VERY unexpected changes!

Oi pessoal!

This week the craziest thing happened. So, we had interviews with President Nye, and nothing special happened. But then, like 4 hours later, I got a call from President Nye and he told me that I'm going back to Brazil on April 1st!!!!!! I was so shocked, I didn't know what to say. So yeah, that's super exciting. I guess I should have waited to buy a guitar haha. Sadly, I'll miss Kaci's baptism, but I'm still excited. 

We also got to go on in person exchanges with the zone leaders this week. It was fun, I went with Elder Lund and we got to help someone move. We didn't have a ton of lessons this week, but we did get to have 2 in-person lessons with Kaci. She is progressing well, but still hasn't come to church. Please keep her in your prayers so that she can reach her goal of being baptized on April 10th.

Spiritual thought: D&C 52:17 "And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you." 

Humility is not weak! As we humble ourselves before God, and submit to his will, he will make us strong. Be humble.

Photos:

1. We made chicken stuffed soft pretzels

2. We went way out to a graveyard in the middle of nowhere to do billion graves, and I found this sign

3. District picture

4. District picture

Fake Spring

There were a few nice days this week, but it has started to be cold again. The sun has been out a lot more though so that's nice. 

We got to meet with Kaci again this week. She is doing good, and we are trying to help her with her church attendance, prayer, and scripture study. Sadly, something came up last minute and she wasn't able to come to church. But, Jerome watched church again on zoom so that's good (He is the Facebook pastor we found, I think I talked about him last week).

Other than that, it was a pretty normal week.

Spiritual thought: I have recently been studying humility, and I came across this scripture.

1 Corinthians 3:19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."

I think this verse is referring to those who are prideful. We should not think we are all that just because of the worldly wisdom we have. It is nothing compared to the wisdom of God. We must be willing to humble ourselves and submit to his will because he knows best.

Pictures:

1. The local dispensary (yes mom, the picture is just a joke )

2 & 3.  A cool one-way bridge on the Pennsylvania backroads 

Unexpected Changes

Hello everybody,

This week has been kinda crazy. It started off strong with a baptismal invitation. We invited Kaci to be baptized on April 10th and she accepted! She is so excited and we are as well. It was the last lesson I taught with Elder Giles, and the best lesson we ever taught together

On Wednesday, we were supposed to get 2 new people, but it ended up that we just got my new companion, Elder Jacob. So, we were in a trio with Elder Faimalo, and we got put in a different district, so I wasn't the district leader anymore. We reorganized the whole house for three people and stuff as well. Then, one day into the transfer, we get a call that a different Elder is coming in to be companions with Elder Faimalo. We had to rush to reorganize the whole house again, and Friday night Elder Sedan got here. Now, I am district leader again and things are back to normal.

Anyways, the week was crazy but good. My new companion, Elder Jacob, is a great missionary. We are excited for this transfer.

Spiritual thought: In my studies, this verse stuck out to me: Helaman 7:16 "Yea, how could you have given way to the enticing of him who is seeking to hurl away your souls down to everlasting misery and endless wo?" 

We should not give in to the temptations of the devil. There are so many things that may seem like they might bring us joy, but all the temptations of Satan are meant to drag us down. He wants us to be miserable like him. Why would anyone want that? I sure don't. Don't give in to the enticings of the devil, follow Christ, and find true joy!

Photos:

I've been really bad at taking pictures recently, sorry. But here's a couple

1. Elder Jacob and I (we used this picture for a free Bible ad)

2. Kaci, Elder Giles, and I (we weren't wearing masks because we all had already had covid, so don't roast me please)

3. For an early early early birthday present, my parents chipped in with me on a guitar so I will have one to play for the rest of my mission (and beyond). 

Chains Loosened (a little)

Hi everyone,

This week brought some exciting changes. We had some restrictions lifted, so now we can do limited service for members. Also, we can knock on the doors of people previously taught by missionaries if we don't have a phone number for them! We didn't knock any doors this week, but we did get to help a member move, so that was cool.

We also got to meet with a lot of members over zoom. It has been really good to get to know the members of the ward, and try and help them do missionary work. 

Please keep Kaci in your prayers. We haven't been able to meet with her because she is going through some really tough times. Also, we made a video this week, and it should go up on Facebook tomorrow, so look out for that.

Spiritual thought: Our video this week is about Christ's atonement. I just wanted to share my testimony on that. I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite. We will all make so many mistakes, but because of the Grace of Jesus Christ, we can be saved from sin. You are not going to be perfect, but he was. You have never made too many mistakes to repent.

Things I like: we were buying stakes this week, and the guy threw in an extra one for free! Also, we made ribs again... Haha 

Things I hate: This week they canceled in-person church right as we were leaving the apartment because the parking lot was "too icy." We haven't had in-person church in 3 weeks now, and not because of covid.

Love you all! Thanks so much for all the support!

There's gonna be lots of snow

Hello everyone!

This week was a bit more eventful than last. We got to meet with Kaci again and we had a super awesome lesson. We are so excited to be teaching her, it is great to be able to meet in a members home and have them help us teach. We also had a finding miracle this week. We have been messaging a whole lot of random people on Facebook, and we found a really cool guy who lives in Chambersburg. He wants to come to church next week!

We also had interviews with president this week. One Elder said president told him 8 missionaries will be going back to Brazil soon, and I am 1 of 8 Elders in this mission who already have a Visa so there might be hope of returning. Elder Harris (my last companion) already got a departure date for Goiânia. We will see what happens, it would be pretty crazy if I got to go back.

This week we will be having a mission tour from our area president, Elder Bennett. So, 2 hour zoom meetings every day. Pray for me to be able to focus and not fall asleep haha.

Spiritual thought: Doctrine and Covenants 35:13 "Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit;"

God calls us in his weakness to do his work, and he will help us do it with his spirit.

Things I like: It Snowed all Sunday, and is supposed to snow the rest of the week.

Things I hate: Lots of snow means the mission probably won't let us drive anywhere.

Photos:

1. Pennsylvania Farmland

2. District photo at a farm next to a cemetery 

3. A neat picture I took of Elder Harrast