Opa Boa Noite, Tudo Bem?

Yet another two weeks here in Missao Brazil Juiz de Fora.  The longer I’m here in the mission, the less I know what to write in these.  Things are going well.   We’re working hard but not seeing a ton of progress, but that’s all just part of the work.

Living in a house with other elders has been fun, especially because one of them is American and I get to help him out with Portuguese.   During the mission I’ve always been in smaller cities separated from the rest of the other missionaries, so it’s been fun to be able to come back to the house at the end of the night and have some fun even though we are all tired.  

As far as the work goes, I’m enjoying helping people feel peace in Christ and having more joy in this life.  But unfortunately, I’ve been lacking a lot of what other missionaries consider makes a mission successful … baptisms.  My mission hasn’t been the baptism filled roller coaster ride that I thought a call to Brazil would be.  But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been successful!  I’ve genuinely brought hope to people’s lives with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve been a friend to the lonely.  I’ve been a support to the depressed.  And at the very least, I’ve been an ear to those that need to feel heard.  I’ve felt like I’ve made the world a better place even if it hasn’t been by baptizing people to Christ’s church.  But don’t worry because I’ve got plenty of time left so I’ll definitely baptize some more people!

Portugues time with Elder Keeler!  It’s been a while since I’ve talked about Portugues but it is so nice to actually be able to understand people now!  My dad always said to me that you know you understand a language when you can be funny.  The other day I tried to make a joke while teaching the Restoration and everybody laughed so hard it kind of drove away the Spirit and reverence of the lesson haha.  Elder Keeler was kind of embarrassed, but Owen saw it as a win!  One phrase that I like a lot is “Tudo vai dar certo” which literally means “everything will give right” but means something like “everything will work out”. Good motto! 

I really enjoyed Come Follow Me from a couple Sundays ago about Daniel 1-6.  I really loved reading about the incredible examples of faith.  I also loved the talk, “But if not” that was mentioned in Come Follow Me and I would encourage you all to take a minute to read it if you hadn’t already.  I think it talks about an important aspect of faith.  Many missionaries think that they don’t have sufficient faith, when they talk about the  possibility that an investigator won’t follow through with a commitment.   Faith doesn’t mean we have to deny the possibility of any other outcome other than the one we believe.  We have to believe that God will work for our good and despite the outcome we will continue to do what is right.  I think that summary didn’t make much sense, so just do me a favor and read the talk, Beleza! 

I love you guys! 

PS. I shaved my head two weeks ago.  It is super uneven and super ugly but it’s fine haha.  It’s a mistake everyone needs to make in their life.