May 25, 2015

This week was great but difficult.

This week we were working really hard to find the Lord's elects. At the start of the transfer Elder Xavier and I were making goals for this transfer. I told him that I wanted to find a family to baptize. He asked me how many people in this family, the number 5 popped in my head. We wrote the goal down and that was the end of it. This Wednesday we were walking to an appointment and this guy made contact with us. He asked about the English class that we are teaching. We kept talking until he invited us to make a visit at his house. The next day when we entered his house we found our family of 5. Elder Xavier and I were completely shocked. The miracle was finding this family because the Dad said it has been 10 years since he has gone to church. He said that he has been feeling that he life is needing God. It´s not going to be easy to baptize this family because they have some difficulties, but if there was one  thing I’ve learned on the mission, that nothing is impossible to change through Jesus Christ. I´ll keep you guys updated on them.

We are making some great progress with Sthela this week. She  has a baptism date for June 6th. We asked her ´´If someone were to ask you what church you apart of, which one would it be?´´ She said ´´Eu sou Mórmon´´(I am a Mormon). I felt butterfly in my stomach when she said that. She´s so ready, we are just clearing up some things. She is also starting to date the Bishops Son(shhh). Sadly she was all set to go to church but her Grandma got super sick and she went to the hospital because it was an emergency.

We also found Karol(17 years old) this week. she went to our English class, the Church dance and church this Sunday. She will be baptized June 6th also! It crazy how the Lord is putting so many people is our path that are ready for the gospel. This mission is so much easier when you are working by the spirit.

One of the most sad parts of the mission is when people know that is the true Church but they choose not to follow it because of the commandments. They think that commandments are restrictions and they can´t have fun. But really the commandments are here to help us have lasting happiness. Sure doing these things are fun in the moment, but in 1 year, 10 years, 50 years will it bring happiness? I´m so grateful for this gospel and the high standards that the Lord has given me. Here on the mission I’ve seen both sides of the spectrum, the blessings  and sadness of keeping and not keeping the commandments. This has strengthened  my desire to always stay strong, knowing that happiness comes from faithfulness.

Only have this for this week. I can´t believe that I’m going to be a lone ranger down here in the mission field. Lauren is going home in a week. Can´t wait to see Grandma and Grandpa this week!!!

Com Amor,
Elder Seth



__________________________

May 18, 2015

‎This we was super busy for us. But it was really great.

 This week Elder Xavier and I were focusing a lot on or recent converters and helping the ward out. It really hard to give the same type of attention to your recent converts as we gave before they were baptized.  Its hard at times to time budget recent converts, less actives, and find new people to teach. For this reason, we are starting to help out members that are strong to gain that testimony of missionary work. It is making the biggest difference for us because we are able to work on finding new people and not worry about our recent baptisms getting the attention they need.
 
 The members here are fantastic and are starting to getting  the vision of missionary work. They are visiting people, inviting them to eat, etc. This is perfect for your recent converts because their testimonies are growing still, with a friend at there side. They will progress in the gospel at a fast rate. We can baptize every single person in the world, but if they don´t stay firm in the Church, it is  just in vain.

 Many of you remember Thainá who was baptized a few weeks ago. She is doing great and we are teaching her friends right now. One of her friends is Sthela. Sthela is awesome. She is 17 years old and some rough things have already happened in her life. Her Dad passed away 1 year ago and she was really close to him.  We taught the Plan of Salvation and she was crying  when we told her that she could see her Dad again. It was a really spiritual experience for everyone there. I loving testifying that our lives have a purpose and family are meant to be together forever. On the next visit we taught about baptism and we marked a date with her!!!! We thought she would not accept but the Spirit touched her heart.

 The Stake President asked if our Zone could sing at a fireside last Saturday. I was really cool because it was about Religious Freedom. There was a lot of people for other Churches there. It was really beautiful and we have a new Sister that plays the Violin. It worked out perfectly. We wore pink ties(wasn´t my choice) But it turned out perfect.

  Elder Xavier is the best. It´s sad that I only have 5 more weeks  with him. I think my favorite part about him is that he has everything, but he is very humble. He is smart, kind, funny, etc I´m learning so  much from him, the things he teaches me,  and also through his example.

I´m loving my mission. I loving building the Kingdom of God here on the earth. This is where I need to be for these 2 years.

Shout out to one of my great friend and examples, Sterling who is leaving to serve a mission in Brasil. Congrats my Brother, your going to love every second,  Bem-vindo aos Céus

Com Amor,
Elder Seth
‎

May 11, 2015- Mother's Day

‎This week was amazing. First off, it was great to talk to everyone back home over skype! I loved hearing your voices and being able to talk. It was short but with out a doubt memorable. Thank you Mother for being so loving to me, there is no way I can possible pay you back for all the things you have done for me. I was so nervous when I was talking to the family of Elder Xavier, their  family is huge just like ours. I´m pretty sure they think I have problems because I couldn't  formulate a sentence. Sadly I think I lost my chance to live with them after the mission hahaha.

    Sadly 5 of our missionaries were transferred today to other Zones. I´m sad to see them leave but i´m also very excited to see some new blood in our areas. The zone is finally getting the groove down, can´t wait so see them work.

  Last Pday we had our zone activity which was bowling. I loved ever second of it. Even though I was one of the worst ones there. Of course my Comp destroyed me when he rarely played before the mission. Looks like Thanksgiving Bowling with the Fam really didn´t help me out. I loved seeing everyone having fun, they really deserved it because of how hard they worked this transfer. Everyone was able to relax and have a good time. 

 On Friday we had 2 baptisms! Samily and Tailany. Samily is the cousin of a member. She has being going to church for a few weeks and we finally realized that she wasn´t baptized. We taught her all the lessons with her cousin Cleriston who will be leaving for his mission in 3 months. It was such a special experience to see him baptize his Cousin before he left on his mission.

 Tailany was a contact that we did when we were visiting a reference. The person that we were looking for wasn´t home, so we ended up talking to Tailany.  She was timid at first once we broke the ice she opened up. She said that she was hesitant at first because she had heard all of bad things about us. She  told us that she was looking for a church that was true but never felt that she had found it. A few weeks ago she was in sacrament meeting and she turned  over and said ´´So when I can I get baptized?´´ The rest was history and she stopped drink alcohol and coffee the same day that we taught her. Elder Xavier and I were so surprised with the faith and obedience that she had. I know that because of this church her life and the lives of her family member will be better!

  I don´t know that else to say rather than I´m happy. I´m truly loving my time here in Gama. I miss my family and friends but I have no desire to return home until my 2 years are up. I hope everyone is enjoying the little things of life. The little things we appreciate will make the biggest differences is our lives. Até o próximo.


Com Amor,
Elder Seth

May 4, 2015

To start off Thainá was baptized on Tuesday! It was such an amazing experience. She was baptized on her birthday and after she shared her testimony. Everyone's jaw dropped because of how strong her testimony is in such a short time. Let´s just say she is one of the best investigators I have ever seen or heard off. First off she stopped drink coffee like cold turkey. She cancelled all of her events that she had planned on Sunday to keep that Sabbath day Holy and she read the Book of Mormon in 10 days.

For the rest of the week she was doing visits with us. She wants us to teach her friends and family so that they have the same change of heart that she had.   She said without a doubt she will serve a mission. It all happened so fast I didn´t even have time to soak up all the experiences. We are so proud of her and we are graeful to God for putting her in our path.

For all the people that remember Nina that was baptized 2 weeks ago, she is progressing more that I could have ever imagined. When we were first teaching her she wasn´t able say a pray in front of 3 people because she was so nervous. This Sunday she got up and bore her testimony in front of 170 people! She talked about the huge change in her life and how she is so much more happier now. The last thing she said was that she will do everything the make sure that her family would be baptized.

Here on the mission I feel like a bug on the wall just watching all the miracles. As missionary we convince nobody. We are just here to find the Lord's Elects and present the gospel. The secret is the work that God does through the Holy Ghost. The mission is passing way to fast. This transfer with Elder Xavier will end in 1 week. It felt like yesterday that I left Palmas. I fell that changes in my heart and desires because of this time I'v spent here. Love every second here.

Next Sunday is Mothers Day hehe. We can talk better then!

Com Amor,
Elder‎ Seth 

April 27, 2015 Miracles

‎‎MIRACLES 

I don´t even know where to start this week. I have never been so happy on the mission. This week was a week of miracles. Not only did I see miracles with Elder Xavier but with other missionaries and our zone. 

  We were lucky enough to do a split with the Assistants to the President this week Elder Bean,(Texas) Elder Duarte( São Paulo). They came to our area to see how the work is good and if they were able to help with something. It was so cool so see how they work, teach, and treat others. I learned alot from them and I felt the spirit that they had. I was able to understand why they were called to be APs. We had to do some interview for some people that were preparing to be baptized, so sadly our day with them was cut short.

 Elder Bean and I went to a different area to do some baptism interviews. It was one of the greatest experiences I ever done because it was with 3 people from Ghana, Africa. They came to Brasil for the World Cup and they ended up staying. They are working here in Brasil and sending money back home to Ghana. They are living very humble lives so they can help there families back home. They are super kind and I could tell that they had a strong desire to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ. It was an eye opener for me because the gospel of God is for everyone and every place . It doesn´t matter if your from the US, Africa, China, ect If you have a desire to follow Christ you will feel his love in your life. It was a testamony builder for me and this work that I am doing. That the gospel has to be shared with everyone. So that they can have the chance to accept Jesus Christ.

 This week in Gama all the Missionaries got the chance to baptize. It was a great experience because all 4 of us have been working super hard these pass few weeks to find the Lords elects. Elder Xavier and I have the privilege to baptize Rhuan(12) and Gostavo(14). Rhuan was a cousin of a recent convert. One day he asked why his cousin had changed so much. We showed him why. He loved the church by hes parents wouldn´t let him get baptized. We prayed to figure out what we could do to help his parents realize that baptize is important. We thought that they best way was to serve them. We ended up doing a service project for them. The Dad was so grateful that he let Rhaun be baptised the next day! Gustavo was the same way. From the first time he visited the church he felt something really different. He said he felt at peace at our church. His family is having some problems and he said that at church he stop worrying about the problems. We had over 70 people at the baptism, we are so grateful for the support of the ward. I was so grateful to be apart of there baptisms and I know that this wil be an event changer for the better. 

 I only have time to talk about what happened Saturday and Sunday but without a doubt we saw a lot more miracle than I was able to talk about. My comp is that best. He is always serving me with little things like ironing my shirt, make food, ect. At time I get mad at him because I don´t know what I can do to repay him. Loving my area, comp and my mission. Its so sad how fast the days are passing. It seems like I don´t have time to live in the moment. 

Hope everyone is doing well! 
Com Amor,
Elder Seth

April 20, 2015

‎GAMA

Loving every second here in Gama.

We had 2 baptisms!!! This people that were baptized really changed there lives for the better.

    To start out was Nina. She is 17 years old and she was really difficult at first. We told her to read the Book of Mormon and pray to ask God if it is true. She recieve an answer to say the least. She had a nose ring, refused to stop drinking coffee and didn´t even know if God existed. But little by little the Lord worked on her. One day we should up and she took out the nose ring. The next visit she said that she would never drink coffee again. Then we marked a date for her to be baptized on the 25th. But she changed her mind and didn´t want to wait anymore. So she was baptized this Saturday!!! She is a living example of how the Lord, through that spirit can really change people for the better! She is the first one in her family. Her family is next.

   Vanda, 26 years old was also baptized this week. She was also a miracle. She is a friend of a less active member. She made a few mistakes in her younger years that she really regretted doing. She wanted to change her life for the better. It was really weird how fast she changed. When she told us of all her problems and difficulties we though it would take a while for her to stop breaking the commanents. But it all worked out. She stopped everyone the day we told her it was wrong. we were so proud of her will to follow God. She left her old life so that she could have a new life with high standards. After she was baptized she couldn´t stop crying.

Thainá (Granddaughter) the elect is progress so much. She is reading the Book of Mormon, going to church along, and loving it! This Sunday she was in alot of pain and she still manged to go to Church for the 3 hours. She told us after that she went to the hospital and she had 15 tiny kidney stones! I have so much respect for her and her desire to follow Christ. It makes me think back to the times when I was sick or tired because of a Red eye flight that I didn´t go to the church.I learned that going to church is essential. It´s where we can give and receive support and most importantly take the sacrament. She already told us that she will serve a mission! We are really excited for her baptism on her birthday on the 28!

We are starting up a English Class in the church this week. We made some handouts and it caught fire. Everyone is calling us, confirming that we doing it. It´s going to be a great way to find the Lords elects!

So grateful for the experience I´m having here!!! My comp is the best and is helping me so much. I know why I'm here because I have a task to for fill. To bring the restored gospel to as many people as possible through the ordnance of a valid baptism. There is just so much to take about but such little time! I love you guys and I pray for people at home everyday.

Hope your enjoy home Vanessa congrats on finishing your mission with  Honor!!!! But I'm still living the dream down here in Brasil hehehe

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

April 13, 2015-

Well,  I know you guys have already heard me say that this was the best week on the mission. But this past week really was the best week on the mission.

 First off my Comps name is Elder Xavier, a  Stud. He is from Rio Grande Do Sul. Super smart, teaches really well, kind, ect ect. He looks more American than me because his skin is white and has blue eyes. The best part is he is really patience and is really helping me with the language. He has been a ZL for 9 months now( His going to be an Assistant to the President without a doubt)

 About the new ward I'm serving,  its the dream ward to say the least. Everyone is begging to do visits with us, giving so many references that we don´t have time to even contact them in 24 hours. And there is actually a chapel.

   One of the biggest miracle I have ever seen happened this past week. We were teaching a lesson to 2 people that were pretty old and clearly wanted nothing to do with us. As we were starting to leave their grand child entered the house and said to us ´´Wait I have a few questions, if you guys are willing to talk for a little bit.´´ My Comp and I looked at each other and our eye lit up. We explained what we do as missionaries, why we are here. We only explained  the basics because we were already late for another appointment. But we marked a visit and told her if she had more question she should write them down.

 The next day when we visited  her with 2 members of the Ward, she had typed list of 20 questions about the church. The lesson was so spiritual that everyone was crying. She said that she has been looking for the right church her entire life and she never felt that is was right. I was so grateful to be there at that moment because I was able to see how the Spirit works on people. Then at the end of the lesson we asked her if she would follow that example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. She accept and the day we picked end up being the same day as her birthday!!!

 But wait there is  more...we gave her a Book of Mormon Friday to ready a chapter. When we talked to her on Sunday she was already in Alma. She said that on Friday after we left she stayed up all night reading and she understood everything.

I know that is Gospel is true and that it changes life's, families, and the world for the better. Í also know that everything happens for a reason. I was thinking what if we would have left the house of her Grandma 5 minutes earlier. My testomony has grown, that if we are truly trying to do everything right for the right reasons the Lord will bless us.

This was just on of the many miracles I saw this week. I know that this work is amazing. My comp said something to me that I will never forget.  `Being here right now isn´t even a sacrifice for me, it´s a blessing´´  I reflected alot about what he said. And it is true, this isn´t a sacrifice if you really working with all your heart, might, mind and strength. I know that is work is amazing. I get scared when I think that time is pass to fast that I can´t even enjoy it.

 Love you guys and I pray for you guys alot!!!

Com Amor,
Elder Seth

_________

_______________________