Weekly Letter

Olá Família,

    This week was good. We had zone conference so that was good, We were able to learn a lot and get a little motivation boost. Its always cool to be in a room with 30 other missionaries and sing missionary hymns. These last few days its been alternating between rain, and hot ans sunny. It is getting a little annoying, because you don´t think it will rain, because the sky is clear. But at 7 your soaked and grumpy. But at least now I'm smart enough to carry a rain jacket with me every day. haha. We had divisions with the LZ too. So I stayed with one and the other elders stayed with our other leader. It was good to learn what I need to be doing better, and the things I could change during our daily planning session. Today I received a phone call, and will be emergency transferred to Vila Isabel, I will finish the last week of training for Elder Jones (Americano). He will be my first American companion, I´m excited to switch things up, yet again. Even though this area is supposed to be really hot. I hope everything is going well at home, love you guys!

- Elder Child

Weekly Letter

Olá,

    So this last week was pretty good. We took a lot of rain on the head but it was good. Summer is getting closer so it is heating up for a few days, then rains for a few days. I might have to break out the rain coat pretty soon and not just the umbrella. We are still in trio and will stay this way until transfers, which are 2 weeks away. It isn't that bad but it is really busy to work the whole area. Some people that we have been visiting every week, have commented that we stopped visiting them, so we have to explain that we are working 2x the area and we have cut down our time in each neighborhood ,to make time for the others. So I'm hoping another missionary gets here, so we can avoid cutting more time. Thursday, the young women wanted to make ties, and asked me to give the class, we had some visits, but luckily I stayed with an Irmão, and the other two still made it to the appointments. It was pretty fun to go to mutual again, but they didn't have any snacks. This Sunday one of our investigators, Evanilde, came to church. She said that she got her answer, and all her doubts went away during Sacrament Meeting. So that is, good. She is a little older, and lives alone, so she likes to talk a lot. But she is excited to be baptized, and we are excited too! She also lives really close to two other recent converts that are older women too. haha. So she has friends already. We have been running a lot, but seeing and recognizing more and more miracles every day. Love You all! 

- Elder Child

PS- the address you have should be right, but i think the staff didn't pick it up at the mail office, also i don't know if there is a place to trade the money too, if you send cash. Thank you, Love you, 💟💓🍛🍚

weekly letter

Olá Família,

    This last week went by fast. Elder Melo went to another area in our district for a couple days for a division. So Elder Barbosa and I stayed and got to take turns planning in our areas. We didn't get lost so that was good. We even had a day where we had 5 lessons! Which I think is a record for me, normally it is a lot more walking and rejection haha. We visited some old investigators and where able to find some new people to teach. This last week we also received a phone call from some Sisters from Mexico. They are missionaries that serve in the call center for mormon.org. So they answer calls, and chat with people online and then pass the information to us, normally they pass it in an email, but this referral they called to tell us the whole story and answer questions we had about him. They even marked an appointment with him, and we will meet him tomorrow. A little bit of a surprise, but interesting how many people are involved and working on the same team, all over the world. Last night we went to teach a family, the Dad of which has not been baptized, and were surprised to find that they had guests over. So we took advantage of the extra people and decided to go along with our plan to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is found in 3 Nephi 27. We taught about all the steps, testified and then we were surprised that the 2 guests passed their addresses to us. They live in Alto da Serra, where I served a little over 3 months ago. It was good to end the day finding and more couple that accepted more lessons. I know that this work is of the Lord, and that we are really just instruments in his hands. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.  Sorry I don't have much time today, but I love you all and hope everything is going well. 

- Elder Child

PS- Holy Cow! Congratulations for the great experiences you guys have had thins last week, Its cool how we are both on different sides of the world, but we are doing the same work of bringing people into the light. Great that Dad, and Mom were able to play key roles in Dee´s life help her get baptized!! Glad to hear about all of these experiences! Keep them coming!

Weekly Letter

Olá Família,

    This last week was amazing. We were able to finally find and establish a group of people to teach. We have been working in both areas and its going well so far. haha. It was great too to have Conference. I testify that the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is evolving and helping us prepare for the Second Coming of the Savior. I like how it was said that we only support the Prophet when we follow his guidance and do what he says. Yes, our normal church time is cut down to just 2 hours, but I had to remind myself that the other hour is not lost. We have more time to socialize, communicate and plan our visits throughout the week. More time to know the people we serve and minister like the Savior. We now have a bigger and greater responsibility to teach our children and family in the home. The greatest thing we can do is turn our home into a sanctuary and safe house from the world. I know that everything that happens and evolves in the Church of Jesus Christ is helping us prepare for the Second Coming. It isn't that far, and we must begin preparing our families to endure the spiritual storm that is ahead. I know this Church is true. That we can have more hope and love in our lives, when we apply the teachings of the Prophets. That Christ is the head of this Church, and the rest of us ``just work here`. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

- Elder Child

PS- mom, Do the young women have a separate hymn book?! I found one here and now am in doubt, Thank you and LOVE YOUUUUUUU!!!

Weekly Letter

Olá Família,

    This last week was pretty interesting. We are trying to use all our time wisely because now we have to cover twice the distance that we used to. We have been running around a lot but its been good. We don´t know how long we will stay in a trio, so i will try to get used to it. Elder Melo has been sick this week too, so that slowed us down. On Thursday we went to the hospital and they couldn't find anything wrong so we just went home and he stayed in bed, Friday night we decided to go to the center of the city to another hospital. The passed him some medicine and he has gotten better. We have also been teaching the Irmas here how to make ties, so I will send a picture. We also picked a jack fruit a while back and finally got around to eating it, so there is a picture of the thing you eat, and the pit. haha. 

   This last week we have started a 90 day reading of the Book of Mormon before Christmas. It always surprises me to read about the Faith that Lehi´s family had. They might not have been completely on the same page, but they still used their faith and acted on it. Our faith is nothing without our actions. And our actions have little effect without our faith. That is one thing I am trying to remember and apply more in my life. We always need to pray like everything depends on God, AND work like everything depends on us. That is when the atonement will work and make up the difference. I am glad to be here serving my God and my Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ , amen.

  Love you all,

- Elder Child

Weekly Letter

Olá Família!

This last week went by fast but I will try to relate what happened. We had our mission tour on Friday so we had to get up early to travel to Juiz de Fora. We spent the day in a meeting with Elder Rais, a 70, and also heard from President and Sister Lacerda. It was really good and a cool experience. They talked a lot about how we still have a responsibility to our investigators and conversions when we arrive home. We still have to keep in touch, share our testimony, and be an example. We also need to remember their potential, not only about one person, but also the family they could have later down the road. A good reminder to look at people the way our Father looks at us, not as we are but what we could become. We also had the opportunity to find an old investigator waiting for the bus. Patrick was taught over 5 years ago, and still talks with one of the elders on facebook. But Since then no one has passed by. Mostly for the reason that the address was wrong on the records we have. haha. Now he has 23 years and we taught him twice this last week. He even came to church yesterday! WOOOOOHOOO! He has a Cousin Miguel, that was inactive, but is coming back to church, and they live across the street from each other. So Miguel can give him a ride to church every week. So we are super excited to continue and work with them. The family we have been teaching escaped out of our appointment last week, but we will try to get them this week. Also we had transfers, Elder Guebert is leaving, and no one is arriveing. SO I will be joining the other Elders here, and try to cover both areas. So that will be interesting. haha. Love you guys! Até Mais!

_ Elder Child

Weekly letter

Olá Família,

    This week was a little different. We had a surprise transfer that everyone received Tuesday night. Elder Guebert and I stayed together, so it wasn't that bad for us, but Elder Reboledo (companion of Elder Melo) left the next morning. Strange because transfers isn´t until the 25, but we received them way early. It can still change too, because the mission will still receive new missionaries on the 25, so we are still confused about the whole thing. haha. We had a service project on Saturday, mixing concrete and pouring a wall. The pictures make me look fat just so you know. haha. We taught Carlos and his family again this week. This time we went with Geraldo and his family to their house. IT was raining all day so they offered us a ride to their house, which was nice because it was dark, and about 15 minutes uphill with a car. The lesson was good. We decided to read the Livro deMórmon with them because they hadn´t read it on their own. We all read together, and after we shared our testimonies. I focused more on the importance of fulfilling the invites because that is how we will receive an answer. Then focused on the importance of the gospel in my life, and how important it could be in theirs too if they would accept and not deny the feeling they have during the lessons. the spirit was really strong, and it was perfectly quiet when we ended the lesson. Even with it raining cats and dogs, and children playing in the other room. Really cool experience, one that I haven't had in a while. It is so good to find a family that has been prepared for the gospel. I know that there are people around us that are ready to accept the gospel, that the Lord has prepared specifically for us to help and rescue, we cannot shrink to share this light. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Love you all!

- Elder Child

Weekly Letter

Olá, 

    This week went by really fast. It was amazing to get a referral of a family. We had a FHE with a family this last week, and they invited their friends to come too. It is a complete family with the parents married and everything, so we are excited to teach them. We also had the opportunity to have 2 service projects this week. The first was just helping a member move, but the second was pouring some concrete beams for our bishop. It was good but made me realize how much I am out of shape. haha. We have been trying to teach the people we have found last week , but it is a little difficult to find them home. But we have taught a few of them and are excited to see their progress. 

    This last week i was asked to share a thought during our district meeting. I pondered a lot and decided to share a thought about obedience. Many times we know what is right and what is wrong, and when we recognize the difference and choose the wrong way, the sin is bigger and harder to receive forgiveness. When we say that keeping a commandant is too hard to complete, we need to remember the power of our faith. When we believe that we can accomplish something and trust is the power and atonement of Jesus Christ we can overcome every weakness and power through our temptations. I know that this gospel is true, and am proud to preach the power of Faith in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

- Elder Child

Weekly Letter Yahoo / Inbox

Olá Família!

    It is so good to hear form you guys and glad to hear that Jessie is going to serve a mission too! There is nothing better to do than serve a mission to fortify your testimony and see miracles in front of your eyes. Also Happy Birthday Grandpa Child! Here in another 3 years you ll be caught up to President Nelson. haha.

    This last week went by really fast. We have knocked doors every day trying to find people with interest. We have been surprised to answer some questions too, it is always strange to hear the gossip about the Normans. haha. We have also found a women that has a lot of interest. her brother served a mission a time ago, and she has been searching for a church. However she only has one Sunday off every month. The hard part in our area is finding people that can come to church. The majority either work on Sunday, or don't have the time or money to visit. For some of them to visit the church it takes 2 hours because of the times of the bus. But we will see.  Sorry, i don't have much time today, and I will send pics next week. Love you guys!

 - Elder Child

Weekly letter

Olá,

    This last week was good. We had a family night with a family and had a small birthday party we had dinner and a cake too. We also had another birthday party on Wednesday for an other Elder that lives with us. We have been knocking a lot of doors this week to try to find new people to teach. We have started to find some people in a nearby neighborhood but it is still close to an hour away. The problem is getting people to church. We want to open a branch here but we need more priesthood holders and active members. So we are trying to work with the members to work with us more. This Sunday we had stake conference and President Lacerda came and President Aidukaitis, president the area Brasil. It was really cool to see everyone again from Alto daSerra including Monica. It was good to talk to her again and see her progress. 

    President Aidukaitis talked about the importance of being self sufficient. And how our lives and wards need to be self sufficient. In all aspects, spiritual, emotional, and physical. He talked about the importance of fasting and our donations and tithing. How the commandment is a 24 hour fast an generous fast offering, and no less than 10% tithe. It may seem hard to fast for the full 24 hours, but it is still part of the commandment. It may seem like you cant pay a full tithe because you need to pay bills, but not paying is denying the power of the atonement. Denying the power of Christ to make up the difference in your financial life. The Lord always has and always will provide a way for our commandments to be accomplished. The commandments our given to us to grow, test our obedience, and as we do so will be blessed, and our lives will flourish. It is good to always remember that it is through these small things that great things can happen in our lives. I know that these things are true in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

    

- Elder Child