Week 21 ~ Olia Minha Bunda! :Vester's Weekly Update

 Elder Vester isn't a GREENY any more!

So hey everyone. :D
Hard week was hard. Like, super hard. :D

It was the last week of my training program, and I had to act as the senior companion, I did all the planning, and lead all the lessons, and I had to do everything.

:D I hated it. lol

Elder Jones is getting transferred - Pancake Party!

But it was good.

However. My companion is being transferred this week, and I'm a little afraid I'll be put with a Brazilian. My Portuguese is not that great, and it's going to be really hard if I do.

Major shout out to Tyckson and Oborn; I have a lot of respect for you guys. <3

Also, the title translates to "Behold, My butt!"

Some Brazilian girl called me using that pickup line.

I was horrified. :D

so, In lieu of Jones leaving the area, Pricilla, a wonderful member in our area, threw us a Pancake Party. Brazilian pancakes are a little different, but they were still good. I brought my peanut butter, and we made maple syrup, and it was lots of fun.

So, Not too much to report. We have 3 people with baptismal dates for the next few weeks.

And Carnival is in about a week. D:

There is going to be icky things everywhere; All the missionaries say that the work pretty much dies when carnival comes around.

Maybe I'll get a picture with a drunk guy. :D

So, here's too a week of unknown.

I'll send a picture of me and my new companion next week.

A pretty girl!

If I have to train, I'll cry. :D

Love all you so much.

Really. <3

Stay beautiful!

Com Amor

~Élder Vester

"The sound of music" is called "The rebellious nun".

The same pretty girl!

Week 20 ~ 100% Jesus!: VWU

At least Elder Vester still has a sense of humor!

I love Brazil. Jesus is everywhere! :D

So, sorry for the last week's email being all sad and depressed. I remembered that I am a child of God and he loves me and I am a child of a loving mother. <3 Love you momma. <3

Kinda a rough week. There are a lot of people going through a lot of trials, and the missionaries are adorable fluffy little targets.

As far as work updates, we lost 2 more people. One, because she is too mentally ill, and the other... I dunno?

All in all, I can't complain. c: I love this work.

This week, I have grown a lot. I've learned, once again, just how beautiful the love of the Savior is. I have this shawl that my seminary teacher gave me 2 years ago. It has special meaning for me, and even when it's hot, I sit and use it. Every time I use it, I am reminded of the lesson she taught when she gave each of us a hand knitted shawl. And every time I do, I remember just how beautiful our Savior is. I forget sometimes, and when I am feeling sad, I sit, read my Scriptures, and use my shawl.

The scriptures are a fountain of spiritual water. I have come to love, and crave my hour every morning that I have to study the Lord's Words. I learn new things every time I read, and every time I read, I feel the support of the spirit. Truly the support of the Lord can not be described.

The scriptures are who I run to. They have the words of my older brother Jesus Christ, and the words of our Father, God. I read of God's love for us. So great and marvelous, that he was willing to let his son live a perfect life, and die for us. And how great is the love of our Savior, that he was willing to lay his life down, so that we might be able to return home to the God who gave us Life. 

I can't help but feel my heart sway with devotion to them. I love it.

Everyone. God loves you. Jesus Loves you. And I love you. <3

Thank you for everything. I have felt strength in the prayers that you offer in my behalf. This week has truly been wonderful.

<3

Até aproxima semana!

Com amor

~Élder Vester

Week 19 - A week of Hardships :VWU

It has been a tough week for Elder Vester. Please keep him in your prayers. I know he will come out of it because he is strong and has great faith. No pictures this week.

I am amazingly discouraged.

In the last week, we had 3 baptism dates fall. One fell, because he died.

This week was good up till Sunday. None of our investigators showed up to church, and I found out in Sacrament that Aroldo died...

And this morning, my Mission President made it strictly against the rules to crochet or knit, even on P-Day. (Our 1 day off a week.)

I don´t know what to do, and I don't know what to say.

Lucimar, our investigator that I was sure would get baptized by now, has totally stopped trusting us, and I am at a loss of what to do.

I suppose that after the trial of my faith will come the blessings. 

So, I will look forward to that.

Op, and the computer I am using just deleted all my photos...

Well, here's to hoping next week will be better.

Remember that Jesus loves you, and wants the best or each of you.

Love you all!

~Elder Vester

Week 18 ~ Jesus Grafitti is super Thug:VWU

Elder Vester is doing well. Keep him in your prayers that they will find those that are seeking.

The best Graffiti ever

Long boring week was long and boring.

My shoes after 2 months (I hope they make it!)

Jones and I only taught about 22 lessons, and we're having a lot of struggles with some of the people we're teaching. But, all is well.

This last week has been full of drunk people. A drunk guy came up to me a few days ago, and told me I was super ugly.... But that he was just kidding? I dunno. He also talked about a bunch of weird stuff. I guess I'm OK with Drunk Brazilians thinking I am ugly.

This week, has truly been an answer to many, many prayers. Every night, and every morning, I have been praying that my ears would be opened, and my tongue would be loosed. And this week, the many prayers that I have prayed, and the many prayers that I know others have offered in my behalf, have been answered in part. I think it was about Wednesday or so, I don't really quite know, but what I do know, is that I understand. I understand almost everything of what people say. (Minus little Brazilian dogmas), but I know the Lord has opened my ears, so that I can first learn to listen to the people. Once I learn to truly listen, and love the people I am teaching, I know the speaking will come. I am a little frustrated that I can hear and understand, but cannot express myself very well. All in due time. The Lord has already been so merciful with his blessings in my life, and I an so grateful for his hand; I would knew nothing, and would not be able to understand Portuguese without his help. 

Lovai a Deus! Glorias e hosannas á nome de altísimo!

The Lord truly loves his people, and blesses them according to their Faith, and diligence. This, I have a truly strong testimony of. When we exercise our faith, and put our trust in him, he responds with blessings. He grants his Tender Mercies, and sometimes we don't even realize it.

Praise to God! Hosannas and Glories to the name of the Most High!

I love to count my blessings, and to thank my Heavenly Father for them, one, by one. It makes me feel so warm, and loved when I realize all the blessings the Lord has given me. I am truly grateful for this Gospel, and this work.

I can finally understand Alma " Oh that I were an Angel, and have the desire of my heart to preach repentance and the love of God till he comes in his glory; But I am mere human, and am selfish in my desire."

I want this gift for everyone. <3 I don't think 2 years will be enough. So I'll work as hard as I can, to share the love of God with as many as I can.

Thank you all for the many emails I receive each week. I feel bad that I am unable to email you back. But know that I read them. each and every single one, and I am so grateful for all of your love for me. <3

Know that I think of you often, and thank the Lord for the many wonderful memories that I share with all of you.

And with this, I will see you all next week.

And Mayhaps I will have bought something fancy.

Com Amor

 ~Élder Vester

A "unity exercise" in our last district meeting.

A little bag I crocheted for elder Woodmansee's birthday

A super weird bridge we found in our area. I like it. :

Week 17 ~ Suffer The Little Chrildren to Look at my Photos: VWU

Brazilians think I'm nuts, and they love me. :D I'm totally OK with that.

That's Bruno, Deivyson, Daniel, and Isadora.

They all love my photos. lol

We really enjoyed talking to Jacob at Christmas for 2 1/2 hours on Skype. It was wonderful. He is doing really well and we could hear him speaking Portuguese to the family were he was at, and it sounded good to me. We had all of his siblings on at the same time so he got to talk to them all. What a blessing modern technology is!

Here is his email:

This week has been an interesting one.

It's been an exercise in patience, and obedience; that's for sure.

There are some problems with the Leadership;  But, I know that if I am obedient, I will be blessed.

But! Its New Years Eve! Today marks exactly 1 year of Haddad Household in my life. <3

The Haddads are an incredibly special family. I was blessed to share a friendship with their 2 youngest sons, Jacob and Luke, now serving missions, and they turned out to be some of the most strengthening people I could have asked to help prepare me for my mission. Being a missionary now, I can truly appreciate just how open and loving their home is, and how they came to be like 2nd parents to me. When I was not at my house, or with my family, I was with the Haddads, and that has made a huge difference for me.

This family is only 2nd in influence to my own mother and father. It took me moving to another country to realize just how wonderful my parents are. My mother has an amazingly tender heart, something I've tried to inherit, and my father a deep knowledge of the Gospel; Something I'll get with time. But nevertheless, this experience has forced me to look back, and realize how supportive they have been, and just how truly beautiful homes built with a gospel foundation are. I am so grateful that I was able to Skype my family. It really helped me get back on track, and ready to work. Thanks guys. c:

So, complaining naggy time.

Our shower is still broken, our sink still leaks, I smell like icky all the time, all my clothes are in the wash and I'm wearing a long sleeve shirt, my companion does not have a chair anymore, and we've been studying on our couch, and blah blah blah my needs.

Elder Jones does not like it when I complain. >_>

ANYWHO.

Internet is janky as Wilma, and It keeps going down. 

I hope all of you have a wonderful new year, and remember the love of our savior in our lives. <3

Feliz Ano novo para tudo mundo!

Com Amor

~Élder Vester

Scripture case

This is Sister Oliver. She's the first missionary I met on the way to Brazil.

She's currently serving in Salvador Sul.

Christmas Eve with the District!

Daniel really likes Pokemon. :D I support it.

 Beaded Brazil ring