July 18, 2016-Elder Seth's Final Email!

Well without a doubt my last week on the mission was one of the most unforgettable. Looking back I can´t say what was the best week of my mission because every week built on this amazing experience. To start out we had 6 baptisms on Saturday. Jessica, Isabele, Nicolas, João, Vilane, and Thaiane. It was an extremely spiritual meeting and clearly made a difference in everyones´ life who was there. The members said that there has never been a baptismal serves with so many people in the last ten years! It was an honor and a privilege to serve in the area of Guará. I was able to give me last talk in Portuguese as a missionary and I got alittle emotional. I was thinking about how my next sacrament meeting would be in english after 104 Sundays in Brasil. After all this I felt that something was lacking, that I still had something more to do.

   On Sunday one of the most meaningful events happened to me. So 8 months ago I was in another area called Aguas Claras. And one day my comp and I were returning home and wanted to buy something to eat really quickly. As we were walking past a college a girl called out "hey Elders". We went and talked to her(Clarissa) and we discovered that she was a less active and her whole family was inactive(Marcia,Cássia, Clarissa, Carine, and Lehi) We got her number and address so that we could visit her family.

So we marked a visit and she cancelled, marked again, cancelled, and a third time, cancelled. Usually when someone does this I stop trying because our time is really precious. But the holy ghost was telling me that we had to keep trying. Finally on the 4th try we were able to visit them and leave a message. Then we were able to visit them again and we found out that her little brother was 8 years old and had never been baptized. After this visit I was transferred and I was super sad because I wasn´t able to bring the amazing family back to church. As a last attempt I wrote a letter from the heart to this family and gave to the Bishop.

 I was always thinking about this family for the last 8 months. I thought that they had completely forgotten about me and weren´t able to return to church. Then this week I got a call from the Bishop from Aguas Claras. He told me that this family was active and asked me if I could baptized there brother/son Lehi.

Without a doubt it was one of the most spiritual baptismal services I have ever had. The 2nd oldest of the family(Clarissa) bore her testimony and told the story about how she called my comp and I and that she had an empty feeling. She starting going back to church then stopped going. Then out of nowhere she felt that she needed to go to church. That Sunday Bishop gave her the letter that I had left for her family. She said she went outside to read the letter and started crying. With this strength she returned to church as a strong member and brought the rest of her family with her.

So grateful for the spirit and the role he has in our in my life. It whispered to her to call us that night when we were getting food. It gave me the motivation to keep trying to visit them.Help them return to church and Lehi was baptized. Lehi bore his testamony as if he was an adult and a member for along time. He made half the room cry. I can´t wait to see his progress and see him go on a mission in a few years. Moments like this brings tears of joy to my eyes and sadness to know that I won´t be a missionary of the Lord for much more time.

It was really a honor to wear the Saviors name on my heart. I am not going to lie, I´m nervous to be going home. But I trust in the Lord that he has a plan for me.


3rd John
13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

Amen
-Elder Seth

July 11, 2016-

This week was great. We are getting our investigators ready for baptism! We prepared and  prayed a lot for them so that they could get ready. We are planning a super baptism day with the secretaries on my last weekend of the mission! As of now it is looking great, we had 6 investigators at church and they did as well. Pray for Isabelle, Nicolas, and Iago!!! We hope everything goes right!

This week I did a trade with the Zone Leaders from our Brasilia Norte zone. I had the privilege to work with Elder Rodrigues from São Paulo. He is one of our best missionaries. It was great because we were able to talk about the zone and see the weakness. Also we were able to see varies miracles and people that were prepared by the Lord.  I felt the spirit really strongly near him and I know he will do great things.To put the cherry on top we ran into a member on the street who said I looked like an Elder Daniel who passed through this area. Hahaha I love passing through the same trails that Daniel had passed. So proud to know that after all this time people still remember him.

We have a member who lives in the middle of the forest and this week was had lunch there. It was so awesome because out of no where a bunch of little monkey were playing in the trees above us. It was funny because they snatch bread out of our hands and we were able to snap some pretty great pictures. Going to miss this land so much. Stunning wildlife, amazing fruits, and the unforgettable people.

There are so many great things to say but I´m short on time!

Com Muito amor,

July 4, 2016

Happy 4th! my last 4th of july on the on the mission! We had an amazing lunch at Presidents house for the highest baptizing pairs! It was a feast and made me feel right at home. I´m so grateful for my country and the people who sacrificed everything. I´m proud to be an American.        

    I had a very spiritual experience this week with Elder Batista. We were having a meeting with President when a woman from the church called and  asked if we could give a blessing to someone. I grabbed Elder Batista and we went to give the blessing. The woman led us to a lady who was sitting with her eyes closed. She was having a migraine and body pains. She isn´t a member so we quickly explained how a blessing works and we gave her one. Then we quickly returned to our meeting. In the meeting the woman called us again into the the room where the sick person was. As we entered she asked what did you guys do? How did you guys do that? I´m trying to find the pains in my body but I´m feeling absolutely nothing. The second you took your hands off my head the pains I was feeling left.

   At that moment I felt the spirit so strongly. We explained to her that today in the world exists the power of the priesthood and it has the power to cure people. I have already been blessed to be apart of a few experiences where the priesthood cured someone but I have never had seen it happen so quickly. We were able to get her address and give it to the missionaries where she lives. Every time I see a miracle like this my testimony continues to grow. I´m so grateful for the restored priesthood power and the faith we can put in Jesus Christ. This was a very special event for me.

       Saturday night came around and our last visit had just barely cancelled on us. Being in a very traditional neighborhood we didn´t dare knock on doors because of recent failures. After calling a few people and nothing going right, I felt a little discouraged. Saturday is the most important day of the week to confirm people to go to church, but it seem like the day was already over. I´m not going to lie, the thought of just closing the day up and going home passed through my head. But with the spirit of fasting and prayer we received help from our Father in Heaven. We visited a person that we had lost contact with because he was never at home. But on this occasion we found him at home with his cousin! We left a powerful message and invited them to church. Then the next day they walked in alone and loved every second of church! Imagine if we had given up and just gone home? Imagine if we weren´t worthy or hadn´t listened to the still small voice? These small things are what make the difference. The Lord is waiting to bless us when we are putting in everything we have. 

       Last bit of news of the week is that I bore my last testimony in sacrament meeting. I was feeling a weird numb sensation because it would be my last time. I remembered back to the first time I bore my testimony in Jardim Inga(my first area) I was super nervous and unaware of what journey I had ahead of me. I talked about how the mission really helped me put in order my priorities and goals. So grateful for this experience.

Com Amor,

Elder Seth

June 26, 2016

Well Ladies and gentlemen, I´m here again writing my weekly email as if it were yesterday. Trying to think back on the last few day it was all a blur. Time is really the most precious thing we have, it should be used is a constructional manner. So grateful for the people in my life that have help me try to live up every second. At time we think why didn´t I do that?

     Anyways, this week we went to Palmas and boy did I forget how hot it was. When we got there I felt like I was in sauna. It was so hot I felt like a hair dryer was blowing hot air in my face the entire time. I completely forgot how hot it was since it had been 1 year and 6 months since I left. I can´t believe that I made it up there for 6 months! Other than the weather it was amazing to return and visit the people I love so much. I was able see a few of the people I baptized and members that helped me with my mission. I was filled with joy see everyone strong and progressing in the gospel. The down side is that we stayed there for only 2 days and had to go by GOLon one of there old airplanes, I´m convinced tall people have the hardest time on airplanes haha.

     Since this week was the preparation for transfers and we were in another state; sadly we only had 2 days to work in our area. But the 2 day we worked we were able see varies miracles and meet alot of great people. Then on Sunday morning we had 8 investigators that went to church. It was awesome. Running around explaining the sacrament, teaching them how to use the hymn book, and introducing everyone to members. It was chaos at its finest. Love to when people are at church learning a feeling the spirit. Now we just need to help them get baptized!

   The last news of the week is that about 3 months ago we picked up the new missionaries at the airport. I talked to one elder for a good amount of time getting to know him. He is a 26 year old from the south, he is lawyer who was working at a big firm, and was a recent convert. He let everything go to serve a mission. Yesterday he was called to be the new executive secretary of the mission and will be will be living with us. Last night we were talking and we discovered he is dating Hannahs missions Presidents daughter!!! What a small world. He is amazing and will help the mission alot. Maybe in a few years i´ll be at their wedding.

 Well that is basically the highlight! thank you everyone for the emails and support!

Com amor,
Elder Seth

June 21, 2016

Oi Famila

     So this week was great. Once again the week flew by. We are almost done with all the interviews. We are going to grab a plane on Thursday and go to Palmas.(glad were going by plane because last time we went by bus which takes 14 hours!) Also i´m glad to see my second area on the mission where I stayed 6 months. It will be great to see the ward and all the members!

   Last week we sent a group of missionaries home who finish their missions. It was weird to send them off because they are my friends that seemed to start the mission with me. I was a little scary to think that the next group is mine. Time is flying by so fast but the good news is that I will be able to see these missionaries who have become my friends in the future. 

   We had the baptism of Naiara! she was a reference from the family we baptized in the first few weeks in Guará. The baptism was really spiritual and I could tell that our other investigators loved every second of it. The ward is stating to get more and more excited, everyone is starting to offer help and see what they can do. I´m happy because when we got here we were alone in the missionary work. It is so much easier and enjoyable when you have the support of the members. Especially because they will live and take care of our recent converts.

  This past week I focused on using the power of prayer. I really believe that it is a divine power that God gives us. It is a tool that we should use at all times, whether we are thanking God for a blessings or an answer, asking for guidance, or simple talking about our desires. The Lord gave us this privilege to pray fervently as a way to invite to spirit into our lives. With this we can gain patience, lose fear, and cast our impure thoughts. I´m so grateful for the power of prayer and the difference it makes in my life. I know that my Father in Heaven is just one prayer away. When you are in need get on your knees and pray, I promise you that you will feel more peace in your life. 

   This week were are going to get transfers ready! Its going to be super crazy! last group of new missionaries that I will receive on the mission field. Hopefully we can train them up to be Elders 10 time better than me!

Thank you everyone for the support and prayers it makes the biggest difference in a missionaries life.

Com Amor,

Elder Seth

June 6, 2016

Hello everyone, 

  this week was great. I can´t believe I´m here again writing my weekly report. As time has flown by here on the mission I´ve learned about the importance of making every second count. I´ve learned to be more efficient with my time. Whether it is shaving or ironing my shirt fast; or how to teach someone more directly and not beat around the bush. Something I learned is to go all in, put all my mind into that thing I am doing. For example if I´m going to go to church, I´m going to listen to every word and try to learn something new to apply in my life. I know that our time here on earth is precious and super valuable. Especially because this isn´t my time it is the Lords time. I´m excited to apply this and cut the things that I use to do that had no return. 

  Well Elder Patterson is one of the new Secretaries! He was my comp in the CTM. We made a prophecy that we would end our missions together and now it has came to pass. I´m proud of him and excited to work close to him to keep this mission running.

Other news was that Giovanna was baptized! She is a 12 year old girl who is a friend of our recent convert. She was really really excited for her baptism. The sad part is that she doesn´t receive a  lot of support from her family. She doesn´t know her Dad and her Mom has an alcohol addiction. Her Mother went to church at 8:30 and loved it. Then when the baptism came around she didn´t go because she was drinking. Very sad to say the least, well keep working with her.

  One of the greatest experiences that I have had on my mission was participating in a baptism of a 92 year old woman. We had to have 3 missionaries enter in the water to baptize her. She was going to get baptized next week but she was scared she would´n´t live until next week and wanted to be baptized that Saturday. It was a tender moment for me because the gospel is for everyone. Doesn´t matter where your from or your age the gospel moves the lives of people who accept it. We are so proud that she made this major choice!

This week is going to be crazy! we are going to visit all the zones and do interviews. Its going to be tiring but without a doubt will help motivate the missionaries to work harder. Interviews always made a big difference for me and gave me exactly what I needed.

Keep up everyone! Love and miss everyone!

Com Amor, 

Elder Seth

P.S our english class is growing so fast! We have 33 students in 3 weeks! We are already teach half of them!

May 31, 2016

Hello everyone!

So this week we had mission counsel. We were able to give a training with President to all the zone leaders. It was really spiritual and really productive. We covered a bunch of subjects that our mission is really needing to improve even more. we talked about a powerful invite, reactivating, using the Book of Mormon, obedience, how to find elects and a few other things. I know that it will help out out mission if everyone gets on board and applies these things. I felt the spirit really strong and can testify the Holy Ghost was present.

On Monday we had the special lunch at Presidents house for the best pair of missionaries in each zone! It was great and everyone is getting super excited to work harder.

So Maxwell was confirmed this Sunday! also we are teaching his family and all of this friends on the street! Hopefully we can get some more young men in the ward quickly.

I would like to talk a little bout Cida, The mother of our first baptism in Guará. Throughout this month we have been teaching Cida and trying to help her quit smoking. She has been smoking since she was 7 years old! She has been smoking for over 30 years as well! Smoking as always been a way that she calmed down. When we starting teach her she was already down from 3 packs to 1 pack of cigarettes a day. But she couldn´t find a way to get any lower than that. So we taught her the importance of the word of wisdom and the blessings that she would receive.

 We made a plan of action to help her quit 3 weeks ago. We told her we would return the next day at 9 in the morning and that she couldn´t eat breakfast. We got there and brewed up some cigarette tea. Which is when your boil what and you put the tobacco part of the cigarette in the water to make tea.(one of the worst tasting and worst smelling things known to man). We poured her a cup and told her she had to drink it all down at one time. She did that and looked around as if nothing happened, but within 30 second she went running to the bathroom.

After she had finish throwing up she couldn´t even look at a cigarette. we gave her a blessing of comfort and told her when she was tempted to smoke that she need to pray and ask the Lord for help, if she still had desire, call us. After three weeks she final has stopped smoking!!! This was a special experience for me because it really showed me how if someone has desire to do what's right and looks for the help of the Lord we can conquer what kind of challenges we have. So grateful for the chance I had to see the faith of Irmã Cida winning over her addiction. Now we are going to get her married and baptized!

Anyways were working hard and super busy! Next week we are going to travel around the mission to do interviews with all the missionaries!!

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

May 24, 2016

To start off Maxwell was baptized! He is a friend of our recent convert! He is going to help the ward so much. He already knows everything about Joseph Smith and is reading the Book of Mormon everyday.  It was really a great baptism, now our ward has 4 young men! We are wanting to triple the young men in the ward to send everyone on a mission.

English classing is going really well, we are getting a lot of people to teach and to share the gospel. One person that we are teaching in Victor. He is 17 years old and speaks really good English. He is reading the Book of Mormon and he went to church. We talked to his Mother who doesn´t want anything to do with the church but she doesn´t have a problem with him going. We are planning to mark a baptismal date with him this week!

Today we had transfers which wasn´t as crazy as last transfer because only 1 new missionary came. But still we were running to get people to catch buses and find there new comps.

Yesterday we had our activity for the zone that had the most baptisms. We had mechanical bull, dodge ball, tug of war, water balloon fight, soccer, volleyball, pizza, movie, ect. It was awesome. It is really getting the missionaries excited to work harder. We are so lucky our Presidnet is doing everything to make the mission enjoyabel and productive.

The other photo is the T-shirt of Power. I put my name next to Daniels name. I really believe that this work is led by the Lord. I have been a privileged to serve a  mission in the same mission that my brother did. Without a doubt this area as been prepared by the Lord.

Well I´m loving my mission. So grateful for this chance.

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

May 16, 2016

So This week was great. We were really busy because it was the last week of my old Comp Elder Barbosa. I´m going to miss him so much. He helped me and the mission a lot. We are going to miss him.
My new comp is Elder Medina. He is from Paraguay. He is amazing. He lives right on the end of Paraguay which borders Brasil. He is a great missionary and we already have a week together. He is from a really simple family, but he has a huge potential. He played soccer professional before the mission and he is the first mission to leave from he branch.

This week will be crazy because President is travel to São Paulo and we are going to prepare the transfer. It´s going to be busy but fun. Loving the mission so much. We are wanting 3 baptism this week! Hopefully everything goes well.

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

May 5, 2016

so this week was great. We found alot of great people to teach and to help learn about the restored gospel. At the end of the mission I find myself wanting to do one more lesson, contact, or invite one more person before going home. On Wednesday we were getting out of a lesson a little late and we took of in a hurry to grab a bus to get home. We were dead tired from the busy day we had with varies lessons. As I was getting on the bus I was with the mind set that the day was already over. then the spirit literally tugged at my heart strings telling me to talk to a man. for a minute I tried convincing myself that I was tired and nothing would happen. But finally I couldn´t deny it anymore. I went over there and started to talk to him. Within minute I realized that he was an elect. 

  He doesn´t do anything on Sundays because it´s a sacred day and he also doesn´t have a certain church. He ending it with his girl friend because she wanted to do bad stuff. Before I got off the bus I got his number and address. We went there on Sunday and had a really spiritual lesson that resulted in marking a baptismal date. I´m so grateful that I was able to feel and act upon the prompting of the spirit.

My trainer got married!!!! Elder Sales!!! I can´t believe that we were comps almost 1 year and 6 months ago. And I was able to go to the wedding with President and Sister. I can´t believe that I saw him go home and get married. Thanks Dad for helping him to get to the temple. He is going to be a great husband and father.

This week the Brasilia stake presidency was released and Elder Aidukaitis came to reorangize the new stake. I was able to talk to him before and I told him that he was Daniels mission President. He is an amazing man who speaks with power. Also 2 men that I was able to baptized in Aguas Claras were sustain to receive the higher Priesthood and another said the closing prayer. It was a sense of peace that the difference we make as missionaries isn´t when they get baptized but after when they apply the things of the gospel. It was a really special day for me and the people of this stake.

Just another day in the fight! We are doing a mission conference next week so we are praying and fasting to know what the mission is needing to continue the hard work and help the strengthening of the Kingdom of God here in Brasilia! We are on the hunt for a temple. 

One step at a time we will reach the top of the of our mountainous goals.

com Amor,

Elder Seth 

April 19, 2016

Hey everyone,
Just another crazy week that we had here. we had transfers and we had 21 new missionaries come in! A great group of  Elders and Sisters.(everyone was telling me the knew Sister Hannah from the CTM) Most of the missionaries are from Brasil. In fact there were just 2 American Sisters. The prophet isn´t sending us any more Americans which is different because they were sending so many before. Just going with the will of the Lord! It was super crazy to get everyone their trainers, bus tickets, ect. But everything went right at the end.

   Also we moved our area to Guará2. Guará is one of the first cities to receive the gospel. They have the second oldest chapel. 10 years of go Guara was one of the strongestwards, but recently it has taken a tumble. The ward had only 3 baptisms last years sadly. President is wanted to help out the Ward get excited and to be a stronger ward again.

  So the week in Guará was amazing. We got to know the Bishop and the other leaders. We didn´t have any investigators because we are opening up the area so we just started visiting members. We were able to get 20 references this week from the members! They are starting to get really excited. We are starting to mark family nights with their none member friends, doing activities, and gaining their trust. getting this ball rolling.

This Monday we had the special lunch with President. this was something we put in place for the entire mission so that they would get more excited to work hard. The hardest working companionship for each zone was invited to eat lunch at Presidents house. It was a success, everyone loved the idea and put that last effort in. They had an amazing American BBQ that was prepared by President and Sister Lundgren. The missionaries don´t usually have  lunch at Presidents house but it was a fun to recognized the hard work they are doing.

Well I´m loving the mission. You couldn´t pay me a million bucks to leave the mission right now. I know the Lord has called me to learn and to serve.

Com Amor,
Elder Seth 

April 18, 2016

Picture of the new missionaries! They all knew  Hannah from the CTM! Love you guys

And we had an ativity for the zone that had the most baptisms! The Mission is super excited!

We were 5 baptism short to break the record of baptisms in this mission of 8 years! Well get it next time

Elder Seth

April 4, 2016

So conference was amazing! I loved every second of it. I felt that everything was said just for me. I was able to take everything and see how it apples to my life. I´m so grateful for Conference and the spirit it gives us to be better and to do better. Something that really touched me was when Gerrit W. Gong was talking about opening our hearts again. All of us already have had a confirmation that this is the church of Jesus Christ. But at time we seem to forget or it doesn´t seem as important as it use to be. He sited a line for the Poet T S Elliot that stuck to me, "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." So when we are getting use to the gospel in a way that we are becoming less excited to do the right. This is when he need to explore again where it all started. 

  We need to "open our hearts to the Book of Mormon like you did the first time" And we can open our hearts again to anything about church. The will help use stay faithful to the end.

 At the stake center I was filled with Joy to see a bunch of the people I baptized there to watch Conference. It was a special moment because I had that confirmation that they aren´t just going to church but they have callings and they are willing to drive an hour to watch Conference at the stake center.(Picture of Victoria and her parents that haven´t been baptized yet).

   I´m really proud of my family and the explain they are to me. To my Grandparents to the newiest nephew. Family is everything. As my brother Daniel once wrote to me "Family is everything, bigger is better." I´m excited to enjoy this in my life and apply the gospel to my future family.

This week is going to be really crazy because we have 16 missionies going home and 21 coming to the mission. The new missionaries look great and they are going to love the best mission in the world! 

Com Amor,

Elder Seth

March 28, 2016

The days pass like minutes and the week pass like seconds around here. I can´t believe it´s Monday again. Things are getting really busy here.

    We were in a meeting with President when we heard the news of the bombing in Europe. After we discovered that one of the missionaries was from Santa Clara Utah. Elder Patterson(my comp in the CTM and one of my best friends on the mission) friend was one of the 3 missionaries, they are friend since birth. It was really hard on Elder Patterson because as missionaries we don´t get updates until Monday. Pray for these Elders and everyone that is suffering.

  Sadly the baptisms of Daniel and Giselle didn´t happen. She is a leader in her church and one night her buddies all went over there and convinced her out of it. She sent a message to us that said" I know that your church is the true church on the earth but I have greater calling and and God is calling me" This was some hard news for me to take because God gave her varies answer about the church. I just hope and pray that she will understand one day. 

  On the bright side Edna was baptized this week. She was super ready and prepared by the lord. She is a great example to the rest of her family and we are wanting to baptized her parents. We just need to the help them understand the importance of make covenant's with God. I have faith that with alittle time they well get baptized also. 

   There is an area in the mission that doesn´t have missionaries right now because it´s dangerous and a few elders got beat up.(Aguas Lindas) But the members there were still working and they taught a few people to the point that they had desire to get baptized. President called us up and we hoped on the bus for 2 hours to interview these people. It was a really great experience to see how the Lords elects are still being found. It was truly privilege to interview them. 

  The transfers are already coming up so we are up to our ears in planning how it is going to be, buy bus passes, ect. The busy life is the best life! Loving my mission!

Can´t believe that Hannah is in the mission field now! Good luck Sis, make us proud. Katie and Justin, keep rocking it. You guys are great!

-Elder Seth

March 21, 2016

Surprise we had a baptism this week! On Saturday Adaiza was baptize. It was really great. The baptismal font was really dirty before we cleaned it,  It has been 9 months since this ward has had baptism. There were a lot of people that went to the baptism and brought a lot of food. It was an amazing event to get her excited and feel welcomed.
Adaiza was literally an elect. she found out about the church through the English Class. She was at the English class and after asked to see a tour of the church and we answered a lot of here questions. The same day she wanted to be baptized. Since we have to make sure that they really want to be baptized they have to wait 2 weeks. She went to all of the activities and family nights we marked. She was clearly prepare by the Lord. She was asking when she was going to get a calling, what people she could visit, and even gave the idea to do contact at the town park! I love the way the Lord works. Although we don't have the time work a lot in our area, the Lord understands the desires of our hearts. I was so grateful to be present in this miracle. And without a doubt she will be a leader and will help a lot of people.

This week a Gizele and Daniel will be baptized as well. They were also references from the English class.(this is a gold mine) Gizele was a rock strong member of the church Congregation Cristã do Brasil. She was a missionary/ leader. when we explained the Book of Mormon and the Priesthood power. we invited her to read and pray about the things that we said. That Sunday she received her answer from that Holy Ghost in sacrament meeting. That night we visited her and marked a date with her and her son Daniel.
We are really excited. She has a really strong spirit and it will help her family so much. The blessings the Lord promises us are unbelievable.

I am working  hard, learning so much. Hannah you are going to love the mission.

I love my mission. Simple, love the hard parts and the good parts. Everything that happens make this experience so memorable and worth it.

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

March 11, 2016

 Hey Everyone!

  This week was crazy! The routine in my new area is so different, so I´m still getting use to it. For example we had a day full of visits but we had to cancel the visits because sadly a sister was going home early. we had to pick here up, take here to her interview with the president and then drop her off at the airport. And after all that was said and done it was 10Pm. So at times it´s difficult to leave teaching people but I understand that we have to help them missionaries in the way they need to be helped, even if it makes our situation difficult. 

   Our mission has a couple missionary, They are giving English classes ever Saturday morning. The class is starting to get serious. They started with 2 and now have 30 students. This is one of the best way to get people to teach. Since the area is a rich area it´s hard to talk with people on the street or knocking doors. But this English class is helping us alot get new people to teach. We have already marked 3 baptismal dates with the students of this English class! Every week there are more and more people so we are super excited!

 Miracle of the week was after the English class. We were leaving to go to lunch and I felt that we had to sit down at a park bench. I don´t know why. As everyone know at home and on the mission I can´t stand staying still, but we sat down. We waited 15 minutes and a woman came up to us and started to talk with us. She said "Elders! So happy I found you. I´m from another state and I was receiving the lessons from other missionaries. I had to move because of my work and I wasn´t able to be baptized. I´v been looking for the church but I haven´t been able to find it for 2 months!" When this happened my jaw almost fell to the floor. What a miracle. We got her address and marked a visit with her. We are really exited to visit her and help her gain a testimony of this gospel. 

   Well there is a lot more amazing things that happened this week but i´m short on time. Thank you everyone for your support and love. I know that this mission that I´m serving moved me to be a better person. I don´t think alot about home but I´m anxious to used the things I learned to be a better person when I return!

Até semana que vem!

Com Amor,

Elder Seth

March 9, 2016

This week Seth's mission president sent us an email with some news about Seth's new assignment. I thought it was better to have Seth share the news. Since he didn't in his update below I thought I would include the email.

President Lundgren wrote:

"Just wanted to let you know that I have called Seth as one of my assistants here in the mission. He is a remarkable young man and is deserving in every way of being a leader! We played a little soccer today in the pouring rain which was a lot of fun! Thanks for raising such an awesome young man!" 

March 7, 2016

So on Monday as I was just getting use to my new area, I received a call. I was transferred again! I have never been transferred so many times in such little time! But the Lord know what's going on.

My new comp is Elder Barbosa, he is from São Paulo. Super cool. We are going to have a great time.

Anyway,  I was able to return to my other area to see the wedding of Fabiana and Rubens. I was a witness at the Wedding. It was really special. They were even more excited to be baptized. Sadly, there was no way to return to the area to see the baptism but I was able to see the photos and I heard that it was a very spiritual. I can´t wait to see how they will progress in the gospel. They are truly a special family to me.

I´m living in a house of 6 missionaries which is crazy. Everyone has an important role and a million things to do. But we also find ourselves laughing our guts out together which makes the stressful moments more enjoyable.

I´m still getting to know my new area and the members. but i´m excited to get going. The ward is great so I shouldn´t be to hard to get referrals.

Sorry my email is so short. Time is really short around here. also I won´t have a set day to send emails, it will depend on the mission's schedule. Love everyone!

Com amor,
Elder Seth

February 29, 2016

First off, Sorry I didn´t write a overall email last week. We were visiting other areas for my comp because he is going home in a month. Sadly it took up the entire day and I did have time.
  Well in these 2 week a lot has happened. First off I was transferred from Santa Maria and put in Sobridinho 1. I only had 6 weeks in Santa Maria, why did I leave so fast? I don´t know why. but I have 100% trust in my President, he receives revelation from God for me. Sure I would have like to stay but I don´t get to do what I want, it is what the Lord needs. My new comp is Elder Magalhães. He has 3 months on the mission but he will be getting his visa next week and will serve his mission in Salt Lake. He is really great and from Recife. It´s going to be interesting this week since he is going to the US.

Anyways In Santa Maria Sul we closed the transfer with the baptism of Lorrany. It was really special. Her parents will be baptized next week after they are married. I was a witness of there marriage so I will need to return to my other area to close the marriage. They loved the baptism and are really excited to be baptized next week. I´m sad that I won´t be able to be apart of the baptism but the good side is that they will be baptized.

We started to get a lot of references in Santa Maria. Everyone was giving us families to teach and visit. Especially the recent converts. The entire ward was getting excited and offering a lot of help. We found some amazing families that were already preparing to be baptized. Sadly I left, but they are in good hand and I know that the result will be the same just another missionary will help them gain a testimony.

I had absolutely no idea that I would leave my area so I wasn´t able to say bye to the people we baptized or the members that we loved. I hope that I will be able to return to say bye.

Hope everyone is doing well. I´m loving life here. It´s so busy but it way better than doing nothing at all. I know that this work is important and that we are helping people.

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

February 28, 2016- "The Rat Pack"

February 15, 2016

To start off the entire zone had a great week. We had to give everyone a wake up call on Tuesday and everyone put the gas in the tank and flew. I was super shocked and happy with the work of the zone. Everyone put everything they had and the Lord was able to bless us. 

   So Larissa(a investigator) went on the stake camping trip and loved it. I was nervous that something would happen or she wouldn´t like it. But instead she loved every second of it. She was called to be a leader of some of the younger girls and was already looking like a member. She was announcing her baptism to everyone at the camping trip. When she got home she was super excited and happy. 

   

   With this in mind we went to work on her little sister Lais. Lais wasn´t exactly sure if she wanted to be baptized with her sister or wait more time. Knowing that it would be a special experience for her to be baptized with her sister we talked with her about the importance of being baptized. She is one of the smartest 10 years I´v ever met. (she wants to be a scientist). During the lesson she  sat there thinking about what we had said. Finally she said "Well makes sense, the answer is that I have to be baptized."

  The baptism was really special. Their family went and loved every second of it. We are going to start working with their parents and do there marriage! They were true elects. 

  This morning on P-Day we went to the Cartório to put the papers in for another marriage. The wedding of Fabiana and Rubens. I´v already done 8 weddings on the mission and every time the husband is so nervous. The wife is always super excited and dying to finalize the marriage. I wonder how it will be in my situation;)

They will be married on the 3rd of March and baptized on the 6th. Everyone is excited for these dates. (Family of 4)

  

 Simply I´m great. Love rice and beans, the random rain storms and the people. The mission is a once in a life time opportunity. I´m trying to live it up and succeed in my purpose as a missionary. Life is sweet unto us, as long as you look on the bright side and count your blessings. 

   I´m on the fourth quarter right now people. If there is one thing that has stuck to me after all the sports I´v played, it´s that fourth quarter is when you put the pedal to the metal.

Com Amor,

Elder Seth

February 9, 2016

Everything is closed because of carnaval. So this email is really short.

So we baptized Nicolly! She is Richard's  brother.

Also we are finishing up a marriage with Fabiana and Ruben. Elects.

Fabiana and her daughter watched the baptism and loved it. They said they can´t wait to be baptised as well!

Working hard, loving it. Sorry for the weak email, I had so much to tell this week!!!

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

Feb 1, 2016

    The Lord was present this week and he led the work that we did. To start off we had 2 baptism. I Don´t really know how but God finds a way. Showing up in the area 2 weeks ago, we knew nothing and no one. We prayed asking for help that we could find the elects. Through the miracles I saw my testimony was strengthen. 

   I having little time because we have to run the a family night with a golden family that we are teaching, so forgive me for it being brief. 

   So we had been teach Richard who is one of the smarted kids I know. He has been taught for 8 different missionary. He brother was baptized but he was a strong member in the church that he was at. We invited him to ask God after a powerful message. That night his brother called us and said that he want the be baptized. The next day he Mom stopped us on the street and said "How did you two manage to convince my Son to leave his church and get baptized in your Church in one week? Its been 8 months that the missionary are trying.'' My comp and I just smiled and said ''We didn´t do anything, it was the Holy Ghost that told him. And its not our church it the Church of Jesus Christ.''

  After Richard received his answer he was determined to follow his answer. The Pastor went to his house for hours to convince him to not get baptized. But we were super proud of him, he bore his testimony at his baptism. He is going to do great thing and help alot of people, he has many talents.

  

   Then on Sunday Victoria was baptized. It was great, there were a lot of people that stayed after the meets to watch. Including the 9 investigators we took to church on Sunday. They were all amazing at the baptism and a few asked what they had to do to be baptized. The ward it starting to get excited and starting to understand our purpose here. They were all offering help after the baptism and giving us references. 

Its a good start here in Santa Maria. I´m so grateful for the chance the Lord gave me to be a tool in he hands. I love seeing people when they are feeling the Holy Ghost. It gives me more motivation to keep going so that everyone can feel it. 

Love my mission, my comp is great and my President is amazing. My only problem is that time is passing by to fast.

Com Amor, 

Elder Seth

January 25, 2016

This week was awesome. My new Comp is really great. Finally I have a comp that has more time than me. We are on the same page and just going to work. He is from São Paulo but has been living in Minas Gerias for 5 years. He is 25 and did college before he served a mission. I´m loving every second with him. I learning a lot with him. 

This week we were learning the area. The other missionaries didn´t leave alot but we worked with what we had. The ward is great. It has an average of 120 people going to church every week. The Stake has made a goal of making a new ward with Santa Maria Sul and Norte. We are need to find more priesthood holders to help make this divide happen. 

  

Biggest difficulty is that our ward has to travel to the chapel Sunday morning. Few people have cars and the rest have to take the bus. Sadly a lot have problem with money so the sacrifice is big. As a missionary it is also hard to bring people to church after a long Saturday night of partying. But we trust in the Lord that we will be able to find elects. We have already found many great great people. 

We worked like dogs this week to find good people to teach. We talked to everyone and it paid off. We have a great group that we are teaching and we will also have a baptism this weekend. We are praying and working so that we can find more people help come unto Christ. 

Its raining cats and dogs here everyday. The worst part is that it comes out of now where. We were tracking down a less active when out of nowhere it starts pouring rain. We retreated to a wall to avoid the side ways rain. Then we heard an old lady calling us to enter in her house. As we entered we thanked her as started to talk to he son Ronnie. We explain the book of Mormon and he accepted a baptismal date. Then as we were testifying he started to cry. He explained that he was needing this. He had recently been kicked out his house because of his addiction to drinking. He has been suffering and the Lord sent us to help him get his life back into order. It was a miracle how we found him! I love this work.

The mission is passing by really fast. I can´t believe it. Love my mission.

Com amor,

Elder Seth

January 18, 2016

sadly I was transferred from Aguas Claras. It was a great run. Loved every second of it and the people I met. I´m confident that I will be able to return and see the 4 families be sealed in the temple. Each family we baptized took the picture of the Temple of Campinas and bought a big picture frame. Then they put it up in the living room. They kept saying one year can´t pass fast enough.

I attached a few picture of the 3 men we baptized in Aguas Claras who recently received the priesthood. Then another picture at the going away party the ward did for me. I love them so much!

 My new area is Santa Maria Sul. I´m returning to my old zone! President made some big changes in the zone.

My Comp is Elder P. Lima. he is from São Paulo who has being living in Minas Gerias for the 4 years. In 3 months he is going home. I´have never sat down and talked with him before but I have only heard good things about him. We are really excited to pick up the zone and get to work.



All I have to say is that I´m excited to get to work. Excited to serve the people in my new area. Next week I will have a lot more to say and tell.

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

January 11, 2016

Well this week was really great. To start off I have officially been in all four of the Brazilian States that are in my mission boundaries. Distrito Federal, Goias, Tocantins, and Minas Gerias. We did a trade with one of our districts that was getting alittle down. So we hopped on the bus and went to Unaí, Minas Gerias. The first few hours on the bus ride I was passed out. Then I woke up and we were in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We were passing through the green mountains that were covered is a fog. I felt like I was heading up to the Zion Ponderosa and that Utah finally receive some rain. I was completely amazed by the beauty and how well of a job God had done to create it.
 When we finally got there we divided into 2 groups, planned our day and went to work. It was one of the best days of the mission. We were able to put everything we had to give this missionaries something to look forward to. The hard work paid off. Each pair was able to find many people to teach, taught alot of lessons and we topped of the day eating pizza. We saw alot of miracles for sure that day. That night we talked a lot with them to keep working hard and a few strategy that would really make a difference in there work. It was great to visit them. I learned a lot from them. This is what I love about the mission, it doesn´t matter how much time you have on the mission you can always learn from others. Before we left we had to eat some of the famous things of Minas Gerias. Pão de quejo and doce de leite. Lived up to its expectations
 Then we got back to our area and we went to one of our favorite members wedding, Tiago. He is awesome and helps us so much. He was a great missionary so he is always giving us tips on how we can improve and have more success. Congrats to him and his new journey ahead. The wedding was great and made my comp and I excited for this moment in our lives. Also so we were able to get alot of references from his friends and family members at the party.
  In our area we have a part that is super rich with builds and the other part is alittle more humble. Since all of our investigators are traveling in the richer area, I thought it would a great adventure to get to know the other part. Lets just say it was a workout and half. We walked down this mountain and after we found some great people to teach we had to hike out of it. (picture included)

we are working hard to prepare a few people. This week Victor and Julio are going to receive the priesthood! We are so proud of them that they are making all of these sacrifices to follow the Lords commandments. I feel like this is my last week in Aguas claras since we have transfers but who know!

Love my mission

Com amor,
Elder Seth

January 4, 2016

To Start off Happy New Years to all. 

This past year of 2015 was one of the most interesting years of my life. Without a doubt it was the year that I feel I grew the most  as a person. Looking back at the people I have met and experiences I have had it was incredible. The moments of happiness and moments of sadness were all part of this journey that I am having here in Brasil. Before I started my mission everyone said through the difficulties we pass through on a mission, we are developed in a magnified form at a faster rate. I learned that this year for sure. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to be a servant of the Lord. At times, when we finally achieve a goal in life, the real achievement is the attributes that we gained in process of achieving that goal. 

Although I am really happy with the progress I made in this past year,  I am far from satisfied. This New Year I was able to reflect and pray about goals that would push me to my limits and help me improve everyday. I challenge everyone to make yearly goals so that they can focus on things that are truly important in life.

This week was great. Everyone is returning home from break and they are want to make changes in their lives.  We have an investigator who told us to pass by one day. When we entered his house I felt like we had just entered in the lion's den. His parents had a event for their church in their house. It was jam packed with members of their church. Everything was calm for the first two minutes.  Then we started getting pelted with questions from the Pastor who didn't want to hear the answers. We asked him him if was interested in arguing or did he want to learn? Then we just went off and explained everything. He tried to prove us wrong, but we just kept going. At the end everyone was listening to every word we were saying. When we were done, We told them that we had to leave and everyone begun to ask "Where is your church?" The Pastor yelled, you´re not going there! When he stormed out we passed around a paper where many put their names and contact information on the paper to receive a visit.  I am so grateful for the spirit and the help it gave us. At the beginning I was super nervous but I said a little prayer and the Lord did the rest. We were able to stay calm and show the people we are truly God's Representatives.  

We are working hard and finding a lot of great families. We are so grateful for the Ward. They are helping so much. They are giving a lot of references and doing what they can to help. Transfers are coming up in 2 weeks. I wouldn't mind staying herefor another 6 weeks, but it is not up to me, it up to the Lord. One of the many things I have learned is this work is inspired.

Thank you everyone for the support and love. Time is passing by so quickly!!!

Com Amor, 

Elder Seth