August 29, 2014

Hey Everyone,

A lot has happened in the past 10 days and I don't have a lot of time to write. Sorry if I'm unable to respond to everyone individually. If you send me your address I will be able to send you a more in depth, and personal letter.
  
Last Wednesday we hit the streets of the heart of Sao Paulo to hand out copies of the book of Mormon. We each had 2 and we handed them out like hot cakes. The people here are so nice, Love Americans, and love God-Jesus. Its crazy how I was able to talk to random people about the church in Portuguese. The lord truly does work miracles.
 
Next we had Elder Holland come and speak to us last Thursday! It was amazing, he said so many inspiring things to me. Like the area you serve with be a area of your rebirth. He also talked about how every single of successes in life are connected to his mission. It made me feel a lot better about what I'm doing here in Brazil. Half way through his talk I was inspired to be a better district leader. I brought my district into a room and put a snickers bar on each of there desks. I said we need to step it up and learn this language. I said here is a snickers bar, were going on a english fast for the next 8 hours. If you don't say a single work of english you can keep it. Those 8 hours we learned so much about the language and ourselves. It was hard but so worth it to give up my stash of American candy.
 
My birthday this year was different to say the least. I was always so use to having 2 a days for football, jumping in the pool, going to capital grille with the boys and getting some sweet presents. This Birthday was great in a different way. I woke up and brushed my teeth came back and my bed was made. Then I would find notes every where from my friends. But my favorite part was when I was sitting next to a Elder at lunch. Elder Alva from Peru. He said Feliz Aniversario and handed me a candy bar he was clearly saving. It hit me so hard how someone with such little gave so much. for my birthday this year I learned gratitude. to really appreciate the little things in life.
  
Miss you guys a ton, I'm finally getting the swing of things around here. Don't send letters to the previous address I gave you guys because I'm out of the training center in 12 days!!! I let you know my new one. I love all of you guys thanks for you support.

Eu sei que esta Igreja é verdadeira é o trabalho que eu estou fazando é para senhor, eu oro para vocés cada dia.

(I know that this is the true church and the work I am doing is for the Lord. I pray for all you everyday)                                                          
Com Amor,

Elder Seth Andrew Neeleman

August 19, 2014-

Hey Everyone,

The enter button is broken on this board so HA. My preparation day was changed to today because We are going to the Federal Police Friday. So you guys wont hear from me until ten days from now.

Not that much has happened in the past few days. Its crazy how much you want something you cant have. We went to go and purchase peanut butter so we could have some good protein after our workouts. There happens to be a small jar that costs 15 American dollars. Thats crazy, now I know why Dad hauls down suitcases of that stuff each week.

Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa for the Grandchildren's letter. My entire district was so jealous that my family has its own news paper. I would say every other night we wake up to gun shots, which strangely I like. It makes me feel like I'm on the streets when I'm really locked up in the CTM.

A lot of the Brazilian have seen the movie Enchanted and they say i look like the Prince. I'm not sure if thats a compliment or not. My room mates have told me some funny sleep walking stories about me. They never get old. One of the things I'm working on this week is patience. That is one of my biggest weaknesses. Being a kid with really bad ADD I tend to get annoyed easily. Especially during quiet time and someone starts humming or whistling. It kills me.

We just hit our half way mark in the CTM. I'm able to carry on a 45 min conversation with a Brazilian on church doctrine. sure I sound like a gringo but I'll take it. God has truly helped me through this difficult time. From missing home to dealing with the extreme amount to learn. I want everyone to know that I happy to serve the Lord for the next two years. Miss you guys a lot. I'd love to receive some pictures, i cant get any through the computer. Its going to be weird not to have my Birthday at home with 2 football practices and getting ready for school. Turning big 19 this week so pumped. I carry a fortune cookie paper in my wallet that says.....Change is not merely necessary to life. It is life.

Love,
Elder. Neeleman                                                                                                                                                                    

Dear Everyone,
  
First off I'm going to say sorry again for the horrible grammar, I have little time and no spell check. Everyone told me it was going to be down hill after the first week, but I wouldn't believe until it was behind me. I was so frustrated with everything. Missed home, American food, friends, family, and a bed where my feet didn't hang off. It was really difficult to go from free lancing in senior summer to being apart of something that is very similar to a military program. Big changes in my life to say the least. But at the second week came around things started to get better. I can that the Lord for answering my prayers. i was in some serious need of some help. That week we had 2 Brazilian Missionaries move into our room, they didn't speak a lick of English which was a blessing. In order to communicate with them we had to truly study the language. We would hound them with questions on how to say and pronounce stuff. Good thing they are the nicest people, they loved helping us. Its to bad that they will only be here for 2 weeks since they don't need to learn a language.
   
Daniel wasn't lying when he said I would be eating beans on rice for 6 days straight for 3 meals. And for the last day we would eat rice on beans. I'm so glad I love that food combo or else I'd lose so much weight. Some of the elders in my district just eat the rice.....ewwww, there in for a long 2 years. My favorite part of the meals is the fresh juice, I have to water it down because its so sweet. I really enjoy the food which is a big plus.
       Besides sunday being my favorite day because its the day of rest, I would have to say that Wednesday is the best behind sunday. Because thats when the new American missionaries come in. I just think to myself, things could be so much worse, I could be those sorry kids not knowing what's about to happen to them. I always go up to them and try to make them feel better and say things I wish people said to me. Our district has truly advanced a lot.
       Its crazy how affective the Gift of tongues is, God truly does work miracles. When you are one with the Spirit you just get it. Word, phrases, verb tenses just stick to your mind like glue. Although it doesn't seem like it the words always come back when I need to use them in a lesson or conversation. This week truly did fly by. My mission President told us the first day, It may not be the best two years of your life, but it will be the best two years for your life. Its so true. It's hard but I'm learning things that will help me for the rest of my life. I've learned things I never dreamed I could learn.
I'll finish with a scripture, D&C 4:2. google that if you don't have this book at home haha. Talk to everyone in 7.
here is my correct address sorry about that

Brazil Brasilia Mission
Rua Padre Anotonio D Angelo, 121
Casa Verde
02516-040 Sao Paulo -SP
Brazil


Love,
Elder Neeleman

Hey Everyone,
   
Sorry for taking so long to write everyone. They made my P day on Friday and they skip they first P day (I don't know why). Sorry about the grammar. Little time and this key boards are Brazilian to say the least.
    
Ok so I'm not going to lie its been a pretty crazy week and hard. You really don't know how hard it is until you get here. You never have a second to yourself. Wake up and 630 and going to bed at 1030. With no free time. I think that its better that you don't get any free time because the second you do you just think of home. When the mind is idol, that is when it wanders and loses focus on the work. It has happened a few times to be where I think of home, you feel awful. The only way to fix it is put your head down and get back to work.
     
This place is no joke. They literally ram you every second of the day. From learning the language, studying doctrine, and teach investigators in Portuguese. Yes, that's right. Everyday we have to give an investigator a 30 min lesson on church doctrine in Portuguese. They made us do it on our second day, I was surprised we actually did it. The first day we all could pray and say our testimonies in Portuguese. Its crazy what effect the Spirit and gift of tongues has on someone learning. I've learned 2x more Portuguese in the past 8 days that Spanish in 6 years.
    
My District is pretty legit. My companion is named Elder Patterson who is a red head (Hannah(winkyface)) that lives in St. George Utah. Amazing kid, very easy to get along with. He is very Spiritual and obedient which is the best part. I was honored to be called as the district leader which isn't as fun as it sounds. You have to act like a mom to a bunch of 18 and 19 year old kids. But They are all smart kids and understand why I'm telling them what they have to do. They are all from utah, surprise surprise. Also 5 of the 7 are going to Brasilia which is going to be awesome. They are all great kids.
    
It is truly amazing how much you love doing church stuff 24/7 when you are feeling the spirit. I am attempting to read the entire Book of Mormon in the 6 weeks that  at the CTM. Its gonna be hard because we have no time to. This work is not easy, you get discouraged very easily and you are always tired because of a lack of sleep. But it is so rewarding to just think that in a few weeks I'll be on the streets of Brasilia serving the people and bringing the true gospel into there lives.

I miss home and everyone a lot but i know this is where I must be.
  
I want to thank everyone that helped me get here. i know I would be sitting in the CTM without all of your support.


Love,

Elder Neeleman

PS letters might be a better form of communication since computer time is so limited and only on one day of the week.
Elder Seth Neeleman
Brazil Brasilia Mission
Brazil Mission Training Center
Rua Padre Anotonio D Angelo
Casa Verde
02516-040 Sao Paulo -SP
Brazil