11 Nov 2013

Hey Mom!
Tomorrow is the transfer and I'm staying in Mutuá! I'm excited to stay and continue working here. I'm also staying with Elder Quiroga (my companion from Argentina). We're working well together and this transfer will be even better. Usually the transfer is every 6 weeks but this one will be only 5 weeks because they wont have the transfer as the same week as Christmas. Its gonna fly by really quickly but I'm excited. I love the scripture that you shared from Moroni. I love the Book of Mormon. This week made 1 year and 6 months in Brasil. Crazy how fast its gone by. Elder Cerda (my first companion) and Elder Caleb Ganoe (my second companion) are both going home this week. I'm feeling really old now!

.....

I'm doing well and healthy. I'm trying to pass sun block more often through out the day to help not be so red. I'm learning a lot and thinking a lot about my future. This month we're gonna have a special conference with Elder Gavarret from the 1st quorum of the 70. He is the same guy that wrote the talk about the king that lost the battle because of the poorly placed horse shoe. Its gonna be really great.

Yesterday at church was great because we had 6 investigators at church and also it was the Primary Presentation. I love the Primary Songs and the wonderful spirit that they bring when we sing them. I got emotional when we stood as a ward and sang "Families Can Be Together Forever". It is a wonderful thing to know that our families can be together forever. We just need to do our part. We can do it! We can do hard things!

We did a service project at a sisters home. Its just her and her 17 yeard old son and her niece that live there. We took down the jungle of weeds and trash and cleaned up the big back yard. We're gonna go back next Saturday morning to continue the work. It was a great experience. Truly, she needs our help.

I thought of you a lot yesterday when we visited a woman that was baptized a year ago in the church. She is very active but its been 3 weeks since shes been to church. She has a young daughter that is 8 years old, a son that is 21 that has depression and doesnt work and another son who is 26 and very sucessful but unfortunately lives in São Paulo (6 or 7 hours away by car). She does everything by herself. Takes care of her family and does everything! Her washing machine broke 6 months ago and has been cleaning her clother and her 2 kids that live with her by hand for 6 months. She works so hard and she cried when we visited her yesterday because shes just exhausted. I have only met her 3 or 4 times but I love her and want to serve her. We helped her organize her house a little bit yesterday and we left truly feeling the Spirit of God accompany us.

I love you mom and am thankful for your prayers and help. I really hope you're doing ok. I know the Lord is taking care of you and keeping you safe. We had a FHE last night and the message that a member gave was about missionary work and he asked us to think about at least 1 person that is either less active or not a member of the church that we really really love. Think. What would you be willing to give up for that 1 person understand the truth? How happy would you be and how imense would be your joy to know that that 1 person is firm and strong in the church with a testimony? ................... Every chair filled. We are all going home. I love you mom and am excited to hear from you already! Have a great week and live with this desire deep in your heart. Never lose sight of who you are and where you're going.

from 4 Nov 2013

Hey Mom!
The temple looks amazing! I cant wait to see it in person. It hit me right now that in 6 months, I'll be home. Thats crazy. I'm doing well though. We're working hard and I'm learning a lot about myself and the world and who I wanna be and how I wanna live my life in the Lord's guidlines and commandments. Its so important to read the scriptures and pray every single day. In the mission, I'm building habits that will help me to be a good man, father, husband, priesthood holder and etc. I've got a lot more work to do but I'm happy that the Lord can see my love for Him and my desire to bless the lives of His children.

You should rewatch and learn from this amazing talk by Pres Uchtdorf. I've read this talk maybe 3 times here in the mission and I absolutely love it! Its called "Waiting on the Road to Damascus" https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/waiting-on-the-road-to-damascus
THe whole talk is amazing but what made me remember it was when you talked about being an example and teaching to gospel through our good behavior and habits. THere is a quote from some man that Pres Uchtdorf quotes in his talk that says “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.” I absolutely love this and I'm sure you do too.

There is a sister in my ward right now that is brazilian but she has lived in the USA in Idaho with her family for several years. Her husband and children and Americans but they all speak english and portuguese. Shes great and I will tell her to add you and me on facebook so that you can meet her and have a little contact with someone that lives where I'm serving.

The point that you brought up about how the church is old and not new is a point that we use when we teach people about the gospel and the Restoration. The church wasnt created by Joseph Smith. It is a continuation from the church that Jesus Christ reformed when He was on the earth. From the begining of time until now, the Lord calls prophets to lead and guide His church and to bless the lives of our Heavenly Father's children through the power of the Priesthood. Without a doubt, this is Christ's church.

I love you mom and really hope that you're doing well and that you're happy. ....... I know that the Lord is protecting you and keeping you safe until I get home. I love you so much and am thankful for your constant prayers and support. I cant wait to hear from you!

Jared

from 28 Oct 2013

Thats very very sad to hear about Rita Jones. Its been a long time since I've talked to Janny but they have a wonderful family. 

Anton,  I cant wait to talk to him about the church when I get home. Please tell him I said hi and that he can email me.

Thats crazy that Johnathan already got married! Are they living in Indiana and going to BSU or what? 

I'm not sure if I know Brother Owens but I'll be excited to meet many of the people in the stake when I get home. Theres a lot of stuff that I didnt know before the mission that now I can help and apply. I'll be pleased to meet him. 

Yesterday we had a baptism for a young man that is 25 years old. He became interested in the church when he heard about the family history work and work for our ancestors in the temple. His baptism was great and we're excited to continue teaching him and hopefully meet his parents so that they can learn about the church also. 

There is a man in our ward that his wife is a member but he isnt. He's already known about the church for almost 20 years but hasnt been baptized yet. Hes already been to church many many times and has been taught by many missionary companionships. Hes a good guy! Hes probly about 80 years old and has a little bit of a problem hearing but we taught them and had lunch with them this week. We dont know exactly what hes missing to be baptized but he said something really interesting. He asked, "Why would I baptize myself in a church that I'm not important to any of the people?" I believe that this old man just needs to feel like he belongs in the Lords only true church and that we truly want him there. Its incredible what small visits can do to help people. We underestimate the power and value of a visit for an investigator, less active member or even an active member of the church. When we love these people and visit them with a message inspired by a prophet of God or from the Savior himself, we carry the Spirit with us and He will touch these peoples hearts. THey need our help and we can and will be instruments and angels in the Lord's hands to bless the lives and heal the broken heart of a child of God. I know this is true and that if we pray for opportunities and then ACT on this promptings we will rescue souls and bring families unto Christ. 

I love you, Mom and am thankful for your help and prayers. I hope to hear from you soon!