MISSION GOOD BYES

Letter #97

In the  Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, there's a sculpture called "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living" by Damien Hirst. It's a simple enough concept but thinking about it, it becomes a long, long thought process.

Basically, it's a dead shark in a glass tank. But, when you look at the title and the sculpture, the very idea that the shark, in front of you, that looks like it will jump at any moment, it doesn't seem real.

"The Physical Impossibility of Going Home in the Mind of a Missionary."  That's about the summary of my week. Even with everyone trying to tell me that's it's true, reminding me of how many time left, it seems like my mind hasn't been able to absorb that information. It seems that next week will be another great week as a full-time missionary, and not a moment of transition and progress to the return-missionary phase.

baptism of João

But, recognizing that at some point, this phase will change, I want to take a moment to share what I have learned and my testimony that has been gained and strengthened over these last months and years.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord, even with all of my inadequacies and shortcomings (which I assure you, are many). I have seen His hand in my life, in every day that passes. His spirit guides me and illuminates my path. I have seen the Lord's promise in Ether 12 fulfilled.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

convert

Many things that once impeded me, once held me back do not have this power to hinder or obstruct once more. This blessing has become evident in my life. As we seek to follow the gospel, as exactly as we are able, the Lord will allow us help and give us strength to overcome that which once hampered and discouraged.

I know and testify the this is the Savior's church, the very church that He established, with His same power and authority. Today, we are led by a living prophet of God, who reveals His will and His instructions. I know that God lives. He performs the same miracles and delivers the same blessings that He has always promised. He is our Father and He loves us. He loves me, and I feel that love in every word and every counsel that He gives me, through the words of ancient, modern and living prophets as well as through personal and sacred revelation.

I know that He answers prayers, mine as well as the humble supplication of a young 14 year-old boy seeking answers in a sacred grove. Joseph Smith was called as the prophet of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He translated The Book of Mormon and re-established the Church of  Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is the word of the Lord. It contains the perfect compliment to the Sacred Bible. Together they give us the Lord's will and help us to understand the confusions and complications of a world of men.

I know that my Redeemer lives, that He loves and watches over me. This is His work and His glory, and I am eternally grateful for the miracles and blessings that I have seen.

Thank you for you advice and help and love. It has and will continue to be a blessing in my life.

With love,

Elder Porter Young Schenewark
Brazil Campinas Mission

Letter #96

Not much to report this week, another good week of work

Let's see

That's about it, really

I promise the next one will have more.

Here's a picture:

 Missa do Vaqueiro

This is from my companion's city.

I don't know what else y'all want

Love, Elder State of Mind, State of time

Letter #94

Another dime another dollah

Lot's of service projects this week, everything from moves to clearing land

The temple trip got moved to this Saturday.

Had to attend a fireside about depression at the Stake, 90% of everyone fell asleep

And not much else, sorry Mom, but I'll see if I can call on Saturday.   

Love you,

Elder Domestic White Mouse

Letter #93

Real quick

We had zone conference, had to help a couple of elders toughen up and take a flu shot needle.

Last normal interview with the President.

The secretary let me send my ticket request in.

Some lady in the thrift shop gave me a free pair of shoes which will save me from having to try to save the old ones.

My companion ripped his pants, literally, jumping away from a dog turned wild, we got out of there quick, and I stayed closer to his side than normal.

Gonna see if we can get to the temple this week.

Love,

Elder Rip-Away Slacks

Letter #92

Well, a very rushed week, wasn't it?

Tuesday: transfers
Wednesday: district meeting
Thursday: other stuff
Friday: leadership council

Lots of fun!

We started helping one of our investigators build a staircase by his house and when we were walking with some of the wood, we had two huge pieces on the back of two white shirts.

And the lady on the side of the road, "Are they building a cross?"

No lady, a staircase.

And this week is promising to be even busier.

So lets get to it.

Until next week,

Love Elder Full Planner

Letter #91

So, turns out that I didn't hit send last week.
Let's get the run down.

So yes, João Pedro was baptized last Saturday and is still giving us administrative problems.

We had transfers but both Elder Gomes and I stayed together for my last six weeks (what?).

We went to a meeting with President Marsh and President Cooper (from the Brazil Brasília mission) where we were asked to present some of our stuff to them.

The youngest Federal judge in Brasil and the former president of Hanes are a formidable crowd.

We also found a classic childhood toy:

And we started teaching Tiago, a man who we found because he had a leprechaun on his shoulder and I remembered my basketball roots. Classic.

Love,

Elder 4-Leaf Slingshot Champ

Letter #90

Tuberculitis meets gastroesophageal reflux and a 40 year old smoker

That's another way of saying that I've had the world's worst cough.

It's been pretty bad, my companion has compared it to a sick cow being butchered.

There were about three days in which I couldn't speak. But, press forward

I was able to participate in Rose's baptism, the old lady we taught for about 4 weeks before she moved away two weeks ago.

Surprise when she called us asking if we would be able to participate.
Of course we said yes, and we were able to see that, hopefully pictures are coming soon.

Still haven't faced the chess champion

Also, we started teaching the former world whistling champion, let's see how that goes

Until next week,

Love Elder Emily Bronte

Letter #89

Conferencia de Zona Flamboyant

Some sort of problem in the system that we're taking care of. 

Dear Mom,

Went to the temple, had a zone conference, caught dengue fever, and some baptisimal interviews. 

Love,

Elder in the Salmon Tie

Letter #88

Not sure why the title, roll with us

Let's see, this week had.....

Transfers (no one left or moved don't worry)

District meeting (sorting the stuff out)

Leadership council (the changes)

Baptismal interviews (the lead up)

The baptism (photos to follow)

The classic Sunday meeting

And now it's Monday

That's our week.

This is Ariane. She was baptized on Saturday. She's the brazilian female chess champion for her age group. We havent played yet but it's marked

That's it I think,

Love,

Elder How's the Toast (StaleMate

Letter #86

Found some new bitter things to eat this week, got to love the bitterness of nature's natural stuff.

Also, getting it done in the excercises. It's a little weird training the summer bod in the middle of winter, let's see how it goes.

The tan is definently the last thing that'll come.

Most of the week was as tranquil as can be, working on some ideas for an activity with the ward this week, the night of the northeasterers.

It'll be lit, I'm sure pictures will be plentiful.

Yasmin will also be baptized this week, on Friday.

Lemme see what pictures I can find because I don't have much else


Love,


Elder Baker's Dozen

Letter #85

Aight, let's go

Another round of goat stomach, this time it was leftovers and that meant i could eat it for breakfast this morning. Yus

We are working on a baptism this week, a young woman called Yasmin (another one #Numba3)
She's been going to church for about two years but her mom won't let her get baptized.
OR wouldn't would be a better word.

We were able to talk to her and she has also agreed to be baptized following a couple of visits to the church.

I loved general conference.
Some thoughts...

I liked Becky Craven's talk and her line, "We can't be perfect, but we can be worthy."

Also, Uchtdorf's plan, Believe, Love, Do.  Or something like that.

BUT, my favorite was President Nelson's.
"Salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter."

I'm so grateful to have the family that I have, that helps me to receive those blessings that the Lord has promised. The Savior has provided a way for us to receive all of the many promissed blesings of Heaven. We can't acheive our full potencial without the help of all those family members and friends, but certainly not without the guidance and love that our Redeemer has provided us.

Love you, until next week,

Elder Craven-in-Law ;)

p.s. As per request of Tanner, he has asked that I tell everyone that I'm no longer junior companion #

Letter #84

On the road again, the singer song-writer Porter.

We went and visited the Ponte Preta stadium with a true fan, Juninho.

We also visited the city market and walked about 10 miles this this morning and now, trying to get the BYU stuff in. Sorry Mom!


Love you,

Elder Macaca

Letter #83

Another week in the wild world of missionary work

My companion has diagnosed his leprosy, turns out it's not actually leprosy (don't explain why his ear fell off last night).

It's DENGUE.

So, he's getting over that. And also the loss of his ear.

We had a little cleaning of our area, trying to take care of the list of members.

We had a zone conference and a couple of other meetings and we have the pictures of the wedding and stuff.

That's about it, until next week,


Elder Men's Wearhouse Tie Lenders

Letter #81

Letter.
Yes.
Here we go.

Got the node in my neck checked out, still not sure what it is.

We got taken to Burger King by a kindly couple.

Yasmim was baptized on Saturday, and Pedro on Sunday.

Next week we're hoping on seeing the family of Gregory being baptized.

Our condominium

Teaching the Brazilian's about water pong

Love,

 Elder Video Chat

Letter #80

Quickly -

Killed a record 62 flies flying around in one day.

We were teaching a large man and he was sitting on a bed and in the middle of the first vision the bed broke.

Went to an all you can eat Brazilian restaurant, almost had to leave in a wheel chair.

And finally had Junior's baptism. It's taken a little bit because of his addictions but he has officially left the gangs and stuff.

That's it,

Love,


Elder Bro

Letter #79

The condominium in which we live is called Condominium Resedencial Ana Paula.
Which is hilarious b/c everyone walks around with shirts that say CRAP on them

Gave a talk. However the first speaker got up and then decided he couldn't give the talk and left without a word. Then the second speaker gave a three minute talk.

Which left about 35 for me. Somehow we got through it and it seemed like the people enjoyed it, the reactions were positive.

Got my mugshot taken to renew my visa. Official release date will be July 9th.

The doctor said that my leg tendon has come off the bone, but I don't think it's that big of a deal.,

Onward ever onward, until next week.



Elder Oxygen Tank

Letter #78

So, we're a little busy trying to get all of the kinks worked out on our end, so the letter might be a little short.

We have started a capoeira class (a system of physical discipline and movement originating among Brazilian slaves, treated as a martial art and dance form) in our ward, cool stuff..

I ate cambuqueira, which is like the stem of squash and the flower mixed together.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREYER THE BIG 8

Marcos Vinicius has become one of our biggest teaching assets, He has started telling all of his clients about us, which means that we're getting stopped in the streets a lot.

Looking for a miracle on Saturday, news next week.

Love, until next week,

Elder Hangout

hello breyer jane, yes i know, i ate a cake here for you, love you

Letter #77

Titanic. That’s my icebreaker. What’s up?

Quick story, we were teaching a man called Josélio. During the whole
lesson, he's just citing scriptures that didn't contribute anything.
Let's talk about prophets....
Oh, I know a scripture about adultery, lemme find it real quick.
That's about how it went

We ate lunch with the patriarch. Probably the best lunch I have had yet on my mission. Not because of the food, but because of the conversation. What a couple.

He and his wife (who remember a little the Boston grandparents) spent an hour and a half cracking jokes, telling stories. My personal favorite came from the wife.

"When I was a kid, my dad made moonshine. A LOT OF MOONSHINE. He was the biggest moonshiner in the northeast (which, if you know Brazil, that's a big deal). Our house had a swimming pool in the back yard, which would have been a big deal if we could have swum in that. It ain't water! One time I fell in and I almost died because even holding your breath, you can feel the alcohol entering your body and burning you. Elder, I swear, I was drunk for like three weeks."

Or the patriarch's story about accidentally making pancakes with cement powder. lol

We starting teaching a lady called Lourdes. Her son is the big man on the street. The chief. The boss. The drug lord. One time, we were teaching her and he got a visit about the dude who tried to enter in his drug storage house. My mans gets the work done.

Anyways, we try to visit her but she wasn't there. He came out and we started chatting. He said that he ran out of seda (which is what you use to roll joints, right) and went looking for more. He started
looking around the house and stumbled upon his mom's Book of Mormon (which is made of a similar substance #inspired) and when he went to grab a sheet, he felt inspired to read it first.

In his words, upon reading the first page, the desire to smoke left him for two days. He asked us to come back to talk with him.

Also, just imagine. Us, The Drug lord, shirtless, drinking 100% grape juice out of a beer can and 100% beer out of a wine glass. The cops show up. "Hey Marcos, good to see you're tryna' change, keep up the good work." True Story

The gospel makes miracles, even when you're not expecting them, it's just a fact.

Until next week, love you all -

Elder Mind the Pot of Oregano

Flamboyant Zone Conference