"Oi!
Wednesday we went back to a house where we marked a baptism, but the guy was going to travel. So, we went back and nobody knew that guy, but we went in and taught the mom and one son. They both accepted the baptismal invitation and the mom started to cry. We've been back everyday since, but haven't been able to teach them again. We'll see how it goes, but that lesson was really spiritual.
Friday I had two more baptisimal interviews to do, this time for my zone leaders. That was a good division. I stayed with Elder Carvalhal in his area. He has become a friend of mine.
Saturday and Sunday were the most hectic of all. Saturday night I had another baptismal interview to do, but we went there and he was on his way out because his niece was in the hospital. He committed to going to church, so I would interview him there. So, I slept over in the 4th Ward house and went to their ward instead of my own while Elder George went to my ward with Elder Dunn. The baptism never showed up, but it was interesting to attend a ward that wasn't my own! That was sort of an unexpected division. Yesterday, I did a real division with the 4th Ward elders and it was a very productive day. We taught a lot and found a lot of new people. This morning we undid the division at McDonald's and I ate two Egg McMuffins with passion fruit juice!
The Padrao Amon (Ammon Standard of Excellence) for our mission has gone up. Three baptisms, 5 baptisms marked, 10 investigations in church, 12 lessons with members, and 14 new investigators per week and 10 baptisms per month.
My companion and I are getting along great. He has to be buoyed up a lot because of the language. He gets discouraged easily, but he is adjusting and learning and loved the division yesterday. I get mail every week now because the zone leaders all have a meeting with the president every week in Campinas and now they're allowed to pick up the mail.
I am happy and tired today. I'll rest a lot this pday. I love you all and I know this is the Lord's work. Tschau!"
Elder Christian
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Elder Cook's Visit & My First Baptism Interview
"Oi
First of all, the conference with Elder Cook was wonderful! He spoke with us a lot more than we thought he would. First, he shook everybody's hand and then he started with his message. He talked about D & C 31 and about our families, that they are being blessed in every aspect of life because of our service ( I sure hope that is true!) Then, his wife had us all sing and then she talked about "Preach My Gospel". He was the main man behind that book. He didn't quiz anyone about it though. The president was afraid that would happen. He said that the planning skills that we can learn here in the mission will make a huge difference in our lives and he talked about getting stronger committments from our investigators. Then, we all went into the cultural hall where he took a picture with our mission. I bet the president will give us a copy and I'll send it to you.
This week a companionship in my district achieved the Padrao Amon! I was so happy for them! I interviewed those two baptisms ( my first interviews so far) and that was an awesome experience. I LOVED it! It was wonderful to conduct the interview. The first passed like a charm, and the second answered everything correctly and demonstrated that he had a testimony, but then at the end I asked the last question which includes 'do you feel ready to make this convenant and be faithful to it all your life?' He asked when his baptism would be (that startled me). I said tomorrow, and then he said, 'No, I don't feel ready to be baptized tomorrow.' It was like...Oh no, here we go! So we went into a long 'faith lesson' and at the end I showed him that he was feeling the Spirit and then invited him to be baptized the next day. He stopped, looked at me and said, 'do you feel that? What is that? It's so strong!' The Spirit was really strong and he accepted and was baptized. I was amazed at how successful it really was, the Spirit guided that interview.
That companionship has another baptism marked for this Sunday. The sisters in my district have two baptisms marked for the weekend and our zone leaders, who are also part of my district, have baptisms this week. I am very happy for the district.
Elder Dunn and I have a baptism marked for the 21st and we're praying for the rest of that family. They are really hard hearted, but we'll invite them to hear the lessons again this Friday.
I'm sure a miracle will occur. This is the rest of Wanderson's family. Wellington is his little brother that will be baptized and Maria Helena is his mom and William is his brother that we are praying for. Put these names in the temple today and pray that Friday, when we invite them to be taught and be baptized, they'll be touched by the Spirit.
Yesterday, we found another family that I have hope for. The dad's name is Jose. His wife died four years ago and he has four daughters. I have great hope for them.
I know this church is true! I love you and am happy!
Tschau. Elder Christian
First of all, the conference with Elder Cook was wonderful! He spoke with us a lot more than we thought he would. First, he shook everybody's hand and then he started with his message. He talked about D & C 31 and about our families, that they are being blessed in every aspect of life because of our service ( I sure hope that is true!) Then, his wife had us all sing and then she talked about "Preach My Gospel". He was the main man behind that book. He didn't quiz anyone about it though. The president was afraid that would happen. He said that the planning skills that we can learn here in the mission will make a huge difference in our lives and he talked about getting stronger committments from our investigators. Then, we all went into the cultural hall where he took a picture with our mission. I bet the president will give us a copy and I'll send it to you.
This week a companionship in my district achieved the Padrao Amon! I was so happy for them! I interviewed those two baptisms ( my first interviews so far) and that was an awesome experience. I LOVED it! It was wonderful to conduct the interview. The first passed like a charm, and the second answered everything correctly and demonstrated that he had a testimony, but then at the end I asked the last question which includes 'do you feel ready to make this convenant and be faithful to it all your life?' He asked when his baptism would be (that startled me). I said tomorrow, and then he said, 'No, I don't feel ready to be baptized tomorrow.' It was like...Oh no, here we go! So we went into a long 'faith lesson' and at the end I showed him that he was feeling the Spirit and then invited him to be baptized the next day. He stopped, looked at me and said, 'do you feel that? What is that? It's so strong!' The Spirit was really strong and he accepted and was baptized. I was amazed at how successful it really was, the Spirit guided that interview.
That companionship has another baptism marked for this Sunday. The sisters in my district have two baptisms marked for the weekend and our zone leaders, who are also part of my district, have baptisms this week. I am very happy for the district.
Elder Dunn and I have a baptism marked for the 21st and we're praying for the rest of that family. They are really hard hearted, but we'll invite them to hear the lessons again this Friday.
I'm sure a miracle will occur. This is the rest of Wanderson's family. Wellington is his little brother that will be baptized and Maria Helena is his mom and William is his brother that we are praying for. Put these names in the temple today and pray that Friday, when we invite them to be taught and be baptized, they'll be touched by the Spirit.
Yesterday, we found another family that I have hope for. The dad's name is Jose. His wife died four years ago and he has four daughters. I have great hope for them.
I know this church is true! I love you and am happy!
Tschau. Elder Christian
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Hectic Week as District Leader
"Oi!
Well, sorry that I wasn't able to send you an email yesterday (Note: parents beginning to hyperventilate). No, pday has not changed, but yesterday was a huge hassel with my visa so there wasn't time to do anything. Everybody from my group had to go to Campinas for the routine visa renewal and it took all day long. Everything went well. I saw everybody again...E. Benson, E. Hahne, E. Brewer, S. Pierce.. and aside from them Elder Larsen, who helped us renew our visas. Everyone else was able to send out emails yesterday, but I wasn't so the president let me do it today.
The office elders did receive your package and they thank you for it. The district meeting on Monday was a big success. I gave my first training and did a practice of the second visit that was really spiritual and made me feel really confident about how I can teach that. I felt perfectly confident and at home in front of everyone teaching even though I was super nervous the whole week before it. I know it was the spirit that strengthened me. Tomorrow I'll do my first baptismal interviews for a companionship in my district. I'm excited for that. There are only four elders and two sisters in my district.
After the meeting we did a division with the assistants. They were in our zone to observe and one went with me and the other went with the other companionship here in Rio Claro. That was a great day. We talked to everybody, and we found 14 new people and one HUGE family of seven people! Today we'll return to this family and teach the lesson that I practiced at the meeting. I'm sure that the Lord will again strengthen me and the Spirit will be strong enough for them to commit to be baptized. You can pray for them. Their names are Marcos, Adriane, Taileza, Anderson, Alison, Alexia, and Elivelton. Likewise, we'll return to someone the AP said he felt was elect: Devanir and Joziel.
Something super exciting is going to happen on Saturday!!! Elder Quentin L. Cook is coming to our mission!!! He is down here in Brazil for 10 days and he'll preside at a stake conference in a stake in our mission and he found one hour to talk to all the missionaries on Saturday. He is the man responsible for "Preach My Gospel." This will be a huge blessing for our mission and surely he'll leave an apostolic blessing over our mission! I'm super excited!
I love you all and am happy and anxious to work hard. This church is true!
Elder Christian
Well, sorry that I wasn't able to send you an email yesterday (Note: parents beginning to hyperventilate). No, pday has not changed, but yesterday was a huge hassel with my visa so there wasn't time to do anything. Everybody from my group had to go to Campinas for the routine visa renewal and it took all day long. Everything went well. I saw everybody again...E. Benson, E. Hahne, E. Brewer, S. Pierce.. and aside from them Elder Larsen, who helped us renew our visas. Everyone else was able to send out emails yesterday, but I wasn't so the president let me do it today.
The office elders did receive your package and they thank you for it. The district meeting on Monday was a big success. I gave my first training and did a practice of the second visit that was really spiritual and made me feel really confident about how I can teach that. I felt perfectly confident and at home in front of everyone teaching even though I was super nervous the whole week before it. I know it was the spirit that strengthened me. Tomorrow I'll do my first baptismal interviews for a companionship in my district. I'm excited for that. There are only four elders and two sisters in my district.
After the meeting we did a division with the assistants. They were in our zone to observe and one went with me and the other went with the other companionship here in Rio Claro. That was a great day. We talked to everybody, and we found 14 new people and one HUGE family of seven people! Today we'll return to this family and teach the lesson that I practiced at the meeting. I'm sure that the Lord will again strengthen me and the Spirit will be strong enough for them to commit to be baptized. You can pray for them. Their names are Marcos, Adriane, Taileza, Anderson, Alison, Alexia, and Elivelton. Likewise, we'll return to someone the AP said he felt was elect: Devanir and Joziel.
Something super exciting is going to happen on Saturday!!! Elder Quentin L. Cook is coming to our mission!!! He is down here in Brazil for 10 days and he'll preside at a stake conference in a stake in our mission and he found one hour to talk to all the missionaries on Saturday. He is the man responsible for "Preach My Gospel." This will be a huge blessing for our mission and surely he'll leave an apostolic blessing over our mission! I'm super excited!
I love you all and am happy and anxious to work hard. This church is true!
Elder Christian
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
District Leader and Trainer!
"Oi!
So we had transfers and mission conference yesterday. It was really good. President Castro Deus is truly guiding the mission by revelation.
The story that you sent this week (about your mission call in Germany to district leader) is interesting because I was called as a district leader and trainer yesterday. My companion is Elder Dunn from Colorado. He looks like a big Samoan and when our names were announced I went up to the front to get him. We hugged and he picked me up! Ha Ha! The mission won't forget that! He doesn't speak any Portuguese, of course. I get to teach him everything! This will be cool! The hard thing will be being district leader. I have no idea how to be a district leader or give trainings to the missionaries. But it's all good!
Elder Rossi was made a zone leader and Elder Hahne was sent to the office to be Elder Larsen's companion. Elder Santanna didn't return to being senior and now I don't know if he ever will. BUT, he did qualify himself, so I did my part.
The two baptisms of Quiterio and Kamilla went off without any problem. Wanderson baptized his father and it was kinda hard to get him under the water (he's a big guy). We now have to baptize Kamilla's parents. That's what I'm worried about this week. I hope the spirit will guide us in doing everything necessary to baptize them.
We're gonna get new cell phones and as district leader I'll have infinite credit to call the missionaries! We'll also be getting a washing machine soon. I got the package with the pillow cases and they felt like they just got out of the dryer! It was so wonderful! I also got a Christmas package from Becca. She sent me a teddy bear and a bunch of candy. Oh, ya, I would very much like the Church News and the missionary announcements still. And now, we'll get mail every single week.
This is funny. At the beginning of the conference President Castro Deus announced the trainers and then did the transfers. Sister Castro Deus then spoke and at the beginning of her remarks, she said, 'it seems like everyone is most excited when the trainers are announced, but I think everyone was waiting to see when Elder Christian Larsen's name was called because everyone wants to be his companion. He gets so many packages! His greenie is really lucky to have him as a trainer!' LOL! Everyone laughed at that...it's so true!
I'll be honest. I'm a little intimidated by this new dual call as DL and trainer, but I can do it! I know that this church is true and that this mission is guided by God through revelation. I love you and am happy!"
Elder Christian
So we had transfers and mission conference yesterday. It was really good. President Castro Deus is truly guiding the mission by revelation.
The story that you sent this week (about your mission call in Germany to district leader) is interesting because I was called as a district leader and trainer yesterday. My companion is Elder Dunn from Colorado. He looks like a big Samoan and when our names were announced I went up to the front to get him. We hugged and he picked me up! Ha Ha! The mission won't forget that! He doesn't speak any Portuguese, of course. I get to teach him everything! This will be cool! The hard thing will be being district leader. I have no idea how to be a district leader or give trainings to the missionaries. But it's all good!
Elder Rossi was made a zone leader and Elder Hahne was sent to the office to be Elder Larsen's companion. Elder Santanna didn't return to being senior and now I don't know if he ever will. BUT, he did qualify himself, so I did my part.
The two baptisms of Quiterio and Kamilla went off without any problem. Wanderson baptized his father and it was kinda hard to get him under the water (he's a big guy). We now have to baptize Kamilla's parents. That's what I'm worried about this week. I hope the spirit will guide us in doing everything necessary to baptize them.
We're gonna get new cell phones and as district leader I'll have infinite credit to call the missionaries! We'll also be getting a washing machine soon. I got the package with the pillow cases and they felt like they just got out of the dryer! It was so wonderful! I also got a Christmas package from Becca. She sent me a teddy bear and a bunch of candy. Oh, ya, I would very much like the Church News and the missionary announcements still. And now, we'll get mail every single week.
This is funny. At the beginning of the conference President Castro Deus announced the trainers and then did the transfers. Sister Castro Deus then spoke and at the beginning of her remarks, she said, 'it seems like everyone is most excited when the trainers are announced, but I think everyone was waiting to see when Elder Christian Larsen's name was called because everyone wants to be his companion. He gets so many packages! His greenie is really lucky to have him as a trainer!' LOL! Everyone laughed at that...it's so true!
I'll be honest. I'm a little intimidated by this new dual call as DL and trainer, but I can do it! I know that this church is true and that this mission is guided by God through revelation. I love you and am happy!"
Elder Christian
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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