All,
A lot has change here in the Mission this past week. We had a Zone conference where were briefed on how the mission was going to go. First off, I will only have 1 hour to email so sorry if I can´t write to everyone individually.(looks like ill be sending a few more handwritten letter). Also for Christmas and Mothers Day I can only talk to you guys for 45 mins. I don't know why President changed this rules and I don´t really care to ask because he is clearly doing it for a reason. Anything he says goes, he has received revaluation that this will make our mission better, that's all I need to know. One rule that was put in place by the Area 70 was that no Missionary can play Soccer or basketball. Now this made President and I very sad because He loves to play sport with the Missionaries.(I love anything competitive) There goes my dream of play soccer with Neymar in Europe, ohh well life goes on. On the bright side all the missionaries are all getting on a bus on the 17th to a Mission Christmas Event in Brasilia, thats going to be so much fun to see all the Elders at once.
About this past week. I don´t even know where it went it flew by so fast. For the first 2 Days I was with Elder Patternson. For those who don't know he has the exact same time as me on the mission. And we were comps in the CTM. It was great to be reunited with him and to relive the glory days. But it was pretty difficult because you didn´t have an experienced Elder to just come in and save you. Those 2 days were difficult at times but it really help the both of us to learn to be on our own and it showed how important it is to speak good Portuguese.
The other half of the week was crazy. Elder Sales is by far the best missionary I have meet on the mission so far. I'm so blessed to have him as my comp. One experience we had was we were walk and pass this couple, we said Tudo Bem. Then 30 seconds later Elder Sales just takes off running after them. He felt the spirit and acted on it. This couple is super elect, they loved the lesson we taught them. I have faith that they will get baptized with a few other amazing people we are teaching. Only the husband came to church this sunday because his wife is pre pregnant.(she's coming next week tho)
I just want to talk about the love iv grown for Brazil. Love the people with all my heart, they have some thing that is so different from Americans that I just love. They are all super patience, easy going, and kind. I'm so blessed to be serving here for 2 years. Someone told me that I was already 1/7 done with my mission. Made me so sad because time does fly so fast in life. I just hope I can make it count.
This past Sunday Bishop got up and said We will now hear from our new Elders. Elder Seth and Elder Sales. Well that didn´t go so hot because I wasn't planning on giving a talk in front of everyone in Portuguese. But it wasn't that bad shared a scripture and a story and was soaked in sweat since I was so nervous.
My comp is amazing and he made me eat Açai pure, with meat. Very strange combination but I liked it alot. This stuff is so good but when its pure it dies your teeth for a day. I brushed them 3 times before going to bed . Woke up and still a light shade of purple. Its finally gone.
These changes are going to be hard because I love talking to all of you but I know that it will benefit me in the long run to get more focus and lost in the work of the Lord. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Shout out the to New Canaan Football Team. Take FCIAC Boys
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
One More Dawn, One More Day, One Day More.
I want to start out by saying this week was 1000 time better than last week for a lot of reasons. To start it off special thanks to Dad for helping us get a flight up to my new area. Generally it is a 13 hour bus ride. So grateful Azul flies from Brasilia to Palmas. Having to jump on the plane for one hour really makes a huge difference when I was still recovering from my stomach ordeal.
When I first got to Palmas someone said to me welcome to the Mission of Palmas. After first I didn't understand what he meant but I quickly found out. Things are just different up here. To start out the weather here is on average 16 degrees hotter than all the other areas on the mission. Its so hot each missionary home is required to have air conditioning where as not one house in other areas have AC. Sure its super hot here, you have to constantly wipe your face with a rag to get the sweat out of your eyes even at night time. But honestly it doesn't affect my mood at all. Because its really what you make of the situations. That's when I realized the significance of The Mission of Palmas. Its hot, your never going to stop sweating, but your going to love every moment. Every single person we have tried to talk to on the streets takes the time to talk to us and always allows us to visit them in the home. People are just different here is a great way.
I've only been here for 5 days and I already never want to leave the Mission of Palmas. Numbers wise they out work and out baptize every other Zone in the mission by a landslide.
Another great this about this area is that food is sooooo cheap. We bought this huge watermelon for only 5 Reis. Its was huge to say the least. There was no way I could pass up this amazing offer so with out hesitation I bought it. Well our house was 3 miles up the road. I cradled that watermelon like my first born son. I have even more empathy for mothers that carry there kids around all day. Lets just say its a Marathon not a dash. My arm were losing all there strength. And for sure sweaty hands didn't help the situation. But of course the endures was worth that tasty water melon.
Although this story seems insignificant I was able to relate it to my life. If we just hang in there an do thing that we know will benefit us in the long run I know that our lives will be better. For example, studying for school, it can be the worst at times. So many other great this to do. But getting good grades will dictate your College and probably where you get hired. You can honestly relate this to anything. I'm going to start thinking of how I can change my actions now to benefit my life in the long run.
A lot more happen this week but this is already to long and I'm running low on time. Thank you so much for the package of goodies guys!!! I must say the pictures were easily my favorite because its good to actually hold them and know everyone is doing great back home! Cant wait for this week, time is already flying!
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
Well this week was one of the hardest weeks on the mission for me. At the beginning of the week I wasn't feeling so good. It kept getting worse and worse. Until I realized I hadn't eaten for 3 days. I called Sister Lungren and I had to go to the Hospital. First off I'm pretty sure people could easily die in these hospitals because in the emergency part I waited 4 hours to even have a doctor look at me. My head my pounding every second and my stomach was hurting so much. They immediately hooked me up to an IV and I went through 3 big bags because my body was so dehydrated.
After that they had me take a cat scan of my stomach to see if I had something wrong with appendix. I was so happy when they told me there wasn't anything that needed surgery. I had an infection in my stomach that lasted for 2 more days but was eventually killed by the antibiotics. They told me I could only get rice, bread, and grilled chicken for a week. Nothing else.
Just as I thought things couldn't get worst President got back from São Paulo and said that an Area 70 Presidency said that he isn't allowed to open anymore areas. My heart was broken. I was so excited. My comp and I had already ironed our first shirts, planned our first meal, etc. It really hurt.
Then the house were staying at lost power of course hahahaha. I started to ask why is this happening to us? I had a really great spiritual experience. I was literally at my worst state. So what did I do? Prayed its crazy how fast your attitude can change with the help of God. It really was instantly. Because I had received this feeling of its all going to work out. Being here I could have a horrible attitude about whats happening or I can use it as a learning experience. Such as being more thankful for little things like lights, good health, etc. Sure these events brought my spirits down for a short time but because of it I'm extremely happy to be here with my new comp.
Nós vamos para Palmas. My comp has already served there any he has told me its awesome. My comp loves to have fun but lets just say we get work done. I will only have 9 weeks more with this guy so I'm going to make every second count trying to learn everything from him. I can't wait to finally leave this area and start getting work done. I know why I'm here and I know what I need to do. 2 years is a short time to sacrifice for this Church. I can have when ever I want, Its only one prayer away.
Hope everyone is doing great.
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
Sadly we haven´t left for the new area yet. There was problem with the contract of the house so we are leaving this Thursdays. I'm not going to lie I was a little mad because its less days that we can be working. I'm getting really antsy because this isn't our area so there isn't a lot to do. We mostly study and do street contacts. But its really fun living in a apartment with eight missionaries. We made the brownies that dad sent down and we ate it with a brigadeiro fudge with ice cream, that was amazing.
For Halloween we made home made chocolate chip cookies and we throw in some M&M in there to spice things up with a little color.
I'm finally with my comp that I will have in my new area. He was a assist to the President but I was able to find out for my self this week that he is a great missionary. First off he got baptized and his family disowned him. They kicked him out of the house. Then one year later after his baptism he sold everything he had to serve a mission. He hasn´t received a single package, letter or email for his family. That would be so hard to do. He is super funny and loves to cook, and he is good at it. And he knows the gospel really really well.
This will be his 3 Christmas on the mission because president asked him to extend to open up this new area. Now that is some serious sacrifice. I already promised him that is with be is favorite Christmas on the mission that he will ever have. I'm truly blessed to have him as my comp, I already have learned so much from him and I know I going to learn a lot more.
There's 4 missionaries going up to open this new area. And guess what my Comp in the CTM is one of them!!!!!!! I'm so excited because he is literally the best.
Well I can´t wait until next week. I hope everyone had a great Halloween.
Com Amor,
Elder Seth
