Week 32

Monday, July 23, 2018

This week went by super quick... But funny story is that I found a girl from Finland who didn’t speak Portuguese... she was super happy to learn that I’m American and speak English. so we taught her the gospel in English and it went really bad. I didn’t realize how hard it is to speak. I kept switching into Portuguese... But I think she understood. She moves back home next week and said she would find the missionaries there. But it was fun to get to talk with her. Also my companion cut my hair last night in our house... ha-ha it was interesting. But I love him tons! ha-ha its funny how different people from different countries are so different. But sorry I’m hurrying... I have wo sisters in the hospital and two traveling to do medical reports and so I’m trying to talk to them right now and email you guys... ha-ha so my English is bad because I’m trying to do both languages at the same time... We have a few baptismal goals with people for next week. 

I don’t know if you guys heard but there is a new preach my gospel manual that is only in English and the form of an app. I heard it’s supposed to be super great! ha-ha it has to be right: it’s coming directly from god. But I love you all so much and hope that you are having great experiences... I’ll send more pics... ha-ha pics are most of the time better than my scrambled non making sense words...

Love ya tons!

Week 31

Monday, July 16, 2018

So  I moved  cities two  weeks ago  and I  am training  another  son! He is from Peru and so he does not speak Portuguese yet or English! It is super fun to see the different cultures here in south America! My city is called Sao Mateus. 

I am the ward chorister now which is cool...  and by ward I mean branch. Our president here is super cool and loves the gospel. they are crazy.  I am also leader of district again with all sister missionaries.  I am teaching an English class here as well which is cool to meet and help people in the community and introduce them to the gospel.  We have a house chapel here and the class is there and we we do church tours after. But not much else to report.  I did get to play beach soccer which was awesome. ha-ha and we started with zero investigators and now we have tons. right now we only have one baptism for this week.  but hopefully we can find more for next. I love you and miss you all tons! hope you have a wonderful week!

Spiritual thought for the week...

God's work will not be stopped.  No one has the power of the influence to stop or even hinder his work. It is us that has  to  decide  whether  or not  we want to be  a  part of  it.  Every time I  see the  influence of Satan  in  the lives of my investigators and see  them fall short I have to remember  that God has already won  and nothing  will  change that. When we thing  the work is stopped or slowing down  rather  than despairing (I don’t know if that makes  sense)  we  need to rise up  and put our shoulder to the  wheel.

I know that you are all putting your shoulders to the wheel and for this you will all be blessed. Love you all!

ha-ha sorry about last week... I received a call from sis mazzagardi and took my son to the dentist... 

And I’m sorry Brazil didn't win. But also glad because when they were winning the games the cities were crazy...  I mean really crazy... But I will send pics today if internet allows it.  I’m not in the wonderful city of Gaurapari where everything works... my city is a bit different... 

Week 30

Monday, July 9, 2018

Ok; now I live in Sao Mateus, training my second son who is from Peru.  I am the leader of a district to three other sister companionships....

So this happened Tuesday...  So either President really likes me and has confidence or he thinks I need to grow…

Three sisters are Brazilian, two Peruvian and one American 

My comp is from Peru... not where Ali served

I had to leave all my baptisms and had two more lined up for Saturday. They are 10 and 9 and are both deaf, as in can’t hear... 

I have to go... but love you! ate próximo! 

Week 29

Monday, July 2, 2018

This week was a blur. I really don’t know where time goes. But we had a great week and found some more potentials to teach. Our bishop here is wonderful! He lived in the USA when he had 8 years and moved when he had 22. So he speaks English perfect. We have a lot of activities during the week in the chapel and I’m teaching English again which I love! Also I’m now the ward pianist... Don’t know how that happened. Goes to show that Brazil is really desperate. I played in the ward conference with the stake presidency. Luckily for us the sprint is more powerful than my bad playing. 

Spiritual thought for the week...

     I love the image of Christ waiting at the door knocking. You’ll notice that there is no door knob. We are the ones that have to let him into our lives. We are the ones that have to do our part to let his influence and power work. But what I thought about this week was missionaries. We have the responsibility to represent Christ. And as we knock doors It I the responsibility of the people to let us into their homes to bring the glad tidings of the restored gospel. 

Brazil is crazy during the world cup. Fireworks and drinkers and parades... If we win today’s game I don’t know what will happen. But anyways... Miss you all and hope ta you all have a great week! Keep firm and open the door for Christ to enter. 

Love, Elder Lee

Week 28

Monday, June 26, 2018

Hey so this week I was traveling and I have to travel today to do some baptismal interviews. But real quick, my comp is a Brazilian who has one and a half year on the mission. He is a rock star and we’re going to baptize the city. I’m still in Gaurapari, Espirito Santo if you want to google image it... it’s the most beautiful city in Brazil. Next week will be a better email I promise... But I love you and miss you all tons! Hope that everything is going great for you!

Highlight is we marked a data for baptism with a 78 year old man... and also his granddaughter with 15. The grandpa was born in Portugal and was baptized in the Catholic Church just like everyone else but knows that it was wrong to be baptized as a baby. I almost fell out of my chair when he explained this to me... miracles happen! 

Next week will be better I swear! Sorry for the short choppy email. Until next week!

Love, Elder Lee

Week 27

Monday, June 18, 2018

So my comp is going home tomorrow and so I’m in Vitoria waiting to get another one. He will also be another Brazilian which will be great for learning the language... My entire district is changing and now we have four missionaries that don't know the area... Tough, but God Gives us challenges to grow. Are area book is not updated which is sad because we’ve pretty much lost all the potential investigators from before. But we just have to have faith that if we try to do our part everything will work out. Haha pray for me okay? ;)

This week was really slow. As it turns out its tough trying to get a dead missionary to work. But we managed to get some stuff done. We have a few dates for this next week and some potentials that we will go and visit. The hardest part will be trying to find all the members every day for lunch. 

Highlight of the week was getting to stay in the house of the secretaries. The financial secretary is my best friend and so it’s always good to spend time with him. He is a Brazilian from Rio grade Sul. He received a package from the missionaries that baptized him with pancake mix, syrup and peanut butter. So as you can imagine it was the best morning ever! It’s always hard to say good bye to them. Haha one day if I’m lucky we will be comps in the field. 

Our church started doing activities Tuesday through Friday which is great to invite investigators for. This bishop here is the most excited that I’ve seen. I will return to Gaurapari tomorrow and head to the church to teach an English class. 

Haha sorry my words are badly strung together and may not make much sense. I'll just send some good pics to make up for it. But I love you all and miss you. Stay firm and keeping wonderful examples for the world!

Love, Elder Lee