December 30, 2015
QUINTA (Wednesday):
WOOT WOOT! TODAY WAS SO COOL. So we went to the house of Janete, who is a
newer investigator who we found knocking doors.
Today was our third time going there and she always reads what we leave,
along with the rest of the chapter and a little more. Today, her 19 year old daughter was there,
too. She told us she’s gone to quite a
few churches, but she doesn’t like any of them.
She said they didn’t have any feeling and she asked us what we believe
happens after we die. Her boyfriend
recently died. So, we taught the plan of
salvation. I haven’t yet had a lesson so
dear or with people so receptive. They
both were eager to learn and it all made sense to them. I gave the daughter a Book of Mormon, and
marked 2 Nephi 31 with a plan of salvation pamphlet and she tried to hide it,
but she was SUPER happy. They maybe
can’t make it to church this Sunday, but they really have a desire to see what
it’s like. They had a lot of good
questions and comments. I’m super
excited about them. The mom’s name is
Janete, and the daughter is Bianca.
Then we
went knocking more doors. But here’s the
thing. I needed to use the
bathroom. I’ve never had to pee so badly
in my life. We knocked at one house and
she answered. Everything about this
woman was slow and relaxed, and I almost exploded! I think Pompeu thought it was funny because I
had told him before I was going to burst.
He asked if we could start with a prayer, and I patiently yelled at her,
“But first can I please use your bathroom?”
Pompeu started laughing as she went in the house to guide me to it. Ha-ha.
Man, but I
can’t get over that lesson with Janete and Bianca. I don’t know if they’ll be baptized, but they
are well prepared already. Janete said
she’s already asked God in prayer, but doesn’t feel like she received her
answer yet. AHHH!! I want to baptize them!
Ha-ha,
during the lesson Bianca cut me off at one point and asked me where I was
from. I said the USA. She was surprised and said, “And how did you
get here?” I said, “Plane”. Haha.
Janete thought it was hilarious.
Then later, after the lesson Bianca asked if there are women
missionaries, too? We said yes. She said, “And how do they walk?” which is
the literal translation, but it means like how do they go about doing it? But I took the literal meaning and said,
“with their feet.” And Janete started
laughing again. Ha-ha. Man, why am I so funny!? Bianca thought I was funny, too. Today was a good day. Today was day 177 of my mission.
January 1, 2016
SEXTA (Friday):
Woot Woot for P-day all day. We slept,
Studied (I read about an entire Liahona), went to lunch which was awesome,
cleaned our house, I made ice cream which turned out awesome, then slept a
little more, then went to the house of some less actives and ate burgers and
watched half of “the other side of
Heaven.” Now we are in the apartment. I finished eating my ice cream, and I’m
writing. At lunch the member showed us the picture of his baptism, with the
elders. On the other side were the
testimonies of the elders from 2002.
It’s cool to see this kind of stuff.
I noted down the address there of the elder from California when nobody
was looking, and I’m going to send him a letter telling him Jorge is still firm
and active after 13 years. How cool
would that be to get a letter randomly one day like that? Eu Sou O Cara (I’m the guy) ha-ha Today was day 178 of my mission
Jan. 2, SABADO (Saturday): Woot Woot Again! Ha-ha.
Today was so good. It was SUPER
hot, but it was great. One lady we
taught and all was going well. She
understood everything. Then we
challenged her to baptism. She said
no. We explained that it wasn’t a right
away thing, only after God tells her it’s what she needs to do. She said no again. Pompeu said, “even if you receive an answer
from God that you need to be baptized by someone who holds the authority of
God, you won’t?” She said no. Ha-ha…what do you do with someone like that?
We had
other good lessons. We made a plan with
Eder and his ‘wife’ to help her quit smoking.
She’s going to cut a fourth off of all her cigarettes with scissors for
the next week. She was excited about
that idea. We stayed at their house for
a while making plans and studying with her.
Her name is Juraci. She started
smoking at 14, now she’s 40+. They both
really want to be baptized, really bad.
But she needs to quit smoking, he drinks a little, and they need to get
married. But I love them. Eder is so funny. Today was very good. Today was day 179 of my mission.
An example
of something Eder said I found very funny.
They have a Pomegranate tree and I explained that there used to be one
at Grandma’s (on the rez) and we would break them open on our knees and eat
them, but our pants were always stained red.
Pompeu said, “Why didn’t you guys just use a knife?” The Eder said, “Hey, everyone has his way of opening
his pomegranate. If the little American
children want to be aggressive and violent, let them be. We’ll continue using our knives.” Ha-ha.
(3) DOMINGO (Sunday):
Today went well, very well. We got
another new investigator, the daughter of Janete. She’s 17 and she seemed very interested. We gave her a Book of Mormon and left her
with a part to read.
ALSO, WE
HAD CHRUCH TODAY. None of our
investigators came, for some excuse or another, but they really do have a lot
of potential. Bursting with potential,
so to say.
Today I
felt something very special in the lesson with Janete and Edwarda, her
daughter. We explained the Book of
Mormon, and when I bore testimony I could really feel that I actually believed
what I was saying. I remembered that
quote of “you gain your testimony through bearing it.” I’ve learned on my mission that you only
receive proof of any doctrine principle AFTER you exercise the faith required
to apply that principle to your life and see the blessings. When we go to bear testimony, the words will
be there to speak. We are children of
God, and he’s got our back in all things.
Today was day 180 of my mission.
(4) SEGUNDA (Monday): Today was great! P-day normal, then we went
to the house of Valeira, the woman who was baptized the Saturday before I came
here. She’s moving tomorrow, with her
family to a city 2 hours away that is still in our area. There’s no way we can find time to visit her,
and she’s not likely to make the trip to come to church. That was a sad lesson.
We left her
house after saying our goodbyes and started knocking doors, searching for new
investigators that are prime. After a
lesson with a man who didn’t have any desire to even try and understand, we
said a prayer together asking for guidance to a family that is ready for the
gospel. Then we just kept knocking
doors. We knocked at one door, and a
17-year-old kid came out, let us in, and we talked with him. His name is Leonardo. This kid is ELECT! Man, he is so good. He was home alone, so it was just us, but it
was such a good lesson. During the lesson I kept imagining him in a white shirt
and tie with a nametag, and I tried my best to explain things clearly and
invite the spirit. He had good questions
and good answers to our questions. AHHH.
I am excited to see him progress!!
One thing I
liked about this experience is we prayed for guidance to a person ready, and
then we were rejected at the next few houses.
But we found Leonardo. Sometimes
all we can do is pray for help and then keep trying. Every time we keep going despite our failings
or struggles we’re showing God our desire to succeed. He wasn’t going to, right after our prayer,
put in our mind ‘fifth house on the right, go knock there.’ He’s going to let us knock the first 4
houses, then the fifth time let us succeed.
Nephi didn’t succeed the first time with getting the plates from Laban,
but with persistence the Lord guided him to success and strengthened him along
the way. Man, I love being a
missionary.
Then we
came home, and I spent 30 minutes trying to make juice out of oranges and
peaches. But I couldn’t’ get the pulp
out, so I just ate the mush. But I got
the whole kitchen dirty in the process.
WOOT WOOT!
Today was day 181 of my mission.
(5) TERCA (Tuesday): Today
we didn’t have a single lesson. Here’s why…because our district is just us
2. Every 14 days we go to the district
meeting at Santiago, 3 hours away by bus.
We go, and don’t get home until 6 at night.
My district!
Then we had ward council, which we thought
was at 6. After 20 minutes of waiting,
we finally got a hold of a member who told us it was at 7, but to stay at the
chapel, he was going to come have a meeting with us. He didn’t come for another 40 minutes. So, Pompeu and I bible bashed and
studied. Then, the ward council went 2
and a half hours, and I don’t know why we were there for most of it. Usually the missionaries give their part, and
leave. Whatever. By then it was 9:30 and we went back to the
house. There’s my day for ya’ll. Today
was day 182 of my mission.
(6) QUARTA
(Wednesday): Today I studied about
compassion. The best missionary was
Jesus Christ and it’s because he had perfect compassion for the people. When he looked at someone, he really and
honestly saw the full divine potential of that person and was moved by
compassion to help him or her.
Compassion is what I am trying to improve. I was raised on tough love. ‘Don’t cry unless you’re really bleeding” “Family wrestling doesn’t end until someone
is crying.” (You can see how those two
go together.) I wouldn’t have it any
other way, the way I was raised. I
learned to keep my petty, personal problems, and complaints personal. So when others complain about a headache, or
a hurt leg, my first thought is “seja una homen a figue queito” (Be a
man). But this is what I need to
improve, is my initial thoughts. I’m
judgmental and impatient with others.
This is the opposite of compassion, and I’m working to change.
Ha-ha,
remember Eder? That guy I said was
funny? Today when we went to their house
he was reading 2 Nephi 31, which I had left with him . We asked him if he had any questions, and he
said yes. Verse 13, when it says “shout
praises to the house of Israel.”
(Something like that, I’m remembering in Pork and Cheese and
translating.) He said, “I’m not going to
yell anything at Israel, everyone over there is crazy and has bombs. I’ve seen them on TV! “ Ha-ha, I thought it was so funny.
In the
house of one inactive, a 15 year old, he asked me if I could translate some
messages he had gotten from people in his video games online. I agreed, and he opened them. 1st: Yea, I don’t want to know how to say
that. 2nd: you don’t want to
know. 3rd: More swear words
then I knew existed. 4th: How about we say a prayer and read the Book
of Mormon? He said, “I was in a spot
where I could kill everyone, but nobody could hit me. They weren’t very happy, I don’t think.” Me:
“yea…I don’t think so.”
We also met
a missionary from another church today.
He was way cool and we talked for a bit.
He said he likes it because since he isn’t officially a member yet, he
can help, and when he wants to leave to do what he wants, he can. He pulled out his phone to text his
girlfriend. He said he was thinking about taking a break to study and then
maybe he’ll go back. It made me glad to
be a part of the true church of Christ, with a real mission to which I’m 100%
dedicated. Today was day 183 of my
mission.
(7) QUINTA
(Thursday): So, today had an
activity in the ward, and it went AWESOME!
Our ward mission leader is awesome.
The activity we had was so good.
Everyone sat in a circle, about 20 people. The ward mission leader then brought out a
beautifully wrapped present, and said, “This is my present, that I will give to
the person who makes me most happy.”
Then he gave it to his wife he married a month ago. Then he pulled out a paper, and read, “But
the present isn’t for you. Give it to
the person with the most joy.” Then she
passed it, then he read a bit about joy, and said, “But the present isn’t for
you, pass it to the person with the most faith.” Then he read a bit on faith. On and on.
It was awesome and everyone was happy.
Only 2 people didn’t get the present at all and it was the 2 less active
members who are returning to the church.
This made me a little upset. Some
people were getting it multiple times.
But it still was good. Then at
the end, who was the person most fair, He read “But this present isn’t for
you. We need to share all we love, so
open it, and give to all.” It was a box
of candy bars and everyone got some.
Then after everyone was happy and talking and my less actives were very
included. I want to tell everyone at
home, every time you’re at an activity or church, and you see someone you don’t
know, go and introduce yourself and get to know them. Member or not. It’s so easy to do yet, so often our
investigators go to church and only the missionaries are talking to them or
introducing them to people. Everyone
needs a friend to stay firm in anything.
That’s one thing I’ve gotten a lot better at on the mission is talking
to people. Thank goodness because it was
a skill I was lacking.
Today we
knocked a good number of doors to not enter any. But we marked other days to pass, so it’s
all-good in the hood. Today was day 184
of my mission.
(8) SEXTA (Friday): So, here’s a summary of what’s happened since
the last time I wrote. I destroyed the
bathroom, we found a woman with a cousin on a mission who took a picture with
us to send to him, and we went with a member to teach an investigator and there
was Jehovah Witnesses and the member bible bashed hard with them….false doctrine.
First, the
bathroom. The pipe came off, so water
shot EVERYWHERE! But I fixed it and it’s fine.
Second,
today was a very good day of new investigators.
We found one woman, with the cousin, who lost her son at 4 months and
was confused why. We taught her the plan
of salvation, and she really liked it, and we are going to return. She was very good and I’m excited about
her. Her name is Elaine.
Also, I
learned that the gift of tongues can be taken from me faster then it was given.
I was having negative thoughts about everything and we went to a lesson. A beautiful family with 3 girls. We found them knocking doors. During the lesson, nothing I was saying, they
were understanding. I randomly said a
few English words here and there, which didn’t help. Amazingly, they still liked the message and
accepted the invitation to be baptized, after learning more. After the lesson I prayed for forgiveness and
help to change. My Portuguese returned,
and good thing, too, because then we met the Jehovah Witnesses.
So, the
member we took to the lesson with us is names Altair. We asked him to make a time with the
investigator so we could go with him.
Well, he just told us a time, and didn’t talk with the
investigator. So, we didn’t know it was
the hour of his weekly study with the JW’s.
We entered and first thought, “Oh Crap”.
Luckily, these guys were very chill and didn’t want to bible bash. Altair is a recent convert, and very
excited. He stated spouting every
doctrine he could remember, and a good amount of it was wrong. He was talking loud and fast, not letting
anyone else talk. Finally, the JW’s got
a word in, and they were very neutral.
Ha-ha, they didn’t argue with anything, even thought they could have
used some of the things said to destroy us.
It was a dad and his son. The dad
did all the talking. He noticed that
what Altair was saying wasn’t all the real truth we believed, because he
noticed our looks and the way we would try and talk to correct him. So, he didn’t destroy us. But I think the investigator got very
embarrassed, because when the JW’s went to leave he apologized. What a mess.
Next time we go we’ll explain and apologize to him. Honestly, I wanted to sit with just the JW’s
and talk with them. Because this guy
knows a lot, and when he left he told Altair that he had said a lot of things
they didn’t agree on, but he kept quiet out of respect for his beliefs. So, he’s chill and it would be cool to study
with him. But I need to study more in
the bible. I’ve already read quite a
bit, but I’ll study more. Today was day
185 of my mission.
(9) SABADO
(Saturday): So, we went to Janete’s
again, remember her? We taught her and
her daughter, and it was GREAT! We read
Alma 32 with them about comparing the word to a seed. Man, it was such a good lesson, and they both
want to go to church tomorrow!!
So mom,
remember that puzzle you gave me for Christmas.
Every time we’re in the house with a dull moment I grab it and work on
it. I think I’ve mastered all the ways
NOT to do it. So, today we were in the
house and I was playing with it while we were talking and Pompeu was writing
addresses to visit. I was getting
frustrated with the puzzle, and right then he hit me on the arm and said,
“Let’s go.” Pompeu always hits my arm
and I always tell him to stop because I hate it. So, when he did it this time I turned and
punched him back. Then he got offended
and we left for the street. After a few minutes
of walking, I said, “Sorry, my bad.” And
he started laughing and said, “I could tell you were mad at the puzzle, so I
pushed you a little further.” Then he
hit me again and started running. But
the rest of the day he didn’t touch me.
WOOT WOOT!
So, I’m
really trying to be a good missionary, obedient to all the mission rules. But I haven’t seen a single other missionary
worried about it as much as I am. Maybe I need to relax, but I don’t want
to. My whole life I‘ve had a easily
guilty conscience when I don’t do what I’m suppose to, even if it’s not all my
fault. I will say this…it’s a good thing
I’m on the mission with a comp all the time, because I’m developing a lot of
patience and people skills.
Tomorrow we
should have a lot of investigators at church.
We’re doing a division with the young men so Pompeu can go to one side
of the city to get people and I can go to the other. Tomorrow should be a good day. Today was day 186 of my mission.
(10) DOMINGO
(Sunday): Church today! And we had 4 investigators in sacrament! Janete came with Eduarda and Wesley! Man, I’m so excited about them. The other was a man a member brought with
her. Janete and her kids LOVED it! Wesley, who is 11 almost 12, is excited to go
play soccer with the young men. And they
are actually married…the parents! We
were going to mark day 23 of this month for their baptism, but the boyfriend of
Eduarda came and we didn’t want them to feel weird in front of him. But, we marked another day to pass by and
we’re going to mark baptism and a FHE with them.
Also, we
had a meeting with the ward mission leader and al the ward missionaries. They split the city into 4 areas, for the 4
couples of missionaries, and gave them similar goals to what we have. They are excited and they have their
responsibilities. The ward mission
leader here actually understands that the missionaries are here to help them
with THEIR work. AHHH! I’m super excited. All is well.
This week was a good one. Today
was day 187 of my mission.
(11) SEGUNDA (Monday): WOOT WOOT For P-day! I don’t know what’s up with my camera. But it’s not taking pictures. I got Becky’s package.
After p-day
we went to the house of Miguel. He’s a
good guy, with a big family. We still
haven’t managed to get a lesson with his whole family, but we challenged him to
be baptized on the 30th and he accepted! Now, we need to work on getting the rest of
the family.
Also, we
taught the restoration to Elaine. She’s
the one woman who has a cousin on a mission and took a picture with us to send
him. It was a great lesson, and right at the end her husband came home from
work. She had told us that she didn’t
know how her husband would react to missionaries so we were a little nervous. But, he got out of the car and was all friendly. We talked for a bit and when we went to leave
he told us we are welcome at any time, even if he’s not home his wife always
is. Woot Woot! We marked a day to go back to try and get him
at home too, but his work is crazy right now so it’s going to be
difficult. But Eliane has MUITO
potential and I’m excited to see her progress.
Today was good. Today was day 188 of my mission.
(12) TERCA (Tuesday): Lots of walking today. We have a list that the area presidency sends
out of in actives, and we have to contact them all. Lots have moved, but we found one, and his
dad isn’t a member and he accepted the baptism challenge! And man, it was HOT today. So, this dad we met, his name is Erik. He doesn’t go to any church. But we had a
good lesson with him about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and when we invited him
to prepare to be baptized, he accepted!
Today,
really, was mostly just walking in the sun, hunting houses that didn’t have
anyone home. Tomorrow will be a better
day of writing! Promise. Today was day 189 of my mission.
(13) QUARTA
(Wednesday): Today I swear I heard a bird singing ‘Count Your Many
Blessings”. I think I don’t even need to
write more about this great day today, but I will.
First off,
lunch was with a less active, who literally has a photogenic memory. I asked him how he discovered the gift and he
said when he was 14 the seminary professor said the first one in the class to
memorize the 25 scripture masteries would get a prize. He said he tried one. He read it, closed his eyes, and said it
perfectly, and checked it off. Then,
surprised, went onto the next. 20
minutes later, he had them all. Ha-ha,
imagine that! I’m jealous.
Then we
taught a young couple, Eduardo and Jessica.
We taught them the restoration and it went very good. We found them knocking random doors. (I always knock the blue houses). They both accepted the baptism challenge! But it’ll be a week before we return.
I’ll just
share our last lesson of the day with you now.
Claudia was baptized a long time ago.
Her son, too. Remember that young
man who said God doesn’t exist, and Jesus was just another Jew? This is them.
2 Sundays ago Claudia went to church.
This last Sunday she brought her husband. He isn’t a member. He’s almost atheist, but has a desire to
believe in God. He’s praying and
searching and reading the Book of Mormon.
He doesn’t want to be baptized until he knows for sure, but he’s really
searching. I just hope he’s patient
enough to get his answer. I’ve learned
that God always answers our prayer. Just
some times he delays the answer because Your personal journey to it is worth
more then the answer it’s self. It’s
like on the AP calc or stats test. The
actual answer is on point of the 5. The
other 4 are for the work and steps shown.
We need to show our work to God, which proves to Him, and I believe more
importantly to ourselves that we really want the answer.
I’m loving
all the talks I’m getting! I studied 3
of them today! Thanks so much to
everyone who gave me one or will send one soon.
Today really was a good day.
Today was day 190 of my mission.
(14) QUINTA (Thursday): I feel like I’m really getting the hang of
teaching in a way that’s specific to the person. That makes me very happy. I know enough scriptures that I can choose
which one to share that will help them most, and just explain the in a way that
is so simple you wonder why you never thought of it.
Today we
stopped by the house where we met the Jehovah witnesses. We taught them the restoration, and for me it
was a very powerful experience. I could really feel the spirit. At the end when we gave him the Book of
Mormon, explained what it was, and marked a part for him to read, when he
grabbed it he started crying and couldn’t speak. Seriously he was trying. I know that he was feeling the spirit testify
of our words even if maybe he didn’t recognize it all the way at that
moment. Then we said a prayer and left
them with that spirit and book.
I’ve
noticed that I'm a lot more patient and forgiving. I still have a long ways to perfect, but
little by little my prayers are being answered.
I’m noticing the Christ like attributes grow in myself.
We also
challenged Janete and Edurada to baptism on the 23. They said it’s very soon. They want to get more familiar with the
church first. They are still reading and they quit coffee cold turkey after a
life time of it. A member gave Janete a
Liahona of General Conference and she was very curious about how they are all
Americans. We showed her the Brazilians
in the 70’s and it helped. We invited
them to pray about the 23rd, but I think it might be better on the
30th. I’m going to pass her
address to a member for him and his wife to pass by. If Janete had a friend or two in the church
she would feel much more comfortable.
I’m really
working on memorizing scriptures. My
Patriarchal Blessing talks about the blessings that will come from my ability
to cite scriptures. So I’m working to
better it. Today was day 181 of my
mission.
(15) SEXTA (Friday): Today a woman tried to use the bible to prove
to us me that God has seven churches that are His. Here’s a type of conversation we have with a
lot of people.
Them: All
churches are good and true.
Us: Do you believe
that God would make different commandments for His children or the same rules
for everyone?
Them: Well,
of course the same. It wouldn’t be fair,
otherwise.
Us: And it makes it difficult to know the true
commandments of God when all the churches are teaching things differently.
Them: That’s true.
They’re all different.
Us: But, God has given us a way to know why there
are so many different churches and how we can know which one is true.
Them: Well, they’re all true. Everyone has his or her own way.
AHHHH! What did we
just talk about? Ha-ha. It’s amazing how principles I’ve known since
I was tiny are so hard to understand.
Some people demand extra patience when you explain a principle 4 times,
and they know it makes sense but won’t accept it.
One cool
thing about myself I learned today is that I sleep like a vampire. Flat on my back, hands crossed on my chest,
legs straight. I used to sleep like in a
ball, but it’s too hot for that.
Sometimes
I’ll seriously be thinking, “This sure is so great. I’m glad I got called to such a beautiful,
warm place.” And someone will complain
about how it’s too hot. Everyone
complains about the heat, but I love it.
Today was a good day. Today was
day 192 of my mission.
(16) SABADO
(Saturday): Everything fell through
today, and Janete and her family will travel tomorrow so they won’t be able to
go to church tomorrow. So, they won’t be
able to be baptized on the 23rd because they’ll only have one time
at church.
Everyone cancelled;
the sun was destroying, walked from one side of the city to the other. Now, I’m going to think of something positive
to write.
A member
today told me about his twin brother who lives in Salt Lake. He showed me pictures of him, in razors, at
the desert, hunting, tubing at Lake Powell.
He looked like he’d fit right in with our family. The member, who calls me Elder Pechanga, said
that when he goes to visit his brother he’ll come visit me, too. Then we taught
them all the restoration and they gave feed back. It was too late to find a real lesson with
time to return to our house, and there were 3 returned missionaries there. Super great.
One of them is a secretary of the ward, and we had to pass a list of
names we had gone through to him and he had to log them in the computer. For this we were there, not just wasting
time. But today was slower, lesson
wise. Today was day 193 of my mission.
(17) DOMINGO
(Sunday): So today at lunch we were
eating with young newlyweds and they invited a widow in the ward to eat with
us. At one point, my plate was empty,
and the widow said, “Elder Comor sem Vergonha” which literally means, “Elder,
Eat without shame”, or “don’t’ be afraid to eat more.” Everyone laughed, which I found normal. What I didn’t know is that the phrase “sem
vergonha” means ‘player’, like a guy who gets around with a lot of girls. This is why they all laughed, because of the
double meaning. Later, Kat, who is the
wife of the newlywed 19 year old, had an empty plate, and so I said, “Irma, Comor
sem vergonha”, and she paused, looked at me, and EXPLODED laughing. Elder Pompeu and the widow also. Her husband, when I looked at him, didn’t
look too happy, and then he shook his head and started laughing, too. The phrase “sem vergonha” when used for a
woman is VERY strong and REALLY offensive, like the equivalent of the B
word. But it’s not a swear word. And I guess the way I said it, the only way
to interpret it, was as that, not how I meant.
Then the rest of lunch was spent making fun of me and how I’ll be known
across the mission as “Elder Sem Vergonha”.
So there’s that story.
Church went
well today. Janete and the family ere
traveling, so no church for them. This week went good. Today is day 194 of my mission.
(18) SEGUNDA
(Monday): Yea, P-day! Talked to the family, buy more peaches,
bananas, oranges, and Milk. Learned that
the box we had to pay to get taken out in Santa Maria, which likely had my
camera, was in the post office for too long and they sent it to Sao Paulo. That means it was there when I was there,
Elder Donoso just didn’t read the paper and see my name. I don’t know how to get it back. Maybe I can talk to the people at the post
office.
So, I’ve
noticed something. The uglier the car
is, the louder they play their music.
It’s like they’re saying ‘I know my car is ugly, but everyone look at my
sound system!’ Then I got to thinking;
maybe they are calling this attention to themselves because they don’t get
enough in home. So, everyone, give
attention to your family in home. Let’s
put an end to this loud music.
I also,
today, learned that Great Grandpa McKee passed away last Monday. It made me sad to know I’ll never see him
again in this life, but I received a lot of comfort that I will in the next
life. He’s happy and young again, with
his family and watching over us. I have
no doubt that families are forever. It’s that knowledge that keeps me going
here in the field.
(19) TERCA (Tuesday): I’ll tell you about the lesson we had with
Janete today. She is FULL of questions,
which is AWESOME! We watched the
20-minute version of the restoration and then talked about it. She’s praying and waiting for an answer, one
that I think she already has. She said
she needs to go to our church more to learn more. OF COURSE!
Ha-ha, when she said that I said, “We can make that work”. And her husband, whom I’ve met only once, is
searching for a church, too. Only he’s a
trucker, and is rarely home. I’m super
excited about Janete and her family. I
want to baptize them so bad.
This
morning I watched a short film called, “Only a Stone Cutter.” I cried. It’s about a man and his family who
left England, crossed to Utah with a hand cart, then he walked 22 miles every
Monday to the Salt Lake Temple to work as a stone cutter for the week. He’d walk back Friday night. Spend Saturday as his only day to do chores
on his huge farm, then Monday leave again.
For over 20 years. Then he got in
an accident with a cow and had to amputate his leg. He carved a peg leg and when he could walk
good enough with it to get along, he went back to his old routine of Monday walk,
Friday return. At 70 something, with
that peg leg, he was climbing hundreds feet of scaffolding to carve that plaque
on the front of the temple “Holiness to the Lord”. He died 4 years before the dedication of the
temple. ‘Only a Stone Cutter.” Go watch it, then try and think about how we
can lay claim to suffering in our luxurious lives. Everyone has their own trials and struggles,
but personally I don’t’ think I’ll ever have to overcome what this man did, or
anything similar.
Tomorrow we
leave for Santiago at 9:00 and will get back at 1:00 in the morning. I’m taking my journal and memory card to take
pictures for you guys. You’re welcome. Today was day 196 of my mission.
(20) QUARTA
(Wednesday): Well, we left at almost
10:00 am for Santiago, to watch a missionary broadcast. We got back at 1:00 am. Also, it turns out they lied. I didn’t have 5 packages waiting for me. But that’s ok. I got grandma’s Christmas package, Grandma
McKee’s, and letters. After the
broadcast, which I got to watch in English because there’s a new Elder who understands no Portuguese
yet, so I watched it with him, we did splits and I went with Elder Donoso. We had time for 2 lessons. The first one we were about to do the prayer
when someone knocked. The man went outside,
I heard him say, “Yea, we are about to do a prayer, would you like to join us?”
In comes 2 preachers, they shook our hands then said, “Let’s pray” and
both started YELLING! Super loud, your
basic false doctrine, yelling prayer stuff, for about 5 minutes. Then they started talking to the woman that
the only way to help her son, who’s a drug addict, is to bring some of his
clothes to his church, so they can wash it and pray over it. Then they left. The moment they left, I shared Mathew 6:5-6
with them. Ha-ha, Then we had a good
spiritual lesson about prayer and helping them return to the church.
Second
lesson, we went in and talked a little, then a Jehovah Witness came in! We were talking, and we got a call from my
comp that we need to buy tickets before the bus stop closes. So we tried to end the lesson, but the JW
said, “I can see you are in a hurry, but I’ll just say a few words.” We spent the next 30 minutes trying to leave,
but he kept talking. Finally, I cut him
off and said, “Sorry, but we really need to go.
I don’t want to sleep in the road tonight.” He said, ‘Tubo Bem, (Very good) but one more
thing.” The people of the house said,
“No, they need to go. Elder McKee please
say the closing prayer, then I’ll give you a ride.” The JW didn’t want to let us leave! But it was all-good. Then I bought us ice cream because it was
Elder Donoso’s Birthday.
Today was
day 197 of my mission. I learned today
why the missionary program works.
Because it’s true! 2 young men or
women, sometimes in a foreign country, teaching, and it works. We invite the spirit, help the people
recognize it, then help them through the repentance process.
(21) QUINTA
(Thursday): So, we had a very good
day today and I’m going to share my favorite lesson with you guys. So, before I got here, Elder Pompeu and Elder
Smith had an investigator who was dating a member. That’s how she met the church. It was going good, and then things ended with
the relationship. Today was the first
time we passed since, my first time meeting her. Her name is Milena. She’s 17.
We taught her the restoration and gave her a Book of Mormon. It was an
AMAZING lesson! At the end she told us
that before she had thought she was only going to church and the activities
because of her boyfriend, Alex. But, she
said she was surprised when after things ended she still really wanted to
go. She’s already visited a lot of
churches, talked to a lot of preachers.
She said we are the only ones she’s really stopped to pay attention to,
because of the conviction and certainty with which we talk, leaves no doubt in
HER that what we say is true. We
explain, and then invite her to ask another source, GOD. She really has a huge desire. I’m super
excited about her. Ahhh…. I love being a
missionary!! Today was day 198 of my
mission.
(22) SEXTA (Friday): Today was a good day. We had really good lessons today. So, Wesley, the son of Janete, turns 12
tomorrow. His dad is gone because he
works as a trucker. But he called and
told Janete to grab 30 reais and buy him whatever he wanted. He chose a plastic bow and arrow, and 2 ping-pong
paddles. He had found a ping-pong ball
in the road, and sued to play with a thin piece of wood he also found. They don’t have a table, but he likes to
bounce the ball around. So, I played
with him a little and shot his little bow a little. It was awesome to see how happy he is with
his simple gifts, and I learned that, really, we decide our own happiness. For example, I honestly love walking in the
sun. I wake up and I am excited to go
walk. That’s not something I had
before. Or maybe it’s the Lord saying,
“I’m going to take away his common sense for 2 years so he stays happy.” Ha-ha.
I’m getting fat, and it doesn’t even bother me. A quote I wrote form the MTC is “If we base
our happiness on our circumstances we’ll often find our selves
disappointed.”
That’s
something I’m working on, is being more happy.
I like to smile. For example,
Pompeu saw a praying mantis in person for the first time today, and screamed
like a girl. I died laughing. Today was day 199 of my mission.
(23) SABADO
(Saturday): So a young woman, 14
years old, decided to get a tattoo on her forearm, in English. She got ‘Life, Faith, Hope, and Love’
written. She’s a member, her whole family
is. Her brother is less active and we
were there when she came home and showed everyone. It was a sad surprise. They asked her what the words meant, and she
showed it to me. I said, ‘Vida, Fe,
Esperonsa, e….” and I paused a second.
Then I said, “I think you meant for this to be ‘amor’” ha-ha, which
means love. She paused and said, “meant
it to be? What is it really?” I told her
cachorro, which means dog. Ha-ha-ha-ha. I said the word for love and dog are very
close in English and she switched the letters.
Ha-ha-ha. EVERYONE had a shocked look on their faces. Ha-ha. I let it go for a few seconds, and
then said, “No, just kidding, it’s all correct.” Ha-ha.
It was so funny. It was a really
ugly tattoo, to be honest.
Today was a
slower day, a poor end to the week. This
coming week we’ll receive transfers, and I think we’ll both stay. Today was day 200 of my mission.
100 Things I Learned On My Mission:
1. Portuguese
2. a simple, honest testimony is more powerful then all
eloquence
3. Jesus really is
the Christ
4. God will always answer our honest prayers.
5. Sometimes its
better to lose the argument, even if you know you’re right.
6. The Lord will not
leave you comfortless
7. No matter how
heard you try, some will reject you.
8. Free will means
wrong choices will be made. Correct them
and move on
9. Never talk about
money with anyone.
10. Let others talk
about themselves without trying to one up them.
11. The more you smile;
the happier people will be around you.
12. Everyone has
advice to give, and it pays to listen to it all
13. Little dogs bark
the most. So do little people
14. If you put forth
your best effort, the Lord will carry you the rest of the way.
15. Everyone wants
everything American they can get
16. Talk to
EVERYONE! The people who reject you,
You’ll never see again. The people who
accept you, you’ll change their lives.
17. Take a small
first helping at meals. Seconds are
mandatory.
18. Insulting anyone serves
for nothing. Just proves you lack the
intelligence to form acceptable reasoning.
19. The Book of
Mormon will change your life if you let it.
20. American Candy
can be traded for it’s weight in gold.
21. Talking yourself
up only makes others thing of how they are better than you.
22. Even God’s
servants aren’t perfect
23. Other people are
never an excuse to drop below what you know to be true.
24. You can gain
someone’s confidence with a smile genuine.
25. Brazilians know
American music better than I do.
26. We are blessed
beyond reason in USA
27. The less you
talk, the wiser you appear
28. Many of our
‘needs’ aren’t really needs
29. Everyone’s your
friend on mail day
30. Sacred things are
to be treat sacred
31. If I give the
Lord a good day of work, he’ll give me a good night of sleep
32. Those that live
the gospel are immensely blessed
33. Homemade ice
cream is the BEST!
34. When people say
to guess their age or weight, SHOOT LOW
35. People never go
right to a big sin, it always starts with small, innocent steps
36. it sure is good
to be brown.
37. Video games are a
trap with no satisfaction
38. With the right
questions, people can teach themselves.
39. Family is
everything
40. Personal things
are best kept personal
41. Everybody has the
potential to enter God’s kingdom
42. When the young
men tell you a phrase to say to someone and you don’t know what it means, it’s
best not to say it.
43. When people are
about to reject you, make your American accent a little stronger
44. Relax
45. Anyone can read
scriptures or site a lecture, we’re here to teach.
46. Scriptures aren’t
hard to understand, we just need practice
47. There’s no
greater joy than seeing others happy
48. When you know how
to sew, all the missionaries are your friends. (Thanks Grandma Munoa)
49. I’ve been spoiled
in luxury excess my whole life
50. When you try to
cut your own hair without a mirror, you’re making a mistake
51. GET ON THE BUS
EARLY!
52. Time flies when
you’re trying to fill it all
53. All members like
to talk about ‘their’ missionary who baptized them.
54. if you walk
staring at your feet, you won’t see the people God has put in your path.
55. The moment you
use a lesson or scripture to show your own knowledge, the spirit leaves.
56. We are here to
teach the RESTORATION! That is our main
duty
57. it is literally
offensive to turn down more food.
58. Test to see if a
dog bites with your foot, not your hand
59. Everyone deserves
to be loved by a friend
60. Nobody really
wants to hear about your accomplishments
61. Jolly ranchers
are the BEST when studying in the morning
62. Study with a
purpose and a specific question
63. If you want to
feel REAL good about yourself, shine your shoes
64. NEVER call a
woman ‘sem vergonha’
65. Obedience pays
off
66. After a few
nights you get used to sleeping sweaty
67. Addictions are in
the mind
68. Don’t be afraid
to say no
69. Never try and
play soccer with Brazilians
70. Never even try
and TALK soccer with Brazilians
71. When Brazilians
try and get you to play soccer with them, find a way out
72. Missionary work
works because it’s inspired and our messages are true.
73. What it is to
really lack a need (food, house, water, clothes)
74. Happiness is
learned
75. If you want the
time to pass fast, it won’t
76. If you want the
time to pass slowly, it won’t
77. If you’re
American, people will ask you why your country does everything it does.
78. Everyone has a
story to tell.
79. Even the dumbest
kid in Brazil speaks Portuguese. I can
learn it, too
80. Every verse of
scripture is inspiration if you allow it to be
81. Nothing has a
higher payback then strict obedience to the commandments
82. Circumstances
don’t determine happiness
83. Always be ready
for President to walk in the door
84. Churrasco should
have its own section in the food pyramid
85. Some people just
want to talk to hear themselves. Let
them be
86. Arguing over
opinions leaves nobody happy and accomplishes nothing.
87. Family is the
most important thing to me.
88. No matter what
you do, people still have their agency
89. Sometimes the
best answer is silence
90. Give your all to
the Lord, and you’ll find he pays back in double
91. You get what you
go after
92. Never lower your
standards, no matter the company
93. Don’t be afraid
to speak what should be said, bluntly
94. Be Patient
95. Money doesn’t fix
everything, but buying a lot of glow sticks can make a lot of people happy
96. Families are
ordained and organized by God
97. If you try and do
everything at once you’ll get nothing done
98. Cold peaches in
the morning are the best
99. Stop telling
people you’re afraid of spiders.
100. A list of 200
would be very hard to do.
Every 100 days, I’ll write a new 100 things I’ve
learned. On the last day I’ll write something
for every day of my mission.
100 Things I’m Grateful for:
1.
Prayer, 2. Family 3. The gospel 4. Scriptures,
5. The atonement, 6. Revelation, 7.
Spiritual gifts, 8. Prophets 9. Priesthood 10. My mission call 11. These last 200 days 12. The gift of tongues 13. Beans and rice 14. Fruit 15. Patience 16. DVD players 17. Ties 18. Quick shoeshine
19. Letter in the mail 20. Peanut butter 21. Friends 22.
The examples in my life 23.
Education 34. The church 25. Our young men’s program 26. Inspiration 27. The pioneers 28. That I’m American 29. Juice 30. The sun 31. Shaded side walks 32. SKYPE 33.
Christmas 34. Mother’s day
35. Journals 36. President Parrela 37. Trials 38. Liahona 39. Footnotes 40. Being
raised in the church 41. Peaches 42. Dish washers (I’d forgotten those exist)
43. Cameras 44. Pictures 45. My patriarchal blessing 46. My dad’s mission 47.
My siblings 48. My mom’s everything. 49. The plan of salvation 50. Water 51.
References from people 52. Trees 53. Temples 54. Covenants 55. Stubborn
companions 56. Hard areas 57. Preach my gospel 58. Mission prep class 59. My
ward back home 60. Bishop 61. Timberline 62. Merit badges 63. Email 64. Birds
65. Dogs that don’t bark 66. Church movies 67. People who laugh at the way I
talk 68. Scriptures masteries 69. Seminary 70. Long boards 71. The seasons 72.
Washing machines 73. Ice 74. Fridges 75. Panini’s 76. Push ups 77. Personal
study 78. Companion study 79. Lesson pamphlets 80. English to Portuguese
dictionaries 81. My own hair-cutting machine 82. Taxis 83. Skittles 84.
Churrasco 85. The ability to laugh 86. Agency 87. Agency 88. P-days 89. The MTC 90. My nametag 91. To be a
McKee 92. Gospel library 93. All the support I have 94. Shoes 95. My body 96.
My testimony 97. My parents 98. The power of the spirit 99. The Book of Mormon 100. My savior Jesus
Christ.
(24) DOMINGO
(Sunday): You know what I love? When a member randomly brings 3 friends to
church. WOOT WOOT! Ha-ha, one of them
was Baptist and only wanted to bible bash with everyone, which was funny, and
we let him. The other 2 gave us their
addresses and asked us to pass by! They
were very good. We also had another
meeting with the Ward Mission Leader and the ward missionaries. It went very good and they are working hard.
Janete and
her family couldn’t go again because they went to some park in another
city. That’s annoying. But today was good. We had a load of investigators in sacrament
meeting. Things are going great. Transfers will be given this week. With certainty I’ll stay but I don’t know
about Elder Pompeu. Today was day 201 of
my mission.
Love, Elder McKee
Banana with two in it. Best day ever!
