31 July 2011 - Jardim Castelão Area (Mom)

[Today is a "relaxing" day. Not that much time before Lauren and I drive to Utah. We went to IKEA on Friday to get her some stuff for her apartment.] I'm glad that you got time to relax. Hey where were all my apartment things when I went to school ;) Girls always have so much stuff in their apartments. I had a picture of the beach and that's about it. She goes back to school in like 2 weeks right. Are you ever going to tell me what car you guys bought? Who left for Utah? They are going to the cabin already? 

[Scott came home (friend from the ward who returned from the Philippines). We attended his open house on Saturday and listened to his talk yesterday. I have to say he made me miss you. He is the first of your class to come home.... Just a word of advice, when you come home and have to give a talk on whatever assigned topic, use examples from your mission.] That's funny I always hated the kids who couldn't stop talking about their mission. Every time they had to talk, they always just told mission stories. I guess you learn a lot but you learn other stuff during your life too. It's weird think that Scott is home. It made me think what it would be like being home and I didn't like it at all :) It's super scary to think about going home. I remember in my first area, I was swinging on the hammock and I had 3 months on the mission. I was already scared about going home. It's weird how you remember a lot that has happened. Only 2 from my class went on missions. Me and him right?

I can already imagine my homecoming talk will just be tears. I get all teary-eyed thinking about it. Oh how I love it so much. I'm not perfect but I'm trying to do my best. It's hard, but I love it. I need to do a lot more, and I'll do it. I love it so much here. I love how it has changed me. I LOVE LOVE the people here. They aren't just people on the street. They are my people! I can understand them and I have the only thing that can change their life. I can't wait to serve another mission. Oh Mom, there is nothing better. I love it.

31 July 2011 - Jardim Castelão Area (Dad)

[Bats in the house. Hm, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like that. Especially the eye-nibbling part. As long as they aren't those blood-sucking bats though, I'm thinking you're pretty safe unless you sleep with fruit piled on top of you.] Luckily they were small bats. They weren't those huge fruit bats the size of bobcats. 

[Scott Ross (a friend of Jeffrey that just returned from the Philippines) spoke in sacrament meeting today and heads off to family vacation and USU tomorrow.] It's really weird to think that Scott is home. It makes me scared to go home. I still have 11 months left but it makes me think and then I get sad :) I guess I have to go home though since they don't have Ranch or Taco Bell here :) I don't know how I could go through life without it.

[Scott talked about having the right to choose and choosing the right. He mentioned the acronym for choose the right in Tagalog, which was TAP, or something like that, instead of CTR. That reminded me of the one in Spanish, which is HLJ, for haz lo justo, which means do the right. Doing has a little more power behind it than choosing, so it comes across a little better in Spanish than English. I'm assuming it is the same (as Spanish) in Portuguese.] In Portuguese they kept it as the same letters (CTR) but it means keep your path. It has a different meaning when you change the language. Sometime it gives you a new perspective.

[Oh, by the way, Scott said he took about 1700 pictures on his mission. He obviously lived in a safer country and had a little different mission rules. Anyway, when safe, photos sure are great for remembering. Making a back-up copy of the photos is probably wise in case some numbskull does decide they need your camera more than you do (as I'm sure they'll be able to sell the camera for a hefty two to five dollars).] I have about 800 pictures so far, but I always wish I took more. I have been trying to take pictures of the people in the ward and stuff like that. I have a CD but I haven't sent it yet because I don't have a post office in my area still. I need to make some more DVDs though. Well speaking of the camera....I have some good and bad news.....1st I'm still alive...2nd I don't have a camera anymore. I got robbed last Pday. They took my camera and another elder's and some other stuff. I wouldn't even tell you but then I would have to explain why I don't have a camera anymore. :) He got 1000 reais in loot though, good for him. He probably thinks all missionaries walk around with all that stuff. We just got done playing soccer and he got us about 10 feet in front of our house. I was thinking of laying a smack down...but I chickened out :) I didn't want 3 bullet holes in my chest either. Don't worry though, they don't rob missionaries here, or at least that is what they tell us here. We were in our soccer clothes so that is probably why. It'll be a good story though when I get back. The ward members promise me that I'll get my stuff when the vagabond learns the errors of his ways but I doubt it.

Today the Stake President took us to a meat buffet, the best kind of buffet! It's like Texas de Brazil but it's.....Brazil de Brazil. It was a nice place, better than any place that I have been to in the US, but then again I am partial to Taco Bell.... It was good meat, it would have been better with some BBQ sauce or A-1 steak sauce.... I got to eat pickles, green olives, caesar salad dressing, and some other stuff that I haven't eaten in forever. I'll probably gain about 123 pounds though. 

[Regarding the hard area, I'm guessing you aren't doing anything wrong. Sometimes we only get two talents to work with instead of five, but then the Lord expects only an increase of two instead of five. And for the times when you only get one talent in opportunities to work with, as long as you don't bury it and you do what you can with it to double it, the Lord is just as satisfied. And the next thing you know, the talents start pouring in.] I haven't thought about hard areas that way. That's a good way to think about it. I always believed that if I work as hard as I can it doesn't really matter how many baptisms and stuff I get. As long as I can say that I worked with all my heart, then my garments will be stain free! 

[I wouldn't worry too much about forgetting Portuguese. It's been thirty years since I really spoke Spanish and amazingly I still remember a lot.] I try to study Portguese a lot. I love learning it. I love learning languages. I think I'll study Spanish when I get back too. I wish BYU-I had Portguese though. I try to learn a lot from the speakers though. I haven't had a Brazilian for a few months, but I've been trying to work on my accent. It's hard to gauge your own accent though. It's funny because some people call me Brazilian (by the way I speak, but my blue eyes give me away!) and others just stare at me and are like "I can't understand a word you are saying." I don't know how that works, but whatever.

[I mentioned I am reading the book, "Believing Christ."] I don't think I have ever heard of that book. Since I have gotten on the mission, I have had a real thirst and desire for more gospel books. My last companion had some books by Russel M. Nelson and I read them. I have been reading Miracle of Forgiveness for the last 3 weeks and I almost finished. :) I just love reading them. I have a few written down to read when I get home. Who knows...the mission changes you. I couldn't care less about those kind of books before the mission. I think when I get back I'll just watch sports and read church books ;) just kidding. Since I have been on the mission my mind has opened a lot too. There is so much that we have to do. So much that matters in life. Stuff like paying attention in church, sacrament, scriptures, prayers, fasting, being nice etc etc weren't really that important. I just figured you had to do them and check them off the list. They open the doors for so many blessings though. There is a lot to do, yes, but that is what life is all about. All the stuff we have in life is to help us get better. Sacrament isn't just something to do, it cleans us! It's so important that only 2 times a year,  during General Conference, it isn't required. I have a lot to learn and I don't know if I will during my 2 years but I'll keep trying. I'm like a sugar-high, nose-picking primary kid sometimes....I just don't listen/pay attention. Things just go over my head. It's hard being a primary kid when everyone else is a missionary but I'll stop eating crayons and pay attention soon.

24 July 2011 - Jardim Castelão Area (Dad)

Well happy Pioneer Day, I know the Hawkes family had a great celebration ;)

 

Well I'm an old man. I have to tell people that I am 21 now. Then once I tell them that they just laugh and tell me that I look like I'm 14. That's good right? ;) I guess when I'm 99 it'll be a good thing. The missionaries that I live with tried to surprise me but my companion walked in first and they scared him good. I was down the stairs still and my companion said, '' Uh....that was a big spider". Nice try... It was good though. I was kind of sad that I got transferred from my last area right before my birthday because things would have been better, but I'm here to teach not have birthday parties.

 

Saturday was one of the best days ever. It was one of the funniest nights I've ever had. I'll start out by saying bats in the house! We were just sitting and the all of the sudden a black bat just fell from the ceiling. My companion is scared to death of any critter so he screamed. Our Brazilian ran and started poking it and stuff. We all stared filming but then the bat got up and started flying a bit. So 3 grown men started booking it and screaming like little girls. One was up on a chair cowering in fear, the other one was already out of the veranda. It was hillarious. We tried to get it out but it kept flying so we just ran around screaming and yelling "Kill it!" "Flush it down the toilet" "It's spreading diseases!" Stuff like that. The kid on the chair just kept saying Woah Woah! Luckily I filmed it but it's not any professional footage. Then guess what?! Another bat fell down from the ceiling! It was a crazy night. Me and my comp sleep out on the veranda so I was petrified every time I heard bat chirping around us. I was sure they were gathering the bat armies to come and nibble out our eyes. Needless to say I didn't sleep very well.

 

[Suggestions from Dad that he record more events.] I've been better and writing stuff down, but I'm not sure what all I should write. Plus it's a pain to write words and letters and stuff. :) The hardest part about taking pictures is the constant fear that someone is going to stab you to death to get your camera. So It's hard to carry around your camera. I want to take more pictures though.

 

Also I have some great news. We officially have churro vans in our area! They drive little micro asian vans and they have about 5 people crammed into them. You wave them down and they are all hunched over making your churros. It's great. They only cost about 60 cents too. I'm definitely going to get a picture of them. MMM churros.

 

This area is pretty hard. We are having an awful time trying to find new people to teach. Here I am complaining but I suppose in the US the missionaries have that sort of problem for 2 years not just one area. We are going to people's houses but none of them want anything. All the references we have are weak. I was reading the other day somewhere in the Book of Mormon 2 Nephi or Jacob about how we should have patience during our times of affliction. I realized I should probably be patient and just keep going. It's hard since we live with the LZ's and I don't want to let them or Pres. Souza down. The ward is really good and the area has had success in the past so I don't know what we are doing wrong. It's a good humbling experience though. I have a lot to change so hopefully the Lord can help me in these next months before I go home. I want to be different after the mission and I want to stay that way! Sadly, my companion says that BYU-I doesn't offer Portuguese classes so that is a bummer. One of my biggest fears is losing the ability to speak! Maybe I'll learn Spanish again...maybe not :)

17 July 2011 - Jardim Castelão Area (Mom)

This week has been a hard week because I have been sick the whole time. It started out with a sore throat, then I started to get a stuffy nose. It has happened a few times so far here in Brazil. It must be some seasonal things....who knows. For the last few days I have just been pouring snot out of my nose and coughing up my lungs. Hopefully it will pass soon. I have been taking a few different kinds of medication but nothing has happened. I lost my voice for a bit so it was hard to teach people. Dad told me that you guys got a cat...weird. Well that is all I have for this week...it wasn't too interesting... 

17 July 2011 - Jardim Castelão Area (Dad)

Yep new area. It's not that far away from my last area. All of my areas are pretty close to each other since they are in the same city. They have a good bus system here. It gets a little crowded but it's good. You use them a lot. This area is small so we don't use them, but my last area we used them all the time. They also waste my few precious reais that I get! Bus rides eat all my money...I guess it's good because I can't buy food and get fat. I'll get to go back at the end of my mission and I definitely will go back to Pedras. I learned to love the people there and I have a few people that I baptized there that mean a lot to me.

 

[Did Mom tell you that we got a cat?] A cat!? ewww. We use cats for kicking practice here..just kidding :) The cats in Brazil are the size of large pumas so I never mess with them. I like kittens but then they grow up and claw and bite plus they smell...and they have rabies.

 

This last Sunday I was thinking about what it would be like at home...just for a few minutes mind you. I was thinking what I could use that I have learned so far to help my family and myself. I was trying to measure what I learned here. I don't have any standout super crazy miracles that happened so I decided to think a bit. I started to write it down. Then I realized a lot of stuff has happened. Little miracles, medium miracles. I just hope I remember it all. I have been slacking on the journal writing thing sadly. I just want to remember these 2 years. I worry that I will forgot a spiritual moment or that I will forget someone. I know these are 2 wonderful years. I have learned many things in only a year. I could have learned a lot more, but I'll try harder during these next 11 months. I know without a doubt that the Lord is my Savior. I know that we are here to have a family and to learn and grow with them. I know that this gospel is the ONLY thing that can bring us true happiness. This is the only time we have to prove our love, please don't waste it. I have already been reminded by my loving Heavenly Father that this time on earth is short but so precious. We have mercy on our side........use it while you can. God will give us another chance but only if we take advantage of His atonement in THIS life.

10 July 2011 - Jardim Castelão Area (Dad)

Well this week was transfers again. I got sent to Jardim Castelão. That is where the state stadium is for soccer. Too bad it is closed for renovations for the 2014 World Cup. I guess that will lower my chances of getting stabbed and killed by crazy soccer fans on game nights. You saw how crazy Canadians got with hockey...imagine the Brazilians with soccer. Beer and sharp objects are too easy to get here. Oddly, my new companion is also from Texas. I have been companions with all the Texans on the mission. Well, he is really from Spain, but lived in Texas for the rest of his life. His name is Elder Perez...which gives away his Spanish origins. We live with the Zone Leaders....booo..... :) The new President hasn't changed too much stuff yet and I have yet to see him. This transfer will only be 5 weeks instead of the usual 6. At least I have a post office in my area now..no more living in the boonies called Pedras. Although my love for those people grew a lot this last transfer. I'll miss them a lot. Everybody was crying and giving me the usual advice "Have a good mission, work hard, may success follow you" the generic stuff. It was good though. I'll definitely go back at the end of my mission. The last transfer they let us travel to our old areas on P-Days.

It's weird sometimes talking about missionary work to the members and stuff. They look at us like we are doing something so hard and we are giving up so much. I don't see it as that epic and intense. Of course it is the best thing I have ever done, but while you are doing it, it just seems normal. Recent converts look at use like we are angels sent from heaven. We didn't do anything though! They prayed, they went to church, they read the scriptures, and then God gave them the answers!

3 July 2011 - Pedras Area (Dad)

[I never associated hillbillies and rednecks with Brazil. Do they have a guy named Jose Bob Claus that leaves moonshine bottles in your dirty socks and have a possum egg hunt in the backyard too? You look a bit different with a mustache. Hopefully that permanent marker isn't really permanent.] Well down in the South they are all farmers and stuff. They don't have a guy named that but that's because they have a lot of people the do that here ;) It was a make-up pencil so it came off easily. I was going to part my hair down the middle too but my hair wasn't long enough. I even tried to use egg whites as gel...it doesn't work as well as grease does...

[Sean's birthday is this week, the 9th. He'll be 42 or something like that. Not too long until your ageometer rolls over another tick too.] Yeah...I have been playing soccer on P Days (which will probably end because of the new President) and my knees are like a bowl of grits and they hurt too. Hopefully I'll stay in this area so they can throw me an awesome birthday party or something like that. If not I'll be in a new area for like 10 days and nobody will even know me. It reminds me of my birthday in the MTC with my district of my companion and me. He forgot it was my birthday though. :(

This week was a good week. We have two marriages lined up, which is a miracle here in Brazil. Hopefully, I will be able to stay here and see them but who knows. They are really great people and the members here are perfect. They are always helping them and they are always trying to help them feel the spirit. This is definitely an area that I will remember. I love the people here, the members as well as the investigators. We have worked hard to get these people married, but the Lord has blessed us and blessed them so much. This surely is the true church. No other gospel can cause such changes in people. People are giving us their moonshine in dirty socks and are forsaking it from that day on. I've been a member for a long time but I would have a hard time changing things that they so easily give up. These people are so much better than I am and I love them for it. They are truly elects of God and they catch on the things so fast. I'm just bouncing along, tripping and falling while they run full speed past me. I can say it is one the best feelings ever. I testify that there is no other feeling. I hope all of you at home strive to feel that feeling again!