Week 46 ~ NUTELLA FIXES EVERYTHING; VWU

Elder Vester's email is short this time but there are lots of pictures. I am glad he is happy with his new companion.

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So, this week has been really rough. So, you guys don't get to know about it.

I'll just talk about my companion.

His name is Elder Mendonça (men-dohn-sah) He's from minnaous, the amazons.

He's my best companion. As of this last week, I really learned what can happen, and how much better the work is when you work with a good companion.  It's strange to go from such a start contrast from my worst companion, to my best, but I'm loving it. He's such an awesome companion. He's ready, and excited to be a missionary, and I learn from him every day.  I'm so grateful to be his trainer. I know the time we'll have together is very short, but these last 3 weeks have been the best, and other ways, the worst 3 weeks of my mission. All I can do is keep a smile on my face, and do my best. (Even when my best, is not as good as the other people's best.)

So, I love you all, and wish you well. <3

Elder Vester

Another Jesus graffiti!

Here in Campos, people use vans. They are only 1.50, so we take them pretty often.

Our Ward mission leader, André he made Kibie for us, and I had to do his dishes.

There was a random stampede of cows in our area the other day... weird.

We went to a Pizza rodizio last p day

Pizza!

Desert pizza

I ate upwards of 10 slices of pizza. They have desert pizza, too.

A river of filth.

That's poop that's reflecting the light, not water. But you don't have to tell anyone that.

The van says "Jesus, the secret to my success!'

The other 2 are the other elders that live in our house, Elder Powell, and Pinheiro.

Week 45 ~ JERUSALEM!!!! VWU

Elder Vester sent me a letter for my birthday and I will share a couple of  things that were in it:
1.  He got robbed. To make a long story short the building were he lives was being painted and the in the end they are pretty sure it was the painters that took Jacobs money out of their apartment, the door to the apartment didn't get locked. That was kind of sad.
2. Funny and sad - the next day when they were out knocking on doors, they stopped to ask for some water from someone, (big fancy house) they gave the person their water bottles and he filled them. Elder Vester started to drink after they left and did not realize that the water had a bad taste until I had drunk more then half of the bottle. It burned my throat and stomach and he started to get really sick, and had to fight the urge to vomit the entire night.
They went home early and when the other Elders came home he explained what happened and one of the Elders says "Dude, you're just drunk" The next morning he woke up with a massive headache. How cruel is that? This has really been an experience for him!
Now for his email and pictures.

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So, last night, the other missionaries in our house went to some Pentecostal church with an investigator, and the pastor was teaching the 6 steps to success. The only one that stuck, is TO LOVE JERUSALEM! Apparently he went on and on, for about 45 minuets about God prospers the people who love Jerusalem. lul; I liked it.

So, this week has been a rough week, but, there was a lot of personal growth.

I'm learning to shoulder my responsibilities better, and I'm really trying to do my best out here. I know that my best, may not be THE best in the mission, but, it's all God asks for, and I know that I will see many results here for that. 

God has promised that when ever we have faith to act, or to obey a commandment, he will always respond. It's amazing to see just what Heavenly Father can do when you let him. You just have to let HIM guide, and give up your own will in place of his. Sometimes we pass through hard times, and think we can't overcome, or deal with the trials we face. But, this last week I learned that everything falls into place. Sometimes, we have to give up something we thought was so important, and sometimes we get really discouraged about that thing we wanted, and sometime down the road, we realize that we gained something much bigger in it's place. Giving up a cupcake, and gaining a wedding cake.

I know that God knows me. 

I am his son, and he is my father.

We are so incredibly loved by our father in heaven, that we can't even fathom it in this life. How amazing is that?

I love it. I really do. 

I'm so grateful for this Gospel, and for the chance to try to serve the Lord, and to share what I love so much with others. I know this Gospel is true.

I challenge you, all of you, to evaluate your life.

Members, are you truly converted? Do you give all you can to the continuing of the kingdom of God?

Inactive members, are you willing to step back in the light, and receive and enjoy all the blessings that God has in store for you? Do you want to improve your happiness? Only Christ can help you overcome the trials you face, and he is waiting with open arms, to hug you, and show you the way. Just let him lead the way, and trust.

And Non-members. (Lucimar, estou falando à você agora. Só porque te-amo, <3 E tambén que os otros elders falarem que ainda está lendo meu blog. Isso me-deixou mutio feliz. Tenho muito saudades de ti.)

What will keep you from entering the waters of baptism, and following the example of our Savior? What keeps you from having the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit of God to guide you, strengthen you, and lift you up in the hard times? 

I can promise you, because I know for a fact, that this Gospel is true, and that God will guide you in the uncertain times. 

I've had several... "faith promoting experiences" This week. Both helping my faith grow in ways I never expected. I'll let my mom decide if she wants to post them on the blog, but, long story short, 
 I need to trust God more, and men a LOT less. lol

Chihuahuas. <3333

This is a cacoa tree.

This is what chocolate looks like in its natural habitat. And no, the juice tastes nothing like the finished product.

 I've gotta go now.

Love you all, and hope all is going well with each and every single one of you. <3

Com Amor

Èlder Vester

some of the richer parts of my area. (We're in Turf Club here.)

Week 44 ~ Magic Can Happen For Real, In RIO! WVU

I did think Elder Vester had Rio in his mission, but I guess I was wrong. He sent home a box of his favorite chocolates. I guess I won't open them until Dan gets home or maybe not!

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So, Leaving Cachoeiro de itapimirim was much harder then I though it would be. I left many people there that I need to visit when I return. I love that area, but hope to never serve there again. lol

So, Rio is great! It was about the same climate and temperature as Prescott. The area is FLAT. <3 Campos means Fields, so I cant complain.

BUT THIS AREA IS HUGE.

Its the size of the Prescott stake. It's ridiculous. We have to take a bus for more then 45 minuets sometimes to get to lunch. However, the bus fair is much cheaper.

I'm also training a new missionary! His name is Elder Mendonça. He's from Mannaous, (In the amazons!) There is a little difficulty between him and I, if only because he's Brazilian, and I'm American, and we have some trouble with one another's culture, but I'm enjoying it. It's been a huge change to not only be made senior companion, but to also be training at the same time.

We spent most of this week getting to know the area, and the members; I love it here. I can't complain too much. <3

Well, not much to report on this end. I love you all, and hope all is well. <3

Stay beautiful everyone!

<3 Tchau~

 

My last Chocolate Milk with one of my best Gal-pals Michele. I miss her so. ;3;

My son! His name is Elder Mendonça.

And my new area! I've been moved to Rio De Janeiro, Campos das Goytascazes, in the Turf Ward.

One of my new favorite candies. SMASH

My new area!

The flag of Espirito Santo.

The flag of Espirito Santo.

Some pretty buildings in my area~

Some pretty buildings in my area~

Some pretty buildings in my area~ yes the building is upside down!

 

Week 43 ~ Goodbye Cachoeiro! I won't miss your hills. VWU

Elder Vester is being transferred tomorrow. Won't know where he is going until next week. I think he is excited for the change. Lots of pictures this week.

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So, this week has been so crazy. 

I don't remember all of what happened, but I'll do my best.

The huge baptism meeting on Friday had 15 people baptized, and that was super legit. Sadly, I was on splits with Elder Degraw, (We were trying to get more people to go.) So, I will not be in the Liahona. ;3; #sad But, I don't need the Glory of men. xD

We only ended up getting 1 baptizim this week. Geovana. She's a super start, and her mom will be soon to enter the waters, too.

Qurioz and I worked super super hard this last week, and Geovana was the only one to get baptized from my area. However, her mom is trying to settle some things out, and she'll be baptized in a few weeks. They are already very firm in the Gospel, and I'm super thankful to make this my last memory of Cachoeiro. The meeting its self was awesome. Sister Araújo spoke, and she commanded the spirit in the room. It was awesome. And then the spirit only got stronger as each and everyone of the 15 people stepped into the waters of baptism. It was a very touching meeting, and I'm glad I could be there. Afterwords, president gave a message, and wow. It was awesome. <3 It was a good way to end these last 18 weeks.

Cachoeiro has taught me a lot. I've become much more physically fit; I've come to love futebol, and I officially torce for... I dunno. lol But, I enjoy watching it. Playing it terrifies me. :D So, it's all good. I'm addicted to the Jerseys, and I'll have several when I come home. I currently have my eye out for a Flumence, Chelsey, and Flamengos jerseys. yessssss.

Anwho.

I've also learned I have more patience then I thought. I'm re-freshed, and all pumped for this new area, and new companion! We're going to tare it up!

Our water was also cut this week; When Elder Corriea went home in march, he forgot to send the water bill to the office, so, early Tuesday morning, we found out that our water had been cut. We spent the next 4 days without water, trying to get everything sorted out.

I forget exactly how, but Fabiano found out we were without water, so, he gave us his bathroom for a few days till we got it all sorted out. <3 (His bathroom is American style. Oh goodness. I miss my country sometimes.)

And, to top it all off, he made us dinner last night. GLORY. <3 I'm grateful for wonderful members like that. I want to be in a position someday that I'll be able to return the favor.

I'm also reminded of Luke, Jacob, Nicole and I going on adventures at 1 in the morning to fill the missionaries' house full of balloons for Elder Brame's Birthday. I'm still waiting for something cool like that to happen to me. But, I won't complain about how awesome the members are in my ward here. I've come to love many of the people here, and I feel we all a part of one big, black family.

I even have people that call me there "Perdido filho branco" (Lost white son)

It's super cute. lol. Curisença~

Anywho. I've run out of things to say, other then packing is a huge pain in the butt.

Also, Brasil won the southern cup last night or something, (3 to 0 against Spain. totally mopped the floor. HULK, NEYMAR AND FREDDY. YES.) cuz there are massive amounts of partying in the streets. Drunk people everywhere~

So, I've got to get all the rest of my thinskis packed up, and maybe buy a Brazilian spandex bathing suit.

Or not. Who knows?

Love you all, pray for you often, and wish you the best. <3

<3 Com Amor, 

Some pretty photos of me. Needs no more explication.

Élder Vester

Fashion BYU? I'm going to apply THERE~

Some pretty photos of me. Needs no more explication.

Try to find the missionaries in this photo!

This guy is Fabiano Pimentel, he saved our butt this week. I'll explain a little more in my weekly email. c:

On Sunday, they closed down the "White line" buss transit, and set up a go-kart track. These guys were pushing upwards of 40 miles per hour. I was impressed. The firesuits are real, too.