I know that this is the work of the Lord. This week we had a girl that decided not to be baptized. I have never been so sad in my life. I felt depressed when I was in church knowing that she wasn't going to be baptized. Oddly, that's how I know this work is true. I was touched to the soul because of the choice this girl made. I know that the Gospel is what she needs, it's what we all need. I know that we need to share the Gospel and we need to help other people. How can we as members keep such glorious blessings to ourselves and ignore our neighbors and friends? We want salvation so bad, but shouldn't we want that for the other people? I testify that as you work with other people that salvation of others will be your happiness or sadness. You will truly care for these people, it is a promise of the Lord.
In my areas people think that feeding the missionaries and helping them with material things is enough to 'help' missionary work. It's not enough however, you need to give them people to teach! The members that really help are the people that ponder, pray, and leave with the missionaries to teach the people. The people that help are the people that talk to the new members at church and care for the people. The people ready for baptisms are not a small amount here in Fortaleza, but the baptisms that stay, that become leaders are ALMOST ALWAYS references. So don't just throw some random names at the missionaries. Pray, ponder, pray again, ponder some more, fast and I can promise you that some name will come to your mind and they will be baptized!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
24 April 2011 - Pedras Area
These days fly by and I feel so much older everyday. I imagine you are past that part. With you it's like throwing buckets into the ocean, sure the ocean gets bigger but it doesn't really matter (adding years to 50 odd years doesn't really matter because ;)
We had a good week this week. The city cut the church's water so we had to fill up the font with a fire hose so that was cool. It's better than filling it up with buckets. (Which I have already done, and taken out the water with buckets too.) I fear the sun will never come back to the so called Terra do Sol...Land of the Sun. It has been raining for the last 2 weeks and it's making my shoes rather juicy.
Choose the right and kick sin in the FACE
We had a good week this week. The city cut the church's water so we had to fill up the font with a fire hose so that was cool. It's better than filling it up with buckets. (Which I have already done, and taken out the water with buckets too.) I fear the sun will never come back to the so called Terra do Sol...Land of the Sun. It has been raining for the last 2 weeks and it's making my shoes rather juicy.
Choose the right and kick sin in the FACE
Sunday, April 17, 2011
17 April 2011 - Pedras Area
You'd be happy to know that I got my hair cut today and due to a lack of communication, the lady shaved my head with a #2. I told her #2 on the sides and 3 on top but whatever. Now I can wait longer to get my hair cut.
It has been raining TONS here. Which is too bad because my shoes are at the "slightly" punctured stage. So during the rainy days my shoes get totally wet. I don't know if they will last until the 1 year mark. They are good except for when it rains. I guess that what happens when you have to walk everywhere instead of riding a bike. Speaking of mold... it has already taken over a lot of things. Our house isn't water-tight so the walls are wet the ceiling is wet and therefore it makes everything else moldy. My English scriptures are garbage already and my wallet too. Luckily my suit hasn't fallen victim to the mold...yet
[I mentioned an article in the March New Era.] #1 It's april now so I'll probably see that in 2 months. #2 I'm an adult, therefore New Era is petty material and it's doctrinal worth is inferior to that of the Ensign ;)
[I quoted some excerpts from Elder Corbridge's talk in conference a couple of years ago about Jesus Christ being the only way.] That's a powerful message. It's a powerfully true message as well. That's what I am trying to teach the people here, about the path that they need to follow. Something interesting happened the other day when we were waiting for one of baptismal candidates to be interviewed. We had a picture of the Salt Lake Temple in the winter, and the trees had no leafs. A girl asked me if the trees were always like that, I told her no, the picture was taken in the winter. She just kind of nodded her head. It wasn't until I left that I realized that was something completely new to her. Leafs don't fall off trees in her world. This taught me a good lesson, but I'm not sure how ya'll can use it. Preach My Gospel talks about how we need to define words that we teach to help people to understand. Sometimes we teach a lesson to investigators, give a talk, teach Primary kids, etc. using awesome eloquent language. We bare/bear...who knows... our testimony using examples, cool stories, long experiences blah blah but is all that necessary? When the Prophet bears his testimony it is a few sentences at the end of his talk. Sometimes I make a nice invitation to go to church and be baptized and then the person just stares at you, understand nothing. Go back to the basics, the Gospel is basic. It is simple, after all, there are only 5 steps to it. Why make Step 1 sub-step 23 subdivision preliminary step 234? The most powerful lessons are the simplest. That's my sermon. The Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of Worlds, is our Savior. Follow Him. Do everything that you can possibly do to help Him, don't fear the judgements of man. He, not kings or presidents, will exalt you in the last days.
It has been raining TONS here. Which is too bad because my shoes are at the "slightly" punctured stage. So during the rainy days my shoes get totally wet. I don't know if they will last until the 1 year mark. They are good except for when it rains. I guess that what happens when you have to walk everywhere instead of riding a bike. Speaking of mold... it has already taken over a lot of things. Our house isn't water-tight so the walls are wet the ceiling is wet and therefore it makes everything else moldy. My English scriptures are garbage already and my wallet too. Luckily my suit hasn't fallen victim to the mold...yet
[I mentioned an article in the March New Era.] #1 It's april now so I'll probably see that in 2 months. #2 I'm an adult, therefore New Era is petty material and it's doctrinal worth is inferior to that of the Ensign ;)
[I quoted some excerpts from Elder Corbridge's talk in conference a couple of years ago about Jesus Christ being the only way.] That's a powerful message. It's a powerfully true message as well. That's what I am trying to teach the people here, about the path that they need to follow. Something interesting happened the other day when we were waiting for one of baptismal candidates to be interviewed. We had a picture of the Salt Lake Temple in the winter, and the trees had no leafs. A girl asked me if the trees were always like that, I told her no, the picture was taken in the winter. She just kind of nodded her head. It wasn't until I left that I realized that was something completely new to her. Leafs don't fall off trees in her world. This taught me a good lesson, but I'm not sure how ya'll can use it. Preach My Gospel talks about how we need to define words that we teach to help people to understand. Sometimes we teach a lesson to investigators, give a talk, teach Primary kids, etc. using awesome eloquent language. We bare/bear...who knows... our testimony using examples, cool stories, long experiences blah blah but is all that necessary? When the Prophet bears his testimony it is a few sentences at the end of his talk. Sometimes I make a nice invitation to go to church and be baptized and then the person just stares at you, understand nothing. Go back to the basics, the Gospel is basic. It is simple, after all, there are only 5 steps to it. Why make Step 1 sub-step 23 subdivision preliminary step 234? The most powerful lessons are the simplest. That's my sermon. The Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of Worlds, is our Savior. Follow Him. Do everything that you can possibly do to help Him, don't fear the judgements of man. He, not kings or presidents, will exalt you in the last days.
Monday, April 11, 2011
10 April 2011 - Pedras Area
[I made a comment about Jeffrey's tendency to write in stream of consciousness mode.] It's hard ok, I can't waste my time writing outlines and then proof reading them so they pass your webpost standards, that's why I hired you as my editor. I'll give it a try though
[Michael is not engaged, so apparently he hasn't embraced the counsel of the prophets yet. Michael and Lauren have just two weeks of school left, the funnest part, finals and all that.] Verily Verily, Michael, my beloved brother, has not asked a young lady's hand in marriage yet? Outrageous, simply revolting! He should be aware of his eternal life rather than ponder on this pathetic, secular world. By jove! Finals are a tif are they not? However, after my return I will bring many reputable saints from the Brazilian Catholic community to aid me in my tests in the designated testing areas. I will have to procure a suitable place to light my candles though.
[I missed the special on Christ between General Conference sessions.] There was indeed a special about Jesus Christ in between the sessions on Saturday and surely enough Sunday as well. It was split into 2 ravishing episodes if I do say so myself.
[Hm, there must be some sort of job where you can study history and travel around the world and get paid lots of money for it.] Sadly, after receiving information about the BYU Jerusalem center, my hopes were dashed asunder by the capital required to assist such a fine institution. $10,000!!! (Roughly R$17,000 if I were to assist such a place here in Brazil ) However, I do meet all the other requirements to go. I will just have to find a suitable location to sell my "rubbish" organs that I don't use much.
[Yes, Jesus the Christ does come in a hardbound copy, but most LDS folk are too cheap to buy it. I have a leather-bound scripture-like version, but that is from the prehistoric days of my mission where people didn't have anything else to spend money on.] Is it bound in geniune Mammoth leather, or T Rex leather to match your coin purse?
[Do they know where the Fortaleza temple will be built yet?] Why of course! They have already purchased the land to build the temple! It is in Aldeota, residing near the downtown area of the city, where, in fact, the Mission Office happens to reside as well! It is in the area duly named "Dunas" perhaps because it is near the beach and thus the dunes. I haven't the foggiest though why it has that name to be honest.
I pray for the people in our humble area quite often because, sadly, many don't put much value to the attendance of Sunday church meetings. We teach many people about the Restored Gospel, but, in turn, many of the people don't desire such messages. They simply stop after the 1st lesson. Transfers occurred today and I was blessed enough to remain in the same area, with the same companion as well. So we have precisely 6 more weeks to do our Savior's work here. Things should begin to make a truly miraculous turn aroud however. We were blessed by finding an inactive member that stopped us on the street to ask if the church was functioning (since the building was recently constructed, 2 stories too, I might have already said that). We told her that it was, and we stopped by her house another day. We were surprised to discover that she was already a member. We have been able to teach her children though and to help in get married so that her husband can get married. Things should be rather blissful if all goes well!
And thus ends the tale of Elder Hawkes. The Lord lives and He is our Savior. We can repent for any sin that we may committ. I am sure about that, hand your life over to the Lord and let Him work miracles.
Was that better? I even made paragraphs for you and a conclusion.
[Michael is not engaged, so apparently he hasn't embraced the counsel of the prophets yet. Michael and Lauren have just two weeks of school left, the funnest part, finals and all that.] Verily Verily, Michael, my beloved brother, has not asked a young lady's hand in marriage yet? Outrageous, simply revolting! He should be aware of his eternal life rather than ponder on this pathetic, secular world. By jove! Finals are a tif are they not? However, after my return I will bring many reputable saints from the Brazilian Catholic community to aid me in my tests in the designated testing areas. I will have to procure a suitable place to light my candles though.
[I missed the special on Christ between General Conference sessions.] There was indeed a special about Jesus Christ in between the sessions on Saturday and surely enough Sunday as well. It was split into 2 ravishing episodes if I do say so myself.
[Hm, there must be some sort of job where you can study history and travel around the world and get paid lots of money for it.] Sadly, after receiving information about the BYU Jerusalem center, my hopes were dashed asunder by the capital required to assist such a fine institution. $10,000!!! (Roughly R$17,000 if I were to assist such a place here in Brazil ) However, I do meet all the other requirements to go. I will just have to find a suitable location to sell my "rubbish" organs that I don't use much.
[Yes, Jesus the Christ does come in a hardbound copy, but most LDS folk are too cheap to buy it. I have a leather-bound scripture-like version, but that is from the prehistoric days of my mission where people didn't have anything else to spend money on.] Is it bound in geniune Mammoth leather, or T Rex leather to match your coin purse?
[Do they know where the Fortaleza temple will be built yet?] Why of course! They have already purchased the land to build the temple! It is in Aldeota, residing near the downtown area of the city, where, in fact, the Mission Office happens to reside as well! It is in the area duly named "Dunas" perhaps because it is near the beach and thus the dunes. I haven't the foggiest though why it has that name to be honest.
I pray for the people in our humble area quite often because, sadly, many don't put much value to the attendance of Sunday church meetings. We teach many people about the Restored Gospel, but, in turn, many of the people don't desire such messages. They simply stop after the 1st lesson. Transfers occurred today and I was blessed enough to remain in the same area, with the same companion as well. So we have precisely 6 more weeks to do our Savior's work here. Things should begin to make a truly miraculous turn aroud however. We were blessed by finding an inactive member that stopped us on the street to ask if the church was functioning (since the building was recently constructed, 2 stories too, I might have already said that). We told her that it was, and we stopped by her house another day. We were surprised to discover that she was already a member. We have been able to teach her children though and to help in get married so that her husband can get married. Things should be rather blissful if all goes well!
And thus ends the tale of Elder Hawkes. The Lord lives and He is our Savior. We can repent for any sin that we may committ. I am sure about that, hand your life over to the Lord and let Him work miracles.
Was that better? I even made paragraphs for you and a conclusion.
Monday, April 4, 2011
3 Apr 2011 - Pedras Area (Mom)
[Asked if he was able to get the sessions of General Conference.] I was able to listen to them this time. I wasn't able to listen to them at all the last time. This time I watched them all live except for the Priesthood session, that one is 7-9 AM Sunday morning here.
I told Dad that sadly I was probably going to keep going on my history major. The stuff they showed in between sessions was good, and I loved it. I also decided I want to go to the BYU center in Jerusalem :) it's just a dream. They showed the Rome temple too and I had the desire to go visit that place. It would be cool. Ever since I left the US I have had the desire to go and visit places, see historical places, etc. Who knows, they are just desires, they weren't answers to what I should do for a living. [A choir from BYU-I was featured in General Conference.] I recognized a few people from the choir. I'm pretty sure it was the music major choir because all of the people that I saw are music majors but who knows. I saw Evan's sister, she was singing. Evan writes to me every week so I talk to him a bit. He was complaining that he needs to get married now, along with Michael and Sean :)
I told Dad that sadly I was probably going to keep going on my history major. The stuff they showed in between sessions was good, and I loved it. I also decided I want to go to the BYU center in Jerusalem :) it's just a dream. They showed the Rome temple too and I had the desire to go visit that place. It would be cool. Ever since I left the US I have had the desire to go and visit places, see historical places, etc. Who knows, they are just desires, they weren't answers to what I should do for a living. [A choir from BYU-I was featured in General Conference.] I recognized a few people from the choir. I'm pretty sure it was the music major choir because all of the people that I saw are music majors but who knows. I saw Evan's sister, she was singing. Evan writes to me every week so I talk to him a bit. He was complaining that he needs to get married now, along with Michael and Sean :)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
3 Apr 2011 - Pedras Area (Dad)
[No more BYU sports news for a while.] Make sure you keep me up to date on the BYU cricket matches at least ;)
[General Conference.] I got to watch it this time, all the sessions in English. Nobody drove their truck into the power lines this year. The times are just a bit later, 1-3 pm and 5-7 pm my time. Priesthood is 7-9 AM on Sunday morning. It's good to watch it in English because you can appreciate the jokes they tell and it's easier to understand how much they want you to get married jeeze.. I hope Michael has gotten engaged already. The last thing missionaries want to hear is how much we need to get married, everybody was groaning. Saturday was a blast from the past since the BYU-I choir sang and they showed the new conference center there. (Man there goes my old job, one of the main parts was putting up/taking down chairs for the weekly devotionals in the Gym.....dang) I saw a few people that I knew from the choir, and FHE sister, a girl I use to talk to in my Math class, I saw Evan's sister too. I LOVED the special they had about Christ in between the sessions, if I wanted to be poor and only get work from generous donations from members I too would probably be a Professor of Ancient Scripture ;) I think I have decided that I will continue my history major though, I just can't get enough of it. They showed pictures of Rome too, and I wanted to visit Italy, I just want to travel and learn more! I've decided that I'm going to the BYU center in Jerusalem too ;) That would be the coolest thing ever. I started reading Jesus the Christ for the 3rd time too ;) I was wondering if they have real Jesus the Christ books or just these ghetto paper back ones.
Conference was good. I have repented of my youthful ignorance and follies, like Joseph Smith did. Conference seemed soooo long back in the day, now that I want to soak up every word it passed by so fast. I have sent out a few marriage proposals too so don't worry about that. It's nice when they are thankful for the missionaries too, yep that's me!! I have some news, I don't know how reliable it is, but the temple here looks like it will be completed....never :) Some say 2014-15. It was a good conference though, I loved it. When Thomas S Monson was prefacing the Rome temple, giving a few hints, talking about it was in a special place etc etc one of the missionaries screamed "No way they are going to build a temple in Jerusalem!!!" what a goof. I really like Dallin H. Oaks talk about desire, it's all important as a missionary. You can go and teach people and do the right things, but desire will make you so much more effective. I loved the story he told about the Korean War too, because I like war and because it was a roundhouse drop kick upper cut to the jugular. He was talking about how he gave up his own comfort etc so he could save everyone one of his 'boys' Then I realized that is what I need to do. I should have the desire to do anything for these people because I will see them in heaven and they will wonder why I gave up so easily or why I didn't want to talk to them etc. I like Jeffrey R. Holland, he is my all-time favorite. He does have the best name too, but he is soo powerful. I have every talk I could find of him on my pendrive :) He gave us an undeniable witness of our prophet and a timeless reminder of the importance of General Conference. It was a good end to a terrible week. We have been working our fingers to the bone, teaching teaching, and just when we stopped teaching...we taught some more. Sadly, all of the people we taught this week have already told us they don't want to talk to us anymore. That is the summary of my transfer so far, it's heart breaking. The beginning of this week, we taught a WONDERFUL family, the same people we helped move...and destroyed their furniture ;) The spirit was so strong and I knew this was an elect family. Unfortunately, the husband kept ducking down or running away from his balcony when he saw us etc. It took us awhile to find him at home and when we talked to him he said he didn't want to give up work so he could go to church. He didn't have the courage to do it. I was crushed, this family was perfect in my sight. I felt during other experiences that they were blessed. I walked the streets sad, and I got home sad. I prayed for this family, I still do. I poured out my heart, but I was a little bitter I guess. I then had an indescribable spiritual experience, maybe one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. The moral of the story is don't let silly things keep you from entering the kingdom of God, just give them up and show faith in the Lord. I don't know what I was supposed to learn from this, but at least I received a powerful witness of the Spirit. God is mysterious, but He is plain and clear in His commandments.
[General Conference.] I got to watch it this time, all the sessions in English. Nobody drove their truck into the power lines this year. The times are just a bit later, 1-3 pm and 5-7 pm my time. Priesthood is 7-9 AM on Sunday morning. It's good to watch it in English because you can appreciate the jokes they tell and it's easier to understand how much they want you to get married jeeze.. I hope Michael has gotten engaged already. The last thing missionaries want to hear is how much we need to get married, everybody was groaning. Saturday was a blast from the past since the BYU-I choir sang and they showed the new conference center there. (Man there goes my old job, one of the main parts was putting up/taking down chairs for the weekly devotionals in the Gym.....dang) I saw a few people that I knew from the choir, and FHE sister, a girl I use to talk to in my Math class, I saw Evan's sister too. I LOVED the special they had about Christ in between the sessions, if I wanted to be poor and only get work from generous donations from members I too would probably be a Professor of Ancient Scripture ;) I think I have decided that I will continue my history major though, I just can't get enough of it. They showed pictures of Rome too, and I wanted to visit Italy, I just want to travel and learn more! I've decided that I'm going to the BYU center in Jerusalem too ;) That would be the coolest thing ever. I started reading Jesus the Christ for the 3rd time too ;) I was wondering if they have real Jesus the Christ books or just these ghetto paper back ones.
Conference was good. I have repented of my youthful ignorance and follies, like Joseph Smith did. Conference seemed soooo long back in the day, now that I want to soak up every word it passed by so fast. I have sent out a few marriage proposals too so don't worry about that. It's nice when they are thankful for the missionaries too, yep that's me!! I have some news, I don't know how reliable it is, but the temple here looks like it will be completed....never :) Some say 2014-15. It was a good conference though, I loved it. When Thomas S Monson was prefacing the Rome temple, giving a few hints, talking about it was in a special place etc etc one of the missionaries screamed "No way they are going to build a temple in Jerusalem!!!" what a goof. I really like Dallin H. Oaks talk about desire, it's all important as a missionary. You can go and teach people and do the right things, but desire will make you so much more effective. I loved the story he told about the Korean War too, because I like war and because it was a roundhouse drop kick upper cut to the jugular. He was talking about how he gave up his own comfort etc so he could save everyone one of his 'boys' Then I realized that is what I need to do. I should have the desire to do anything for these people because I will see them in heaven and they will wonder why I gave up so easily or why I didn't want to talk to them etc. I like Jeffrey R. Holland, he is my all-time favorite. He does have the best name too, but he is soo powerful. I have every talk I could find of him on my pendrive :) He gave us an undeniable witness of our prophet and a timeless reminder of the importance of General Conference. It was a good end to a terrible week. We have been working our fingers to the bone, teaching teaching, and just when we stopped teaching...we taught some more. Sadly, all of the people we taught this week have already told us they don't want to talk to us anymore. That is the summary of my transfer so far, it's heart breaking. The beginning of this week, we taught a WONDERFUL family, the same people we helped move...and destroyed their furniture ;) The spirit was so strong and I knew this was an elect family. Unfortunately, the husband kept ducking down or running away from his balcony when he saw us etc. It took us awhile to find him at home and when we talked to him he said he didn't want to give up work so he could go to church. He didn't have the courage to do it. I was crushed, this family was perfect in my sight. I felt during other experiences that they were blessed. I walked the streets sad, and I got home sad. I prayed for this family, I still do. I poured out my heart, but I was a little bitter I guess. I then had an indescribable spiritual experience, maybe one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. The moral of the story is don't let silly things keep you from entering the kingdom of God, just give them up and show faith in the Lord. I don't know what I was supposed to learn from this, but at least I received a powerful witness of the Spirit. God is mysterious, but He is plain and clear in His commandments.
Monday, March 28, 2011
28 Mar 2011 - Pedras Area (Dad)
Well it is heartbreaking that BYU didn't make it. It will also be heartbreaking to tell my kids that I didn't see one single second of the best season that BYU ever had (yes ever ;) ) Oh well :) I'll connect somehow the fact that I went to BYU-Idaho was just like being there rooting for the team. I agree if Jimmer doesn't win [player of the year], he should go play basketball in Mexico or something. They will appreciate him there, and we will lots of tamales!
I don't have much time to write, because everyone decided to write sermons to me today. [I'm not sure I fathomed the full depth of your poetic revelation, but what you're doing certainly qualifies you for a bigger mansion.] The poetic revelations was obvious. The more you work on your mission the greater your mansion is. Obviously fat people will need a bigger mansion so they can roll/wiggle around too. [I told him about the group date Michael, Lauren, and Amanda went on.] Lauren told me about the date, she said she went so Michael would get out of the house. [You might want to pass up that dirt water you mentioned though and stick with reasonably pure soda. It may rot your teeth, but at least it won't test your intestines.] I drink sooo much soda here, and I never want to drink it again. They have those huge water tanks we use to get that you flip upside down. Most houses have that, most don't. They are clever though because they put juice mix in to take the edge off of the dirt flavor so you don't even notice. Maybe my stay at the Marriott this Saturday was because of that (Marriott is what we called the outhouses at Philmont, maybe it's widely popular who knows.) It probably was :) but it's all in the memories. My companion almost died too as we helped some investigators move furniture. They had a huge cabinet/entertainment center and four 20ish year old people were in charge of moving it....so we tied it up and lifted it up on a pulley. Then at the top it broke in half and the bottom part all fell and broke from the 2nd story apartment. It was funny. Nobody was under it though. I have to write my other adoring fans, so this will have to suffice until next time.
I don't have much time to write, because everyone decided to write sermons to me today. [I'm not sure I fathomed the full depth of your poetic revelation, but what you're doing certainly qualifies you for a bigger mansion.] The poetic revelations was obvious. The more you work on your mission the greater your mansion is. Obviously fat people will need a bigger mansion so they can roll/wiggle around too. [I told him about the group date Michael, Lauren, and Amanda went on.] Lauren told me about the date, she said she went so Michael would get out of the house. [You might want to pass up that dirt water you mentioned though and stick with reasonably pure soda. It may rot your teeth, but at least it won't test your intestines.] I drink sooo much soda here, and I never want to drink it again. They have those huge water tanks we use to get that you flip upside down. Most houses have that, most don't. They are clever though because they put juice mix in to take the edge off of the dirt flavor so you don't even notice. Maybe my stay at the Marriott this Saturday was because of that (Marriott is what we called the outhouses at Philmont, maybe it's widely popular who knows.) It probably was :) but it's all in the memories. My companion almost died too as we helped some investigators move furniture. They had a huge cabinet/entertainment center and four 20ish year old people were in charge of moving it....so we tied it up and lifted it up on a pulley. Then at the top it broke in half and the bottom part all fell and broke from the 2nd story apartment. It was funny. Nobody was under it though. I have to write my other adoring fans, so this will have to suffice until next time.
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