!
hey fam,
I´m running out of time, but those pics were from a wedding and baptism from a couple I tought in Vinhedo. President let me go back with Elder Ferguson to watch. Way fun to see!
There names are Alex e Ivonette.
Have a great week!
Love,
Evan
September 22, 2014
Mucanças
Oi fam!
Tomorrow I´ll find out my new companion. Should be good.
Unfortunately, the people we were preparing for baptism this Sunday fell through. Not completely though. We just need to continue teaching and following up so that in the coming weeks they can be baptized.
We worked hard this week. Elder Barbosa really pushed himself to the limit and we saw miracles on a daily basis. But sadly I think my comp pushed himself a little too far. Yesterday he had an allergic reaction to one of the medicines he´s taking and broke up in really bad acne. Like really bad. We passed almost 4 hours in the hospital today, but he should clear up in a couple days now. One more pill to take away the effects of the other pill.
Jaimi and his family were definitely the highlight of the week. I found them about a month ago knocking doors with Elder Rodrigues, but this week he really progressed, read the book of mormon, got an anwser to his prayer, and after our lesson, the member who was teaching with us offered to give him a priesthood blessing, and I truly saw the Priesthood in action. The words were inspired, the spirit was strong, and all of us left in tears, thankful for the amazing love of our Heavenly Father.
When we look for the miracles from day to day, we are amazed with all God does for us. May we all look to love our Lord with all our heart and prepare ourselves, our families, our friends, and our neighbors for the glorious day when the Savior will return. And as we wait, may we cherish every moment we have been blessed with.
Love you all.
Abraço.
Evan
September 15, 2014
Stand Strong
Oi família!
Como vai!
This week has been pretty great! Elder Barbosa´s knees are dead. He´ll be getting emergency transferred to a tiny area next week, which I´m kind of sad about. We have been working great together! But to finish things off strong we have a goal to baptize three people this weekend. Gustavo and Osmar e Rita.
We haven´t been able to work a hundred percent because of we walk all day, the Elder Barbosa´s knees give out, so as far as finding people we are kind of stopped, but we have a good teaching group, and my companion is willing to make the sacrifice to follow up with these people.
We have had a little mission drama in the house. The other companinship has been fighting all week, but we had a good talk last night, and things seem to be better.
I´ve been studying the Book of Mormon. I have a goal to finish again before the end of the mission, and I´m focusing my whole study on stregthening my ability to feel and follow the Holy Ghost. One thing I´ve noticed is the diligence required to receive revelation. I think one of the most repeated promises in the scripture is "ask and ye shall recieve, knock and it shall be opened unto you." Variations of this promise are found in several places. To receive revelation we have to look for it, diligently look for it. I've been trying to make a list of things every week that I need help with, and throughouth the week, diligently study and pray in order to receive personal revelation. A lot of the times I forget to look for this revelation because life is so good, and I don't feel like I need much revelation to get through life happy, and maybe I don't, but I'm not here just to get through life happy, but to bring God's eternal plan to pass, and for this to happen, I need a lot of revelation. I really like the scripture in 1 Nephi 10:17-19
17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.
18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
Nephi didn't just listen to his dad and then continue in his same happy life, but diligently searched to know if it was true, and the result was the vision when he pretty much saw everything that would happen until the second coming. "He that diligently seeketh shal find, and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them." I wonder how much consel and advice from we leave behind just because we are to lazy to look for it.
Sorry, I kind of got babbling, but just a little of what I have learned on the mission.
Love you all a ton!
Abraço!
Evan
September 10, 2014
Oi de Brazil
Oi fam!
It´s been an interesting and fun week. New transfer, new companion, same area. I´m back with Elder Barbosa! I don´t know if you all remember, but he was my first companion when I got to Brasil, and now we are zone leaders together! It´s nuts. When I saw his name at transfers, I have to admit that I got really nervous. That first transfer together was tough, but it was more me adapting to brasil then any problems in the companionship. But now we are getting along great! The only problem is his knees. He has some serious knee problems which makes working difficult. But we are planning our days well to teach the people that are prepared.
All in all it´s been a good week.
We have a great teaching group, with five people visiting church Sunday. And we plan on continue working hard to find more people and help the people we have.
Scripture thought for the day from 2 nephi 33
And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, likeunto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
May we always speak with the power of the Holy Ghost to edify those around us, and may we soften our hearts to feel it´s whispers guide us in our daily life.
Love you all,
Evan
August 11, 2014
Cansado en Campinas
Oi familia,
Estou muito cansado agora, mas, faz parte da missão. I think the last 6 months of a missionary really defines him. The first year and a half we are constantly learning, trying our best, and excited, but then you kind of start to get the hang of things, and everything depends on your desire and execution. The last 6 months we still learn a lot, but a least for me, I feel like the first year and a half I served, but it also served as a wonderful learning experience, and now I just have to give everything I have to the Lord, and let him finish off my mission the way he wants me too.
The week was another tough one, at least in terms of the work. It´s a lot harder to find people here then I´m used too. It´s pretty much central campinas, not dead center, but close enough where everyone is always busy, doesn´t have time to talk to us on the street, and doesn´t have time to listen to our lessons. Slowly but surely we are building up a teaching group though.
Luana is one of our most promising investigators right now. A lot of problems to overcome, but a lot of desire as well. That´s all I can ask for. We can help people change, but we can´t help people desire to change, they have to desire it on their own. Luana is about 22 years old, has two kids, and currently lives with her Mom, but is still dating this guy who publicly cheats on her. Anyone, they are planning on living together again, but she really doesn´t want too, and I really hope she doesn´t. She needs to move on with life. But let´s see where things go.
Other than her we are really looking for people, desperately, but maybe I just need to desire it more and God will provide a way. It´s interesting how much our desires have an influence on our lives, and on our eternity. I really like these scriptures in Alma 41
3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should bejudged according to their works; and if their works were good inthis life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they shouldalso, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.
4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them forevil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order,every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality,corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inheritthe kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom ofthe devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other—
5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the otherto evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil whenthe night cometh.
Hope you all have a great week! Always desire the good in life, because that which ye sow, ye shall also reap.
Love you all!
Evan
August 6, 2014
Templo - Foto Zona Campinas
Templo - Foto Zona Campinas
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