Pictures

I am guessing on most of the pictures. Elder Vester didn't have time to tell be which picture was what. Hopefully I am not to far off. I don't think this is all of them but I am glad to have these.

Elder Vester looking cool!

This is what was left of his pizza party that Jacob's dad got for him.

I think Jacob is one of the investigators!

This was Elder Vester's MTC President and wife.

Elder Vester and Elder Johnson companions in the MTC.

This are the name tags of everyone in his MTC District.

The plane ride to Vitoria! That might even be Vitoria below.

Elder Jones and Elder Vester. His first companion in his first location, Serra

Elder Vester's first baptism - Bruno & Davyson with Elder Jones.

Bruno & Davyson

Week 12

Here is Elder Vester's letter for the week ~ enjoy!

Hello Everyone!

CTM People; Does anyone have Noggy´s address? Steve.Naugle is not working for some reason...

This week has been a little nuts. No Baptisms this week, but we have 3 lined up for this weekend!

And the computer keyboard I am using has something sticky inside it, so it´s super hard to type today. :D

My camera battery died last week, but I charged it all up, and I am sending every picture/video I have taken, and sending it to my mom. Fun times for all. :D

Some fun things about Brazil.

People here think I am Japanese; ´m not, but I´m totally OK with people asking. All my years of practice has paid off!

Internet cafes are called Lanhouses.

And American music is everywhere. I´ve heard Call Me Maybe about 9 times this week. :D It´s great.

I´m really enjoying the people. I´ve had the privilege of being taught by the elect here. Let me tell you about Lucimar, one of my favorite investigators. <3

She´s a 20 something, going to an online college, and loving life, and loving the Lord.

She is amazingly well versed in the scriptures. I understand about half of what she says, but I always love visiting her.

This last Sunday morning, she sent a text message to us saying "hey elders, I can´t make it to church today. A friend of mine called me last night and said he was coming over, but never told me what time. But, I am reading, pondering, and praying about the Book of Mormon, and I know God will answer my prayers. This will be a beautiful transformation for me, and I am excited. IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!"

Elder Jones and I laughed for a good 10 minutes. She´s so ready for the Gospel, and such an amazing person. I thank my Heavenly Father often for the experiences I have had here.

I am super grateful for everyone who sent me letters. <3 I look forward to writing replies today.

Kim, Lynn, I´m writing a joint letter to the both of you, and it´s being sent to the Kim, because I don´t have your mailing address. lol.

Life is good, and I am loving every minute of it; "Life is like a piece of cake. It´s crummy, but so sweet." (Elder Bean)

Till next week my friends!

Love all of you super much!

~Elder Vester

PS

SAY HAI TO ELDER JONES. :D

Week 11

Elder Vester seems to be doing well. A little frustrated this week about his camera, hopefully it will just be a dead battery.

Here is his letter for this week:

iei! (Whats up?)

I´ve started to adjust to the missionary life. I have a block of 4 hours of study every morning before I go out to work, but I enjoy it.

Elder Jones and I had 2 baptisms this week! (Both are future missionaries~)

Davyson, and Bruno. I hope to have pictures next week to send out to have put up on my blog. (I think my camera battery just died...)

It´s rained a lot this week. Almost every single day, and it´s rained every single night since I´ve been here. And apparently Serra does not get a bunch of rain. ;D Leave it to me to curse Brazil.

Apparently, this week has been very slow, according to Elder Jones. We taught 19 lessons, and he said that this is the lowest number of lessons in a week he´s ever had on his mission.

But, at the same time, we had 8 investigators, and 6 less active members at church this week. (A personal record for Elder Jones.)

So, I´m not complaining too much.

We also have had some wonderful references this week. Jusara, is by far my favorite.

She was a reference from a ward member, and it´s very clear that she´s been searching for the truth. I extended the Baptismal invitation to her, and she accepted, in the first lesson; By far one of the most wonderful experiences I have had in this mission so far.

I´m starting to understand Portuguese much better now, too! I can understand about half of what´s said now. And I can almost always understand Elder Jones. My vocabulary is very small, but I´m doing my best here. xD

 

I´m doing my best to learn, but it´s very hard. And a lot of times, I feel like I can´t do this.

So, I came up with a motto for myself.

 "Fear is the lack of Faith; when you´re scared, have more faith!"

And I've repeated it in my head many, many times.

Sometimes the Favelas scare me, and sometimes Portuguese scares me. But Every time I feel scared, I remind myself to have more Faith, and I have felt the supporting hand of the lord carry me through the times when I feel like breaking down.

 

I am loving the mission. <3

And I´m loving all the sassy black ladies here. Super sassy black ladies are now my favorite.

And also, apparently Halls is a candy brand down here....

I´m not sure how I feel about that; I don´t like cough drops. lol

Anywho! Sorry for the lack of pictures. I´ll probably cry myself to sleep if something is wrong with my camera, and all my pictures are gone.

But, sei la!

I love all of you, and I think of many of you often.

And I miss my Noggy. (MTC Joke.)

Tchau!

~Élder Vester

Week 10

Since this is the first time he got to e-mail out in the field, I wasn't sure what time he would be on. So first thing this morning when I got up (4:15 AM) I came downstairs and got my cell phone so I could see if I received an e-mail from Elder Vester while got ready for work. At 6:00 when I left still no word. About 5 minutes down the road I heard a "ding" and looked at my phone and sure enough it was Jacob. So I pulled over on Foothills and spent the next 45 minutes sending e-mails to him. It was great! New rules out in the field ~ he is not suppose to send e-mails to any but his family. He can write to everyone, just not e-mails.

Here is his e-mail from today, which is now his P-day.

Ola~

So, some new changes. I can´t email anyone other then family, but I can receive emails, and letters. ( I can also send letters to anyone.)

Thats really the only new change. SO I´m having my mom send this out for me. :D

Vitória is BEAUTIFUL!

My area is called Jargim andre caloni. Very hot area, but I love it! My area is about the size of Dewey.

We walk everywhere. I´ve had major Shin-splints for the last week. :D

My Companion is Elder Jones, from Washington. He´s been out for just over a year. Very tall, and has long legs. I have to jog to keep up with him. lol

We normally teach about 5-7 lessons a day. We have 4 people going to be baptized within the next 2 weeks or so. :D Very exciting stuff!

The ward we cover is wonderful. Everyone is so friendly, and patient with my horrible Portuguese.

The Ward Mission Leader, Mario, likes to go and teach lessons with us. I can understand his Portuguese sometimes, but that´s only because he´s around us a lot.

My companion and I speak almost always in Portuguese. It´s hard for me to hear and comprehend, but for the most part I understand nothing. :D It´s like week 1 back in the ctm!

All the members tell me to be patient, and listen, and I will pick up the language.

Everything is such a challenge for me right now. But I´m so glad I can be here!

I really miss the Washing Machines of the States. I have to hand wash my laundry in the sink, and then use the washer to rinse the soap out, and hang dry everything.

And our bathroom gets flooded with water. :D One of the glass pains in the shower broke several weeks ago, so every time we take a shower, the bathroom gets all wet.

Good times! :D

It´s very hot here. I sweat from the moment I get up, to when I go to bed. But, I´m sure I´ll adjust.

Anywhos~ Love all of you to death!

~Élder Vester

Week 9 - He made it!

E-mail just came in from Elder Vester - he made it to Vitoria! Actually he got there yesterday. It isn't as good as an email from him but it puts my mind at ease to know that he arrived safely.

Now let the work begin!
Here is the e-mail tha I just received:

We are very grateful to have Elder Vester with us in the Brazil Vitória Mission.  He arrived yesterday from the CTM in São Paulo.  Although a little tired due to an early plane flight, he was anxious to begin his service in the mission field.  After a session of training, we met in our home for lunch and an afternoon interview.  Attached is a picture taken in the mission home.  Once again, it was a pleasure getting to know your son and we look forward to serving with him as we invite others to come unto Christ and enjoy the blessings of the gospel.  If in the future you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

President and Sister Araujo

p.s. Monday is our Preparation Day.  As such, you should expect an email this coming Monday!!

Last pictures from the CTM (MTC)

Here are the last pictures from Elder Vester at the MTC.

Elder Earl & I (he was in the YSA with me)

Sis Ferrin, me & Sid Wooten. Two very sweet Sisters, I am glad I got to meet them & learn from their examples.

Elder DoVale, me, Elder Moreira. My Brazilian roommates! I learned a lot of Portuguese from them. Sad to see them go. 

Elder Obson, Sis Tyckson, me, Elder Johnson & Elder Bean (down in front) Look at how sunburn we are.

The Elders of room 423!

Solo shot with Sis Ferrin.

Elder Kison, a very amazing elder. Very strong testimony and a very loving heart. I meet him about week 4. He's going to bless the lives of many.

Jacob didn't say what was going on here, but I can just imagine!