Hey Mom!
This week went really well. We're probably gonna move tomorrow afternoon for our new apartment. Tomorrow morning will be an interview with President Lima. I'm excited to see the new house. This week was really hot again but thats not new. I'm doing well and yes I'm using sunblock. Thats great that you gave another talk in Sacrament Meeting. Its been a long time (maybe 5 months) since I've given a talk at church but we talk so much that I think the members get tired of it haha. I've been reading more General Conference talks as usual and am impressed by how much I learn sometimes. I read a great talk about the Atonement this morning by Elder Scott. "It is a fundamental truth that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be cleansed. We can become virtuous and pure. However, sometimes our poor choices leave us with long-term consequences. One of the vital steps to complete repentance is to bear the short- and long-term consequences of our past sins."
This made a lot of sense for me because of another talk that I read this week that Sister Oscarson says, "We live in perilous times, and the decisions which you are called upon to make on a daily, or even hourly, basis have eternal consequences."
With these two quotes in mind, we are able to feel a deep hope and gratitude for the Plan of Salvation. Our choices today are vitally important for our eternal progress. When we sin, we can be forgiven but it is still necessary to deal with the good and bad consequences of our actions. This helps us to set goals, make priorities and be disciplined to choose the right. A loving Heavenly Father has provided a way to return to His presence and independent of how many times we fall we can always get back up. But just to be safe, let's be cautious and careful to lessen the frequency of our falls.
I'm doing well and I'm happy. I'm gonna get my hair cut today. I'm also gonna buy new contact lenses and maybe do some other chores. I love you and pray for you often.
Jared
Monday, January 20, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
from 13 Jan 2014
from Jan 13 2014
Mom!
This week was absolutely great! Laurindos baptism was awesome! We got there with two members that have known him for several years. We shared a message about the Plan of Salvation and it was great. When we started to talk about baptism he said that maybe not this week but next week. We said that there's no more time to wait. One of the brethren that was there with us has known him for 45 years. He said that it was his birthday that day (no one else knew that it was his birthday so that was completely unplanned) and that he wanted him to be baptized. Laurindo said, "Well let's go then. I'll be baptized today." His wife (who has been a member for 13 years) started to cry and the Spirit was really strong. When we got to the chapel, we started calling several people and we filled up the baptismal font. We were so excited! When Laurindo got to the chapel he had an interview with another missionary and then he asked who would baptize him. I said that he can choose whoever he wants. There were several people there. He asked me if I could baptize him and I just gave him a hug. There were so many people that could have done it that he has known for years but he asked me. It was great! I've got some photos that I will send you another week. I've got so many photos!
I absolutely loved the experience that you had with Courtney's dad. I met him one time about 4 or 5 years ago at his house out in the country. What an amazing experience! You felt the Spirit and saw the Spirit touch and change her heart. I am 100% convinced that people just need help. No one is lost or impossible or too hard. Everyone just needs help. Some more than others but when you search for people's needs and do everything to meets those needs, the person will feel your love and the Spirit will change their heart. Never forget these spiritual experiences. Search every day to have spiritual experiences. If you feel the Spirit every day of your life, you know that you're doing something right.
We had several other things this week that were really great but this was the high light. The day of Laurindos baptism, I made 1 year and 8 months on the mission. It was a great day and a great week. I love you mom and hope to hear from you soon!
Jared
Mom!
This week was absolutely great! Laurindos baptism was awesome! We got there with two members that have known him for several years. We shared a message about the Plan of Salvation and it was great. When we started to talk about baptism he said that maybe not this week but next week. We said that there's no more time to wait. One of the brethren that was there with us has known him for 45 years. He said that it was his birthday that day (no one else knew that it was his birthday so that was completely unplanned) and that he wanted him to be baptized. Laurindo said, "Well let's go then. I'll be baptized today." His wife (who has been a member for 13 years) started to cry and the Spirit was really strong. When we got to the chapel, we started calling several people and we filled up the baptismal font. We were so excited! When Laurindo got to the chapel he had an interview with another missionary and then he asked who would baptize him. I said that he can choose whoever he wants. There were several people there. He asked me if I could baptize him and I just gave him a hug. There were so many people that could have done it that he has known for years but he asked me. It was great! I've got some photos that I will send you another week. I've got so many photos!
I absolutely loved the experience that you had with Courtney's dad. I met him one time about 4 or 5 years ago at his house out in the country. What an amazing experience! You felt the Spirit and saw the Spirit touch and change her heart. I am 100% convinced that people just need help. No one is lost or impossible or too hard. Everyone just needs help. Some more than others but when you search for people's needs and do everything to meets those needs, the person will feel your love and the Spirit will change their heart. Never forget these spiritual experiences. Search every day to have spiritual experiences. If you feel the Spirit every day of your life, you know that you're doing something right.
We had several other things this week that were really great but this was the high light. The day of Laurindos baptism, I made 1 year and 8 months on the mission. It was a great day and a great week. I love you mom and hope to hear from you soon!
Jared
from 6 Jan 2014
from Jan 6 2014
Hey Mommy!
Thanks for the pics of snow. Dad told me that they canceled church and that its like negative 8 degrees at home. That's crazy! Its super hot here. Several days its getting up to 106 or 108 degrees but they say that you feel 125 degrees. Extremely hot! They want us to drink 5 liters of water per day. That's almost a gallon and a half. So much water. I'm fine though. This week was awesome and this next week willl be even better. Saturday was my companions birthday and I love him. He's awesome. He turned 20 years old and I bought him a milkshake. Saturday we had a baptism and it was wonderful. Sorry I dont send many pics right now but I've got tons of pics on my camera that I will show you afterword. Sunday we participated in the Ward Counsel and it was the most productive ward counsel I've had so far in the mission. It was awesome and the ward is excited to work more with us. We're gonna start giving English and Spanish courses at church on Saturday mornings for an hour and inviting investigators. We're gonna have a big FHE at a members house on Sunday. Tuesday is our Leadership Counsel of the Mission with Pres Lima and then Wednesday morning we will give that training for our missionaries in our stake. Thursday, a sister missionary that's serving at Temple Square in Utah will come home and on Friday night she's gonna have a big presentation at her Aunts house and she's gonna invite tons of non members so that they can learn about what she did for a year and a half. I'm gonna sing this song in English and in Portuguese at this presentation of her homecoming.
https://www.lds.org/new-era/1997/04/faith-in-every-footstep?lang=eng
Its called "Faith in Every Footstep". Then on Saturday there is a wedding at church that will also have a bunch on non members that we can meet. The best part of this week will be something that we planned with the Ward Counsel. There is a sister in our ward that was baptized almost 20 years ago and now she's a counselor in the Relief Society. Her husband was never baptized and tons of missionaries have already taught him but he never got baptized. We planned with the Ward counsel to go to their house on Thursday night with some members (one man being the member that baptized this sister almost 20 years ago) and now they're going to invite this man to be baptized Thursday night. My companion and I are fasting for him and the Bishop is going to call the temple and put his name on the prayer role. I know that this will work. His name is Brother Laurindo (thats his first name and its pronounced like Lauw-reen-doh) Its kinda tough haha. But its gonna be a miracle and we're praying every day that the Lord will bless him and help him. He is 70 years old and doesn't hear very well but he's known the church for years and now is the time. I feel it. This sister, Sister Juracy (pronounced Jew-rah-see) deserves an eternal family and we're gonna do everything we can to make it happen. There are so many things going on and I can see the miracles coming. When you have an attitude of hope and faith, you search for the miracles. Don't just wait for them to happen or fall on your lap. Miracles happen and when we are obedient and diligent and do everything we can, the Lord will bless us. He wants to help us. I love you Mom and am glad for all of the miracles that have happened in my life. I hope to hear from you soon!
Jaredhttps://www.lds.org/new-era/1997/04/faith-in-every-footstep?lang=eng
Hey Mommy!
Thanks for the pics of snow. Dad told me that they canceled church and that its like negative 8 degrees at home. That's crazy! Its super hot here. Several days its getting up to 106 or 108 degrees but they say that you feel 125 degrees. Extremely hot! They want us to drink 5 liters of water per day. That's almost a gallon and a half. So much water. I'm fine though. This week was awesome and this next week willl be even better. Saturday was my companions birthday and I love him. He's awesome. He turned 20 years old and I bought him a milkshake. Saturday we had a baptism and it was wonderful. Sorry I dont send many pics right now but I've got tons of pics on my camera that I will show you afterword. Sunday we participated in the Ward Counsel and it was the most productive ward counsel I've had so far in the mission. It was awesome and the ward is excited to work more with us. We're gonna start giving English and Spanish courses at church on Saturday mornings for an hour and inviting investigators. We're gonna have a big FHE at a members house on Sunday. Tuesday is our Leadership Counsel of the Mission with Pres Lima and then Wednesday morning we will give that training for our missionaries in our stake. Thursday, a sister missionary that's serving at Temple Square in Utah will come home and on Friday night she's gonna have a big presentation at her Aunts house and she's gonna invite tons of non members so that they can learn about what she did for a year and a half. I'm gonna sing this song in English and in Portuguese at this presentation of her homecoming.
https://www.lds.org/new-era/1997/04/faith-in-every-footstep?lang=eng
Its called "Faith in Every Footstep". Then on Saturday there is a wedding at church that will also have a bunch on non members that we can meet. The best part of this week will be something that we planned with the Ward Counsel. There is a sister in our ward that was baptized almost 20 years ago and now she's a counselor in the Relief Society. Her husband was never baptized and tons of missionaries have already taught him but he never got baptized. We planned with the Ward counsel to go to their house on Thursday night with some members (one man being the member that baptized this sister almost 20 years ago) and now they're going to invite this man to be baptized Thursday night. My companion and I are fasting for him and the Bishop is going to call the temple and put his name on the prayer role. I know that this will work. His name is Brother Laurindo (thats his first name and its pronounced like Lauw-reen-doh) Its kinda tough haha. But its gonna be a miracle and we're praying every day that the Lord will bless him and help him. He is 70 years old and doesn't hear very well but he's known the church for years and now is the time. I feel it. This sister, Sister Juracy (pronounced Jew-rah-see) deserves an eternal family and we're gonna do everything we can to make it happen. There are so many things going on and I can see the miracles coming. When you have an attitude of hope and faith, you search for the miracles. Don't just wait for them to happen or fall on your lap. Miracles happen and when we are obedient and diligent and do everything we can, the Lord will bless us. He wants to help us. I love you Mom and am glad for all of the miracles that have happened in my life. I hope to hear from you soon!
Jaredhttps://www.lds.org/new-era/1997/04/faith-in-every-footstep?lang=eng
from 30 Dec 2013
from December 30, 2013 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: Happy New Year!!
Hey Mom
Sorry I dont have any time to write emails today. We had a super busy Pday and went to the secretarys office. Oh well. Doesnt matter. But it was great to talk to you this week and with the family. It was great to meet Kiki and I hope that she and Adam are doing well. ... Is Jordan dating someone? I'm not haha. I'm so glad thatyour talk went well. I think what happens is that sometimes we say things that we think we ought to say or say things that we think other people want to hear. But sometimes we just need to say what comes from the heart and what the Spirit guides us to say. Its your testimony. It'd be useless to read someone else's testimony. Just continue to read the scriptures and the inspired words of our church leaders and with your increased knowledge, you will know what to say at the right time. Testify! Bear your testimony. That's what the Lord asks us to do. I love you and am grateful for your testimony that strengthens mine. I hope to hear from you soon!
Jared
Subject: Re: Happy New Year!!
Hey Mom
Sorry I dont have any time to write emails today. We had a super busy Pday and went to the secretarys office. Oh well. Doesnt matter. But it was great to talk to you this week and with the family. It was great to meet Kiki and I hope that she and Adam are doing well. ... Is Jordan dating someone? I'm not haha. I'm so glad thatyour talk went well. I think what happens is that sometimes we say things that we think we ought to say or say things that we think other people want to hear. But sometimes we just need to say what comes from the heart and what the Spirit guides us to say. Its your testimony. It'd be useless to read someone else's testimony. Just continue to read the scriptures and the inspired words of our church leaders and with your increased knowledge, you will know what to say at the right time. Testify! Bear your testimony. That's what the Lord asks us to do. I love you and am grateful for your testimony that strengthens mine. I hope to hear from you soon!
Jared
from 23 Dec 2013
from December 23, 2013 9:00 AM
Subject: Re: two days!
Hey Mommy!
Sorry I have such little time to write you today but I will talk to you on Christmas. I will send you an email when I'm getting ready to call you. ..... I loved the Christmas package that you sent me. Sorry that I'm a bad boy and opened it early but the other missionaries wanted to see what it was also. The book by Pres Monson is sooo cool! I really liked it! I havent started reading yet but I'll let you know. I also loved the small pic of you. I carry it with me everywhere and sometimes I show the members so that they can see my favorite person back at home! I read that talk by Elder Bednar this morning and I loved it. I learned so much and am extremely grateful that you taught me to pay my tithing. I am 100% determined to diligently pay my tithing at home. I know that the Lord may not bless me with money but he will help me to study and learn and do well at school so that I can get a good job and work well and do well for my family. Start writing questions and stuff that you wanna talk about on Christmas. I love you and cant wait to talk to you soon!
Jared
Subject: Re: two days!
Hey Mommy!
Sorry I have such little time to write you today but I will talk to you on Christmas. I will send you an email when I'm getting ready to call you. ..... I loved the Christmas package that you sent me. Sorry that I'm a bad boy and opened it early but the other missionaries wanted to see what it was also. The book by Pres Monson is sooo cool! I really liked it! I havent started reading yet but I'll let you know. I also loved the small pic of you. I carry it with me everywhere and sometimes I show the members so that they can see my favorite person back at home! I read that talk by Elder Bednar this morning and I loved it. I learned so much and am extremely grateful that you taught me to pay my tithing. I am 100% determined to diligently pay my tithing at home. I know that the Lord may not bless me with money but he will help me to study and learn and do well at school so that I can get a good job and work well and do well for my family. Start writing questions and stuff that you wanna talk about on Christmas. I love you and cant wait to talk to you soon!
Jared
from 16 Dec 3013
from December 16, 2013 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: package sent a couple of weeks ago....hopefully get before Christmas!
Hey Mom!
I'll ask the secretarys if your package has gotten here yet. Probably I'll get it this week. I'll let you know.
Tomorrow is the transfer and I'll be staying here! I'll get my new companion tomorrow morning. He is from Argentina and his name is Elder Miño. I'm excited to work with him.
This Friday night will be our Ward Christmas Party. Last year in Irajá we had a big party also and the Bishopric gave a message about the Christmas story and one of the members came dressed up like Santa. Just like at home. I assume that it'll be the same thing here also but I'll let you know. I'll take a bunch of pics. I have several pics of the Christmas party last year also.
Thats great to hear about the baptism in Connersville. We had a baptism on Saturday for a man named Gaston. Hes awesome and it was great to teach and help him. Now we're gonna work with his family. We should have another baptism this Saturday for a woman who has tons of family that are members of the church. Her children and sister and nephew. Its gonna be great!
I saw the Christmas devotional last night and I loved it. I wrote down my thoughts and feelings when I was watching it but I think that the part that touched me the most was when Elder Nelson was talking and it had a video clip of the children that sang, "Im trying to be like Jesus". Its amazing how music, but in particular, the primary hymns warm your heart and invite the Spirit. I pondered on those poetic lyrics and thought of my own deep desire to be like Jesus. I love Him so much and am thankful for His perfect example. Read the lyrics,
I'm trying to be like Jesus;
I'm following in his ways.
I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
If there exists one thing that can truly change the world and the hardened hearts of men, it is through the teachings of this childrens hymn. I have sang this song hundreds of times but was moved as the Spirit whispered to me to "show kindness" and "be gentle and loving in deed and in thought". What a wonderful message. Remember to be kind and gentle and loving in what you do and say and think. Be compassionate and merciful and forgiving just like the Savior is with us. I know that this will bring inner peace and true happiness.
I hope your last week of school before break goes well. Next Monday in my email I will tell you when I'll be able to talk to you. It'll probably be in the afternoon after lunch. It'll be about 20 minutes and thats really short but I'll also get to see you in about 4 and a half months. Oh how the time flies fastly. I love you so much and cant wait to hear from you soon!
Jared
Subject: Re: package sent a couple of weeks ago....hopefully get before Christmas!
Hey Mom!
I'll ask the secretarys if your package has gotten here yet. Probably I'll get it this week. I'll let you know.
Tomorrow is the transfer and I'll be staying here! I'll get my new companion tomorrow morning. He is from Argentina and his name is Elder Miño. I'm excited to work with him.
This Friday night will be our Ward Christmas Party. Last year in Irajá we had a big party also and the Bishopric gave a message about the Christmas story and one of the members came dressed up like Santa. Just like at home. I assume that it'll be the same thing here also but I'll let you know. I'll take a bunch of pics. I have several pics of the Christmas party last year also.
Thats great to hear about the baptism in Connersville. We had a baptism on Saturday for a man named Gaston. Hes awesome and it was great to teach and help him. Now we're gonna work with his family. We should have another baptism this Saturday for a woman who has tons of family that are members of the church. Her children and sister and nephew. Its gonna be great!
I saw the Christmas devotional last night and I loved it. I wrote down my thoughts and feelings when I was watching it but I think that the part that touched me the most was when Elder Nelson was talking and it had a video clip of the children that sang, "Im trying to be like Jesus". Its amazing how music, but in particular, the primary hymns warm your heart and invite the Spirit. I pondered on those poetic lyrics and thought of my own deep desire to be like Jesus. I love Him so much and am thankful for His perfect example. Read the lyrics,
I'm trying to be like Jesus;
I'm following in his ways.
I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
"Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."
If there exists one thing that can truly change the world and the hardened hearts of men, it is through the teachings of this childrens hymn. I have sang this song hundreds of times but was moved as the Spirit whispered to me to "show kindness" and "be gentle and loving in deed and in thought". What a wonderful message. Remember to be kind and gentle and loving in what you do and say and think. Be compassionate and merciful and forgiving just like the Savior is with us. I know that this will bring inner peace and true happiness.
I hope your last week of school before break goes well. Next Monday in my email I will tell you when I'll be able to talk to you. It'll probably be in the afternoon after lunch. It'll be about 20 minutes and thats really short but I'll also get to see you in about 4 and a half months. Oh how the time flies fastly. I love you so much and cant wait to hear from you soon!
Jared
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