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

Weekly letter

Olá!

    This week was good. We had transfers on Tuesday, so we spent the day on the bus. Our first bus was 45 minutes late, so when we stopped in Juiz de Fora we didn't have time to grab our boxes and letters. We ran to buy our ticket and ran to catch the bus that was starting to pull away. It was pretty stressful. But good, I guess I have to learn a little bit more patience. haha. My area here is good. It is really big and spread out. We have to ride the buses a lot, so this week i spent around 80 reais. Our area is a 30 minute bus ride form our house, and from the Church. So it is hard to get people to come to church. But we are trying to open up a branch in Itaipava, and it will be closer for them. Our area is basically a lot of villages in the mountains, so it gets pretty interesting to not throw up in the bus going up and down the windy trails. haha. I will have to be care full to not put on too much weight here, because most of the time the people live around the bus stops, so we don't have to walk that much. Which is good, but really different. Most of the time we try to talk to people in the bus station, to get addresses, but almost everyone has already heard of us and know where the church is. So we are trying to get more references from the members, to get a group started in every neighborhood. Elder Guebert is my new companion. I was a little surprised at how well he works. I hope to learn more from him. He looks a little rebellious but his attitude and work make up for it. Our first Sunday was good. The members are really nice. This side of Petropolis has more money so it is a little strange. Most of the members have their own house and cars. Today we don't really have plans, but we do have a Family Night/birthday party marked with a Sister tonight. And we did eat a salgado to celebrate too. haha. Good to hear from you guys, have a great week!!!!

- Elder Child

Petrópolis de novo

Olá,

    This week flew by but we definitely witnessed miracles. We were able to baptize Kelly and her family, Adrian and Mariana. Kelly had a pretty big smoking problem, and smoked a pack a day, and the whole family drank coffee. But they were able to stop this week. Elias even baptized Mariana!! WOOHOOO! It was really amazing. The water heater was still broken but at least this time everyone had to freeze. haha. Kelly and her family were welcomed really into the branch and each received some present. The kids received the youth work books, and for the strength of youth, and Kelly received some books for relief society and principles of the gospel. We received transfers last night and Elder Melo and I will be heading to Petropolis again. The area here will split and will have two duplas of sisters. We will be in the same house, but with different companions. A little sad to leave here, but we will have a little party with the members tonight. My new companion will be interesting, I think that I will be able to learn some things from him. It is good to be switching it up again and I am getting better at packing my bags. I am a lot faster and using the space efficiently , so that's good. haha. 

    Glad to hear everything is going well at home, and love receiving the pictures! Enjoy the last bit of Summer!!

- Elder Child

PS- I think that i will be able to pick up the boxes at the bus station tomorrow. Thank you so much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me know what you guys want for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 😂❤💌📦😘💩🐉🍔🐲🐠📸🙏

Weekly letter

Olá Família,

    This last week went by really fast. On Sunday Elias received his first calling as Secretary of the young men. He also bore his testimony during fast and testimony meeting. I'm so proud of the little guy. haha. We had an activity with the young women this week, where they all came to a park and contacted people. It went really well. We had an investigator come too, and even though she has only been to church once, she was inviting people to come to church. It was really amazing. We also had a family home evening this week with an active family and a family of investigators. It was really great too. We went to pickup the family, and it started to rain. So we called around and organized a ride for them then headed off to the members house in the rain. The cars here are small, so there wasn't room for us and the others. haha. This is the last week of transfers so we are a little scared to get moved around. Congonhas is a pretty nice area, and we are still trying to get everyone progressing, but we will see. 

    Congratulations to Baby Bentley (Big Ben) who was born on the 3rd with a whopping 9 pounds and 14 oz. I'm glad to hear that everything is going well with him, and every one else. Love you guys!

-Elder Child

    

Weekly Letter

Olá,

    This week was good. We were able to find a family of three, and taught them on Saturday. They were in church the next day, so that is good. Elias also received the Aaronic priesthood, and passed the sacrament yesterday. He is also doing a good job on catching up with everything, and is planning on getting his Patriarchal blessing soon. It is amazing to see him progress, and have this hunger to learn and grow spiritually. 

    I have been studying the last conference talks and am learning a lot. Especially since the first time I viewed conference I didn't understand half of it. One talk by Elder Cladio Zivic stuck out to me. He said,``When we were baptized, we made covenants—not with any man but withthe Savior, agreeing to “take upon [ourselves] the name of Jesus Christ,having a determination to serve him to the end.`` Even though he was speaking to the less active or non active members of the church, we can apply it it our lives to always remember it. ``Obedience will give us the strength to overcome sin. We must alsounderstand that the trial of our faith requires us to obey, often withoutknowing the results. I suggest a formula that will help us endure to the end:
 Daily, pray and read the scriptures.
 Weekly, partake of the sacrament with a broken heart and a contritespirit.
 Pay our tithing and our monthly fast offering.
 Every two years—every year for the youth—renew our templerecommends.
 Throughout our whole lives, serve in the work of the Lord.``

I knoiw that if we do these things, we will be strengthened top overcome our fears, trials, and burdens. We will be made strong through the Atonement and become unmovable anchors in the waves of the world. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

- Elder Child