Week 34 ~ Lia Lia Lia Lia Blessings~VWU

Elder Vester seems to be doing well. I am so blessed to have him serving the Lord. Just a reminder that his birthday will be May 11 ~ I know that he would love to hear from all of you, even if it is just a short e-mail.

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So, Hey ya'll.

This week was so stinking long. You don't even know.

 Here is me being beautiful. Like it?

It's at the secretary office lá in Vitória. 

Yeah, more bus trips. xD

Alright. So, this week, lots of good things happened. I've learned how much better Brazilian churros are then Mexican churros, and I have no idea how to make popcorn from scratch anymore. lol

Today is my companion's birthday. He's going fishing with Elder Lefoll, and Elder Paez and I are sitting at home. :D JUNIORS FTW. (for the win)

Tuesday, we went to Vitória for a zone meeting, and interviews with president. It turned out really well. :D I got lots of letters, and I loved it.We were totally exhausted that day, and when we got home, we grabbed another bus for 40 minutes, The edge of our area, in Monte Bello, and we started to teach Lucimar. It's amazing to see just how fast the spirit can work with someone's heart when they are prepared by the Lord to receive the fullness of the Gospel. I love this work, and I love being able to help other people come to a knowledge of the love of our savior, and be counted as one of his sheep, and be one with his fold.

<3 Lucimar. The newest member of Ala 1 em Cachoeiro, estaca Cariacica.

Really, that's about it that has happened this week. I bought me some silly t-shirts for my birthday, and I'll be sending pictures the Monday after. 

<3 I'm excited to talk to all the wonderful people I call my family in 2 weeks.

I really do miss all of you, and pray for every single one of you.

Lucimar's fantastic (That's him and Lara, his girlfriend.)

I'm so grateful to be here in the mission. It's by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But, I know that one day it will all be worth it. Up till now, It's the best decision I could have made. I have learned so much about myself, and about what I am capable of, and I encourage all of you who are considering on going, to go! The lord can't bless you if you stay at home!

Feijão check. My teeth are beautiful. :D

I have a testimony of this work. It will go forth till it has covered the face of the earth.

The church is True.

I know this, not because I was born in the church. But, because I prayed, and asked God for myself. I stand as a witness, that this is the right path. And I, in my weaknesses, have been made strong in the Lord's  hand.

Avante! Avante pra Vitória! (Advance, advance to victory)

Stay close, stay beautiful, and may god bless you all. <3

~Elder Vester

 

 

 

Week 33 ~ I’ve been singing “Tomare” ~ VWU

I just realized that I haven't posted Elder Vester's e-mail this week, please forgive me. Jacob seems to be doing well.
Just a reminder that his birthday is May 11, and it would be great if you received lots of mail or e-mails, wishing him a Happy Birthday, after all he will be 20!
No pictures this week, as you will read the internet was too slow.
Here is his e-mail:

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Hello everyone~

This week has been very long, and I am currently writing in English, in a Portuguese version of Microsoft word 2003. It’s cute, right?

Lets seeeeeee~

This week, there has been a lot of personal struggle, especially with what happened this weekend. Elder Quiroz and I seem to have a problem with our investigators vanishing right after they have accepted the Lords invitation to be baptized. The Zone Leaders called us Saturday night, asking us to visit everyone who had been to church last week, or anyone who had a baptismal date fall through, and challenge them to be baptized. So, we started with the people who had the least possibility to be baptized. We got there, and  Lucimara was there, with her cousin Aline. We taught the restoration, and when the spirit was at it’s strongest, I asked “How are you feeling right now?” Lu replied “Normal. As always. I never feel this spirit thing.” However, Aline said “ I feel this warmth, and inner peace, very tranquil.” So, we testified that the spirit was touching her heart, that she was being witnessed to, by the spirit, that our message was true. We challenged her to be baptized, on Sunday, after church. She accepted, and so, we made the plans, and got everything set to go. We visited the other 5 people, and no one else accepted the challenge, so a little dishearten, we went back to the apartment. The next day we went to her house at 8:15 to pick her up, and we knocked for 45 minuets, no one answered the door. We tried for so long, that the neighbors upstairs got angry at us, and told us to leave.

I’m not sure what Heavenly Father is trying to teach me from this experience, but I’m being positive.

I also caught come kind of bug last night, and I’m feel horrible. I was up till 4 this morning with diarrhea. So, I’m a little blah today. However, all is well, and I look forward to the week. I have a Zone meeting in Vitória tomorrow, and I’ll get letters!

<3 I’m all kinds of excited for that. I’ll be writing some letters and whatnot. <3

So, all in all, I can't complain too much. Just another day in the neighborhood. <3

I’m at a horrible Lanhouse, so I doubt I’ll get photos to yall this week. Sorry. D:

Love you all to no end, and think of you all fondly~

Tchaozino

Elder Vester

Also, I’ve been singing “Tomare” under my breath as a theme song for the last several days (From the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumya) –The one dub by Chrstiana V- just as a random side note.

I’ve yet to loose my anime nerdiness. <3

Week 32~ There can be Miracles, when you Believe: VWU

We have pictures this week. Elder Vester is doing really well. I told him this morning that he made my week and he came back with "you made my life" it just melted my heart, such a sweet kid, just got to love him,

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Wow.

This week has flown past; I can't even begin to say how fast it was. I'm so exhausted, you guys don't even know. But, with work, diligence, obedience and Faith, I've been so amazingly blessed this week.

<3 My 3 new converts. (The ones in the jumpsuits.)

Adriana, Drelly, and Keven.

I was privileged to help 3 people into the waters of baptism this week. Adriana, Drelly, and Keven. (the people in the white jumpsuits. 

I was overwhelmed; I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be here, teaching about Jesus Christ, and his amazing plan of happiness. I've found the age old proverb to be true. "After the trial of your faith, comes the miracle." And this week, I truly have seen miracles. 

This week has also been a very tiring week. Lots of travel, lots of walking, lots of praying, lots of listening, and lots of service.

We've been helping Wemerson (A recent convert) dig holes for the foundation of his new house.

My hand is so full of blisters. :D

Um, what else happened this week?... Um, I'm not transferred? :D
Transfers are this week, and I get to stay at least another 5 weeks in Cachoeiro. <3

I'm glad. I love this area. <3 Have I failed to tell you guys that I am deathly skinny now? It's super cute; I've lost 6 inches off my hips. :D I'M SO TINY. 

Anyway. I feel like I'm out of words, and just rambling now. 

I've got to go take care of the fact that our house has been without energy for the last 40 hours or so, and I need to clean all the raw meat out of the freezer.

<3 Wish me luck with my domestication! :D

Some pretty flowers I like~

<333333 This Colapisito loves me~Her name is Naymara.

Contents of my packages

Week 31 ~ Milkshakes made with Avacado are totally normal here. VWU

Sorry this is a bit late I have been out of town. Also there are no pictures this week, his internet was too slow, but at least there is an e-mail.
Enjoy

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So, yeah. Tell any Brazilian about Guacamole, and they'll give you a really hard time about it. Because they just put sugar in them, and eat them with a spoon. 

D: Don't try it. lol

I FINALLY GOT PACKAGES THIS WEEK, <33333 Candy, cookies, pens, deodorant! Lovais ao Deus!

(The connection is really slow here. I doubt I'll be able to send them this week.)

So, sadly, not much has happened this week.

We had a super random meeting in Vitória that we all had to go to, and so, it was another 6 hours in a bus. Wooo~

President Arujo had his brother speak. He's very loud, and I did not get a lot out of the message he gave, because his accent was super hard for me to understand, and mistakes the spirit with yelling; it was weird. lol

A lot of stuff went wrong this week, but through it all, the week was fantastic! I learned a lot.

Conference was wonderful, too. We had to have 2 investigators there in order to watch conference on sat, and all 4 of them fell through, so a very upset Elder Vester had to head back home, and ended up going to a Recent Convert's house, who wanted me to teach her how to sew. :D Night= saved.

The next day, all 7 of our investigators fell, however, because it was Sunday, we had to go, otherwise it would be like missing church.

I watched the 3rd, and 4th sessions in Portuguese, and that was a little rough, but I got some good notes.

The final session, the Lord blessed me to be able to listen in English. (They were able to get an internet connection in the bishops office, and so I was able to hear the words, and feel the words, not translate, and hope I was understanding correctly.)

Wow. Just. Wow. What an amazing session. 

There was so much power in the words that Elders Holland, and Oaks gave. Literally every sentence was filled with the spirit, and I was so amazingly edified by that last session of conference.

I've come to love conference so much in the mission. <3 Even if it is a huge ordeal trying to get people to go with us on a bus for an hour to some remote location to hear the words of some old Americans who they have no idea are. :D

It's wonderful, and I love it. <3

Live, and let live. 

Follow the spirit, and walk in the steps of the savior, he'll never lead you astray. <3

I'm so grateful for the examples I've had in my life, and for being where I am today. I'm so glad to be in the restored church of Jesus Christ. I've found true, and everlasting joy in the Lord's church, and I'm humbled that the Lord has enough trust, and confidence in me to let me go crazy in a jungle of people who need's the Lord's guidance;

I know the church is true. I know this. 

I feel this. I understand this with every fiber of my soul.

May the Lord bless you all, and keep you safe in the hallow of his hand. <3

I love you all!

Elder Vester

Week 30 ~ I have spider bites on my butt. :VWU

We are so blessed to have a missionary our serving his Heavenly Father and the people of Vitoria Brazil. he doing a great job and loving the work. I had a nice email session with him on Monday. He is such a great kid, but then I am bias, I guess!

Elder Vester's birthday is May 11, it would be great to have as many  people write him as possible. He would love to hear from someone other than his momma!

Enjoy his email and pictures.

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So, spiders like to crawl up my pajama pants, and bite my butt;I have like 7 bites. :D Too much information? GOOD.

My cold or whatever has totally cleared up. Behold the picture of the Mamomacho flower, and Lime tea I made. It tasted terrible, but cleared up the cold in about 18 hours. :D

I love this photo. I took it in the pouring rain.:D

Also, I'm kinda beautiful. Let me just be vain for a second here~

See this egg? It's chocolate; I expect to break out sooooo bad this week. >:D Worth it.

This week has been very good, and very rough at the same time.

Let me begin with the story of Jefferson.

We found him knocking doors 2 weeks ago. We got to know him a little bit better, and set a return visit for the fallowing week.

The next visit, we taught the Book of Mormon; testifying of the truth of this  magnificent book, and challenging him to read it after the visit. Only, I think he misunderstood; We left him Mosiah 18; he grabbed the book, and started to read right there. I waited for a minute, and noticed he was crying. I asked him how He felt, and he said

"I feel a warmth in my heart, its different, and very strong."

"This is the Holy Ghost, testifying, and confirming my witness of the truth of this book."

"I want to be a part of this church."

"Then will you be baptized this weekend (It was Tuesday), by one holding the proper authority of God?"

"Yes. Yes I will."

The next day, we taught him all the commandments; The sabbath, Chastity, Word of Wisdom, Tithing.

Accepted everything.

And the next day. we were going to teach him the restoration; only, he was gone.

And today, we have no idea what happened to him.

It's possible that he traveled for Easter, or something; I don't know.

But, I know that when I find him, I'll hug him, then wring his neck.

THIS IS THE 3RD RUN-AWAY BRIDE IN 5 WEEKS.

NOT. COOL. lol

But, if anything. The Lord has taught me how he wants me to do his work.

Testifying, and challenging.

This week, we've marked 7 baptisms. Some very solid, others are still waiting for a reply from Heavenly Father; His inbox can get pretty full. 

But, This has all come to pass because I have opened my mouth, and testified; Not because of my own efforts, but because of the spirit.

I've decided that I like to be a speaker for the holey Ghost, and  I'm just there to transfer the sound; The Lord always fulfills his promises, and I have been so blessed to be able to testify, and add my witness of the truth, to the many thousands of my brothers and sisters serving in the mission field with me. 

Now, I'll tell you about Davi, Kevin, Adreána, and Dréle.

They were also found knocking doors. They are an adorable family of 4, legally married!

Slowly but surly, they are progressing. We've marked a baptismal date with Keven,(The son) and we're trying to help Davi (The father) stop drinking. With any luck, we'll be able to baptize all of them on the 12th.

And then there is Ánderson. He's a recovering druggie, who was a member reference. He went to church for the first time this week, and loved it to no end. We're trying to make sure all the drugs get out of his system first, but we would like to baptize him at the end of this month.

Aaaaand. My president is going crazy. lol

Apparently he's getting in trouble for the Vitória mission being low on baptisms. Our mission goal is 245 for this month. We're getting 24 new missionaries, and the mission boundaries are expanding. We're going to get a little more of Mina Gerias. :D

If I have to train, it'll be sooooo gross. >_< I'm not ready for that. My Portuguese has improved a lot, I just need to solidify it a little.

But, We're having so much success here in Cachoeiro, I don't quite want to leave.

So, alls well that ends well. <3

I love all of y'all to no end.<3

Elder Vester

I love this photo. I took it in the pouring rain.:D

There are about 9 "Barros" in this photo. Only about 1/4 of my area;

Big Bob's Burgers. :D  It was delicious!

The Easter Bunnie visits good little elder vesters, too~

See this egg? It's chocolate

the Mamomacho flower, and Lime tea I made

Remember what I said about gaining weight?

I've lost 3 inches off my chest, 6 inches off my hips,  4 inches off my stomach, and an inch out of my neck.

:D Vida Geurrio em Cachoeiro!