Sleep Talking In Portuguese!

Week of March 7-13, 2016

(7)SEGUNDA (Monday):  Today was a good day.  5 boxes and 4 letters.  Ha-ha, Man I am spoiled! All the elders here mandam um abraço and te agradecem pelo chocolate. (send a hug and thank you for the chocolate). I’m still not managing to send many pictures, but I’ll find a way.  Elder Martins showed me some pictures he got from his girlfriend, who is visiting Moab.  I miss that place.

            So, one lesson today, this woman kept trying to bible bash. She would argue with everything.  Then she asked us if we believe in reincarnation.  I said, “No, we believe in what the bible says that we will resurrect.”  Her: “Where does it say that in the bible?”  Me: “ Corinthians 15” Her: “Let’s go, show me.”  Then I read Corinthians 15:12-22, then said, “We believe and know that Christ resurrected, and that because of this we will also resurrect.”  She looked at me, and then said, “Oh, here’s my dog.  Lots of people have allergies around him.  Are you guys feeling anything?”  Ha-ha-ha, immediately changed the topic.  After the lesson, my comp said, “Elder McKee, you DESTROYED that bible bash!”  Me: “really?  Did I burn her too much?”  Him: “Read the passage again.”  So, I did and now I saw the parts of, “If you don’t believe your faith is vain.”  And “Ye are yet in your sins.’  Maybe it was a little strong, but I don’t like to bible bash.  Today was day 244 of my mission.

(8) TERCA (Tuesday):  Today I did my first baptism interview, with Rodrigo.  He is a great example of how the Lord prepares people before they even meet the missionaries.  The interview was very spiritual and he really opened up to me.

            Then we found a new investigator named Maria, and it was a very good lesson. I’m trying to better my love and compassion for people.  That’s the Christ like characteristic that I’m working on.  In this lesson I focused on that a lot.  The lesson on the restoration went very well.  Right at the beginning she asked, “Why are there so many different churches when there is only one God?”  Ha-ha, which is exactly what we talk about!   She liked the message and the church a lot.  She became very impressed that nobody in the church is paid.  Also, I got my glasses today.  It’s like a whole new world!!  Today is day 245 of my mission.

(9) QUARTA (Wednesday):  An entire day of rain…with a lesson with Stefani.  She didn’t go to church Sunday because she was sleeping…But Fabio the member who invited them the first time, stopped by and talked with them and gave them 2 movies, ‘The Mountain of the Lord’ and ‘Joy to the World’.  Why can’t all members do this!?  He is so involved and helpful in the missionary world.  But she already went to the place, I don’t know how to say in English, to do the marriage papers, and is trying to figure it out.  They’re humble, marriage is expensive, and unfortunately, Missionaries can’t help them pay.  But it’s good that she’s giving her effort, the Lord will recognize that and give her many blessings.  We explained temples to her, because she had watched the ‘Mountain of the Lord’ that Fabio left her.  She LOVED the idea of baptisms for the dead, then asked about the temple marriage.  She is very good. I’m praying a lot for her.

            Also, something that just came to mind today was Joci’s last day in the mission.  She flies home tomorrow.  Man, that’s INSANE!  I wish I could see how much she’s changed.  For sure, she’s not the same girl who left Utah, but I’m sure she’s still Joci.  Man, it’s so exciting.  Now, she’ll start real life, the next mission.  School, work, money, rent, homework, and I’ll bet she’s married in a year.  Ha-ha, man I’m excited for her.  Today was day 246 of my mission.

(10) QUINTA (Thursday):  Transfers came today.  Us 4 will be staying.  WOOT WOOT!  My son won’t have a stepfather!

            Today we went to the neighborhood called Floresta, which means what it sounds like. I t’s the more humble part of the city, but we don’t go there much because of a few things.  1) The streets have no patterns so it’s easy to get lost.  2) It’s where all the drug problems originate.  3) I won’t share because mom reads this.  But we don’t ever go at night.  But today we went exploring and found a ton of lessons.  The missionaries have never, or rarely gone there, so it’s all un-minded gold.  I want to do more hunting there, but it’s best to leave and go back to the other neighborhoods before 6-7 pm.

            Ha-ha, here’s a funny conversation from today:

Us:  “Hello, we are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Cristo”

Her: “Hello”

Us: “Do you frequent a church?”  (That sounds strange in English, the way I wrote it.)

Her: “No, I’m just Catholic.  Want to enter?”

Ha-ha, I don’t have a church, I’m just catholic.  I thought it was funny.  But today went very good.  I’m super happy and excited for tomorrow, also, the baptism on Saturday.  WOOT WOOT!  Today was day 247 of my mission.

(11) SEXTA (Friday):  Today was a good day,  a really good day.  I was happy all day.  Until I looked in the mirror at night, and realized I have love handles now.  That’s not ok.  Ha-ha, I’ll be upping my exercises.  Then we bought pizza and I realized my problem.  Ha-ha

 

  One old man today, we knocked, he came and he had a watermelon in his hand, a big ol’ knife, and was cutting pieces and eating.  All he said,  “Enter”, then left.  So, we went in and sat with him.  Talked with him a little.  It was obvious he has no interest in religion, so I went to just share a scripture with him.  I said, “Irmao, can we share a scripture with you?”  “No” “Sir, you don’t want to hear a word from God’s book?”  “No, I’m a nervous person.”  Still eating his watermelon with juice everywhere.  Ha-ha, so we thanked him for his time and left.

            Today we walked in heavy rain, then after in heavy sun.  But I was feeling very happy.  I’ve come to love walking.  Also, my glasses go darker in the sun, which is cool, and also something that makes me happy.

Jake and Elder Martins 

 

            Today Elder Santos Melo called me, and said, “Tche!  You have 9 months in the mission!!  Ahhh, wow it’s passed superfast.  I think he had grabbed a paper and counted it all out for me, because he said, “Look, by weeks or transfers, you have 9 months.  By month, you have 8 months.”  He’s going to another area, so I’ll see him at the zone conference.  Today was day 248 of my mission.

(12) SABADO (Saturday):  WOOT WOOT!  Rodrigo is baptized!  And we had an incredible lesson with Juliano and Stefani.  It was the first time we’ve managed to get them both in house.  Juliano had a lot of questions, and we were able to guide him to all the answers.  He’s gone to church just one time.  He asked me at one point, “Stefani and I aren’t married.  Does this please God?”  I thought for a second of how to answer and I just said, “No, he wants that you both be married.”  Juliano said, “I know.  The other preacher that baptized me said to just be baptized and the rest will follow. “  He kept talking about his baptism in that church, and with time he seemed to come to learn it wasn’t valid.  He had so many questions!  And they were questions inspired!  He opened to 2 Corinthians 12:2 and asked “What is this third heaven?”  So we explained, using many other scriptures, the plan of salvation. He marked every Quarta and Sebado for us to return to study with him.  He said, “I want that you guys create a plan for me and leave stuff with me to read for the next lesson.”  He said he wants to learn more about the Book of Mormon. It was a very good lesson.

            And the baptism!  Rodrigo came in church clothes!  He was so excited!  Then, during the beginning meeting, the LMA from the front signaled that he forgot to turn off the water filling the font.  We went running down, the water in the hallway.  So, we had to pull the plug, then clean the hall, then figure out a way to get the plug back in.  We managed to get it in with a broomstick.  And Stefani went to the baptism, too.  She loved it. She really wants to be baptized, and now Juliano is showing real interest.  AHHH!  I want to baptize them!  They have a little daughter with 4 years.  Her name is Thifany.  We are super excited about them.  Today was day 249 of my mission.

Elder Martins, Elder Pessoa De Silva, Rodrigo, Elder Alvarenga, Jake

 'Our convert teaching our investigator how to tie a tie.'

(13) DOMINGO (Sunday):  Juiano and Stefani went to church!  And they loved it!!  WOOT WOOT!  Everything we covered today in the classes were the same discussions we have in our lessons with him yesterday, so it helped him clarify that more.  Welerson didn’t go and neither did Vinicius.  We aren’t sure what happened with Welerson.  This week was harder for Welerson, I think. I don’t really know, because we didn’t talk to him once. He isn’t answering his phone and the 5 times we passed by his house had nobody home. I talked to the ward mission leader, and he´ll find someone to talk to him through Facebook or something to invite him to soccer. I’m really praying hard for him. 

            This week was a slower one, but we had good lessons.  Juliano and Stefani show a lot of potential.  They are talking of marriage, and Stefani really wants to be baptized. 

            One of those points is to better is my exercises.  Man, I’m getting fat.  Ha-ha, not good.  Today was day 250 of my mission.

OH! So listen to this. My comp said that last night I was talking in my sleep, about baptisms. In PORTUGUESE!!! I’ve already dreamed in Portuguese, but now I’m sleep talking in Portuguese!  Woot Woot!!!!

I love you guys!!! Today I tried to pray in English, and the two Brazilians here that kind of speak English were laughing at my English.... Mother’s day will be an adventure!         

Elder McKee

Our house

 

 Cool church

 

 

"Continue To Do Your Best"

Week of Feb.29 thru March 6^th, 2016

(29) SEGUNDA (Monday):  Today was a FANTASTIC P-Day.  At 6 when we left, we found a new investigator, which is a great way to start the week.  Her name is Juliana, a young single mother living with her parents.  She paid attention very closely to the restoration, and after we bore testimony she was asking where the church is and if we could return Saturday.  Man she has a lot of potential.  That lesson had a very strong spirit and I know she was able to feel it, too.

            Then we went to Welerson, too.  We watched the restoration with him, and he was feeling the spirit, too.  He described it as a warm feeling that filled his arms and legs.  He committed to start reading the Book of Mormon, at least one page, every day, then to pray and wait for the spirit.  We are working and praying to baptize him on the 12^th.  When I asked him if he had something we could do to help him, he said, “Just come back on Thursday, explain more to me.” 

            Also, while we were watching the restoration, I felt something on my hand.  I looked down and it was a HUGE spider!  Like an inch and a half in diameter.  I FLIPPED!  I thought it was gone, so I sat back down, (Yes, I jumped out of the chair), and when I looked down, IT WAS STILL ON MY LEG!  I smashed the bugger as I jumped, but then we had to rewind the video to understand.  But it’s all-good.  I’m still alive.  Today was day 237 of my mission.

(1) TERCA (Tuesday):  Today was a division, Elder Alvarenga with me.  It went great, until our two commitments to have lessons with a member fell through.  Fabiano, who was an investigator progressing very well, we passed by and he left for work for 2 MONTHS!  So, we’ll just be leaving him in the area book for future missionaries.  Eduardo called and cancelled, too.  But we had good lessons, and found some good new investigators.  And the other elders had a great lesson with an investigator that they have.  They are super excited about.  He’s progressing a lot.

            We also went and knocked a few doors, and at one when the woman saw us, she FLIPPED.  She was so excited.  It was obvious she was a less active because she was calling us “Elders” and talking about missionaries.  She immediately made us sandwiches and juice, and passion fruit pudding stuff that was super good.  She left the church because she didn’t receive a recommend to the Manaus temple dedication because she doesn’t believe in the Book of Mormon.  She was active for 20 years and the missionaries lived in her backyard.  Man, she never stopped talking.  She kept apologizing for her simple, humble house, but it was the neatest, cleanest house I’ve seen here in Brazil, I think.

            Then!  At another house, it’s an old man who we stop by sometimes when we have nothing to do.  We entered and sat down. Talked with him a little, and he brought up tithing.  He talked about he blessings of giving tithing, and Elder Alvarenga said, “Yea, 10%, right.”  And the guy FLIPPED!  “Show me where it’s written 10%! Grab my bible and show me! Why are you still in my house? Go work!  I’m not going to give you anything!” Elder Alveranga said, “No Irmao, Nobody’s asking for money.”  “We’re done!  Get out of my house.”  He got up and left us, going to the other room.  No idea why he got so mad, but it’s all good.  We got up and left.  Today was day 238 of my mission.

(2) QUARTA (Wednesday):  Not going to lie, today was difficult for me.  Every plan and commitment we had fell through.  I have the zone leaders on my tail because we have few lessons with members.  Yesterday I arranged for 2 and they fell through at the last minute.  Today, I had for 4, and none went right.  And it was raining all day.  Hard!  Nobody in the street, nobody answering doors, nobody letting us in, but I still am managing to stay happy.  If what they say about working through the rain and sun brings you a prettier wife is true, then I’m all set! 

            Elder Martins and I, walking in the street with our umbrellas, which are hardly keeping our heads dry, singing hymns, “There is sunshine in my soul today, “ was my favorite to sing.

            Tomorrow we have good commitments with good investigators, and I’m praying they don’t fall through.  Today was day 239 of my mission.

(3) QUINTA (Thursday):  Today had its ups and downs, but was a very good day.  I’ll go in order, of the events worthy of note.

            We had a lesson with Stefani.  We had taught the 10 commandments to her last time.  Today we reviewed a little and talked some more.  She’s already said that she’s received an answer.  She isn’t married to Juliano, but they’ve already looked into it in the past, and this next week she’ll go to look at the options to be married.  We reviewed the Word of Wisdom and she has no problem with ANY OF THEM!  (Just killed my 10^th pen).  We talked about baptism and confirmation and what they mean.  I believe that she is VERY ready to be baptized.  She has a lot of faith, was already prepared by the Lord, and knows the Book of Mormon is true.  She’ll go to church this week, and then we’ll mark a Family Home Evening with her and some members.

            Next item of note:  A new investigator named Thais that we found during the division. W e passed by her house, and she had read the pamphlet and watched the film of the restoration, and had prayed.  She said she hasn’t received an answer.  We presented the Book of Mormon to her, and marked a part for her to read and pray again.  It was a very good lesson.  She said that she’ll go to church this Sunday, and that she really wants to know if the message is true.

            Then, so the mom of Marcele had told me that Marcele gets home from Seminary at 8:00.  So logically, I thought it started at 7:00 every night Tuesday to Friday.  So at 6:30 we went to the house of Welerson (6:30 in the evening) and he was sleeping, but I really wanted him to go to seminary, so we knocked on his window and whispered his name until he woke up.  Ha-ha.  His mom loves us because we’re getting her son to stop sleeping so much and follow the church standards.  He got ready and we went to the church.  Nobody was there.  I even gave Welerson my old Bible I got in the MTC that I don’t use, because they are studying the Old Testament.  Finally I called the ward secretary, and he explained that it starts at 5:40 and goes until 6:20 Tuesday to Friday.  So we had a lesson with Welerson in the chapel.  Talked about baptism, and we were trying to figure out if he was really ready for day 12 and if he was being baptized for the right seasons.   He opened up to us, and he has a lot of doubts about if God even exists, and about the church.  I don’t know. He has a desire to believe, but doesn’t yet.  Which is fine.  But I don’t know if he’s ready or not.  And where he has 15 years, he needs to be active for 3 months before his baptism to show that he will stay firm.  I don’t want to baptize someone who doesn’t at least have the base of a testimony.  He’ll go to church Sunday, and we’ll pass again and see where he is at and decide on a plan for him.  I really want to baptize him, but I want him to be baptized because he wants to and  he believes, not because he feels pressured and doesn’t want to disappoint the missionaries.  Today was day 240 of my mission.

(4) SEXTA (Friday):  Today was the third day in a row we had Pizza for dinner and I am not proud of that fact.

            In one house today, it was a man and his wife.  They had already spoken with the missionaries before. T he man ONLY wanted to argue the bible with us, and he didn’t even know anything.  Ha-ha, he was crazy.  Then he pointed at our Book of Mormon, and said, “I read the beginning of that book. It said that you worship Joseph Smith as a God, and he was born in Columbia.”  I looked at him for a second and said, “no, that’s not true at all.”  Him, “Yes it is!  I read it!”  It was just stuff like that, that he would say.  His wife was so embarrassed.  She would ask a question and he would start to answer.  Finally, she said to him, “No! You don’t know anything!  I’m asking him!”  Everything we said, he would try and show that he already knew it and that he knows a little more.  We didn’t even argue with him at all.  Ha-ha, his wife said to him like 5 times, “How can you expect to argue with them?  They study and teach everyday, and you don’t even go to church.”  Ha-ha, oh man.

            Then! We had another lesson with an old investigator, and we went there with a member.  Biggest mistake of my mission yet, taking that member.  He’s a newer member and gets excited and talks very blunt. I thought the woman was going to punch him when he was pointing his finger at them saying, “Your church is not the true church!!”  The woman said, “but all the other churches today come from the Catholic Church, is that not true?”  The member said, “Even so, they aren’t true either.”  He just talked and talked and talked, so speaking apostasy.  “Mormon was the original prophet of the restoration, “ for example.  It was terrible.  Every time I tried to talk, he would talk louder.  When I would finally get a word in, trying to save the lesson, he would then say, “now Elder McKee is American so it’s hard to understand what he says.  What’s he’s trying to say is…..”  Finally when he was yelling some more I said, “hey!  Pardon me, but it’s my turn” Then I shared scriptures and tried to calm things down.  When he tried to talk again, I looked at him and shook my head no, and said; “now Elder Martins will talk.”  He shared his testimony.  Member again, But I cut him off saying, “Now we have a question for you, Adir (the investigator), why is baptism important for you?”  Member again tried to talk, and I said, “No, now we’ll just sit in silence for a second and let Brother Adir think about his answer.”  After a few seconds of beautiful silence, THE MEMBER STARTED AGAIN!  I cut him off again, because the investigators were NOT happy with anything, and I said, “This next topic has a lot of details.  Let’s wait until the next lesson, when it’s calmer and quieter to explain.  Member tried to continue.  Me, “Now Elder Martins will say the closing prayer.”  It’s insane how someone can be so thick in the head.  Ha-ha.  When I invited the investigator to go to church, he didn’t even hesitate, “No, not this week.”  Wasn’t even a surprise.  Today was day 241 of my mission.

(5) SABADO (Saturday):  Today was VERY hard.  Nothing went right, and we even had a member call us asking to go to lessons with us, which was a miracle and answers to prayers, but then the FOUR houses we passed had nobody. Nobody was answering.  Today was a very hard day for me.  Then I pulled out the box of letters from family and friends, opened the one Matt wrote, and cried laughing at his line, “If you get sick or have a bad day then look at the picture of me.”  Thanks, Matt.  Today was day 242 of my mission.  NOTE TO MOM:  I still have 15 letters left, one for every fast Sunday.

(6) DOMINGO (Sunday): Today was a good day.  Church went very well today.  Rodrigo, the investigators of the other elders who will be baptized this Saturday, went and is doing awesome.  He was the first to volunteer for the practices in the quorum of Elders.

            Welerson also went, but Elder Martins and I are feeling certain that he shouldn’t be baptized this Saturday.  Our biggest worry is that he’s agreeing to be baptized because he doesn’t want to disappoint us, and his mom is pushing for it a lot.  I don’t want to baptize any less actives on my mission.  I want him to be baptized because it’s something that he wants.  Right now he isn’t praying, and only reading sometimes.  Our commitments with him always flake. 

            Stefani also didn’t go today, and when we passed by her house nobody answered.  Nobody was answering the phone either.  Today was day 243 of my mission.

 A few things from his email to us:

            I got two more post cards today. The Brazilians (3 missionaries he lives with) make bets about how many ´cartinhas´ (little cards) I’ll have, but I think I got the last of them today. I have 30 now.

            I love the packages. The people here do, too. I took that blue magic thing with the red ball to the lunches that have kids, and to church too, and they LOVED IT, the adults, too. Ha-ha, the funny American doing magic for the kids, and the adults try and act like they’re in on it, but they always look twice when I make the ball appear again. :) Ha-ha. Also, today we all got our Easter packages!! The Brazilians FLIPPED!!! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha super funny. But, I’m making them wait until Easter Sunday! And the box of eggs was funny too! :) I love you, mom. I don’t think you even understand how much all the support and love helps me, and the prayers, too. I can certainly feel the prayers pushing me on everyday. 

            So, a spiritual experience I had the week that really helped me. During the sacrament, I was sitting there. Then I started to suddenly feel the spirit very strong. I don’t even know why. I wasn’t praying for anything in specific, just that the investigators that were in the meeting would feel the spirit and recognize Him. I started to wonder why I was feeling the spirit so strong, and the thought came to my mind ´The Lord is accepting your work. Continue to do your best´. I can’t even begin to explain the relief and peace that I felt at that moment. I’ve spent my whole mission until this point, and I’ll continue to do so, trying to do what the Lord would do if He were here. I’m trying my absolute best. I have confidence, and a clean conscience of that. This last week was more stressful than normal, trying to get members more involved and everything falling through. Investigators stopping  progress. I have a direct line with the leaders of the mission now, and I have a personal goal to never make excuses. I haven’t been feeling stress to be exact, because I know that everything is according to the Lords plan and I’m doing my best, but I’ve been working hard searching for that feeling that I’m doing a good work. And at this moment I felt that. The Lord has accepted, happily, my work until now, and I need to continue to give my all to Him. I love this work. I love my mission. I love my Savior and the help and support I receive every day from him. I know the spirit is real and is always with us, even when we are selves are shutting the door to Him. I’ll continue to dedicate my life to my Lord, and I only hope and pray that here in a year and a few months when I’m on a plane for the United States, I have that same feeling I had in church yesterday. That the Lord knows me, loves me, is with me, accepts my work, and most of all, and is happy with what I’ve done. 

           

I love you all,

Elder McKee

Cameras, Rats, and Subway!

Week of Fevereiro 22-28, 2016

(22) SEGUNDA (Monday):  Today I did an eye exam and then bought glasses.  I’ve been thinking about it for months now, but it wasn’t until last week I set it up, and then today did it.  They’ll be ready Friday or Saturday.  They’re pretty cool.  We’ll see.  I got 2 letters and one post card today.  My camera should come next week!  WOOT WOOT!  This week I’ll be better about writing about each day.

            So, we spent a majority of today going to different glasses stores, looking at what they have and comparing prices.  I found a pair and it was my favorite, and the favorite of the other missionaries, and when we asked the price total of the glasses, lenses, and with a fancy thing that makes the lenses a little darker in the sun, it was the cheapest of the day!  All in all with the exam and final cost of the glasses, it was 620 reais, about $150.00.  But in the exam, when he was having me look thorough the stuff, HOLY COW I’m BLIND!!

            Then, nobody answered their door, just slowly hid their body from view.  I almost said, “I can still see you!” But nope, we’ll just find someone else ot teach today.  But their day light savings jumped back, so it gets dark super fast now, so there’s less people in the streets and in front of their houses sitting like normal.  But we managed a few lessons, with investigators, very soft.

            Today was still great though.  I love talking with my family, and also restocking my bananas.  Today was day 230 of my mission.

(23) TERCA (Tuesday):  So, today I learned that air freshener is called “bom or”, which literally means ‘good air”, ha-ha, I thought it was funny.

            Today was good.  The other elders called us, saying a woman had stopped them in the street asking if they could visit her husband and give him a blessing.  We went and this poor old man was on the bed, couldn’t even move.  His sister was there so we explained ourselves and she let us give him a blessing.

            We also had a good lesson with Stefani.  We taught about the 10 commandments.  Then she said, “Juliano found a book and he’s been reading it.”  Juliano works for the garbage truck.  When she brought it, it was “teachings of Jesus and his Apostles.”  A book of the church.  Inside had the name of the 1^st councilor to bishop, with the date of March 23, 1997.  Ha-ha, pretty cool that he found that book and is reading it.  Maybe because of that he will be converted.  I sure hope so!

            Something that I’m working on is being more humble, as much in thoughts as in actions.  I’ve already learned many times that here, nothing is done because of my own ability, but only when I’m trying to use the spirit.  I need to better in this, and always recognize God’s hand in my life.  Today was day 231 of my mission.

(24) QUARTA (Wednesday):  Today a lesson with Fabiano, we entered, it was the second lesson.  We talked a little bit at the start about prayer, and asked him if he asked with real intention.  He thought for a second and said, “Yes, I think so.”  Then we asked if he feels that he received an answer that the message of the restoration is true.  He didn’t’ hesitate, said, “Absolutely.”  Then we taught the gospel, and I was feeling the spirit so strong.  At the end, we invited him to say the closing prayer.  He thought, then said, “Ok, I’ll do it.”  Then bowed his head and we did too.  Then we sat and sat and sat.  5 MINUTES!  I was praying that Fabiano would feel the same spirit I was feeling.  We sat and sat and I prayed asking what I should do, and I felt this great peace, and I knew to just wait.  Then he started praying.  It was a very strong, heartfelt prayer.  Very simple, but sincere.  We left the lesson to return home for the day, and I didn’t say anything, I was trying to conserve the spirit that I was feeling. 

            Tomorrow I go to Santo Angelo for a division with the Zone Leaders.  We’ll be in trio, we’ll eat at Subway.  Life will be good.  Today was day 232 of my mission.

(25) QUINTA (Thursday):  Today I left the little town of Sao Luiz Gonzaga to do a division with the zone leaders in Santo Angela.  I got here at about 12:00, and we went to lunch.  AT SUBWAY!  AHHH!  I got so excited.  I bought 4-foot longs, and ate 2 of them. There was a sale thing where what ever you buy you get another the same for free.  It was the first time I’d seen subway in 8 months. And it was exactly the same as American. Maybe I got carried away, but I don’t regret anything.  So that was a great start to the day.  Then I went with elder Souza Santos and we visited people in his area.  We had some great lessons, and one inactive lady who tried to convince us that the bishop should be paid like we are.  We tried to explain that we aren’t paid, but actually pay to do this, but she refused to understand.  Also we tried to explain about the attitude of service, and how bispo receives his payment in blessings.  She didn’t want any of that either. 

            The teaching style of Elder Souza Santos was very different from what I am used to.  I learned a lot of things that I’m going to apply in my teaching.  We weren’t in a trio like I thought.  Elder Manaheim went with the other elders to teach them.

            But today was a very good day.  It was nice to not walk and walk and walk to knock doors. Their teaching group is closer and better established, whereas ours is being built still.

            Today was very good.  Subway for lunch.  I have more to eat for dinner, and I’ll give you one guess to what my breakfast will be tomorrow!  Today was day 233 of my mission.

(26) SEXTA (Friday):  When I got home today, there were 5 boxes on my bed.  The other elders needed to mail something, so they grabbed the mail also.  MY CAMERA CAME!  And without tax! And it’s awesome! I’d forgotten what its like to have a working camera. Now I can actually take pictures! I already took a ton of pictures.  Everyone opened their box, very excited. They loved them! Ha-ha Thanks so much!!  And then we opened the M&M’s. 

And 8 movies! AHHH!  Everyone FLIPPED!  Ha-ha, only that 2 of the films I got are the standard we have to give to people, but meet the Mormons, testaments, and the others I am very excited to watch.  I seriously, without a doubt, have the best mom and the best family.  What other missionary can say he got a YODA ENVELOPE, handmade, from his sister?  NONE!  Ha-ha, I love my family.

Old and new camera.  FINALLY!

            Also, I’ll have my glasses here in a few days. When they were making my lenses this last week the machine broke, which they said is normal. The new one should be here today or tomorrow, then it’s only a short time and they’ll call me and I’ll be able to see.

We had a good lesson with Vinivius today.  His brother is the president of the young men.  Vinivius is not a member.  We talked about the gospel with I'm, and what we need to do in this life to qualify for eternal life to come.  It’s always interesting at his house because his girlfriend is ‘Espirita’, a religion I don’t know how to say in English.  They believe in reincarnation, and not in the bible.  She’s really good about not bible bashing, or arguing doctrine.  She’ll just say what she believes sometimes, and leave me wondering how the original truth could become so twisted.  They believe in Jesus Christ, but not that he paid for our sins.  Really anyone who believes in reincarnation rejects the atonement.  It’s through the atonement we are made clean, not another try at life.  Crazy, 100% against what I know to be true.  But Vinivius is very firm in his belief of the bible.  He likes to study and likes the missionaries.  With college starting again, it’s hard to get him to church, but we are trying hard.

            Welerson also called me today to say he’ll still be traveling tomorrow, so our commitment to pass fell through and that he can’t go to church on Sunday.  This all made me happy and sad at the same time. Sad because our commitment fell though, but he remarked for Monday.  Also, that he won’t be at church.  But happy because it shows he’s actually remembering our commitments and he things to alert us when things change.  He’s a great young man, and I really, really want to see him on a mission some day.  Today was day 234 of my mission.

(27)SABADO (Saturday):  Today was AWESOME!  We had a great lesson with Rosalino and his wife, Berenice and their friend about the plan of salvation. Even though it had been 2 weeks since we last passed, because they’re only home Saturdays, they remembered everything of the restoration.  They are great!  They ask questions and they read what we left and prayed.  Berenice said that she prays to know if the church they belong to now is the church of God, or if she needs to keep searching.  And they have a lot of kids.  But everyone is home only on Saturdays after 5, so that’s when we pass.

            We ended the day with a lesson with Eduardo.  It was our second lesson with him, too.  He had a lot of questions.  Since our last visit, he had watched the film, The Restoration, read what we left, talked to his wife about it, and when she asked to read it he had accidently unmarked it, so they read a different part.  He said of al the churches he’s gone to, he can always find something that is wrong according to the Bible.  But ours is the first that he’s felt a connection with.  He said he related a lot with the film, when Joseph couldn’t find the true church.  We answered all of his questions, and then explained more of the Book of Mormon, reading the first title page and parts of the introduction to answer questions and explain more.  We marked 3 Nephi 11, because he had a lot of interest with Jesus Cristo visiting the Americas.

            I don’t know how many of our investigators will be at church because everyone is traveling, but lets pray for a lot!  Today was day 235 of my mission.

(28) DOMINGO (Sunday):  So church today, none of our investigators came.  They’re all traveling.  We called for some of them, but nobody was answering.  We finally went and entered the church. THEN!!, Vinivius walked in!  ha-ha, and he really liked it.  He’s the brother of Wilker, who is president of the young men.  Man I became so excited.

            Then we found some good new investigators today and one that would NOT STOP TALKING!!  If I were talking she would talk over me.  If we tried to talk she would just continue.  Man, I had been thinking I’ve come a long way with my patience, but I almost snapped.  “Just be quiet and let me teach you how to receive salvation!!”  She said she likes to listen to the priests and she believes in the bible.  So I thought, “She needs to then realize I have something to offer.  Right now she just things I’m a youth with little knowledge.”  So, I stated quoting the bible.  We taught the first part of the restoration using the bible a lot.  Sometimes I didn’t even open it, just told her the reference and what it said.  Finally she started to pay attention.  But, we had run out of time and so we taught only the first part and left her and her son with the pamphlet to read and we’ll go back. 

            This week went well.  We really need to better our lessons with members, but we’ll do that this week.  Today was day 236 of my mission.

I’m getting a ton of post cards! :) I love them. And I like the Jake head pictures too. They make me laugh. :) Also, we have a rat in our house. The punk ate my bananas. So I bought a huge nasty mousetrap, but it didn’t kill the guy! Just left a bunch of blood! We have no idea where he’s living, but we'll get him.

Now my time is up. :) Love you mom!!! Next week I’ll find a way to send the pictures. Tell everyone there I love them!! Thanks for all the support!! I hope all is well with everyone!! And I hope everyone is happy!!!  até mais!

Love, Elder McKee

Jake and Elder Martins

 Huge, beautiful flower!