Week 50 ~ Horrible Lan-house is Horrible. VUW

Well 2 more weeks and it will be 1 year, but who is counting. After almost a year Elder Vester says it's been a good week! Hooray!!! Jacob did get to send some photos.

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So, I actually had some really good photos to share with ya'll, but the internet here is so horrible, that I cant even attach photos. My eye is twitching, and all my patience is out the window. NOT EVEN THE SPACE BAR WORKS RIGHT. GAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH.

/calm

Anywho, this week was pretty good. Training a new missionary can be a little rough sometimes, but I feel like I am doing pretty well, ya know? But, I just keep on trucking.I know I'll be a better missionary, and a better companion when I leave this companionship, and Mendonça will be ready to be  train if needs be by next transfer.

(Oh my goodness this lanhouse is HORRIBLE.I can't even get into the portal to send an email to my Presidente.WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN)

This week we don't have too much going on. Last night we contacted a referral. It's an older gentleman by the name of Valdir. He had been taught by the missionaries a while ago, and in the week of his baptism, something happened, and he decided he needed to wait longer. About 7months later, we show up. He told his neighbor that he is ready to be baptized. So last night, we went to this man's house, with his neighbor, who also happens to be a member. Valdir accepted Baptism without any problem, and we're going to prepare him for this Sunday.  But, that's really just it.

I love you all, and wish you all well. <3333333

tchau, e até mais!

<3 Élder Vester

 

Another visit to Mcdonalds. We're getting ready to go there again right now. :D

 

 

 

 

This Family is one of the kindest families in this Ward. I love them a lot, and they take good care of us. Th best lunches in the área come from this Family. And their daughter is hilarious.

My new haircut! Look at the way they cut my hairline. They shaved a part of my head to get that shape; I really love it. :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are coxinhas. I'll learn how to make these for us when I get home.

<3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 49 ~ Another Transfer In Rio! :VWU

Not a long email but the highlight of Elder Vester's week was eating a McDonald's and the pictures to prove it.

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So, yup. <3 I get to stay  6 more weeks here in Rio. :D I'm ok with that.

I ALSO WENT TO McDONALD's THIS WEEK.

YES. 

IT WAS SO AMERICAN.

Accept for the fact that everyone was speaking Portuguese.

Also, the McDonald's in the states has a LOT more menu choices.

But, it's my first quarter ponder with cheese in like, a year.

<3

Also, our district, and Zone Leaders.

So, I don't have a lot to report for this week.

Laíza was confirmed, and we managed to get Isla, another girl we've been working with to get confirmed. Elder Mendonça and I both did our first confirmations together. #missionarymemories

This week we need to find some more people to teach. Sadly, I believe that Laíza's family is getting tired of us coming over all the time. They can only handle so much of this silly American. XD

But, all is well. 

I hope all is well for you guys at home. <3333 Ya'll are fantastic, and I look forward to letters tomorrow! <333 loves you.

Until next week. <3333

<333 ELDER VESTER WENT TO MCDONALD'S TODAYYYYYYYY

District GLORIA!

This is Amanda. She leaves to serve in São Paulo on Thursday. :D

Week 48 ~ WHAT IS THIS I DONT EVEN :VWU

Here is Elder Vester's email and we have pictures this week!

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Laìza,

Say hello to Laìza, and family.

She's my newest recent convert. <3 We're totally going to baptize her entire family.

Anywho. 

I am proud to say, I am a missionary now. The true test comes of a missionary when he is placed as senior, and to see if he baptizes or not.

Laìza, and family.

<3 And, I am amazingly happy to say, I am a missionary.

We had 14 investigators at church. <3 personal record.

And my heart is full. I am so happy.

All the pain, suffering, walking, and everything is worth it to help a soul come to Christ. <3 I love this feeling. It's why I'm here, and I can't get enough of it.

And what's more. I'm so happy to see how happy Elder Mendonça is. He's  been radiating the last 2 days.  I kinda forgot just how much joy can come when you really work hard, and that work pays off.

I can't even describe it. I love this work. The ups, are so very much worth the downs. I can hardly believe I am 11 months into the mission.

It's been an adventure. That's all I can say. <3

I love you all, and I love this work. <33333

I keep you in my prayers, and hope all is well.

Com Amor

Laìza

Elder Vester

Also, there is a pet shop we pass every every day, and they JUST GOT NEW PUPPY DOCKSHOUDSSSSSSS

<333333

Week 47 - GLOOORRRIIIIAAAAAAA :VWU

This is a short email this week and no pictures because Elder Vester was having camera problems.

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So, I had camera problems, and no photos this week.

This week has been a good week. We're going to have 2 baptisms this weekend they are very ready, and loved church last week. All our hard work is finally starting to pay off! Laíza, and Maicom are going to be an awesome addition to the ward, and I'm excited to see them progress in the ward. They accepted a baptismal date for the 5th of next month. (Next Sunday.)
My companion is really enjoying the mission. I'm so happy to see him excited about having baptisms. I remember what it was like to have my first baptism, and I'm so grateful to be able to see the joy missionary work brings, not only to the convert, but to the missionary as well. The area is wonderful, and I'm really loving it here. The ward is a little disorganized, and out LMA is very excited to help with the work. The bishop supports the work as well, so it's a nice change from Cachoeiro de itapimirim. 
I love this work, and I am so excited to help Laíza be a part of the Lord's restored Gospel. 

And, MISSÃO BRAZIL VITÓRIA É O MELHOR MISSÃO NO MUNDO!

<3

Love you all, and wish you the best.

Elder Vester

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!