Britain Meets Brazil --- 2-23-15

This week was a different one. Some good and some bad. Let’s start with interesting though.

This city is like my last area. Some of the roads are paved but others are cobblestone. It’s really quite strange to walk on cobblestone. The better thing is no one sleeps on the streets here. So that’s better to walk the streets and not wonder if someone is dead...... 

Today I got emails from Friends, my uncle, both grammas, my sis, and my cousin! I HAD NO IDEA SHE WAS THINKING ABOUT A MISSION!!!!!   I was happy to hear that she got her call to Peru! :}

Today I'm getting a haircut. AND I found a lady in the ward that does hair so we are going there today! Super excited! We cleaned house a lot before we came here... So that took time. We don’t have time today to do any sight-seeing or hiking. We usually shop every Monday so probably after my haircut we'll get groceries. We’ve eaten at....... MCDONALDS!!!!!!!! I get ice cream sometimes too when I'm feeling down. The menu is about the same as in the US but WAY more expensive. Like 10 bucks.... So we've only eaten there once.

Lessons this week were just about the same. We have a baptismal date for A. He is a guy who is 26 and he really wants to change his life. So we hope that he can stop drinking tea and coffee. Our baptism is scheduled for March 7th but we are gonna change it to the 14th because we have stake conference.

We had exchanges with the zone leaders this week and that was difficult. One of them kinda told me that I didn’t speak very well and that was discouraging but oh well. 

As for poverty here. There isnt much here. There is like one bairro that is poor. Other then that its all like average in the states. So thats nice. It feels a little closer to home.

I got this picture today next to our lan house and I thought I would look super British because of the umbrella.

So one of my watches broke this week and I lost my Pearl of great price...... I was super bummed. I'm gonna get a new watch today but I cant replace that Pearl I received the 1^st time I went to the temple. I have a spare watch. My one from gram, but I want one with the date. So with the money that gram sent me I'm gonna get a new one. 

Other then that I didnt have too many spiritual experiences this week. Kind os a bummer week. But oh well. Until next time, and I hope all of you have great weeks!

Love you guys,

Elder George

Second Week in the new area 2-16-15

This is one thing we do with the ward. We hold a family home evening and talk about the proclamation then take a pic with these banners and post it to facebook. To show beliefs and stuff :) The guy is super cool!

This week wasn't nearly as interesting. So this email will probably be much shorter... Sorry!

So here in the new area, the culture is like sunrise and noon. Not completely different but you can tell the difference. The people here are less inclined to listen to you and aren't very polite about not listening. So that’s different. Rejection feels a bit worse. But that’s life. It’s Carnivale this week. It doesn’t really affect us because it’s really just on beaches. But everyone in the city left to go to the beach so not many people are here. People go like 3-5 hours away or farther. In like Rio and São Paulo it last like a month. Officially it ends this Thursday here.

Before today's haircut......

I don’t know if I have gained weight! I put on some jeans and they were SUPER Tight. I didn’t remember them being that tight... So I have no idea. Everything else fits. Thank goodness. I don’t wanna buy stuff here... BUT one of my pairs of shoes is already falling apart! Super annoying. I'm still gonna keep the beat up ones to show at the end when I get home :) They aren’t horrible right now but the surface is starting to peel.

Ropa Normal

Being companions with a district leader is different. We have to go on splits with the zone leaders once per transfer so that’s fun... We actually have our split with them today. So I'll let you know how that went. Also he has to have district meetings to train the district every week. So he spends time preparing for that a bit. But other than that it’s the same.

Investigators are a little crazy right now. We still don't have them locked in really. But, we may have also found an investigator that wants the lessons in English! SUPER COOL! I wonder if I'll be able to do that.... :} We have a reference system on lds.org that the mission office sends references to! So they sent it to us.

I do have one person we are teaching that I would really like you guys to pray for. His name is L. He is 18 and he is the son of a non-active returned missionary. He doesn’t believe that there is a god and needs to know what's out there. So you guys could keep him in mind that would be great.

Lessons are hard to describe really. But we had one with L. He speaks English and Portuguese but his wife doesn’t speak English so he doesn’t have a chance to speak English so for part of the lesson I taught in English. It was good! I liked it. And I KNOW he felt the Spirit. I was like drowning in it so I know he felt it. We just taught about how it makes sense that something else is out there. HE seemed to understand and feel it so that was awesome.

One really awesome thing last week was getting my scriptures ordered! I'm super pumped to really study the scriptures in Portuguese. For the past while I haven’t really been able to because my scriptures got soaked. So having these will make all the difference. So that was good!

Well, one scripture that really stood out to me this week was Matthew 26:22. This is when Christ says to the apostles," One of you will betray me." They were each exceedingly sorrowful and began to ask the Master," Lord, is it I?"

This inspired me to ask that more often to find out what I need to improve on. What I may not be doing as well as I could. So I think we should each look at ourselves and ask if we are doing everything as best as we can so that we "may stand blameless before God at the last day." I know that if we do this we will have a more happy life and a more Christ-like life. I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. I love you all and wish you the best of weeks! I thank you all for you prayers on my behalf and know that I'm praying for every one of you.

Love you guys,

Elder George

PS---- #popcornselfieswag  ;)

New Area!! ---February 9, 2015

Elders with Branch Mission leader

Greetings!! The new area is freakin fantastic! We are right in the center of the city. It is a city with MANY people and a nice ward! There are about 50-60 active members so its much different then the 20 in my last branch. They are really interested in missionary work and they want to help us reactivate people and meet new people who might be interested! Investigators: we have like 10. Progressing, 0......   I met the bishop for the first time on Saturday and he freakin asked me to speak the NEXT DAY! So yesterday was my first talk in our new area. It was good I think. It was about member missionary work. (before I knew they were already excited about it...)Other than that the members are REALLY excited about helping us and doing missionary work! This area is basically night and day difference then our last area! YES the members do feed us! We didn’t have a day last week without lunch! Each member has a day of the month-ish. The church building is about the same as every church building in the states. Just without AC. So thats nice for a change.

2nd Area-Criciuma 1

Our apartment is in a big apartment building and its pretty nice! Also, the water from the tap is drinkable here! It wasnt there in my last area. So thats awesome that we don't have to buy water or go the church to get water. And yeah it is the same apartment as I described on Skype at Christmas-where we stayed when I first got to the mission; (with the mold on the walls and the plastic couch) but he cleaned it really well so it’s like the best apartment ever now. It’s in an apartment building and it’s pretty nice. I'll send pictures next week. I ACTUALLY HAVE A DESK! It's so awesome. In my last area we didn’t have desks so that’s better.

My new companion is Elder B. His 20 years old and is from the US also. He has 15 months in the mission and 5 months in Brazil. He is the district leader here and he is super fun. We have a lot in common. He loves to sing, play sports, and we both want to work and strengthen the area.

Being companions with the district leader is a little different than the other elders. Every week he has to call the other pairs and get their numbers from the week and see if they need anything. He also prepares training for district meetings every week. So it is a bit different.

I have a bus card that the mission gives me money to fill. It’s like the city bus so it’s good. We use it to go to different areas that take too much time to walk. That is also different.

I had a really happy moment this week! I spoke to our Bishop here about scriptures to see if he could order some for me, because last transfer me and Elder Badger we walking in the rain and they got soaked... So we looked online on a site called Deseret Brazil and they sell Portuguese quads! The church doesn’t make them in Portuguese, only this guy that makes them specially. So we ordered one and it should be here next week at the latest! That was awesome! Also, they have a ward choir here! We went and I discovered something. She is super controlling and judgmental if you get there late or leave early. So that was funny.

I witnessed a miracle this week. When I left my first area I could only understand about 50% of what was said. When I got here I was suddenly able to understand everything! We are 2 Americans with not a lot of time in Brazil and we doing great things here. It was insane how much the spirit helped us this week. We are having a lot of fun as well. 

I was listening to Elder Holland's talk from conference this last time around ("Are We Not All Beggars" Here is the link:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/are-we-not-all-beggars?lang=eng )  and one thing he said really stuck out to me. When he talked about Pres. Monson and Mother Teresa and their service he said something that was really moving for me. "She hath wrought a good work. She hath done what she could." That's all God asks of us. Do what we can to keep the commandments and do the right things. If we do these things we will add so much good to the world. "What good we do is but a drop in the Ocean, but if we don't do it, the ocean will be one drop less." Let us all add our one drop to the ocean, Because if we don't the ocean would be without a whole lot of water.

I love this gospel, and I love the prophets and apostles. Their words are literally words from God to us. I bear testimony that this is The Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. We are God's children and he wants us back. So, let us do what we can, add our drop to the ocean, and return to his presence so that he may embrace us and say "Well done my son/daughter."

I love you all and hope you all have magnificent weeks. Take good care of each other! I would be very sad to find out someone had a broken bone or something. Thank you for all of your support and remember that I'm praying for you.

Sinceramente e com amor,

Elder Deven George 

Pics with people in Imarui:

 Imarui Branch President and his wife

 Some favorite people in Imarui

 Imarui Primary President and her daughter-in-law who was our investigator

Our young investigator



GETTIN TRANSFERRED!!!---- February 2, 2015

Personalized mission planner

Well this is my last day here! I have been transferred!!! It's a MASSIVE City and I will be the companion of Elder B who is the district leader there and also an AMERICAN!!!! Two Americans in a row! How's that work?????

Anyway, we took pictures with everyone that I will be sending next week! We had our last meetings with investigators and we leave at 630 in the morning tomorrow. We go to Florianopolis first and then we part ways and go to our next areas. He is going to Joinville. I can't wait to get to know new people. There is one thing that I dreading a bit... There is a rumor going around that I will train this next transfer.... Our district leader apparently told Pres. Silva that I was one of the best missionaries he'd seen and that I could be a really great trainer. So it is rumored that I will train next transfer....... So we'll see.

Other than that, our solid investigators are still solid and this area will definitely have baptisms next transfer so that’s really frustrating... But oh well.

Well everyone. Next time I email you I will be in my new area!

Love you guys and here is the scripture that has influenced me! Helaman 5:12.

Elder George.

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Esta Semana 1-26-15



Amigos e Familia,

Eu vou tentar para falar um pouco em Português. Então, Michael, Sarah, e Steve vão estar as únicas pessoas que vai entender sem ajuda de tradutor! Ta bom?

Nah just messin’. 

Well this week was good. Our baptism fell through because we didn’t realize that she was leaving for Floripa the Saturday this week. So we couldn’t baptize her this week, but we have planned to baptize her when she returns. So that should be good. But! If I get transferred I would be a little upset with that....

Anyway. Other then that we found two people who seem to have a lot of interest in the church and we are teaching them. We hope that they will keep the commitments and get baptized!

Marlo is a Journalist who is like 30 and single.

Aline is a daughter in law of the primary president and she is now a widow. Sad.... But it gave us a real nice window to talk about the gospel because of her loss. She is very interested that families can be together forever.

Other then that David and Andre are not progressing so we are working with them to have to desire to do the things they need to do to be baptized..

They sent our phone today so we should get that this week, then we will order gas for the oven and be back in business!

Other then that we are about the same. Lots of rain here and we are not staying very dry so that is unfortunate. Oh well. Missionary life.

 

 

Thanks for the letters I got last week! I got one from BOB CLARK THE LEGEND​,

One from the Smiths, and one from Pres Bernt and one other that I don’t remember right now.

That’s about it this week. Love all you guys and I hope to hear more about some adventures there next week!

Love you guys!

Elder George

 

One of my self motivational pages in my planner....

 

Oh! Mom asked me to share a few words about a Gospel Principle and I almost forgot!

Well, before my mission I never really took prayer seriously. I always thought "Lets get this done 'm freakin' hungry!" When I left though, I found myself without anything I knew and completely alone. I read in the scriptures that day about the power of prayer and thought " I'll give that a try for real."

So I did. I can now say that Prayer has influenced my life more than I can explain. I have received so much more comfort then ever and now I can say that you are never really alone. I love this gospel and I love all of you. Thank you for your prayers on my behalf and your support. I can never repay that.

Thank you for everything

Elder George

 

 

PS This is a custom scripture case I had made in the MTC! Super nice and will last forever. Thought people might be interested!

TEMOS UM BATISMO DATA!!!!! January 19, 2015

Well as you can see by the title we have a baptism scheduled for this week! It is a middle aged women who found the gospel and knows the church is true. So we will see if that works out! The baptism is scheduled for Friday, so I'll let you guys know next week! David’s visit was not great. He didn’t even try to ask his dad about being baptized. Raquel has a batismo date! But we probably won’t be able to do it this transfer. She is leaving on Saturday and won’t be back until the 8th of Feb. Andre is trying to quit smoking... Not having too much success. Our 2 investigators aren't really progressing. They are having hard time keeping commitments. So we are trying to express to them how important they are. I'll let you know how that goes!

So about transfers: We get the call on the 30th. The next transfer starts one the 2nd. They call you on the 30th with the new assignments, and then you travel, if necessary. We start packing and usually you start traveling the next Monday.

As far as the water situation from last week is, WE HAVE WATER AGAIN! Showering daily is happening again. :) Thank goodness... I was dying everyday.... the stove we haven’t gotten figured out because we still don’t have a phone yet. How do we get transfer calls without a phone? EXACTLY! They claim to be sending one to us today and should be here on Wednesday. The secretaries handle all of that. The president knows, but he doesn’t deal with that.

It’s been POURING rain for like the whole week. Well, the rain here isn’t like rain in the states. The rain he is like pouring a bucket on you ALL the time. So Umbrellas don’t keep you dry. Mine actually broke a bit... So we can’t do much when it rains like that. The waterproof bag still gets pretty wet too, just because of the sheer amount of water. My scriptures are kinda getting wet. I was gonna get some new ones anyways because the MTC gave us the absolute cheapest. I want some with the leather because they hold up better. A member is gonna go to the temple and get them for me. I'll give them money to buy them. I will send you a picture of the scripture cover I had made in the CTM, but it is for my English scriptures so I don’t use it every day.

Everything ON me is good. No pain, no soreness anymore in my toe, back, or feet. I think my back was just sore from the bag. But it got stronger. I'm doing pushups like crazy. ;-) I also have a 6-pack now ;) As far as homesickness, that is getting better too. I don't miss it as much because I can understand better. The language is getting better. I don't have to ask Elder Badger NEARLY as much.

Other stuff, we had Entrevistas com presidente da missão também. That was good. We had a good doctrine ceonversation and about life as well. So that was good! Interviews are 15 minutes long. It's only longer if you have questions.

I received a card from Mrs. Hunter and a card from Grandma George with some money. I appreciate it so much! Unfortunately, American money here in our area and really anywhere without an international airport is as good as firewood. The Visa gift card was really helpful. I should get some more mail next transfer because we don’t have another conference til then. I haven’t gotten any other packages or mail... I haven’t gotten anything from Gram or the cereal you ordered. :( Or the guitar picks mom sent. The cereal could come next transfer, because of the Christmas season. I got mom's latest package with all the food and stuff, but that’s it this transfer, other than letters.

Other stuff, Thats about it.... Thanks for all the support these weeks It really means a lot. Sorry its so short this week but not much happened here... Last week was a lot more interesting then this one. Well, I love you guys and I hope you all have a boa semana!

Com Amor, Elder George

1-12-15 One More Week Down

Elders in our District

Friends and Family,

This week was a little more interesting then the one before and I will go over why!

So third world countries are fun places! Health is good. Hygiene is a different story..... We haven’t had ANY water in our apartment since Friday! So showering hasn’t happened since then or clean clothes! YAY!!!! Thank goodness we are going to Laguna tomorrow. At least they have showers there! We are gonna take laundry to Laguna tomorrow and wash stuff there! :D Thank goodness. When we travel, We usually take our carry-ons so that should be fine. Also I will use the polka dot laundry bag so it’s not awkward on the bus :) So that was fun to experience this week....

I have been wearing my glasses. I LOVE THEM. They make conferences so much easier, because they often have a white board that they write stuff and often times I can’t see what they´ve written. Last week we had a Zone meeting in Tuberão. It was originally going to be in Criciúma, but Pres. Silva decided that missionaries can no longer sleep in a different apartment before meetings anymore. So when we got to Laguna to get our connecting bus to Criciúma, the other elders there told that we would be staying there til the next day when the meeting was in Tuberão. The only people that can sleep in a different apartment is us because of the bus schedule in Imaruí. So that was a surprise. In total we were on a bus for 2 and a half hours. Not too bad. When we take those buses they’re usually filled with people who already know that your missionaries and generally avoid you. It’s kinda funny. The meeting there was fine. We got 2 new zone leader this transfer so that was a little bit of a waste of time....

Pastels?

Lessons with investigators were really good this week! We had a lesson with David and he is gonna ask his dad if he can be baptized this week! So that could be really good! We also had a lesson with Andre who has had a really hard time with not smoking and We asked if he wanted a blessing and he said sure so  we did! I was the voice and I could actually speak what I was feeling in Portuguese! "I" definitely did not say anything. It definitely all The Spirit.  So that was awesome.

Other stuff that happened was we ran out of gas in our oven so we have had to use the church oven and stuff... We were gonna call and get more but our phone is broken so basically everything bad that can happen to the house did this week :) YAY!!!!!!

Other than that everyone, Nothing else new! Love you guys and I hope that you guys have a great week!

Elder George