Week 91

Monday, September 9, 2019

So this week went really good in our search for new people. The Transfer is ending and we have one week left. But this week we will baptize the 8 year old of a less active member on Tuesday. Then we should have another on Friday. But we are in over drive trying to get everything down in the case that we have to leave. I have one more transfer after this and I'm hoping I stay one more here with my comp Elder Aguilar. He is the best of the best. 

We had Independence Day here in Brazil on the 7th and everything was crazy. Everyone makes organized bands of only drums... interesting I know. So my little city exploded with drums and shouting. But after all the chaos and noise we were able to work for the rest of the day and found a few new people with great potential. The work is moving along well and we are excited to see how the branch is going grow. It was two little branches that combined and so now we have more members to work with. 

Here there is a sweet member who has 94 years. She is 6 months younger than the prophet and is active as ever. She has such a deep love for the gospel and savior. She really is such an amazing example to us all. When we asked her to give us council after having lunch with her she looked and thought for a second and said, ´´You are on the path. Just keep walking forward. Don’t ever abandon the path you’re on.´´

Anyways I love you all tons. Next week should have pics in white. Hope you all have a great week!

Love Elder Joshua David Lee

p.s. This week I got to cook a lot... I’m excited to come home and cook Brazilian food... 

Week 90

Monday, September 2, 2019

This week was a very special week for Brazil as it had the privilege to host the living seer and revelator prophet Russel M. Nelson and apostle Quinton L. Cook. They were also accompanied by their wonderful inspiring wives. We had the privilege to watch a broadcast Friday for the missionaries and it was powerful. One of the highlight quotes for me was from Mary Cook. She said,

     

No one can be perfect... But we can do perfect things everyday...

We may not be able to be perfect but how nice and comforting to know we can follow the savior every day. She also taught about the importance of hymns and primary music. She did great. At the end of the conference the prophet gave a blessing to all the missionaries and it was truly powerful. He also held a conference for the members here in Brazil where he ended with a blessing and bearing his testimony in Portuguese. He is one powerful servant of God. This was definitely a highlight of the week and mission. You couldn’t be in the room and not feel the power of the spirit shaking every part of us testifying of the divinity of his sacred calling. 

Another fun development was getting to teach our 11 year old investigator. We are helping to re-activate her family and baptize her in the process. She really understands the gospel and is super intelligent. We are only waiting for her mom to sign the papers and she will be baptized. When I asked her what she wanted from us at the end of the first lesson she responded that she only wanted to learn the commandments so that she could follow them. So please pray for Ayza. She is fantastic!

On a trip to visit the family of Vinicius we were in his car when his tire exploded... He skillful was able to pull over and we were stranded in the middle of nowhere. But he was prepared and we were able to change the tire. Ha-ha the jack gave a little bit of work but after no time we were able to get going on our way. 

Other than that a normal cram packed week. I love you tons and hope that you all are well. Thank you for all the letters and support and prayers you’ve given. May god bless and keep you until we meet again!

Elder Joshua David Lee

Week 89

Monday, August 26, 2019

It’s weird that the ten week count down has started... (By the way in my defense my back area button doesn’t work so I can’t return and correct my errors... freaking enternety cafe in Brazil) 

This week we got to start teaching the family that recently moved from Sao Paulo. Rogerio the husband who isn’t a member is great! His difficulties are Coffee and smoking. But he really has a desire to stop and we are going to bring him some great candy to trade for his cigars. Ha-ha Works like a charm. But he and his wife who are members have a 14 year old son who we are going to start taking out to get him excited for seminary and eventually a mission. And as an added bonus, it just so happens that she makes fantastic cake ;) 

We marked a baptismal date with a few people this week on being Richard a 16 year old that’s a little confused and feels abandoned. His family situation is a little hard and he openly expressed his desire to find peace. Mathew 11 does as great job teaching that. We were able to promise as representatives of Christ that by following his commandments (one being baptism) he would find the living water and indescribable peace. He was very excited to try. 

We also finally got to teach Gabriel our 11 year old with a date marked. It’s marked for this Saturday but we still have to get on his dads good side and teach him. He is very catholic... But it’s going to work out. 

This week we had a special meeting and the two small branches were finally able to combine and will continue as one. It will be a little confusing at first but it’s going to be able to help us create Zion here in the city of Teofilo Otoni. I’m super excited to see the miracles the Lord has in store for us! I hope to finish the mission here. I have one and a half transfers to go. 

Any ways I love you all and hope you all have a great productive week! Always look to bless the lives of those around you! Love ya all!

Elder Joshua David Lee 

Week 88

Monday, August 19, 2019

Hey everyone how’s it going! It’s been a while sorry... But everything is going great and I’m in a hurry trying to get everything done that God needs from me. It’s weird to think that this week starts the ten week count down... I tried telling mom that Becca will be sending big beautiful letters but she said I need to send them too ;) 

This week we had a conference with our zone and president and his wife. Sister Mazzagardi (the wife) is truly amazing! Every training she gives is truly a blessing for our mission. This last was about Tools that we have in a mission and tools that Satan has. It’s great to take a few moments to appreciate all that God gives us to be successful in our lives and missions. I also had an interview with President about what the branch needs and we are resolving to combine the two here in the city to prepare it to become a ward and eventually here in a few years turn the district into a stake. So it’s super exciting to see the work advance in a real big way. 

The secretaries of the mission called to ask what airport I'll be returning... I responded Dubai... So that should be a fun mini vacation ;) (Just kidding mom) I also had to take out some documents to liberate other documents that will allow me to leave the country. Almost didn’t work but in the end we found a way. I never know all this stuff was so complicated. They say it will take 3 months to be approved... I hope not because my tickets are for here in 2 months... but we´ll see what happens. Luckily my pres has a big influence. 

The work here is going good. We are finding new people every day. The other day we found a family from Columbia and Venezuela. I’ve been training my Spanish to teach them. I’ve already had the chance to teach and baptize a sweet refuge from Venezuela. We also found a woman from Sao Paulo who is the only member in her family and moved here recently. We are going to start teaching her husband Rogerio and Josef (pronounced Joseph) this week. Vinicious is also doing very well. I’ve really found a true friend in him. Over all I’m excited to see what these next few weeks will bring. 

I miss you all tons and hope you all are doing well and taking advantage of every opportunity God gives to spread the good news of salvation. Have an amazing week!!!!

Love Elder Lee 

Week 87

Monday, August 12, 2019

No letter again today because we skyped.  The older siblings are going to kill me if he doesn’t write a letter next week!

Week 86

Monday, August 5, 2019

No letter today, we skyped!

Week 85

Monday, July 29, 2019

Hey guys sorry I missed a week but last pday was crazy... 

This week we had tons of fun getting to teach Vinicius and see him progress and grow. He is such a great friend and really makes a huge difference in my life here. This area is a little bit hard but people like him make it worth it. This Sunday he was able to go to church with us and hear me speak. The branch pres asked me to speak on service and it was lots of fun to give a talk. I love speaking about service because I have had so many wonderful examples in my life. Sunday I shared of course principally about the service of our savior and how we can serve to show our love and dedication. I used Dad as one of the examples and it worked out really well. Service is what makes the world go round

Saturday we had the chance to do a service project with the branch president for a family passing through tons of problems. What we did didn’t by any means solve everything but was enough to put a smile on the families face and give them at least a little hope. And hope is the key to faith. Building the lords kingdom here on earth is building his children and service is one of the best ways we can manage that. 

We also have another investigator we are working with who also went to church. Her name is Nayara and she is an excellent person. As a missionary your focus and vision change... It’s truly amazing to focus and see how the gospel can specifically help people. When we see issues and problems of people we instantly make connections in how ordinances and principles like baptism will help their faith grow which will help them conquer these difficulties. Its something I hope to carry on after the mission. 

Other than that everything is great. I have transfers coming this next week and then I’m down to the last two... It’s scary to think I won’t be a missionary forever. But as the prophet taught, everyone is a missionary. I hope you all have a great week filled with miracles and opportunities to share your lights. Thank you all for everything! Love ya´ll!!!

Elder Lee