Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Story of finding Jonas..."If we keep the commandments God will guide us..."
Hello Family! I am sitting in some sort of store where people buy lottery tickets. Brother, every week is a different location. I just want to have my own computer, and not have to get used to a different keyboard every week. Actually this one is one of the best. Really bouncy, light… what other ways can I describe a keyboard? Anyway it is a good one.
The weeks are starting to run by faster and faster, initially, before I came on my mission I thought I would be doing the same thing every day, but it's turned out to be exactly the opposite. Just when it seems like I am starting to catch on, get the hang of something (mainly the language) something else comes up, some thing I have been doing wrong, and then I have to fix that, so far I haven't had a dull, boring moment, There's always something else to learn.
It's been about a normal week, hotter and hotter each day; I am starting to get one heck of a sun tan. Unfortunately you guys will never get to witness it in person because I'll probably loose it the winter before I come home. It's also a bummer that we can't use sun glasses. The sun is way bright, it's defiantly not good for my eyes, but it's against the rules to wear sunglasses.
This week has been a week of service. Wednesday we visited Neuza and her son Roger. They were the very first people I visited when I arrived here, so needless to say we have been teaching them along time. They are pretty cool, but not progressing. We are considering cutting them. Anyway we went to their house to teach them. They basically have two houses, one in the front, that they live in, and another, older one that has been vacant. Probably 50% of the people here have this set up. They live in the front houses in the winter, and then in the summer when all the tourists come they rent them out and live in the old crappy houses in the back. So, this is what Neuza and Roger decided to do. When we arrived Wednesday it was a mad house, people running every which way, preparing the back house to move in. It was obvious we weren't going to get a lesson in, so we asked if we could help. They said yes, we rolled up our sleeves and helped them hang some cupboards, and install some lights, but it was the sloppiest work I have every done. The light installation was stealing one ceiling light from one room and installing it in the other J and, when Roger found that the cupboards didn't fit where he wanted to put them he took a hammer to it and commenced making it fit! When hanging them we didn't even use a level… Oh well, different cultures, it was still fun to help them.
The other service we did this week was much more rewarding. There is one brother in our ward, Irmão Marcíono, who is 70 something; I think I have already mentioned that he reminds me of the Anatomy teacher Kelly Thompson at the High School. Anyway, he has one gigantic garden full of sweet potatoes corn and was full of WEEDS tom bem. So Friday, The senior missionary, Elder Baird, my Comp and I went and for 5 hours hoed and pulled weeds. However fun it was, I couldn't help but think it should be winter right now; this is the 7th month in a row of summer for me… Anyway, he lives 4 miles out of town, so he was nice enough to drive us home, we took the scenic route, along the beach, I've never seen a prettier beach then the one here… and so far not many tourists have come.
So Idaho/ Wyoming finally got some snow huh? The hunting and the skiing is finally picking up. I couldn't be happier for all of you. Just as long as you always keep me in mind while your doing them.
No, I haven't received any packages yet. This Thursday we have our zone conference in Porto Alegre, there, I will pick them up!
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: Yesterday was Monday, Every Monday at 6:30 we have family home evening at the Elder and Sister Baird's house. Usually it is tuff to get people to go, the Bairds likes to have it early, and people work late here, so this week was no exception. Karen (who is getting baptized on the 27th…hopefully) backed out at the last minute. So, we started to work the list, calling and visiting people inviting them to come to FHE. Each person had a different "Decuple," but we asked everyone, right down to the dog (literally) nobody could go. The day as a whole followed this pattern, everyone was busy, everyone had some excuse and didn't have time to listen to us. So, we started to do something I hate to do. Battar Portas. It is awkward, the dogs are barking in your face, and people don't like to quit what there doing to attend to the door. But we commenced batando portas, one at a time.
Side Note: As I have mentioned before, the streets are a mess, no order whatsoever, so many addresses that we get we cannot find, or they are non-existent. When I first arrived I made a contact with a way cool guy, who speaks a little English and was really interested in the gospel. He gave us his contact info, but when we went to follow up this was the case we could not find his house, so, we chalked it up as a false address, but it was hard for me to believe. This guy was legitimate!
So to continue the story yesterday, we slowly worked out way down the street, one in which I had never been on before (neither my companion) we made some good contacts, but still nobody had time to listen to us. Suddenly I realized something. This was the same street that the guy (Jonas) had said he lived on! But it was on the opposite end of town as we thought! I had scribbled out his address, but we managed to distinguish the house number. Come to find out it existed! Nos batamos a porta, and there he was! We gave the first lesson, and will go back, but it made my day. After that, the day was a synch, we found another new family, the husband is obsessed with lifting weights, and has a fetish for American weight lifting magazines J. He excitedly showed us them, they were tattered and the pictures were faded, he even popped in a DVD, about this Ronnie Coleman weight lifter and made us watch it, but, eventually we shared with him the first lesson, he liked it, we will return also. Our last lesson of the day was with a guy named Raphael, who just moved here from Sao Paulo, it was a follow-up lesson and went very, very well.
So, here is the lesson, which I had already learned before but had partially forgotten. The lord is the one in command. His thoughts are not ours (Isaiah 55???) And if we are doing the things that he asks us, he will guide us were we must go. We weren't supposed to have FHE last night; we were supposed to find these people. So, when it seems like all hell has broken loose ask yourself two questions. 1) Have I kept the commandments? If so, you have no need to worry, God will guide you were you need to be. The second question would probably be, am I letting him guide me? Or am I fighting against it?
I once heard a story about an old Chinese man that lived in a small village. He had one horse, his most prized possession. One day, this horse ran away, chasing after another horse. The villagers said, poor you. The old man said Talvez sim, Talvez não. Time passed, and one day the horse reappeared! With him was the other horse that originally caused the problem. The villagers said, wow! You are so lucky, you know have two horses! The old, wise Chinese man said, Talvez sim, Talvez não. One day, the Chinese mans son was riding the newly acquired horse. He fell off and broke his leg. The villagers replied, poor you, your son is now crippled. The old man said, talvez sim, talvez não. 1 year later, China went to war with the neighboring country... every young man went to war, to fight in a fight not worth fighting, but, because of the sons broken leg, he was not required to go.
We have a very limited perception of what is really happening around us, but, if we keep the commandments God will guide us, some times it may seem like not the right thing, having to cancel FHE sucked… but if we will trust and have faith in God, then he will prepare a way.
Love you all, and until next week, Jacob
PS These are pictures of the ward christmas party we had this saturday. It was really fun, we had a churrasco, and had a short program. The two other missionaries are Elder and Sister Baird.
The weeks are starting to run by faster and faster, initially, before I came on my mission I thought I would be doing the same thing every day, but it's turned out to be exactly the opposite. Just when it seems like I am starting to catch on, get the hang of something (mainly the language) something else comes up, some thing I have been doing wrong, and then I have to fix that, so far I haven't had a dull, boring moment, There's always something else to learn.
It's been about a normal week, hotter and hotter each day; I am starting to get one heck of a sun tan. Unfortunately you guys will never get to witness it in person because I'll probably loose it the winter before I come home. It's also a bummer that we can't use sun glasses. The sun is way bright, it's defiantly not good for my eyes, but it's against the rules to wear sunglasses.
This week has been a week of service. Wednesday we visited Neuza and her son Roger. They were the very first people I visited when I arrived here, so needless to say we have been teaching them along time. They are pretty cool, but not progressing. We are considering cutting them. Anyway we went to their house to teach them. They basically have two houses, one in the front, that they live in, and another, older one that has been vacant. Probably 50% of the people here have this set up. They live in the front houses in the winter, and then in the summer when all the tourists come they rent them out and live in the old crappy houses in the back. So, this is what Neuza and Roger decided to do. When we arrived Wednesday it was a mad house, people running every which way, preparing the back house to move in. It was obvious we weren't going to get a lesson in, so we asked if we could help. They said yes, we rolled up our sleeves and helped them hang some cupboards, and install some lights, but it was the sloppiest work I have every done. The light installation was stealing one ceiling light from one room and installing it in the other J and, when Roger found that the cupboards didn't fit where he wanted to put them he took a hammer to it and commenced making it fit! When hanging them we didn't even use a level… Oh well, different cultures, it was still fun to help them.
The other service we did this week was much more rewarding. There is one brother in our ward, Irmão Marcíono, who is 70 something; I think I have already mentioned that he reminds me of the Anatomy teacher Kelly Thompson at the High School. Anyway, he has one gigantic garden full of sweet potatoes corn and was full of WEEDS tom bem. So Friday, The senior missionary, Elder Baird, my Comp and I went and for 5 hours hoed and pulled weeds. However fun it was, I couldn't help but think it should be winter right now; this is the 7th month in a row of summer for me… Anyway, he lives 4 miles out of town, so he was nice enough to drive us home, we took the scenic route, along the beach, I've never seen a prettier beach then the one here… and so far not many tourists have come.
So Idaho/ Wyoming finally got some snow huh? The hunting and the skiing is finally picking up. I couldn't be happier for all of you. Just as long as you always keep me in mind while your doing them.
No, I haven't received any packages yet. This Thursday we have our zone conference in Porto Alegre, there, I will pick them up!
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: Yesterday was Monday, Every Monday at 6:30 we have family home evening at the Elder and Sister Baird's house. Usually it is tuff to get people to go, the Bairds likes to have it early, and people work late here, so this week was no exception. Karen (who is getting baptized on the 27th…hopefully) backed out at the last minute. So, we started to work the list, calling and visiting people inviting them to come to FHE. Each person had a different "Decuple," but we asked everyone, right down to the dog (literally) nobody could go. The day as a whole followed this pattern, everyone was busy, everyone had some excuse and didn't have time to listen to us. So, we started to do something I hate to do. Battar Portas. It is awkward, the dogs are barking in your face, and people don't like to quit what there doing to attend to the door. But we commenced batando portas, one at a time.
Side Note: As I have mentioned before, the streets are a mess, no order whatsoever, so many addresses that we get we cannot find, or they are non-existent. When I first arrived I made a contact with a way cool guy, who speaks a little English and was really interested in the gospel. He gave us his contact info, but when we went to follow up this was the case we could not find his house, so, we chalked it up as a false address, but it was hard for me to believe. This guy was legitimate!
So to continue the story yesterday, we slowly worked out way down the street, one in which I had never been on before (neither my companion) we made some good contacts, but still nobody had time to listen to us. Suddenly I realized something. This was the same street that the guy (Jonas) had said he lived on! But it was on the opposite end of town as we thought! I had scribbled out his address, but we managed to distinguish the house number. Come to find out it existed! Nos batamos a porta, and there he was! We gave the first lesson, and will go back, but it made my day. After that, the day was a synch, we found another new family, the husband is obsessed with lifting weights, and has a fetish for American weight lifting magazines J. He excitedly showed us them, they were tattered and the pictures were faded, he even popped in a DVD, about this Ronnie Coleman weight lifter and made us watch it, but, eventually we shared with him the first lesson, he liked it, we will return also. Our last lesson of the day was with a guy named Raphael, who just moved here from Sao Paulo, it was a follow-up lesson and went very, very well.
So, here is the lesson, which I had already learned before but had partially forgotten. The lord is the one in command. His thoughts are not ours (Isaiah 55???) And if we are doing the things that he asks us, he will guide us were we must go. We weren't supposed to have FHE last night; we were supposed to find these people. So, when it seems like all hell has broken loose ask yourself two questions. 1) Have I kept the commandments? If so, you have no need to worry, God will guide you were you need to be. The second question would probably be, am I letting him guide me? Or am I fighting against it?
I once heard a story about an old Chinese man that lived in a small village. He had one horse, his most prized possession. One day, this horse ran away, chasing after another horse. The villagers said, poor you. The old man said Talvez sim, Talvez não. Time passed, and one day the horse reappeared! With him was the other horse that originally caused the problem. The villagers said, wow! You are so lucky, you know have two horses! The old, wise Chinese man said, Talvez sim, Talvez não. One day, the Chinese mans son was riding the newly acquired horse. He fell off and broke his leg. The villagers replied, poor you, your son is now crippled. The old man said, talvez sim, talvez não. 1 year later, China went to war with the neighboring country... every young man went to war, to fight in a fight not worth fighting, but, because of the sons broken leg, he was not required to go.
We have a very limited perception of what is really happening around us, but, if we keep the commandments God will guide us, some times it may seem like not the right thing, having to cancel FHE sucked… but if we will trust and have faith in God, then he will prepare a way.
Love you all, and until next week, Jacob
PS These are pictures of the ward christmas party we had this saturday. It was really fun, we had a churrasco, and had a short program. The two other missionaries are Elder and Sister Baird.
Fwd: To the Boys
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderthatcher@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Subject: To the Boys
To: suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>, Micah Thatcher <skiaton@gmail.com>
I forgot to tell you, I sent a package the first of December. According to the lady it should be arriving this week, hopefully...
There are things for everyone, they are labaled. I will receive your packages this thursday, I am excited!
Hello Matthew! Thats sweet you learned how to learn rook, its a way fun game, but its hard to learn, thats how life is, its always hard and not fun to learn things at first, but I think it pays off. I am learning right now too, lots, and I hope every day it will pay off and I will be able to speak this language. How was skiing this week? 360´s some big jumps? How did you rip your shoes? And why do you want elf shoes for christmas? Thats a little pansy isnt it? are you finally better from your cold? I dont know yet, Probablly nothing, I am supposed to give to people now, not recieve, But I really dont need a new watch, new shoes, but a pen would be good. I write alot, and It would be sweet if it had my name and changed colars!
Hey Joshy! You have better writting then me, I cant believe it, (probablly even better then Micah!) Mom got stuck huh? how come your the only one that mentioned this? Is mom embarressed? its kind of hard to get stuck in the excursion isn´t it? So the snow has finally come huh... Thanks for the dedication, just about as good as if I was there skiing it. Sister Baird sometimes makes brownies, shes on a diet (look at the picture of her licking the cake platter and you wont believe it) but brownines arent half as good as yours! So did you get sick, or do you have a better immune system then everyone else? What do you want for christmas? Love you lots buddy! Kick some butt skiing this year, make me proud!
Micah, Your probablly shooting your fist shot right now you meathead, Mom emailed me and said you are duck hunting this morning (you lucky ducK!!!) how is your new gun? new coat ehh??? what kind? is it quite? I hate load hunting coats. Your pretty sick eh? thats a bummer, sometimes its good to breathe cold fresh air, but be smart, you need to get over your bronchitis. I am way proud of you, I couldnt be happier, everyone says you have stepped up and are taking care of things like a pro. I knew you would! Way to go buddy. I emailed mom about the snow blower, but have chad or uncle rhett teach you how to change the oil, it needs changed, and remember how we snowblowed infront of the big shop last year? if you dont water will come in and flood the shop this spring, so I sugjest that you do it. Ask uncle rhett about fuel additive, JUST for my pickup, and the buick. if you dont that gas will go bad and in two years we will have to drain it. I cant believe your a teenager now! I sent a little b-day present for you.
Love you ALL! Jacob
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderthatcher@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Subject: To the Boys
To: suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>, Micah Thatcher <skiaton@gmail.com>
I forgot to tell you, I sent a package the first of December. According to the lady it should be arriving this week, hopefully...
There are things for everyone, they are labaled. I will receive your packages this thursday, I am excited!
Hello Matthew! Thats sweet you learned how to learn rook, its a way fun game, but its hard to learn, thats how life is, its always hard and not fun to learn things at first, but I think it pays off. I am learning right now too, lots, and I hope every day it will pay off and I will be able to speak this language. How was skiing this week? 360´s some big jumps? How did you rip your shoes? And why do you want elf shoes for christmas? Thats a little pansy isnt it? are you finally better from your cold? I dont know yet, Probablly nothing, I am supposed to give to people now, not recieve, But I really dont need a new watch, new shoes, but a pen would be good. I write alot, and It would be sweet if it had my name and changed colars!
Hey Joshy! You have better writting then me, I cant believe it, (probablly even better then Micah!) Mom got stuck huh? how come your the only one that mentioned this? Is mom embarressed? its kind of hard to get stuck in the excursion isn´t it? So the snow has finally come huh... Thanks for the dedication, just about as good as if I was there skiing it. Sister Baird sometimes makes brownies, shes on a diet (look at the picture of her licking the cake platter and you wont believe it) but brownines arent half as good as yours! So did you get sick, or do you have a better immune system then everyone else? What do you want for christmas? Love you lots buddy! Kick some butt skiing this year, make me proud!
Micah, Your probablly shooting your fist shot right now you meathead, Mom emailed me and said you are duck hunting this morning (you lucky ducK!!!) how is your new gun? new coat ehh??? what kind? is it quite? I hate load hunting coats. Your pretty sick eh? thats a bummer, sometimes its good to breathe cold fresh air, but be smart, you need to get over your bronchitis. I am way proud of you, I couldnt be happier, everyone says you have stepped up and are taking care of things like a pro. I knew you would! Way to go buddy. I emailed mom about the snow blower, but have chad or uncle rhett teach you how to change the oil, it needs changed, and remember how we snowblowed infront of the big shop last year? if you dont water will come in and flood the shop this spring, so I sugjest that you do it. Ask uncle rhett about fuel additive, JUST for my pickup, and the buick. if you dont that gas will go bad and in two years we will have to drain it. I cant believe your a teenager now! I sent a little b-day present for you.
Love you ALL! Jacob
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
"we were running...my companion is still recovering and now he says he will never run again (we will see :)This is how missionary work should be.."
Hello Familia! Yet another week, AHHHHGGG The worst part about writting letters is the introduction, thats how its always been, with papers in school, talks, anything, I have all the ideas in my head to write a good letter, and I get hung up on the dang introduction... so I´ll just jump right in.
Has been a good week. Its amazing, something new happens every day, just think about it, what has happened this day that has never happened before?
Heres the thesis statement, and topics for this week of December 2-9.
Record number of lessons, me and being a phycholigist, making a birthday cake, recievieng "bijos" from two different people, missing the bus and shinning my companion´s shoes, my companion recieving a blessing from a women, and family home evening
So, its deffinantly a challenge to find people in their houses, and its becoming a greater problem every day, winter is finally coming their, and verão is finally coming here. either people are working or at the Prya (beach) to places that are impossible for us to teach. So, we started to do some real planning this week. and decided to start making appointments with people. Before, my companion was worried that people would not follow through, so we would just go around to our investigators until we found someone at home, and who had time. But this week, at leeast for the first half, we made as many compramisos as possible. And it paid off. We taught 7 lessons in one day, which doesnt sound like alot, but we were running to every appointment; My companion is still recovering, and know he says he will never run again (we will see :)) This is how missionary work should be, It felt really good to finally run again. Gravity is starting to have an effect on me, the little muscle I did have is dissipering. I think I will buy a jump rope this week. so anyway, the week started off good, and making appointments worked really good. The problem were however, that we didn´t leave anytime to make any new contacts during these days, and we used up all of our reliable contacts in these days, so the rest of the week was hard. Now, we will always leave room for meeting new people...
Am I a physcoligist or what? Do I look like a Physcoligist? I thought I exscaped all of the drama, and problems in Idaho! I must look like one because this week, 1) Marlí, the mom of Fabio, who is 15 and has the mind of a 6 year old confessed here whole life to us, how her husband cheated on her 15 years ago, and in turn she did the same thing, hence Fabio... whose dad owns the marcado (market) next to our apartment. Anyway, she said that since their little "little escapade" 15 years ago her, and her husband have basically been living together but seperated... and now she is finally going to move out. 2) Rejáne and Zépaulo, the parents of investigators that we love with all our heart, but who are not progressing are thinking about a divorce. 3) Célia, is basically reliving the same thing my family just went through---the whole kit and kaboodle. 4) Generino and Terizinha, have one teenage kid a piece, and have a toddler (blue eyes, blonde hair) together. We have a baptism date marked for December 20th, but the problem is they need to get married. In truth, they were not progressing, every time we came they would say, we want to change our life, we want respect from our kids, etc, etc... They want it but are not willing to work for it. So, we went there sunday night. I was already gaulded, because they were not in church that day, and when they started doing the blame thing, etc, I felt the spirit say, now is the time---so I commenced telling my life story, and problems. It was awesome. The words came pretty good, I said, this happened to my family, I dont want it to happen to yours, here´s what you have to change, do you want it? What are you going to do? My companion was intune as well. Anyway, we had a kneeling prayer, and gave them a written commitment to pray together every night. We will see what happens, we have an appointment with them this week.
So the daugter of Rejáne and Zépaulo (mentioned above) has been teasing us for the past 2 weeks to save money up and buy her a present for her birthday on december 5th. We didnt buy her a present, but we made her a cake!!! it was SOOOO yummy. actually the cake itself wasn´t the challenge (was a box cake) it was the frosting--- we made it with flour, hot chocolate mix, and milk. it was actually REALLY good. then i decorated it with cut up twizlers (they dont have them here, so they really liked the candy) attached are some pictueres of it. The next night she had a party or a churrascaria (brazillion barbaque) that she invited us to. We went (by the way this was her 16 birthday) it felt like a beach party in california, not many cloaths, and alchohal!!!! with their 16 year old daugter! (read on in the next para, to find out funny experiences with alcohal) So needless to say, we didnt stick around for the food. On our way out the door, I was introduced to one of her friends, a particular pretty girl. She tried to give me a kiss. It was WAY awkward. you probablly dont know, this is a custom in almost every other part of the world. I wanted to accept but I had the will power to reject. But satan wanted to tempt me one more time, so the next day, while tracting I made a contact with an english teacher!!! we taught her (in english) and when leaving SHE attempted to give me bijos! brother, (why dont the girls start doing this in the U.S? the only time in my life I have a chance to get kisses I CANT!
So, briefaly, 2 funny experiences with alcohol. this guy was staggering in the street and was hit by a car! and second, three days ago, we watched the whole scene. He staggered out of the bar, got on his bike, and commenced pedlling, right in front of a motorcylce--right into the curb, head over heels. IT was funny, but we managed to remember who we were, and helped him up, and on his bike again. We couldnt save him the second time though about 400 yards down the road :)!
So saturday we had a lunch appointment with some members in São Bras, about an hour bus ride. We bought our tickets 7 reals (3 bucks) and sat and waited. Well, we missed the freakin bus, couldnt get another one until 1 in the afternoon. and they wouldnt refund our money. We were pretty put out, I wasnt to bummed, was only 3 bucks, and I cant understand portugues chewouts from the people that are mad at us, but my companion was, when I made a quirky comment all his anger was focused on me! Yikes! We repented and both shinned each others shoes (pansy ehh?)
By the way, I taught my first lesson in Portugues this week in church about free agency, I was very happy with it. I dont know how much everyone understood, but it flowed well, and they answered most my questions. I had one analogy, 2 cups, one with water, the other with vinegar. two voulenteers, one knew what was in the cups, the other did not. The person who knew was able to tell which was which to the other. then they chose which one to drink. Then applied to us, having the commandments and prophets telling us what to do, the best way, etc--then we have the choice to choose.
Last of all, the blessing my companion recieved yesturday! I made one heck of a contact 3 days ago, with a guy named Caludinae that broke his femur 1 year ago in a motercycle accident and is still hung up. So, we went to visit him yesturday. I started the lesson, and was doing farily good. Just when I was explaining about prophets, and how God gave his apostles authority and power to heal people of their infirmaties (I was litterally reading Luke 9:1) I was stopped by the friend of claudine, who said to Elder Abdo, you look really sick, are you o.k? It was WAY hot yesturdy, and it was obvious he wasnt. SHe hoped up, stood in front of him, put her hands on his head and basically gave him a real blessing! It was really funny, and if it wasn´t for the seriousness of the situation I would have laughed. But, I am bould enough to say it helped, she believed in it, had faith, excersised it... but it was still strange. So, needless to say, at the end of the blessing, and after a drink of water, I made sure to explain REALLY good how prophets had authority to guide christs church, and how we are not prophets.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: So, I started reading the scriptures in Portugues for the first time from the start. Its WAY slow going. but, I sure understand the first 4 chapters of nephi better now! Its interesting, 1 nephi 3:7, the lord will prepare a way for us if we will but keep his commandments, it is possible to do anything, but we must first excersise our faith-- if God said jump of this building and you will fly, we can do it--he will do it, but we must take the first step of the edge. And sometimes he will wait until we are about to hit the ground to save us, but he ALWAYS will, its a promise. And he did, as the story goes in the scirptures--The Lord let Nephi, Sam, Laman and Lemuel try 2 times to retrieve the brass plates before he prepared away... So, contine keeping the commandments, the blessings will come, in their own due time
Sorry, for the bad spelling and formation, i didnt have my best friend and help with me today...microsoft word.
Attached pictures: Jeep I saw walking to the Lan House to use the internet, Me, this morning, Catrine, the 16 year old daughter and her mom Rejane.
Love you all lots, and until next week,
Jacob
Has been a good week. Its amazing, something new happens every day, just think about it, what has happened this day that has never happened before?
Heres the thesis statement, and topics for this week of December 2-9.
Record number of lessons, me and being a phycholigist, making a birthday cake, recievieng "bijos" from two different people, missing the bus and shinning my companion´s shoes, my companion recieving a blessing from a women, and family home evening
So, its deffinantly a challenge to find people in their houses, and its becoming a greater problem every day, winter is finally coming their, and verão is finally coming here. either people are working or at the Prya (beach) to places that are impossible for us to teach. So, we started to do some real planning this week. and decided to start making appointments with people. Before, my companion was worried that people would not follow through, so we would just go around to our investigators until we found someone at home, and who had time. But this week, at leeast for the first half, we made as many compramisos as possible. And it paid off. We taught 7 lessons in one day, which doesnt sound like alot, but we were running to every appointment; My companion is still recovering, and know he says he will never run again (we will see :)) This is how missionary work should be, It felt really good to finally run again. Gravity is starting to have an effect on me, the little muscle I did have is dissipering. I think I will buy a jump rope this week. so anyway, the week started off good, and making appointments worked really good. The problem were however, that we didn´t leave anytime to make any new contacts during these days, and we used up all of our reliable contacts in these days, so the rest of the week was hard. Now, we will always leave room for meeting new people...
Am I a physcoligist or what? Do I look like a Physcoligist? I thought I exscaped all of the drama, and problems in Idaho! I must look like one because this week, 1) Marlí, the mom of Fabio, who is 15 and has the mind of a 6 year old confessed here whole life to us, how her husband cheated on her 15 years ago, and in turn she did the same thing, hence Fabio... whose dad owns the marcado (market) next to our apartment. Anyway, she said that since their little "little escapade" 15 years ago her, and her husband have basically been living together but seperated... and now she is finally going to move out. 2) Rejáne and Zépaulo, the parents of investigators that we love with all our heart, but who are not progressing are thinking about a divorce. 3) Célia, is basically reliving the same thing my family just went through---the whole kit and kaboodle. 4) Generino and Terizinha, have one teenage kid a piece, and have a toddler (blue eyes, blonde hair) together. We have a baptism date marked for December 20th, but the problem is they need to get married. In truth, they were not progressing, every time we came they would say, we want to change our life, we want respect from our kids, etc, etc... They want it but are not willing to work for it. So, we went there sunday night. I was already gaulded, because they were not in church that day, and when they started doing the blame thing, etc, I felt the spirit say, now is the time---so I commenced telling my life story, and problems. It was awesome. The words came pretty good, I said, this happened to my family, I dont want it to happen to yours, here´s what you have to change, do you want it? What are you going to do? My companion was intune as well. Anyway, we had a kneeling prayer, and gave them a written commitment to pray together every night. We will see what happens, we have an appointment with them this week.
So the daugter of Rejáne and Zépaulo (mentioned above) has been teasing us for the past 2 weeks to save money up and buy her a present for her birthday on december 5th. We didnt buy her a present, but we made her a cake!!! it was SOOOO yummy. actually the cake itself wasn´t the challenge (was a box cake) it was the frosting--- we made it with flour, hot chocolate mix, and milk. it was actually REALLY good. then i decorated it with cut up twizlers (they dont have them here, so they really liked the candy) attached are some pictueres of it. The next night she had a party or a churrascaria (brazillion barbaque) that she invited us to. We went (by the way this was her 16 birthday) it felt like a beach party in california, not many cloaths, and alchohal!!!! with their 16 year old daugter! (read on in the next para, to find out funny experiences with alcohal) So needless to say, we didnt stick around for the food. On our way out the door, I was introduced to one of her friends, a particular pretty girl. She tried to give me a kiss. It was WAY awkward. you probablly dont know, this is a custom in almost every other part of the world. I wanted to accept but I had the will power to reject. But satan wanted to tempt me one more time, so the next day, while tracting I made a contact with an english teacher!!! we taught her (in english) and when leaving SHE attempted to give me bijos! brother, (why dont the girls start doing this in the U.S? the only time in my life I have a chance to get kisses I CANT!
So, briefaly, 2 funny experiences with alcohol. this guy was staggering in the street and was hit by a car! and second, three days ago, we watched the whole scene. He staggered out of the bar, got on his bike, and commenced pedlling, right in front of a motorcylce--right into the curb, head over heels. IT was funny, but we managed to remember who we were, and helped him up, and on his bike again. We couldnt save him the second time though about 400 yards down the road :)!
So saturday we had a lunch appointment with some members in São Bras, about an hour bus ride. We bought our tickets 7 reals (3 bucks) and sat and waited. Well, we missed the freakin bus, couldnt get another one until 1 in the afternoon. and they wouldnt refund our money. We were pretty put out, I wasnt to bummed, was only 3 bucks, and I cant understand portugues chewouts from the people that are mad at us, but my companion was, when I made a quirky comment all his anger was focused on me! Yikes! We repented and both shinned each others shoes (pansy ehh?)
By the way, I taught my first lesson in Portugues this week in church about free agency, I was very happy with it. I dont know how much everyone understood, but it flowed well, and they answered most my questions. I had one analogy, 2 cups, one with water, the other with vinegar. two voulenteers, one knew what was in the cups, the other did not. The person who knew was able to tell which was which to the other. then they chose which one to drink. Then applied to us, having the commandments and prophets telling us what to do, the best way, etc--then we have the choice to choose.
Last of all, the blessing my companion recieved yesturday! I made one heck of a contact 3 days ago, with a guy named Caludinae that broke his femur 1 year ago in a motercycle accident and is still hung up. So, we went to visit him yesturday. I started the lesson, and was doing farily good. Just when I was explaining about prophets, and how God gave his apostles authority and power to heal people of their infirmaties (I was litterally reading Luke 9:1) I was stopped by the friend of claudine, who said to Elder Abdo, you look really sick, are you o.k? It was WAY hot yesturdy, and it was obvious he wasnt. SHe hoped up, stood in front of him, put her hands on his head and basically gave him a real blessing! It was really funny, and if it wasn´t for the seriousness of the situation I would have laughed. But, I am bould enough to say it helped, she believed in it, had faith, excersised it... but it was still strange. So, needless to say, at the end of the blessing, and after a drink of water, I made sure to explain REALLY good how prophets had authority to guide christs church, and how we are not prophets.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: So, I started reading the scriptures in Portugues for the first time from the start. Its WAY slow going. but, I sure understand the first 4 chapters of nephi better now! Its interesting, 1 nephi 3:7, the lord will prepare a way for us if we will but keep his commandments, it is possible to do anything, but we must first excersise our faith-- if God said jump of this building and you will fly, we can do it--he will do it, but we must take the first step of the edge. And sometimes he will wait until we are about to hit the ground to save us, but he ALWAYS will, its a promise. And he did, as the story goes in the scirptures--The Lord let Nephi, Sam, Laman and Lemuel try 2 times to retrieve the brass plates before he prepared away... So, contine keeping the commandments, the blessings will come, in their own due time
Sorry, for the bad spelling and formation, i didnt have my best friend and help with me today...microsoft word.
Attached pictures: Jeep I saw walking to the Lan House to use the internet, Me, this morning, Catrine, the 16 year old daughter and her mom Rejane.
Love you all lots, and until next week,
Jacob
Fwd: Carta de Elder Thatcher
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderthatcher@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Subject: Carta de Elder Thatcher
To: suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>, Suzy <suzy@ida.net>, summercofarms@hotmail.com, Micah Thatcher <skiaton@gmail.com>, shansummers@gmail.com, "cliffhucker@gmail.com" <cliffhucker@gmail.com>, dmhansen@ida.net, gordon@beardstclair.com, "Knight, Leanna" <kni07001@byui.edu>, runmts <runmts@ida.net>, wes07006@byui.edu, bethatch@cableone.net, isavethewhales@gmail.com, gramlaree@gmail.com
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderthatcher@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Subject: Carta de Elder Thatcher
To: suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>, Suzy <suzy@ida.net>, summercofarms@hotmail.com, Micah Thatcher <skiaton@gmail.com>, shansummers@gmail.com, "cliffhucker@gmail.com" <cliffhucker@gmail.com>, dmhansen@ida.net, gordon@beardstclair.com, "Knight, Leanna" <kni07001@byui.edu>, runmts <runmts@ida.net>, wes07006@byui.edu, bethatch@cableone.net, isavethewhales@gmail.com, gramlaree@gmail.com
Hello Familia! Yet another week, AHHHHGGG The worst part about writting letters is the introduction, thats how its always been, with papers in school, talks, anything, I have all the ideas in my head to write a good letter, and I get hung up on the dang introduction... so I´ll just jump right in.
Has been a good week. Its amazing, something new happens every day, just think about it, what has happened this day that has never happened before?
Heres the thesis statement, and topics for this week of December 2-9.
Record number of lessons, me and being a phycholigist, making a birthday cake, recievieng "bijos" from two different people, missing the bus and shinning my companion´s shoes, my companion recieving a blessing from a women, and family home evening
So, its deffinantly a challenge to find people in their houses, and its becoming a greater problem every day, winter is finally coming their, and verão is finally coming here. either people are working or at the Prya (beach) to places that are impossible for us to teach. So, we started to do some real planning this week. and decided to start making appointments with people. Before, my companion was worried that people would not follow through, so we would just go around to our investigators until we found someone at home, and who had time. But this week, at leeast for the first half, we made as many compramisos as possible. And it paid off. We taught 7 lessons in one day, which doesnt sound like alot, but we were running to every appointment; My companion is still recovering, and know he says he will never run again (we will see :)) This is how missionary work should be, It felt really good to finally run again. Gravity is starting to have an effect on me, the little muscle I did have is dissipering. I think I will buy a jump rope this week. so anyway, the week started off good, and making appointments worked really good. The problem were however, that we didn´t leave anytime to make any new contacts during these days, and we used up all of our reliable contacts in these days, so the rest of the week was hard. Now, we will always leave room for meeting new people...
Am I a physcoligist or what? Do I look like a Physcoligist? I thought I exscaped all of the drama, and problems in Idaho! I must look like one because this week, 1) Marlí, the mom of Fabio, who is 15 and has the mind of a 6 year old confessed here whole life to us, how her husband cheated on her 15 years ago, and in turn she did the same thing, hence Fabio... whose dad owns the marcado (market) next to our apartment. Anyway, she said that since their little "little escapade" 15 years ago her, and her husband have basically been living together but seperated... and now she is finally going to move out. 2) Rejáne and Zépaulo, the parents of investigators that we love with all our heart, but who are not progressing are thinking about a divorce. 3) Célia, is basically reliving the same thing my family just went through---the whole kit and kaboodle. 4) Generino and Terizinha, have one teenage kid a piece, and have a toddler (blue eyes, blonde hair) together. We have a baptism date marked for December 20th, but the problem is they need to get married. In truth, they were not progressing, every time we came they would say, we want to change our life, we want respect from our kids, etc, etc... They want it but are not willing to work for it. So, we went there sunday night. I was already gaulded, because they were not in church that day, and when they started doing the blame thing, etc, I felt the spirit say, now is the time---so I commenced telling my life story, and problems. It was awesome. The words came pretty good, I said, this happened to my family, I dont want it to happen to yours, here´s what you have to change, do you want it? What are you going to do? My companion was intune as well. Anyway, we had a kneeling prayer, and gave them a written commitment to pray together every night. We will see what happens, we have an appointment with them this week.
So the daugter of Rejáne and Zépaulo (mentioned above) has been teasing us for the past 2 weeks to save money up and buy her a present for her birthday on december 5th. We didnt buy her a present, but we made her a cake!!! it was SOOOO yummy. actually the cake itself wasn´t the challenge (was a box cake) it was the frosting--- we made it with flour, hot chocolate mix, and milk. it was actually REALLY good. then i decorated it with cut up twizlers (they dont have them here, so they really liked the candy) attached are some pictueres of it. The next night she had a party or a churrascaria (brazillion barbaque) that she invited us to. We went (by the way this was her 16 birthday) it felt like a beach party in california, not many cloaths, and alchohal!!!! with their 16 year old daugter! (read on in the next para, to find out funny experiences with alcohal) So needless to say, we didnt stick around for the food. On our way out the door, I was introduced to one of her friends, a particular pretty girl. She tried to give me a kiss. It was WAY awkward. you probablly dont know, this is a custom in almost every other part of the world. I wanted to accept but I had the will power to reject. But satan wanted to tempt me one more time, so the next day, while tracting I made a contact with an english teacher!!! we taught her (in english) and when leaving SHE attempted to give me bijos! brother, (why dont the girls start doing this in the U.S? the only time in my life I have a chance to get kisses I CANT!
So, briefaly, 2 funny experiences with alcohol. this guy was staggering in the street and was hit by a car! and second, three days ago, we watched the whole scene. He staggered out of the bar, got on his bike, and commenced pedlling, right in front of a motorcylce--right into the curb, head over heels. IT was funny, but we managed to remember who we were, and helped him up, and on his bike again. We couldnt save him the second time though about 400 yards down the road :)!
So saturday we had a lunch appointment with some members in São Bras, about an hour bus ride. We bought our tickets 7 reals (3 bucks) and sat and waited. Well, we missed the freakin bus, couldnt get another one until 1 in the afternoon. and they wouldnt refund our money. We were pretty put out, I wasnt to bummed, was only 3 bucks, and I cant understand portugues chewouts from the people that are mad at us, but my companion was, when I made a quirky comment all his anger was focused on me! Yikes! We repented and both shinned each others shoes (pansy ehh?)
By the way, I taught my first lesson in Portugues this week in church about free agency, I was very happy with it. I dont know how much everyone understood, but it flowed well, and they answered most my questions. I had one analogy, 2 cups, one with water, the other with vinegar. two voulenteers, one knew what was in the cups, the other did not. The person who knew was able to tell which was which to the other. then they chose which one to drink. Then applied to us, having the commandments and prophets telling us what to do, the best way, etc--then we have the choice to choose.
Last of all, the blessing my companion recieved yesturday! I made one heck of a contact 3 days ago, with a guy named Caludinae that broke his femur 1 year ago in a motercycle accident and is still hung up. So, we went to visit him yesturday. I started the lesson, and was doing farily good. Just when I was explaining about prophets, and how God gave his apostles authority and power to heal people of their infirmaties (I was litterally reading Luke 9:1) I was stopped by the friend of claudine, who said to Elder Abdo, you look really sick, are you o.k? It was WAY hot yesturdy, and it was obvious he wasnt. SHe hoped up, stood in front of him, put her hands on his head and basically gave him a real blessing! It was really funny, and if it wasn´t for the seriousness of the situation I would have laughed. But, I am bould enough to say it helped, she believed in it, had faith, excersised it... but it was still strange. So, needless to say, at the end of the blessing, and after a drink of water, I made sure to explain REALLY good how prophets had authority to guide christs church, and how we are not prophets.
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: So, I started reading the scriptures in Portugues for the first time from the start. Its WAY slow going. but, I sure understand the first 4 chapters of nephi better now! Its interesting, 1 nephi 3:7, the lord will prepare a way for us if we will but keep his commandments, it is possible to do anything, but we must first excersise our faith-- if God said jump of this building and you will fly, we can do it--he will do it, but we must take the first step of the edge. And sometimes he will wait until we are about to hit the ground to save us, but he ALWAYS will, its a promise. And he did, as the story goes in the scirptures--The Lord let Nephi, Sam, Laman and Lemuel try 2 times to retrieve the brass plates before he prepared away... So, contine keeping the commandments, the blessings will come, in their own due time
Sorry, for the bad spelling and formation, i didnt have my best friend and help with me today...microsoft word.Attached pictures: Jeep I saw walking to the Lan House to use the internet, Me, this morning, Catrine, the 16 year old daughter and her mom Rejane.
Love you all lots, and until next week, Jacob
Monday, December 1, 2008
"...today is the day I become a junior companion!... we cleaned [the chapel] and it felt so good to get my hands dirty."
Querido Família e Amigos!
I´m sitting in a crowded computer/ video game café. For the second week in a row our beloved, quiet, fast computer, cool, internet café is closed. I´m a little bit gaulded; I paid 10 bucks in advance for the internet there, just our luck. This week we are writing at a different time and different day, but still, it's closed. Still, because it's the season of thankfulness, I'm 1) thankful for the opportunity to communicate almost instantly with all of you , 2) and I am thankful to have a subject to start the letter with (its always tough, should I always just say, yet another week, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah.
Not just a CTMissionary, not a Trainee, a true, blue, died in the wool missionary of the church of Jesus Christ! Today is the 6 week mark. The first transfer and today is the day I become a junior companion!
This week I had my first official holiday away from home, Thanksgiving, usually my favorite of all the holidays. We started the day of as normal, and, because it was Thursday went to Elder and Sister Baird´s house for our weekly district meeting and the meeting with the branch president. Its kind of funny, the district consists of me, and my companion, the district leader, and the Baird´s. So it would be hard to call it a meeting, more like a casual chat around a table. Especially because the… older couple likes to chat about every single subject…which, is fantastic, we love them. Then, after the meeting, which should last an hour, but usually lasts 2 hours (if you catch my drift) we have the weekly meeting with the branch president… Elder Baird J Sometimes I feel like we are just going around in circles.
So, this Thursday, once we had completed our two meetings we had the opportunity to celebrate the greatest American holiday ever, with Americans! Sister Baird made it all, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, etc, etc. She bought a chicken (the kind you can buy at Albertsons for 6 bucks) It was delicious, and rolls. Then we had ice cream and strawberries for desert. Yummy! Food makes me so nostalgic… Sometimes I think, I eat to live, but other times I think I live to eat…
After the yummy dinner things took a turn for the worse. Elder Abdo (my comp) elder Baird, and I went knocking doors of inactive members. But the problem was that's all we did. Knock doors… nobody was at home. Summer is just about in full swing here, and everyone is doing last things to make their city as inviting as possible for the tourists.
Elder Baird sure is a good guy, he´s 70 years old, and loves the lord so much he will do anything to move the work forward. And his wife, is just as bubbly as can be, her Portuguese is terrible, (in reality better then mine) but her hug is genuine (something I can't do) they both remind me just like Grandma T and Grandpa T.
So anyway, if the food sister Baird made for us wasn´t enough to make me feel at home, the cleaning at the chapel we did Saturday was. From 9:00- 4:00 about 15 of the most faithful members came to the church house to clean it up. The grass (mostly weeds) was 1 foot high, the couches had mold on them, wires were hanging loose (read on and you will hear more about the wires)
So we cleaned, and it felt so good to get me hands dirty. I seriously am starting to get girly hands, at least my left hand, my right hand has been saved somewhat by the simple practice of shaking hands (I bet I shake 60 hands every day)
O course, I chose to help outside, with the grass, weeds, power washing off the gate, etc. I pulled weeds, and mowed the lawn with a little 1 foot wide electric lawnmower and electric weed eater; they were actually pretty pathetic. But you do what you need to do using what you have to use.
Others, including my companion stayed inside and put coverings over the speaker wires to hide them better, before, they were just hanging from the walls and ceilings (every structure that is erected here is made of cheap, very cheesy red clay bricks, then slapped with cement, hence, they cannot hide any electricity or pipes.) So, Elder Baird bought some coverings that can stick to the walls; unbeknownst to me, they actually stuck them to the walls, with just that double stick tape stuff. I learned from sad experience that this stuff doesn't work, from the plastic sheeting in the shop falling down, and the next day, that's exactly what happened at the chapel, they fell down, three times. Once, sometime during the night, twice in-between class and sacrament meeting, and a third time, just when Elder Abdo was making the main point in his talk.
So Sunday, was another awesome day. I am now assigned to be the teacher of the principles of the gospel class every Sunday, so, needless to say, I was preparing for it Sunday morning. On the way to church we went to the house of a 14 year old named Denifer (Jennifer) so she could walk with us to church. We arrived, to find the Dogs (which are my favorite part of Brazil… not) had gotten into all the trash we had set on the sidewalk the previous day from the clean-up. After that was cleaned up, and the fallen wires fixed we headed upstairs for a special class to be given by Elder Baird about food storage and budgeting money. By this time we had 4 investigators with us, so we both had pretty big smiles on our faces. Karen (the daughter who´s dad died of cancer…she is now coming every week) Denifer, and an older couple we have been trying to get to come for 6 weeks named Zilco and Nelí. Elder Baird started, and the room just kept filling up. Célia and Edson, two other investigators showed up (my favorite… missionaries can have favorites, grandparents Cant.J) and various other members.
The lesson and the content were overall fairly good. I would have been perfectly happy about it if I didn't have 6 investigators whom I was trying to impress, and if the lesson hadn't gone for nearly 2 hours (remember about Elder Baird??? He likes to talk, Gosh bless himJ)
So, because of the long windedness of elder baird I didn't have to give my lesson, we just went straight to sacrament meeting, there we found 3 more of our investigators, a mom, Terezinha, daughter, Aline and son, Daniel, bringing the grand total to 9. At this point I was praying for one heck of a sacrament meeting…to impress the investigators. Sacrament started, and wouldn't you know? No speakers!!! Brazilians have the phrase, poís eh, which I think means, go figure. So, Elder Abdo and a member were asked to give impromptu speeches. Everything ended up working out; I think all the investigators ended up loving it. The spirit made up for anything that was lacking. And despite the nerve racking 2 hour class of elder Baird, and falling wires and no speakers in sacrament meeting nobody could wipe the smiles off of Elder Abdo and Mine faces. We had 9 investigators (we think an overall record, at least in recent years,) and a family of inactives. Overall bringing the grand total of 31 people in attendance.
Side note. There are some Brazilians over in the corner playing guitar hero… so right… take it easy….
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: This week I have been thinking a lot about blessings. Actually what is the definition of blessings? For one to have success in this life? To not have any problems? Be happy? These may be the type of blessings desired, but this isn´t always the type blessings come in. We are blessed by God giving us an opportunity to progress and become better people, in whatever form that may be-- learning and struggling in Portuguese, cancer, no snowJ, We do not know the thoughts of God (Isaiah 58: 18-19, Helaman 4: 9) we do not know how we are being blessed, so we must trust in God (Proverbs 3:5) trust that he is caring for us, doing what is best for us. Remember, the actual thing in which we are cursing could be the one blessing we asked for sent from God.
Love you all!!!
I´LL PRAY FOR SNOW!
Jacob
I´m sitting in a crowded computer/ video game café. For the second week in a row our beloved, quiet, fast computer, cool, internet café is closed. I´m a little bit gaulded; I paid 10 bucks in advance for the internet there, just our luck. This week we are writing at a different time and different day, but still, it's closed. Still, because it's the season of thankfulness, I'm 1) thankful for the opportunity to communicate almost instantly with all of you , 2) and I am thankful to have a subject to start the letter with (its always tough, should I always just say, yet another week, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah.
Not just a CTMissionary, not a Trainee, a true, blue, died in the wool missionary of the church of Jesus Christ! Today is the 6 week mark. The first transfer and today is the day I become a junior companion!
This week I had my first official holiday away from home, Thanksgiving, usually my favorite of all the holidays. We started the day of as normal, and, because it was Thursday went to Elder and Sister Baird´s house for our weekly district meeting and the meeting with the branch president. Its kind of funny, the district consists of me, and my companion, the district leader, and the Baird´s. So it would be hard to call it a meeting, more like a casual chat around a table. Especially because the… older couple likes to chat about every single subject…which, is fantastic, we love them. Then, after the meeting, which should last an hour, but usually lasts 2 hours (if you catch my drift) we have the weekly meeting with the branch president… Elder Baird J Sometimes I feel like we are just going around in circles.
So, this Thursday, once we had completed our two meetings we had the opportunity to celebrate the greatest American holiday ever, with Americans! Sister Baird made it all, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, etc, etc. She bought a chicken (the kind you can buy at Albertsons for 6 bucks) It was delicious, and rolls. Then we had ice cream and strawberries for desert. Yummy! Food makes me so nostalgic… Sometimes I think, I eat to live, but other times I think I live to eat…
After the yummy dinner things took a turn for the worse. Elder Abdo (my comp) elder Baird, and I went knocking doors of inactive members. But the problem was that's all we did. Knock doors… nobody was at home. Summer is just about in full swing here, and everyone is doing last things to make their city as inviting as possible for the tourists.
Elder Baird sure is a good guy, he´s 70 years old, and loves the lord so much he will do anything to move the work forward. And his wife, is just as bubbly as can be, her Portuguese is terrible, (in reality better then mine) but her hug is genuine (something I can't do) they both remind me just like Grandma T and Grandpa T.
So anyway, if the food sister Baird made for us wasn´t enough to make me feel at home, the cleaning at the chapel we did Saturday was. From 9:00- 4:00 about 15 of the most faithful members came to the church house to clean it up. The grass (mostly weeds) was 1 foot high, the couches had mold on them, wires were hanging loose (read on and you will hear more about the wires)
So we cleaned, and it felt so good to get me hands dirty. I seriously am starting to get girly hands, at least my left hand, my right hand has been saved somewhat by the simple practice of shaking hands (I bet I shake 60 hands every day)
O course, I chose to help outside, with the grass, weeds, power washing off the gate, etc. I pulled weeds, and mowed the lawn with a little 1 foot wide electric lawnmower and electric weed eater; they were actually pretty pathetic. But you do what you need to do using what you have to use.
Others, including my companion stayed inside and put coverings over the speaker wires to hide them better, before, they were just hanging from the walls and ceilings (every structure that is erected here is made of cheap, very cheesy red clay bricks, then slapped with cement, hence, they cannot hide any electricity or pipes.) So, Elder Baird bought some coverings that can stick to the walls; unbeknownst to me, they actually stuck them to the walls, with just that double stick tape stuff. I learned from sad experience that this stuff doesn't work, from the plastic sheeting in the shop falling down, and the next day, that's exactly what happened at the chapel, they fell down, three times. Once, sometime during the night, twice in-between class and sacrament meeting, and a third time, just when Elder Abdo was making the main point in his talk.
So Sunday, was another awesome day. I am now assigned to be the teacher of the principles of the gospel class every Sunday, so, needless to say, I was preparing for it Sunday morning. On the way to church we went to the house of a 14 year old named Denifer (Jennifer) so she could walk with us to church. We arrived, to find the Dogs (which are my favorite part of Brazil… not) had gotten into all the trash we had set on the sidewalk the previous day from the clean-up. After that was cleaned up, and the fallen wires fixed we headed upstairs for a special class to be given by Elder Baird about food storage and budgeting money. By this time we had 4 investigators with us, so we both had pretty big smiles on our faces. Karen (the daughter who´s dad died of cancer…she is now coming every week) Denifer, and an older couple we have been trying to get to come for 6 weeks named Zilco and Nelí. Elder Baird started, and the room just kept filling up. Célia and Edson, two other investigators showed up (my favorite… missionaries can have favorites, grandparents Cant.J) and various other members.
The lesson and the content were overall fairly good. I would have been perfectly happy about it if I didn't have 6 investigators whom I was trying to impress, and if the lesson hadn't gone for nearly 2 hours (remember about Elder Baird??? He likes to talk, Gosh bless himJ)
So, because of the long windedness of elder baird I didn't have to give my lesson, we just went straight to sacrament meeting, there we found 3 more of our investigators, a mom, Terezinha, daughter, Aline and son, Daniel, bringing the grand total to 9. At this point I was praying for one heck of a sacrament meeting…to impress the investigators. Sacrament started, and wouldn't you know? No speakers!!! Brazilians have the phrase, poís eh, which I think means, go figure. So, Elder Abdo and a member were asked to give impromptu speeches. Everything ended up working out; I think all the investigators ended up loving it. The spirit made up for anything that was lacking. And despite the nerve racking 2 hour class of elder Baird, and falling wires and no speakers in sacrament meeting nobody could wipe the smiles off of Elder Abdo and Mine faces. We had 9 investigators (we think an overall record, at least in recent years,) and a family of inactives. Overall bringing the grand total of 31 people in attendance.
Side note. There are some Brazilians over in the corner playing guitar hero… so right… take it easy….
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: This week I have been thinking a lot about blessings. Actually what is the definition of blessings? For one to have success in this life? To not have any problems? Be happy? These may be the type of blessings desired, but this isn´t always the type blessings come in. We are blessed by God giving us an opportunity to progress and become better people, in whatever form that may be-- learning and struggling in Portuguese, cancer, no snowJ, We do not know the thoughts of God (Isaiah 58: 18-19, Helaman 4: 9) we do not know how we are being blessed, so we must trust in God (Proverbs 3:5) trust that he is caring for us, doing what is best for us. Remember, the actual thing in which we are cursing could be the one blessing we asked for sent from God.
Love you all!!!
I´LL PRAY FOR SNOW!
Jacob
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
"Sometimes I wonder how I would have accepted the gospel if two strangers in white shirts and ties came and Bataram meu porta…."
Dear Family,
1 more week down, boy, are they going fast! Each one seems to speed up. Right now I'm sitting in a different internet café then we usually spend the majority of our p-day in, and its driving me nuts. I am not used to this keyboard so typing is lots slower, there's cartoons playing in the background and a dumb ´system error´ warning sign keeps popping up on the screen, but all is well, since it is almost thanksgiving I will say I'm thankful to even have a computer and be able to write home... and thankful I have people to read and respond back to my letters.
Attached is a video and summery of this last weeks highlights, but since were in a different internet café they don't have the right program to open it, so I hope it will work, if it doesn't here's what to do, you can at least listen to the summery. Download, click ´choose a program´, and then choose windows media player this should work.
The little girls name is cammille. She is our next door neighbor and every day, when we are eating breakfast, or at night when planning she will come and set up camp next to our door, bring a chair (becuase she cant enter our apartment) stuffed animals, table, etc and talk to us (or mostly to my companion) Her personality is hilarious! the first day i met her she said You have a ugly sounding voice... brother. I would give anything though to be able to speak like her. I would have her voice, and trade!
I think I will start doing this if it works this week because I am really getting tired of writing…. And at the end of P-day each week I forget my Portuguese from thinking and writing in English.
Every day this week it has rained, rain, rain, rain. I´ll tell you, I am gaining a testimony in the Flood during Noah´s time. I appreciate his sacrifice for us, 40 days of constant rain; it must have been dumping buckets constantly! I guess it could always be worse…or better. I´ve pictured what would happen if it was 30 degrees cooler… yummy!
As I said in my video card this week I gave my first talk in Portuguese. It was actually pretty good, at least it sounded good in my mind, and the thoughts I had were good, I don't know what percentage of it the people received. But I was pleased. I just had faith and tried my hardest, and asked the spirit to help me communicate to them. It was on this earth life. How to make the most out of it, basically the country song if your going through hell keep on going sums it up, of course I didn't use this song in my talk, but I probably could have, no kidding, the people here know American songs, artists, etc better then I do. It's actually pretty frustrating, I never thought any of this information would be of any value so; to tell you the truth I never tried to learn names of artists and songs.
The food is good, because there's usually lots of it. Always beans, rice a side of carne, sausage or chicken, and then noodles. As long as there's a lot, I really don't care what it is. For snacks during the day I either eat jerky and dried apples (thank you mom, Rhett, etc) but I try to conserve them, or cookies. Cookies are a big thing down here; they sell them in one roll, anywhere from $.50- $2.00. I get the ones for .50 (which is actually .20 American dollars, they are yummy! Just about like Oreos. I haven't experienced much of any new food (that I know of) who knows, I could have eaten dog or something, but I don't think so. Mostly people just stick to the life sustaining foods…beans and rice. Which I am stumped why rice? Do they even grow rice in Brazil? They have two kinds of milk here, one kind in a box, like powdered milk already mixed on the shelves yuuuck! And another, like we buy, but lots better (I think its whole milk) the hamburger here is delicious as well; they literally grind up pure steak, $7 a kilo, 3.50 American dollars. Other then that, it thinks, like the United States Brazil is a melting pot and doesn't have any food it is known for (like Italy, noodles, Mexico, tacos)
One investigator family I didn't mention in my video card are the ancients, Mara is the wife. They are farmers, about 10 miles out of town, so we have to ride a bus to teach them. We received a media referral (she called and asked for a finding faith in Christ video) we took it to her. Her Daughter had just died 1 month prayer, so she was looking for some comfort. We taught her the second lesson (plan of salvation) that lesson, by far is the hardest because it has past tense, future tense, and present tense. (By the way, Portuguese has 20 different ways (that I know of) to say `do´ how many does English have?) Anyway, she really liked it, and throughout the lesson people just kept coming and coming. Come to find out, 5 families live within 400 yards of each other, they all grow patánga trees. It is a real testimony builder to see people listening with all there might, asking questions and really being interested in our lesson. Sometimes I wonder how I would have accepted the gospel if two strangers in white shirts and ties came and Bataram meu porta….
I also mentioned in my video card an investigator by then name of Edson and him mom Celá. This is my first contact that we are actually teaching and who are actually accepting the gospel. Out of the 3 different families we invited to family home evening (every week we have it, either at the couple missionaries apartment, or a members house) Edson, the 16 year old son was the only one to show up. He will be a GOOD missionary! Anyway, we had strawberry shortcake and broccoli casserole. Two of my favorite foods!!! The tender mercies of the lord…
Spiritual Thought: As also was mentioned in my video card, our branch is tiny! 20 people max, it has been shut down 6 times in the last 20 years, so needless to say it is struggling. I think the branch has 2 problems, but really one, because the second problem evolved out of the first. The members view the gospel as an obligation! They feel obligated to attend church, do service, etc, etc. We have a Saturday clean up this week at the church. When we invited on recent convert named Margarida, she said I already did my part. Don't be like this. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ! How blessed we are to have the restored gospel, have the knowledge, have the health, have the means, rights and freedom, recourses, etc, etc, to return to our Heavenly Father. Don't take it for GRANTED. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it is an opportunity and a blessing, not an obligation.
Second problem is us! The Americans, we are being imperialists! Enforcing our ideals, opinion, etc. We are on the same continent, but a different country with a different people. Elder Baird, Sister Baird (of Provo) and I all feel obligated to teach them how to do sacrament. I think if we only teach them the things necessary, doctrine, etc, then step back and teach them how to fish rather then constantly fish for them then the whole problem will be fixed. I already talked to the senior couple (me and my big mouth) and I think we are going to take a step back. Maybe they will view the gospel as an opportunity more when they have an opportunity to stretch their wings and exercise their faith a little….but on the other hand, does it mean when a talk is assigned and we don't have anyone to fill in we speak? There's a fine line. any ideas would be appreciated.
Anyway, my wrists are tired, because of the weird position; Love you all, may the lord bless you for another 7 days… More specifically bless you with some SNOW! You poor suckers….
Elder Thatcher
1 more week down, boy, are they going fast! Each one seems to speed up. Right now I'm sitting in a different internet café then we usually spend the majority of our p-day in, and its driving me nuts. I am not used to this keyboard so typing is lots slower, there's cartoons playing in the background and a dumb ´system error´ warning sign keeps popping up on the screen, but all is well, since it is almost thanksgiving I will say I'm thankful to even have a computer and be able to write home... and thankful I have people to read and respond back to my letters.
Attached is a video and summery of this last weeks highlights, but since were in a different internet café they don't have the right program to open it, so I hope it will work, if it doesn't here's what to do, you can at least listen to the summery. Download, click ´choose a program´, and then choose windows media player this should work.
The little girls name is cammille. She is our next door neighbor and every day, when we are eating breakfast, or at night when planning she will come and set up camp next to our door, bring a chair (becuase she cant enter our apartment) stuffed animals, table, etc and talk to us (or mostly to my companion) Her personality is hilarious! the first day i met her she said You have a ugly sounding voice... brother. I would give anything though to be able to speak like her. I would have her voice, and trade!
I think I will start doing this if it works this week because I am really getting tired of writing…. And at the end of P-day each week I forget my Portuguese from thinking and writing in English.
Every day this week it has rained, rain, rain, rain. I´ll tell you, I am gaining a testimony in the Flood during Noah´s time. I appreciate his sacrifice for us, 40 days of constant rain; it must have been dumping buckets constantly! I guess it could always be worse…or better. I´ve pictured what would happen if it was 30 degrees cooler… yummy!
As I said in my video card this week I gave my first talk in Portuguese. It was actually pretty good, at least it sounded good in my mind, and the thoughts I had were good, I don't know what percentage of it the people received. But I was pleased. I just had faith and tried my hardest, and asked the spirit to help me communicate to them. It was on this earth life. How to make the most out of it, basically the country song if your going through hell keep on going sums it up, of course I didn't use this song in my talk, but I probably could have, no kidding, the people here know American songs, artists, etc better then I do. It's actually pretty frustrating, I never thought any of this information would be of any value so; to tell you the truth I never tried to learn names of artists and songs.
The food is good, because there's usually lots of it. Always beans, rice a side of carne, sausage or chicken, and then noodles. As long as there's a lot, I really don't care what it is. For snacks during the day I either eat jerky and dried apples (thank you mom, Rhett, etc) but I try to conserve them, or cookies. Cookies are a big thing down here; they sell them in one roll, anywhere from $.50- $2.00. I get the ones for .50 (which is actually .20 American dollars, they are yummy! Just about like Oreos. I haven't experienced much of any new food (that I know of) who knows, I could have eaten dog or something, but I don't think so. Mostly people just stick to the life sustaining foods…beans and rice. Which I am stumped why rice? Do they even grow rice in Brazil? They have two kinds of milk here, one kind in a box, like powdered milk already mixed on the shelves yuuuck! And another, like we buy, but lots better (I think its whole milk) the hamburger here is delicious as well; they literally grind up pure steak, $7 a kilo, 3.50 American dollars. Other then that, it thinks, like the United States Brazil is a melting pot and doesn't have any food it is known for (like Italy, noodles, Mexico, tacos)
One investigator family I didn't mention in my video card are the ancients, Mara is the wife. They are farmers, about 10 miles out of town, so we have to ride a bus to teach them. We received a media referral (she called and asked for a finding faith in Christ video) we took it to her. Her Daughter had just died 1 month prayer, so she was looking for some comfort. We taught her the second lesson (plan of salvation) that lesson, by far is the hardest because it has past tense, future tense, and present tense. (By the way, Portuguese has 20 different ways (that I know of) to say `do´ how many does English have?) Anyway, she really liked it, and throughout the lesson people just kept coming and coming. Come to find out, 5 families live within 400 yards of each other, they all grow patánga trees. It is a real testimony builder to see people listening with all there might, asking questions and really being interested in our lesson. Sometimes I wonder how I would have accepted the gospel if two strangers in white shirts and ties came and Bataram meu porta….
I also mentioned in my video card an investigator by then name of Edson and him mom Celá. This is my first contact that we are actually teaching and who are actually accepting the gospel. Out of the 3 different families we invited to family home evening (every week we have it, either at the couple missionaries apartment, or a members house) Edson, the 16 year old son was the only one to show up. He will be a GOOD missionary! Anyway, we had strawberry shortcake and broccoli casserole. Two of my favorite foods!!! The tender mercies of the lord…
Spiritual Thought: As also was mentioned in my video card, our branch is tiny! 20 people max, it has been shut down 6 times in the last 20 years, so needless to say it is struggling. I think the branch has 2 problems, but really one, because the second problem evolved out of the first. The members view the gospel as an obligation! They feel obligated to attend church, do service, etc, etc. We have a Saturday clean up this week at the church. When we invited on recent convert named Margarida, she said I already did my part. Don't be like this. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ! How blessed we are to have the restored gospel, have the knowledge, have the health, have the means, rights and freedom, recourses, etc, etc, to return to our Heavenly Father. Don't take it for GRANTED. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it is an opportunity and a blessing, not an obligation.
Second problem is us! The Americans, we are being imperialists! Enforcing our ideals, opinion, etc. We are on the same continent, but a different country with a different people. Elder Baird, Sister Baird (of Provo) and I all feel obligated to teach them how to do sacrament. I think if we only teach them the things necessary, doctrine, etc, then step back and teach them how to fish rather then constantly fish for them then the whole problem will be fixed. I already talked to the senior couple (me and my big mouth) and I think we are going to take a step back. Maybe they will view the gospel as an opportunity more when they have an opportunity to stretch their wings and exercise their faith a little….but on the other hand, does it mean when a talk is assigned and we don't have anyone to fill in we speak? There's a fine line. any ideas would be appreciated.
Anyway, my wrists are tired, because of the weird position; Love you all, may the lord bless you for another 7 days… More specifically bless you with some SNOW! You poor suckers….
Elder Thatcher
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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11/18/2008--"GOSPEL IS TRUE...TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING...LIVE EACH MOMENT LIKE IT'S THE LAST, FOR YOU AND FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU."
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderjthatcher@myldsmail.net>
Date: Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Subject: Letter from Elder Thatcher 11/18/2008
To: kni07001@byui.edu, wes07006@byui.edu, suzysumm@gmail.com
Dear Family,
Yet another week. Boy are they flying by! What is this, my 4th or 5th pday as a real missionary? Life is good, the gospel is true, and people are accepting it, however slowly, they are accepting it. Has been an interesting week, every day is different, you wouldn't think so doing the same thing every day, but it is. We encounter new people, learn a million new things, and figure out ways to do things a little better.
Today for example, I got to attend an Interrena, or the U.S equivalent of a graveside burial. Was very very interesting, you can learn A LOT about a culture and about a people by visiting their cemeteries. I sent pictures, hope you all received. It was very intriguing. The dad of one of our prime investigators died yesterday of 5 or 6 different types of cancers. One being stomach. He had been suffering for a month or so, and needless to say, he was in pain, so it was good that he went, and hopefully we and slim knowledge of the gospel was able to help them. The divorced mom, Karen 24, and Gabriella, 9. As you can see from the pictures they bury everyone above ground, don't ask me why… the water table isn't that high. Just culture and tradition. The houses these people are buried in are nicer then the ones the people live in. almost like King Tut and his tomb… seriously!
Yesterday we went to the equivalent of an Irish ´Wake´ or a Verlarou. Where you sit and watch the person for 24 hours to make sure he is really dead. We attended for about an hour and a half. Was so empty, hollow. Just a small room, with a fan on full blast and bible sayings written all over the walls, a real testimony to me that w have it the best, cause we have the truthfulness of the gospel.
Think how hard it must be for the 9 year old Gabriella. It was so sad to watch her cry. The mom, of the guy that died (Joao) was morning and wailing, just like the scene in the other Side of Heaven! Under different circumstances it would have been quite hilarious. Get this, this is what was the most hilarious, he was buried in an International jersey!!! And the flag over his casket was an international flag. This is the big ´Gaucho´ soccer team down here.
Again, we have the truth! My companion and I are teaching a bunch of potentially good members. We have had a very successful week. We taught 1 guy named Gabriel who is a mechanic for the local bus company. Very sweet, he did his homework and read the little pamphlet we gave him last week. When my companion recited the first vision he was saying it with him! Anyway, when explaining about the book of Mormon he asked can I have one? Only problem is his family is that excited, but he has a cute little family, 3 small kids.
Elder Harding at the CTM was always bouncing off the walls (literally) this one is exactly the opposite. He is way slow, easy going and patient. Which is good for me to learn. Sometimes I am too hyperactive. Dad always used to say, Patience is a virtue… Tough though, a different personality; that is the amazing bonus about a mission I'm starting to figure out, you learn how to live with so many different people, you learn what you like and don't like. Make it easier picking out a wife!
Another funny thing (not really at the time) was the ride to and from our district conference (your equivalent of stake conference) everyone is poor, including me, and of course, we have a two hour drive to the conference. We so happened to get assigned to ride with the counselor (Marciono) to elder Baird (branch president) in their little car smaller then Miki´s car. He reminds me EXACTLY of Kelly Thompson at the High School, or so infamously called KT. He, along with his 70 year old wife was dragging along their 2 grandkids, Juliana, 6 and Santiago, 3. So 6 of us were scrunched in this little car for 2 hours each way. And guess who sat next to the 2 kids? Me! Of course, being me, I slept on the way their. But on the way back, didn't get the privilege. I entertained Santiago the whole way home. They helped me open my package (Christmas presents, etc) that I received at the meeting, to say the least I had to use all of my skills to entertain them. Santiago reminded me of Jett, wild and funny…
by the way, as I've mentioned in other emails, these roads here put every other road I've every driven on in the states to shame. They are SO ruff.
This Sunday, we will have church in our little casa; hopefully we can get some people to come for a change. It's tough. ALWAYS take advantage of your meetings. Go to everyone. You're making the people that planned it happy, you're receiving blessings and learning and you're making the Lord happy. So here's my advice for the week. Take advantage of everything. Live every moment like it's the last, for you and for the people around you.
Love you all, until next week. Jacob
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderjthatcher@myldsmail.net>
Date: Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Subject: Letter from Elder Thatcher 11/18/2008
To: kni07001@byui.edu, wes07006@byui.edu, suzysumm@gmail.com
Dear Family,
Yet another week. Boy are they flying by! What is this, my 4th or 5th pday as a real missionary? Life is good, the gospel is true, and people are accepting it, however slowly, they are accepting it. Has been an interesting week, every day is different, you wouldn't think so doing the same thing every day, but it is. We encounter new people, learn a million new things, and figure out ways to do things a little better.
Today for example, I got to attend an Interrena, or the U.S equivalent of a graveside burial. Was very very interesting, you can learn A LOT about a culture and about a people by visiting their cemeteries. I sent pictures, hope you all received. It was very intriguing. The dad of one of our prime investigators died yesterday of 5 or 6 different types of cancers. One being stomach. He had been suffering for a month or so, and needless to say, he was in pain, so it was good that he went, and hopefully we and slim knowledge of the gospel was able to help them. The divorced mom, Karen 24, and Gabriella, 9. As you can see from the pictures they bury everyone above ground, don't ask me why… the water table isn't that high. Just culture and tradition. The houses these people are buried in are nicer then the ones the people live in. almost like King Tut and his tomb… seriously!
Yesterday we went to the equivalent of an Irish ´Wake´ or a Verlarou. Where you sit and watch the person for 24 hours to make sure he is really dead. We attended for about an hour and a half. Was so empty, hollow. Just a small room, with a fan on full blast and bible sayings written all over the walls, a real testimony to me that w have it the best, cause we have the truthfulness of the gospel.
Think how hard it must be for the 9 year old Gabriella. It was so sad to watch her cry. The mom, of the guy that died (Joao) was morning and wailing, just like the scene in the other Side of Heaven! Under different circumstances it would have been quite hilarious. Get this, this is what was the most hilarious, he was buried in an International jersey!!! And the flag over his casket was an international flag. This is the big ´Gaucho´ soccer team down here.
Again, we have the truth! My companion and I are teaching a bunch of potentially good members. We have had a very successful week. We taught 1 guy named Gabriel who is a mechanic for the local bus company. Very sweet, he did his homework and read the little pamphlet we gave him last week. When my companion recited the first vision he was saying it with him! Anyway, when explaining about the book of Mormon he asked can I have one? Only problem is his family is that excited, but he has a cute little family, 3 small kids.
Elder Harding at the CTM was always bouncing off the walls (literally) this one is exactly the opposite. He is way slow, easy going and patient. Which is good for me to learn. Sometimes I am too hyperactive. Dad always used to say, Patience is a virtue… Tough though, a different personality; that is the amazing bonus about a mission I'm starting to figure out, you learn how to live with so many different people, you learn what you like and don't like. Make it easier picking out a wife!
Another funny thing (not really at the time) was the ride to and from our district conference (your equivalent of stake conference) everyone is poor, including me, and of course, we have a two hour drive to the conference. We so happened to get assigned to ride with the counselor (Marciono) to elder Baird (branch president) in their little car smaller then Miki´s car. He reminds me EXACTLY of Kelly Thompson at the High School, or so infamously called KT. He, along with his 70 year old wife was dragging along their 2 grandkids, Juliana, 6 and Santiago, 3. So 6 of us were scrunched in this little car for 2 hours each way. And guess who sat next to the 2 kids? Me! Of course, being me, I slept on the way their. But on the way back, didn't get the privilege. I entertained Santiago the whole way home. They helped me open my package (Christmas presents, etc) that I received at the meeting, to say the least I had to use all of my skills to entertain them. Santiago reminded me of Jett, wild and funny…
by the way, as I've mentioned in other emails, these roads here put every other road I've every driven on in the states to shame. They are SO ruff.
This Sunday, we will have church in our little casa; hopefully we can get some people to come for a change. It's tough. ALWAYS take advantage of your meetings. Go to everyone. You're making the people that planned it happy, you're receiving blessings and learning and you're making the Lord happy. So here's my advice for the week. Take advantage of everything. Live every moment like it's the last, for you and for the people around you.
Love you all, until next week. Jacob
=
+Brazil+Funeral+6.jpg)
+Brazil+Funeral+4.jpg)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
"aussisitaro" NOT resusitaro' "Before olive oil is pressed it is red and bitter. It is only during the refining process...it turns pure, clear,sweet"
Dear Family and Friends,
I had one funny experience this week, we were walking down the street, my comp and I, making street contacts. There was a VERY attractive woman, in her early 20´s. I’m gun-shy (as you all know) and being overly cautious, chose not to approach her. My companion on the other hand did, and was successful in getting her address (to teach of course) Well, as we were walking away, I felt I needed to explain why I did not approach her. Let me pause here to give all of you a little side note about the difficulties of speaking a foreign language (at least at first) you first think of what to want to say in English, then translate it in the Portuguese. This requires about twice the brain work of just saying it. So anyway I did this, translating what I wanted to say into Portuguese to explain to Elder Abdo. What I wanted to say was… I did not talk to here because she was pretty and I was scared. Só I commenced translating. Eu não falei com Ela porque, Ela e bonita, e eu estava ____ ...
I got this far in the translating. And didn’t know how to say scared. Finally I thought I remembered and said resusitaro which means SEXUALLY EXCITED. I meant to say aussisitaro, or scared. So I ended up saying I didn’t speak with her because she was pretty and I was sexually excited. Anyway, that’s my blunder for the week.
Saturday we went on an hour bus ride along the coast to a small village named Rio do Sul to eat lunch with a member, it was the bumpiest ride I ever had in my life. We were going down dirt roads a million miles an hour in theis Mercedes bus, bouncing all over the place. People sure don’t treat there cars and equipment good here.
Another thing, to those of you who gave me…crap about drinking Mate. I want to say a big HAH! Down here everyone has it. At night you can walk down the street, and ¾ of the people will be on their porch with a big thermos of water and their Mate gourd. I would like to correct a few people. Believe it or not, the actual drink is not called Mate that is just the dry, green stuff. Once you add water it is Chimarrõa. So anyway, so, that is one tender mercy of the Lord I have found down here. I can drink all the chimarrõa I want. Believe it or not, no tea is against the word of wisdom down here except for black tea. Pretty cool eh? Another drink I love is their runny yogurt. They have 1 liter bottles for 1,42. Or about $.80. In the U.S they have a similar thing, you can buy in health food stores, we used to buy it Kiechy???
Well, time to go play on the beach… don’t worry, not in the water. Love you all. Ill gives some personal experiences next week!
An interesting fact: As was my last spiritual thought about Christ, so will this one be also. I have been studying about this. Porque? Isn’t this the center of the gospel? So this is an extension of the last letter. The Garden of Gethsemane was known for a place of pressing olives. Christ himself was pressed here both physically and spiritually. He sweated blood from every pore and voluntarily paid the price for each of our sins.
Before olive oil is pressed it is red and bitter. It is only during the refining process of pressing the olives, being refined, that the olive oil turns pure, clear and sweet. So it is with us, so it was with god. Jesus took upon himself all the bitter sins of the world. The dirty, gruesome things, and through his agony he turned them into a sweet, beautiful thing called the atonement.
We are teaching a lot, the work is hard; we walk probably about 8 hours a day. But I have lots of time to think and study words. I want to express my feelings to these people SO much. I’m like a boiling pot of water. And the lid is the language barrier. Sometimes, I feel like the spirit lifts the lid a little bit for me, and relieves a little bit of the steam. But I think he likes me to stew, and try to lift the lid myself. One day I will be able to.
As for the success of the Spirit; there is a strong spirit here in Torres. The words I hear the most frequent among the Investigators are Tranquil and Calma. The hearts of the people are opening. I just hope my mouth can open as their hearts do.
I finally had a little bit of a courage breakthrough yesterday. Finally I said to myself, I am not going to care about everyone snickering when I talk, I’m preaching the true word of God! So I started talking a lot more. In doing so, I think I raised my hand to the spirit, saying, I need help! I feel like I am receiving more help now.
Until next week! Elder Thatcher
I had one funny experience this week, we were walking down the street, my comp and I, making street contacts. There was a VERY attractive woman, in her early 20´s. I’m gun-shy (as you all know) and being overly cautious, chose not to approach her. My companion on the other hand did, and was successful in getting her address (to teach of course) Well, as we were walking away, I felt I needed to explain why I did not approach her. Let me pause here to give all of you a little side note about the difficulties of speaking a foreign language (at least at first) you first think of what to want to say in English, then translate it in the Portuguese. This requires about twice the brain work of just saying it. So anyway I did this, translating what I wanted to say into Portuguese to explain to Elder Abdo. What I wanted to say was… I did not talk to here because she was pretty and I was scared. Só I commenced translating. Eu não falei com Ela porque, Ela e bonita, e eu estava ____ ...
I got this far in the translating. And didn’t know how to say scared. Finally I thought I remembered and said resusitaro which means SEXUALLY EXCITED. I meant to say aussisitaro, or scared. So I ended up saying I didn’t speak with her because she was pretty and I was sexually excited. Anyway, that’s my blunder for the week.
Saturday we went on an hour bus ride along the coast to a small village named Rio do Sul to eat lunch with a member, it was the bumpiest ride I ever had in my life. We were going down dirt roads a million miles an hour in theis Mercedes bus, bouncing all over the place. People sure don’t treat there cars and equipment good here.
Another thing, to those of you who gave me…crap about drinking Mate. I want to say a big HAH! Down here everyone has it. At night you can walk down the street, and ¾ of the people will be on their porch with a big thermos of water and their Mate gourd. I would like to correct a few people. Believe it or not, the actual drink is not called Mate that is just the dry, green stuff. Once you add water it is Chimarrõa. So anyway, so, that is one tender mercy of the Lord I have found down here. I can drink all the chimarrõa I want. Believe it or not, no tea is against the word of wisdom down here except for black tea. Pretty cool eh? Another drink I love is their runny yogurt. They have 1 liter bottles for 1,42. Or about $.80. In the U.S they have a similar thing, you can buy in health food stores, we used to buy it Kiechy???
Well, time to go play on the beach… don’t worry, not in the water. Love you all. Ill gives some personal experiences next week!
An interesting fact: As was my last spiritual thought about Christ, so will this one be also. I have been studying about this. Porque? Isn’t this the center of the gospel? So this is an extension of the last letter. The Garden of Gethsemane was known for a place of pressing olives. Christ himself was pressed here both physically and spiritually. He sweated blood from every pore and voluntarily paid the price for each of our sins.
Before olive oil is pressed it is red and bitter. It is only during the refining process of pressing the olives, being refined, that the olive oil turns pure, clear and sweet. So it is with us, so it was with god. Jesus took upon himself all the bitter sins of the world. The dirty, gruesome things, and through his agony he turned them into a sweet, beautiful thing called the atonement.
We are teaching a lot, the work is hard; we walk probably about 8 hours a day. But I have lots of time to think and study words. I want to express my feelings to these people SO much. I’m like a boiling pot of water. And the lid is the language barrier. Sometimes, I feel like the spirit lifts the lid a little bit for me, and relieves a little bit of the steam. But I think he likes me to stew, and try to lift the lid myself. One day I will be able to.
As for the success of the Spirit; there is a strong spirit here in Torres. The words I hear the most frequent among the Investigators are Tranquil and Calma. The hearts of the people are opening. I just hope my mouth can open as their hearts do.
I finally had a little bit of a courage breakthrough yesterday. Finally I said to myself, I am not going to care about everyone snickering when I talk, I’m preaching the true word of God! So I started talking a lot more. In doing so, I think I raised my hand to the spirit, saying, I need help! I feel like I am receiving more help now.
Until next week! Elder Thatcher
11/11/08 Letter to Matthew (Happy Bday), Micah (sprinkler syst/4 wheel), Mom (got jerky), Joshy (miss cookies), Hannah (Parkinson's field??)
Dear Matthew, All is going good. No, I haven’t played at the beach yet. They have a rule in the mission field where you can’t get in water past your ankles, so it’s kind of a bummer. But today, after I finish writing we are going to go to a really cool spot that overlooks the ocean and the city. I’m excited, but I really want to go swimming. Ya, I remember that time in Martha’s Vineyard, and Mexico. Remember the boogie boards we bought in Mexico? They have humongous waves here; I wish I could go bogie boarding! A couple days ago we were walking next to where a big river drains into the ocean. There were kite boarders (I think that’s what there called) they were on a surfboard and held onto a kite. They would catch the wind and ride into the river! It was way sweet. One day I want to do it.
So I guess it’s your birthday tomorrow! That’s sweet; sounds like you’ve already pretty much celebrated it. I wish I could have been there. I sent you my present last Thursday, so you should get it a week from this Thursday. Love you lots buddy!
Micah, sounds like all is going good. You’re getting in some action, maybe a couple shots, and some running (or are you) did you just go for the part that was work? Dragging them out? If so, sorry, I know how it is, you have to work your way up.
I have heard the story about Bill, that’s pretty funny. He sure is a cool guy.
Way to go with the sprinkler system and the four-wheeler. Sounds like you’re on top of things. I don’t have to worry. Everyone says that you’ve taken my place. That makes me happy and sad don’t get to comfortable! I’m doing good and learning a little bit each day. But I still have to use all my brain power just to formulate one little sentence. Maybe one day.
Mom, I received my packages! Thank you that are a ton of jerky! How did you persuade Rhett to give away that much! I just finished the two packages you sent me. What a treat. If I ration right I should have enough for the rest of my mission. All was in good shape except for two things. I did not receive Bishop DIcksons legand and all those little Halloween candies and somehow gotten wet and melted all over everything. But everything was in overall good shape considering coming 7000 miles. Who knows what kind of places that package has been! Yes I do know Dr Redd. He is a cool guy, one of my favorite doctors I mett up at the hospital. I could always remember his name easy because he has a very red face I did not know he lived north of the cemetery. Nice house? Elder Forsyth, the financial secretary is probably wishing he had such a loving family, he keeps receiving package after package. Just yesterday he called and said another package (Christmas) arrived is this true? You can send all letters to the address I enclosed to Caxias do Sul 8989, Praia Da Cal, Torres Rs, 95560-000. This way I will receive them fast, whereas when you send them to the mission office I won’t receive them until the next zone conference which is just before Christmas.
Yes I got to vote Marilyn Rasmussen helped me. Thanks. Congratulations obama is our new president. I think it will be good. The majority of the people like him down here. Of course Sam can borrow my book. I don’t know which book it is, but I assume it probabablly is the guide to backcountry in the Teton (or something like that) it is in the closet in the movie room where all the books go. (About eye level) My wart is all but better. A little tender, but in 2 weeks you won’t even be able to see any remnants of it. I am a 7. The language is driving me nuts! I want SO bad to speak my feelings. I will explain more in the large letter.
The breaker probably got flipped somehow, you probably already checked it but it’s by the front door of the shop right when you walk it, check to see if it’s tripped. If it isn’t good luck. You’ll need grandpa’s help. Love you a bunch! Jacob
Dear Joshy,
I always like to read your letters. They are always so funny and you leave me in suspense. I think I can guess what happened to Jett. So did he beller and cry and splash? Is he afraid of the water now? Of you? How did you end up in football? That’s funny about your arm, at least you caught it, I prob couldn’t have! Gearing up for winter? Has it snowed yet? How is school going? Sounds like your doing awesome and training hard? Love you bud, I miss your cookies, cakes etc!
Hannah! That’s sweet you were chosen athlete of the week. Way to go. I like the way you answered the interview questions, your plans and your likes. Sounds like your liking the hospital. Have you gotten a raise yet? It seems like years ago that I worked there, but it was actually only 3 months ago! Whats changed? Thanks for the letter dated oct 9th! You meat head! Was that parkinsons field? He´s a grouchy old guy. Hows it going with Sam? Keep me updated, I like to hear how my sisters life is going. By the way, you have about 20 brazillians down here that want to be my brother in law and 12 americans. Choose ye this day!
So I guess it’s your birthday tomorrow! That’s sweet; sounds like you’ve already pretty much celebrated it. I wish I could have been there. I sent you my present last Thursday, so you should get it a week from this Thursday. Love you lots buddy!
Micah, sounds like all is going good. You’re getting in some action, maybe a couple shots, and some running (or are you) did you just go for the part that was work? Dragging them out? If so, sorry, I know how it is, you have to work your way up.
I have heard the story about Bill, that’s pretty funny. He sure is a cool guy.
Way to go with the sprinkler system and the four-wheeler. Sounds like you’re on top of things. I don’t have to worry. Everyone says that you’ve taken my place. That makes me happy and sad don’t get to comfortable! I’m doing good and learning a little bit each day. But I still have to use all my brain power just to formulate one little sentence. Maybe one day.
Mom, I received my packages! Thank you that are a ton of jerky! How did you persuade Rhett to give away that much! I just finished the two packages you sent me. What a treat. If I ration right I should have enough for the rest of my mission. All was in good shape except for two things. I did not receive Bishop DIcksons legand and all those little Halloween candies and somehow gotten wet and melted all over everything. But everything was in overall good shape considering coming 7000 miles. Who knows what kind of places that package has been! Yes I do know Dr Redd. He is a cool guy, one of my favorite doctors I mett up at the hospital. I could always remember his name easy because he has a very red face I did not know he lived north of the cemetery. Nice house? Elder Forsyth, the financial secretary is probably wishing he had such a loving family, he keeps receiving package after package. Just yesterday he called and said another package (Christmas) arrived is this true? You can send all letters to the address I enclosed to Caxias do Sul 8989, Praia Da Cal, Torres Rs, 95560-000. This way I will receive them fast, whereas when you send them to the mission office I won’t receive them until the next zone conference which is just before Christmas.
Yes I got to vote Marilyn Rasmussen helped me. Thanks. Congratulations obama is our new president. I think it will be good. The majority of the people like him down here. Of course Sam can borrow my book. I don’t know which book it is, but I assume it probabablly is the guide to backcountry in the Teton (or something like that) it is in the closet in the movie room where all the books go. (About eye level) My wart is all but better. A little tender, but in 2 weeks you won’t even be able to see any remnants of it. I am a 7. The language is driving me nuts! I want SO bad to speak my feelings. I will explain more in the large letter.
The breaker probably got flipped somehow, you probably already checked it but it’s by the front door of the shop right when you walk it, check to see if it’s tripped. If it isn’t good luck. You’ll need grandpa’s help. Love you a bunch! Jacob
Dear Joshy,
I always like to read your letters. They are always so funny and you leave me in suspense. I think I can guess what happened to Jett. So did he beller and cry and splash? Is he afraid of the water now? Of you? How did you end up in football? That’s funny about your arm, at least you caught it, I prob couldn’t have! Gearing up for winter? Has it snowed yet? How is school going? Sounds like your doing awesome and training hard? Love you bud, I miss your cookies, cakes etc!
Hannah! That’s sweet you were chosen athlete of the week. Way to go. I like the way you answered the interview questions, your plans and your likes. Sounds like your liking the hospital. Have you gotten a raise yet? It seems like years ago that I worked there, but it was actually only 3 months ago! Whats changed? Thanks for the letter dated oct 9th! You meat head! Was that parkinsons field? He´s a grouchy old guy. Hows it going with Sam? Keep me updated, I like to hear how my sisters life is going. By the way, you have about 20 brazillians down here that want to be my brother in law and 12 americans. Choose ye this day!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
2ND LETTER FROM TORRES: "Our mission only baptizes 60% as much as the rest of Brazil, be assured we are working our butts off " :)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Subject: Fwd: Letter from Elder Thatcher
To: crazygr8@msn.com
From: suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Subject: Fwd: Letter from Elder Thatcher
To: crazygr8@msn.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderjthatcher@myldsmail.net>
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Subject: Letter from Elder Thatcher
To: suzysumm@gmail.com, kni07006@byui.edu, wes07006@byui.edu, suzy@ida.net, runmts@ida.net, dmhansen@ida.net, runmts@gmail.com, cliffhucker@gmail.com, gordon@beardstclair.com
Hello Family,
It's the week of November 4, about 2 1/2 months out on the mission. Everything is starting to fall together. I feel like i was thrown into a dirty, muddy pond and im FINALLY starting to drag myself out. im not cleaned up, still have mud, and every other imaginable thing on me, but I am at least out of the water. and guess what! i didnt drown! Hopefully the next 2 years i will be able to get to the shower and get cleaned up just in time to catch the plane home. :) Some of the mud, or frustration is my lack of sense of direction. It drives me nuts! i can tell you what direction we are going, easy, and sometimes retrace our steps, but everything looks the same, every house, street, e tc. and the street names never help. they're all screwed up, and the names--i can even say, let alone spell.
The language is coming better, slowly but surly. i am basically a baby. right now im 1 year old. taking in everything i possiblly can, not able to participate much, just kind of follow my companion around, laugh when he laughs and shake me fingure when he does (thats what people do to show the disapprove down here, shake their index fingure) and do my best to learn.
Our apartment is cleaned up pretty good. i spent the last 3 hours scrubbing the bathroom. its pretty nice, now...i'm sending a video of our apartment. i forgot to take a picture of the shower head. but it' s really is a sight to behold... next week.
Mistakes, mistakes. they say that in order to learn a language you have to make 500,000 mistakes. im getting close to that number. Last wednesday we ate at the 2nd counclers house, i had the message afterward. i can't remember what scripture i read, but it was about how we must have faith like nephi and lehi had to reach the promised land, and how the children of israel just had to look and live at the staff that moses was holding. Well, of course this was in portuguese. So, i explained, then at then end, i bore my testimony the best i could how we simply have to have enough faith to look and live. well, for every 1 word we have portugues as about 3 others. i used the wrong word for look. i used the verb to look like. which, unbeknownst to me is similar to die!!! of course, everyone, trying to look past my terriable accent thought i said Die. so we must have faith in order to DIE and live. Brother...
Another interesting thing that happened this week was my first divisions and zone conference. Wednesday my dearly beloved companion elder abdo left me until Friday, and i was stuck here in Torres with the zone leader. how am i supposed to navigate eand teach people in a city when i dont even know either! Luckily he (elder do nacimento) was nice and helpful and together we figured out what to do. Zone conference was interesting.
Friday morning, after 2 days flying solo (Just about) elder Do Nacimento and I got up at 5:00 to travel 4 hours to Porto Alegre. the ticket cost 40 reals, which pretty much broke me (i get reimbursed) Of course, I slept the entire way. i still dont know what the outskirts of my town look like :) Conference was good, everyone was nice, i saw elder davidson and cummock, from my old district in the CTM there, we compared our last week. For lunch, after the conference we all went to a place like chuck arama. i rammed the food down. as fast as it would go. then had interviews with the president. to make it short and sweet, he basically said, torres was on the verge of getting shut down (how can you blame him when 4 people show up for church) this gave us incentive to try to get the church stronger here. its just elder abdo and I, and elder and sister baird. so we have a lot of work to do. I feel like Lot, when the lord said if you can only find 5 people in the whole city of sodam i will not destroy it. The search is on!!!
After the interview we promptly jumped on the bus for 4 hours more of ridding on the roughest roads (even beats rexburgs) and 4 more hours of sleeping. Sleepiness, heat, rough roads and a full stomach are not a good combination. luckily i made it off the bus and into the apartment. but the next day and a half i wanted to throw up SO BAD. Some of you have expressed your complaints about the rain in rexburg. DONT EVEN START!! i've never seen it rain like it has here. once a week it will rain. and it doesnt stop for 7 days. :) lots and lots of rain.
The beach is way pretty here. the best i've ever seen. today, if i ever finish writting we will go explore a little bit. Ok, i have a testimony of the gospel. the work is hard. our mission only baptizes 60% as much as the rest of Brasil, be assured we are working our butts off. Most of the people are content with their evangelical or the catholic church, and are just hard, down to earth people. we've been praying, keeping the rules better, planning and working harder each day, and the lord is starting to bless us with succsess. friday a guy stopped us in the road and actually made an appointment with us! yesturday we taught him and his wife. she took notes the whole time, spirit was felt, etc; etc.
Read Luke 22:39-44. Christ is suffuring in the Garden of Gethsemane. we always need to remember this sacfrice for us. Why should it be easy for us now, in life, in missionary work, in anything IF IT WAS NEVER EASY FOR HIM. when the times get tough just think of the savior carrying the cross, or sweating blood. and think, wow, how luck am I! I am suffuring a portion that the greatest one of all suffured, I must be doing something right. Notice though that God sent Christ an Angel. we can all have the comfort of angels, all we have to do is ask, and they will come, either in the form of friends, and physical people, or help sent from above! Love you all, At proxima somana!
Elder Jacob Thatcher
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderjthatcher@myldsmail.net>
Date: Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Subject: Letter from Elder Thatcher
To: suzysumm@gmail.com, kni07006@byui.edu, wes07006@byui.edu, suzy@ida.net, runmts@ida.net, dmhansen@ida.net, runmts@gmail.com, cliffhucker@gmail.com, gordon@beardstclair.com
Hello Family,
It's the week of November 4, about 2 1/2 months out on the mission. Everything is starting to fall together. I feel like i was thrown into a dirty, muddy pond and im FINALLY starting to drag myself out. im not cleaned up, still have mud, and every other imaginable thing on me, but I am at least out of the water. and guess what! i didnt drown! Hopefully the next 2 years i will be able to get to the shower and get cleaned up just in time to catch the plane home. :) Some of the mud, or frustration is my lack of sense of direction. It drives me nuts! i can tell you what direction we are going, easy, and sometimes retrace our steps, but everything looks the same, every house, street, e tc. and the street names never help. they're all screwed up, and the names--i can even say, let alone spell.
The language is coming better, slowly but surly. i am basically a baby. right now im 1 year old. taking in everything i possiblly can, not able to participate much, just kind of follow my companion around, laugh when he laughs and shake me fingure when he does (thats what people do to show the disapprove down here, shake their index fingure) and do my best to learn.
Our apartment is cleaned up pretty good. i spent the last 3 hours scrubbing the bathroom. its pretty nice, now...i'm sending a video of our apartment. i forgot to take a picture of the shower head. but it' s really is a sight to behold... next week.
Mistakes, mistakes. they say that in order to learn a language you have to make 500,000 mistakes. im getting close to that number. Last wednesday we ate at the 2nd counclers house, i had the message afterward. i can't remember what scripture i read, but it was about how we must have faith like nephi and lehi had to reach the promised land, and how the children of israel just had to look and live at the staff that moses was holding. Well, of course this was in portuguese. So, i explained, then at then end, i bore my testimony the best i could how we simply have to have enough faith to look and live. well, for every 1 word we have portugues as about 3 others. i used the wrong word for look. i used the verb to look like. which, unbeknownst to me is similar to die!!! of course, everyone, trying to look past my terriable accent thought i said Die. so we must have faith in order to DIE and live. Brother...
Another interesting thing that happened this week was my first divisions and zone conference. Wednesday my dearly beloved companion elder abdo left me until Friday, and i was stuck here in Torres with the zone leader. how am i supposed to navigate eand teach people in a city when i dont even know either! Luckily he (elder do nacimento) was nice and helpful and together we figured out what to do. Zone conference was interesting.
Friday morning, after 2 days flying solo (Just about) elder Do Nacimento and I got up at 5:00 to travel 4 hours to Porto Alegre. the ticket cost 40 reals, which pretty much broke me (i get reimbursed) Of course, I slept the entire way. i still dont know what the outskirts of my town look like :) Conference was good, everyone was nice, i saw elder davidson and cummock, from my old district in the CTM there, we compared our last week. For lunch, after the conference we all went to a place like chuck arama. i rammed the food down. as fast as it would go. then had interviews with the president. to make it short and sweet, he basically said, torres was on the verge of getting shut down (how can you blame him when 4 people show up for church) this gave us incentive to try to get the church stronger here. its just elder abdo and I, and elder and sister baird. so we have a lot of work to do. I feel like Lot, when the lord said if you can only find 5 people in the whole city of sodam i will not destroy it. The search is on!!!
After the interview we promptly jumped on the bus for 4 hours more of ridding on the roughest roads (even beats rexburgs) and 4 more hours of sleeping. Sleepiness, heat, rough roads and a full stomach are not a good combination. luckily i made it off the bus and into the apartment. but the next day and a half i wanted to throw up SO BAD. Some of you have expressed your complaints about the rain in rexburg. DONT EVEN START!! i've never seen it rain like it has here. once a week it will rain. and it doesnt stop for 7 days. :) lots and lots of rain.
The beach is way pretty here. the best i've ever seen. today, if i ever finish writting we will go explore a little bit. Ok, i have a testimony of the gospel. the work is hard. our mission only baptizes 60% as much as the rest of Brasil, be assured we are working our butts off. Most of the people are content with their evangelical or the catholic church, and are just hard, down to earth people. we've been praying, keeping the rules better, planning and working harder each day, and the lord is starting to bless us with succsess. friday a guy stopped us in the road and actually made an appointment with us! yesturday we taught him and his wife. she took notes the whole time, spirit was felt, etc; etc.
Read Luke 22:39-44. Christ is suffuring in the Garden of Gethsemane. we always need to remember this sacfrice for us. Why should it be easy for us now, in life, in missionary work, in anything IF IT WAS NEVER EASY FOR HIM. when the times get tough just think of the savior carrying the cross, or sweating blood. and think, wow, how luck am I! I am suffuring a portion that the greatest one of all suffured, I must be doing something right. Notice though that God sent Christ an Angel. we can all have the comfort of angels, all we have to do is ask, and they will come, either in the form of friends, and physical people, or help sent from above! Love you all, At proxima somana!
Elder Jacob Thatcher
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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