Fwd: Carta da Natal de Elder Thatcher

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderthatcher@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Subject: Carta da Natal de Elder Thatcher
To: Sam Hansen <cliffhucker@gmail.com>, suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>, shansummers@gmail.com, Micah Thatcher <skiaton@gmail.com>, Suzy <suzy@ida.net>, Rhett Summers <summercofarms@gmail.com>, dmhansen@ida.net, Hannah Thatcher <isavethewhales@gmail.com>, gordon@beardstclair.com, gramlaree@gmail.com, "Knight, Leanna" <kni07001@byui.edu>, wes07006@byui.edu, Bryce Thatcher <runmts@ida.net>

Dear family,

Well it's another week, I´ve already been in the mission 4 months! It is the week before Christmas, although if I didn't look at the calendar every day I wouldn't know. Every day is hotter and more humid here. If it wasn't for the constant wind I would already be dead J

From the reports I've received from there at home it sounds like it's shaping up to be a good Christmas. Perhaps the Best news worth noting is the snow that you received, it finally came!  It must not be too shabby because it was good enough to make it on the news 17,000 kilometers away! Last night we were in a member's house having family home evening (will tell the story latter), one of the members was watching TV and there on the screen was a report about all the snow they were having in the west (it was showing pictures of Michigan) everyone couldn't believe all the snow… I told them it was normal J where I lived and that my family and friends were skiing on it right now!

Well, this week has been a different week than normal. Thursday we had our zone conference in Porto Alegre, so we left here in Torres at 7:00 for Porto Alegre. Normally it is a 4 hour ride, but this time we rode on the more expensive "Executive class

                   Normally it is a 4 hour ride, but this time we rode on the more expensive "Executive class" buss, so it was only 2 and a half. Like always I tried to stay awake and enjoy the view, but it was impossible and I ended up sleeping most of the way

SIDE NOTE: I am about to go insane… I am sorry, but I hate computers, I have been through 4 computers today, each one has a different problem. The last three have either not had Microsoft word, internet not worked or not recognized my iPod. Currently there is a stupid 17 or 18 year old kid that seems to have more energy than anyone in this world running around the lan house like he is drunk, singing to himself, laughing, and being an idiot in general… brother… so with this disclaimer, I will try as hard as I can to write a letter from my heart this week full of spiritual content J

So anyway, we arrived in Porto Alegre. This zone conferenance was a special Christmas, combined zone conference with 4 other zones in attendance, so we had it in one of the stake centers. Elder Cummock, my buddy from the CTM was there, but nobody else from my old district was. The first 2 hours were talks, and musical numbers. Afterwards I received 6 packages! It was pretty sweet; luckily I brought an extra giant trash bag, and stuffed them all in. who sent a package? I am not sure I received them all. 5 were from mom, one was from gram Laree, all others I will more than likely not receive for 6 weeks, the next zone conference.

                I didn't have the privilege of opening them right away, infact not until 3 days after. From Porto Alegre I went to Gravataí, another area (enclosed are some pictures) with Elder Do Naciemento, (if you remember 6 weeks ago he came here and did a division with Me.) the Zone Leader, This time It was my turn to go to his area, his companion, elder Eller went back with my companion elder Abdo to Torres. The bus ride to Gravataí was the craziest one I have had in my life. I gave my packages to Elder Eller to take back to our apartment, and I took his for him, to giant boxes. One top of this I had my bulging backpack, elder do naciemento had a case of books of Mormons and another box filled with pamphlets, etc. So imagine two missionaries getting on a city bus with all this stuff. Of course, the bus was WAY full; we got on, and stood up, with the boxes for the 1 hour trip. That was an adventure.

                The rest of the trip was overall fairly uneventful… Oh, I take that back, I witnessed for the first time the true gift of tongues, we taught this family, that was a referral of another member, Elder Do Nacimento didn't know what part of the lesson I was accustomed to, so he started talking, then all of a sudden, he stopped, right at the part of the apostasy, and restoration of the gospel. In my opinion these are the hardest parts, I have done these parts a couple times, but each time I didn't have the vocabulary to effectively tell the story, so I had just been giving my same old part, but this time I was forced to do the restoration. All of a sudden I was talking, and it was making sense, the family understood the questions, it was awesome, flowed well, didn't have any stumbling etc. I was way gaulded at first that Elder Do Nacimento would do that to me, but afterwards I was really thankful!

                So Saturday morning Elder Do Nacimento and I got up and made the long trip to Torres again. Again, I slept the whole way. We arrived at lunch time, so we went to our apartment and ate lunch. I made creamed corn sauce (Gram Laree's recipe… I think) on top of rice, with some fried corn tortillas, with a pear and yogurt. Pretty good ehh??? The only thing that could have made it better was to substitute the rice for potatoes. And this would have been the case, we would have had baked potatoes that I cooked before the zone conference, if I hadn´t had cooked them for 9 hours… I promise, I turned off the stove, but for some reason, the propane kept on going…. Attached is a picture of the outcome….whoops. Anyway, afterward I was re-united with my beloved companion Elder Abdo. Elder Do Nacimento is pretty cool, he likes to talk, and sometimes doesn't know when to talk, or when to let the spirit talk. But other than that he is way cool.

                If all goes good we will have a baptism this Friday in the ocean. I don't know if I have already told you about Zilco and Neli. They are an old couple, in their 60´s, Elder Abdo found them before I came. All of a sudden 2 weeks ago Neli, the woman had a change of heart, she wants to be baptized!!! She has lots and lots of health problems, an ulcer, kidney failure, etc, so her dialysis is this Thursday. PRAY HARD that she will feel up to the baptism this Friday. If not Friday it will be next week.

                Another family that needs your help is Terizinha (the mom), Aline and Daniel; I attached a picture (excuse the nudity) I didn't realize she was nursing when I took it. For some reason I feel extra close to this family, I want more than anything for them to accept the church and be happy; there family is having lots of problems.  Terizinha and Aline come to church ever single week. I think Aline will be baptized within the next month or so (maybe I will have the privilege J , but Terizinha and Generino first have to get married in order for them to get married. I would, have, and will do anything to make this happen. But unfortunately I can't give them the will, and this is what they are lacking. PRAY for them.

                I think, last night we had a break through with them, however. FHE is a pain in the butt here, people never show up, and it is usually at Elder Bairds, which is not a real family home evening in my opinion, and so, I had the idea last week to have it at a part member family´s house, Simone and Louis. They have their family up for Christmas, and they are members. So, yesterday, Aline Terizinha and Daniel came (Generino is too busy…I will explain what doing in the next para) Aline had said the night before that she can't because she has to work, but I prayed extra hard, and what do you know? She came! We had a very good lesson on the restored gospel (Elder Abdo and I) and afterwards had SMORES!!! Compliments of me J I went and bought chocolate, something kind of similar to marshmallows, and some crackers. It was a hit, everyone loved them. We cooked them on their stove. I think everyone had two or three J I was kind of worried that they would not like them, because I gave some Red vines to my Class at Church and they all said it tasted like Paste de Dentes (toothpaste) Brazilians have weird taste buds, they hate peanut butter! Infact, it is almost impossible to find it here.

                So why wasn't Generino there? Because he thinks working is more important then everything in this whole freakin world! Brother. I can't be to mad, because the people here have to survive on hardly nothing here, and how can you be frustrated for a man trying his best to put meat on the table and a roof over his families head? Like I said in the last letter, everyone is renting their house for this summer, so This family is moving into their garage to rent their house, He has been slaving away the last week trying to convert their garage into a house.

                So here is the part where I ask all of your opinion, and I am serious too. The thing that is postponing their baptism, and in reality, their happiness, is marriage (I think). But they don't want to get married because they don't want to get married and have problems. Marriage won't fix everything, but it will help their relationships, and unite the family. How do I give them the faith to take the step into marriage? Do you think it's wise they get married on unstable ground? It costs 80 dollars to get married, should we pay for it?

                Spiritual Thought: Like I said everyone is working here in Torres. I will guess that it's about the same thing back home. If not working everyone is way busy having fun, making ski turns, etc. Remember when Mary and Joseph came into Bethlehem they couldn't find any room in any of the inns? All of the people rejected them, and Jesus, the Son of God. They could not find places, space, room for them in the houses. We sometimes do the same thing. We get so busy that we reject Jesus Christ the same way the innkeepers did. We do not have space enough for him in our lives. Ironically, we have the least space for him at the time of year when we should have the most. Don't reject the Savior like the innkeepers did in Bethlehem. Find space. And the lord has promised that if we do, he will open up the windows of heaven, that we will not have room enough to receive them. He will bless us; help us with our trials, etc. But we first have to accept him, so let him in.

 

Love you all, Merry Christmas!

Jacob

Fwd: Carta da Natal de Elder Thatcher

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacob Thatcher <elderthatcher@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Subject: Re: Carta da Natal de Elder Thatcher
To: suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com>

Dangit! I forgot to explain the pictures! The picture of the roof is of the city Gravataí, its actually not that pretty, it made me appreciate Torres a bunch more, The kids are some members that live an hour away from Torres with their grandparents. We went to their house yesterday for lunch and to see how they were. They are a really cool family. The other picture is on the way to their house. The road was being repaired, so the bus driver drove along the coast, 20 yards away from the ocean! I couldn't believe it!

 

On 12/23/08, suzy summers <suzysumm@gmail.com> wrote:

Yes, those are very gaulded potatoes.  We've all done it.  The pic of the rooftops?  And the cute little kids, who are they? And the pic of the window is that the bus or it looks almost like an airplane!  Sorry I didn't mean to send you all those pics of the snow...rhett was testing out my camera to see if it stopped the action of micah's hand...

 

Last night I didn't leave town to go home till after 8 PM.  Gram LaRee warned and warned me, but I discounted her warnings because she worries about everything, and then some.  But when I walked out the door from work, I knew I was in trouble.  If there were 4 foot drifts here, what would there be on our road!

 

I went home the Moody Hwy.  I might as well have been blindfolded.  It was braille all the way home.  With an occaisional glimpse of what looked like a house or even the edge of the road.  I just knew the road went straight.

 

The drifts were high, but soft.  So I just kept the momentum.  When I'd go thru a drift it would be like an implosion of white flour.  It was scary!  And it takes a bit to get me scared these days!  So I made it home, almost.  I coulnt' even tell I was climbing the last bit to Grandpa Gary's but I say his driveway (the N entrance) and it looked as tho it had been plowed.  The prompting said, pull in grandpa's driveway and leave the excursion there.  But, no, I had to see if I could possibly make it into ours.  I would drive slow just to check it out.  As soon as I went past Grandpas windbreaks there was the mother of all drifts and slow did not work.  It was beyond shoveling myself out. And so dang windy.  Nothing less than a tractor. So Joel pulled me out.  Very embarrasing. 

 

This am I woke up before 6 and didn't hear the wind.  I thought I'd run out real fast and assess the damage and take a pic of where I got stuck for you.  But just as I went out, the plow went by.  The only time I wish they'd waited for another minute or 2!

 

So you'll just have to picture it in your mind.  I was stuck up to the hubs.  The other pics were taken after, so it was still dark outside.  My fingers are still tender from the cold from last night and this morn.  Wish I could warm them up there!

 

You are having a baptism in the ocean?  That will be the neatest experience ever!  Is that how they all are?  No font?  Awesome.  I will pray.  And for the TADG family.  Jacob, I do not know how to answer that one.  The smart alec response would be to remind them that it costs a H--- of alot more that 80 reals to get unmarried.  But the right answer is, of course.  Marriage is the only way.  It is on the path of the straight and narrow.  And I believe with my whole heart that it is only thru marriage that you can learn, grow and become (where did I hear that?)  It is just opposition in all things.  Marriage is the most challenging, yet the most rewarding place one could ever, ever find true and lasting love and committment.  I believe that it is a beautiful thing.  When centered in the gospel and following His ways, it is the ULTIMATE happiness.  Nothing, nothing, can top it.  But you are so wise.  You cannot give another "the will."  That is an amazing thing, the gift of agency.  No one can make us do anything.  But we can lead them to water, and pray that they will drink. And pray, and pray.  It is an amazing thing, our agency.  I knew it when you were little.  You exhibited it early!  I visualized you on the front lines in the war of heaven fighting for it.  And we fight for it today. 

 

You are wise.  Let Heavenly Father guide you, as you are.  Let the "spirit speak."

 

Your spiritual thought reminded me of the Christmas Song, Forgotton Christmas Carols, "The Innkeepers Song by Michael McClain "Let Him In" ?Let Him in, let the joy on earth begin--do you remember it?

 

Can't wait to talk to you.

Love you, MOM

 

On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 9:11 AM, Jacob Thatcher <elderthatcher@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear family,

Well it's another week, I´ve already been in the mission 4 months! It is the week before Christmas, although if I didn't look at the calendar every day I wouldn't know. Every day is hotter and more humid here. If it wasn't for the constant wind I would already be dead J

From the reports I've received from there at home it sounds like it's shaping up to be a good Christmas. Perhaps the Best news worth noting is the snow that you received, it finally came!  It must not be too shabby because it was good enough to make it on the news 17,000 kilometers away! Last night we were in a member's house having family home evening (will tell the story latter), one of the members was watching TV and there on the screen was a report about all the snow they were having in the west (it was showing pictures of Michigan) everyone couldn't believe all the snow… I told them it was normal J where I lived and that my family and friends were skiing on it right now!

Well, this week has been a different week than normal. Thursday we had our zone conference in Porto Alegre, so we left here in Torres at 7:00 for Porto Alegre. Normally it is a 4 hour ride, but this time we rode on the more expensive "Executive class

                   Normally it is a 4 hour ride, but this time we rode on the more expensive "Executive class" buss, so it was only 2 and a half. Like always I tried to stay awake and enjoy the view, but it was impossible and I ended up sleeping most of the way

SIDE NOTE: I am about to go insane… I am sorry, but I hate computers, I have been through 4 computers today, each one has a different problem. The last three have either not had Microsoft word, internet not worked or not recognized my iPod. Currently there is a stupid 17 or 18 year old kid that seems to have more energy than anyone in this world running around the lan house like he is drunk, singing to himself, laughing, and being an idiot in general… brother… so with this disclaimer, I will try as hard as I can to write a letter from my heart this week full of spiritual content J

So anyway, we arrived in Porto Alegre. This zone conferenance was a special Christmas, combined zone conference with 4 other zones in attendance, so we had it in one of the stake centers. Elder Cummock, my buddy from the CTM was there, but nobody else from my old district was. The first 2 hours were talks, and musical numbers. Afterwards I received 6 packages! It was pretty sweet; luckily I brought an extra giant trash bag, and stuffed them all in. who sent a package? I am not sure I received them all. 5 were from mom, one was from gram Laree, all others I will more than likely not receive for 6 weeks, the next zone conference.

                I didn't have the privilege of opening them right away, infact not until 3 days after. From Porto Alegre I went to Gravataí, another area (enclosed are some pictures) with Elder Do Naciemento, (if you remember 6 weeks ago he came here and did a division with Me.) the Zone Leader, This time It was my turn to go to his area, his companion, elder Eller went back with my companion elder Abdo to Torres. The bus ride to Gravataí was the craziest one I have had in my life. I gave my packages to Elder Eller to take back to our apartment, and I took his for him, to giant boxes. One top of this I had my bulging backpack, elder do naciemento had a case of books of Mormons and another box filled with pamphlets, etc. So imagine two missionaries getting on a city bus with all this stuff. Of course, the bus was WAY full; we got on, and stood up, with the boxes for the 1 hour trip. That was an adventure.

                The rest of the trip was overall fairly uneventful… Oh, I take that back, I witnessed for the first time the true gift of tongues, we taught this family, that was a referral of another member, Elder Do Nacimento didn't know what part of the lesson I was accustomed to, so he started talking, then all of a sudden, he stopped, right at the part of the apostasy, and restoration of the gospel. In my opinion these are the hardest parts, I have done these parts a couple times, but each time I didn't have the vocabulary to effectively tell the story, so I had just been giving my same old part, but this time I was forced to do the restoration. All of a sudden I was talking, and it was making sense, the family understood the questions, it was awesome, flowed well, didn't have any stumbling etc. I was way gaulded at first that Elder Do Nacimento would do that to me, but afterwards I was really thankful!

                So Saturday morning Elder Do Nacimento and I got up and made the long trip to Torres again. Again, I slept the whole way. We arrived at lunch time, so we went to our apartment and ate lunch. I made creamed corn sauce (Gram Laree's recipe… I think) on top of rice, with some fried corn tortillas, with a pear and yogurt. Pretty good ehh??? The only thing that could have made it better was to substitute the rice for potatoes. And this would have been the case, we would have had baked potatoes that I cooked before the zone conference, if I hadn´t had cooked them for 9 hours… I promise, I turned off the stove, but for some reason, the propane kept on going…. Attached is a picture of the outcome….whoops. Anyway, afterward I was re-united with my beloved companion Elder Abdo. Elder Do Nacimento is pretty cool, he likes to talk, and sometimes doesn't know when to talk, or when to let the spirit talk. But other than that he is way cool.

                If all goes good we will have a baptism this Friday in the ocean. I don't know if I have already told you about Zilco and Neli. They are an old couple, in their 60´s, Elder Abdo found them before I came. All of a sudden 2 weeks ago Neli, the woman had a change of heart, she wants to be baptized!!! She has lots and lots of health problems, an ulcer, kidney failure, etc, so her dialysis is this Thursday. PRAY HARD that she will feel up to the baptism this Friday. If not Friday it will be next week.

                Another family that needs your help is Terizinha (the mom), Aline and Daniel; I attached a picture (excuse the nudity) I didn't realize she was nursing when I took it. For some reason I feel extra close to this family, I want more than anything for them to accept the church and be happy; there family is having lots of problems.  Terizinha and Aline come to church ever single week. I think Aline will be baptized within the next month or so (maybe I will have the privilege J , but Terizinha and Generino first have to get married in order for them to get married. I would, have, and will do anything to make this happen. But unfortunately I can't give them the will, and this is what they are lacking. PRAY for them.

                I think, last night we had a break through with them, however. FHE is a pain in the butt here, people never show up, and it is usually at Elder Bairds, which is not a real family home evening in my opinion, and so, I had the idea last week to have it at a part member family´s house, Simone and Louis. They have their family up for Christmas, and they are members. So, yesterday, Aline Terizinha and Daniel came (Generino is too busy…I will explain what doing in the next para) Aline had said the night before that she can't because she has to work, but I prayed extra hard, and what do you know? She came! We had a very good lesson on the restored gospel (Elder Abdo and I) and afterwards had SMORES!!! Compliments of me J I went and bought chocolate, something kind of similar to marshmallows, and some crackers. It was a hit, everyone loved them. We cooked them on their stove. I think everyone had two or three J I was kind of worried that they would not like them, because I gave some Red vines to my Class at Church and they all said it tasted like Paste de Dentes (toothpaste) Brazilians have weird taste buds, they hate peanut butter! Infact, it is almost impossible to find it here.

                So why wasn't Generino there? Because he thinks working is more important then everything in this whole freakin world! Brother. I can't be to mad, because the people here have to survive on hardly nothing here, and how can you be frustrated for a man trying his best to put meat on the table and a roof over his families head? Like I said in the last letter, everyone is renting their house for this summer, so This family is moving into their garage to rent their house, He has been slaving away the last week trying to convert their garage into a house.

                So here is the part where I ask all of your opinion, and I am serious too. The thing that is postponing their baptism, and in reality, their happiness, is marriage (I think). But they don't want to get married because they don't want to get married and have problems. Marriage won't fix everything, but it will help their relationships, and unite the family. How do I give them the faith to take the step into marriage? Do you think it's wise they get married on unstable ground? It costs 80 dollars to get married, should we pay for it?

                Spiritual Thought: Like I said everyone is working here in Torres. I will guess that it's about the same thing back home. If not working everyone is way busy having fun, making ski turns, etc. Remember when Mary and Joseph came into Bethlehem they couldn't find any room in any of the inns? All of the people rejected them, and Jesus, the Son of God. They could not find places, space, room for them in the houses. We sometimes do the same thing. We get so busy that we reject Jesus Christ the same way the innkeepers did. We do not have space enough for him in our lives. Ironically, we have the least space for him at the time of year when we should have the most. Don't reject the Savior like the innkeepers did in Bethlehem. Find space. And the lord has promised that if we do, he will open up the windows of heaven, that we will not have room enough to receive them. He will bless us; help us with our trials, etc. But we first have to accept him, so let him in.

 

Love you all, Merry Christmas!

Jacob

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.

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.

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

"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

Elder Jacob, and His Twizzler Cake

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

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

Jacob's Twizzler Cake and the Jeep Passion Continues...

"...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

PICS OF BEAUTIFUL TORRES COASTLINE

"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