Words about Elder Clay & Sister Cookie Overson in San Paulo Basil

This is the letter written by one of our BAE Students that finally got a job. Prayers are truly answered in the Lord's time. 

 

 

"My name is Marco Antonio Canova. I am an Electrical Engineer and I am very grateful for all the help I've had here at the Caxingui Self-Reliance Center (SRC) in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. I know the PEF Self-Reliance program is divinely inspired. Here at the SRC I was able to learn and grow a lot, had several uplifting experiences and received the help I needed in finding a job.

When I found myself very discouraged, with no desire or will to fight for my goals, I was approached by my very loving bishop who supported and encouraged me to keep trying and to accomplish the objective of finding a job. He brought me to the SRC in the beginning of October 2013, after I had been out of work for many months, and said he would give me all the necessary support to win this war against unemployment. Because I had no money to come here, I was very reluctant, but my good bishop gave me emotional and financial support in this endeavor. I am also very grateful to Brother Bassi, the Self-Reliance Center Manager, and other volunteers at the center who provided encouragement and support as I began the whole process.

When I began the Career Workshop, things started to change for me and I started to regain the self-confidence that I had lost. Sister Nagel, who taught the Career Workshop, was very animated, energetic and positive about my ability to find employment. I began to realize that the Lord cared for me and put wonderful people in my life to support and teach me and my friends here at the SRC. I am very grateful to Elder and Sister Overson for the care and patience with which they treated us and for the sweet relationship we have developed. I am also grateful to Sister Nagel, Brother Moacir and Brother Bassi, who were so supportive and helpful.Of course, I cannot forget the friends I made in the Career Workshop and in the Accelerated Job Search group. I exchanged professional and life experiences with these new friends and we helped each other overcome obstacles. I am so grateful for friends like Rodrigo, Juarez, José and Djalmir who had such great attitudes and helped me with advice and sharing of experiences.At times it was not easy to come here every day and meet all the goals of the Accelerated Job Search program and apply the techniques taught in the Career Workshop because the enemy is strong and he wants to see us defeated. The help and support of all who participate in the Career Workshop and Accelerated Job Search program at the Self-Reliance Center are very valuable. My new employment can be considered a miracle. On the way out of an interview for another job, I passed in front of a work site and saw the name and phone number of another company on a sign. I wrote down the information and the next day I called the company from the SRC and got the email of the person responsible for hiring and sent my resumé. I received a phone call that same day and was scheduled for an interview. In the interview, I used all the training and techniques I learned and practiced during the classes of the Accelerated Job Search and I was asked to wait for phone call. My wife is ill now and will be unable to work for at least two months and we would have been without any income for those two months. I was feeling desperate about this and fervently prayed to the Lord to help me. This was on February 18^th and on February 20^th I received a positive response and will begin my new job on February 24th. Bothers and sisters, I have been without formal work for exactly 1 year and 3 months and since October, I have been coming into the SRC every day, first completing the Career Workshop then attending the Accelerated Job Search group for almost five months, not becoming discouraged and I was greatly blessed. I will work in an Engineering company and will receive a good salary within the normal range in my profession.

I know that if you have the desire and willingness to change your life and follow the program, you will find success through the programs at the Self-Reliance Center.

I wish success to all."

Brother Marco Antonio Canova

Words from Sister Heather Patterson in South Carolina

 

                                                   *****A friendly investigator!*****

Words from Elder Garrett Hollembeak in West Virginia

"I am doing really well. The work here is going great and we had our
best week for finding new investigators and teaching. That stinks
about Coulson's feet, we'll be praying for him and hopefully swimming
will be good. I can't believe Grandma and Grandpa have been married
for that long, tell them I love them and give everyone a hug for me.
How is Jace doing with everything, Mom and Aunt Laurine said he's
getting tall. It's the last week of the second transfer and Elder
Sorensen is being transferred to Blacksburg, VA to the Virginia Tech
campus. He'll be in the YSA ward down there so it shouldn't be too
much of a culture shock. I'm staying in the Morgantown area in the
University Ward and I'll have the opportunity to train a brand new
missionary. They also called me to be the district leader for the
area, which should be a good experience. I'm a little bit nervous
because all of the other missionaries are a lot more experienced but
when President Pitt called to give me the assignment it was neat
because he didn't say I want you to do this, he said the Lord has
asked that you be here doing this. So who am I to argue with the big
man upstairs. I am really excited to be a trainer though, its a unique
responsibility but I can't wait to get to know the new missionary and
help him be successful. It was a huge blessing to have Elder Sorensen
as a trainer because if I do half as well I won't mess up too bad.
Haha. Kate's baptism was awesome. She came up out of the water and
just looked absolutely full of light. She brought all of her friends
and we had two of our investigators, Quin and Marcus, there. When the
ordinance was over Quin walked over to me and asked if I felt that. I
think that may have been the first time he's felt the Spirit like
that, or had the means to explain what he was feeling. I love
baptisms. I got to confirm Kate on Sunday and it was one of those
awesome and sacred experiences. It was one of those times you just
felt spirits magnify. We've seen her a couple of times since Friday
and she still has a huge smile on her face. We're starting her new
member lessons and trying to get her integrated to the whole Mormon
culture of things. I think one of my biggest fears now is having a
less active recent convert. Josh and Kate are doing awesome so now
it's making sure there is a good system to receive and help people.
One of the things we're going to start doing is having the members
baptize and confirm the new members. I remember them doing that in St.
Johns and it sounded like it would work really well. I imagine of
you're the one to baptize someone you're more likely to make sure they
don't go inactive. This week we taught Marcus the Word of Wisdom with
an object lesson. We took two cardboard boxes over, one that was empty
and one that we filled with Church resources and magazines and a
journal so that he had good stuff in his house. The empty box we
filled with all of his cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, and anything that
would keep him from living the Word of Wisdom or the law of chastity.
He was pumped to get all of it out of his house and he loved the stuff
we brought him. His girlfriend was there and we got to teach her about
the restoration. We're meeting with her again on Wednesday. Things are
going really well here and I think it'll continue. Thank you guys for
all of your prayers and support and I love you so much. I can't wait
to hear from you again. I love you."

Words from Elder Garrett Anderson in Brazil

"Man it seems like every week is going by faster and faster out here. I am almost done training my son, then who knows what is next to come. Life is always exciting in the field, full of suprises and changes.

For the sakes of the english speakers out there, i decided that i would write in English because its faster for me and you guys wont have to painstaking translate and try to guess means from the "direct" google translator that does't pick up the gist of things.

We had a special experience this week. As missionaries, we have to do "exchanges" atleast once a transfer with all the other missionaries in our district. As my companion and i were returning from our exchange that we had just completed it had started to rain, and hard. We didnt have our umbrellas with us, so we picked up some discarded umbrellas on the side of the road. (usually if someone's umbrella isn't working, they will just throw it on the ground.) Thankfully, with our makeshift umbrellas we made it to the metro station with everything but our scripture bags soaked. We boarded the metro and headed back to our area. Upon arriving, we still had a 15 minute walk back to the house, but the rain had lightened to a drizzle so we could ditch our second hand umbrellas. Upon crossing a busy street, we noticed that a car had stalled and it was in the rain... We didnt think too much about it so we continued on our way, but then decided to turn back and ask if they were in need of help. It was a woman who was by herself in the car with no way to get it started and kind of stressed out. We offered to give her a push to start the car and she accepted. She turned down the next street and we started to push the car, and to our luck it was downhill. Unfortunately, i had set my bag inside her car so that it wouldnt be in the way while we were pushing, so my companion and i chased her down the hill in the rain before she took off with my bag!! We said our goodbyes and she thanked us for the push. Yesterday, as we were walking down the street to our lunch appointment, we were stopped by a lady sitting on the side of the road eating some chicken. She asked us if we were the ones who had helped her the other day, we briefly explained the situation and then she knew it was us who had helped. She thanked us again and offered some chicken as a reward for the rescue on Saturday. We then got her address and told her our purpose as missionaries to help others come unto Christ. She agreed and as my companion and i continued on our way to the lunch appointment, we thought about every little detail in us meeting that lady yesterday at that exact time in the rain. Sure there were others who passed by and didnt help her, but if they had we would have never gotten the chance to help and eventually go by and teach her. I thought about the quote that my bishop loves to quote, Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said: “The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.”This is so true. God knows us! He truly does look out for us and if we pay attention, there are people who are needing us to illuminate their path and share the restored gospel. I know this is possible, i believe in you guys! Sometimes it is difficult and we dont know what to say, but the Lord will provide a way. I love you all and have a great week!"

Words from Elder Jared Anderson in Brazil

 

 

 

"Well this week was great. The spirit is so strong here. I wish everyone had the opportunity that i have right now. We were privileged enough to have two more baptisms this week by the Grace of God. The mother and other son of our baptism last week. The mother in the beginning was very against the thought that the Gospel had been restored and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. She literally changed after watching her sons baptism. Her heart was so open and she accepted and KNEW everything was true. It was so amazing to see their family nearly united ( one more son of 17). Now I have felt that i should share something that many of you probably already know. While studying a little in the Doctrine and Covenants this week i read once again section 4, which is said by Prophet Joseph Fielding Smith (In a rough translation of Portuguese, Correct me if i am wrong!) `To contain sufficient depth and truth that a man could spend a lifetime studying these verses and still not comprehend it to fullest`. I would especially like to focus on the phrase, `and if you have a desire to serve God, ye are called to the work....`. Please please please do not shrug off these impressions of the Holy Ghost. i KNOW many of us are having them. We have been called to the work, each and everyone of us, not just for a mission, but for every aspect of serving our Father in Heaven, whether it may be visiting a less-active member, or participating fully in our Church and ward callings. We are ALL called to the work, I do not believe that you could be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days and NOT have a desire to serve! That is why we are here, why we were saved, to bring our brothers and sister back through a work much greater work than we can comprehend, a `Marvelous work´. Please Please PLEASE, heed to the counsel of the Holy Ghost, it makes life so much easier, i love you all so very very much. Thank you for all your Love and support."

Words from Elder Bradley Lynch in Washington

 

"I love my mission so much and the happiness and joy it has brought into my life, I love the Savior and all that he does for me everyday. I love our Father in Heaven, He is so good to us, We are nothing compared to him, yet we are everything to Him and I love that. My mission has taught me line upon line and precept upon precept here a little and there a little and I have grown in my faith more than anyone could know and its because when we seek we find and I have found the Gospel out here and am never going to let go."

Words from Elder Tyler Johnson in Kansas

 

"I'm doing awesome! i got a new comp that is so into the work and we are making some way good progress we went up and talked to the bishop yesterday about some serious drama we found out about the ward and how the past missionaries have lost the trust of the ward and the bishop was so ready to help us so we went to some of the home teachers and set up times to go out with them. our home teaching is below 20% so we have a goal to raise that for the ward and get that up by setting up times to go with members and since they wont come out with us to apts we will take them out home teaching to help them then after we will go out to our investigators we set for that day for them to be taught with a member and so the member can see the work and how its hastening and also use the member to bear his testimony and have his faith grow! we are sooo excited to get this ward involved!!!! this is going to be a power full ward they have so much potential its just the missionaries that were here were not so diligent in the work."

Words from Sister Kortlynn Herring in Japan

"How art thou guys? Hehe! My English has become incredible, let me
tell you :) Chandon! Oh my goodness you are going on a mission, to
my favorite city! That's so so so cool! I'm bummed you aren't coming
to the wonderful country of Japan, but Washington D.C. is stinking
awesome! Congrats! June 11th, wow! Haiyai! That's so fast! I'm
just so proud of you, I think my wonderful companion is getting tired
if me randomly muttering "Washington D.C. wow!" To myself....but oh
well! Sounds like you all have been having a lovely spring break! It
snowed here last week, but today it's beautiful! I even went outside
without my coat on! For the first time in 6 months! Hurray! I'm so
excited to see Sakura! The cherry blossoms, I have heard they are so
beautiful! Kelli and Travis huh, I knew that would be happening soon!
You will have to tell them congrats for me! And that's so cool about
Maddy getting her call to Rome! Tell her congrats too!

Ok, mom to answer your question about Facebook, no I don't see your
posts. Facebook is still no contact with anyone unless they are in
your mission, like an investigator or member. You are more then
welcome to look at what I'm doing, and like what I'm doing, but
everything I do is just mission related. So please keep sharing
updates and pictures through email! Thank you!

This week was great! We met with 2 less actives that we have been
working with for a long time and had great lessons with both if them.
One even came to church late after work and asked if she could still
take the sacrament. The other said that since we have been meeting
her, she has realized changes she needs to make in her life, and she
wants to repent. She met with the branch president and talked about
it and has started paying her tithing again! It's so great seeing
them come back into the gospel. They both have had some hard
challenges, and just reminding them that they have a Heavenly Father
and a Savior, who will always be there to help and strengthen them has
been so awesome! So please pray for Ogura Shimai and Kondo Shimai!
They are great, and are almost reactivated! I don't know if I have
mentioned this before, but there are only about 13 active members in
my branch and over 100 less active members. If we were able to reach
and reactivate a third of that, we would become a ward! Plus
continuing to bring new members into the fold. So crazy! We can do
it!

At eikaiwa this week, we had our recent convert who turned less active
come finally. She use to come to church every week and eikaiwa every
week as well, then in January she just stopped coming and we lost all
contact with her. Well, she came, and it was really sad, she had a
mcdonalds bag full of all her scriptures and what not asking if she
could quit. But I was able to talk to her and see what happened. Her
family doesn't know that she is a member, and she was really stressed
about that and some other things. But after talking with her, she
kept her scriptures, and we are meeting this week. She was one of my
best friends since coming to Sanjo. And I've been so worried about
her. But after talking with her, even though the situation looks
bad, I felt so much peace. And now we know what her struggle is, and
we can help her. I love Mieko Shimai!

Our other investigators have all been busy lately, because this time
of years is when the Japanese school year ends, so everyone is busy
with that and we haven't been able to meet much. But we have been
able to email and call, so it's all good, just a busy time of year.
Oh, and today we met with our super depressed investigator and had a
great lesson with her! Hopefully we can get her to start progressing
towards baptism again!

So yes, we had a great week! Oh and we had zone conference, which was
awesome! I love pres. Budge! He is amazing! And this week we have
zone meeting, and it's my first time giving a real training with the
zone leaders. We have been planning it the last couple of days, and
I'm super nervous! I still feel like a new missionary, and it's a bit
intimidating training other missionaries, when you still feel like you
need to be trained, but in preparation for it, I've learned a lot, so
that is good. Wish me luck!

Well, that's my week, it was a great one! I can't believe it's almost
April! Crazy! Today is my 11 month mark! I can't believe it's
almost been a year! Wow! I love you all and hope you have a
fantastic week! Being on being wonderful! I love each and everyone
of you! Grandma and grandpa Herring, thanks for your emails! I love
reading them every week! Thanks!"

Words from Elder Rick Bloomfield in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission

"This week was a really awesome week. We had our vision of baptism and made plans to improve and it made the week turn out great we got like 10 new investigators. It was a really fun and effective week. I'm really trying hard to be diligent in my studies and trying to love my companion and listen to his advice. We got a family to church, then they left after sacrament. We also had another guy stay with us almost all of church. We are going to try and get them baptized next Sunday. I drove to another town about 20 minutes away to have an exchange and picked up a new missionary that has been out the same time I have been. Both of us new guys were together for a night and a morning. It wasn't the funnest but driving to the other town I saw a gator in a canal. Today i might get a haircut from a awesome lady in our ward. Thanks for telling me all this about the cows and my brothers it really is fun to hear. About the temple open house its starting this week i think and goes for 3 weeks we can go if investigators and members take us, I'm scared I wont make it to it but hopefully someone will take us. We are going to sing at the cultural celebration in front of the Prophet, that's so awesome. I love being a missionary. This week is bike week, pray for me haha! I love you all!!! Have a great week. - Elder Rick Bloomfield"

Rick's address is Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission 7951 S W 6th St, Ste 110, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324-3211

Words from Elder Tyler Crosby in Tonga

 

 

"Sorry I didn't email you last week it was just all messed up. But this week has been a good one. Thanks for sharing that story about the kid in your class too. I know who Dion Perry is, haha He is a awesome funny kid I love those guys. Also thanks for your compliments I appreciate you always building me up its nice to hear. I also received some letters that were just great so thank you for those too:) Well, This week we had a baptism. We have teaching this kid for a while now and baptised him two days ago. It was really cool. I sure do love baptisms. They are really cool things to have and teaching this kid was just a blast. He is really an awesome kid. My companion and I are doing really good together, we Just work hard and have fun when we get too. I sure have learned a lot from him. We talked about it and we probably taught more lessons in a matter of a couple of weeks then we have the rest of our missions so far. Its crazy how much work you can do when you have two kids who like to work and keep the rules. I think the Lord also likes to help those who work hard. Its just been a blast and I love my mission. I have been feeling great and I love being able to learn so much everyday. Thanks for your sacrifice in putting me on my mission. I love you and hope you have a good week. "

Words from Elder Garrett Hollembeak in West Virginia

"I'm glad to hear you guys are doing so well. Sarah emailed me and said
she loved having you guys in Albuquerque this week. Tell the little
ones I'm proud of them, it sounds like Coulson is tearing it up in
basketball. It's kind of funny, we had a fireside last night too. We
had a couple of recent converts and one girl who will get baptized
soon talk about their conversion stories. It was really moving and we
had a great turn-out. We'll be praying for Eli and Garrett, they'll do
awesome. I'll make sure to get pictures for you guys, my camera screen
is broken so I'll make sure someone else takes them and I'll send them
to you. We met a guy tracting named Markus. We met with him once and
then invited him to a baptism, which was great because we were able to
set him on date for April 25th. He came to church and reads everything
that we give him. Elder Sorensen and I were talking about how much
word is done that we don't see. With Kate and Markus you can see how
well they've been prepared to receive this gospel, they're just
waiting on a little bit of encouragement. Thank you for the scriptures
you send me, a couple of weeks ago Kate was having a tough time and we
could see that she was just being put through the ringer by life. I
shared the scripture from Kings I think, about Elijah. It gave her a
lot of comfort to know that those who were for her were much greater
than those that were against her. Its been a great week to see
miracles. The work is going forward quickly and independently. Haha.
We'll be praying for you to have a dinner with a non-member and the
missionaries. One of the things we've been trying to do better in our
area is ask for referrals. I don't think I ever gave the missionaries
referrals when I was at home but the way it works in our mission is a
member will give an address of a friend that might want to hear the
gospel and we'll knock on that door. Whether they are interested or
not we'll knock on four more doors around the area, that way God can
begin to prepare the hearts of people around our friends and family.
Normally one or two of the doors open and we can set up an appointment
from that referral. It's not always the people we think it might be
but it does build a pattern of trust between us and God where he knows
that He can get people ready and we'll be there to meet with them.
Thank you guys for doing missionary work there, it makes a huge
difference. I love you and can't wait to hear from you again. Give
everyone a big hug for me. Thank you dad, I love you."

Words from Jared Anderson in Brazil

 

"Well this week we had a baptism which surprised me more than anything! His name is Leonardo he is 12 years old and many of his family members are members of the church, the surprising thing was to see a boy of twelve learn and grow so incredibly much in such a short amount of time. Our first visit I thought to myself, `Oh great he doesn´t understand these things and just wants have the `social´ aspect of the church, I was quickly humbled when he said the closing prayer. He simply stated `Dear Father in Heaven I believe these things are true, please help me know if they really are.´ It was one of the most sincere prayers i have heard in my entire life, as the Holy Ghost Undeniably filled the room. What added more to my surprise was immediately after we had left he had already read our assignment (2 nephi 31) and prayed concerning the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and had also received an answer, he described it as a warm peaceful feeling that filled his heart. I nearly broke down and started to cry. I was utterly in awe of this young mans diligence and desire to know the truth. He has been such an example to my companion and i, and is even telling his mom everything he has learned and expressing his desire for her to join the church, but she will be returning to Brasilia, Brazil, Huh? what a coincidence since Garrett is serving there, and she happens to live in the EXACT area he is serving in now. The Lord sure works in mysterious ways and i am so thankful to be apart of this work. We do ALOT of contacts. Trying to find some people that are prepared. The ward is getting better each week and it is so awesome to see them changing before our very eyes, and we have also been informed there are yet to be some really big changes in our ward, so i am very excited! Love you all, and i am starting to get chubby again, the rice and beans gets ya!"

Words from Elder Austin Davis in Oregon

"Hey family:) I know this week went by super fast we had 2 district
meetings 1 District leadership council 1 Leadership training ha and
another couple meetings along with that including ward council and
ward coordination. Uh yeah about 15 hours worth of meetings haha it's
been fun though. I really do love my comp elder Peterson he is so
funny and were just laughing all the time its a great time this week
we have taught 2 lessons to inv. and 5 lessons to recent converts less
actives so the work is picking up . Ha this is really slow comparative
to 25-30 lessons a week. Ha but it's okay we're gaining the wards
trust and building members testimonies up.so it's been super awesome
I'll tell you what though I'm super tired . Ha this has been a pretty
long battle but i feel as I am just hitting my of stride right now
brings to my memory of my senior year we had a knock down drag out
wrestling practice ha and uncle Brandon just said at the end when
every one had taken off showered and I was just sitting there and he
was like that's work Aussie.
This work is the hardest most frustrating out of your hands work there
is but if your faith is sufficient and you rely once lord your mission
pres. Your comp you will succeed . Haha yesterday a member was like
elders what do you do as I guess zone leaders and we kinda discussed a
little bit and she was like so your moms haha. Made me laugh. No not
even close thank goodness in away we take care of these elders and
sisters but we learn so much from them and just realize day to day how
much my mother and my aunts and grandmas do for me. And mom I just
want to tell you I love you.
My aunts thank you so much I love our family I know without my family
I wouldn't be on a mission. Grandma I love you thank you.
Today I just have been pondering on the people in my life and I
appreciate your sacrifices you make. I can promise you others are
Learning from your examples .

Ha hahahaha highlight of the week Oregonians man we pulled a tree
stump out with a Prius.. Haha it was funny good ol electric cars ha
Oregonians :) love them but it finally came out after three hours of
digging and my comp breaking to shovels we pulled it out of there :)
haha great day !

Well as I sit here and ponder on where my cousin and brother are going
for there missions I can honestly say I don't know but something I do
know with all my heart it is where The Lord wants you I come to tears
as I think of a man I taught about the atonement as he was a member
of this church . And decided to step away took his name of the records
of the church. Elder hunsaker and I testified to him that he wanted to
do this step into the waters and have a remission of his sins. the
atonement was there for him. The blood sweat and tears. He walked in
and wept at the sight of the font, and as he was baptized you could
see the weight lifted off his shoulders. This Was one of the most
sacred experiences I have had. Christ was in his shoes He knows what
it feels like. What you need to teach on your mission is the atonement
and you will have one of the best converts and that is yourself.
Knowing that Christ preformed that for us . You Me and our brothers
and sisters that we are so blessed to have the privilege to teach and
preach too.
I hope this email makes it to everyone in my family. I really don't
know what I would do with out the great family I have oh starting with

grandma she is the sweetest I love her so much . I still remember at
wrestling matches get em baby:) love you grandma!

Grandpa if I could grow up to be a man like you. Every time I was in
your presence oh flex it's Grandpa got to get him smiling. Favorite
memory way to many to choose from your pretty much my hero grandpa!

Aunts - oh what great examples you are to me I look at people and then
I think of my family, i look at mothers out here and I see little
things like oh hey that reminds me of aunt Carrie :) ha I just want to
say thanks for putting up with me but I don't think you realize the
way I look at you. The way I learn from you I'm so thankful for your
examples of Faith in this gospel your so diligent in your callings.
Members like you make this church work. Thank you so much. Little
quote I think of moms every time I hear this quote just because I feel
like I see moms always cleaning cooking making there kids happy.
Doing all the things moms do!
" the average runner sprints until the breath in him is gone but the
champion has the iron will that makes him carry on. For rest the
average runner begs, when in limp his muscles grow but the champion
runs on leaden legs his spirit makes her go
The average women's complacent when he does his best to score,but the
champion does his best and then he does a little more" - unknown
author
Love Elder Davis

Uncles- oh where to begin. I know I deserved a lot more beatings Than
got but I'm thankful for my Uncles they pushed me strengthened me.
Loved me. You knew when I was down you knew when I was hurting. I want
to thank you for picking me up brushing me off and telling me that's
all you got ? :) kiddingly sometimes...
But I love it I do that out here with missionaries and to see there
reaction is priceless probably like the first time when you said it to
me. I appreciate the leadership qualities that you help me develop
because I know that I picked them up from each of you. Your such great
leaders so thankful for that . I can compare you guys to superman the
way you carry around yourselves. Maybe it's just men of God. Thank you
for being worthy to hold that same priesthood the Christ held to
perform so many blessings and miracles. It's so real I have seen it
work I'll testify till the day I die that it is real and can change
life's. Thank you
This quote reminds me of the hard work you put in everyday.

If you want a thing bad enough
To go out and go for it
Work day and night for it
Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it
If only desire of it makes you mad enough never to tire of it.
Makes you all things tawdry and cheap for it
If life seems all useless and empty without it
And all that you scheme and you dream is about it
If gladly you'll sweat for it
Fret for it plan for it
If you simply go after the thing you want
With all your capacity,strength ,and sagacity
Faith hope and confidence stern pertinacity
Nor sickness nor pain of body and brain
Can keep you away from the thing you want,
If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
You'll get it."

Words from Sister Elese Hauser in Illinios

"Well it looks like I will be staying in Oswego for at least another 6
weeks!!!!!!!! Sister Dias is being transferred and she is going to
serve in Ottawa. My new companion will be Sister Teerlink and I
haven't met her but I know who she is and it seems like we will have a
great time together! We were so sure that I would be the one to leave
that this came as a big surprise. But a very pleasant surprise from my
end:) I love Oswego so much! And i know that every missionary says
they love their area, but I really and truly do! I think being the
first sisters here has just helped motivate the Ward to do their
missionary work and since we don't have the car half the time, we have
no other choice but to rely on the members for help so it has been a
blessing in disguise to not have our own vehicle. I am so sad that
Sister Dias will be leaving me!! It's like being told you can't hang
out with your best friend anymore:( We were talking this morning about
all that we have seen accomplished by the hand of The Lord and all the
amazing miracles we have seen while we have been in Oswego. We also
feel like our knowledge of the gospel and our understanding of
everything has increased exponentially as we have studied and learned
together. So it will be extremely sad to say good bye to Sister Dias
as my companion, but the coolest thing is she's just going down the
road and she'll be in my District and Zone!! So I'm not too sad! We
will go to the Naperville stake center tomorrow, have a short meeting,
swap companions and come back home.
This past week we had Zone Training and it was really really good! So
last year we had about 400 baptisms in this mission. President Fenn is
a very inspired man and he feels that we can baptize 800 people in
this mission this year!!!! Can you believe that? We were talking to a
member in the Ward this past week who also served his mission in
Chicagoland about ten years ago and he said that they would baptize
probably about 50 people a year. If that isn't proof that The Lord is
hastening his work then I don't know what is. And so we were sitting
in Zone Conference and our Zone leaders announced that President Fenn
had the strongest impression that our zone needed to go to the temple.
So he calls the temple and an hour later had a temple trip scheduled
for our zone! We were beyond excited!!!! I hadn't been to the temple
since the MTC, 9 months ago. Never go 9 months without going to the
temple. Especially if you have the opportunity to go with it 40
minutes away. I promised myself that I would never go so long without
going to the temple ever again! And I have every intention of keeping
that promise. Our session was at 6:30 AM so that means we had to leave
Oswego at 4:45 AM!! It was brutal. But it was so worth the loss of
sleep! As missionaries we are always expected to have the spirit with
us so that we can touch other peoples lives. But it was so nice to
feel the spirit and strength coming from somewhere else. If you've
been thinking about possibly going to the temple soon, go now. If you
can't go inside the temple, walk around the grounds. I can promise
that the temple has a healing and purifying affect. It has a way of
making everything better. Of washing away all the sadness and
heartache and making it better. That was the highlight of my week!
Driving home from the temple we saw the Chicago skyline! It was so
pretty and I remembered being at the top of the Sears tower so many
years ago and looking out over all the land. It was houses and
buildings as far as the eye could see. I remember in my little 12 year
old mind thinking, "I never want to live here....." Ha!!!!!! The Lord
has a sense of humor:)
As for our investigators, they are all doing great! Carol came to
church yesterday and said she didn't have her usual cigarette the
night before! That was fantastic news because Carol really is ready to
be baptized she is just holding herself back. But when we first met
her she was completely hopeless and has changed so much. You can all
expect her to be baptized in the next couple of weeks! We also got the
most interesting investigator I've had in my mission. Her name is
Karen and she is 73 years old, and in love with this member in another
stake. She thinks that by being baptized it will help him love her
more. Okay..... People these days.... But we taught her twice this
week and she has definite potential. Except she has the strangest
misconceptions. Like she asked us if we knew that Joseph Smith was
killed! She thought it was some secret! When she first asked us that i
wanted to act all surprise and say "Why didn't anybody tell me!" But I
just nodded and said that we would explain everything as the lessons
went on. This week we went to dinner at this awesome families home and
on the way back she asked me if I would be a Nanny for her kids after
my mission!! I would totally love to do that:) Maybe I'll just go to
school out here, be a nanny, and live in the promised land!! I'll
definitely have to give that some more thought!

Well i got your "Hump Day" letters this week and loved them! Gosh, I
still can't believe it's half way already... And I loved seeing the
pictures from the play! Kirsten has changed so much since I left. She
looks so grown up! I guess I just haven't seen many pictures of the
family. I'm sure Lindy and Brady have changed as well but I bet Dad
has changed the most. He probably has white hair, more wrinkles, and
uses a walker all the time;) the picture I'm sending is of us making
homemade bread at a members house. It's a good thing good bread making
runs in the family because this bread rocked!!! Oh and Mom, any
pictures I send home you need to save because I have to delete them
right after I send them from my iPad. Thanks! So I hope that you all
have a safe and blessed week! I love you!"

Words from Sister Kortlynn Herring in Japan

"How are you? By the sound of your emails you sound great! I'm also
doing well! Sister Lindquist and are are just trying to preach the
gospel here in Sanjo, and it's been great! As you all know I have
become a Facebook missionary. Now the rules for that, is I can't
contact you or message you on Facebook, but you are free to see what
I'm doing. I will try to make my posts in both Japanese and English,
because it would be awesome if you re posted posts, and we were able to
share the gospel with everyone! So. Please, continue liking things,
especially when I get up and running, because there will be some great
things. I'm excited to use this new tool! It's a great way to
contact people and introduce them to the gospel in a non-threatening
way ya know!

Daddy!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! おめでとうございます！さすがお父さん！！！お父さんはrock
star です！ I love you! I'm so proud! How do you feel? Like a new man?
😄. Yay!

Chandon! What the heck! I'm so glad you love me enough to remember
my phone number, but the waiting is killing me! I bet it is killing
you too! I remember waiting! It's so crazy that you are doing what I
was doing not that long ago! Ah! I can't wait to see where you will
go! That's so cool about Garrett and Eli! They will be great
missionaries!

Uncle Matt and aunt Tammy congrats! I'm so happy for you! Little
cousin Maggie! I can't wait to meet her! Thanks for the pictures!
:).

Ok, so my week was ok :). A lot of people weren't able to meet, and we
had to do a couple conferences, but it was still good! Katrina, sadly
isn't interested. But that's ok, because today we got a referral from
the elders in Niigata, a 21 year old half philipino lady who is super
interested in the plan of salvation, and she is newly wed. Her name
is E and we should be meeting them this week! Yay! We also have an
investigator named K San. She has a hard time reading the Book of
Mormon, so in order to help her we made a scripture of the day chart
with check marks by them and asked her to read those everyday. We
followed up and she did! Yay! I hope this shows her that she does
have time to read, and I hope she felt the spirit. Little things like
that make me happy! This next week we have quite a few appointments
lined up, so hopefully it's a bit more busy and productive!

This week I have realized what a difference it makes when you are
happy. There have been times on my mission where I wasn't unhappy but
I wasn't happy either. Does that make sense? Like times when we were
out finding, and I realized, that I wasn't happy. So, I tried to
think about how I can be happy, even when I'm not doing the most fun
things, or days where we just don't see results. And I realized it
all has to do with love. When you think about the love you have for
The Lord, your companion, the church members, and these amazing people
that you are walking by or knocking on their doors, it suddenly
becomes fun! I was inspired by a dear mission friend of mine, she
said Dendo like a bro. Well, I have been trying to think about how I
could do that, and as I focused on the love that I feel for Heavenly
Father and the love that He has for those around me, and how we are
all brothers and sisters, everything suddenly became more fun! And I
have been happier. Dendo becomes exciting, instead of stressful.
Knocking on another door is fun, not scary, and it's just been great!
This gospel truly is good news, happy news, and when we choose to live
it, we can't help but become happier! I love that! And I love all of
you! I hope you have a great week! Keep being awesome! Chan I'm
anxious for your call! Dad don't get to crazy now that you are a
graduate! I love and adore each and everyone of you! Thank you for
your love, prayers and support! Keep being amazing!"

Words from Elder Bo Mullenaux in California

 

"It has been a great week!! From Nacho Libre corn to digging ditches, to miracles with missionary work! Life is awesome! haha So as we walked down the road, there are Hispanics that have little bicycle cart things that they sell ice cream, chips, candy, everything from. Awhile back my companion and i saw someone getting some corn and we said, " save me some of dat corn..." so the next time we passed the cart, we couldn't resist. It was pretty good haha :)

Also, on Saturday, we did service. It was a lot of fun! We dug a trench from about 1:00 to 4:00!! I cant believe how long it's been since I've actually done some physical labor! I feel like a little girl! haha but it was fun.

Yesterday, we parked the car and walked down a bike path that went along the river. We walked really far. As we came up on this one guy, he said," why is it that whenever I'm going through a rough time, i always run into you guys?!" We found out that he, Clement, had been meeting with missionaries about a year ago and missed his own baptism. he is also going through some rough trials. We taught him and prayed with him and he expressed that he wants to be baptized. Elder Page jokingly said, ok lets go right now and pretended to walk a little ways towards the river. Clement thought he was being serious and he was ready to do it!! haha But he agreed to take the lessons again.

Well, i love you all and hope you all have a great week. I couldn't be doing better out here and i feel nothing but complete support from all of you. I love you!!"

Words from Elder Spencer Wilhelm in Angola***comes home this week!***

 

"Hey thanks everyone for your letters and what not!!! i always love to hear from y'all and know how you are doing!

So our week was way sick!! On Wednesday night we helped out again with mutual. We are starting to help the branch take it over for themselves, but for now we are still helping. We asked one of the members, pedro to give a spiritual thought and we helped out with the games and everything. It was a really fun activity and the youth really like to come and hang out with each other.

This upcoming week will be my last full week in the mission, and i will be leaving on Wednesday the following week. I am not sure if i will be able to get on this next week because i will be traveling up to Luanda. So this very well could be the last letter that you all get from me in the mission. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have had to serve amongst the Angolan people for these 2 years and for how much the lord has protected me throughout my mission. I will miss my Angolan family so much, but i cant wait to see them once again whether in this life or in the next. They have taught me a new meaning of love and compassion for my fellow man. they are always willing to help and are very curious to know more about the gospel and they will always have a special place in my heart. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Cristo on the earth. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and he did receive the priesthood keys to guide and lead the church today. I testify that Jesus is the Christ and that through him we can all be saved. I am thankful for the many experiences in my mission that have helped me to come to that knowledge.

I am very excited to see you all next week wish that all goes well during this week!!! I love you all so much."

Words from Elder Ryder Nielsen in the Philippines

 

 

"Well i received the news i just didn't want to hear. I will be transferring to Santa Cruz in Manila. My heart really is pained at the thought of leaving Las Pinas, i love it here so much. I could have spent the rest of my mission here. If i ever come back to the Philippines that is where i would chose to live. I will miss all of the members here especially Bishop Flores. I will especially miss my recent converts. I have never had more success in an area. I will miss my companion Elder Washburn i am sure i will see him again after my mission given the fact he lives in Gilbert but he is like a brother to me. I am in a little bit of depression right now i wish there wasn't change. i hate change. I feel like my heart has been ripped right out of my chest.

 P.S. On a positive note we will have a baptism this coming Saturday, which i wont be able to attend as the transfer day is Wednesday. Her name is Korina she is only 13 years old but her faith in Christ is amazing. I am sad i wont be able to attend."

Words from Elder Bo Mullenaux in Santa Rosa California

 

"This week was pretty cool! As Elder Page and I started zone meeting, we were surprised by several people that walked in. And when i say surprised, i mean completely and utterly in awe! haha We had Bonnie L. Oscarson (young women general president), Linda S. Reeves (Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency), Rosemary M. Wixom (Primary General President), and Elder Bassett (Area Seventy) join us. They just happened to be having a meeting in the same building as us! They came in and asked if they could meet everyone! It was so awesome!! I was nervous that they were going to stay for all of zone meeting, but luckily they left after they took some pictures with us. Haha

Other than that, everything is going about the same! I'm doing great and i love Santa Rosa! I hope everyone has a great week! I love you all!"

Words from Sister Elese Hauser in Illinois

"Well I appreciate all of your concern about my ear, but all is well!
My Dad said that I made him proud by taking care of my medical
problems all by myself and putting my big girl pants on! But I think
he forgot that I wear a skirt. C'mon Dad, I put my big girl skirt on
every single morning! Well this is somewhat of a bittersweet week for
me. Exactly 9 months ago from yesterday I cried from the pulpit as I
gave my farewell. And a Wednesday is exactly my half way mark. I just
can't believe it! 2 areas, 3 companions, 2 baptisms, and many life
changing experiences, I am not the same person I was when I first came
out. Which I am so grateful for! I have seen how The Lord has put each
and every challenge in my path because it's exactly what in need. My
knowledge of this gospel has expanded more than I ever thought
possible. I am so grateful I went English speaking because I love
being able to focus and devote all of my time to learning this gospel.
I have seen things come true from my setting apart blessing and
patriarchal blessing. If these first nine months have gone by so
quickly I can only imagine how fast these next nine months will go. So
transfers are next week. I will let you know all know next Monday what
will be going on. Sister Dias and I both have this small feeling that
I'll be the one to leave. We have no way to know since we got here at
the same time but we'll see. I really don't want to leave Oswego! The
members here are absolutely incredible and I love this area so much!
But I will go where ever The Lord needs me. So Mom, just send that
letter to the regular address at the mission office that you usually
send things to because I may not still be here at this address by the
time the letter gets here.
This week Sister Dias and I experienced what life is like without the
gospel, the real world. We got a text on Saturday from Leena saying
that her husband had abused her and she called the cops and they came
and took him away. We went right over to Leena's house and she opened
the door, my heart sunk. Half of her face was swollen and her bottom
lip was split. We asked her how she was doing and she responded fine
as tears streamed down her face. We sat and cried and talked with her
for while. I can only imagine the emotions and how scared she must be
feeling especially since this is the second time this has happened.
Well that night she worked from 1:00 am - 9:00 am and we needed to
find a place for her 6 year old daughter to stay. So we scrambled and
figured everything out for her. As we sat around Leena's table, it hit
me how much the gospel protects us from. There is a very obvious
reason for the Word of Wisdom and other commandment we have in the
church, they are there to protect us. Now Leena, who has no family
here, doesn't drive, and speaks broken English, will have to get a
restraining order on her husband. She wanted to leave several times
but has no place to go and can't go back to India because she is
waiting for her passport. I can't imagine the sorrow she must be
feeling at this time. I am so truly humbled and grateful for the
Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. My eyes were opened to how the rest
of the world lives their lives with out it. And it's not a pretty
sight. It's a life of sorrow, misery, and loneliness. So if you want
to be happy, then keep the commandments. It's as simple as that. We
told Leena about the atonement and helped her realized how she can use
it to heal from all of this. She has a very long road ahead of her, no
matter what way she chooses. So that was the most traumatic and
eventful part of our week. And there's not much more news to report.
So I hope that you all have a great week! Good luck in the play! Try
not to break a leg, it's not very fun. And I look forward to getting
your letters!!! I love you all!"

Words from Elder Kade Garner in Peru

"So today we got the news about transfers... looks like I have got at least six more weeks in paradise. My companion was sure that he was going, but he is not. He really wanted to go, but hey we cannot pick and choose where we go. I am just super glad that I am not going back to the city they call Lima or as I call it Slima... because it is dirty. Sadly however, one of my really good friends from the district, Elder Larsen, is leaving tonight. It is always sad to lose a friend, but hey we will probably see each other before either one of us goes home.

So this week was a lot of finding. We are just looking for people that want to better their lives and follow Jesus Christ. However, the prettier your area that you work in the harder of heart the people can be, but I am sure that we are going to find a lot of families here very soon that are married and want to follow Christ. In fact, this week we found a family of FOUR! It may not be a huge family, but I am very positive that they are going to accept the Gospel here soon.

When I started the mission I absolutely hated knocking doors. I thought it was the worse thing in the world. It is because I am a very shy person until I get to know someone and talking to strangers is not something that I liked to do. Especially on their door step because they are always a little more mean when they are in their own territory for lack of better words. However, I know like to do it. It is actually really fun to see what type of person lies behind each door. It is almost like a game. At times, okay, more than not, they shut the door quickly, but I have learned to get into almost any house. Now getting the person to progress is another story but hey I feel I am half-way there. If I can get into most houses why can´t I get most people to progress? This is something that I am going to work on a lot.

Okay, well today we went to Oca Pampa. It is a really cool area up in the tops of the Andes mountains where there are waterfalls and other cool stuff to see. I told you all last week that my memory card had a virus so I bought a new one. Sadly the computer wants to format it which means it would erase all the photos that I took this week, so you will all have to wait to see the pics another day. Lo siento, pero así es la vida. Really though, I am buying a house up here one day. Being here can only make you sure that God exists. I do not know if there is a prettier place in the world. I am going to be homesick for this place that is for sure. I grow more in love with every aspect of it every day. The people, the mountains, the culture... and even the simplicity of life and that is coming from the kid who loves to be on the computer or playing on his ipad.

So that was the week. Sorry that it was not something super spiritual, but sometimes that happens. While we did not see many miracles in the lives of others I can say that I have seen a few in my own. I have become so converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And while I am learning every day... and the doctrine that I am beginning to learn for myself is incredible, I now know Who my Savior is. I am beginning to understand His purpose in my life and that of others. I am begining to understand exactly what He did for us and the mercy that Heavenly Father and all who are involved in our salvation have for us. I know that Jesus Christ makes eternal life possible. I know that He loves us perfectly and that He knows us perfectly. I know that while Christ was in the garden of Gethsemani He did not want to go through the Atonement because He knew how hard it would be, but He did it because He wanted our salvation more than His comfort. I know that while suffering He thought about everyone of us individually. He knew the pains, sorrows, hardships, and sins that would plague us in this life and for that He did the unimaginable and bled from every pore. I know that just a few days later He was not killed but willing gave His life to give us ours. How great it is to have a Saviour who loves us enough to have died for us. I know that He did it and I know that He lives today. He is the Son of God, the Creator of this world, and our Loving-older brother.

Well I hope all is well for you all. Remember that when hardships come our way all we need to do is pray. Our Father loves us and will give us all we need if we only will reach out to Him in our times of need. Love you all and we will talk very soon. P.S. I am not trunky, but last night I had a dream that I was at home and the whole family and all my friends were together watching movies that came out while I was on the mission. In just more than nine months we should make that dream a reality. Oh an nine and a half months gives Taytum and Stormy just enough time to give me another nephew... you best be getting to work."

Words from Elder Kade Garner in Peru

"Okay pues, well this week was something a little bit different... or a lot different. However, it turned out to be a good week. We had interviews with the mission president, we had service project in the high Andes mountains, and we had a few set backs with a few investigators but a few miracles as well.

On Monday we started the week by eating Tokuush. Tokush is a really stinky peruvian dish that they really believe in. They take corn or potatoes and keep them under water for months until the begin to almost rot. It smells so bad, but it has a ton of penicilin and they believe can cure almost anything. Well, I was telling the members that I had not yet tried it and that I could not leave Perú without trying it. You see the greengoes always refuse to eat it and when they do they never take more than one bite. Well, the relief society president invited us over to her house Monday night. She had masa mora (kinda like a warm pudding/jello) made out of corn tokush. So I am pretty proud of myself. My Latino comp refused to try it and I ate my whole dish. I am sending a photo home.

 So, Tuesday night we got a call from the zone leaders telling us that we needed to be in Huaraz the next morning at 10 AM. The president of the mission was coming to do a training and to interview us. So the next morning we got up, got ready, and made the hour and a half trip to Huaraz (an hour and a half may not seem like a lot of time or a long trip but we do a lot of traveling here so we are always glad if we do not have to go to Huaraz). We got to Huaraz at 9:30 and then waited for President Archibald.

We were trained on how to better study. We studied 1 Nephi 1: 1-4 with the president and we learned so much from those four verses. He taught us that every verse has something to teach us we just have to know what to look for. We then had our interviews. The president talked to me for almost an hour. We have started to gain a good relationship and he was just giving me all kinds of ideas of what I could do with these people and with the members. When we were about to finish I asked him a question and to respond he read me a letter he wrote to his two kids who are in the mission (in Brazil). It was a really good interview and I am going to do all I can to use all the things I learned to have more success and be a better missionary.

Okay, so I want to describe the culture a little bit. The President was sure to make sure that I knew that this area was the most different in all the mission and that I need to work differently here. I already knew that it was different and now I have more ideas on how to work. So here everything is different. The culture is preserved very well. Almost nothing has changed in the last 100 years. The clothing, the food, their back-woods accent, and the way the people work. However, one thing did change in the 70´s. In 1970 there was a huge earthquake that buried one of the small villages in our ward. More than 20,000 people were killed in just a few minutes and hundreds of children that had gone to the circus that day were left orphans. This earthquake really affected this area. The people believe in God, but they often wonder if He loves them or if He is even really their Heavenly Father. It is sad that they feel as though this disaster was brought on by their Father in Heaven, but we are here to change that way of thinking and help them know that God loves them and their families. There is a you tube video the president always talks about and is going to show us. You can just search Yungay earthquake on You tube. It is super sad, but you are going to get a feel of what this area is like.

On Friday we went to do service in the chacra (really big garden) of the couple that we baptized two weeks ago. I just have so much more respect for these people. To get to their house it is more than an hour in taxi and you have to go up into the mountains on the most unsafe roads I have seen in my life. It really is such a sacrifice for them to go to church on Sundays. Their story should be in the Ensign... they are so awesome. So when you get to their village called Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) you are just in the tops of the Andes mountains and I do not know how but it looks like this little village is in the sky. Sadly, I did not get a photo of this little village, but it is one of the coolest places in the world. It looks like it is straight out of a movie or story book. So, when we got there they prepared pacha manca which is a type of food they make in banana leafs and then bury in the ground to cook with hot rocks; by the way it is sooo good. So, while they where cooking we collected ears of corn in their field and husked it. It was super fun. We also taught their daughter and son-in-law. They want to get baptized too with their two daughters. We just have to get them married first.

So Saturday we had a baptism, or I should say we should have had a baptism. Our investigator could not get baptized because there was an emergency in her chacra. On Sunday we went to visit her after church (she did go to church) and she was so sad that she did not get baptized on Saturday. You see she is a single mom and her mom and sister are members. While we were at her house we spoke with her sister and she wants to start going back to church we also found out that her nine year-old son is not baptized and wanted to get baptized with his aunt. So while Saturday was a sad day for everyone this Saturday is going to be a great day for everyone. I know that Milagros was not baptized on Saturday because our Heavenly Father had more in mind for this family. He wants them all to be active members in His church and this Saturday we can help that bacome true. Sometimes a tradegy is really just a miracle in disguise.

So that for the most part was the week. It was very different, but very terrific. So I hope you all had a good week. I am glad that Nash is okay and is feeling well. I really have the cutest four nephews. I do not know how their parents did it, but good job. I expect at least one more Waite and Garner nephew or niece before I get home. Love you all and I will talk to you soon. Oh yeah, feel better Taylor I know that it is not fun having stomach pains... they are the worse."

 

Words from Elder Tyler Crosby in Tonga

"Sorry I didn't write last week. I got transferred so we didn't get time to email. I got transferred to a village called Holonga. Its a pretty small village and the work is really hard in this area, but we can always help somehow. I did get a new companion though! And you would never have guessed it, He is from Utah and has only been out 4 months now. SO we have two white kids in our area who have been out less than a year and are still trying to speak Tongan. We do pretty good together though. We knew we were going to have a lot of faith and trust in the lord this transfer. It was definitely sad leaving my old comp because we have been together so long, but now that I have moved my Tongan is 10x better already. I have already learned so much from my new comp and we have a lot of fun working hard and actually being able to keep all the mission rules is the best thing in the world. Last week we taught a lot of less-active members. We don't have any investigators right now but we are just trying to strengthen the members and help the less-actives. As long as we help someone I am satisfied. Because I know sometimes we aren't going to have teachings, but we can always do something for someone even if they don't accept our message. I hope work is going good and hope to hear back form you. I got to go email with the zones today luckily and I don't know if there is Internet in our area I am pretty sure we don't so I already have letters ready to send if I cant email. Love you lots.

-Elder Crosby

Words from Elder Garrett Anderson in Brazil

"This week in the Brazil Brasília mission there was a little more excitement than normal!

To start off, we had a baptism, which was our first in this area. The lady who was baptized in named Mariza and she is 25 years old. She was a referral from another good missionary friend of mine in another area and she was baptized yesterday by the bishop. The changes that we have seen in her life in these few weeks have been amazing. We met her only 3 weeks ago, and she told us how she has struggled in the past with depression and a divorce from her husband. Although i am not a certified psychologist, i knew exactly what she must do to cure her depression, read the Book of Mormon! Although this was not a medical cure and she still takes medicine and has regular checkups with the doctor, her daily reading of the Book of Mormon has had a great impact in her life, so great that she was baptized yesterday. Although the things we sometimes do simple things that we might think of as too simple to have any affect, we must remember the counsel in Alma 37:6-7, "6 Now ye may suppose that this is ^afoolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by ^bsmall and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God doth work by ^ameans to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very ^bsmall means the Lord doth^cconfound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. " Through Mariza's small act of reading the scriptures, praying every day, and attending church on Sunday's, she has been able to take upon her the name of Christ and have all of her past sins swept away. The gates of the celestial kingdom has been opened and as she endures to the end, she will gain eternal life, " 7 And, if you ^akeep my commandments and ^bendure to the end you shall have ^ceternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." (D&C 14:7)

Let us all endure to the end, helping those who are lost or struggling to find the path that leads

to true and eternal happiness."