Querido Familia,
So this past week has also felt like several weeks, and also this keyboard is quite annoying!
There was an emergency transfer that happened so Elder Pearson is now in a different zone and I am now serving with 3 Brasilians in the house and am being forced to speak Portuguese if I want to communicate with anyone here, which is a blessing as well as a trial, but I will have increased language skills if I am diligent.
We also might be moving into a new house closer to the church. Our house is horrible,and I did take pictures, just so you know Mom, so you'll eventually be able to see what I mean, as soon as I get to sending pictures off. That is still a problematic situation.
The McFaddens are moving?! :( It is sad to hear about families moving in the ward. I didn't get to read your email until after I was done the emailing last time dad, so I didn't get to reply. When are they moving to California? Also it is sad to hear that the Farars are leaving as well for Texas, but Texas is cool. It is just sad to see, well to hear about so many people leaving the stake/ward. How many new families have moved in since I left?
We got to move a family. That was the same day that we found out about the emergency transfers happening. It is also the family who's old house we might be moving into, but that isn't for certain still or something. We'll know for certain next week.
And this computer just turned off because the connection to the wall is bad and I hit it with my foot by accident.
Church was good. I felt close to the ward and felt grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve in Uruguai, and was also grateful that I have 3 more weeks minimum serving here. When I woke up on Sunday it was just a calm day. The weather was really nice. It wasn't too hot, and there was a cool breeze that never happens that made it even more pleasant. It was just a very peaceful Sunday, and it made me grateful and ponder about the love that God has for us, his children, that he created this world for us to have our probationary experience of mortality!
Elder Pearson, before he left gave me a book "Preparation Precedes Power." It is about missionary work and it is by Randy L. Bott. I have really enjoyed reading from it, specifically his part about spiritual experiences. Throughout the scriptures and in modern days, when someone has a spiritual experience of great magnitude, they will have a temptation or trial from the adversary to match that experience. eg: Moses when he is transfigured on the mount, and then afterwards Satan comes and tempts him. He also talked about how if you are experiencing a lot of opposition, and trials without a spiritual experience, the opposite will come and you will have an equal and opposite. eg: Joseph Smith, he was praying, and he was getting overcome by opposition from the adversary but with continued faith and endurance, he had the first vision.
I love learning about the gospel, and I am trying to work on my ability to be able to receive answers to my own questions through means of the scriptures, pondering, and prayer, and I have been making more goals of what I want to accomplish on my mission in terms of skills like that.
This week felt so long, yet I don't feel like I had that much to write about. I'll make sure to have more for next week, and to write down just little cool things that happen throughout the week.
I love you all a lot, and I am grateful for all the blessings that the Lord has given me. This church truly is his kingdom on the Earth, and the Gospel is the way to exaltation: the greatest of all the gifts of God.
Talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
May 16, 2011 - Teresina Brasil Week 10 - Mission Week 36
Querido Familia,
Well this week has felt more like 3 weeks all crammed in one, and it has had some adventures. Elder Magalhães got dengue, and he wasn't able to work from Thursday-Sunday, but he seems to be better today. I worked a few times with a member of the ward but it was hard because I was the senior companion, can´t really speak Português still, and the member I worked with doesn't speak any English so it was a bit more difficult to communicate.
The city layout here in Teresina is organized, like it has blocks and streets, most of which are with out signs. The blocks are not really that organized though and I remember stuff by landmarks here.
It has been a bit of a challenge this week too because one of our investigators that has a baptismal date doesn't come to church and we will have to reset the baptismal date with her again if she really does want to be baptized, and then this other family that we are teaching doesn't want to come to church either and they also had a baptismal date, so it is a similar situation that Ricky is having with his investigators. Instances like this are definitely hard, and what adds more is that I cannot really resolve problems that well because of language skills, but that will come eventually.
Another animal sighting here, a gigantic turtle that an investigator owns.
Every day has been pretty hot here this past week too.
I enjoyed the Birthday Present Geoff, and now I understand the message you sent, with having the stuff said twice.
Heather, I also discovered where the apostrophe is on these keyboards, it is in a completely different spot than an English keyboard so I will try to use it correctly that way you don't get attacked by kanji.
Question Julia, what is the Earth Kingdom symbol in Avatar, or the symbol for Earth. I can remember air, water, and fire, but not what Earth looks like.
Also another question, was the companion of Elder Harmon Elder Bradley? I think it was but I wasn't sure.
This week has been a bit of a surprise with the completely different time, so I will try to make sure that it is more in the afternoon so that you have time to email before I get on so I can read them.
This week I have been reading in 1st Nephi since I started reading the Book of Mormon again during personal study. It has been a while since I had read the beginning books and I have really been enjoying them. I am grateful that our Heavenly Father is in charge of what is going on and that he knows what he is doing and what is best for us. One subject that I have studied a lot too is Prayer, and about the Holy Ghost. God will answer prayers at the time that it will most help us. I cannot remember exactly where, I think it was in the Gospel Principles Book where I read about one president of the church and when he didn't feel like he was receiving an answer to his prayers that he would have the patience to endure until he did receive an answer to his prayer. Also, that to get help from God, we just need to ask. Ask for help, ask for different Christlike attributes: patience, charity, love... and when we do that we will have his help and we are also more humble.
I really enjoy my personal study in the mornings, it is a time to learn, and to personally gain more knowledge about the gospel of salvation.
I am grateful that we have the scriptures, the word of God revealed to his past prophets, and I am also very grateful for modern day prophets. We have a prophet, and twelve apostles, just as the church was in the time of Christ, how lucky we are to have that direct guidance for all of us, all of God's children in our lives. I know that this church is true, and I am so grateful that I am a member of it. It has truly blessed my life.
I love you all, talk to you next week!
Love,
-Elder Phillip Larsen
Well this week has felt more like 3 weeks all crammed in one, and it has had some adventures. Elder Magalhães got dengue, and he wasn't able to work from Thursday-Sunday, but he seems to be better today. I worked a few times with a member of the ward but it was hard because I was the senior companion, can´t really speak Português still, and the member I worked with doesn't speak any English so it was a bit more difficult to communicate.
The city layout here in Teresina is organized, like it has blocks and streets, most of which are with out signs. The blocks are not really that organized though and I remember stuff by landmarks here.
It has been a bit of a challenge this week too because one of our investigators that has a baptismal date doesn't come to church and we will have to reset the baptismal date with her again if she really does want to be baptized, and then this other family that we are teaching doesn't want to come to church either and they also had a baptismal date, so it is a similar situation that Ricky is having with his investigators. Instances like this are definitely hard, and what adds more is that I cannot really resolve problems that well because of language skills, but that will come eventually.
Another animal sighting here, a gigantic turtle that an investigator owns.
Every day has been pretty hot here this past week too.
I enjoyed the Birthday Present Geoff, and now I understand the message you sent, with having the stuff said twice.
Heather, I also discovered where the apostrophe is on these keyboards, it is in a completely different spot than an English keyboard so I will try to use it correctly that way you don't get attacked by kanji.
Question Julia, what is the Earth Kingdom symbol in Avatar, or the symbol for Earth. I can remember air, water, and fire, but not what Earth looks like.
Also another question, was the companion of Elder Harmon Elder Bradley? I think it was but I wasn't sure.
This week has been a bit of a surprise with the completely different time, so I will try to make sure that it is more in the afternoon so that you have time to email before I get on so I can read them.
This week I have been reading in 1st Nephi since I started reading the Book of Mormon again during personal study. It has been a while since I had read the beginning books and I have really been enjoying them. I am grateful that our Heavenly Father is in charge of what is going on and that he knows what he is doing and what is best for us. One subject that I have studied a lot too is Prayer, and about the Holy Ghost. God will answer prayers at the time that it will most help us. I cannot remember exactly where, I think it was in the Gospel Principles Book where I read about one president of the church and when he didn't feel like he was receiving an answer to his prayers that he would have the patience to endure until he did receive an answer to his prayer. Also, that to get help from God, we just need to ask. Ask for help, ask for different Christlike attributes: patience, charity, love... and when we do that we will have his help and we are also more humble.
I really enjoy my personal study in the mornings, it is a time to learn, and to personally gain more knowledge about the gospel of salvation.
I am grateful that we have the scriptures, the word of God revealed to his past prophets, and I am also very grateful for modern day prophets. We have a prophet, and twelve apostles, just as the church was in the time of Christ, how lucky we are to have that direct guidance for all of us, all of God's children in our lives. I know that this church is true, and I am so grateful that I am a member of it. It has truly blessed my life.
I love you all, talk to you next week!
Love,
-Elder Phillip Larsen
Monday, May 9, 2011
May 9, 2011 - Teresina Brasil Week 9 - Mission Week 35
Querido Familia,
Well we talked last night on the phone which was awesome! but I do not have too much new stuff to say, and also I am a lot more rushed than usual today. I will remedy that next week. And guess what! Right after the phone call it started to rain, a lot again! But we made it home without requiring a canoe. :)
Today we started off with some basketball, which was all right. We were on our way to centro Teresina, and while waiting at the bus stop an old lady sitting next to me hawked a lugi.... (Don´t know how to spell that correctly) We went to Riverside shopping, which is a mall, Shopping is the word for Mall in Portuguese. Then we spent more time in the center of the city, really the whole day until P-day ended.
Saw a smart car here for the first time. The cars here are already small as it is, but Smart Car still is smaller.
I sent 4 letters, but I don´t know how long they will take, and I also managed to get a CD of pictures, but it could only hold 211 pictures of mine. The person didn´t understand that I wanted a DVD for more space but oh well I still have a backup. But it is spread out throughout my entire mission so far. The next few that I will make will be a more thorough backup.
Happy Mother´s Day! Again! I really enjoyed talking with you all! But it is sad that the phone call is already over. Next one though I will be able to speak Portuguese! I am glad for the opportunity to email, and that blessing of technology.
Tomorrow we have a Zone Conference here in Teresina, and hopefully then I will get my mission bag. I wonder what the conference will be about too. That is exciting though, first one since entering Brasil.
Sorry this email is shorter, I didn´t get an opportunity to read well the longer emails that were sent. Also Dad, the Facebook email that you sent about the different birthday greetings got messed up I think because it doesn´t have what people say for a lot of them, but thanks for sending it! I will also figure out a way to send more pictures, I will send that CD when I get the chance too.
The address for packages is this:
Mario Aparicido Dias
a/c Elder Phillip Edward Larsen
R:Tersandro Paz, No 2129, Salas 105-108
Centro Teresina, PI
64001-380
Brasil
I love you all very much, thank you for your support and love. I am glad that I got to call you and that you are doing well. Next week I will make sure to have more time to email. (Radio Show Host Voice) Tune in next week!
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
(Sorry for not having time to read all the emails, only had 30ish minutes I printed off the ones I didn´t get to read thoroughly, and will respond to them next week.)
Well we talked last night on the phone which was awesome! but I do not have too much new stuff to say, and also I am a lot more rushed than usual today. I will remedy that next week. And guess what! Right after the phone call it started to rain, a lot again! But we made it home without requiring a canoe. :)
Today we started off with some basketball, which was all right. We were on our way to centro Teresina, and while waiting at the bus stop an old lady sitting next to me hawked a lugi.... (Don´t know how to spell that correctly) We went to Riverside shopping, which is a mall, Shopping is the word for Mall in Portuguese. Then we spent more time in the center of the city, really the whole day until P-day ended.
Saw a smart car here for the first time. The cars here are already small as it is, but Smart Car still is smaller.
I sent 4 letters, but I don´t know how long they will take, and I also managed to get a CD of pictures, but it could only hold 211 pictures of mine. The person didn´t understand that I wanted a DVD for more space but oh well I still have a backup. But it is spread out throughout my entire mission so far. The next few that I will make will be a more thorough backup.
Happy Mother´s Day! Again! I really enjoyed talking with you all! But it is sad that the phone call is already over. Next one though I will be able to speak Portuguese! I am glad for the opportunity to email, and that blessing of technology.
Tomorrow we have a Zone Conference here in Teresina, and hopefully then I will get my mission bag. I wonder what the conference will be about too. That is exciting though, first one since entering Brasil.
Sorry this email is shorter, I didn´t get an opportunity to read well the longer emails that were sent. Also Dad, the Facebook email that you sent about the different birthday greetings got messed up I think because it doesn´t have what people say for a lot of them, but thanks for sending it! I will also figure out a way to send more pictures, I will send that CD when I get the chance too.
The address for packages is this:
Mario Aparicido Dias
a/c Elder Phillip Edward Larsen
R:Tersandro Paz, No 2129, Salas 105-108
Centro Teresina, PI
64001-380
Brasil
I love you all very much, thank you for your support and love. I am glad that I got to call you and that you are doing well. Next week I will make sure to have more time to email. (Radio Show Host Voice) Tune in next week!
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
(Sorry for not having time to read all the emails, only had 30ish minutes I printed off the ones I didn´t get to read thoroughly, and will respond to them next week.)
Monday, May 2, 2011
May 2, 2011 - Teresina Brasil Week 8 - Mission Week 34
Querido Familia,
Thanks for all the birthday wishes!
So, I will be calling home for Mother´s day because I don´t really know where we will be making the call. Will that mean you pay for it if I call or what exactly happens... I won´t know though because Mother´s day is next Sunday so I guess we´ll find out? I just hope everything works out. This is different having Mother´s day the 8th day of May, and having transfers, (I am not transferred, I think... Pretty sure I am not) but this has been an eventful week.
My count for weird foods has gone up too... In Texas I ate Cow Stomach, Rattle Snake, and Frog Legs, and since entering Brasil I have had some pretty weird foods as well. The food here though is really really good!
This past week we had another Baptism, Sandra, Carlos´s cousin. She has already been doing missionary work too. She invited her friend to her baptism, who now also has a date to be baptised and she received an answer to her prayers about the book of Mormon. It is amazing to see the changes that the gospel brings in people.
So where were the Tornados that were in the United States? I heard about those, and also that Osama Bin Laden finally got caught and killed. That is a pretty surreal event to have happen. I keep thinking though about what it says in the Book of Mormon that secret combinations destroyed the people of Nephi, and just how secret combinations would be around all the time and would be the cause of destruction among various countries in the world.
Cool thing Dad, I met a guy from France here, and he lives near Toulouse (I hope I spelled that right.) He spoke French, (Obviously), Portuguese, Spanish, and English. At first I only knew that he spoke French and Portuguese, but then I asked him about his Portuguese and he named the other languages and started speaking in English. It was a really cool experience, although we didn't get to talk about the gospel. It was neat though that he lives probably in the area that your mission covers!
I saw a huge turtle this past week too at an investigator´s house. It was cool, but I didn´t have my camera on me. I also still have not managed to get a picture of that monkey!
Did you watch Ben-Hur on Easter? I forgot to ask about that. That was kind of a movie that we would watch every Easter. We got to watch the Lamb of God with some people which was nice, and occasionally we get to watch the Testaments, or another church movie with some people that we are teaching here, but not too often.
I got Oma and Papa´s letter on Friday. Our Zone Leaders came to our area and we got mail that day! Hooray! First letter in Brasil! I really appreciated it, and I will send a reply when I get a chance to. The postal system is very very different here than in the states.
This past week has been especially hot. Differently here, than where my cousin Ricky is serving. I think all of our areas have a washer-like thing. But I have washed things by hand here too. That sounds like a time taking p-day activity though! O_o sounds like a cool area that Ricky is serving in. Literally cooler too than Teresina! Hah.
Well I don´t have as much to say this week, I am excited for the Mother´s day call next Sunday! I´ll get stuff ready to say for that! :D
Love you lots, I miss you all, and thank you for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
Thanks for all the birthday wishes!
So, I will be calling home for Mother´s day because I don´t really know where we will be making the call. Will that mean you pay for it if I call or what exactly happens... I won´t know though because Mother´s day is next Sunday so I guess we´ll find out? I just hope everything works out. This is different having Mother´s day the 8th day of May, and having transfers, (I am not transferred, I think... Pretty sure I am not) but this has been an eventful week.
My count for weird foods has gone up too... In Texas I ate Cow Stomach, Rattle Snake, and Frog Legs, and since entering Brasil I have had some pretty weird foods as well. The food here though is really really good!
This past week we had another Baptism, Sandra, Carlos´s cousin. She has already been doing missionary work too. She invited her friend to her baptism, who now also has a date to be baptised and she received an answer to her prayers about the book of Mormon. It is amazing to see the changes that the gospel brings in people.
So where were the Tornados that were in the United States? I heard about those, and also that Osama Bin Laden finally got caught and killed. That is a pretty surreal event to have happen. I keep thinking though about what it says in the Book of Mormon that secret combinations destroyed the people of Nephi, and just how secret combinations would be around all the time and would be the cause of destruction among various countries in the world.
Cool thing Dad, I met a guy from France here, and he lives near Toulouse (I hope I spelled that right.) He spoke French, (Obviously), Portuguese, Spanish, and English. At first I only knew that he spoke French and Portuguese, but then I asked him about his Portuguese and he named the other languages and started speaking in English. It was a really cool experience, although we didn't get to talk about the gospel. It was neat though that he lives probably in the area that your mission covers!
I saw a huge turtle this past week too at an investigator´s house. It was cool, but I didn´t have my camera on me. I also still have not managed to get a picture of that monkey!
Did you watch Ben-Hur on Easter? I forgot to ask about that. That was kind of a movie that we would watch every Easter. We got to watch the Lamb of God with some people which was nice, and occasionally we get to watch the Testaments, or another church movie with some people that we are teaching here, but not too often.
I got Oma and Papa´s letter on Friday. Our Zone Leaders came to our area and we got mail that day! Hooray! First letter in Brasil! I really appreciated it, and I will send a reply when I get a chance to. The postal system is very very different here than in the states.
This past week has been especially hot. Differently here, than where my cousin Ricky is serving. I think all of our areas have a washer-like thing. But I have washed things by hand here too. That sounds like a time taking p-day activity though! O_o sounds like a cool area that Ricky is serving in. Literally cooler too than Teresina! Hah.
Well I don´t have as much to say this week, I am excited for the Mother´s day call next Sunday! I´ll get stuff ready to say for that! :D
Love you lots, I miss you all, and thank you for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
Monday, April 25, 2011
Apr 25, 2011 - Teresina Brasil Week 7 - Mission Week 33
Querido Familia,
I can never keep the number of weeks straight, but oh well. This on the 25th of April.
I was going to ask how Easter was but it looked like it was filled with the usual awesomeness. Here in Brasil we didn't do too much if not anything for Easter. Lots of people were gone visiting family, so we got to see no one in the streets! :P Although one different thing here is that people hang Judas Iscariots over the city. I saw 2 during the weekend. Didn't get to take a picture of one, but they were pretty weird.
I got to use the Plan of Salvation puzzle last week! I made sure of it. We taught the Plan of Salvation to Carlos's cousin Sandra. She has a baptismal date for this upcoming Saturday which is exciting.
It looks like Dad and Brad had an awesome bike trip. We'll have to go biking when I get back. I did 12 weeks of biking in Texas, and that was really fun. Here, its all walking. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am in Brasil, another country. It has been a rough experience with the language. Eventually I'll get it.
The weather here the past 2 weeks has been absolutely crazy. Every single day it has thunderstormed, and it's been pretty overcast a lot of the time too which is a bummer... Also, the carnival that is nearby our house, with a ferris wheel and other rides is leaving. It's a bit sad that they are moving to a new location now. It was cool to see the Ferris Wheel every night from the street walking home. Also there have been a lot of rainbows all the time which is pretty cool too. ``Double Rainbow!!"
I had another experience where I spoke and after I had said what I wanted to, the people said ``N鉶 entendi, desculpe, o que ele falou?" That is somewhat frustrating, but it happens. O_o
Sandra, one of our investigators told us a story about how she was having a lot of headaches and couldn't focus, but then she thought to say a prayer and when she had done that, the headaches went away instantly and she didn't have any more problems with that. I have been studying prayer a lot, and God truly does answer all sincere prayers. It may not be in the time frame you are expecting, but it is going to be in the manner that is going to be best for you. From her experience her testimony about prayer had been strengthened, and she no longer tries to get out of saying prayers in lessons. It is awesome to be able to witness the changes that occur in people and the blessings that they receive as they accept the Gospel.
It's pretty crazy to think that in a week I will no longer be a teenager. Weird. 20 Years old...
As for this past week, it has been quite the roller coaster. It has been a struggle with homesickness still. Not being able to communicate with the people I am around, combined with not receiving mail and hearing from home as easily are big contributors. I am trying to make the best of this trial. I've had quite the welcome to Brasil.
One thing that I have noticed is the difference between the 2 missions. I have thought that God wanted me to have many experiences that I had in Texas, and that I should apply the things that I learned and all the lessons and things to my work here in Brasil. I have learned so much though about so many things these past 7 months. It has been quite the adventure.
One thing that I am learning more is relying on the Lord through this experience. That is the only way I'll be able to do his work.
Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer. I have really enjoyed reading Jesus the Christ lately. He lives, and he and our Heavenly Father love us.
I also finished reading the Book of Mormon again this past week. So I started it again. I am so grateful that we have the scriptures today to study and learn from, and to be taught by the Holy Ghost while reading them.
Thanks for everything, I love you guys! miss you too!
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
I can never keep the number of weeks straight, but oh well. This on the 25th of April.
I was going to ask how Easter was but it looked like it was filled with the usual awesomeness. Here in Brasil we didn't do too much if not anything for Easter. Lots of people were gone visiting family, so we got to see no one in the streets! :P Although one different thing here is that people hang Judas Iscariots over the city. I saw 2 during the weekend. Didn't get to take a picture of one, but they were pretty weird.
I got to use the Plan of Salvation puzzle last week! I made sure of it. We taught the Plan of Salvation to Carlos's cousin Sandra. She has a baptismal date for this upcoming Saturday which is exciting.
It looks like Dad and Brad had an awesome bike trip. We'll have to go biking when I get back. I did 12 weeks of biking in Texas, and that was really fun. Here, its all walking. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am in Brasil, another country. It has been a rough experience with the language. Eventually I'll get it.
The weather here the past 2 weeks has been absolutely crazy. Every single day it has thunderstormed, and it's been pretty overcast a lot of the time too which is a bummer... Also, the carnival that is nearby our house, with a ferris wheel and other rides is leaving. It's a bit sad that they are moving to a new location now. It was cool to see the Ferris Wheel every night from the street walking home. Also there have been a lot of rainbows all the time which is pretty cool too. ``Double Rainbow!!"
I had another experience where I spoke and after I had said what I wanted to, the people said ``N鉶 entendi, desculpe, o que ele falou?" That is somewhat frustrating, but it happens. O_o
Sandra, one of our investigators told us a story about how she was having a lot of headaches and couldn't focus, but then she thought to say a prayer and when she had done that, the headaches went away instantly and she didn't have any more problems with that. I have been studying prayer a lot, and God truly does answer all sincere prayers. It may not be in the time frame you are expecting, but it is going to be in the manner that is going to be best for you. From her experience her testimony about prayer had been strengthened, and she no longer tries to get out of saying prayers in lessons. It is awesome to be able to witness the changes that occur in people and the blessings that they receive as they accept the Gospel.
It's pretty crazy to think that in a week I will no longer be a teenager. Weird. 20 Years old...
As for this past week, it has been quite the roller coaster. It has been a struggle with homesickness still. Not being able to communicate with the people I am around, combined with not receiving mail and hearing from home as easily are big contributors. I am trying to make the best of this trial. I've had quite the welcome to Brasil.
One thing that I have noticed is the difference between the 2 missions. I have thought that God wanted me to have many experiences that I had in Texas, and that I should apply the things that I learned and all the lessons and things to my work here in Brasil. I have learned so much though about so many things these past 7 months. It has been quite the adventure.
One thing that I am learning more is relying on the Lord through this experience. That is the only way I'll be able to do his work.
Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer. I have really enjoyed reading Jesus the Christ lately. He lives, and he and our Heavenly Father love us.
I also finished reading the Book of Mormon again this past week. So I started it again. I am so grateful that we have the scriptures today to study and learn from, and to be taught by the Holy Ghost while reading them.
Thanks for everything, I love you guys! miss you too!
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
Monday, April 18, 2011
Apr 18, 2011 - Teresina Brasil Week 6 - Mission Week 32
Querido Familia,
This has been quite the week, and I almost didn´t get to send an email today because I don´t have any cash on me and LAN houses are only cash but we were able to go to a members house and there we were able to do emails.
I forgot my planner today, and that is where I wrote my notes down for my email. No problems from my last email were there? The computer was very ghetto. Hopefully not.
That´s sad to hear about changes in the ward with people moving out, but it is inevitable I guess. That is going to be strange when I get back and there will be a lot of new faces.
I got another haircut, but it was a mistake on my part because now it is way shorter than I like, but in a few weeks it´ll be back to the way it was. Already been a month here in Brasil, and lately I have been having more instances with culture-shock things, (just etiquette and other details. Some phrases are rude in Portuguese that aren´t rude in English and vice-versa)
This past week we had a baptism! My first one since coming to Brasil. His name is Carlos, and he´s almost the age of a deacon. When we had fast and testimony meeting here, he bore his testimony about how he knows that the Book of Mormon is true and that the church is true. This was before he was baptized. He´s a really cool kid. We also started teaching his cousin and she is progressing towards baptism too! (I also bore my testimony on Fast and Testimony meeting in Portuguese. I have a horrible accent, but that´ll come with time. Carlos thinks its hilarious sometimes when I talk to him.)
Every day this past week has been pouring and thunder storming. I´ve been having troubles with not knowing what is going on each day. Not being able to communicate with my companion 100% is difficult in many ways but it has been a good growing experience for my Portuguese. It's been a little stressful but hopefully it will improve.
Today I saw a Monkey! A real live monkey, and a wild one at that. It was just sitting on a wall of one of our neighbor´s, and then jumped into a mango tree that is in their front yard. It was funny because Elder Pearson, another American Elder in our house said, ``Woah! What is that!?`` We looked and at first I thought it was some strange cat, but it was a monkey! Just a funny thing that happened today.
I remember Bradford talking about seeing monkeys in Brasil, and when I saw the monkey today I thought about that. I wish I had my camera with me at the time. Also I have seen many parrots, today at lunch, we saw a parrot that could talk but it didn´t say anything. Eventually I´ll get a picture of one. Reminds me of our constant quest to get a picture of Winston yawning.
I have been keeping a detailed journal for a while now and have gotten into the habit of writing often. It is fun, and it´ll be a treasure in future years when I´ll be able to recall different experiences. I wish I had been more diligent with my journal-writing before the mission.
I miss being able to listen to music. I really enjoyed the music classes in High School, Jazz Improv, and Choir. One of the Elders in the apartment has an mp3 player with lots of church music on it and we sing along to some of the songs every once in a while.
Study has become a very important time for me. Also, during the time that we go to the gym and other times too now, I have been reading Jesus the Christ. At first it was a little hard but I really enjoy it now. Study is such an important thing to do. In order to better be able to teach the things that missionaries teach, I have been strengthening my testimony by getting to know the lessons better and develop more faith in them. Also I have been trying better to use all the materials that I have because they won´t help me if I don´t use them.
This past month has been very difficult overall. Trying to learn Portuguese, and getting used to Brasil. I´m on a completely different continent! Woah! But beyond all the trials it has been making me and helping me rely more on my Savior Jesus Christ and God. This is the Lord´s work, and he is going to help me do the things he needs me to do.
One quote from an older member from the Hobbs ward said these quotes that I read in one of my books that I have. - ``Learn to love what you do, otherwise you´ll be miserable.`` and ``Always look at the good points, never let the devil let you look at all the bad.`` Also, another quote that Irmão Call from the MTC said, ``When you give Christ your all, he gives you his all.``There have been a few things that have really tried my patience, and have been hard to ignore, or look at the good and all the blessings that I have. I´m no where near perfect, but I am trying. Just some quotes that really stood out to me.
I am glad I had that book for people to write little notes in it. I have been having people sign things in it too since going on the mission, and I am really glad I have it. One of the notes someone wrote said ``This will be your greatest adventure yet!`` It has been quite the adventure, but I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord. I just need to get Portuguese down and then I´ll feel more like I am working as hard as I was in Texas. I can´t say exactly what I want to say sometimes and that is frustrating.
This church truly is led by a prophet called of God. Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in the sacred grove. Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer. These things I know to be true, and have further witnesses every day of the importance of this Gospel and this message that I have the responsibility to share.
I love you very much, thank you for your prayers and support. You´re awesome! I miss you,
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
This has been quite the week, and I almost didn´t get to send an email today because I don´t have any cash on me and LAN houses are only cash but we were able to go to a members house and there we were able to do emails.
I forgot my planner today, and that is where I wrote my notes down for my email. No problems from my last email were there? The computer was very ghetto. Hopefully not.
That´s sad to hear about changes in the ward with people moving out, but it is inevitable I guess. That is going to be strange when I get back and there will be a lot of new faces.
I got another haircut, but it was a mistake on my part because now it is way shorter than I like, but in a few weeks it´ll be back to the way it was. Already been a month here in Brasil, and lately I have been having more instances with culture-shock things, (just etiquette and other details. Some phrases are rude in Portuguese that aren´t rude in English and vice-versa)
This past week we had a baptism! My first one since coming to Brasil. His name is Carlos, and he´s almost the age of a deacon. When we had fast and testimony meeting here, he bore his testimony about how he knows that the Book of Mormon is true and that the church is true. This was before he was baptized. He´s a really cool kid. We also started teaching his cousin and she is progressing towards baptism too! (I also bore my testimony on Fast and Testimony meeting in Portuguese. I have a horrible accent, but that´ll come with time. Carlos thinks its hilarious sometimes when I talk to him.)
Every day this past week has been pouring and thunder storming. I´ve been having troubles with not knowing what is going on each day. Not being able to communicate with my companion 100% is difficult in many ways but it has been a good growing experience for my Portuguese. It's been a little stressful but hopefully it will improve.
Today I saw a Monkey! A real live monkey, and a wild one at that. It was just sitting on a wall of one of our neighbor´s, and then jumped into a mango tree that is in their front yard. It was funny because Elder Pearson, another American Elder in our house said, ``Woah! What is that!?`` We looked and at first I thought it was some strange cat, but it was a monkey! Just a funny thing that happened today.
I remember Bradford talking about seeing monkeys in Brasil, and when I saw the monkey today I thought about that. I wish I had my camera with me at the time. Also I have seen many parrots, today at lunch, we saw a parrot that could talk but it didn´t say anything. Eventually I´ll get a picture of one. Reminds me of our constant quest to get a picture of Winston yawning.
I have been keeping a detailed journal for a while now and have gotten into the habit of writing often. It is fun, and it´ll be a treasure in future years when I´ll be able to recall different experiences. I wish I had been more diligent with my journal-writing before the mission.
I miss being able to listen to music. I really enjoyed the music classes in High School, Jazz Improv, and Choir. One of the Elders in the apartment has an mp3 player with lots of church music on it and we sing along to some of the songs every once in a while.
Study has become a very important time for me. Also, during the time that we go to the gym and other times too now, I have been reading Jesus the Christ. At first it was a little hard but I really enjoy it now. Study is such an important thing to do. In order to better be able to teach the things that missionaries teach, I have been strengthening my testimony by getting to know the lessons better and develop more faith in them. Also I have been trying better to use all the materials that I have because they won´t help me if I don´t use them.
This past month has been very difficult overall. Trying to learn Portuguese, and getting used to Brasil. I´m on a completely different continent! Woah! But beyond all the trials it has been making me and helping me rely more on my Savior Jesus Christ and God. This is the Lord´s work, and he is going to help me do the things he needs me to do.
One quote from an older member from the Hobbs ward said these quotes that I read in one of my books that I have. - ``Learn to love what you do, otherwise you´ll be miserable.`` and ``Always look at the good points, never let the devil let you look at all the bad.`` Also, another quote that Irmão Call from the MTC said, ``When you give Christ your all, he gives you his all.``There have been a few things that have really tried my patience, and have been hard to ignore, or look at the good and all the blessings that I have. I´m no where near perfect, but I am trying. Just some quotes that really stood out to me.
I am glad I had that book for people to write little notes in it. I have been having people sign things in it too since going on the mission, and I am really glad I have it. One of the notes someone wrote said ``This will be your greatest adventure yet!`` It has been quite the adventure, but I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord. I just need to get Portuguese down and then I´ll feel more like I am working as hard as I was in Texas. I can´t say exactly what I want to say sometimes and that is frustrating.
This church truly is led by a prophet called of God. Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in the sacred grove. Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer. These things I know to be true, and have further witnesses every day of the importance of this Gospel and this message that I have the responsibility to share.
I love you very much, thank you for your prayers and support. You´re awesome! I miss you,
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
Monday, April 11, 2011
Apr 11, 2011 - Teresina Brasil Week 5 - Mission Week 31
Querido Familia,
So this week has also not been too normal, but its getting there. I
actually got to go to church yesterday at the Uruguai, Ward. It is a
smaller ward, but there is a lot of love there and its cool.
The language is going to be a roller coaster for quite some time.
Already I´ve been in Brasil for a month! Time really does fly. The
language will come with time, and patience. I can tell improvement
from where I was when I arrived, but I am far from fluent.
The food here is great, although I am still getting used to how
everything works. To answer your question about dinner, we are
actually not allowed to eat dinner with members, because we eat lunch
every day with a member. The food here is delicious. Usually we go to
a bakery as well, they are everywhere. Buy about 1-2 reais of bread,
and eat that for breakfast. I also eat noodles with pizza sauce, and
cookies. I bought chocolate milk a couple of days ago, however, the
price was deceiving and it said R$1,20 but that was per container in
the 3 container package. Food is pretty expensive here, well it seems
like it anyways.
This computer is so ghetto... I hope you don´t get a virus or
something. It does have Mozilla Firefox though which is nice.
Can´t think right now... Grrr... This email is a little shorter than
others. This week has been good though. A little tough at times. Elder
Magalhães likes to go work out at a gym every morning which is
different. I take the time to study and have been reading Jesus the
Christ. In Preach my Gospel it says to increase your desire to share
the gospel, you need to learn more about the atonement. So that is
what I am trying to do.
I also had a great experience during personal study yesterday. I was
studying and felt like I should read from the book about preparing to
go to the temple that I had in my suitcase. Many times I have wished
that I could go to the temple but we do not have on in our mission.
Just reading about the temple and just the blessings of eternal
families that come from it filled me with a powerful feeling of peace.
I am glad that I had listened to that very subtle prompting that
normally I would dismiss to be nothing.
I know that God loves each and every one of us. He truly is mindful of
us all and desires to bless us and help us. Prayer is a very important
part of everyday life. The promise of ´´Ask and you shall receive,
knock and it shall be opened unto you´´ is a very true promise. I am
grateful for the scriptures and the words of the prophets of the Lord.
I know that we have a prophet called by God today, and that he holds
all the keys of the priesthood. Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior
and Redeemer, and his arms are open to us. It is strange, often times
when we serve, or receive a calling, the person who seems to have the
largest change is the one called. We can never repay God for the love,
and help that he gives us.
I´m serving my mission. Sometimes when I think that, it hits me! (I
thought it a few times while walking to an appointment and then looked
around at the tropical trees, and the brush on the sides of the dirt
road while sweat is dripping down my face then thought of some of the
pictures at the MTC in the hallways there. I´m serving my mission! And
when I get back, depending on my mindset and what I do now will
determine my memories of my missionary service.) I thought that was a
cool thought though.
Every day is hot, it has been raining a lot lately, every night. The
thunderstorms on the horizon are awesome. The people are friendly, and
I am still adjusting to the culture, and speaking Portuguese.
I love you all and miss you. I´m glad you´re doing well. Thanks for
your emails and support!
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
So this week has also not been too normal, but its getting there. I
actually got to go to church yesterday at the Uruguai, Ward. It is a
smaller ward, but there is a lot of love there and its cool.
The language is going to be a roller coaster for quite some time.
Already I´ve been in Brasil for a month! Time really does fly. The
language will come with time, and patience. I can tell improvement
from where I was when I arrived, but I am far from fluent.
The food here is great, although I am still getting used to how
everything works. To answer your question about dinner, we are
actually not allowed to eat dinner with members, because we eat lunch
every day with a member. The food here is delicious. Usually we go to
a bakery as well, they are everywhere. Buy about 1-2 reais of bread,
and eat that for breakfast. I also eat noodles with pizza sauce, and
cookies. I bought chocolate milk a couple of days ago, however, the
price was deceiving and it said R$1,20 but that was per container in
the 3 container package. Food is pretty expensive here, well it seems
like it anyways.
This computer is so ghetto... I hope you don´t get a virus or
something. It does have Mozilla Firefox though which is nice.
Can´t think right now... Grrr... This email is a little shorter than
others. This week has been good though. A little tough at times. Elder
Magalhães likes to go work out at a gym every morning which is
different. I take the time to study and have been reading Jesus the
Christ. In Preach my Gospel it says to increase your desire to share
the gospel, you need to learn more about the atonement. So that is
what I am trying to do.
I also had a great experience during personal study yesterday. I was
studying and felt like I should read from the book about preparing to
go to the temple that I had in my suitcase. Many times I have wished
that I could go to the temple but we do not have on in our mission.
Just reading about the temple and just the blessings of eternal
families that come from it filled me with a powerful feeling of peace.
I am glad that I had listened to that very subtle prompting that
normally I would dismiss to be nothing.
I know that God loves each and every one of us. He truly is mindful of
us all and desires to bless us and help us. Prayer is a very important
part of everyday life. The promise of ´´Ask and you shall receive,
knock and it shall be opened unto you´´ is a very true promise. I am
grateful for the scriptures and the words of the prophets of the Lord.
I know that we have a prophet called by God today, and that he holds
all the keys of the priesthood. Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior
and Redeemer, and his arms are open to us. It is strange, often times
when we serve, or receive a calling, the person who seems to have the
largest change is the one called. We can never repay God for the love,
and help that he gives us.
I´m serving my mission. Sometimes when I think that, it hits me! (I
thought it a few times while walking to an appointment and then looked
around at the tropical trees, and the brush on the sides of the dirt
road while sweat is dripping down my face then thought of some of the
pictures at the MTC in the hallways there. I´m serving my mission! And
when I get back, depending on my mindset and what I do now will
determine my memories of my missionary service.) I thought that was a
cool thought though.
Every day is hot, it has been raining a lot lately, every night. The
thunderstorms on the horizon are awesome. The people are friendly, and
I am still adjusting to the culture, and speaking Portuguese.
I love you all and miss you. I´m glad you´re doing well. Thanks for
your emails and support!
Love,
Elder Phillip Larsen
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